This press release was issued by Nissan Europe on July 23, 2003(EST).
July 24, 2003
At a glance
- Dunehawk concept lays the foundations of Nissan's SUV future
- Nissan 350Z powers into Europe's sports car market
- More performance; more economy: more advanced diesels. 60kW Micra diesel completes range
- Fuel cell vehicle (FCV) underlines Nissan's leadership in alternative fuel development.
Nissan will underline its leading role in Europe's growing 4x4 market at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Among the star attractions will be a bold concept car, called Dunehawk, which hints at a future SUV direction for Nissan.
Dunehawk is a vision of how a Nissan 4x4 of tomorrow could look. With a bold and intelligent design, advanced technology and innovative combination of SUV and MPV, the Dunehawk is a mid-sized 4x4 aimed at meeting the emerging needs of the active family of tomorrow. Equipped with a second generation of Nissan's ALL MODE 4x4 system - first seen on the X-TRAIL, the Dunehawk combines genuine off-roading ability with no compromise in on-road performance.
The Frankfurt motor show will also mark the official start of European sales for the mighty Nissan 350Z, a totally focused two seater which incorporates chassis technology developed on the race track.
The potent 3.5-litre V6 engine develops 206kW (280 PS) and is mounted behind the front axle to provide the optimum static front to rear weight distribution. Drive is to the rear wheels. It gives the 350Z a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h (155 mph) while the 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes less than 6 seconds.
Fundamental to the growth of the Nissan brand in Europe, the return of the Z-car - the 350Z is the fifth generation of the iconic sports car in just over three decades - has already sold well over one thousand units across Europe since its debut at the Geneva motor show this year.
Central to the continued rise in Nissan's European sales is the expansion of the firm's diesel range. Being shown at Frankfurt before sales start in October, is a new 60kW (82PS) version of the Micra 1.5 dCi, which follows the introduction of the 48kW variant of the same engine earlier this year. The launch of the 60kW 1.5dCi Micra completes a phase of diesel engine introductions giving Nissan a competitive diesel engine option in every sector of the market - from Micra to the mighty Patrol GR. The diesel range now consists of no fewer than five different displacements: 1.5-, 1.9-, 2.2-, 2.5-, and 3.0-litre, with nine different outputs.
For the first time in Europe Nissan is also showcasing its future technologies. A fuel cell powered X-TRAIL prototype will be displayed, fresh from the completion of its road test programme. Being 100% environmentally friendly with zero emissions, Fuel Cell technology is widely tipped to be key to the future of personal transport. Nissan's pioneering vehicle will form the basis of a FCV which will go into test production this year.
* The Nissan press conference at the IAA Frankfurt motor show will take place on the Nissan stand (A 01, located in hall 3.1) at 13.00hrs, 9th September 2003.
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