IIHS moderate overlap crash test results for seven EVs show good ratings for the i4, Blazer EV, post-April 2025 Cybertruck, and ID.Buzz, and acceptable for Tesla’s Model 3. (No word on the door handles.)
The F-150 Lightning (poor) and Ariya (marginal) results showed risks of injuries to backseat passengers.
With over 300 miles of estimated range, a Tesla charge port, and native Android software, the pioneering EV is back and better than ever.
It will also be able to add 250 kilometers (155 miles) of charge in just 15 minutes of DC fast-charging, according to a new video from the Japanese automaker. Nissan already revealed that the new Leaf will come with a native NACS charging port, enabling it to charge at Tesla Superchargers. The addition of Plug and Charge appears to fit in with the narrative that Nissan aims to address charging headaches with the new Leaf.
The two Japanese automakers said the deal had been terminated to prioritize “management measures in an increasingly volatile market environment heading into the era of electrification.”
The merger plans were signed in December, but discussions reportedly soured in the past few weeks. Today’s announcement suggests the issues centered around disputes over how the new company should be structured.
The merger deal that was set to create the third-largest global automaker is now in jeopardy, with dealings between the two companies complicated by their “growing differences” according to Reuters.
While Nikkei Asia reports that Nissan has suspended the merger talks, an unidentified Honda spokesperson told Reuters that it hadn’t heard anything from Nissan about withdrawing from the agreement and that a final decision is expected to be reached by mid-February.
[reuters.com]
Motor Authority reports that a Nissan executive told it that if the company is making an all-electric GT-R, it won’t compromise on performance, pointing to the McClaren Formula E team’s recent first victory in São Paulo, Brazil with a Nissan-designed electric racer.
As for what it will look like, an executive seemed to hint that last year’s Hyper Force concept is a preview of GT-Rs to come.
Making performance versions of EVs is tricky, because the electric assist is already pretty darn snappy and the vehicle body has likely been aero-optimized from the beginning. What’s left? Well, according to Nissan, plenty. The latest version of the company’s Ariya compact SUV features handling and performance “all brought about by NISMO’s exclusive tuning.” Basically hand it over to your racing division and see what they come up with.
Of course there’s an option to add fake engine noises “evocative of Formula E racing.”
The Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo saw the debut of five different electrified sports cars, ranging from production-intent coupes to outrageous concept supercars.
Nissan’s first fully electric vehicle since the Leaf is a great little crossover that puts safety over acceleration. It may be late to the game, but it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the market.
Nissan reused a lot of parts when it put together this sports car — so why is it still so dang fun?
The bulbous, gas-free car from Nissan helped prove electric vehicles have a place in the automotive industry
