The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • GM may revive Hummer to battle Wrangler

    GM may revive Hummer to battle Wrangler

    The calendar may say 2015, but one of the most popular vehicles on the road remains a trucklet born in World War II. As the Jeep Wrangler sets sales records in the United States and around the world, General Motors could finally field a true off-road truck under the GMC brand — if it can only make up its mind after more than a decade of eating Jeep dust.

    According to The Wall Street Journal, executives from the GMC brand were asking dealers at a recent national conference whether adding a small off-roader to the lineup was a good idea. Last year, Jeep sold 234,579 Wranglers worldwide, with sales up 13 percent in the United States.

    For car fans, this is deja vu all over again. Back when it was building Hummer into a sizable business at the turn of the century, GM laid plans for a Wrangler-killer that would have been called the Hummer H4. The car above was a concept version, dubbed the Hummer HX, unveiled at the 2008 Detroit auto show. Sometimes concept cars are little more than mockups; the HX had a full spec sheet, including a 302-hp V-6, removable roof panels and 24 inches of ground clearance. The H4 would have been built off a modified version of GM’s mid-size truck chassis, but the economic collapse and GM’s bankruptcy sank the H4, the entire Hummer brand and the executives who wanted to kick Jeep in the teeth.

    Only now, as gas prices ease and GM has returned to full financial health, does the company have the resources to consider a niche truck like a Wranger fighter. GM showed off a hint of its off-road thinking with the Chevy Colorado ZR2 concept at the Los Angeles auto show last year, yet if it approved a full-bore new GMC product today, GM would need at least three years to build it.

    Why such reluctance to give buyers what they want? In carbuilding, momentum means everything, and being popular only makes it harder for a newcomer. The U.S. sales charts would say every company should build a full-size pickup, but if you’re not Ford or GM or Chrysler, doing so requires spending at least $1 billion for a vehicle that — no matter how smart you are — will take years to win acceptance, can’t be sold elsewhere and will likely never make back the investment. It is not just that Jeep sells a lot of Wranglers; it is that those buyers want a Jeep again and again and again, despite what some magazine might say.

    In other words, the next Wrangler will look much more like other SUVs under the skin and less like the WWII throwback its fans demand today. (Building the folding windshield out of a unibody frame is going to be worthy of an SAE paper or two.) When the Wrangler changes that dramatically, it will be the first time in ages that GM or another competitor could steal some momentum — if they can only get in gear.

  • Jaguar unveils F-PACE

    Jaguar has confirmed it will introduce an all-new model to the Jaguar line-up, to go on-sale in 2016, named the Jaguar F-PACE.

    Jaguar Director of Design, Ian Callum, said an overwhelmingly positive response to the C-X17 concept car last year gingered the company to introduce new model.

    “The Jaguar F-PACE, inspired by the F-TYPE, represents a perfectly judged balance of performance, style and practicality. It offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious luxury interior. The F-PACE is our family sports car,” Callum said.

    “The Jaguar F-PACE couples class-leading interior space and exceptional on-road dynamics with five-seat usability to produce a true performance crossover.  It will encapsulate everything that Jaguar stands for: beautiful design, precise handling, a supple ride, luxurious interior finishes and cutting-edge technology,” he added.

    Speaking in Detroit, Jaguar Land Rover Global Sales Director, Andy Goss announced that the company will celebrate Jaguar’s 80th year anniversary this year. “We have started it by announcing our first performance crossover which we consider to be the ultimate practical sports car – a car that builds on the marque’s founding ideals of Grace, Pace and Space to become one of the most innovative Jaguars we have ever developed. The F-PACE has now began its engineering and development testing programme ahead of the new model going on sale in 2016,” Goss said.

    The F-PACE will be manufactured in Solihull, United Kingdom. Jaguar sub-Sahara Africa can confirm that the all-new F-PACE will go on sale locally.

  • Six-wheel Brabus makes debut

    Six-wheel Brabus makes debut

    Over the years, Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has created some unforgettable pieces of moving art.

    Building off the ‘tame’ arrangements of Mercedes-AMG, the Bottrop-based outfit has fashioned everything from an 850-horsepower luxury sedan to an apocalypse-approved G-Wagen, and the German company is not stopping any time soon.

    The brand’s latest creation is called the Brabus 700, a Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6 with a healthy smattering of cherry-tinted carbon fiber and performance enhancements.

    The six-wheeler was commissioned by Badr Bin Saud, a Saudi Arabian enthusiast with a clear passion for red. The luxury SUV is simply covered in velvet-hued material, with striking carbon weave on the wheel arches, hood, and roof, or the red and black upholstery inside.

    Hiding behind the bold ‘B’ logo on the grill is an augmented version of the AMG’s 5.5-liter, twin turbo V8. It is not quite as extreme as, say, the 828–hp Mansory Mercedes version, but it is definitely got some weight behind its punches.

    With the help of Brabus’ B63S-700 performance kit, the G63 now produces 700 hp and 708 pound feet of torque, improvements of 156 hp and 147 lb-ft over stock. This is accomplished via upgraded turbochargers, high-performance downpipes, ‘Gold Heat’ reflection insulation sheathing, and a stainless steel exhaust. These improvements allow the 8,487-pound bruiser to hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.

    Pricing for the 700 has not been released, but the standard G63 AMG 6×6 runs a pretty penny on its own: $560,152 to be exact. Only 20-30 units are built each year.

    Mercedes has hinted at a hardcore version of the G63 4×4, which should be available sometime next year.

    Several spy shots of a G63 test vehicle surfaced in November, which showed the 4×4’s bolstered ride height and all-terrain style bodywork.

  • Peugeot loan scheme receives boost

    Peugeot loan scheme receives boost

    Former Head of Morbid Anatomy Department, College of Medicine of University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (CMUL-LUTH), Prof Fatimah Abdul-Kareem became the first customer in South-West to acquire a brand new Peugeot 301 Luxury car under the Peugeot Vehicle Acquisition Finance Scheme.

    PAN Nigeria Limited is offering its models to customers across Nigeria through its recently introduced ‘Peugeot Vehicle Acquisition Finance Scheme’ (PVAFS), geared towards aiding civil servants, private sector employees and middle-class own brand new personal Peugeot cars at a low equity contribution rate.

    The PVAFS is designed to offer maximum value to customers far above any existing scheme currently offered by competition in the country.

    Embellished with over 40 years experience in the Nigerian auto market, PAN Nigeria has continued to produce exquisite brand of Peugeot vehicles that offer unsurpassed value to customers in terms of durability, reliability and affordability.

    Prof Abdul-Kareem expressed satisfaction with the scheme, stating that “once you have a stable salary, you can also achieve the goal of having a brand new Peugeot car of your choice by simply walking into Jaiz bank Plc or Enterprise Bank Plc.”

    Jaiz bank Plc, Relationship Manager, Mutiat Dada said Peugeot aside being a foremost automobile company in Nigeria, also produces quality cars.                          “When we had a marketing call with them, our team came up with the idea of providing the populace with easy access to vehicles for those people that don’t have the money to buy a new car.

    “The Peugeot Vehicle Acquisition Finance Scheme is open to everybody that has a regular source of income. Whether they have account with Jaiz or not, the entire process requires minimal documentation, offer letter from Jaiz bank, and offer letter from your employer,” she said.

    Comparatively, if a customer is not disposed to Jaiz bank, Enterprise bank is also providing Nigerians with the opportunity of paying for these contemporary Peugeot cars at very flexible and affordable rates. With as little as 10-20 per cent down payment, interested person can actually drive home a brand new Peugeot car of their choice and conveniently spread the rest of the payment over a period of 48 months.

    PAN Nigeria Limited Managing Director, Mr Ibrahim Boyi described the offer as a great opportunity for Peugeot lovers and indeed all those that appreciate quality and elegance to take advantage of the scheme.

    According to him, “buying a new car has long been regarded as an expensive luxury due to the amount of money required to own one. However, according to research, running a brand new car can be as much as 73 per cent cheaper to run than a used car popularly known as ‘tokunbo’ of just five years older. Set this alongside generous low rate finance deal, which means some new car buyers never end up paying out the full price at once and they end up looking a good option at the end of the day. Although the initial cost of buying a new vehicle is higher, safety tends to be a guarantee for brand new cars while advancements in technology denotes they gulp less fuel and are easier to maintain in terms of overhead cost of overhauling the vehicle when the need arises.

    “In addition to the above stated benefits, new cars also come with a warranty – typically three years; while several new versions of popular models have low emissions, meaning they are environment friendly.”

  • Religion and safe driving skills

    Religion and safe driving skills

    My research has shown that every religion teaches the basic principles that guarantee safe driving in every environment if strictly followed. God is most concerned about the attitude of our hearts. Let us look at some of the points:

     

    1. Do not kill – God clearly tells us that He does not want us to kill either through road accident or other means

     

    Bible

     

    a. Exodus 20:13

    b. Deuteronomy 5:17

    c. Luke 18:20

     

    Quran

     

    a. Sura 4:29

    b.  Sura 4:92-93

     

    2. Obey the road traffic laws and regulations

     

    God clearly tells us to obey the government and even pray for the Leaders. We are, therefore, expected to always obey the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria including the road traffic laws and regulations – traffic signs, road markings and other traffic laws. Let the fear of God be in you when driving (this will guarantee you wisdom for the right driving acts)

     

    Bible

     

    a. Deuteronomy 13:4

    b.  Titus 3:1

    c.  Hebrew 13:17

    d.  Proverbs 1:33

    e.  Proverb 1:2-7

     

    Quran

     

    a. Surah 7:55-56

     

    3. Avoid road rage and aggressive driving

     

    When other people (Drivers and other road users) make us angry, we may want to get even, but God says we must do good to those who offend us. We must guard our hearts against hatred for anyone on the road. We must cultivate the habit of seeing other road users as members of our immediate or nuclear family and always relate to them as such, lovingly and wholeheartedly.

     

    Bible

    a. Mathew 5:21-22

    b. Mathew 5:38 – 48

     

    Quran

    a. Surah 13:21-25

     

    4. Defensive driving (hazard perception)

     

    We must always use our God-given knowledge, understanding and wisdom to perceive likely hazards on the road and take prompt actions to prevent accidents.

     

    Bible

    a. Proverbs 22:3

    b. Ecclesiastes 8:5

     

    Quran

    a. Surah 7:95

    b. Surah 51:21

  • Volkswagen delivers over 10m vehicles

    Volkswagen delivers over 10m vehicles

    The Volkswagen Group achieved the first goal of its Strategy 2018 last year – the group delivered over 10 million vehicles to customers.

    According to the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Prof Martin Winterkorn, 10.14 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide from January to December 2014.

    “That is impressive; we are vigorously implementing our Strategy 2018 despite challenging market conditions. We are also making good progress with our other main goals – return on sales, customer satisfaction and top employer,” Winterkorn said.

    Developments in the month of December were also positive, with deliveries running at 881,000 units against 857,600 in December 2013.

    Group Board member for Sales Christian Klingler said the group has doubled vehicle deliveries in the last 10 years.

    Klingler described it as outstanding performance and an impressive result, stating that all group brands have played their part in achieving the results despite difficult market conditions.

    The Volkswagen passenger cars brand delivered 6.12 million vehicles to customers worldwide from January to December 2014. This means the brand has doubled deliveries since 2004, and topped the six-million mark for the first time.

     

  • Nissan Altima: rare comfort, agility

    Nissan Altima: rare comfort, agility

    Impressive acceleration and fuel economy; strong crash test scores; satisfying ride and handling balance; capable and user-friendly electronics, these and many more are what make the 2015 Nissan Altima a top choice among family sedans, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    The 2015 Nissan Altima may not be the sportiest family sedan, or the most luxurious, but if one is looking for both traits in the same package, it is hard to think of a competitor that does it better.

    That is why it continues to be a favourite choice among the family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and agility as recently affirmed by the foremost American online resource for automotive information, Edmunds.com. The online resource described the Altima as stylish, bold and aggressive with long body lines that distinguishes the sedan from rivals like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.

    Emerging from a total makeover last year, the new Nissan Altima provides customers with premium experiences and high technologies that drivers will cherish to remember especially when viewed against Altima’s package with far better value proposition than competition.

    Altima’s innovative features are designed to reposition the car way ahead of competition and to keep it fresh against rival brands. While many manufacturers are offering different 4-cylinder engines with hybrids and diesels, the 2015 Nissan Altima sedan goes the traditional route by offering a base 4-cylinder and a V6.

    The 2.5-litre 4- cylinder for instance is designed for lighter weight and higher efficiency, while the 3.5-litre V6 offers improved fuel economy. Both engines drive Altima’s front wheels through Nissan’s next generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives engine revs ahead of vehicle speed during strong acceleration and helps both the Altima achieve tremendous fuel economy.

    Popular Mechanics, a United States classic magazine of popular technology attested to this assertion, stating in one of its recent publications that “the new Altima remains one of the most engaging family sedans, and its fuel economy approaches 16 kilometers per litre gasoline for the 2.5 litre engine and 13 kilometers per litre gasoline for the 3.5 litre engine, on the highway driving, and Nissan should have no problem attracting the most discerning family-sedan buyers.”

    According to United Kingdom based automotive classified website, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Nissan Altima is no doubt a driver’s delight. “With its Maxima-like good looks, and unique features such as its NASA-inspired zero-gravity seats, the Altima really does give shoppers a viable alternative to the Camry and Accord.

    “The 2015 Nissan Altima’s key strength is its driving dynamics, without giving up any of its mainstream family-sedan features. The Altima imparts a measure of driving fun that is uncommon in the segment. Its multilink independent suspension and best-in-class variable automatic transmission is a testimony of Nissan engineers’ ingenuity especially when they benchmarked premium sedans like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.”

    Nissan Altima has indeed caressed the midsize family sedan market like a colossus, described as the toughest segment in the industry and accounting for a huge number of sales each year. So competitive is this segment that every automaker wants a slice of the pie and it may not be unfeasible for the Altima to have one of the biggest slices in the coming few months beating rivals like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in the Nigerian market.

    “The 2015 Nissan Altima has a fantastic sporty handling making it more fun to drive than most affordable midsize cars,” usnews.rankingsandreviews.com affirmed. It added that the Altima’s standard four-cylinder engine provides plenty of power for passing and merging highway, while the V6 engine delivers a robust acceleration. Altima’s automatic transmission (continuously variable transmission) is responsive and operates seamlessly; this gives a more smoother and lag free drive compared to competition.

    Modern-attractive styling and first-rate materials make the 2015 Nissan Altima’s cabin one of the nicest in the class while features like ‘Nissan intelligent key remote engine start system’ lets you tap a button on the door handle or trunk to unlock, while your key stays in your pocket or purse. One can start the car from up to 100 feet away. This convenient solution lets you cool down the Altima before it is time to get in.

    Altima’s rear seats have generous legroom, while the trunk size of 436 litres is ambitious for the class. Standard features include Bluetooth and a USB/iPod input, leather upholstery, a rear-view camera, premium BOSE audio x 9 speakers and 3D display. The unique multifunction rearview camera performs the lookout jobs very well and the NASA-inspired seats zero gravity seats are proved to be fatigue-reducing.

    The 2015 Nissan Altima comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera is optional on 2.5 S and standard on 3.5 S and all SV and SL models. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-departure warning are available on the 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL and standard on the 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL.

    Stallion NMN, Nissan sales company and local custodian of the brand has described its target customers as: confident individuals, stylish and responsible adults seeking personal and professional fulfilment on their terms. “This class of people want more out of life and do not want a conservative or dull midsize sedan,” says Amit Sharma, Stallion NMN head of sales and marketing.

     

  • Infiniti QX60: comfy, pleasure ride

    Infiniti QX60: comfy, pleasure ride

    The 2015 Infiniti QX60 is a pretty large vehicle, riders won’t have problem about it once it’s speeding on the highway. With its cushy ride, the Infiniti shrugs off road imperfections – very comfy, quiet and luxury vehicle, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition

    The latest Infiniti QX60 gets new CVT programming designed to simulate the shifting of a conventional automatic transmission. It is a three-row luxury crossover that puts families first. Based on the versatile Nissan Pathfinder, the QX60 has plenty of room for adults or growing children in all three rows, and the second-row seats slide and recline to enhance passenger comfort.

    Moreover, the ride is found to be exceedingly comfortable on a variety of surfaces, with little road noise making its way into the cabin. The interior also benefits from top-notch materials and user-friendly technology features. The QX60’s pricing is significantly lower than that of some rivals.

    Over the course of a year-long test with the largely identical Infiniti JX35 (the name changed to QX60 for 2014), it became auto freaks choice, but with a few flaws. For one thing, performance and driving character aren’t high on the QX’s list of priorities. The standard V6 engine is a bit underpowered for a vehicle this large, and it teams with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to produce noisy, uninspired acceleration. In a similar vein, the soft suspension yields indifferent handling, even by the modest standards of this segment. On the fuel economy front, both the standard QX60 and the available hybrid model get some impressive fuel economy ratings.

    The QX60 rivals in the market include the latest Acura MDX, BMW X5, Buick Enclave and Audi Q7. Acura MDX has a powerful V6 engine, an excellent interior and a pretty sporty attitude considering its size. The BMW X5 is one of the most athletic options, but it is priced considerably higher than the QX60, and its available third-row seat is less accommodating. The Buick Enclave provides considerably more cargo space than the QX60, while Audi Q7 offers more sophisticated driving experience overall. But if a comfy, family-friendly crossover is what one is after, the 2015 Infiniti QX60 should be a satisfying choice.

     

    Body Styles

     

    The Infiniti QX60 is a seven-passenger SUV offered with a conventional gasoline engine or a gas-electric hybrid system. Each version comes in a single trim level with either front- or all-wheel drive.

    Standard features for both the standard QX60 and the QX60 Hybrid include 18-inch wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlights, foglights, LED taillights, heated and power-folding side mirrors, a sunroof, a power liftgate, keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, a six-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 7-inch central touchscreen display, a rearview camera and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB interface.

    Optional features for the QX60 and QX60 Hybrid are organised into various packages.

    The Premium package (QX60) includes remote ignition, driver memory settings, driver seat power lumbar, a heated steering wheel, a 13-speaker Bose sound system and an enhanced keyless entry/ignition system that can remember the last driver’s audio, climate and navigation settings. The Premium Plus package (QX60) includes front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera system, automatic wipers, a larger 8-inch touchscreen display, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth audio connectivity and the Infiniti Connection telematics service.

    The Hybrid Premium package (QX60 Hybrid) combines the regular QX60’s Premium and Premium Plus packages.

     

    Powertrains and performance

     

    The QX60 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A CVT is the only available transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional.

    In Edmunds testing, the identically powered JX35 equipped with all-wheel drive accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. This is about a second slower than average for the class.

    The EPA estimates fuel economy at 23 mpg combined (21 city/27 highway) for the front-drive version, while the all-wheel-drive version drops slightly to 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway). The QX60 typically struggles to match these mileage numbers in real-world driving.

    The QX60 Hybrid features a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that joins forces with a 15kW electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery pack. Combined output is rated at 250 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. Official EPA numbers stand at 26 mpg combined (26 city/28 highway) with front-wheel drive and 26 mpg combined (25 city/28 highway) with all-wheel drive.

    Properly equipped, the regular QX60 can tow up to 5,000 pounds, whereas the hybrid tops out at 3,500 pounds.

     

    Safety

     

    Standard safety features for the QX60 include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a rearview camera.

    Optional safety equipment on the QX60 includes the Infiniti Connection telematics service with automatic collision notification, remote door unlocking, stolen vehicle location, and speed and geo-fencing notifications. Also optional are front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a lane-departure warning and prevention system, a blind-spot warning system (with an automatic intervention feature when the Technology package is specified), a 360-degree view parking camera system and frontal and back-up collision mitigation systems with automatic braking.

     

    Interior design

     

    Flexible seating is one of the QX60’s hallmarks. The second row slides 5.5 inches fore and aft, allowing passengers to reach and exit the third row with ease, even with a child seat installed in the second row. The third row offers enough headroom for 6-foot passengers, but clearance gets a little tight beyond that. Both the second- and third-row seatbacks also recline.

    With a rich combination of leather, wood and metal accents, this is a classy Infiniti interior in every respect. Infiniti’s electronics interface is one of the best available, as its combination of physical buttons, a touchscreen and a rotary knob greatly simplify common tasks. We also like the optional Bose sound systems and the 360-degree camera system, the latter of which provides a very useful top-down view of the vehicle in parking situations.

    There may be plenty of room for passengers inside the QX60, but cargo capacity tops out at 76.5 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded. That is not bad, but some rivals give more space, such as the MDX and especially the Enclave. The QX60 also provides just 15.8 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat. On the upside, the hybrid QX has the same amount of cargo volume as the regular V6 version.

  • Religion and safe driving skills

    Religion and safe driving skills

    My research has shown that every religion teaches the basic principles that guarantee safe driving in every environment if strictly followed. God is most concerned about the attitude of our hearts. Let us look at some of the points:

     

    1. Do not kill – God clearly tells us that He does not want us to kill either through road accident or other means

     

    Bible

     

    a. Exodus 20:13

    b. Deuteronomy 5:17

    c. Luke 18:20

     

    Quran

     

    a. Sura 4:29

    b.  Sura 4:92-93

     

    2. Obey the road traffic laws and regulations

     

    God clearly tells us to obey the government and even pray for the Leaders. We are, therefore, expected to always obey the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria including the road traffic laws and regulations – traffic signs, road markings and other traffic laws. Let the fear of God be in you when driving (this will guarantee you wisdom for the right driving acts)

     

    Bible

     

    a. Deuteronomy 13:4

    b.  Titus 3:1

    c.  Hebrew 13:17

    d.  Proverbs 1:33

    e.  Proverb 1:2-7

     

    Quran

     

    a. Surah 7:55-56

     

    3. Avoid road rage and aggressive driving

     

    When other people (Drivers and other road users) make us angry, we may want to get even, but God says we must do good to those who offend us. We must guard our hearts against hatred for anyone on the road. We must cultivate the habit of seeing other road users as members of our immediate or nuclear family and always relate to them as such, lovingly and wholeheartedly.

     

    Bible

    a. Mathew 5:21-22

    b. Mathew 5:38 – 48

     

    Quran

    a. Surah 13:21-25

     

    4. Defensive driving (hazard perception)

     

    We must always use our God-given knowledge, understanding and wisdom to perceive likely hazards on the road and take prompt actions to prevent accidents.

     

    Bible

    a. Proverbs 22:3

    b. Ecclesiastes 8:5

     

    Quran

    a. Surah 7:95

    b. Surah 51:21

     

    5. The eyes of God is watching all our activities on the road

     

    When driving, we should always remind ourselves that God sees and knows everything that we do on the road and the deep motive of every action we take in our driving acts.

     

    Bible

    a. Psalm 94:9

    b. Proverbs 5:21

    c. Proverbs 15:3

     

    Quran

     

    a. Surah 2:233

    b. Surah 2:237

  • Nissan, NASA partner to develop autonomous drive vehicles

    Nissan, NASA partner to develop autonomous drive vehicles

    Nissan Motor Corporation  and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have announced the formation of a five-year research and development partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and prepare for commercial application of the technology.

    Researchers from Nissan’s United States’Silicon Valley Research Centre and NASA’s Ames Research Centre at Moffett Field, Califonia will focus on autonomous drive systems, human-machine interface solutions, network-enabled applications, and software analysis and verification, all involving sophisticated hardware and software used in road and space applications.

    Researchers from the two organisations will test a fleet of zero-emission autonomous vehicles at Ames to demonstrate proof-of-concept remote operation of autonomous vehicles for the transport of materials, goods, payloads and people.

    The first vehicle of that fleet should be testing at the facility by the end of the year.

    “The work of NASA and Nissan – with one directed to space and the other directed to earth, is connected by similar challenges,” said Carlos Ghosn, President/Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Co.