Nissan will begin the roll out of the Innova basher at the Oragadam plant in Chennai in August. The market introduction shall take place around this period. Nissan has not talked of a petrol engine, but they will be keeping in mind that a policy change in the government can reverse the market direction overnight.

See high resolution images of the Nissan Evalia

Sold as the NV200 in other markets, the Evalia makes Nissan in India a multi-segment player. The Micra and Sunny were well received mainly for their frugal, yet spirited diesel engine, and Nissan will be banking on the same engine to close in on the Innova.

Ashok Leyland’s version of the Evalia, dubbed Stile, is also in the pipelines. Its introduction is scheduled in mid-2013. The Ashok Leyland Stile runs on the same mechanical components with the difference lying in its less-equipped interiors. To have daylight between the two models, the Ashok Leyland wears a different face and sports body graphics.

Nissan states that features such as intelligent key and rear view camera will be incorporated on the Evalia. Power of the K9K diesel engine will be upped to about 90-100bhp.

Since Mr Bajaj’s invitation, we have not heard anything from the Franco-Japanese camp.

It is now being reported in some sections of the media that the visitors are yet to confirm their interest in using the platform to roll out an inexpensive vehicle.

The RE60 is not a car but a four-wheeler. Bajaj said his company was “anti-car” and the four wheeler was an upgrade for the three-wheeled auto rickshaw. It features a newly developed 200cc, water-cooled, twin-spark petrol engine producing 20bhp.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has spoken out several times about competing with the Nano using a low cost car. Renault India higher officials have not ruled out the scenario of them selling multiple small cars below the Pulse.

If a small car is built on the ULC platform, it could be the entry point on the Nissan and Renault product range. They may want to add a more powerful engine and basic creature comforts on higher variants.

[Source - OnCars.in]

Unlike the Leaf, we were not allowed to get behind the wheel of the GT-R. Even then moving from the GT-R to the Leaf’s driver seat was like shifting from setting alight a 20 foot long electric cracker to lighting a flower pot on Diwali day!

Being taxied by a professional driver flown in from Europe, each journalist got to experience the GT-R’s brutal acceleration for 3-5 minutes spin. He put pedal to the metal and enjoyed the reactions of his newly acquainted passenger as the GT-R was on more than one occasion a whisker away from tearing out of control.

Due to the mad rush in the lead up to the Auto Expo we were not able to show snaps we shot at the event. Jump past the break to see them!

Nissan GT-R at the Innovation Drive in December 2011

[Can't see the slideshow above? Head over to the Flickr image page]

Read about Indian Autos Blog’s casual encounter with the Nissan Leaf

The clear advantages of EVs are that they don’t run on fossil fuel and as a result don’t pollute the environment. However, most auto manufactures haven’t yet cracked the holy grail of EVs. The EVs that are running on the streets today have several shortcomings and thus haven’t yet fully replaced fossil fuel burning traditional vehicles.

The CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Carlos Ghosn is the biggest advocate of EVs in the industry. He made an announcement last year that the Renault-Nissan Alliance will pump 5.6 billion dollars to build 500,000 electric vehicles and batteries at 11 factories in eight countries by 2013.

Ghosn believes that the technology of the batteries, the technology of the motors, and the technology of the other components makes it possible to have a car with a very competitive performance to internal combustion. The automotive industry is not going to be able to continue to prosper unless the manufacturers embrace technology that is independent of oil and respectful of the environment.

Head over to Wired.com to read more on the EV development plans of Renault Nissan Alliance that was published last year.

It becomes a Renault Pulse!

The Japanese company has proven that’s not always the case today with the help of its performance division Nismo (like what AMG is to Mercedes). The Nissan Micra Nismo edition is a conceptual study for the Tokyo Auto Salon this year. The everyday Micra sports a full body kit, a redesigned bumper, a modified grille and new outside mirrors.

Interiors are not all-new with changes reserved to new sport seats and steering wheel. Performance additions include a lowered sport suspension, bigger wheels and a loud exhaust.

The highlight of this custom is Nismo’s signature colors pearl white highlighted by red accents that add visual flair to what otherwise would just be another car in the parking lot.

The e-NV-200 has a grafted Nissan Leaf’s front fascia. In addition to sweeping headlamps and LED accents, the hood features a blue-accent badge that pops open to reveal a charging port. The e-NV200 features a pair of large glass roof panels, which gives the interior a more airy feel, as well as advanced telematics and a digital instrument display that appears to be inspired by an iPad.

The e-NV200 shares its electric drive system — an 80kW motor and lithium-ion battery pack — with the Nissan Leaf. It’s expected to provide around the same 160km range as the LEAF. Nissan states that this van would be suitable for both commercial and passenger use in large metropolitan areas.

[Source: AutoBlog.com]

Nissan Compact Sport Concept at Auto Expo 2012 – Has no relation to the story

Commenting on the development, Mr Andy Palmer, Executive Vice-President -

We will look at an affordable car without a doubt. There are several sub-segments (under the Rs 3-lakh space) and we have ambitions to traverse as many of those as practically possible.

However, Nissan India is steering clear of the ‘cheapest car’ label. The company intends launch small car in a space which is dominated by Alto and has recently invited the Eon. The planned product will be critical to ramping up volumes in India and strengthening its brand in the personal buying space. The new product is targeted towards people who want to upgrade from the Tata Nano and motorcycles.

A Nissan official had earlier told IndianAutosBlog.com that one of the ways to build a car smaller than Micra was by using the V-Platform.

Nissan India may choose to pursue this ambition solely by itself or with the help of its existing allies. Considering Ashok Leyland is not interested in the personal car space, Nissan may partner with Renault in order to develop this product.

[Source: TheHinduBusinessline.com]

The Evalia’s interior is very versatile in terms of space available. It will come with a rear view camera and intelligent key. It will be built in the Chennai factory. The Evalia will take on competition such as Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo.

If Nissan has learnt a lesson from the Sunny, we could see some delicious pricing on the entry level variant of the Evalia possibly making it compete against the Ertiga. That’s all the details that are available right now. Tune in for more images later

Nissan Evalia Image Slideshow

Head to the Nissan Evalia Flickr page for images if you can’t see the slideshow above.