NISSAN INTRODUCES A NEW ERA IN CROSSOVER DESIGN, EV PERFORMANCE & LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE QUALITY AT FRANKFURT 2015

September 15, 2015 by Nissan

Dramatic Gripz Concept takes Crossover design to a new level

◾A new breed of compact crossover for a new, younger generation

◾Infused with an exciting and adventurous feel thanks to its radical design concept

◾Packed with EV technology, based on Series Hybrid System 'Pure Drive' e-Power

◾Introducing 'emotional geometry' design language from Nissan

A revolution in EV driving: 2016 LEAF 30 kWh delivers 250 km range

◾25% increase in LEAF driving range - 155 miles on a single charge

◾Another Nissan first as LEAF introduces 30 kWh battery technology to the sector

◾New NissanConnect EV infotainment system with greater functionality

◾New 8-year / 100,000 mile warranty as standard

New NP300 Navara: European debut for Nissan's Crossover-inspired pick-up

◾Striking new design with premium interior and high equipment levels

◾New-to-sector technologies including Around View Monitor and LED headlamps

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◾New 2.3-litre dCi engine delivers improved performance and greater efficiency

◾New five-link rear suspension delivers exceptional ride comfort

Crossovers and performance cars drive Nissan forward

◾New Qashqai production tops 500,000 units in record time

◾Juke celebrates five years at the top; X-Trail debuts new petrol engine option

◾Over half a million Nissan vehicles sold in Europe during first eight months of 2015

◾GT-R Track Edition engineered by NISMO makes motor show debut

Nissan's pioneering design and innovation provide the headlines at the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show with a stand display that showcases the brand's unique ability to challenge the conventional and deliver excitement at every level. With a striking array of bold new ideas and ground-breaking developments in Nissan's celebrated EV range, Nissan again confirms its status as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking brands in the industry.

Packed with innovation and introducing a bold new design language, the Nissan Gripz Concept is the key highlight of Nissan's 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show presence. Conceived and designed by teams in Europe and Japan, the Gripz Concept offers a tantilising glimpse into the future of Crossover design.

Created to be a 'sports road warrior', the Nissan Gripz Concept combines the practicality and ability of a compact Crossover with the performance, excitement and driver engagement of a traditional sports car. This unique combination gives Gripz a dual personality – delivering the perfect blend of everyday refinement and agility with the ability to take on more adventurous terrain when desired.

The Nissan Gripz Concept not only illustrates the brand's 'no boundaries' approach to design, it also showcases Nissan's engineering possibilities. Gripz debuts a prototype hybrid system based on technologies developed for the brand's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) models.

Nissan's leadership and innovation in the EV market takes another significant step forward at Frankfurt with the announcement of a new battery for the LEAF that delivers a driving range of 155 miles – an increase of 25 percent. The new sector-first 30 kWh battery is at the heart of the new LEAF 30 kWh which too makes its global debut at Frankfurt. Thanks to revised internal chemistry and new electrode materials, the new battery transforms the Nissan LEAF driving and ownership experience and reinforces its position as the most capable, practical and affordable electric vehicle in the world.

In true Nissan style, the new LEAF 30kWh battery delivers its extra power with no compromises over the existing unit. Despite its additional capacity, it takes up no more room than the 24 kWh battery.

Frankfurt 2015 also sees the European debut of the all-new NP300 Navara. Redesigned using Nissan's celebrated Crossover philosophy, the NP300 Navara builds on Nissan's eighty year experience in the pick-up sector with some of the most advanced design and engineering features in the industry. With new technology, bold design and clever engineering at its heart, the new NP300 Navara sets new standards in every key area. Comfort levels have been raised significantly, thanks to the introduction of a redesigned interior, while the integration of a new lightweight multi-link rear suspension system transforms ride quality.

The new NP300 Navara also features a new 2.3-litre dCi engine that is up to 24 percent more efficient and comes with the option of a twin-turbocharged variant for the first time. And, being part of the Nissan Crossover heritage, it is also packed with useful technology, including Around View Monitor (AVM) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB).

The European debut of the new NP300 Navara also marks the launch of a new Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) warranty. Demonstrating the confidence that Nissan has in the quality of its LCVs, its range of petrol and diesel trucks and vans will be covered by a market-leading five year or 100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. For complete peace of mind for owners, the new warranty even extends to cover Nissan Genuine accessories.

Nissan's acclaimed range of crossovers continue to drive the brand forward with Frankfurt marking a number of significant development and anniversaries. The second-generation Qashqai appears in Germany having just broken through the 500,000 production mark – a remarkable achievement in a record-breaking 21 months. The Juke also has reason to celebrate, having notched up five years as Europe's favourite compact Crossover, while the new X-Trail appears with a recently-introduced 1.6 dCi 163 powertrain.

Nissan's continuous evolution of its sports car range is displayed once again at Frankfurt with the showcase of the 2016MY GT-R and 370Z models. Making its motor show debut is the GT-R Track Edition engineered by NISMO, a grade built for track enthusiasts which includes some of the best loved features of the NISMO - bonding body improving the car's rigidity, tuned suspension for improved agility and uncompromised handling refinement, 6-spoke RAYS® forged lightweight wheels with front wider rim to enable the ultimate track ride, wrapped in the bodywork of the standard GT-R model. While, the 2016MY 370Z introduces a new colour option (Deep Blue Pearl), as available on GT-R.

Nissan's presence at the Frankfurt Motor Show comes as the brand continues to grow. Nissan has strengthened its advantage both the electric vehicle and Crossover markets, with record sales and surging demand in both key sectors.

Nissan has launched nine new models since the start of 2014 and thanks to the brand's focus on new segments and high-growth markets, European sales continue to rise. In the first eight months of 2015, Nissan has sold 501,150 units – a nine percent increase over the same period in 2014.

Innovation and excitement sits at the heart of all Nissan activity – including communications about its products and activities. The brand takes this innovation to a new level at Frankfurt with a dedicated Nissan Social Media team providing complete live coverage from the stand for the duration of the show. Live updates will be announced via Twitter from the @nissaneurope, @nissanuk and @nissanDE accounts, along with a number of Periscope streams that will provide followers with unrivalled access to the cars and members of the Nissan team responsible for them. The coverage starts with a sneak peak on Periscope on 15 September with final live broadcast times announced in English and German on Twitter.