Nissan Officially Confirms New 2015 Murano for NY Auto Show [w/Video]

The rumors about Nissan picking next month's 2014 New York Auto Show as the event of choice for the world premiere of the new generation Murano crossover were true, with the Japanese firm confirming the debut today through a short statement and the release of a darkened teaser image and video.

This Is Indeed The Refreshed 2014 Nissan Patrol SUV, Debuts at Dubai Show

Over the weekend, we shared some spy photos of what was rumored to be the visually updated 2014 Nissan Patrol. Now we can confirm the news and show you a couple more revealing pictures of the full-size SUV that will make its grand premiere tomorrow at the opening day of the 2013 Dubai Motor Show (November 5 to 9).

These fresh pictures, which come to us courtesy of DriveArabia and Nissan-Arabia, divulge the redesigned front end of the 2014 Patrol featuring new LED headlamps positioned next to a revised front grille and re-shaped bumper, while the other changes include new tail lamps, a tan leather seat option with wood-trimmed steering wheel and alloy wheel designs.

It is reported that Nissan left the Patrol's V8 powertrains remain untouched, but that it added a new special edition version dubbed "Black" (pictured below) with a factory-matte black finish and grille, red leather seats and chrome wheels, which will be limited to 200 units for the Middle East.

Thanks to Saif for the tip!

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All-New Nissan Qashqai Shows its Face, Looks A Lot Like the Rogue

Last week Nissan released the first teaser photo of its all-new Nissan Qashqai crossover and said it will be the brand’s “most significant car in its modern history”. I have no reason to doubt that, but in terms of design the Qashqai doesn’t look surprising, at least when seen from the front.

In the build-up to the car’s official reveal on November 7, Nissan has released a second teaser photo that gives us a better view of the front end of the car – although no blitzes were used while taking this photo.

However, there’s enough light to see that the new Qashqai features a very similar face to the all-new Rogue/X-Trail. The crossover gets the same Nissan V-shaped grille, similar headlights with integrated boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights and prominent creases on the engine hood.

Not much else can be decrypted from the teaser photo, but the Qashqai will be completely unveiled on November 7.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Consumer Reports' First Impressions of the 2014 Nissan Rogue Are Really Positive

Consumer Reports got hold of the all-new 2014 Nissan Rogue (called the X-Trail in Europe and other markets) and shared its first impressions of the SUV in a new video. As Nissan’s second best-selling nameplate, the Rogue has a reputation to uphold and the all-new model must do exactly that.

Design-wise, the new model is undoubtedly a step forward, but things look good inside as well. Consumer Reports’ Tom Mutchler appreciated the improved interior, which on the range-topping SL model features leather upholstery. The new car has practical advantages as well, such as the improvement in rear visibility and the rear camera offered as standard.

The 2014 Rogue also brings an optional third row of seats and is the only compact SUV to offer one besides the Mitsubishi Outlander - which in Consumer Reports’ view doesn’t count as a serious competitor. However, the third row of seats is not available on the range-topping SL model, as Nissan worries it could get into Pathfinder territory. I don’t know about you, but I find it rather strange to limit the sales potential of a model just because it might steal customers from a larger, more expensive vehicle.

Check out the publication's first impressions of the all-new Rogue in the video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Scoop: Is This The 2014 Nissan Patrol Facelift?

As the sixth generation of the Nissan Patrol (related to the recently renamed Infiniti QX80 which was previously known as the QX) approaches its fourth year in the market, it's only to reasonable to expect that the Japanese company prepares some updates to keep consumer interest high in its flagship SUV.

A member of the Nissan Arabia forums scooped these photos of what appears to be next year's updated version of the Patrol loaded on a transport truck in Dubai.

We only see the parts of the profile and rear end of the large SUV, in which we detected newly designed tail lamps, alloy wheels and possibly side trims.

If this is indeed the lightly revised Patrol, we wouldn't be surprised if Nissan unveils the car at next week's Dubai Motor Show (November 5 to 9).

We tip our hats to Saif for the heads up!

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Nissan’s VP Says GT86/FR-S/BRZ Are "Midlife Crisis" Cars, Confirms New Coupe for Tokyo Show

Nissan is preparing a rival for the Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ trio of rear-wheel drive sports cars which could be revealed as early as next month at the Tokyo Motor Show (November 22 – December 1), according to Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer who spoke to MotorTrend magazine.

Nissan’s answer to the Toyota-baru triplets is code-named Z35 and is rumored to be powered by the same engine in the 370Z, a 3.7-liter V6, albeit in a lower state of tune (the unit produces 330hp in the 370Z). The Z35 is also said to be available with an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection and turbocharging that is expected to be more powerful than the V6.

Nissan currently offers a 2.5-liter engine in the Pathfinder Hybrid, where it develops 250 hp together with a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor. The automaker could use the same engine on the Z35 but in a more potent version. Later on, Nissan’s performance division Nismo may develop range-topping model.

Although Andy Palmer didn’t talk too much about the Z35, he had a lot to say about the GT86/FR-S/BRZ, labeling it as a car “designed for a 50-year-old”.

“Do we have any competitors?” Palmer replied when the publication asked him about a small sports car. “Are you talking about the Subaru? It was a car designed for a 50-year-old. It’s for a midlife crisis. That’s not what we do,” Palmer said.

“Are you coming to the Tokyo Motor Show? You’ll see the answer to the midlife crisis. Except it won’t be for the midlife crisis,” the exec said, adding that the Z35 will be aimed at male car enthusiasts in their mid-to-late twenties.

By Dan Mihalascu

Pictured below is the Nissan Esflow Coupe Concept from 2011

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