Nissan has already come clean on plans to build an Infiniti-branded version of its new Leaf electric car, but that doesn’t mean the brand’s luxury arm will just get a rebadged version of the functional eco-mobile. According to a report by Automotive News, Infiniti has already rejected several design and engineering proposals for the car because they were too similar to the Leaf itself and didn’t live up to what the Infiniti brand stands for.

In an interview with AN, Nissan/Infiniti product planning boss Larry Dominique stated that, “… it needs to be very unique, not only in exterior design but in interior materials and in terms of its driving performance. It has to accelerate like an Infiniti. It has to be an Infiniti from the standpoint of dynamic performance.”

Currnetly, the Leaf is rated at 107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque, but that output number is expected to be increased significantly with advances in battery technology that will be made in the several years before an Infiniti Leaf will be launched. And when it does arrive, according to Dominique, we shoul expect a stylish exterior, luxury interior and more exciting handling as well.

[Source: Automotive News via WorldCarFans]

Nissan’s next generation of Titan pickup trucks could get a diesel option, says Nissan North America product boss Larry Dominique. In a recent interview with the folks at AutoWeek, Dominique, former project boss for the original Titan, commented that no decision has been made about the future powerplants, but that they are still considering several options. “I have a broad menu I can look at,” he said. “We could do downsized powertrains, we could do an enhanced V8, and we could look at diesel powertrains.”

Currently the Titan is only available with the company’s 5.6-liter gasoline V8. A new Titan, built with Chrysler was scheduled to debut in 2011, but with Nissan and Chrysler since parting ways the next version isn’t likely until at least 2013.

Nissan does offer a 3.0-liter diesel V6 overseas in vehicles like the Pathfinder. It makes sufficient torque with 406 ft-lbs, but at just 235-hp its probably not up to what U.S. customers would expect.

With Renault/Nissan’s recent announcement of a partnership with Mercedes parent company Daimler, there is now also the possibility that a donor engine could come from Germany. Dominique himself commented that one of the biggest factors towards offering a diesel Titan in North America would be, “if we could find the right partner and the right engine.”

[Source: AutoWeek]

The next generation of Nissan’s Titan pickup truck is scheduled to arrive somewhere around 2014 and could be joined or even proceeded by a heavy-duty version. The news comes from a report by PickupTrucks.com, after an interview with Larry Dominique, vice president advanced and product planning and strategy at Nissan North America.

Despite making up only a miniscule segment of the truck market (2.11 percent to be exact), Nissan execs have repeatedly enforced the automaker’s commitment to offer a light duty full sized pickup truck. Initially Nissan was working with Chrysler to develop a new truck based on the Ram 1500, but after Chrysler’s bankruptcy proceedings and takeover by Fiat, the new Chrysler company broke off the agreement.

With the Titan’s future uncertain and market conditions unfavorable, sales plunged throughout the year, but Dominique believes the truck may have hit a turning point as original buyers seek to replace their trucks with new models.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said publicly that Nissan without Chrysler’s help, Nissan will go it alone, developing an all new Titan from the ground up.

Dominique is currently putting together a proposal for his bosses that would see the Titan and a heavy duty Titan share some exterior and interior parts, but with different frames. Ideally, this would lower production costs, while expanding Nissan’s share of the truck market.

With a date of roughly 2014 to the new Titan the current truck could have a production run of 11 years. Nissan will attempt to keep its truck fresh and competitive with updates from other trucks, like the Armada and Infiniti QX56.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

The fully-electric Nissan LEAF, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. next year, will be priced from $25,000 to $33,000. Word comes from Nissan North America product VP Larry Dominique.

“Competitive pricing is going to allow mass-market appeal, which is going to set Nissan apart,” said Dominique, commenting that the LEAF will be less expensive to own and operate than a gasoline car, even if gas cost just $1.10 a gallon.

Importantly, this price comes before any government tax incentives, which are certain to reduce the total cost by several thousand dollars.

Comparatively, the 2010 Toyota Prius starts at just $22,000.

The LEAF is powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery packs. Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers.

Output from the lithium-ion battery packs is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Sales of the LEAF will begin next year with 5,000 vehicles available in five U.S. markets: the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Fleet sales will also be offered in 2010, while full retails sales are planned for 2012.

[Source: Automotive News]