Who says driving around a van has to be boring? The all new third-generation Nissan Quest, known as Elgrand in Japan, just got a whole lot wilder thanks to the tuners over at Impul. Though these styling packages are made for the Japanese Elgrand front-end, those ambitious enough to outfit it to their USDM Quest should be able to proceed with a little effort. The result will be a one-of-a-kind looking van, and we’d love to see one driving around in North America.

Impul is featuring two different kits for the van, with a spoiler add-on for the factory front bumper, or an entire front bumper replacement. Those looking at the skirt kit will be able to get it in carbon fiber or fiberglass. In addition, Impul offers several performance packages including an ECU upgrade and new throttle valve. This isn’t surprising though, as the new Quest in Japan features either the VQ35DE or QR25DE, which the aftermarket has already embraced from other Nissan platforms.

Additional accessories include 20×8.5-inch wheels, suspension modifications, an upgraded brake system, a muffler replacement exhaust system, sport filter, window visors, and Impul emblems. So those out there forced to drive a minivan packed full with kids, we dare you to order up Impul’s kits for your Quest. We’d love to see it done!

GALLERY: Impul Nissan Quest

Moms, listen up – this one’s all about you. To promote their new movie, Mars Needs Moms, Disney wants you to win an all-new Nissan Quest.

The movie follows the adventures of nine-year-old Milo, who discovers how much he needs his mom (voiced by Joan Cusack) when she is kidnapped by aliens. It turns out they need moms to help raise their little Martians.  Moms will love the movie because it’s all about how important they are, while the rest of the family will dig that it’s being shown in IMAX 3D.

The grand prize winner gets to take home the all-new Nissan Quest. Just sign up here for your chance to win. You can play the Mars Need Moms game for more entries to the contest (and it’s a great way to waste some time at work… although we don’t condone that). The contest closes on March 31, 2011.

[Source: Disney]

Ever wonder what would happen if you let a high-performance tuning company run wild on a minivan? Well wonder no longer, as Nissan‘s NISMO division has just debuted a version of the new Elgrand (sold as the Quest in North America) at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Already an imposing beast of a van, the NISMO Elgrand gets its own aero kit with an even more imposing front grille. Matched up with a complete aero package, the van also features a custom suspension drop by the handling experts at NISMO. A set of 18-inch wheels complete the look; although they do seem rather small in comparison to the huge slab-sides of this boxy people mover.

It’s just a concept for now, but knowing the market for these types of things in Japan, NISMO is almost certain to offer copies of this kit. Find the right JDM-market importer and you too can roll up to soccer practice looking like you’re from 2025.

GALLERY: NISMO Elgrand

Nissan has completely revamped its Quest minivan for 2011, getting away from its quirky ugly past and moving towards Toyota’s “Swagger Wagon” Sienna when it comes to road presence and interior luxury.

Powered by Nissan’s 3.5L V6 (what else?) the van makes 253-hp and will start at a rather competitive $27,750.

Features of the new 2011 Quest include standard Quick Release fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seating with an available 3rd row power-return seatback, heated front seats, a removable 2nd row console, Blind Sport Warning (BSW) and a RearView Monitor and an optional 11-inch monitor.

The 2011 Quest will be available in four models: S, SV, SL and LE. Base S models get 16-inch steel wheels, 6-way adjustable front bucket seats, wood-tone trim, Nissan’s Intelligent Key with push-button ignition and an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers. Quest SV models get one-touch power sliding doors, 16-inch aluminum wheels, Tri-Zone climate control, a power driver’s seat with lumbar, fog lights, a 4.3-inch display screen, USB port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, a RearView Monitor and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Quest SL models get leather, 18-inch wheels, a power liftgate, 8-way driver’s seat, heated front seats, roof rails, auto headlights plus heated mirrors. Top-level LE models then add on a Navigation system with 12-speakers, memory seating, 2nd and 3rd row manual blinds, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, HID lights, an 8-inch display screen, DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and an 11-inch rear DVD entertainment system.

Nissan says the van is designed to be a reward to parents or doing their job.

Oh, and in person it’s simply enormous.

GALLERY: 2011 Nissan Quest Debut in LA

GALLERY: 2011 Nissan Quest

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Official release after the jump:

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The 2011 Nissan Quest may not be the official holder of the “Swagger Wagon” title, but it looks pretty damn good. On sale in early 2011, the new Quest is a radical departure from the old model, which was as exciting as vegan meatballs.

All the usual minivan conveniences are present, like flat-folding seats, power sliding doors, 2nd and 3rd row entertainment systems, tire pressure monitoring systems and a removable 2nd row console.

Power comes from Nissan’s ubiquitous 3.5L V6 making 253 horsepower. Four trim levels will be available, but pricing has yet to be announced.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Quest

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Kia‘s Sedona minivan, an often ignored but solid bargain in the minivan segment, gets a new grille for 2011, along with an upgraded powertrain.

The Sedona’s new V6 puts out 271 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque with power being put down through a 6 speed manual transmission. This gives the Sedona a 27 horsepower gain over the old motor, but a 5 lb-ft loss…not that it matters.

With all new versions of the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country and Nissan Quest about the flood the market, the Sedona has a tough fight ahead. But with a low MSRP, it’s destined to achieve at least some success.

[Source: Kia]

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Nissan has released information about a new plug-in sedan set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, a vehicle known as the Ellure. No details or photos have been released, but a nice bit of marketing fluff states that “Nissan’s dramatic new-value sedan exploration, the Nissan Ellure, is designed to bring a higher level of progressive and distinctive expression to the segment – adding passion and emotion to traditional sedan efficiency.”

The Ellure will debut alongside the Murano CrossCabriolet, as well as the new Quest minivan. Hit the jump to see the official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

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Nissan is debuting four new commercials designed to show off their new tag line “Innovation For All”.

Showing off a raft of future ideas, like controlling your car’s climate system with an iPhone, and some more recent (like boasting about brake over-ride systems being installed since 2004), Nissan is pushing the new campaign hard, and teasing enthusiasts with an early glimpse at the 2011 Quest minivan.

There are four ads in total, all available after the jump. We’re still partial to the Van Halen-infused 300ZX commercial though.

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Nissan‘s Elgrand luxury van has been on sale in Japan for a number of years, but the latest generation, unveiled yesterday, will finally make it to North America as the newest Nissan Quest.

While the two vehicles won’t be identical – sources say that some styling variations will be present both inside and out – the basic architecture will remain the same. Japanese market vans will feature a 2.5L four-cylinder or a 3.5L V6. We’d wager that the familiar 3.7L V6 will make it to North America instead, giving Nissan class-leading power numbers.

The Quest will bow in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show

[Source: Nismo Stuff]

The Fiat 500 hot hatch and Nissan Quest minivan are among the 20 world debuts expected to bow at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

Having traditionally lived in the shadow of Detroit’s International Auto Show, the lineup for this years event appears to be expanding, even though only two of the 20 debuts have been announced. Porsche is expected to debut a Cayman ClubSport at Los Angeles, but little else is known beyond that. In addition to the world debuts, another 20 vehicles are expected to bow in some form or another in L.A., pushing the total up to 40 debuts. The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are expected to appear in final production form as well, with the Volt hitting dealerships right around that time as well.

With even the 2010 Detroit Show coming off as a more subdued affair due to the economic downturn, Los Angeles is hopefully a harbinger of things to come, with a ton of product hitting dealerships and consumer confidence restored.

[Source: Los Angeles Auto Show]

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