The 370Z launched in India comes with the Synchro Rev Match manual transmission. This system facilitates a smooth gear change by increase or decreasing the rpm of the engine so that the clutch plate and the flywheel mess at the same rpm. For instance when you change down from 4th gear to 3rd you would take the foot off the throttle, apply the clutch and change the gear, at this moment the Synchro Rev Match kicks in. It matches the engine rpm (i.e. flywheel’s rpm) to that of the clutch shaft’s (i.e. shaft connecting the clutch and the gearbox) and then re-engages the clutch which results in ultra-smooth gear change.

It does this by means of sensors (obviously). Synchro Rev uses engine rpm sensor, gearbox rpm sensor throttle position sensor and a sensor to monitor the position of the gear lever. In the 6-speed manual 370Z, the output shaft spins at the same rpm (5000 assuming) as the engine at 6th gear as the gear ratio is 1.1 (almost) but the gear ratio for 5th gear is 1.56:1 (assuming) hence when the gear is shifted from 6th to 5th the engine has to spin at 5000*1.56 rpm for a smooth gear change. Synchro Rev increases the rpm of the engine to 7800rpm so that both the flywheel and the clutch plate spin at the same rpm and then re-engages the clutch. Other than the smooth gear change, Synchro Rev reduces the wear and tear of the clutch plate.

click through for a video explanation

Juhu’s flying club saw something extraordinary than it is used to, a Nissan’s 370Z. Nissan launched the 370Z in India yesterday, when I say launched, the 370Z was literally launched off a truck container on to the ramp and then on the tarmac where it did what Japanese cars do best, drifts and doughnuts. It was quite a surprise when Narain Karthikeyan walked out of the red hot Nissan.

With the launch of the 370Z Nissan has opened its supply of its sportier Z family to India. As most of us know Z is one of the iconic ranges of sports cars to have ever drifted on earth. If Americans have the muscle cars the Japanese have the Z. Read this to know how significant the 370Z launch in India is.

Apart from its pedigree the car is quite the sports coupe for the Tokyo drifting kind of persona. But in India it is going to be more of a car for the “look how deep my pocket is” kind of persona as it is priced at Rs. 53.50 lakh for the 6-speed manual variant and a lakh more for the 7-speed automatic both ex-showroom Delhi. Actual cost of the car in the US is $33k and up on adding the 110% tax as the 370Z arrives as a completely built unit (CBU), the cost comes to about 35lakhs max. So Nissan priced the370Z rather greedily. Other two cars on this segment in India, the Boxster and the Z4 are priced at 47lakhs and 59lakhs respectively both ex-showroom Delhi.

The number 370 refers to the cc of the 370Z’s engine which is 3700 (almost). This V6 engine with a Power output of 332 hp and 370 Nm of torque pushes it from 0 to 100 kmph in 5.1 seconds. The 370Z launched in India is the sports package variant and it hosts 8speaker Bose sound system and 19” wheels. But what is unique about the 370Z is its world’s first SynchroRev gear matching system which I will get to in detail later.

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Nissan NV200 van was spotted in Bangalore-Chennai Highway close to the company’s upcoming big plant. The Van/MPV comes under the same segment at Tata’s Winger considering the body type and not the features so it might start a new niche in the market.

If that happens, it would open a floodgate of sliding doored MPVs from Japan as Toyota has two aces up its sleeves in the disguise of Toyota Alphard and Previa which are a massive success in the pacific ring. In India these two are quite the celebrities as Alphard is what the CM of TamilNadu rolls in and the Previa enjoyed stardom in Kamalhaasan’s “Panchathandiram”. Honda could join up with its Freed MPV.

NV200 comes in two body types, people or cargo carrier, the one spotted testing is a people carrier but Nissan might even bring the cargo carrier as there had been speculation of a LCV from Nissan.

From the looks of it the following will form Nissan’s future line up

• X-trail (present)
• Teana (present)
• Micra (confirmed)
• Micra sedan (confirmed)
• Murano (confirmed)
• 350z (confirmed)
• NV200 (spotted testing)

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This is the 2nd set of rendering of the next generation Nissan Micra, after Nissan revealed the sketches of the production model. The new renderings are from Auto Express and are better than the older renderings as more details from the sketch are included.

The Micra will have Nissan’s “V” platform qualities. The “V” platform stands for “Versatility” and has in essence efficiency in both design and production. The car will be weighed down with 18% reduced number of parts. The sourcing of the parts will be done locally up to 80%, both these making up for efficiency.

The Micra will be produced in the Chennai plant and will be exported to Thailand, Bangkok, Japan and Europe. It will be showcased at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo and will be available in India by may when the production starts.

The car is expected to sport a new 3-cylinder engine which will be mated to Continuous variable transmission (CVT) which is nothing but a automatic gearbox. It is also expected to have the stop-start system. both the transmission and start-stop technology will help increase the mileage of the Micra.

click here for the previous entries on this story!

The Telegraph has reported that Nissan will be launching its world renowned mid-sized crossover SUV Murano in India with the first half of next year. It will first be displayed at Delhi Auto show in January.

The price of the Murano is expected to be some where in-between 35-40lakhs with the added 110% import taxing as it will be shipped in as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) from Japan.

The SUV may come in three variants — the base S, the mid-grade SL and the top of the line LE. The all-wheel drive vehicle is expected to be strapped with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine.

Murano has always been a stand out design with its front chromed grills and curvaceous body. With its not so text bookish dimensions the car looks contemporary or even futuristic. For now we will let you off with the brochure.

Headlight magazine has made a rendering of the Nissan Micra based on the production model sketches. The rendering is quite accurate with the sketch and the car looks better in this now that it is colored. Micra is headed for the Indian and Global launch next year may.

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