tech e blog

A vehicle that's fit for Pixar's "Cars" movie. Nissan's "Smiling Vehicle" was coated in a polyurethane elastomer fiber called ROICA, which "has the ability to deform by up to 900%", and then combined with animatronics to display human emotions. Video after the break.

The idea behind the Smiling Vehicle sounds rather esoteric. Apparently, Nissan sees this technology as an extension of the driver's character, meaning it can be used to express your current feeling when you sit in the car.

Nissan has just announced that NTT DoCoMo will soon be applying their scratch-shield paint on mobile phones. This clearcoat "uses a special top layer of highly elastic resin that gives the coating a 'flexibility' that reportedly means that it can prevent or 'heal' 80% of surface marks." Video after the break.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. will license the Scratch Shield for its mobile phones to be introduced in Japan, which will be a value-add feature for customers.

Currently at $59,000 on eBay, this rare Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec II was originally released in Japan during August 2000 and is one of the few to make it to North America. This model "has increased stiffness in the suspension (even stiffer than the original V-spec) and had larger brake rotors on the rear." Auction page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The seats were also made with black cloth rather than the gray cloth used on previous R34 GT-R models, and the amber turn lenses were replaced with white versions.

Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell "drives the brand new Nissan 370Z around what used to be one of the fastest race circuits in Europe Reims, France." He loved the 350Z, but does this one meet his expectations? Continue reading to find out.

Nissan's NISMO 370Z officially goes on sale today at dealerships nationwide, priced at $39,130. This tuner model offers "a NISMO-tuned V6, producing 18 horses more than the base 370Z for a total of 350 HP @ 7,400 RPM and 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 RPM." Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

Not content releasing just a mild power pack, NISMO has added a strut tower brace, new performance dampers, a viscous limited-slip differential and sport brakes.

More than just an external storage device, this Nissan GT-R gadget on eBay "was created using a 1/18th scale Jada Toys Nissan GT-R mated with loving and delicate care to a 500GB Seagate 2.5 inch hard drive." Product page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The doors and hood still open revealing a fully detailed engine bay and interior. To access your new desktop racer, a USB 2.0 interface is located in the rear along with a supplied 6-foot USB cable.

Currently at $84,800 on eBay, this custom Nissan GT-R was painted Lamborghini Orange and "will be on the front cover of Heavy Hitters magazine July issue of this year 09 (when it was white)." Auction page. Click here for first picture in gallery.

There are only a few Lamborgini orange R35 GTRs in the world and i believe this is the only one in the states. The car has never been hit, not even scratched. The new paint job is less then 2 weeks old.

AutoExpress reports that the Nissan Urge concept is closer to reality than once thought. That's right, "Nissan plans (again) to revive the 200SX/240SX with an all-new, rear-wheel drive model aimed at the Mazda MX-5." Click here for first picture in gallery.

..the new model will supposedly be powered by a 1.6-liter four, propelling the coupe/roadster to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds.

LSD has unveiled the world's first Nissan GT-R vertical door kit, which is expected to be priced at $2522. This system "includes a guided roller system and a buffer system to prevent the doors from being opened too wide or from dropping down." Click here for first picture in gallery.

According to LSD, the system also makes the GT-R an "absolute looker" and offers "more safety and more precise opening and closing of the door."

Currently at $30,100 on eBay, this Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R "was originally raced in the Japanese Super Taikyu series, built by NISMO; only about 12 were built, and who knows how many remain." Auction page. Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

All bodywork was changed to carbon/fiberglass to lose weight, the transmission changed to a Holinger 6-speed sequential, a triple plate carbon clutch was custom-made by Tilton to ensure successful standing-start launches.