Mississauga, Ontario - Today at the Montreal International Auto Show, Nissan made the public debut of the Nissan Micra Cup race car and announced the full race calendar for the inaugural season for Canada's most affordable racing series.
In conjunction with the Canadian reveal of the avant-garde BladeGlider electric vehicle concept, Nissan also announced its support for the expansion of the Electric Circuit public charging network, investing in 25 DC Fast Charging Sites over the next two years. More information about the partnership can be found here. http://nissannews.com/en-CA/nissan/canada/releases/nissan-and-hydro-qu-bec-partner-to-expand-the-electric-circuit-public-charging-network-in-quebec
The all-new Nissan Murano also made its Canadian auto show debut, having recently arrived in Canadian dealerships across Canada.
Nissan Micra Cup 2015 Season Schedule
The Nissan display was a hub of excitement as the company, along with JD Promotion & Compétition, disclosed the 2015 race calendar for the Nissan Micra Cup including support races for the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada, in Montreal this June. The race calendar for the inaugural season of the Nissan Micra Cup is as follows:
May 22-24
Classique de printemps, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
June 5, 6, 7
Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada
July 24-26
Classique d'été, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
July 31-August 2
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières
August 15
Circuit St-Eustache
September 25-27
Classique d'automne, Circuit Mont-Tremblant
For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup, please visit: http://www.nissan.ca/micra-cup/en/
"We are thrilled to kick off 2015 on such an exciting note by announcing the Nissan Micra Cup calendar racing at the most legendary race tracks and events in Quebec including Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Trois-Rivières and the pinnacle of Canadian racing, the Formula 1 -- Grand Prix du Canada, in Montreal," says Christian Meunier, president of Nissan Canada Inc. "This series offers passionate, amateur drivers with the unique opportunity to race in the most prestigious race of the season, in front of thousands of racing fans and the best drivers in the world, in a car that costs $20,000. This is the spirit of the Micra Cup. Providing fun, excitement and rare experiences to racing enthusiasts in Canada."
The Micra Cup, which will launch exclusively in Quebec, is a one-of-a-kind racing series offering the lowest running cost of any Canadian series and featuring Canada's most affordable new vehicle, the 2015 Nissan Micra.
JD Promotion & Compétition, in collaboration with Nissan and NISMO, worked extensively with a team of professionals at Motorsports in Action (MIA) to develop this special racing version of the Nissan Micra, which is constructed on the stock Nissan Micra S (base) model. Modifications are limited to suspension, exhaust and brake pads, as well as all the necessary safety equipment.
Nissan BladeGlider Concept
Making its Canadian debut, Nissan BladeGlider is more than a concept. It's a proposal for the future direction of Nissan electric vehicle (EV) development and an exploratory prototype of an upcoming production vehicle from the world's leading EV manufacturer. BladeGlider was developed with form following function. Nissan crafted the vehicle's unique architecture to give the driver and passengers "sustainable exhilaration" – a fresh electric vehicle driving experience based on peerless technology and exotic styling.
With its narrow, 1.0 metre lightweight front track and wide, stable rear track, BladeGlider looks as if it could have sprung from a "skunk works" project. But the radical architecture all boils down to aerodynamics and balance. Having the front wheels close together reduces drag and enhances maneuverability for high G cornering power, assisted by its 30/70 front/rear weight distribution ratio. Aerodynamic downforce is created by the highly rigid yet lightweight carbon-fiber underbody, hence the lack of drag-inducing wings.
To power the electric motors, BladeGlider employs Nissan's innovative lithium-ion battery technology, proven in Nissan LEAF. Battery modules are mounted low and toward the rear to enhance stability and handling.
About the Nissan Micra Cup
Sanctioned by Auto Sport Québec (ASQ) and presented by JD Promotion & Compétition with the support of Nissan Canada, the Nissan Micra Cup exclusively features the stock Micra 1.6 S M/T model with minor modifications, including NISMO suspension - to render it race-ready.
Unlike most motorsport events, each competing Nissan Micra race vehicle will have the exact same specifications, resulting in a competition that truly reveals the most skilled drivers. The Nissan Micra Cup race vehicles remain equipped with the Nissan Micra's stock 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) and stock 5-speed manual transmission. More than 25 Nissan Micras will compete on each race weekend which will include two hours of track time consisting of: a 30-minute trial, a 30-minute qualifying session and two 30-minute races.
Young karting drivers, the average Canadian looking for an entry point into motorsport competition, or anyone who wants to experience the rush of adrenaline inherent with racing cars are all well-suited to this series. In summary, the Nissan Micra Cup is for people who are passionate about motorsports, want to experience all the fun and thrills of racing, but without spending staggering amounts of money.
To learn more about the Nissan Micra Cup, and place your order through JD Promotion & Compétition, visit: http://www.nissan.ca/micracup
About the all-new 2015 Nissan Murano crossover
The 2015 Nissan Murano's new magnetic exterior design projects a sense of refined intensity, creating an immediate "wow" response. As the halo vehicle for Nissan's expanding range of bold crossovers and SUVs, the latest Murano also expresses a new Nissan design direction – including its V-motion front end, LED boomerang lights and the unique "floating" roof. The breakthrough exterior design carries into the interior, which offers an engaging social lounge feel through features such as the refined instrument panel, low center console, advanced Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof.
Standard technology features include: Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch colour display with multi-touch control. Available features include: Around View® Monitor, 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), iPod® interface, and 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system.
Responsive driving is provided by a standard 3.5-litre DOHC V6 rated at 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The standard Xtronic transmission offers sporty response and smoothness and includes a new D-step Logic Control that simulates shifts, giving a more natural acceleration feeling without holding a high rpm constant. Murano is available in front-wheel drive or Intuitive All-Wheel Drive.
The all-new 2015 Murano is offered in five well-equipped models: S FWD, SV FWD, SV AWD, SL AWD, and Platinum AWD. It is assembled in Canton, Mississippi.
"For Nissan, the 2015 Montreal International Auto Show is all about returning to our roots in the most exciting ways. With the Micra Cup, we enter a new, distinctly Canadian chapter in Nissan's rich motorsport history. Derived from the Resonance Concept, the new Murano projects a sense of refined intensity and re-establishes its position as the benchmark for design in the crossover segment. Considered the trail-blazer in electric vehicles, we at Nissan are daring ourselves to push the limits again with our fearless vision of electric motoring – the BladeGlider Concept," concludes Meunier.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
About Nissan Canada
Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. With offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC), NCI directly employs 250 full-time staff. There are 187 independent Nissan dealerships, 38 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers across Canada. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards.
More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.