Nissan made three Canadian debuts in Toronto and welcomed members of the 100th Grey Cup Championship team, along with the Grey Cup, to the Nissan display. Nissan’s support of Canadian football began with the Toronto Argonauts in 2007, and subsequently expanded to include other teams and the league itself, culminating in the 100th Grey Cup Festival and game in November which was won by the hometown team.
“There is a lot of excitement surrounding Nissan at the 40th Canadian International Auto Show and we’re delighted to support this important event as the official automotive partner,” said Judy Wheeler, Director of Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc. “We were thrilled to kick things off with the Toronto Argonauts who made this city proud when they won the 100th Grey Cup on home turf last fall. Argos players will be at the Nissan display throughout the show to engage with fans and show off the Grey Cup.”
Also on hand was Taro Ueda, Vice President of Nissan Design America based in San Diego, California, who opened the Auto Show as the keynote speaker. He also revealed the Nissan Resonance Concept which redefines the crossover segment and reveals a new direction for future Nissan products.
“As designers, we look at everything for inspiration including the work of the great designers who came before us,” remarked Ueda-San. “At the Toronto auto show you’ve witnessed how the automotive industry has evolved in the last 40 years and we designers are evolving too. Please watch us to see how we build another 40 great years of automotive history.”
The fourth of five new vehicles over 15 months in Nissan’s strongest product offensive to date, the all-new Versa Note four-door hatchback, also made its Canadian debut. With segment-exclusive technology, outstanding fuel economy, smart packaging and class-leading cargo space, Versa Note is expected to remain one of the strongest sub-compacts in the segment when it arrives at Nissan dealerships later this spring.
Not to be overshadowed, Nissan unveiled the all-new Nissan JUKE NISMO, the latest addition to its motorsports and performance division. Already a strong and bold vehicle to begin with, NISMO’s motorsports DNA incorporates nearly 100 separate performance, exterior and interior modification. The result? A more powerful crossover with a whole new dimension of sporty style and driving exhilaration.
Finally, Nissan announced pricing for the all-new NV200 compact cargo van. At just $21,998, NV200 has the lowest starting MSRP* in this highly competitive segment. What makes it even more compelling is segment-leading features like best-in-class fuel economy and turning radius.
About the Nissan Display
Nissan’s display will not only showcase tangible displays of its revitalized vehicle line-up, including the all-new Altima, Sentra and Pathfinder, but it also offer visitors an opportunity to connect with the vehicles like never before through its Virtual Showroom 3D Hologram display. Nissan is taking its online virtual showroom experience to the next level with the application of a high-definition holographic video projection system used to create the illusion of three-dimensional moving images.
The fully-functional telecommunications system makes it possible for guests of the Nissan exhibit to interact with virtual Nissan vehicles when they perform physical gestures. The Nissan vehicle will appear to be a transparent 3D hologram, but it will in fact be something called "Pepper's Ghost," an illusionary technique traditionally used in theatre.
About the Nissan Versa Note
The Nissan Versa lineup gets a dramatic new look with the launch of the all-new 2014 Nissan Versa Note. The second-generation hatchback goes on sale at Nissan's Canadian dealers in June 2013 with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $13,348 CAD*, and gives notice that in an era of changing consumer needs and expectations, Versa Note intends to be at the forefront of the entry-level pack.
The all-new Versa Note will complement the Versa family, which includes the Versa Sedan starting at $11,898 CAD MSRP*. The Versa Note has its own distinctive look, feel and added hatchback utility. It carries the Note designation used in other global Nissan markets, as well as the PURE DRIVE badge, designating it as having low CO2 emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency.
About the Nissan Resonance Concept
The Resonance concept was created at Nissan Design America in San Diego, CA and features an open, airy architecture highlighted by a unique "floating" roof created through the use of the thin, steeply raked A-pillars, large full-length glass panel and flowing D-pillar design.
The all-wheel drive Resonance concept also features an efficient hybrid electric drivetrain that includes Nissan's proprietary "one-motor, two-clutch" system, which combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery and advanced management system.
About the JUKE NISMO
The JUKE NISMO was engineered and developed with the passion and experience that has made NISMO one of the world's premiere motorsports organizations and factory-tuning divisions. The JUKE NISMO will be powered by a NISMO-tuned 197-horsepower 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine based on the 16GT FOUR Type V. It has been carefully tuned to provide a driving experience only NISMO could create, complementing the vehicle's classy-yet-sporty appearance and overall unique nature.
This production model represents the first model in NISMO’s new brand strategy—announced at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show (December 2011) — and focuses on creating premium high-performance sports vehicles. The Nissan JUKE NISMO will be available in Canada in limited quantities.
