Latest news with #sedan
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
This Might Be Nissan's New Sedan Before You're Supposed to See It
Update: This story has been updated with more information regarding Nissan's EV concept in China. Nissan has a massive product onslaught planned over the next few years. Alongside the latest Kicks and the updated Murano SUVs, the Japanese automaker has a new Leaf coming to the US as early as next year. But if these patent filings are any indication, there could be even more products on the horizon—and soon. Nissan recently filed a patent with the World Intellectual Property Organization, as uncovered by Top Gear Philippines . The patent was filed in China on September 14 of last year and officially registered on May 9, 2025. It shows an updated Nissan sedan with the brand's latest design language. Nissan Patent Images Photo by: WIPO It's unclear whether these images show a new Sentra, Altima, Maxima, or something different entirely. The photos look nearly identical to the Evo concept from earlier last year, though they weren't officially filed until after that concept debuted. It could potentially be a production version of that vehicle. The patent also bears a similar resemblance to the Chinese Nissan N7 , but that sedan is larger and has more distinct cues. If this is a US-bound model, our best guess would be all-new Sentra or a revived Altima, which may be discontinued in the US after this year. The front fascia bears the automaker's new angular headlight treatment, which we've seen on the upcoming Leaf and a few of Nissan's previous concepts. The back end, meanwhile, has a slim light bar that encircles the trunk lid and stretches out to the rear bumper on either side. The profile almost makes it look like a fastback, which leads us to believe this is a mid-size sedan as opposed to a compact. We've seen spy photos of Nissan testing a sedan prototype in Michigan that looks nearly identical to the patent images pictured here. But even in those spy photos, it's difficult to tell if the car in question is the smaller Sentra or the mid-size Altima. Our spy photographers believe it could be the Sentra, but slightly larger than the current-generation model. Photo by: WIPO Photo by: WIPO In those spy photos, we also see an exhaust system, which means Nissan won't go full EV for its next sedan. Our best guess is a new hybrid system, potentially the turbocharged 1.5-liter hybrid unit from the plug-in-hybrid Frontier —which won't come to the US. That powertrain delivers 402 horsepower in the plug-in truck, but a detuned version of that could make sense in the smaller Sentra or Altima sedans. If this is indeed a new Sentra, don't expect to see a production version before 2027. The current model is still on sale in the US, and it likely won't change for 2026. With the Altima rumored to be discontinued after this year, we could see a new version of that sedan before the end of 2025. If we're lucky. Nissan's Recent Struggles The Last Five-Speed Manual Is Dead Nissan Might Sell Its Home to Survive: Report Source: World Intellectual Property Organization via Top Gear Philippines Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
With better handling and efficiency than the CR-V, the Honda Accord hybrid is a great reminder of a time when sedans ruled
A once venerable breed, the sensible mid-size sedan is dwindling toward extinction. American brands have stopped making sedans in favour of crossovers and SUVs sold to consumers as more convenient and flexible for busy families. The choice of SUV over sedan becomes even easier with the added security of all-wheel drive and a higher seating position. SUVs are more profitable for car companies because they can make them bigger and stuff them full of options you would likely never need such as off-road packages and big wheels. In the U.S and Canada, there's a loophole in the regulations that cuts SUVs slack when it comes to fuel efficiency. Still, there are sedans that have survived, such as the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, considered the benchmark of the segment. For decades, these sedan brands have been the most trusted by consumers, earning the No. 1 and 2 spots for mid-size sedan sales in Canada and the U.S. Personally, I find the Honda more enjoyable to drive. It has better steering and body control and a more comfortable ride. The Accord added some new trims for 2025 but didn't change anything else. All Accords bound for Canada are currently assembled in Marysville, Ohio, which would make them subject to tariffs, but the prices aren't currently affected. Base models have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but the rest of the lineup is outfitted with Honda's fourth-generation hybrid system, which mates an efficient four-cylinder engine to two electric motors. One of the motors drives the wheels directly, while the other is connected to the gas engine, working as a generator to charge the battery or supply power to the propulsion motor. The gas engine only powers the wheels during steady-state cruising at more than 100 kilometres an hour, but in most situations, the electric motor does the heavy lifting of moving the car. The biggest advantage of this hybrid system from the driver's seat is the refinement. When the gas engine fires up, it's quiet and doesn't stay running for long. If you need full power to pass someone, both the engine and motor can team up to provide pleasingly linear acceleration and a combined 247 lb-ft of torque – and it sounds good. It's a better experience for the driver compared to the hybrid system in the Toyota Camry, which is just as efficient but lacks Honda's smoothness and responsiveness. You can get the same powertrain in the Honda CR-V, but the efficiency takes a noticeable hit. According to Natural Resources Canada the Accord hybrid will consume an average of 5.3 litres of gasoline every 100 kilometres, while the CR-V will burn an extra litre or more to cover the same distance. In a year, that would amount to $341 saved at the pump at $1.55 per litre when driven 20,000 kilometres a year. That's not a small amount and is attributed to the Accord's lower weight and more aerodynamic profile. I'm no stranger to the perceived convenience of an SUV. I bought my first one recently, a 10-year-old Honda CR-V. It replaced a sedan that I drove for 13 years. I figured the CR-V's extra space would be useful, but so far I haven't needed it. I like the extra height because it makes getting food from a drive-thru easier and my seven-year-old son, who sits in the back, gets a bit more leg room. Our groceries usually go on the floor behind my seat because it's easier than opening the tailgate. I find myself looking for reasons to use the 1,000-plus litres of cargo space, but so far, I haven't had any. And commuting in an SUV, which is usually done alone, is like going for a walk with an empty hiking backpack when a wallet is all you need. The Accord is also a better handling vehicle. It's not as if the CR-V isn't well-mannered, but there's a big difference between it and the CR-V. The Accord has better steering, road feel and stability over bumps. Raising the suspension on a vehicle, and therefore its centre of gravity, hurts driving dynamics. SUVs typically have a poorer ride and tend to jiggle and shudder over uneven roads. It seems like a bad deal to have to live with a vehicle that's fundamentally worse for the few times a year when you go on a camping trip or to Ikea. The Accord is a wonderfully refined vehicle with fantastic fuel mileage in the hybrid trim, back seats that are just as spacious as the CR-V's and a trunk big enough for any Costco run. It also has a great interior with comfortable seats, nice soft-touch materials on the dash and a good infotainment system. It's simple to use, has Google Maps built-In and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two knocks against the Accord are its price and the absence of all-wheel drive, which you can get in a Camry. A base CR-V also starts about $2,000 less than the base Accord – a deal that's hard for most consumers to pass up. But for those who are looking for sensible and efficient transportation, the Accord has been providing it since 1977. The new one continues that tradition proudly, while also reminding drivers of a time when sedans ruled the road. 2025 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Can Sony and Honda Take On Tesla?
Honda and Sony are teaming up to enter the EV race. The AFEELA 1 is expected to start deliveries next year. The all-electric sedan is estimated to have a 300 mile range and starts just below $90k. Sony Honda Mobility began taking preorders for the car back in January. Jun Koketsu, Sony Honda Mobility General Manager joined Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about the road ahead for the new venture. (Source: Bloomberg)
Motor 1
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Weird Elantra N Sales Surge Likely Isn't a Sport Sedan Comeback
Popularity for the humble sedan has faltered over the years, as buyers turn to more practical, higher-riding crossovers. Likewise, affordable performance cars aren't nearly as popular as they were, say, 20 years ago. That's why we're so surprised to hear the Hyundai Elantra N , a sporty sedan, just had its best sales month ever. Sadly, it's likely not a big a deal as you think. Hyundai reported May sales numbers this week, highlighting a massive 141-percent increase in Elantra N sales—the best single month for the trim since its introduction in 2021. While the company doesn't break down units sold by trim, the N's sales milestone comes as part of a 24-percent increase in sales for the Elantra overall, with 15,741 units sold. Don't get us wrong, the Elantra N is an excellent car. It punches above its weight, offering similar performance and smiles to cars that cost five figures more . But a 141-percent jump is an anomaly to big to be explained by enthusiast demand. The real reason behind the spike? It's likely due to the car's refresh, which occurred in early 2024 . When a car is replaced or refreshed, its assembly plant has to be shut down to retool for new body panels and other updates. The pause in production means dealers aren't receiving as many units, which leads to a temporary sales slump. That's what likely happened here. Dealers probably weren't able to sell many Elantra Ns last May simply because they didn't have any in stock. So comparatively, sales jumped in 2025, when inventory normalized. The addition of an automatic transmission also likely helped. That's just a theory, of course. We've reached out to Hyundai for a more concrete explanation. We'll be sure to update this article when we hear back. Either way, for the Elantra N to have its best sales month ever in 2025, four years after it went on sale, is impressive. Enthusiast-focused cars usually have the opposite occur, with the biggest sales happening at the beginning of the lifecycle. This milestone is further proof people still want affordable, fun sedans. More on the Elantra N Hyundai Slaps a Big Wing on the Elantra N The Hyundai Elantra N Nearly Dethroned the Civic Type R in a Race Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Car and Driver
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
470-HP Alpine A390 Promises Nimble Handling via Torque Vectoring
Alpine has revealed its second EV, the A390, which sits in the gray area between sedan and SUV. The A390's tri-motor powertrain promises active torque vectoring across the rear axle and up to 470 horsepower. The A390 could become the first modern Alpine to be sold in the U.S., but the brand recently admitted that tariffs were making it rethink its expansion plans. We've spent much of the past decade longingly gazing at the Alpine A110, a nimble, lightweight sports car sold in Europe with a svelte, retro design. Now there's another Alpine to pine over, but there's a chance this one reaches our shores later this year. The French automaker, a subsidiary of Renault, revealed the A390 today, an electric fastback crossover with a potent tri-motor powertrain and a concept-car-like design. Alpine The A390 was previewed last year by the A390 β concept and will enter production with minimal changes to its sharp styling. The thin LED light bar still stretches across the A390's brow, with a series of snazzy triangular lights—dubbed "Cosmic Dust" by Alpine—below and an intricately designed grille in the lower bumper to direct cool air to the batteries. The A390's muscular rear haunches and chiseled character lines remain, as does the rear light bar and sloping roofline. The A390 straddles the boundary between a sedan and an SUV, standing nearly four inches shorter than a Porsche Macan EV and less than an inch taller than a BMW i5 sedan. Its 181.7-inch length from nose to tail makes it about nine inches shorter than a Polestar 4 and roughly four inches longer than a Genesis GV60. The A390's bodywork was designed with aerodynamics in mind, with a functional rear diffuser, a subtle black rear spoiler, and a floating wing integrated into the hood that directs air through a channel between the headlights. Alpine The Alpine's assertive, dynamic styling is certainly appealing, but what's happening under the skin really gets us excited. The A390's tri-motor powertrain sees one electric motor live on the front axle and two at the rear, with each of those e-motors independently controlling a wheel. This allows for an active torque-vectoring system that Alpine believes will make the A390 especially playful in corners; the automaker even compares it to the A110 featherweight. Alpine says the car will be able to deliver more torque to the outside wheel to rotate the A390 through corners, helping offset the weight penalty of an EV. Alpine says the A390 will tip the scales at around 4676 pounds. The A390 will come in two trims. The base GT model produces 400 horsepower and zips from zero to 62 mph in a claimed 4.8 seconds. The top GTS trim ups output to 470 hp and 595 pound-feet of torque and slashes the sprint to 62 mph to a claimed 3.9 seconds. This isn't incredibly quick in the world of EVs, but the reputation Alpine built on the back of the A110 is more about handling prowess than straight-line speed, and the torque-vectoring system promises to preserve that feeling. Alpine The cabin is, understandably, a more drastic departure from the fantastical setup in the concept, which featured a yoke-style steering wheel and dramatic racing seats. Still, the A390's interior looks modern, luxurious, and driver-focused, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. Thankfully, physical climate controls remain, and the heated steering wheel, door panels, and bucket seats are shod in lush blue nappa leather. The steering wheel features a rotary knob to adjust the regenerative braking and a "OV" (Overtake) button to enable a 10-second boost function and launch control. The A390's 89-kWh battery is estimated to deliver between 323 and 344 miles on the European WLTP test cycle, which translates to up to roughly 293 miles on the EPA test cycle. The A390 is set to be assembled in France, and orders for European customers will open in the fourth quarter, meaning deliveries should start next year. We initially thought the A390 could be the first Alpine to reach the United States after the brand signaled its intention to enter the U.S. market in 2027 with an EV-only lineup. Alpine recently said that the introduction of high tariffs on imported cars is causing it to reevaluate its plans and will likely delay its U.S. launch closer to 2030. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
