just test drove a six speed...

[geoliquid]

Funny story, The sales guy didn't drive stick so I got to back it out of its spot and pull it off the lot. No Joke, it took us 5 minutes just to figure out how to get it into reverse. Didn't relize that you would have to pull up on that lever/sleve on the stick to be able to move it into reverse. Very euro. didn't expect to see that in a japanese car? Who makes the 6 speed manual transmission for Nissan? is it a Peugot transmission?

[geoliquid]

looks like it might be a renault 6 speed. Looks like Nissan and Renault have a stake in each others company and share technology. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault

This car looks alot like ther versa:http://www.renault.co.uk/Produ...=1123

interesting..

[The Edge]

Funny story, The sales guy didn't drive stick so I got to back it out of its spot and pull it off the lot. No Joke, it took us 5 minutes just to figure out how to get it into reverse. Didn't relize that you would have to pull up on that lever/sleve on the stick to be able to move it into reverse. Very euro. didn't expect to see that in a japanese car? Who makes the 6 speed manual transmission for Nissan? is it a Peugot transmission?

Well now that you test drove it, what did you think?

[proxim2020]

Everyone believes the design came from Renault. The 6 speed transmission was designed for Euro style driving with very close gear ratios and a short final gear. Traditionally in Europe the roads are narrow, lower speeds, and lots of turns. The gearbox is perfect for this type driving, but not the best idea for big, long, straight North American highways.

[Ever Victorious]

Renault is the correct answer. The gearbox comes from the Clio Mk3, the current Renault cousin to the Versa. They are built on the same platform. The Clio, however, uses a flex-fuel 1.6L engine.

[geoliquid]

Everyone believes the design came from Renault. The 6 speed transmission was designed for Euro style driving with very close gear ratios and a short final gear. Traditionally in Europe the roads are narrow, lower speeds, and lots of turns. The gearbox is perfect for this type driving, but not the best idea for big, long, straight North American highways.

I loved the 4at automatic. The six speed just didn't feel right. I used to drive an old sentra with a 5 speed way back in the early 90's and it felt nothing like that. I'm sold on the 4at automatic. As soon as the Capitl One check arrives, i'll be picking up the dark gray S with automatic, powerpackage and abs.

[geoliquid]

I loved the 4at automatic. The six speed just didn't feel right. I used to drive an old sentra with a 5 speed way back in the early 90's and it felt nothing like that. I'm sold on the 4at automatic. As soon as the Capitl One check arrives, i'll be picking up the dark gray S with automatic, powerpackage and abs.

Very cool. I love the interior. plenty of space. My wife says it reminds her of her g35 sedan (she traded that in on a minivan when the first baby came two years ago).

[polkpe]

The versa/tiida shares the platform of the renault clio, but that's all, the engine and transmission are 100% Japanese. Btw I have the six transmision tiida sedan, and for the small streets in mexico is very cool haha. Regards!

Heres a clio: http://www.diariomotor.com/ima...0.jpg

[jacksan1]

That 6MT was jointly developed by Nissan and Renault in 2005. Nissan usually goes to Aisin Seiki for its MTs, but the Versa's MT is an exception (and it shows in its lousy shift quality). Ironically, Renault is now starting to use Aisin transmissions these days.

[Wings]

Renault is the correct answer. The gearbox comes from the Clio Mk3, the current Renault cousin to the Versa. They are built on the same platform. The Clio, however, uses a flex-fuel 1.6L engine.

The Versa is on the Megane and Clio platform and is directly between the two in size. The Versa is larger than the Clio and smaller than the Megane. However it's very close to both of them. Not that the two Renaults are really that much different in size.

[jacksan1]

The Versa is on the Megane and Clio platform and is directly between the two in size. The Versa is larger than the Clio and smaller than the Megane. However it's very close to both of them. Not that the two Renaults are really that much different in size.

The Versa and Clio use the Global 'B' platform, whereas the Megane uses the Global 'C," which is shared with Nissan's Serena and LaFesta (JDM), both of which are minivans.

[geoliquid]

The Versa and Clio use the Global 'B' platform, whereas the Megane uses the Global 'C," which is shared with Nissan's Serena and LaFesta (JDM), both of which are minivans.

Do you know what platform the Renault Scenic is on? This car looks alot like a Versa.

[geoliquid]

and here is the vesra from a similar angle.

[KimberKenobi]

Do you know what platform the Renault Scenic is on? This car looks alot like a Versa.

ummm.... The Scenic... It says it in the img link... Look here (at page posted above) (okay, I can't help it; here's the obvious: It also says it on the front...) It's by Renault (you can tell by the diamond ...) Then again... it could be a GRAND Scenic.... ooooohhhhhh..... aaaaahhhhhh..... Still pretty bad@$$ in the passenger-space area... the Grand seats 7!!

http://www.renault.co.uk/Produ...=1123

...

[motoguy128]

The Scenic I believe is the Global "C" platform. I was unable to find and Renault models that are using the 1.8 in the Versa. They offer either a wide array of Diesel engines, or Gas engines including a 1.4L, 1.6L (used in Tiida) and 2.0L (possibly shared with the Sentra).

In general, the Versa follows clear styling cues from Renault. More of their hatchbacks share many of the same styling elements.

[jacksan1]

Correct. The Scenic does use the Global 'C' platform, as it is basically a derivative of the Megane.

You cannot find a Renault that uses the same 1.8 L engine that the Versa uses because there isn't one. But the exact same engine that is upped to 2.0 L is used in the Clio. When you see the engine code "M1G" in a Renault, that's the same engine.

[motoguy128]

Thanks. The engine does feel very european in it's sound, feel and dimensions. I suspect that it's design carries many of hte seame elements as the 2.0L and 1.6L powerplants.

I did see that Renault is using the awesome Nissan sourced 3.5L V6 in the Laguna as a premium option.

It would be interesting ot see how the project design teams are structured for vehicles between the 2 companies. It almost seems like a big modular grab bag for the engineers.

I wouldn't be suprised to see the 1.6L motor quickly show-up in the US if gas were to break $5.00 and stay there.

[jacksan1]

In general, the Versa follows clear styling cues from Renault. More of their hatchbacks share many of the same styling elements.

This may be the general impression. However, Renaults like the Megane and Scenic were styled by a guy by the name of Patrick le Quement, whereas the Tiida/Versa's styling was done by Nissan's in-house staff. Of course, as we all can tell, Nissan's staff did use the le Quement motif.

[Greek.intuit]

This may be the general impression. However, Renaults like the Megane and Scenic were styled by a guy by the name of Patrick le Quement, whereas the Tiida/Versa's styling was done by Nissan's in-house staff. Of course, as we all can tell, Nissan's staff did use the le Quement motif.

Unfortunately, the French make beautiful films, gorgeous women and have incredible scenery, and they still style Renaults and Peugeots. I'm sorry, but that is reason enough to discredit some capability there...

However, the Japanese influence on the versa is very tame, and it looks like a Frenchman may have a hand in designing the front end while the rear looks suspiciously like a Renault Clio...





You guys have to remember that the Versa is marketed as a compact luxury car, and is actually more expensive in its original countries! Brits have it the worst for car prices, but that's because the Queen loves tariffs...

More importantly, the transmission IS from a Renault, but from the Clio platform with a slight adjustment for the different size engines since 1.8 is the standard for American and the 1.2-1.6 is the standard for Euro's... We like our power too much... that is unless you really enjoy a Chevy Aveo (America still sucks at making cars... I say that because Toyota just took the truck market...)

[proxim2020]

You guys have to remember that the Versa is marketed as a compact luxury car

The Tiida was originally and still is marketed at a luxury compact, especially in Japan. The Versa was never meant to compete with the NA luxury market, but rather be a compact that offered you more comfort than other compacts. This is evident when you compare interior quality and options for the Tiida vs the V.

[jacksan1]

The Tiida was originally and still is marketed at a luxury compact, especially in Japan. The Versa was never meant to compete with the NA luxury market, but rather be a compact that offered you more comfort than other compacts. This is evident when you compare interior quality and options for the Tiida vs the V.

The Tiida is suprisingly affordable. The most popular trim level in Japan, 15M, comes fully loaded and with CVT, at under US $14,000. It comes standard with ABS, and has features not available in NA, such as the sliding rear seat.

Unfortunately for Nissan, this luxury compact concept is not working out that well in the Japanese market. Yes, everyone recognizes the nice appointments that the Tiida presents, but there are just way too many compacts to compete with over there that also cost thousands less (e.g., you can get a well-equipped Fit for about US $10,000). People in Japan tend to say that if they want luxury they get a bigger car, and if they get a smaller car, they want to pay less.

[Greek.intuit]

On the same token, there are the discrepancies about earnings vs. cost ratio, and the differences in packages.