While I have always respected the skill needed to throw a car into a drift and still maintain some sense of control from a drivers standpoint I have never really been a big fan of the sport. The folks over at Drift Alliance may be changing that though... They posted a really well made short video called 'Off Season' that has really caught my attention. It doesn't hurt that the star is a Nissan Sylvia, a 240SX on this side of the Pacific! Well worth the couple minutes, yes even if your at work just turn the sound down! Thanks Jalopnik for the find! ;)

Yes, everyone seems to be screaming loudly how they are saving the planet from noxious fumes, using recycled this or that and even going as far to say that driving their car will singled handily save the whole planet. Blah, blah, blah! Who is looking out for the lil critters of the forest you may ask? Well Nissan is and has been for a very long time now. One example can be found here; by making the hood vent on this older generation 280Z big large enough not only for adequate air flow but also for a chipmunk to fit through, this vehicle provides shelter for one of the cutest creatures in the forest! Another Z car provided housing for an entire family of squires and can be seen in some very artsy black and white shots here. So you see, its more than just what a cars made of or what comes out the tailpipe that matters... its how many critters can find shelter within a vehicle that measures its environmental value! Use the comments to tell me how YOUR Nissan is saving the wildlife!

While Nissan hustles to ready the all new and sure to be market changing (!) Quest mini van, the crafty folks over at the other really bitchen Japanese car company have been hard at work to make sure that the bar is set really high! The all new, 4th generation Odyssey has recently debuted and its pretty cool I must say! A more aggressive stance, improved aero dynamics and a host of ‘neat’ new features it’s a rock solid competitor for the coming Quest, from what I have heard Nissan will enter the fight with a fully competitive van and I know I for one am anxious to see it! Read the Honda press release here, but remember the Nissan Quest will be here early next year so keep checking here!!

Nissan's much talked about and greatly anticipated new 'world car', the Micra is set to shows its cute lil face for the first time next month at the Geneva Auto Show. Why should you care? Well because rumors are that its going to make it across the pond and slide into the Nissan line up under the Versa. Thats right, UNDER, you know like less expensive than the $10,000.00 Versa! These are not just ordinary rumors either, these are the good ones I get from the factory Rep's along with a nudge and a wink, wink! Sales will start off in Thailand beginning in march and spread to Europe by the fall, US sales rumored(!) to start by the beginning of 2011... Read more (but just a little) here and follow the 2010 Geneva Auto Show here.

Today in Abu Dhabi the big news is the unveiling, (get it, unveiling... Abu Dhabi! he he he), of the newest generation of the world famous Nissan Patrol. Although mostly recognised in all white with a big blue UN painted on the side! This new truck is so not your old UN Peace Keepers truck! Upscale in so many ways and with plenty of go power from the new direct injected V8 thats slinging 400 ponies! Autoblog has a nice write up on some of the features and they had this to say. "Nifty (their word NOT mine! ;) new tech includes what Nissan calls a "curtain vent" - openings above each window that fire cool air straight down to form a layer of air-conditioned insulation between each passenger and the glass." The Patrol is said to be a version of the coming Armada freshen up, lets hops so cause it looks bitchen! Read more here.

Yes I KNOW its Valentines Day! Its Valentines Day and I am at WORK, guess whos in big trouble?! ;) But it is also the start of the Chinese New Year, this year being the Year of the Metal Tiger. Not having a background in such things I just Google'd it and this is what I came up with..."The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky. But the Chinese say a Tiger having a Tiger in the house is the very best protection against the evils of fire, burglary"

Wait... that just doesnt look right... ;)

Ski apparel and equipment brand, Black Crows, has partnered with Nissan for a pair of special edition Cube's designed for the extreme ski lifestyle. Heck, the windows are even tinted a glare reducing yellow! Matching ski's, bindings, gloves etc, etc, etc provided of course! Lovin the look but... yellow windows??? ;) Even more pics here.

With over 50,000 people registering for more info about the coming LEAF, the interest lists are reaching overflow status! Nissan has started to let us all know how the actual purchase programs will work, those on the lists being the first to have reservation opportunity with the first sales starting as soon as December of this year. By April interested parties will be able to place a hold on a LEAF of their own with a $100.00 pre-order deposit, jump on the list iffin your actually considering one as the demand will be huge once they start hitting the hum of the road! Click here to read the press release and here to get started on a LEAF of your own…