Think your GT-R has all the latest electronic aids? Think again. Nissan's newest safety technology includes Moving Object Detection and an impact prevention system called the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Concept.

It's a mouthful, but the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Concept is exactly how it sounds. The technology automatically applies the brakes when radar sensors detect an imminent collision with a vehicle or object ahead, at speeds of up to 60 km/h (around 37 mph). Nissan says the speed is the highest for any collision avoidance system around and, compared to Volvo's City Safety, this one is continuously employed at twice the Volvo system's speed (up to 19 mph for City Safety).

In addition to the higher speed, Nissan focused on making the deceleration and stoppage as smooth as possible in an astute attempt to avoid triggering a chain reaction of rear-endings from vehicles behind. When activated, the FCAAC also tightens the driver's seatbelt and activates visual and auditory alerts in the cabin.

The FCAAC helps vehicles in motion but Moving Object Detection assists drivers who are parking. MOD supplements Nissan's Around View Monitor parking system and seeks out the presence of moving objects around the vehicle. Once detected, MOD alerts the driver through a screen display while a buzzer apparently emits a "PiPi" noise.

Both technologies were developed as part of Nissan's Safety Shield concept and we should begin to see them manifest in new vehicles in the near future.

Source: Nissan

Infiniti’s design language, Dynamic Adeyaka, will be turned up on the next generation of the company’s cars, the brand's design chiefs have told CAR. And there are more concepts cars coming to showcase the styling direction, as Infiniti continues to persaude buyers from their BMWs.

We won’t see anything at the 2010 Paris motor show (more details of the alliance with Daimler are expected to be the news there) but the 2010 LA, or 2011 Detroit or Geneva shows will host a new Infiniti concept car to follow on from the gorgeous Essence (pictured above with design director Shiro Nakamura).

What about new Infiniti models? What's next?

We told you the other day about Infiniti's new electric car coming in 2012. Infiniti is also exploring a replacement for its Q limousine, which sits above the new M saloon. Tough times mean it’s not confirmed for production yet, but Infiniti design director Takashi Nakajima told CAR that rather than mimic a traditional limo like an S-class, the next Q needed to reflect Infiniti’s character. Think Quattroporte, Rapide, CLS, etc. We suggested a four-door take on the Essence supercar. His response? ‘Exactly!’

However, Infiniti may decide that its money is better spent on a halo model like a sports car rather than a range-topping limousine. A coupe based on the M is currently out of the question though, according to Nakamura-san, as the volumes are too small.

What about the bread-and-butter cars like the G?

We’ve also heard from Infiniti sources that a new performance-oriented package will be launched for the G at Pebble Beach (think BMW’s M-Sport kits), but while senior management would love to expand the new brand (thought to be called Infiniti Performance Line) the times aren’t right for out-and-out performance cars.

Instead, next on the agenda for Infiniti is equipping the majority of its cars with stop/start tech, although (like Audi) it promises not to market its vehicles with a branding like EfficientDynamics or BlueEfficiency. Rather, it'll be rolled out across nearly every model on sale.

Instead, next on the agenda for Infiniti is equipping the majority of its cars with stop/start tech...

By Christie Schweinsberg
WardsAuto.com, Jan 18, 2011 9:00 AM

DETROIT – Nissan North America Inc.’s Infiniti brand can be forgiven for being nostalgic.

The luxury marque last year enjoyed the largest sales increase among its competitors, up 27.5%, giving the brand its best share of the segment.

But to be a credible Tier-1 luxury marque, Infiniti needs a “high-priced, halo flagship model,” Brian Carolin, NNA vice president-sales, tells Ward’s in an interview at this week’s North American International Auto Show.

Infiniti’s sales of 103,411 units trailed by a wide margin the 200,000-plus volume the BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus brands each racked up in 2010.

Nor does it enjoy the positive press of current media-darling Audi AG, despite outselling the German brand last year in the U.S. by a couple thousand units.

What the four top luxury bands have in common are pricey high-performance halo cars that lure buyers into showrooms, even if they can’t afford to buy them.

This has Nissan/Infiniti officials debating whether a sedan, similar in strategy to the BMW 7-Series and favored by company officials two or three years ago, is the best game plan going forward or whether a super sports car, such as the Audi R8, would be optimal.

“It’s kind of perennial debate within the organization: ‘What do we need by way of a flagship for the Infiniti range?’” Carolin says. “I don’t think we’ve yet arrived at a conclusion,” he adds, calling the flagship decision “a work in progress.”

Two years ago, Infiniti was touring the U.S. with the Essence concept supercar to gauge public reaction. Brand officials at the time said the economy would need to improve for it to see production.

An entry-luxury model also is under study, although less certain. “As usual in the car business, it’s: ‘Can we make it pencil,” Carolin says of such a model’s profitability. The segment is small but growing, filled right now by the BMW 1-Series, Volvo C30, Audi A3 and upcoming Lexus CT 200h.

Nissan officials once thought the new, smaller-engine G25 could fill the niche, but Carolin says that model does not meet the sniff test. “I think (an entry-luxury car) would have to be a very different product, (on) a different platform.”

Nissan officials once thought the new, smaller-engine G25 could fill the niche, but Carolin says that model does not meet the sniff test. “I think (an entry-luxury car) would have to be a very different product, (on) a different platform.”