"And why, exactly, are you in Europe?"
I've been talking about the fact that I'm in Europe -- Portugal, to be specific. So what am I doing here? Well, I'm at an event put on by Nissan called Nissan 360. They've gathered together virtually every car they build for every major market, including North America, Europe and Japan, all in one place. I've spent the last two days driving the most amazing variety of cars you can imagine -- everything from Japanese-market microcars to European-market cargo trucks. I've driven vehicles I've only read about, like the Micra C+C convertible (pictured above) and the Patrol 4x4, plus a few I've never even heard of, like the Otti and the car with my absolute favorite name, the Lafesta. 
(Every time I think of that car, I break into a sort of pseudo-Mexican hat dance. Viva LaFesta!) And yes, my trip included a wee bit of track time in the new GT-R (accompanied by a rather nice but overly-cautious Portuguese racing instructor imploring me to drive too fast on the straightaways and too slow in the curves.) It's been a fantastic couple of days, and it's taught me a lot, not only about Nissan products but about what different people in different parts of the world look for in their cars. I'll be flying home as you read this, which is going to take quite a while, so once I'm back I'll put together a photo gallery and show you some of what I drove. -- Aaron Gold
Photos of the Nissan Micra C+C and the Nissan Alteon © Aaron Gold
Comments
I was in Portugal at the same time as you! Oh man, we need to co-ordinate our schedules better.
If this is what you have to do at work, I’d like to know what you must do for fun. Sweet.
Sounds fantastic.
Be sure to take some time and check out Portugal, one of the nicest countries in Europe. The food, the wine, the countryside and the seaside. Memories come rushing back.
Sample the barnacles…yes, barnacles. They are delicious, usually sold in seaside villages by little old ladies. They look a little like crab claws on a mushroom stalk.
Man, Europeans have SOOOOO many choices of absolutely incredible models that aren’t and never will be available stateside. For example, I was just looking at Toyota Blade Master G, which appears to be something akin to a Corolla with a 3.5 VVT-i V6 engine, and yes, that IS what name they marketed it under!