Central Valley Automotive

Hyundai previews new i30 wagon for Geneva

2012-02-27T10:55:00.001-08:00

Hyundai has opened the curtains on the i30 wagon it will be bringing to the Geneva Motor Show, and it's a slightly less svelte five-door version of i30 hatch that debuted in Frankfurt. With its hump providing appreciably more space behind the B-pillar, Hyundai says the i30 wagon has best-in-class cargo room at 528 liters (18.6 cubic feet).

It appears to fall right in the competitive sweet spot Hyundai says it's gunning for. At 4,485 millimeters the i30 wagon is 50 millimeters longer than the Volkswagen Golf Estate and 35 millimeters shorter than the seven-seat Ford Grand C-Max. The Golf Estate advertises cargo capacity of 505 liters with the rear seats up, and the best the Grand C-Max can muster is 475 liters if you opt for the tire-repair kit instead of the mini spare. The i30 splits the cargo room of the VW and the Ford with the rear seats down, but beats the five-seatC-Max.

The i30 wagon will offer three direct-injection gas engines and three diesels when it goes on sale later this year. Exact specs haven't been divulged, but outputs will range from 93 to 132 horsepower. A press release with more details is available here.

By Jonathon RamseyRSS feed

Posted Feb 24th 2012 9:29AM

Autoblog

2013 Infiniti JX production underway

2012-02-23T10:45:00.000-08:00

The first example of a given model to roll of the production line is called "Job One," and the Infiniti is celebrating just that for its 2013 JX: A seven-seater crossover in Emerald Green – mated with its 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 from Decherd, TN – has rolled off the production line. Infiniti expects numerous JXs behind it to be the second most popular model in the company's lineup, bested only by the G sedan, coupeand convertible range.

Infiniti has been most excited for the seven-seat crossover, as the JX is expected to be a major player in the luxury crossover segment with predictions it could be a top seller for the brand. “The luxury crossover market is the fastest-growing luxury segment in America, representing a huge opportunity for Infiniti,” said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore in a press release. “In fact, we expect JX to quickly become our second highest volume model, right behind the popular Infiniti G-line.”

That prediction doesn’t appear to be far removed from reality. Ever since consumers were able to put in reservations for the JX when it was unveiled in Los Angeles back in November, interest has spiked. According to Infiniti representative Kyle Bazemore, there are currently 2000 non-binding pre-orders for the JX, which is on par with what was expected. Bazemore also noted he hadn’t seen as much interest in an Infiniti since the G37 Coupe that debuted back in 2009.

The JX is the first luxury vehicle to be produced in the state of Tennessee, and will be built alongside the Nissan Altima, Frontier, Maxima, Xterra, and Pathfinder at the Smryna plant, which has the capacity to produce 550,000 vehicles annually. The JX’s 265-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine will be built close by at Nissan’s plant in Decherd.

The 2013 JX will start at $41,400, including destination, when it goes on sale this March.

Source:

Autoblog - Automag

Written by: Karla Sanchez on February 21 2012 2:30 PM

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo!

2012-02-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

The Hyundai Veloster got off to a solid commercial and critical start in 2011, and while the eccentric hatchback has only been on the market for a few months, it's already found its fair share of friends, outselling competitors like the Honda CR-Z and Scion tC straight away.

We can see why – Veloster offers a unique mix of cut-price mix of funkiness, utility, connectivity and efficiency. However, it's also fair to say that its direct-injected 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder skews far more eco than sport. The Veloster's 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque is enough to have fun on curvy roads if you're really willing to stick your foot in it, but its performance is hardly neck snapping.

Given the three-door's sporty styling, some have suggested that there's a bit of a disconnect between the way the Veloster accelerates and the way it looks. Hyundai has apparently heard those barbs, and they've turned to forced induction for the answer. Enter the 2013 Veloster Turbo seen here, which rings up 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 194 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 rpm thanks to the addition of a twin-scroll turbo and a unique motor-actuated wastegate. Those power figures put it in the thick of the hunt with pricier performers like theVolkswagen GTI, not to mention the Honda Civic Si and Mini Cooper S, with a better weight-to-power ratio than any of them.

Visually, there will be no mistaking the Veloster Turbo for its normally aspirated kin – the new front end should make sure of that. While the Turbo retains the same headlamps and a similar overall form, Hyundai has replaced the standard car's modest chrome-edged grille slot and lower fascia with a massive hexagonal opening for better breathing and rearview mirror intimidation. The gaping maw extends both above and below the bumper, and it's bookmarked by a new set of foglights.

The profile of the Turbo remains largely unchanged, though there are new 18-inch alloys with flashes of chrome wrapped in Kumho Solus rubber. Out back, the Turbo gains LED taillamps and a pair of large round exhaust outlets that Hyundai promises are attached to a freer-flowing and more vocal exhaust (there's a retuned intake manifold for a throatier sound, too). The pipes are surrounded by a new lower fascia with integrated diffuser and a pair of rather bizarre outboard reflectors. As the standard Veloster's drivetrain is surprisingly quiet, we're hoping that Hyundai has come up with something significantly more vocal for this higher performance model.

Hyundai says that the Turbo should still ring up fuel economy numbers of 27 city and 38 highway with the six-speed manual.

The Korean automaker isn't releasing performance figures for the Turbo just yet, but with the standard Veloster routinely ringing up 60 miles per hour in the mid-to-high eight-second timeframe, we're ballparking in the low sevens for the force-fed model. Despite the power bump, Hyundai says that the Turbo should still ring up fuel economy numbers of 27 city and 38 highway with the six-speed manual – figures comfortably ahead of its rivals.

Other changes include a quicker steering rack with meatier feel, although interestingly enough, Hyundai has left the standard car's suspension alone. Inside, there's a new Graphite Black interior with blue trim and special headliner graphics, plus with a new driver information display that relies on two TFT screens in the gauge cluster. Finally, the Turbo comes with standard heated seats with "Turbo" stitching on the backrests.

The Matte Gray paint seen here isn't just a showcar shade.

Interestingly, the Matte Gray paint seen here isn't just a showcar shade – it's Hyundai's first foray into the world of shine-free finishes. It's also the first application of this sort of paint that we can recall at anywhere near this price point.

Speaking of prices, we're not quite sure what the Veloster Turbo's MSRP will be, but the standard 2012 model starts at $18,075 delivered. A fair assumption is that the Turbo's price will start somewhere in the very low 20s when it arrives this summer.

The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer, and while official pricing hasn't been released, the folks at Inside Line have apparently confirmed that the car will start at $21,500 – $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. That's $4,205 more than a base Veloster, but in addition to more power, we expect that some of the base car's optional features will be fitted as standard kit on the Turbo.

What's really interesting, however, is Inside Line's report that the Turbo model was never even part of the original Veloster product strategy here in the United States. No big deal, because we're still getting the forced-induction hatch regardless. But the real reason why this is important is it explains why the Turbo is being offered with a six-speed automatic (in addition to a six-speed manual) rather than the dual-clutch unit found in the base car. Guess that in-house dual-clutch unit can't handle the full 195 lb-ft of the Turbo.

We expect Hyundai to release official Veloster Turbo pricing closer to the car's on-sale date this summer. And if this $21,500 base MSRP stands true, then the affordable end of America's hot hatch pool just got a lot more interesting.

By Steven J. EwingRSS feed

Posted Feb 17th 2012 11:30AM

By Chris PaukertRSS feed

Posted Jan 9th 2012 3:10PM

Hyundai Motor America Announced 2012 Azera Pricing

2012-02-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hyundai Motor America just announced the pricing for the redesigned 2012 Hyundai Azera and it’s roughly $6,000 more than last year’s model. The all-new Azera will start at $32,875 for a well-equipped base model and go up to $36,000 for the top-of-the-line Azera with Technology package. All models will also include an $875 destination charge when the sedan goes on sale this April.

So how will the 2012 Azera lure consumers away from the large-sedan mainstays? Hyundai is hoping that all new standard features and tech options will entice even the most die-hard Toyota, Nissan, Buick and Ford fans. Although the base model is $6,605 more than the 2011 Azera, the redesigned 2012 model comes with eight new standard features:

• Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine technology
• Best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon
• 293 horsepower
• Blue Link telematics system
• Proximity key with push-button start
• Heated rear seats
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• SACHS Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD) for improved ride comfort without compromising handling.

In addition to the new standard features, prospective Azera buyers can also opt for the Technology Package, which costs $4,000. The all-new tech features include a panoramic sunroof, HID Xenon headlights, Integrated Memory System (IMS), Infinity premium speakers, power rear sunshade, rear parking assistance sensors, ventilated front seats and 19-inch alloy wheels and tires.

In general, Hyundai is taking a more youthful approach with sleek and bold designs, aiming to give the car an “illusion of constant motion,” according to Hyundai’s press release. Hyundai is also looking to add a modernized approach to performance and fuel economy. The 2012 Azera contains a Lambda II 3.3-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. As for fuel economy, the upcoming Azera delivers a best-in-class 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. Aside from solid mpg numbers, the Azera also contains an Active Eco system, which adjusts transmission and engine controls for an added boost in fuel economy.

As is standard with all Hyundai vehicles sold in America, the Azera includes a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-miles powertrain warranty, and five years of free Roadside Assistance.

Hyundai hopes that the newly redesigned Azera will help the automaker compete with large-sedan heavyweights like Toyota Avalon, Ford Taurus, Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Maxima. Price-wise, the base model Azera is more expensive than the Taurus ($25,555), Maxima ($32,060) and LaCrosse ($30,170), but cheaper than the Avalon, which starts at $33,195. Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, told Automotive News last year that Hyundai expects Azera sales to reach 15,000 in 2012. Though ambitious, Zuchowski’s goal appears slightly lofty since the 2011 Azera only sold 1,524, which was less than half of what is sold the previous year.

Will added features and a complete redesign translate into bigger sales figures for the 2012 Azera? Hyundai will soon find out when the all-new Azera is released in April.

Click HERE for the full press release.

*Hyundai does not plan to sell the redesigned Azera in the Canadian market.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

Posted by William Lee at 12:14 AM

Here for original

Chris Harris + M5 + GT-R. You'll want to watch this

2012-02-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

Pitting the Nissan GT-R against the all-new BMW M5 is ridiculous. They're two different beasts in two different classes with two different purposes. It's a cynical, SEO-optimized comparison. And even worse, it's already been done. But...

We can't help but post on it. Not because it's clicky or that a few of us have man-crushes on Chris Harris. No. It's because watching the two cars being flogged back-to-back on a damp circuit demonstrates how technologically sophisticated each one is and how they go about putting the power down so differently. You can actually see the GT-R – traction control switched off – trying to right itself as Harris flings it sideways, while the M5 slackens and goes neutral while the turbocharged eight responds like a naturally aspirated mill.

Both of these cars have around 550hp, both are packed with computers to make the best of that power, and both – although looking benign while sitting idle – can get your adrenaline and heart rate level dangerously high.

The GTR, of course, is road-ripping mentalist and has four-wheel-drive and some sort of witchcraft instead of suspension as it corners like no other car ever made. The M5 is more ordinary, with a perfect rear-drive setup and an excellent gearbox. The GTR might be faster, but the M5 sounds like much more fun. It also looks a helluva lot better than the Nissan.

Scary with a capital "F?" Indeed. But just as educating as it is entertaining.

By Damon LavrincRSS feed

Posted Feb 15th 2012 8:01PM

Autoblog

Volkswagen to follow similar formula for new Phaeton

2012-02-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

By Noah JosephRSS feed

Posted Feb 14th 2012 5:31PM

Autoblog

Whatever Volkswagen has done to get to the position of dominance in the European – and indeed the global auto industry, it's clearly been working. But some of its decisions still leave us scratching our heads. ThePhaeton is one such four-wheeled decision.

A Volkswagen sedan that shares its platform with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Phaeton offers the space, luxury and meticulous engineering standards you'd expect of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series, in a package decidedly bereft of the badge cachet that goes with it. VW clearly spent big dollars developing the vehicle, so when sales never really materialized, we were hardly surprised that plans were floated to phase it out in favor of something a little more cost-effective for both buyer and manufacturer, closing the enormous canyon between the current Phaeton and the Passat and CC ranges that sit below it.

In fact, we've read reports for years now stating that VW will/will won't follow up the Phaeton with a new model – it's one of the most cyclical future product stories in the entire auto industry. This latest report fromMotor Trend suggests that Volkswagen is planning to replace the current Phaeton in 2015 or 2016 with another model in the same mold, downsizing in neither price point nor scale – and bringing the new model back to the North American market in the process. MT suggests the Phaeton will be an technological wonder, going with smaller engines (no W12), forced induction power and available hybrid and plug-in models. Us? we wouldn't be surprised to see the Phaeton adopt the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine found in the 2013 Bentley Continental V8.

Apparently VW is keen to retain the buyers who have enjoyed their Phaetons thus far, giving them the conservatively styled, anti-prestige alternative to the luxury sedans built by its sister company Audi and its own retiring executives – including Group CEO Martin Winterkorn and his product chief Ulrich Hackeberg – something of a parting gift.

Nissan entering V8 Supercar series in Australia

2012-02-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

Nissan is headed back to the Australian V8 Supercar Series. The Japanese Automaker was famously ousted in 1993 when the sanctioning body behind the series adjusted the rules to require all entries be V8-based. Nissan had dominated the series for three years with the company's GT-R, laying waste to the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive dinosaurs from Holden and Ford with a high-tech combination of all-wheel drive and turbocharged six-cylinder fury. In 1991, the company set a top-speed record at the Bathurst 1000 that wouldn't be touched for nine years. The following season, the company was forced to carry 100 kg of weight and run reduced boost pressure. It didn't matter. The GT-R still cleaned up.

Nissan is entering the series under the fairly new Car of the Future program, which was designed to make the series more attractive to competitors and sponsors. Interestingly enough, the Car of the Future Program was started by none other than Mark Skaife, the man who piloted the GT-R to many a win in the early '90s. Nissan's racer will be forced to use a generic V8 drivetrain to conform to the rule book, so don't expect to see any more turbo sixes dotting eyes on the track. Likewise, the all-wheel drive of the GT-R will be off the table.

The reason Nissan (and Chrysler) can enter V8 Supercars now and not earlier is the cost-saving Car of The Future (COTF). It’s the category’s new technical blueprint for 2013 onwards under which teams finally do away with using road car body shells with roll cages welded in, in favour of panels hung on more high-tech identical space-frame chassis.

This means any car body that has the right dimensions (or close enough – the current Falcon and Commodore are shortened 100mm to fit on the mandated wheelbase) can be plonked on this new chassis. Engines are another thing. Holden and Ford will persist with 5.0-litre pushrod V8s, which may have to be de-tuned to be on par with Nissan’s sophisticated but smaller quad-cam V8.

Of course, the Nissan V8 Supercar – sounds funny, doesn’t it – will need to be homologated before it can grid up in 2013 and that means passing performance and aerodynamic tests to ensure parity with the Holdens and Fords, and that could get ugly.

Still, any amount of diversity in a series that's been Holden versus Ford for so long is a step in the right direction. As far as we know, four cars will carry the Nissan badge in the 2013 season and be campaigned by Kelly Racing.

PRESS RELEASE

NISSAN ENTERS THE V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 2013

- First new manufacturer to join the Championship under the Car of the Future program
- Kelly Racing to race four Nissans in the Championship from 2013
- Nissan leads grid in opening Championship to new manufacturers

In one of the most significant events in V8 Supercar history Japanese car giant Nissan will join the pinnacle of Australian motorsport and touring car racing by entering the Championship from 2013.

After a 20-year absence from the Australian Touring Car Championship, Nissan Motorsport (Australia) will run four cars with up and coming V8 Supercar team Kelly Racing.

From 2013, Kelly Racing will campaign as Nissan Motorsport – a formalised factory team.
The announcement was made in Melbourne today by Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO Dan Thompson; Ian Moreillon, Executive General Manager, Sales and Fleet, Nissan Australia; V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane, and; V8 Supercar CEO David Malone.
They were joined by V8 Supercar Commission Chairman Mark Skaife; Kelly Racing Chairman John Crennan, and; Kelly Racing co-owner-drivers Todd and Rick Kelly.

Nissan is the first manufacturer to take advantage of the Car of the Future program which virtually two years ago to the day was unveiled with an aim to cutting running costs and encouraging other marques to compete, in turn broadening fan and sponsor appeal.
Nissan's decision confirms that the Car of the Future program is high on the agenda of V8 Supercar teams and potential new manufacturers.

V8 Supercars expects more manufacturers to follow Nissan's lead given the high profile of the sport domestically and internationally. The sport intends to grow to 18 events world-wide (up from the present 15 Championship events) across 40 weeks in the coming years.
The first Car of the Future prototypes were unveiled at the Sydney Telstra 500 just last December.

Nissan's entry into the V8 Supercar Championship reflects its brand promises of "innovation and excitement": innovation with the Car of the Future program, and excitement through the attraction and popularity of V8 Supercars.

It also believes the sport will add significant momentum to its primary and corporate brand profile in Australia.

Nissan is highly acclaimed and successful in global motorsport, its products having won the European-based FIAGT1 Drivers' Championship, Japanese SuperGT Championship and the LMP2 class (1st and 2nd) at Le Mans last year.

Managing Director and CEO of Nissan Australia Dan Thompson said: "We plan to use our presence in the series to strengthen our passenger car credentials in Australia.

"Nissan believes that, alongside Ford and Holden, we possess the most convincing motorsport DNA and track history in Australia, making a V8 Supercars debut in 2013 an obvious initiative.
"We are targeting No.1 importer status in Australia and already making progress towards that as one of the country's fastest growing brands. V8 Supercars will boost that momentum."

V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane, who announced the Car of the Future program in March 2010, said it confirmed the global demand for V8 Supercars by manufacturers and destinations was very real.

"We welcome Nissan with more than open arms," Mr Cochrane said.

"This announcement confirms all we have known about V8 Supercars for a long, long time – that we are truly an international player, an extraordinarily popular sport amongst fans globally and in great demand by big business and corporate players.

"I applaud Kelly Racing for this pioneering move to embrace Nissan and take one of the world's biggest brands on their journey within the V8 Supercar Championship. Todd and Rick are truly remarkable businessmen, visionaries and drivers."

Kelly Racing will from 2013 be a fully-fledged Nissan factory team developing its own cars and engines, utilising the global resources of the giant NISMO motorsport organisation.

Rick Kelly, a V8 Supercar champion and multiple Bathurst winner, was enthused about the move.

"I couldn't be more excited with the opportunity Nissan has offered Todd, myself and the entire team at Kelly Racing to become their official factory team," he said.

"Nissan's genuine enthusiasm, unwavering support and absolute professionalism through this evaluation has been tremendous and underpins their absolute intentions of Championship success in the category - a dream we share and hope to deliver on.

"This new partnership has only been made possible by the endless amount of hard work that John Crennan has done for Kelly Racing on this project, and that of Ian Moreillon, Jeff Fisher and the team at Nissan of which Todd and I are very grateful.

"The Nissan Car of the Future (COTF) project is a huge undertaking however Todd and I are firmly focused on the job at hand this season ensuring that Kelly Racing takes those important steps forward on and off the race track.

"Development of our cars and recruitment of key personnel in the off-season should assist us to realise these immediate goals.

"This new partnership brings with it a host of opportunities for the team, our business partners and of course fans and delivers the vision that we have shared since our inception in the category in 2009."

Business partner and elder brother Todd Kelly said Kelly Racing's innovative business strategies fitted perfectly with Nissan's desire to enter the V8 Supercar Championship.

"Rick and I have had one clear goal that we have been striving for since we started Kelly racing, that was to become a benchmark race-winning team with factory support," he said.

"The timing with Car of the Future has enabled us to engage a manufacturer and achieve that. We couldn't be happier to be a factory Nissan team and Factory Nissan drivers.

"Nissan is a fantastic brand that we will all be extremely proud to represent and their international motorsport heritage and engineering capabilities are both key factors in our new relationship that will help us achieve our goals."

Car of the Future architect Mark Skaife said the ground-breaking announcement was only the start. "This opens up a whole new chapter for V8 Supercars," Mr Skaife said.

"The sport and the brand have been so successful over such a long period of time with today's news reinforcing the direction of the business, coupled with imminent international expansion to multiple destinations globally.

"Nissan has clearly acknowledged V8 Supercars as a major component of their future plans within the Australian car market and motorsport internationally. V8 Supercars will deliver on their expectations.

"There is no doubting the entry of more manufacturers now that Nissan has taken the first step to recognize what the relationship will do for their brand."

The three-year Car of the Future project, led by Mr Skaife and a key team of engineers, designers, car builders, V8 Supercar team personnel and drivers, is complete with 2013-spec Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon fully tested and on the showroom floor.

The cars, developed with the sponsorship support of Dunlop, represent the next generation V8 Supercars, paving the way for new marques.

V8 Supercar teams have already commenced building their new cars before the compulsory roll-out in 2013.

About V8 Supercars
V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category run as an international series under Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. It is the premier motorsport category in Australasia and one of Australia's fastest growing sports. By 2011 the competition had millions of television viewers in Australia, an international broadcast footprint and had achieved multi-million dollar sponsorship at the Series and team levels. V8 Supercars is one of the few truly national sports in Australia, with 14 events held across Australia, plus an event in New Zealand and in Abu Dhabi. On average, 126,000 people attended events in Australia and New Zealand in 2011. V8 Supercars was created in 1997 to professionally manage, market and promote the sport of V8 Supercars racing around the world. Until May, 2011, V8 Supercars was owned 25 per cent by Sports & Entertainment Limited (SEL) and 75% by TEGA, the body representing the teams. Following the investment of Australian Motor Racing Partners Pty Limited (AMRP), V8 Supercars Australia is owned approximately 40% by the teams and management and approximately 60% by AMRP. More information at www.v8supercars.com.au

2013 Nissan 370Z has been defanged

2012-02-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

By defanged, we mean, of course, that the 2013 Nissan 370Z no longer sports vampish extensions of its front fascia. We don't mean to imply that its down on power – the carryover 3.7-liter V6 still puts out 332 horsepower, and the NISMO's 3.7-liter is still blessed with 350 horses.

The front grille and bumper have been simplified, but the new design works, allowing the arrow-shaped headlights to serve as the distinctive design element. LED daytime running lights, which have quickly become a must-have design feature, accent the front corners.

Besides the change to its face, it'll take an astute observer to spot the differences between the 2012 and 2013 Z. Subtle changes to the lighting both front and rear, combined with new 18- and 19-inch wheels, round out the exterior updates.

The Z's two-seat cabin isn't as snug as you might think. It's big enough for taller drivers, and the relationship between the seat and steering wheel makes for a great driving position. The interior doesn't see any significant changes for 2013, but materials quality is still decent.

PRESS RELEASE

2013 Nissan 370Z Previewed at Chicago Auto Show – New Front Fascia and New Wheels Lead Enhancements

CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2012) – If it's February in Chicago, it's time for one thing – sports cars. Bringing a taste of hot performance to the Windy City winter, Nissan today debuted the revised 2013 Nissan 370Z on the floor of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The new Z, which is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide next June, features a number of enhancements designed to keep the legendary sports car fresh and exciting. For 2013, the Nissan 370Z will once again be available in Coupe, Roadster and NISMO Z configurations.

The updates for the new model year include:

• Refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights

• Red reflector added to rear fascia (replaces previous black center cover)

• Revised 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Sport Package equipped models)

• New 18-inch wheels for 370Z Coupe

• Red-finished brake calipers (Sport Package equipped models)

• Dark-finish fuel gauge trim

• Euro-tuned shock absorbers (Sport Package equipped models)

• And two new exterior colors – Magma Red and Midnight Blue

The NISMO 370Z also adds a new Bose Premium Audio Package with two additional speakers and two subwoofers, premium gun metallic dark-finish 19-inch wheels, and Nissan GT-R style high-rigidity brake hoses and performance brake fluid. The NISMO 370Z does not adopt the new front fascia/rear reflector, Euro-tuned shocks or Midnight Blue exterior color.

"Since the original 1970 Z was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

As in 2012, the 2013 370Z Coupe and 370Z Coupe Touring will each be available with a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine and choice of 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 370Z Roadster and 370Z Roadster Touring will be offered with the same engine but with the 6-speed manual offered only with the Touring model (the 7-speed automatic transmission is available with both).

The Nissan NISMO 370Z, a tuner-Z® enthusiast's dream, will once again cap off the lineup – offering racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and unique super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. Its 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine is matched with an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control – creating 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. Only one transmission is available, a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting.

Additional details on the 2013 Nissan 370Z will be available closer to the June on-sale date.

By Jeremy KorzeniewskiRSS feed

Posted Feb 8th 2012 10:59AM

2013 Nissan NV200 goes after Transit Connect's lunch money

2012-02-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

Nissan is expanding the company's commercial offerings with its new NV200 Compact Cargo Van. On display at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, the NV200 is positioned just below Nissan's mammoth NV Cargo, and should offer buyers a more efficient work vehicle with plenty of interior room.

The NV200 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT gearbox. Despite its pint-sized powertrain, the van should be able to haul around 1,500 pounds, and its low floor will likely make for easy loading and unloading.

At 186.2 inches long, the NV200 is a full 54.2 inches shorter than its bigger brother while offering 123 cubic feet of cargo area, though Nissan says the NV200 can still accommodate a standard 40x48-inch pallet.

The company hasn't released any pricing details, beyond saying the NV200 will be competitive with other commercial vehicles in this segment. That probably means the 2013 NV200 will land somewhere in the neighborhood of $22,035, which is the MSRP of the Ford Transit Connect.

The NV200's diminutive size does have its advantages, though. Nissan says the model will offer the "best possible fuel economy and an affordable price."

The model comes standard with dual sliding doors, 40/60-split rear doors, a six-way manual adjustable driver's seat, power windows, laptop/file hanging storage and 12-volt plugs on the instrument panel and rear console area. Available features include a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, backup camera and a multimedia system called Nissan Fleet Tracker, which can be used for business logistics.

By Zach BowmanRSS feed

Posted Feb 8th 2012 4:39PM

Source: Autoblog

Volkswagen to unveil production Golf GTI Cabriolet in Geneva

2012-02-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

If you were watching the news out of Wörthersee last year, you may recall the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet concept pictured above. The show car debuted at the annual Volkswagen fan-fest in Austria, alongside an even hotter Golf R Cabriolet and a whole mess of other machinery from the burgeoning German auto empire. But that was the last we heard of it ... until now.

Reports coming in from across the pond indicate that Volkswagen is planning to actually build the GTI Cabrio, and that it will unveil the production version at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month. Although Volkswagen has offered the GTI's engine in versions of the Golf Cabriolet and Eos in some markets, this would only be the second time that a full-on GTI convertible will be offered from the factory, complete with the suspension and other bits that go along with it.

Word has it that the GTI Cabrio would be the final swan song for the current sixth-generation Golf before it's replaced next year. But if that's not enough, VW is also tipped to be preparing the hotter 268-horsepower, all-wheel-drive Golf R Cabrio for production as well. Chances that either of these would be offered on this side of the Atlantic, however, don't look good.

Introducing either car would mark a big revival for Volkswagen — the company hasn’t offered a GTI convertible from the factory since the first-generation Golf/GTI was sold in the 1980s.

By Noah JosephRSS feed

Posted Feb 7th 2012 1:01PM

Autoblog

VW hiring an extra 200 in Chattanooga!

2012-02-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

A Volkswagen Passat moves through the assembly line at the Chattanooga manufacturing plant.

Photo by John Rawlston.

The good people of Tennessee are no doubt thrilled to have a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. The VW plant opened last May, and is the German automaker’s first U.S. plant since it closed its Pennsylvania factory in the early 1990s. When the plant opened, VW said it planned to hire 2,000 workers, which it did by July, and now the German automaker is bolstering employment by another 200 full-time VW staffers, boosting the employment total to 2,500 full-time and temp workers.

The additional 200 VW workers will most likely be hired from Aerotek’s workforce, and Aerotek will hire to fill vacant positions, said Ryan Rose, the plant’s general manager of human resources. VW also plans to hire additional engineers and supervisors, although it did not say how many.

Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for VW in Chattanooga, cited future demand for the all-new Passat. He said many people buy cars in the spring and summer.

VW says it is making the move to enable the plant to increase production from 31 vehicles per hour to 35. The boosted line rate also means that VW dealers will soon have more Passat sedans to sell, though the automaker failed to mention the sedan in the post-jump press release. Given VW's torrid sales pace in January, we're guessing the jump in factory output will be good news for the automaker's retail outlets.

"We have had good success hiring local people who can work together as a team to build our cars safely and with the highest quality," Jagla said.

PRESS RELEASE

Chattanooga, Tenn - Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, LLC today announced the company is creating 200 new jobs at its Tennessee manufacturing facility.

The positions are needed as Volkswagen Chattanooga increases production capacity from 31 to 35 cars per hour. The new jobs will be integrated into Volkswagen's current two-shift operation and filled by full-time Volkswagen employees.

"We have had good success hiring local people who can work together as a team to build our cars safely and with the highest quality," said Hans-Herbert Jagla, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC. "Now, we are excited to have 200 more people join our team."

The Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga currently employs more than 2,500 people, about 2,000 by Volkswagen and additional 500 by Aerotek, the company's staffing partner.

"These 200 new positions are all full-time Volkswagen jobs ," said Ryan Rose, General Manager of Human Resources. "We will use this opportunity to hire many of our current Aerotek contract employees. So, Aerotek will be recruiting to fill full-time contract production positions that will open up as a result.We will also be hiring additional supervisors and engineers – so there are a lot of opportunities."

Applicants for production positions must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and have legal authorization to work in the U.S. Interested candidates can apply online with Aerotek at www.aerotektn.com. Aerotek will select candidates to move to the assessment process, including practical hands-on testing.

Candidates for professional positions like Production Supervisors, Engineers, and IT Specialists should apply online with Volkswagen at www.vwjobschattanooga.com.

Sources:
Autoblog
Forbes
Timesfreepress

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI revealed ahead of Chicago Auto Show

2012-02-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

Volkswagen has released details on its upcoming 2013 Beetle TDI before the vehicle gets an official unveil at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The oil-burning Beetle will bow with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel engine found in the Jetta TDI and Passat TDI, and Volkswagen projects the engine should help it net 39 miles per gallon highway and 29 mpg city.

Those numbers aren't quite as lofty as we'd expect, especially given how well our long-term Jetta TDI has performed with the same engine under the hood. While we're still waiting on Environmental Protection Agency numbers, our guess is real-world drivers will see significantly better performance out of the latest diesel Bug, which marks its return after being absent since 2006.

With 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, the Beetle TDI shouldn't be a slouch to drive, either. Buyers may choose either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox. Otherwise, the Beetle TDI remains aesthetically similar to its gasoline counterparts. Expect to see it hit the market in mid-2012 as a 2013 model.

By Zach BowmanRSS feed

Posted Feb 2nd 2012 2:57PM

Source: Autoblog

PRESS RELEASE

VOLKSWAGEN TO DEBUT THE FUEL-EFFICENT BEETLE TDI® AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

The Beetle coupe range is rounded out by the thrifty TDI Clean Diesel model
The most fuel-efficient 21st Century Beetle, with predicted fuel economy of 29 mpg city, 39 mpg highway
Beetle TDI goes on sale this summer as a 2013 model
The first Beetle TDI Clean Diesel model since 2006
Available in three well-appointed trim levels
Choice of six-speed manual or dual-clutch DSG® transmissions

Herndon, VA – The Volkswagen Beetle 2.5L and Turbo were launched to great acclaim from
both consumers and the media in 2011. At the Chicago Auto Show, VW will unveil the third
model in the Beetle lineup: the fuel-efficient TDI Clean Diesel model, which has manufacturer
fuel economy estimates of 39 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. The Beetle TDI, the
only Clean Diesel offering in the compact coupe category, will go on sale this summer as a
2013 model. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Engine and Transmission

The biggest difference between the TDI and other Beetle models lies, obviously, under the
hood. The Beetle TDI uses the company's 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection Clean Diesel
engine that makes 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Volkswagen pioneered the
use of turbocharging and direct injection in diesel engines and continues to lead the industry
in this technology.

This isn't the first Beetle to be sold in the U.S. market with a diesel engine. From 1998 until 2006, the New Beetle was fitted with a 1.9-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine. Since then, this engine has been heavily revised to accommodate increasing demand for improvements in exhaust emissions and acoustics. One of the most fundamental improvements was converting the fuel-injection system to a common-rail design, as well as increasing the capacity by 72 cc thanks to a 1.5-mm wider bore.

The current engine features a cast-iron cylinder block and an aluminum-alloy cylinder head. It also utilizes some subtle design elements that contribute to longevity and the reduction of noise, vibration, and harshness. The forged steel crankshaft, for instance, uses just four counterweights, instead of eight, to reduce bearing load and noise emissions. The pistons incorporate annular channels into which oil is sprayed for cooling the piston-ring zone. A pair of counter-rotating balancer shafts is situated below the crankshaft in the oil pan.

Dual overhead camshafts are driven via a toothed belt that also powers the coolant pump and the high-pressure fuel-injection pump. The cams themselves are linked by means of spur gears that have an integrated backlash adjuster that helps to ensure quiet operation. Each cylinder has two intake and two exhaust valves.

The TDI engine's intake manifold uses flap valves that are powered by a step motor that is in turn activated by the Engine Control Module (ECM). At idle and low engine speeds, the flap valves are closed in order to cause high swirl into the combustion chamber, which results in optimal mixture. During regular driving, the flap valves are adjusted continuously according to load and engine speed to ensure optimum air movement; above 3000 rpm, the valves open fully for maximum filling of the combustion chamber.

The engine's turbocharger features adjustable guide vanes that maintain the best aspect ratio for low- and high-speed performance. In order to meet current tailpipe emissions standards in all 50 states, the engine makes use of both high- and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation over all engine speeds, as well as an exhaust system that has a particulate filter and no fewer than three catalytic convertors: for oxidation, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and hydrogen sulfide.

The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or VW's innovative, dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic. DSG combines the comfort and ease-of-use of an automatic, with the responsiveness and economy of a manual. The six-speed, transversely-mounted DSG unit features two wet clutches with hydraulic pressure regulation. One clutch controls the 'odd' gears-first, third, fifth and reverse-while the other operates the even gears. Essentially it is two gearboxes in one.

With DSG, the set-up allows the next-higher gear to be engaged but remain on standby until it is actually selected. In other words, if the Beetle is being driven in third gear, fourth is selected but not yet activated. As soon as the ideal shift point is reached, the clutch on the third-gear side opens, the other clutch closes and fourth gear engages under accurate electronic supervision.

Since the opening and closing actions of the two clutches overlap, a smooth gearshift results and the entire shift process is completed in less than four-hundredths of a second. In addition to its fully automatic shift mode, DSG has a Tiptronic® function to permit manual gear selection.

Design

The latest Beetle is more dramatic, with a stronger masculine design than the New Beetle that was sold between 1998 and 2010. The car breaks free of the design geometry defined by three semi-circles-front fender, rear fender, and domed roof above it. The roof profile actually runs distinctly lower and can be considered a development of the Ragster concept car shown in Detroit in 2005.

The 2012 Beetle is 71.2 inches wide (3.3 inches wider), 58.5 inches tall (0.5 inches lower) and 168.4 inches long (7.3 inches longer). The new focal point is the C-pillar. The development team also increased the car's track widths and wheelbase. The changed proportions give the Beetle a powerful and dynamic appearance. The TDI differs externally from the 2.5 and Turbo in having unique 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, TDI badging, and a chrome trim line that caps the top of the door's sheetmetal.

Inside, the car is distinctively styled, with colors and shapes that harken back to the original Beetle's interior. Three round gauges are arranged in front of the driver (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge), providing key information at a glance. A multifunction display is integrated in the speedometer, which is housed in the central position in the binnacle. All TDIs gain a supplementary instrument pod that has oil temperature and turbo boost gauges and a stopwatch. Similar to the original Beetle, the car has an extra glovebox integrated into the dashboard-the kaeferfach or "Beetle bin". The lid folds upward, while the standard glove box opens downward.

Even though the "cathedral ceiling" dome roof of the New Beetle has been replaced with a sleek and sporty roofline, front and rear passenger headroom remains plentiful. The longer roof section results in 0.4 inches more rear-seat headroom. Front legroom is improved, too, by 1.9 inches, and front shoulder room grows by 2.5 inches. Overall, the interior volume has increased from 81 to 85 cubic feet.

The trunk is significantly larger, offering 15.4 cubic feet of space, compared with the New Beetle's 12.0 cubic feet; with the seats folded, the capacity increases to 29.9 cubic feet. A split-folding rear seat and a wide opening trunk lid ease loading and unloading.
Suspension

Beetle TDI models are fitted with a strut-type front suspension with a lower control arm and a 22-mm-diameter anti-roll bar. At the back, there's a torsion beam arrangement that has coil springs and telescopic dampers. Like the Beetle Turbo, the TDI uses rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

All Beetle models have standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake pressure distribution (EBD). The Beetle TDI has 11.3-inch-diameter vented front discs and 10.7-inch-diameter rear disc brakes.

Safety and Security

The starting point in the Beetle's safety armory is a very rigid body structure that uses ultra-high-strength, hot-formed steels in the crash-load paths and seamless laser welds. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is standard, as are driver and front passenger airbags and Side Curtain Protection® airbags in front and rear. The Beetle includes Volkswagen's advanced Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collision.

The Beetle TDI is also covered under the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program®. All scheduled maintenance is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty-three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Additionally, all current Volkswagen vehicles use synthetic oil, which, when combined with state-of-the-art German engineering, eliminates the need for a 5000-mile oil change, and allows owners to go farther between scheduled oil changes.

Model Lineup

There are three Beetle TDI Clean Diesel trim lines: TDI; TDI with Sunroof; and TDI with Sunroof, Sound, and Navigation. All three are very well equipped, with standard features such as power windows with one-touch up/down; cruise control; V-Tex Leatherette seating; the kaeferfach secondary glovebox; Bluetooth®; a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with audio controls; three auxiliary gauges; Keyless entry with push-button start; and a Media Device Interface with iPod® cable.

TDI

The base TDI comes with standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, all the equipment listed above, and an interior and exterior chrome package. The standard RCD310 audio system has an AM/FM radio, CD player, Bluetooth®, and eight speakers.

TDI with Sunroof

This version takes the TDI's standard equipment and adds a panoramic tilt/slide sunroof that is fully 80 percent larger than the one fitted to the New Beetle. The insulating glass blocks 99 percent of UV radiation and 92 percent of heat energy. The model's Premium VIII audio system has a full-color touchscreen display, a six-disc CD changer, and an SD card reader.

TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation

The topline TDI features the RNS 315 navigation system that has a five-inch touchscreen display. The Fender® Premium audio system that offers concert quality sound is also standard. This has an additional subwoofer, proprietary Panasonic® speaker technology that covers the cabin with directional sound, and 400 watts of output power.

Hyundai Motors launches Cheetah vs Velostar and two more commercials for Super Bowl 2011

2012-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Hyundai has launched three new Super Bowl commercials. Speaking of the commercials some time ago, Mr. Steve Shannon, Vice President – Marketing at Hyundai, said that the company would be coming out with innovative and exciting commercials for the upcoming Super Bowl. This is the fifth year that Hyundai will be participating as a Super Bowl advertiser and will bring out a total of five commercials, three of which are already out for eager viewers.

The general theme will focus on key elements that are required to drive a Hyundai and will include two in-game ads, showcasing the performance characteristics that project Hyundai as a premierbrand. Interactive and digital content is seen throughout the commercials.

Cheetah is a 30 second commercial slated for the first quarter and showcases a caged cheetah getting ready to race against a 201 hp Veloster Turbo over a long open stretch of road. A few moments into the race and the cheetah backs out realizing what he is up against.

Think Fast is also a 30 second commercial which will be seen in the fourth quarter of the game where viewers can see a young business professional driving his boss Bob in a Genesis Coupe R-Spec. The commercial also features 200 odd Hyundai team members and has been filmed at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing unit in Alabama in Montgomery where over 300,000 Sonatas and Elantras are produced every year.

Press Release

HYUNDAI TAKES HIGH PERFORMANCE APPROACH TO SUPER BOWL XLVI MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Hyundai Tackles Big Game with Five Spots Spanning Pre-game, Pre-kick and In-game Ads

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 30, 2012 – Hyundai, in its fifth consecutive year as a Super Bowl advertiser, will launch five total game-day ads on February 5, including two pre-game spots, one in the highly rated pre-kick time slot and two ads slated for in-game air time. The general theme of the day focuses on elements that drive the Hyundai brand and culture, with the two in-game ads highlighting performance characteristics – bolstering a brand attribute that Hyundai doesn't often emphasize. The campaign features interactive and digital content throughout, including outtakes, online extensions and social media engagement to extend the reach of the program. Creative was developed by Hyundai's agency of record, Innocean Worldwide Americas.

"Cheetah," a 30-second spot slated for the first quarter, features a caged cheetah set to race a new 201-horsepower Veloster Turbo on a long stretch of open road. The car launches and the cage opens, but just a few yards into the race, the cat realizes he's met his match as the car speeds ahead. The competitive cheetah then takes his frustration out on his handler. View the spot here: http://www.youtube.com/hyundaiUSA?x=us_game_6728.

"Think Fast," a 30-second spot slated for the fourth quarter of the game, introduces a character that will star in Hyundai's social media efforts named Bob. In this vignette, a young professional is driving his boss, Bob, a seasoned business pro, in his Genesis Coupe R-Spec. Bob is about to deliver a pearl of wisdom when he falls unconscious. The young driver hits the brakes hard, then throws his Genesis Coupe into drive repeatedly, generating enough force to revive Bob, at which time he delivers his piece of advice unphased by his apparent health scare. View the spot here: http://www.youtube.com/hyundaiUSA?x=us_game_6729.

The audience can see more of "Bob's High-Powered Business Tips" by visiting Hyundai's YouTube Channel (www.YouTube.com/Hyundai).

"In developing this year's in-game creative, we recognized the brand has built a strong reputation for great value, fuel economy, warranty, safety and quality – all the rational attributes for buying a vehicle. Typically, Hyundai hasn't been top-of-mind with shoppers looking for performance and modern design – attributes that inspire an emotional connection," said Steve, Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "However, the just-announced Veloster Turbo and restyled Genesis Coupe R-Spec supply the lineup with plenty of performance credentials for a youthful audience looking to complement great design and features with cars that are fun to drive."

Hyundai's Super Bowl commitment includes the coveted pre-kick time slot, literally seconds before the game begins. Hyundai has developed a very important 60-second spot which truly highlights Hyundai's motivation to succeed. The spot, titled "All For One," reveals what drives Hyundai and its employees to relentlessly pursue making the best products possible.

Hyundai's founding chairman, Chung Ju-Yung, inspired this ad with his regular response when told challenges were too great to overcome. He simply asked: "Have you tried?" Inspired by the words of determination and encouragement, the spot captures the spirit that drives Hyundai. Against the backdrop of an iconic, internationally recognized song ("Gonna Fly Now" from the movie "Rocky" written by Bill Conti, Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins), Hyundai team members hum and sing along, demonstrating teamwork and encouragement when a co-worker needs a little support.

The ad features almost 200 actual Hyundai team members, trained by a vocal coach, and was filmed at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, in Montgomery, Ala., which produces more than 300,000 Sonata and Elantra sedans each year. View the spot and "making of" video here: http://www.youtube.com/hyundaiUSA?x=us_game_6727.

Finally, to round out the game-day lineup, Hyundai will celebrate its 2012 North American Car of the Year victory for Elantra with a new 30-second spot called "Victory Lap." The Elantra earned the prestigious award from a jury of 50 independent automotive media in early January. "Faster Acting" showcases the new 429-horsepower Genesis R-Spec sedan and furthers the theme of performance which bridges the pre-game spots with the in-game ads.

BY: SAGAR PATEL POSTED ON 2012-01-31
Source: Rushlane

Nissan Juke R: First Drive

2012-01-31T13:07:00.000-08:00

TAKEN FROM: JALOPNIK REVIEWS

BY MIKE SPINELLI JAN 24, 2012 12:00 PM

Nissan Juke R: First Drive

We exclusively broke the news of Nissan Europe's Juke R project back in September. All we knew then was some strange "super Juke" crossover had been endowed with a GT-R's engine. Since then, we've seen all 11 episodes of its build-video series on YouTube. Now we've driven it. But is it all we hoped for? Let's find out.

Full Disclosure: Nissan wanted me to drive the Juke R so bad, they flew me 13,680 miles (in economy class) and put me up in a Dubai hotel on a half-built, $12.3 billion man-made island that may or may not be sinking.

Like Greek gods or investment bankers, engineers can bend the world to their will. Ask them to bring the broke-down Apollo 13 around the moon with duct tape, a scratch pad and a length of garden hose, and it's done. Ask them to graft a small, crossover SUV onto a super sports car, make it able to destroy a racetrack and make it look like a sugar toad gagging on a Bartlett pear? No problem, esse.

Think back to Ford's Transit SuperVans, or that time Renault put a Formula One engine in a minivan and made it pull 2G on a skidpad. Remember BMW's 700-hp, Le Mans V12-powered X5? These factory-funded displays of slide-rule prowess were breathtaking to behold and made for stellar magazine page inches, but they had as much in common with carmakers' actual products as kobe steak tartare has with a Wendy's double.

In the company of those unicorn projects, with their fussy racing engines and foie gras suspensions, Nissan's Juke R seems plausible, even practical. A mashup of two production cars, from opposing ends of Nissan's performance spectrum, the Juke R extends the purview of the Juke without diminishing what's great (and not so great) about the GT-R.

Consider a couple of truths. One, the standard Juke is a surprisingly fun drive in an achingly unfun category. Two, the 2011 GT-R — from which the Juke R gets its 485 hp, 3.8-liter, twin-turbo, AWD powertrain and running gear — is a massive performance-per-dollar bargain. The Juke R merely asks, What if those two elements weren't mutually exclusive?

Nissan and motorsports partner RML built two, identical Juke Rs — one right-hand drive (for UK-based hoonage), the other left-hand — each of which began life as a standard, two-wheel-drive Juke. If you've seen all 11 of Nissan's Juke R build videos on YouTube, you know the Rs each ride on a shortened GT-R chassis, use nearly all of the GT-R's drivetrain and electronics tech components, and split the difference between the two models' interiors (GT-R gauges reside in the Juke's dash binnacle and the gearshift rests amid the GT-R's surround). Some hacks were required to shoehorn everything in, including moving the Juke's firewall and seating position back around four inches to accomodate the engine and steering assembly.

Engineers attached the Juke body to the shortened GT-R frame through an intermediate jig, onto which they also bolted a roll cage that contributes significantly to the R's torsional stiffness. This hand-made connective part largely disqualifies the Juke R from production as is (although Nissan's implied a sports-minded Juke of some sort will likely arc into dealerships someday). And yet, at around 3,600 pounds to the GT-R's 3,829, the Juke R is no tube-frame race car; it's street-car weighty, having been designed for both street and track use.

A few refresher laps in a 2011 GT-R around the Dubai Autodrome reconfirms that car's amazing capability, and likewise how crucial it is not to overdrive it. Plan entry speeds carefully, and the GT-R is a life-affirming sports car to drive fast. To pivot out of corners cleanly, just get back on the power ludicrously early. Misjudge corner entry speed, however, and the GT-R's advantages wash away with the front tires. The car continues to reserve its rewards for those who can, shall we say, keep it in their pants.

In contrast, the Juke R's shorter wheelbase (by almost a foot!) gives it a more manic temperament than the tank-like GT-R. It's more direct and edgier, changing direction with extra sparkle, but still feels as neutral and easy to predict as its chassis-mate. The higher seating position affects the brain's equilibrium center, amplifying body roll — tweaking the suspension's street tune would correct that — but it's not a distraction during transitions. Juke R chief development driver Michael Mallock says the Juke R's got stiffer anti-roll bars to compensate for a change in center of gravity, which is slightly higher than the GT-R's, but, he says, "not as much as you might think."

At full throttle down the front straight at the Autodrome, where the Juke R had done pace-car duty at the Dunlop 24 Hours Of Dubai the weekend before, the Juke R feels 100 percent GT-R. There's that ludicrous thrust, the straight-line stability, the quick shifts. The engine moans inductively with that sound, more GE industrial turbine than GT car.

A long braking zone, in which the Brembos (2011 GT-Rs in front, 2010s rear) draw down the weighty Juke's bulk — with a bit more tail shimmying under calipers than the rock-solid GT-R — and then the machinery wakes up, turning crisply down, into a right-handed trough that rises through a late apex. My co-driver, Lucas Ordoñez, gestures me to get back on the throttle, in a place where the GT-R demanded an extra beat to settle. The Juke R rotates into line and snaps through the turn in balance, and with no push.

Just like the GT-R, the Juke R's front and rear diffs are in constant and copacetic communication, which allows for early power-on to exit corners quickly. One nerdy point: After the conversion, engineers didn't need to reprogram the AWD controller that decides how much torque to apportion to each of the Juke R's four wheels. The system did the math, and the algorithms had no quarrel with the car's chopped wheelbase. "The computer doesn't know it's not a GT-R," Mallock says.

But if the Juke R benefits from the GT-R's power bounty, it's also prone to the same peccadillos as the GT-R; it's got some of the same weight-transfer issues as the GT-R if overdriven. Also, the Juke's narrower windshield and larger A-pillars make setting up for corners a bit trickier, and like the GT-R, the Juke R's forced-induction engine kit lags somewhat under 3,000 rpm, an issue that appeared on a short succession of quick turns on the Dubai track.

But these are generic complaints. If Nissan ever went insane and offered the Juke R for sale, I would still line up at the dealership tomorrow (after a stop at eBay to put a few household items on sale), though I'd have to compete for this particular Juke R with a member of the Dubai royal family, who's apparently made an offer for it (Nissan says it's not for sale — yet). I could even learn to live with the Juke R's slowness (wink, wink) — 0-60 in at 3.7 seconds (according to Nissan), or around five tenths of a second off the '11 GT-R — because the arse-o-meter says the Juke R is even quicker than that.

The Nissan guys tell me the Juke R was conceived as a premium-sports crossover — a less-swank version of, say, a BMW X5M. It's fully street legal, but we didn't get to drive the Juke R on public roads — apparently the United Arab Emirates frowns mightily upon non-citizens populating its highways.

So what is the Juke R? It's a halo car for the Juke line — a conversation-starter that suggests the Juke's sporting potential. Nissan's already telegraphed that a higher-performance version of the Juke is somewhere on the horizon — by way of the Juke NISMO concept shown in Tokyo last year — so that halo may soon get its very own angel.

Infiniti M35 World's "Fastest" Hybrid!

2012-01-25T13:07:00.000-08:00

We don't imagine that many new-car buyers are cross-shopping their local Infiniti and Porsche dealerships, but there's at least one segment of the automotive industry where the two automakers both play ball: high-performance hybrid luxury sedans, which may be the single most conflicted niche of the automotive sphere in the known universe.

In any case, here we are with the Infiniti M35h and Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. Each one is marketed as both a somewhat greener luxury vehicle and a performance sedan. We'd guess it's the performance side of the equation that would be most interesting to the majority of buyers, leaving fuel efficiency a welcome bonus.

So, which one is faster? That's an interesting question. Usually, we equate that term with top speed, as "fast" connotes velocity. When acceleration is being contested, we generally ask which machine is quickest. And, if it's quickness you're after, Infiniti wants you to know that its M35h will out-accelerate its competitor from Germany. How quick is it? According to Motor Trend, the hybrid M goes from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds, but that's not the stat Infiniti is claiming. According to the post-jump press release, the M35h is "faster" than the hybrid Panamera from 0-100 (11.54 seconds) and in the quarter mile (13.41 seconds).

As for the rest of the relevant statistics, the EPA estimates that the M35h will manage 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 on the highway, for a combined rating of 29. The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is rated at 22 city, 30 highway and 25 combined. Seems the M hybrid takes both the acceleration and economy awards. Check out a video released by Infiniti after the break, where you'll also find the press release, if you're into that kind of thing.
Source:http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/followup-infiniti-m35h-is-worlds-fastest-hybrid/

Nissan Gamer Team makes Podium

2012-01-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

RJN Motorsport's GT Academy team, headed up by owner Bob Neville, took third place on Jan. 14 at the endurance race in the United Arab Emirates. Heitkotter was joined by British GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough, 2008 winner Lucas Ordóñez and 2010 winner Jordan Tresson. The team drove a Nissan 370Z that was modified and tuned for SP2-class duty.

The GT Academy is a contest for players of the PlayStation 3 racing game Gran Turismo 5. After months of virtual racing, 16 players were invited to the Silverstone track to compete in a seven-day racing and evaluation program. Heitkotter won the U.S. version of the school/reality TV show and began his training for the Dubai race. The team brought its car to finish line without a trace of damage, according to RJN. That's an amazing feat considering the length of the race and the brevity of the drivers' training.

“We practice, but there are a lot of difficult bits to do in quick succession,” said Heitkotter. “And this was the first time that the driver out had to assist the driver in with strapping, radio, drinks bottle, window net, etc. In previous races, a member of the team would strap in the new driver.”

Psychology researchers at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in Illinois have discovered a funny thing about podium finishers. Often, the happiest person on stage is the one with the bronze medal around his or her neck. Despite having missed first place by two spots, competitors on the lowest rung of the podium tend to find themselves deep in the throes of counterfactual thinking. They aren't focused on how close they were to winning an event; instead, the third-place competitors are thinking about just how close they came to missing the podium entirely.

That may help explain why Lucas Ordonez, Jordan Tresson, Bryan Heitkotter and Jann Mardenborough are so thrilled at the moment. The four drivers helped bring RJN Motorsport a third-place finish at the recent 24 Hours of Dubai. That's no small feat for any professional race team, which makes the win even more unbelievable. The four drivers aren't pros in the normal sense.

Heikotter and Mardenborough had less than a year to transform themselves from gamers to racers. The two won the most recent GT Academy competitions in the U.S. and Europe, respectively.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120116/CARNEWS/120119867#ixzz1jq6SPQZH
Also: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/15/nissans-all-gamer-driving-team-earns-podium-finish-at-24-hours/

Nissan e-NV200!

2012-01-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

Before we go any further, let's just acknowledge the obvious: The Nissan e-NV200 Concept has a face only its mother could love. As far as styling goes, what we see is basically the Japanese automaker's NV200 with the fascia of the electric Leaf grafted on up front. To top it all off, the e-NV200 is painted in the Leaf's familiar shade of Aqua Blue.

Inside, the e-NV200 features two foldable rows of seating for passengers. The driver is treated to a unique instrument cluster that Nissan calls a flat C-cluster display. There are also some so-called EV Meters, which we assume must bean battery gauges and telematics.

Moving past its unfortunate exterior aesthetics, we see plenty of good in the electric van's conceptual design. Nissan says that the e-NV200's laminated 24 kWh lithium-ion battery will provide similar range as the Leaf. That means an estimate of between 47 and 105 miles. Like the Leaf, the e-NV200 is powered by an 80kW electric motor that's rated at 207 pound-feet of torque.

Because it's based on the NV200, there's plenty of room inside for passengers, cargo or both. Nissan figures its electric van would be suitable for both commercial and passenger use in large metropolitan areas. The fact that Nissan's small van is also slated for taxi use in New York offers one potential usage scenario. Under that kind of scenario, the fact that it doesn't burn gasoline could turn into significant cost savings.

Though the e-NV200 is being shown in concept form at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Nissan is calling the electric van a potential mass-production vehicle.

Autoblog

E-Bugster!

2012-01-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Must all electric vehicles look like boring boxes? Volkswagen is answering with a resounding "no" at the Detroit auto show, by showing a new electric concept with a striking design. Based on the gasoline-powered Beetle coupe, the E-Bugster is a two-seat show car that blends the retro styling of the 2012 Beetle with the zero-emissions promise of an electric drivetrain.

The car resembles a chopped version of the regular new Beetle, hence the name E-Bugster -- a portmanteau of the words "Bug" and "speedster", along with an "e" to denote electric propulsion. Although a true speedster has an open roof, Volkswagen reckons the E-Bugster's aggressive roofline is low enough to merit the name; indeed, the electric car is almost three inches shorter in height than a regular Beetle. We see strong similarities in the Volkswagen's design to that of the new Mini Coup.

The concept's drivetrain consists of an electric motor producing 114 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. A 695-pound lithium-ion battery pack is stored beneath the trunk floor, enabling a maximum driving range of "more than" 100 miles. For comparison purposes, the EPA says the Nissan Leaf has a driving range of 73 miles on a full battery charge -- although the Leaf seats five passengers and E-Bugster accommodates only two.

The E-Bugster's front fascia is differentiated from the gasoline Beetle by virtue of twin bracket-shaped LED running lights, echoed on the rear fascia with bracket-shaped reflectors. Each side of the car wears a black stripe with an "E-Bugster" logo. In addition, the electric Volkswagen has only small windows above each door, whereas the regular Beetle has small quarter windows for rear-seat passengers. Twenty-inch wheels and a larger spoiler (reminiscent of that from the 200-hp Beetle Turbo) also are present. Changes for the cabin are relatively minor; the tachometer is replaced by an energy consumption meter, and additional gauges for battery charge, driving range, and brake energy regeneration have been added.

There's no word on whether the funky E-Bugster will make it to production, though Volkswagen plan to use the same electric powertrain in the future Golf Blue-e-Motion. The electric Golf is scheduled to go on sale in 2014 and has a claimed range of 93 miles. Given that the five passenger Golf hatchback is much more practical than the E-Bugster, we suspect this Beetle-derived concept car is simply a way for VW to tout its interest in building EVs.

Inside the 2012 Dodge Challenger

2012-01-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Dodge Challenger is and always has been a head turner.

It’s hard not to stop and stare at a parked Challenger and wonder what it can really do on the open highway. One can’t gaze in awe and wonder as a Challenger purrs down the avenue, ready to bolt into the sunset. A mere glimpse makes one speculate just what makes this muscle car so utterly matchless. What’s beneath the surface that makes it so appealing? What does the Challenger’s soul look like?

In the spirit of re-discovering what makes the things we love so dear to us, we’ve put together this infographic to show exactly what makes the Dodge Challenger tick. Feel free to share this with your fellow Challenger buffs and gearheads alike.

And if you like this, also be sure to check out the role(s) Dodge vehicles have played in modern cinema our previous infographic, Dodge of Destiny.

Source: Redlinedodge

New Nissan Pathfinder

2012-01-04T10:58:00.000-08:00

Nissan has already given us a darkened preview of the next Pathfinder's profile, but tonight the automaker has released two exceptionally brief videos of its latest 'ute.

The Pathfinder concept is set to debut at next week's Detroit Auto Show, and all Nissan is saying is that the seven-seat concept will still be able to haul through the muck with four-wheel drive when it goes on sale this fall.

Beyond that, we're left with the two videos after the break, the first showing the Pathfinder's redesigned face and the second giving us a glimpse of its rear. Neither designs are particularly revolutionary, but they're certainly more handsome than what's currently on offer. Here's hoping it delivers when the wraps come off on January 9th. That is Monday.

Not too much can be seen in Nissan’s shadowy image, but the Pathfinder will definitely be eschewing its squared-off look for a more curvaceous form. The photo shows a strong character line running the length of the car from the center of the hood to the taillights, with a dip just above the door handles. Large, five-spoke wheels and roof rails may lend the Pathfinder to a sportier look.

What we know is that the new Pathfinder will shed its truck-based roots and become a crossover, similar to what the Ford Explorer did last year. It’s most likely that the new Pathfinder will share its platform and mechanicals with the recently unveiled Infiniti JX35. That car rides on a stretched version of the front- and all-wheel drive platform that underpins the Murano crossover, but provides room for a third row of seats. We wouldn’t be surprised if this also helps Nissan differentiate the Pathfinder from the Murano within its own lineup.

Volkswagen Sends 40 Support Vehicles to Rally!

2011-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

Volkswagen may not be returning to the Dakar Rally next year as a competitor – having already proven everything it has to prove – but don't count on seeing a desert completely bereft of VW badges altogether. That's because the German automaker will still be providing the support vehicles that the race organizers couldn't do without.

This will be the third year running that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be supplying the Dakar's support fleet. This year's comprises some 40 vehicles, including 30 Amarok pickups, specially equipped for the occasion.

Along the way F1 legend Jacky Ickx – who, not incidentally, won the Dakar for Mercedes-Benz in '83 – will be giving off-road racing lessons to those lucky enough. Follow the jump for the press blast as the contestants get ready to blast through the South American deserts themselves starting on New Year's Day.

PRESS RELEASE

UP TO THE CHALLENGE: AMAROK SUPPORTS THE 2012 DAKAR RALLY

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will return to the 2012 Dakar Rally as the event's official supplier for the third year. A fleet of nearly 40 vehicles, including 30 Amarok pick-ups, are being provided to the event's organisation team, the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), as support vehicles. These will be used throughout the event, regarded as the toughest marathon rally in the world, which takes place from 1 to 15 January.

The 2012 Dakar Rally will see competitors from across the world lining up at Mar del Plata, Argentina before the 9,000 kilometre course takes them on a journey through Chile and on to the finish at Lima in Peru.

On the rally's rest day, some important visitors will join the event with Formula One legend Jacky Ickx showing Scorpions rocker Rudolf Schenker and boxing world champion Dariusz Michalczewski how to handle the Amarok Automatic safely under off-road conditions. Also, windsurfers Bjoern Dunkerbeck, Klaas Voget and Robby Swift will head into the Atacama Desert to experience surfing on the dunes.

The Amaroks and other support vehicles will be subjected to some of the toughest and most extreme terrain on the planet during the two week event. As the event's official support vehicles, they must be able to deal with everything this really fierce course can throw at them – from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through the Atacama Desert to the Andes mountains, through canyons, and across different climate zones.

For more information on the Dakar Rally 2012, please visit www.dakar.com.

Taken from Autoblog

Juke-R to pace the race!

2011-12-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

If indeed Nissan execs were displeased by the construction of the Juke R, they have a funny way of showing it.

Over the past few months, the Juke-R has nabbed nearly as much camera time as the entire Kardashian clan (more deserved camera time, for sure).

The last time that we saw the heavily tuned crossover, it was leaving footprints on a damp, misty Silverstone track.The next time we'll see the car, it will also be in a track setting. According to Autoblog, the GT-R powered Juke will serve as a pace car for the 2012 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai endurance race. The event runs at the Dubai Autodrome from January 12th through the 14th.

We'd much rather see the Juke-R actually putting its 480-horsepower GT-R powertrain to use by racing around the track, but the event could very well be the first time that the Juke-R steps out from behind the cameras and reveals itself to the public. And that's an event worth celebrating in itself.

In addition to the Juke-R, the 24 Hours of Dubai event will welcome an international entourage of GT cars, touring cars and 24-hour specials. Among the 80 entrants that the race had received as of a month ago were cars from Audi, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ginetta, Lamborghini and Porsche. Nissan will also be represented by a 370Z. All in all, the race had 31 countries represented among its cars and teams.

As for when we might see the Juke-R in the U.S.--it could be at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in February.

Taken from Motorauthority

All New 2013 Infiniti JX!

2011-12-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

Few automakers make crossovers quite like Nissan does. And that extends to its luxury division Infiniti, as well. Infiniti crossovers tend to be, well... rather small. The FX combined a sportscar with a crossover long before BMW thought of the X6, and the EX is barely bigger than most hatchbacks. Want something bigger from Infiniti? That'd be the QX, but it's a proper truck-based SUV, and that behemoth just isn't for everyone. Enter the JX.

We tried out the seats and found the access to the third row to be best in class. An upward tug on the second-row seatback resulted in a spring-loaded launch forward and an opening big enough for a real adult to crawl through. The model on the show stand had a sunroof, so our headroom was pretty scrunched back there. Nonetheless, the third row is only for occasional use when you have to bring the entire soccer team home, so a lack of headroom in the third row is entirely forgivable.
Fold down the third row of seats and you have a substantial cargo area, though it is slanted rearward and not completely flat, meaning when the bag of turnips overturns on the way home from the grocery store you're going to be chasing the little Brassicales all down the driveway, cursing the good name of Infiniti.
The second and third rows of seats offered plenty of room in all directions.
The dash had a distinctive Infiniti look to it, centered around the big knob that controls the car's many telematics. That includes a means of downloading your entire calendar and other data from your mobile phone. It also syncs with Inifiniti's Personal Assistant, a sort of rolling concierge service.
The JX is powered by a 265-hp, 248-lb-ft version of the venerable VQ35DE V6 mated to a CVT. The JX goes on sale in Apri and will be built in Smyrna, Tenn.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111117/LOSANGELES/111119853#ixzz1h0WHD3Tg

The production version debuted just this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and the 2013 Infiniti JX35doesn't go on sale until spring 2012, but that hasn't stopped Infiniti from putting up an online configurator for its new three-row crossover, or releasing a trio of new videos.

Pricing starts at $41,400 (including a $950 destination charge), but Infiniti is offering some $12,000 worth of packaged options. We managed to load one up to the tune of $55,170. The JX will initially come in just two flavors: Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. Both will be powered by a 265-horsepower version of the ubiquitous Nissan 3.5-liter V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission. Infiniti lists an estimated fuel economy at 17 city, 23 highway for both models.

One new technological feature that stands out from the rest is the Backup Collision Intervention system. This new system warns the driver if another vehicle is entering his path and, if needed, can even apply the brakes to help avoide the collision if the driver does not properly react in time.

We're thinking six months is a long time to wait, and Infiniti seems to agree, as it's upping the ante for those interested in the new vehicle now. If you reserve a JX through its website and follow it through to purchase, Infiniti will give you his and hers Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones or a Bose SoundLink Wireless Mobile Speaker.

Free Bose gear aside, it will be interesting to see how the JX fares once it hits the market, alongside the brand's smaller EX and FX crossovers. With Infiniti having pursued a performance-oriented, rear-wheel-drive-based brand strategy for the past several years, this new front-wheel-drive crossover would appear to represent a different direction for the marque. Check out the configurator, but not before clicking past the jump to watch a trio of videos that feature running footage and the JX's interior in detail.

Sources:

Autoweek

Topspeed

Autoblog / Autoblog

New Owner Already Has Key!

2011-12-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

At this time of year there are no shortages of holiday miracles. Most of them seem to involve animals, the cuter and furrier the better. Just today we read about a baby seal who sought shelter in a New Zealand woman's house and curled up on the couch. Earlier in the week, it was the four deer who were saved from drowning by boaters in Alaska. Well, here's a car story in the same vein.

It's about a Beetle. A red, 1963 Volkswagen convertible to be specific. Earlier in the month, the car was listed on eBay and the seller, Eric, contacted website Bring A Trailer hoping to get a little wider publicity for his strikingly original car. Eric was offering the car with a treasure trove of documentation, including the original registration for its California "black plate."

So who should happen to see the pictures of the car? None other than the son of the original owner, Jim, who was with his dad when they drove it home from the dealership almost 50 years ago. When he saw the license plate, those six randomly assigned alphanumerics lit up his memory and, well, then he saw his dad's signature on a photo of the registration...

Let's cut to the chase: Jim is the proud new owner of the Bug.

But that's not all. It seems that Jim had saved one of the keys to his dad's old VW, and sure enough, when he showed up at Eric's house to look at the car, it unlocked the driver's door. As if that's not enough to make you believe in karma, destiny, and Fahrvergnügen, Jim bought the car on his son's 15th birthday. So dad will teach son to drive in the same car that grandpa taught him in.

Take that, cute and furry.

News Source: Bring A Trailer

Image Credit: eBay

2012 Jeep Arctic Edition!

2011-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

Did the Yeti call shotgun already? Well then he has to navigate, because we plan to go off-roading in the new 2012 Jeep_® Wrangler and Liberty Arctic Editions. Inspired by grueling, sub-zero terrain, the Jeep Arctic models are the latest in a line of popular special-edition vehicles.

Like the Wrangler Sahara it is based on, the Arctic Edition Wrangler is available in classic two-door models or four-door Unlimited versions, and is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. Unique to the Wrangler Arctic Edition is an “Arctic Chill” ice blue paint job and a few Yeti-inspired touches.

The Arctic winter theme is immediately recognizable – Artic badges on the front fenders, a Yeti footprint decal over part of the driver’s side fender and hood, black hood decal, and Mopar^®black fuel filler door and tail lamp guards. It also has the Rubicon tire package for handling in the snow – semi-gloss black 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires.

RPM Yeti

The interior features grab handles finished in polar trim, slush mat with white Jeep lettering, a Yeti on the instrument cluster, Arctic embroidery on the seats – heated seats – and accent stitching on the steering wheel and arm rests. The seats also feature contrasting orange detailing to warm up the Arctic motif.

The Arctic Edition Liberty shares many of the same features as the Wrangler version, like blacked wheels and Arctic badges on the front fenders. The seats are covered in black vinyl with a Gortex embossment, and the inserts are Tectonic fabric with Polar White accents. And, like the Wrangler, the Liberty features that unique Arctic orange accent stitching. It’s available on Liberty Sport 4×4 models, and the Arctic decal on the hood is unique to Liberty.

2012 Jeep® Liberty Arctic Edition

Juke-R Goes to the Track!

2011-12-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

We must first set one thing straight: to all those currently bubbling in a state of confusion, this car is not the Nismo Juke that was shown at the Tokyo motor showlast week.

That car was a lightly tweaked concept marking the arrival of Nismo (NissanMotorsports) as a proper in-house performance tuner for Nissan, like AMG is to Mercedes.

No, this is the one-off, GT-R engined Nissan Juke-R. ‘Jukezilla', if you will.

After an arduous build process that involved cutting out almost everything that powered the standard car and filling it with lots of GT-R - engine, diff, gearbox, attitude - Nissan has announced the car is finally ready.

Gallery: the Nissan Juke-R

And what to do with this monstrous lump of crossover SUV? Why, belt it senseless around Silverstone, naturally.

First, Nissan's crack team of modders took the Juke-R to the MIRA proving ground to check everything worked properly and that the ruddy big 3.8-litre twin-turbo engine didn't fall out or consume the world in a fiery explosion. Then, off to Silverstone for some screechiness.

What's the Internet's take on the Juke-R? Sad face, or happy face? LOL, or OMG? For more information on the Juke-R refer to our article here.

Article taken from TopGear

Nissan Introduces New Safety Features

2011-12-05T11:17:00.001-08:00

In the last few years, Infiniti has joined the ranks of the Germans by offering a range of enhanced active safety features on its higher-end models. But Nissan wants to bring many of these systems to its core models, including blind spot and lane departure warnings.

But that's old hat now.

This week in Japan, Nissan demonstrated three new safety technologies that are bound for both Infiniti and Nissan models in the next few years, two of which are sure to be copied by other automakers in short order.

Rear Camera Multi-Sensing System

Nissan is evolving its Around View Monitor to include Blind Spot And Lane Departure warning, both of which have been available from Infiniti in the past. But the newest addition to this safety suite is Moving Object Detection, due to arrive next year. Utilizing the rearview camera and a new image processing system, when the vehicle is put into reverse, it can detect objects and people, highlighting them with a red box and alerting the driver of their presence with both an audible alert and dashboard warning – lessening the chance that little Jimmy gets run over while his intensive mother is backing out of the driveway. As you can see in the video, the system works with a front-mounted camera, as well.

Acceleration Suppression for Pedal Misapplication

If Toyota-gate has taught us anything, it's that drivers often mistake the accelerator for the brake. Nissan's new Acceleration Suppression system is designed to eliminate this issue, at least when it comes to parking maneuvers.

By using the Around View cameras mounted in the bottom of the exterior mirrors, the system can detect when a driver is pulling into a parking space by recognizing the lines painted on the pavement. Coupled with a front-sensing radar unit to detect a wall or other stationary object, the system will recognize the driver unintentionally mashing the gas and automatically apply the brakes. We tested the system out on several occasions and it worked every single time, which means 7-Eleven attendants can sleep more soundly when the system comes to market in two year's time.

Predictive Forward Collision Warning System

Adaptive Cruise Control has been around for over a decade, but one issue with the system is that it just keeps track of the vehicle ahead. Nissan's Predictive Warning system takes the concept to the next level.

Using the same radar-based sensor mounted in the front bumper, the system detects the second vehicle ahead by extending the radar's range underneath the vehicle directly in front. If that vehicle doesn't brake in time the system alerts the driver with an audible warning, and when the driver directly ahead swerves out of the way, both an audible and visual warning alerts the driver of an impending collision and pretensions the seat belts. While Predictive Forward Collision doesn't brake for the driver, linking the ABS wouldn't be difficult, as you can see in the second demonstration in the video above. And before you ask, the system can still detect the second vehicle in line, even if the Civic directly in front suffers from a terminally low stance.

Engineers wouldn't give us a firm production date for the system, but it's safe to assume that the refreshed Infiniti line-up will benefit from the tech within the next few years.

Source: Autoblog

By Damon Lavrinc RSS feed

Volkswagen Polo R-Line and Passat Exclusive Released in Germany!

2011-10-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen released their Polo R-Line and Passat Exclusives in Germany! We may have to wait a while before Volkswagen will release a Polor R - maybe to never reach American showrooms at all - but as a stopgap measure VW has released a pair of R-Line packages for its diminutive hatchback that at least make it look the part!

Save for a performance program, it’s got everything you need, including exterior and interior upgrades, new color options, and a new set of alloy wheels. Among the new accessories that can be fitted into the Polo include new front and rear bumpers, a roof spoiler, new side skirts, LED license plate illumination, daytime running lights, chrome exhaust tailpipes, and a new set of 16" alloy wheels. A new sports chassis is also available, one that can lower the car's ride height by 15 mm. Various color options are available for the Polo R-Line, including Deep Black Pearl Effect, Reflex Silver Metallic, Pepper Grey Metallic, Shadow Blue Metallic, Hot Orange Metallic, Candy White, and Flash Red

The exterior R-Line trim package comes with wider wheels in either 16-inch diameter or 17, new bumpers front and rear, rear spoiler and diffuser, chrome exhaust tips, side skirts, fog lamps and gloss black grille. The interior package, meanwhile, gives the cabin Alcantara or leather trim, sport buckets, black headliner, a new steering wheel, piano-lacquer trim and aluminum pedals. Both kits can be fitted to either the Comfortline or Highline trim levels, and appear, for the time being, to be limited to the German market.

Volkswagen has also released a new Exclusive edition of the all known Passat, incorporating 18-inch wheels, a lowered suspension, chocolate brown Nappa leather trim with top-stitching and wood and aluminum trim. The sad deal about this is this is the European-market Passat - which includes a whole different interior from the vehicle that we see in the U.S. dealerships.

GT Academy Winner Bryan Heitkotter

2011-10-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Bryan Heitkotter (GTXf_CudaMan) has just been announced as winner of the first U.S. GT Academy! The win comes at a great time for 30-year-old Brian, who is bouncing back in a big way after having been laid off from his former job as a delivery driver in California. Now, he gets a quick break at home before returning to England, where he’ll continue training throughout the summer with Nissan for the 24 Hours of Dubai next January. Congratulations, Brian!

Lego VW Bus!

2011-10-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Legos is something that everyone can enjoy and to show this, we present you with the VW Bus! The plastic blocks are the perfect time waster, and while we're sad to say that we've let our maniac skills waste away over the past two decades or so, we're still glad to know that there are people out there keeping the magic alive. People like Marshal Matlock. Matlock recently decided to whip up the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van set in his spare time and was kind enough to shoot a time-lapse video of the endeavor.

Here is a time lapse video of the Bus being created with over 1800 photos at a 24fps (frames per second). Watching the van assemble itself and ride off frame is well worth your time, though be warned: you'll probably want to pick the kit up for yourself after you're done watching the clip.