Fisker Automotive's new ad campaign proves that sex still sells

Is sustainability really sexy?

Does being green and red hot passion really go together?

According to a new advertising campaign by Fisker Automotive you can be eco-consciousness and sexy at the same time.

“We wanted FiskerAutomotive.com to redefine automobile industry interactive design with a fluid experience that is rooted in Fisker’s leading edge design, environmental consciousness, performance, and sensuous luxury,” said Marti Eulberg, VP of Global Sales and Marketing in a statement.

We're not all that sure about sensuous luxury but we do know that sex sells and that automakers have been using for about as long as they have been around to sell cars...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Fisker Automotive is following in a long tradition of using sexy models to sell cars and os course promote their new web site.

You can check out the new "sexy" movie (we say commercial) that goes along with the new "Pure Driving Passion" advertising campaign HERE and you can check out a video about the hybrid Fisker Karma HERE at the Chicago auto show.

2009 New York International Auto Show: Acura ZDX Debuts

As a follow-up to our previous post on the teaser images of the upcoming Acura ZDX we have new official photos including one from Autoblog of the Acura ZDX on display at the New York International Auto Show.

It is rather obvious that the Acura ZDX is aimed directly at the BMW X6 with the low swooping roof line very reminiscent of the Bavarian crossover. The production ZDX will be powered by a V6 via an SH-awd 6 speed transmission setup similar to other current Acura models. While a bit sportier than the Acura MDX, the ZDX approaches to be even more car-like. Below is the press release of the new Acura ZDX with additional specs and information.

Custom Porsche Cayenne Built by AUTOMOTIVE RHYTHMS

Custom Porsche Cayenne Built by AUTOMOTIVE RHYTHMSFerrari F430, SSC Aero, BMW M6 Hamann, Gemballa Mirage GT, Mercedes SLR, Dodge Viper Srt-10, Ferrari F430 Novitec, Carrera Gt Techart, Mosler MT900, F

The AMG Driving Academy

Automotive Rhythms' Hit man Geoff Reeves & Kimatni Rawlins had the fantastic opportunity to attend The AMG Driving Academy: 2 day Advanced Course at Road Atlanta which consisted of AMG's full model li

Automotive Rhythms

Automotive Rhythms is the automotive lifestyle firm that blends evaluations of the latest cars, trucks, SUVs, and bikes around music, fashion, travel and technology. Consisting of Internet, print, rad

APS SPORTEC boosts performance of new VW Golf MKVI GT TSI to 200BHP

Automotive Performance Services (APS) Ltd, UK importer for the Swiss based Sportec range of vehicle performance enhancements, is pleased to announce the launch of a new Stage 1 ECU upgrade package for the latest version of the 1.4 – litre TSI MkVI Golf GT.

In standard form the turbo / supercharged 1.4 – litre TSI Golf MkVI GT produces a respectable 160bhp and 177lb.ft of torque, enough to merit ‘warm hatch’ status, but not to really excite.

Sportec’s careful recalibration of the fuel, ignition timing and boost pressure settings via an extensively proven ECU remap sees power output leap to 200bhp at 5000rpm and 211lb.ft of torque at 1800rpm, delivering marked performance improvements which greatly increase the driver enjoyment of the smaller engined Golf.

For example, the TSI’s 0-100 kmh (0-62mph) acceleration time is reduced from 8.2 to 6.8 seconds, while the 0-180 kmh (111mph) time arrives 3.2 seconds earlier.

By comparison the new range topping MkVI Golf GTi produces 207bhp and 207lb.ft, which highlights the effectiveness of Sportec’s work, as this cost effective upgrade transforms the performance of the turbo / supercharged 1.4 –litre TSI variant into a true small engined ‘hot hatch.’

Emissions compliance is retained, as is the 1.4-litre TSI’s excellent fuel consumption, which increases slightly from 44.8mpg to 42mpg, although the conversion does require the use of higher octane Super Unleaded fuel.

Suitable for both six speed manual and seven speed DSG versions of the MKVI TSI GT, the Sportec Stage One conversion is available now from UK Sportec importer APS, priced at £550.00 including installation, road testing and VAT @ 15%.

A full range of Sportec Golf MKVI performance and styling enhancements, including exhausts, suspension and braking components, is now available and is showcased on Sportec’s SC200 1.4 TSI demonstrator car.

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Front Angle View

2011 Ford Mustang V-6 goes high-tech: new 305-Hp engine, six-SPEED transmission expected to Deliver 30 MPG highway, 2011 Ford Mustang V6 offer an optional factory-installed Performance Package that combines high-tech horsepower and a taut suspension in a package that will appeal to track-day fans and sports car aficionados alike. Powered by the same 305-horsepower all-aluminum Ti-VCT V6 as the new 2011 Ford Mustang, the Performance Package takes advantage of the new engine’s lightweight and high-revving nature to deliver a nimble performance car equally at home on a road course or a road trip.

The 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package will be available beginning late summer 2010, built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The new 3.7-liter V6 will be built at Ford’s retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Front Side View

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Side View

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Performance Package Engine View

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Press Release:

• For 2011, Mustang makes sports coupe news with a new high-performance, all-aluminum Duratec® 3.7-liter DOHC Ti-VCT V-6 that delivers 305 horsepower and an expected best-in-class 30 mpg highway with six-speed automatic transmission – no other vehicle in the industry can beat that combination
• Six-speed transmissions – manual and automatic – combine with newly standard limited-slip differential and revised suspension for road-carving driving dynamics and handling
• New technology and convenience features include: Standard integrated spotter mirrors; message center; MyKey™ programmable vehicle key; and Universal Garage Door Opener

Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 30, 2009 – The 2011 Ford Mustang puts 305 high-performance horses in the hands of V-6 coupe buyers with a new all-aluminum dual-overhead cam (DOHC) engine that delivers a projected 30 mpg on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission and fun for drivers on nearly every road.

For 2011, Mustang’s new 3.7-liter Duratec 24-valve V-6 uses advanced engineering to deliver its power and economy: Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds. Aluminum construction means light weight. It’s an engine designed to crank out torque down low, rev to 7,000 rpm and deliver the mechanical music sports coupe lovers crave everywhere in between.

“Mustang is completely transformed with this new engine,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Everything people love about the car is still there and now under the hood is a V-6 engine that uses premium technology to deliver the power, the feel, the fuel efficiency, even the sound of the best sports coupes in the world.”

New 3.7-liter V-6 engine

With Ti-VCT operating its four valves per cylinder, the new Mustang V-6 powerplant sends significantly more horsepower and torque (305 hp and 280 ft.-lb.) to the rear wheels than its predecessor – despite its smaller displacement. The behind-the-wheel feel is unlike any Mustang ever produced.

“This new V-6 engine really speaks to what Mustang is all about,” said Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of global powertrain engineering. “It produces power everywhere in the rev range and loves to be pushed hard. The Duratec 3.7-liter builds on our promise to use advanced technology to deliver both power and fuel economy.”

The high output is due largely to Ti-VCT which allows variable control of valve operation across the rev range. The variable cams operate on a Direct Acting Mechanical Bucket (DAMB) valvetrain using polished buckets and roller finger followers to reduce friction. The end result is as much as a 3 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 10 percent improvement in power output versus traditional engines without these advanced features.

Ti-VCT is complemented by special-tuned composite upper and lower intake manifolds for efficient air delivery and lighter weight. Ignition power is delivered by a high-energy coil-on-plug design, while piston-cooling jets and a lightweight die-cast aluminum cylinder block improve the durability and efficiency of the 3.7-liter V-6 design.

Performance was the mantra for every aspect of engine design. A cold air induction system and dual exhaust give the 3.7 its free-breathing style with a 7,000 rpm redline and near-instantaneous response to throttle inputs.

A die-cast aluminum deep-sump oil pan provides 10,000-mile oil change intervals, saving drivers money on maintenance and resulting in less waste in oil disposal.

Engineers also worked to ensure aggressive, high-performance sounds come from the new engine, from intake to exhaust. Not only does the retuned air intake system minimize losses, it also provides the driver with a satisfying intake rush on hard acceleration. The all-new dual exhaust system is mellow at idle but opens up with a howl at full-tilt, letting Mustang drivers know they’re behind the wheel of a world-class sports coupe.

“This car marks a new type of Mustang,” said David Pericak, Mustang chief nameplate engineer. “We’re using a high-performance quad-cam V-6 with all the bells and whistles in a car that’s become legendary for its handling and roadholding; it’s really going to get a lot of new sports coupe fans excited about Mustang, some for the first time ever.”

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Powertrain improvements

Drivers can get the most out of the new V-6 engine’s output using either an all-new six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. Both come with the flexibility and fuel economy benefits of six forward ratios regardless of whether buyers want to shift for themselves or not.

Drivers who prefer a manual gearbox will enjoy the short throws and direct feel of the shifter along with the relaxed cruising permitted by the extra top gear ratio. Customers choosing the automatic will be pleasantly surprised to find the advanced six-speed 6R60 transmission does not sacrifice fuel economy – or performance – for convenience, delivering an expected 30 mpg highway with crisp, quick shifts that maximize torque and horsepower.

The automatic transmission also features a grade-assist or “hill mode” to improve drivability on hilly terrain. This technical innovation uses vehicle input – acceleration, pedal position, vehicle speed and brake status – to automatically determine the correct gear ratio while on an incline or decline. Hill mode eliminates sixth gear, extends lower gear operation on uphill climbs, and provides additional grade or engine braking for coast downs.

The standard 2.73 rear axle provides an ideal blend of cruising fuel economy and acceleration, aided by the wide ratio spread permitted through the use of six forward speeds in the gearboxes. Performance enthusiasts can select an available 3.31 rear axle ratio for better off-the-line launch characteristics.

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Fuel economy improvements

Extra horsepower and refined engine operation will be the most noticeable features to new 2011 Mustang 3.7-liter V-6 buyers while projected class-leading fuel economy, also a standard feature, offers an additional bonus. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 19 mpg city/30 highway with six-speed automatic transmission, up from 16 mpg city/ 24 highway on the 2010 model with automatic – a 25 percent improvement over 2010
• 18 mpg city/29 highway with six-speed manual transmission, up from 18 mpg city/26 highway on the 2010 model with manual

Refinements throughout Mustang’s body, powertrain and chassis design contribute to the improved fuel economy numbers. Examples include:

• The new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system which eliminates the drag of an engine-operated hydraulic power steering pump
• Six-speed transmissions that allow lower cruising revs without sacrificing off-the-line performance
• Aerodynamic improvements such as a new front fascia, tire spats on the rear wheels, modified underbody shields, a taller air dam and an added rear decklid seal

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Handling and driving dynamics

With so much additional horsepower standard, the 2011 Mustang received enhancements to its chassis to maintain the outstanding balance and driving behavior Mustang owners expect. Damper tuning and spring rates were revised to provide a smooth highway ride while a new rear lower control arm and stiffened stabilizer bar bushings improve stiffness and handling for better cornering response.

While Mustang’s aerodynamic improvements were designed mainly to improve fuel economy, engineers also adjusted the vehicle’s front/rear lift balance. The result is a car that tracks more securely and feels more “planted” to the road surface at higher speeds, helping to keep the tires in better contact with the pavement.

The addition of EPAS marks a new era in driving dynamics for Mustang owners. Steering effort at parking lot speeds is reduced, while high-speed and highway feel is improved for more precise steering and handling. Because the belt-driven power steering pump is eliminated, EPAS provides a quieter vehicle with fewer components drawing engine power.

EPAS also enables new technologies that adjust for minor driving annoyances. Pull-Drift Compensation adjusts the steering to correct for crosswinds and minor road crowning, while Active Nibble Control helps eliminate the “shimmy” felt at high speeds when a wheel is out of balance or a brake rotor is warped. Both conditions are alleviated by EPAS independent of driver input, helping ensure Mustang delivers a smooth, comfortable driving experience in all conditions.

Mustang buyers choosing the new V-6 will also get a standard limited-slip differential that provides better handling and more sure-footed grip in poor weather conditions by directing engine torque to the rear wheel with the most traction. When the time comes to slow things down, the 2011 Mustang is also equipped with larger four-wheel ABS disc brakes, with 11.5 inch front and 11.8 inch rear rotors.

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Refinements complement advanced features

To reinforce the sporty nature of the 2011 Mustang, all V-6 models will come standard with new instrument cluster graphics, including a speedometer that reads up to 160 mph and a tachometer that reads to 8,000 rpm, reflecting the free-revving style of the new engine.

Additional lightweight soundproofing measures help filter unpleasant, high-frequency noises while tuned intake and dual exhaust add the sounds Mustang buyers relish.

Occupants also benefit from new door seals and a rear wheel arch liner that reduce road noise for a quieter, more enjoyable drive, all with minimal weight gain compared to the 2010 model.

Enthusiasts who want a premium performance-oriented Mustang V-6 can opt for the new Performance Package, which will be available August 2010. Designed for driving enthusiasts, the Mustang V-6 Performance Package comprises:

• A 3.31 rear axle ratio for quicker off-the-line acceleration
• Firmer Mustang GT suspension
• 19-inch wheels
• Summer performance tires for improved grip
• A strut tower brace for increased chassis rigidity
• Unique electronic stability control calibration with sport mode for performance driving

For 2011, Mustang also ups the ante on technology and convenience features, including a standard driver’s message center in the instrument cluster and integrated blind-spot mirrors in the side-view mirror housings.

Ford’s MyKey system, designed to encourage safer teen driving and safety belt use, also is newly available on Mustang. MyKey allows owners to program the vehicle key using the driver’s message center to incorporate features such as limited top vehicle speed and audio volume, a traction control system that cannot be deactivated, a persistent Belt-Minder safety belt reminder and various speed alert chimes.

2011 Ford Mustang V6 Top safety marks expected

Mustang’s technological advances are also incorporated in the structure of the vehicle to improve safety. The 2010 Mustang coupe earned the U.S. government’s top five-star crash-test rating, a designation the 2011 model is expected to achieve.

The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion in an impact.

Mustang also uses high-strength steel in its body structure and ultra-high-strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side-impact protection.

The front structure’s crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang’s front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to aid in protecting occupants.

State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2011 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC, with applications such as Traffic, Directions and Information, 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes the Personal Safety System™ which features dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Belt-Minder.

The 2011 Mustang will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The new 3.7-liter V-6 will be built at Ford’s recently retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.

Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) Helps make 2011 Ford Mustang v-6 a true thoroughbred

• Ti-VCT technology key to Mustang’s new 3.7-liter V-6 engine’s flexibility, delivering 305 horsepower and a projected 30 mpg highway with six-speed automatic transmission – no other vehicle in the industry can beat that combination
• Variable camshaft timing uses oil pressure to adjust valve opening and closing events, providing improved off-the-line acceleration over non-VCT equipped engines
• Variable valve overlap from Ti-VCT provides better fuel economy and emissions, along with optimized cold-start operation vs. conventional engines

Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 30, 2009 – The heart of every Mustang is its engine, and beneath the hood of the new 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 beats a technological tour de force. Displacing 3.7 liters, the dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) 24-valve V-6 uses Ford’s Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) to produce 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque and is projected to deliver up to 30 mpg highway – a combination unbeaten by any other vehicle in the industry.

Customer benefits of Ti-VCT include extremely precise variable control of “valve overlap,” or the window of time in which both the intake and exhaust valves in the engine are open simultaneously.

“This overlap control via Ti-VCT helps us eliminate compromises in the induction and exhaust systems,” said Jim Mazuchowski, Ford manager of V-6 powertrain operations. “Drivers are going to notice improved low-speed torque and increased fuel economy and peak horsepower. Plus, there are benefits they won’t notice, too, such as reduced emissions overall, especially at part-throttle.”

The flexibility allowed by Ti-VCT means Mustang V-6 customers will experience:

• Better off-the-line launch feel, with plenty of the low-end “grunt” for which Mustang is famous. Ti-VCT can deliver up to a 5 percent improvement in low-end torque and a 7 percent improvement in peak power versus non-Ti-VCT-equipped engines.
• Improved fuel economy at all engine speeds resulting in projected 19 mpg city/30 highway with six-speed automatic transmission; 18 mpg city/29 highway with six-speed manual transmission. Ti-VCT alone can account for up to a 4.5 percent fuel economy improvement over non-VCT-equipped engines.
• Lower emissions, with better control of NOx and HC throughout the range of engine operating speeds, reducing atmospheric pollution.

How the technology works

As a DOHC design, the 3.7-liter V-6 uses two camshafts per cylinder bank – one to open the intake valves and one to open the exhaust valves. Traditionally, camshafts only have been able to open the valves at a fixed point defined during engine design and manufacturing. But with modern variable cam timing systems, the camshafts can be rotated slightly relative to their initial position, allowing the cam timing to be “advanced” or “retarded.”

Ti-VCT takes this technology and applies it to both the intake and exhaust camshafts of its DOHC design, using electronic solenoid valves to direct high-pressure oil to control vanes in each of the camshaft sprocket housings. By using one valve per camshaft, controlled by the Electronic Control Module (ECM), each intake and exhaust cam can be advanced or retarded independently of the other as engine operating conditions change, providing an exceptional degree of valve timing control.

The new 3.7-liter engine for the 2011 Mustang V-6 will be built at Ford’s recently retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.

2011 Ford Mustang V-6 performance package boosts handling, braking; CAR NOW ROAD-COURSE READY

• All-new 2011 Mustang V-6 joins the ranks of performance-tuned Mustang offerings worldwide; available Performance Package combines lightweight 305-horsepower all-aluminum V-6, a 3:31 performance rear axle and Mustang GT-based suspension and braking components
• Unique 19-inch wheels and Pirelli performance tires provide superb grip and aggressive appearance
• Electronic stability control calibration features Sport mode for high-performance driving and track-oriented events

Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 30, 2009 – Around the globe, Ford’s performance-tuned cars are known to provide an uncompromised driving experience in a remarkably civilized package. Growing from that tradition, the new 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 will offer an optional factory-installed Performance Package that combines high-tech horsepower and a taut suspension in a package that will appeal to track-day fans and sports car aficionados alike.

Powered by the same 305-horsepower all-aluminum Ti-VCT V-6 as the new 2011 Mustang, the Performance Package takes advantage of the new engine’s lightweight and high-revving nature to deliver a nimble performance car equally at home on a road course or a road trip.

“The new Performance Package delivers on fast, fun and affordable, combining the all-new 2011 V-6 with Mustang GT prowess,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief nameplate engineer. “It’s a true sports car for the new generation and a smart choice for the environmentally-conscious enthusiast. It is a perfect marriage of power, performance and value.”

Borrowing from the Mustang GT, the Performance Package includes numerous suspension, braking and body stiffening upgrades to deliver unparalleled handling performance. That road-holding is helped by a near-equal front/rear weight distribution, providing exceptional transient response along with the car’s slimmed-down curb weight of less than 3,500 pounds.

2011 Mustang Performance Package upgrades include:

• A 3.31 rear axle ratio for quicker off-the-line acceleration
• Mustang GT coupe front and rear stabilizer bars
• Mustang GT front struts and rear shocks/springs
• Shelby GT500 rear lower control arm
• Unique 19-inch wheels
• Pirelli performance tires for improved grip
• Mustang GT front and rear brake calipers with Performance Friction pads
• A strut tower brace for increased body rigidity
• Unique electronic stability control calibration with Sport mode for performance driving
• Unique badging

The 2011 Mustang V-6 Performance Package will be available beginning late next summer, built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The new 3.7-liter V-6 will be built at Ford’s retooled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1.

Unveiling 2008 Infiniti QX56 Debut at NAIAS

Following a record setting sales trend and the successful launch of the all-new G sedan, Infiniti is keeping the momentum going with the unveiling of the 2008 Infiniti QX full-size luxury sport utility vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

With a new interior and refined exterior, Infiniti is enhancing and improving what customers already love about the QX – styling, technology, comfort – without compromising its towing capacity and interior roominess.

“Like the all-new G Sedan, the 2008 QX demonstrates Infiniti’s philosophy of constantly evolving in the competitive luxury segment,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager of Infiniti. “Despite being voted by consumers as top in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, we’ve given the new QX significant upgrades in the areas of interior design, performance, luxury features, and technology.”



The new QX, which goes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in April 2007, is the first major revision since it joined the luxury SUV scene in 2004 with a number of class-leading standard features. The exterior enhancements to the new QX include new front and rear fascias, new front fog lamps, new roof rack, standard 20-inch chromed aluminum-alloy wheels, and two new exterior colors – Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand.

The QX’s new interior is highlighted by a new instrument panel cluster design with Fine Vision electroluminescent instrumentation and a new genuine wood grain interior trim. Comfort and convenience is enhanced with a new 3rd-row power folding seat, standard heated steering wheel on the 4WD model, and a new stone interior.

Technological advancements include a new standard Premium Audio System with Bose® Speakers, Burr-Brown Digital Audio Converter and 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and compact flash slot for playing MP3 files, Infiniti Navigation system and Intelligent Key.

Also available is an Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with a larger screen (8.0 inches versus the previous 7.0), and a standard XM® NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® satellite radio subscription) – which allows drivers to chose the most efficient route to get to their destination.

The QX maintains its class-leading 2nd row roominess, go-anywhere ruggedness and the abundant power and up to 9,000-pound towing capability (when properly equipped) of the standard 320-horsepower DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine.

Infiniti is keeping to its promise of delivering three new cars in thirteen months by introducing the next-generation Infiniti G Coupe and a new crossover sport utility concept at the 2007 New York International Auto Show in April.



New 2008 Infiniti QX56 Ups the Ante in the Luxury SUV Marketplace
The 2008 model marks the first major revision of the Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury SUV, which burst onto the luxury SUV scene in 2004 with a number of class-leading standard features.

The QX56 continues to set the standard for luxury, performance and technology. Voted as top in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the QX56 is enhanced for the 2008 model year with a revised exterior and interior, and new technical features.

The QX56 maintains its class-leading 2nd row roominess, go-anywhere ruggedness and the abundant power and up to 9,000-pound towing capability (when properly equipped) of the standard 320-horsepower DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine. The 2008 QX56 is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in spring 2007.
The major exterior enhancements to the QX56 include new front and rear fascias, new front fog lights, new roof rack, standard 20x8J chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and heavy-duty P275/60R20 Michelin tires, and new exterior colors – Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand.

Inside, comfort and convenience is enhanced with a new 3rd-row power folding seat, standard heated steering wheel on 4WD, and new interior colors. Trim and wood designs add a rich aspect to the interior, while the standard Burr-Brown? audio system with 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and compact flash slot for playing MP3 files, Infiniti Navigation system and standard Intelligent Key add a technological twist.

Also available is an Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with a larger screen (8.0 inches versus the previous 7.0), and an XM® NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® satellite radio subscription) – which ensure that drivers and passengers get to their destination quickly and safely.

"The original QX56 has been an owner favorite, and for 2008, the new QX56 takes the qualities that make it a top SUV even further, with more style, more features and more luxury," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. "We think of the QX56 as ‘an executive suite on wheels,’ and the new model, with its technological refinement and class-leading attributes, certainly fits the bill."

At a Glance
The 2008 model year marks a redesign for the popular, full-size Infiniti QX56 sport utility vehicle, with new exterior features, interior enhancements and new technology. The myriad changes to the new QX56, which goes on sale in spring 2007, are designed to enhance the traditional virtues of the QX – which consumers voted as top in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

The 2008 QX56 features new front and rear fascias, new front fog lights, a revised one-piece roof rack design and new standard 20x8J-inch chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and heavy-duty P275/60R20 Michelin tires. Two new exterior colors, Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand, are also offered.

Inside, the new QX56 adds a power-folding 3rd row 60/40 split seat, new illuminated steering wheel controls, new designs and colors for the instrument cluster, a lockable glove box, a new Stone interior color (in addition to Wheat and Charcoal) and new wood grain interior trim.

New standard equipment includes a Burr-Brown® audio system with 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and standard Intelligent Key. Now optional is a XM® NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® satellite radio subscription), working in concert with the standard Infiniti Navigation System (hard drive-based) to display current traffic conditions, and a larger 8.0-inch screen for the optional Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System.

The QX56 retains its powerful, standard DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine. The engine is rated at 320 horsepower and 393 lb-ft of torque – 90% of which is available at 2,500 RPM for maximum towing and hauling capability.

Interior roominess remains the same with class-leading 2nd row leg room and seating for up to eight. Maximum utility is provided with generous cargo and storage capacity.

Highlights of the 2008 Infiniti QX56 include:
Body
• New front full body-type fascia with new front halogen fog light design
• New rear body-color fascia with revised shape
• New one-piece roof rack design
• Sophisticated body design with distinctive chrome "waterfall" style grille
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, Infiniti-style LED tail and brake lights
• Long wheelbase (123.2”) and a highly manageable overall length (206.9")
• Standard power folding sideview mirrors with heat, electrochromatic auto-dimming, power adjust and integrated turn signal
• Integrated body side cladding, standard Infiniti-style running boards
• Power-operated flip-out rear quarter windows
• Standard power-operated rear liftgate with opening rear glass
• Skid plates for oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank (on 4WD models)
• Standard front and rear sonar system with RearView Monitor
• New exterior colors – Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand

Engine and Driveline
• Enhanced 5.6-liter DOHC V8 producing 320 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 393 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 RPM
• Aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, molybdenum-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, single-stage timing chain
• Standard 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with tow/haul modes, gated floor shifter for enhanced shift control when towing
• Fully boxed, high-strength steel F-Alpha frame
• Infiniti All-Mode 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes, electronically controlled part-time transfer case (4WD models)
• Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Active Brake Limited-Slip and Traction Control System (includes deactivation switch)
• Class-leading 8,900-pound maximum towing capacity on 4WD (9,000 pounds on 2WD) (when properly equipped)
• Standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with warning display

Suspension, Steering and Braking
• Double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar
• Independent multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar
• Engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
• New standard 20x8J chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and heavy-duty P275/60R20 Michelin tires
• 4-wheel disc brakes with Bosch Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)

Interior Features
• All-new standard Infiniti Navigation System (hard drive-based) with 7.0-inch LCD screen
• Optional XM® NavTraffic™ with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® satellite radio subscription)
• New standard Burr-Brown® audio system with 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive, AM/FM/CD capability and steering wheel audio controls and XM® satellite radio
• New power 60/40 split 3rd row bench seat
• New 8-inch screen (up from 7-inches) with available Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with wireless headphones and remote-control
• Leather, wood and aluminum steering wheel trim, new wood grain real wood trim
• New standard heated steering wheel (4WD only)
• Standard Intelligent Key
• Steering wheel illuminated controls
• New lockable glove compartment
• Revised Fine Vision Meters
• Signature Infiniti analog clock
• Standard fold-flat 2nd row captain’s chairs with integrated armrest, available fold-flat 2nd row bench seat
• Front and 2nd row heated seats
• Standard Sojourner® leather-appointed seating surfaces, thick Tuscano carpeting
• Dual-zone electronically controlled climate control
• Rear air conditioning with dual controls (front and rear), rear heater duct
• 10-way power adjustable drivers seat, 8-way power front passenger seat
• Standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System
• Full-length overhead console with lights for each passenger
• Fold-down front passenger seat featuring cup holders
• Available Intelligent Cruise Control
• New interior color – Stone

Safety and Security
• Standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all three rows
• Standard front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
• Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front passenger occupant classification sensor
• Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones and steel side-door guard beams
• 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters
• 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including center position
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system
• Front seat Active Head Restraints

Models and Manufacturing
• Available in one fully equipped model with choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations
• Assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Canton, Mississippi Plant

A New Luxury Look
The new QX56 is immediately recognizable with its new smooth, powerful and refined exterior styling, which is a presence befitting its top-luxury status.

In the front, the distinctive “waterfall” grille is surrounded by a new front full-body type fascia with revised front fog lights. Standard jewel-like Xenon headlights illuminate the road ahead, while the large hood hints at the powerful V8 located beneath. Also new for 2008 are standard 20-inch chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and P275/60R20 tires, outlined by chrome wheel lip moldings and standard integrated side body cladding for a classy and imposing stance. A new, smooth, one-piece roof rack provides additional utility.

At the rear of the vehicle, a new body-color fascia enhances the unique taillight design, further providing visual distinction from the competition. A power liftgate with opening rear glass is standard, and pre-wiring and trailer hitch for towing is available. Two new exterior body colors are offered for 2008, Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand.

Standard exterior features include dual power adjustable folding heated sideview mirrors with auto-dim, memory, puddle lamps and integrated turn signals; privacy glass for the liftgate, 2nd and 3rd rows; power flip-out rear quarter windows; and running boards.

Standard front and rear sonar sensors work along with the RearView Monitor system, which utilizes a small CCD camera discretely located in the rear license plate finisher to provide a view (projected on the QX56’s standard navigation system LCD monitor) of what is behind the vehicle.

Revised, Feature-Laden Interior
Infiniti engineers have refined the 2008 QX56’s interior to rival the best SUV and luxury car interiors on the market, utilizing authentic materials such as wood, aluminum, stainless steel, Sojourner® leather-appointed seating surfaces and thick (16-oz.) Tuscano carpeting. Along with the new features and enhancements, the QX56 interior boasts class-leading 2nd-row legroom (41.9 inches) and a new flat-folding power 60/40 split 3rd row seat.

New interior features for 2008 include illuminated steering wheel controls, welcome meter illumination, a large lockable glove compartment, a revised gated shifter for the standard 5-speed automatic transmission, standard heated steering wheel on 4WD model, and more luxurious interior materials, including a cloth-wrapped A-pillar. New designs and colors abound in the interior, including new Fine Vision Meters, a new “Stone” interior color and new wood grain real wood interior trim.

Technological improvements to the interior include standard Intelligent Key and a new Burr-Brown? audio system with 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive. The system also includes dual media capability, allowing radio and CD use simultaneously (with 2nd-row headphone usage), AM/FM/CD, steering wheel-mounted controls and compact flash slot for playing MP3 files.

New optional features include an XM® NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information for the standard Infiniti Navigation System. The system displays current traffic conditions in color-coded images overlaid on the navigation system map (requires active XM® satellite radio subscription).

A revised Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with a larger flip-down console-mounted 8-inch monitor, as well as two wireless headphones and remote controller, is also offered.

All of these enhancements add to the already high-standard luxury feature interior, which provides standard seating for seven passengers, with available second-row bench seating making room for eight.

A modern instrument cluster with Fine Vision Meters provides clear information to the driver and the signature Infiniti analog clock, dual-zone electronically controlled climate control and rear air conditioning with dual controls (front and rear), rear heater duct, and a standard Infiniti Navigation System (hard drive-based) with 7.0-inch LCD screen round out a truly luxurious interior. Comfort is aided by 10-way driver’s/8-way front passenger’s heated power adjustable seats. The driver position is optimized through a standard adjustable brake and accelerator pedals with transmission interlock and memory function, part of the Auto Drive Positioner memory system that includes memory for pedals, sideview mirrors and driver's seat. Also standard is a Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System.

The standard seating configuration includes fold-flat 2nd row captain’s chairs with integrated armrests and a removable 2nd row center console. A fold-flat 2nd row bench seat is also available, providing 8-passenger seating. The 3rd row seating area is elevated to provide a commanding forward view and features standard roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side-impact and rollover protection and now receives its own audio speakers and amplifier.

Storage space is plentiful in the 2008 QX56 with full-length overhead storage configuration, a front overhead console with compass and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver features, front center console with large storage capacity and power outlets, side storage bins and a maximum of 14 cup holders.

Cargo capacity, with the 2nd row and new-for-2008 power 3rd row seats folded down flat, measures 97.1 cubic feet.

With the front passenger seat in the folded down position, it is possible to carry long items, such as lumber or surfboards, with the rear liftgate closed. For easier package handling, the 2008 QX56 includes rear area ceiling/floor-mounted cargo tie-down points and cargo net.

Powerful Performance and Exceptional Utility
Infiniti engineers sought to combine the best attributes of a luxury car-like ride with exceptional cargo and passenger carrying utility. The 2008 QX56 comes standard with a 5.6-liter DOHC V8, producing 320 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 393 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 RPM. For hauling, towing or serious off-road driving, nearly 90 percent of the engine's torque has been made available below 2,500 rpm.

Assembled at Nissan's advanced engine facility in Decherd, Tenn., the QX56's V8 incorporates advanced design features, such as an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, molybdenum-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, heavy duty cooling system, single-stage timing chain and, for precise control, an electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle.

An enhanced 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is also standard, and this unique component is reinforced for the high-torque application and features unique gearing and transmission management through a variable lock-up torque converter and electronic controls for improved shifting and fuel economy.
A special tow/haul mode revises shift patterns when engaged, and enables the QX56, when properly equipped, to maintain a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds for two-wheel drive and 8,900 pounds for four-wheel drive (when properly equipped).

Two drive configurations are available in the 2008 QX56, two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) featuring the Infiniti All-Mode 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with low gear.

The QX56's All-Mode 4WD system is designed to instantly distribute torque to all four wheels whenever road conditions warrant (up to 50 percent can go to the front wheels on demand), resulting in optimal traction.

A switch on the dashboard controls the two-speed electronic transfer case, allowing easy selection between auto, full-time four-wheel drive and 4LO.

For stability, the 2008 QX56 is built on the proven fully boxed high-strength steel F-Alpha frame. Rugged Dana front and rear axles provide the strength to handle on- and off-road challenges, and a comfortable ride is provided by a 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with front and
rear stabilizer bars. For additional undercarriage protection, all 4WD QX56s include heavy-duty skid plates for the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case.

Providing substantial steering and braking control is engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes with Bosch Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), and for additional stability, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Active Brake Limited-Slip (ABLS) is standard on every QX56, as is an advanced auto-leveling rear air suspension. The air suspension also maintains uniform ground clearance and departure angle, even when towing or carrying cargo, by automatically adjusting the air pressure in the system's air bladders.

The 2008 QX56 also features new-design standard 20x8J chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and heavy-duty P275/60R20 Michelin tires. A four-wheel independent monitoring Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is standard, with a gauge-cluster mounted warning lamp and display.

Optional on QX56 is Infiniti's advanced Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which, using a combination of laser sensors, throttle and brake actuators and the QX56’s braking system, measures the distance to the vehicle ahead via a laser signal, which automatically adjusts the QX56’s speed to maintain a pre-selected following distance.
NOTE: The ICC system is not intended for congested areas or city driving and will not brake the vehicle to a complete stop.

Comprehensive Safety Technology
All 2008 QX56s offer an extensive list of standard safety features, including an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front passenger occupant classification sensor, front seat Active Head Restraints, roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side-impact and rollover protection for all three rows, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants (including center position) and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system.

The QX56 also features Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones and steel side-door guard beams.

Advanced Luxury In One Inclusive Package
The 2008 QX56 is offered in one well-equipped model, with a choice of two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes the 320-horsepower 5.6-liter V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, auto-leveling rear suspension, Sojourner® leather-appointed seating surfaces, Burr-Brown® audio system with 9.5-gigabyte Music Box hard drive, Infiniti Navigation system with RearView Monitor, power-fold 3rd row seat, new wood grain trim and more.

Options include the Power Sunroof with one-touch open/close and tilt, XM® NavTraffic with active XM® satellite radio subscription, Tow Package (standard on 4WD), 2nd-row Split Bench Seat Package, Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System and Intelligent Cruise Control.

NEW YAMAHA FZ8 Unveiled

NEW YAMAHA FZ8 2010 picture

The Yamaha New FZ8 agent is ammunition injected, and uses both a burke valve and an electronically controlled sub-throttle valve to accommodate added ascendancy over assimilation airflow volume. Both the naked FZ8 and semi-faired Fazer8 models are accessible with alternative ABS. The ability assemblage develops 106.2 PS (78.1kW) at 10,000 rpm, and a acceptable 82.0 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. The bankrupt arrangement complies with the EU3 standards, application a short, ancillary army muffler and a 4-into-2-into-1 bankrupt arrangement with a bore blazon catalytic advocate adapted at the point area the attack pipes meet. The GT250 naked sports driver and the GT250R sports archetypal additionally affection EFI. Completely restyled with advancing new lines, LED stop/tail-lamp and bright indicator lenses, they are set to achieve their abode at the top of the 250cc sales charts

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EFI additionally takes a advanced row bench on the three-model 650cc GT range. The GT650 naked, the half-faired GT650S action tourer and the GT650R action all affection the new administration changes, additional bigger braking with four-piston callipers arresting 300mm semi-floating discs on all three models. Great account for abecedarian riders too. The 250cc models are automatically abecedarian approved, but so too are all four 650cc models. The LAMS accustomed 650cc EFI models now bear 40kw, up from 25kw on antecedent models. The non-LAMS 650cc versions pump out a advantageous 59kw.

NEW YAMAHA FZ8 WALLPAPER

"This is abundant timing for the Hyosung range. As Australia pulls out of its bread-and-butter dip, we accept a beginning new ambit for riders both new and experienced," said Hyosung Australia Brand Manager Simon Gloyne. "In 2006 and 2007 the Hyosung GT250R was the top affairs 250cc alley bike in Australia because of its massive amalgamation of appearance and achievement for such a low price. Now that amalgamation has beginning administration and ammunition bang beyond the absolute range, we are aiming for the cardinal one atom again."

Renault DeZir Concept - Auto Shows 2010

The French once again show their passion for design with this Paris-bound concept.
French carmaker Renault retreated from the U.S. market in 1987, leaving behind the rotting hulks of stuff like the Alliance and the Le Car. But there’s another way to look at the brand; Renault has long been well regarded for its advanced concepts and for its willingness to take risks and experiment. Indeed, some of the cars created by former Renault design chief Patrick le Quément are timeless classics, and the company also has churned out some damn impressive hot hatches, many based on the diminutive Clio. It is this Renault that excites us, and this concept, the DeZir, is stoking the fire.

The DeZir (pronounced “desire”) is the first concept penned by le Quément's successor, ex-Mazda design head Laurens van den Acker. The capital Z in the car’s name is marketing spin at its finest—it stands for “zero emissions,” as the DeZir is fully electric. There is one electric motor, which is mounted behind the passenger compartment and makes 148 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. That’s plenty to move this concept with some verve—in theory, of course—given the low, 1830-pound curb weight, achieved through the use of a tube frame and Kevlar body panels.

Renault says the DeZir could run from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds. Its hypothetical top speed is governed to an unimpressive 112 mph, however, and its range would be just 99 miles. The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged conventionally via a plug or swapped out quickly; the latter would involve so-called Quick Drop battery stations that could automate the process.

The DeZir shows an array of clever styling ideas. The front end hints at a possible new corporate face, and features horizontal bars and very prominent (and backlit) Renault diamond badge. The scissor doors are front-hinged on the driver side and rear-hinged on the passenger side—Renault waxes philosophical about the doors’ yin-and-yang–style "amorous harmony," although that just sounds like a pretentious double entendre to us. Horizontal taillights grow out of the bright red body and look fabulous.

The interior, inspired by the idea of “an amorous encounter,” is extremely innovative, with smooth, fluid curves; pulsating lights; and a one-piece, amorous-encounter-facilitating bench seat that features indentations to keep occupants from sliding around once they’re spent and on the road again. (Of course, the location of the floating center console might put a crimp on the action.) The trim of the red-and-white interior is asymmetrical. There is no rear window, but two rear cameras do their best to inform the driver about his or her surroundings. It's all rather fanciful and stylish compared to the cabins of regular cars.

The DeZir debuts at the Paris auto show this October, and Renault says it points the way for future production cars. We think that with this two-seater, Laurens van den Acker has proven himself to be the right guy to lead Renault design. With its sensuous shape and its refusal to settle for commonplace solutions, the DeZir is a typical Renault concept car in the best sense. Renault rightly pulled out of the U.S. market 23 years ago, but this concept is a reminder that we’re missing out on some impressive creativity and unconventional thinking.

New Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe - Short Take Road Test 2010

In a strange reversal, Mercedes-Benz—the company that led the current trend toward the coupification of the sedan with its CLS—is heralding the sedanification of the coupe via the 2010 E350. This is a two-door in body only; its spirit is that of a sober four-door, and it and the CLS appear to be converging on a single point: buyers who want a sedan but without all the space and convenience.

Like a poker player, the E350 has a visual “tell,” a cue that signals its intentions. Here, it is the small quarter-windows in the rear side glass. These allow the rear windows to go all the way down into the bodywork, but their presence also suggests rear doors. Once you mentally draw the cut-lines for two more portals, phantom openings keep insinuating themselves onto the sides of the car. Pull back, and it’s less of an issue. From a distance, the E coupe can be confused with the larger CL coupe, which is clearly a two-door but also—ahem—fully sedan-sized.

A Tidier E-class

Dimensionally, the E coupe is smaller than the E sedan. Its wheelbase is clipped by 6.2 inches, and the coupe is almost seven inches shorter overall, losing about one-quarter of the four-door’s rear-seat space. But despite the mildly less graceful ingress and egress (the car’s pillarless-ness helps in this regard), you hardly feel the squeeze from the back seat, where head- and legroom are almost as gracious as the sedan’s. The car feels far more luxurious overall than the CLK it replaces in the lineup, thanks to the rectilinear dash and interior theme from the E-class sedan. The features list befits a car in this segment, too—burled-wood trim, a central info screen, 11 airbags, drowsiness warning, and leather—and the options list includes the requisite high-end audio, a sport package, and more leather and wood.

Both lengths of E350—coupe and sedan—feel cut from the same bolt, sharing as they do a common C-class–derived suspension. This is also due to the character of the cars’ 268-hp V-6 engine and seven-speed automatic transmission combo, which conspires to keep both 0-to-60 times at 6.3 seconds, despite an almost 200-pound difference in curb weight. You’d think the coupe would be faster, not only because it’s lighter but also because a two-door ought to be.

That sprint, although respectable on its own, pales quickly when compared with the similarly hefty Infiniti G37S coupe’s time of 5.2. Even the down-on-power Audi A5 2.0T Quattro—cheaper, sportier, and better-looking—eked out a 10th on the Mercedes in our testing. And the 230-hp BMW 328i sedan—also sportier and cheaper—gets the job done almost a half-second quicker, as it’s more than 400 pounds lighter. Stopping distances from 70 mph are similarly out of whack. The Benz’s 170-foot squawk is 15 feet longer than the Audi’s and 10 feet longer than the BMW or the Infiniti needs.

Mission Control

So the E350 coupe isn’t bringing the heat performance-wise, but as noted above, that doesn’t appear to be its mission. Its virtues are the classic Mercedes sedan virtues: rock-solid straight-line stability, long-haul comfort in the seats, and a throttle pedal calibrated to hold a given speed unto eternity.

It gets a little confusing, then, when you start optioning the E350 coupe as though you wanted a sporty car. Check the box for the $1950 Appearance package, which includes 18-inch wheels, shift paddles, and a sport suspension, and the car feels strangely bipolar. The sport suspension’s springing is too stiff for all but the smoothest of roads and jostles the car and its occupants around in misery over broken pavement. The harder suspension does help the car settle quickly into turns, but the steering, so nonlinear off-center, doesn’t want to hear about it. Its laziness is at odds with the directness of the car’s newfound body control.

Our advice: Stick with the base suspension, and keep the E350 coupe honest. Keep it a two-door sedan. You’ll hold it close to its $48,925 base price, and you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

Best Chevrolet Offers Corvette Z06 and ZR1 Buyers the Option to Assemble their Own Engines

Hardcore Vette enthusiasts will recall that the LS7 and LS9 engines in the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 are hand-built in the metro Detroit area, meaning they’re touched and assembled by a real person’s hands rather than a series of robots. Now, buyers of the 2011 Z06 and ZR1 can opt to partake in that construction, building their very own V-8 as part of the Corvette Engine Build Experience.

The new program is more than just a marketing gimmick. Customers start with a bare engine block and install pistons, manifolds, and everything else necessary for a functioning motor. No need to worry if you’re not the most technically-savvy person, a GM technician shepherds the customer through the process so your hand-built engine will be just as reliable (and powerful) as any other. At the completion of the build, the customer’s name is affixed to a plaque on the engine—how’s that for bragging rights at cruise nights?—and the powerplant is sent to the Corvette assembly plant in Kentucky to be installed in the customer’s car.

The Performance Build Center (PBC) option must be chosen when a customer orders a 2011 Z06 or ZR1, tacking on $5800 to the car’s purchase price. The price includes food, lodging, and local transportation, but customers must pay for travel to and from Detroit, Michigan.

And if getting your hands dirty with your new machine doesn’t appeal, Chevrolet also has programs catering to the whims of other Corvette buyers. A customer can follow his or her new car along the assembly line at the assembly plant in Kentucky, or take delivery of a new car at the National Corvette Museum. Buyers of the ZR1 can also elect a complimentary high-performance driving school to help them learn the car’s performance characteristics. All are pretty cool ways to get intimate with this high-performance machinery.

New Hyundai Genesis Coupe Gets Interior Updates, New 3.8 R-Spec Model 2011

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe will enter model-year 2011 with a range of interior upgrades and a new, performance-focused 3.8 R-Spec trim. The interior revisions are geared toward creating a more upscale look, starting with chrome trim surrounds for the instrument cluster, center-stack buttons, and automatic-transmission shift gate. Fabric replaces hard plastic on the A-pillars, while dark, metallic-look accents replace plastic on the center stack, door handles, air vents, and steering wheel.

Soft-touch materials are added to the door panels, glove box, dashboard, and door armrests, with improved leather for the steering wheel. The Genesis Coupe also scores new rear coat hooks (woo!), a new trunklid handle, and improved graphics for the digital information display. Navigation and climate control become standard on the 2.0T Premium trim.

Tuner-Ready V-6 Model
The new 3.8 R-Spec trim mirrors the existing 2.0T R-Spec trim, but for models equipped with the 3.8-liter V-6 engine. The R-Spec treatment is essentially a de-contented version of the 3.8 Track model, allowing buyers to get upgraded suspension and brake components with fewer interior toys and gadgets, meaning a lower entry price for a track-focused Genesis V-6.

The 3.8 R-Spec rides on 19-inch wheels with sticky Bridgestone Potenza tires, stiffer suspension with bigger anti-roll bars, a limited-slip differential, and Brembo brakes with 13.4-inch front discs and 13.0-inch rears. Visual differentiation includes R-Spec badging, seats with black leather side bolsters and red cloth inserts, and fog lights. In keeping with the performance bent, automatic headlights and cruise control are ditched in order to save weight. Likewise, the only transmission choice is a six-speed manual. We recently drove a 2.0T R-Spec model, and while it was a solid performer, we came away thinking that the Genesis Coupe as a whole needs some reworking before it can be considered a true performance coupe.

Pricing for the 2011 Genesis Coupe has yet to be announced.

Performance Ford Racing Launches Fiesta Rally Experience

Ford Racing has teamed up with New Hampshire–based Team O’Neil Rally School to let the general public learn how to go rallying in a Ford Fiesta. Ford will campaign highly modified Fiestas in both the FIA World Rally Championship and Rally America next year, and is allowing regular car owners a chance to get in on the fun.

After a classroom session covering vehicle dynamics and car control, students at the Fiesta Rally Experience will spend time on a gravel skid pad and slalom course in the Fiestas, and will learn skills like left-foot braking. Instructors will demonstrate the legendary Scandinavian flick and give students a full-tilt ride through a rally stage. The best students will get to drive the stages themselves.

Ford donated 43 Fiestas to the school, and all have been specially prepped for rally duty with skid plates, rally suspension, off-road tires, and a roll bar to keep occupants safe. The one-day program costs $495 per person. If it’s as much fun as the above picture suggests, we’d say it’s money well spent.

New Ask C/D: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes Benz’s latest AMG bruiser has burbled its way into the Car and Driver parking lot. With so many members of the C/D staff peering in the SLS’s windows and popping the hood, we know that you readers may have questions, too. Now that the SLS is gone, and we had a chance to give it a thorough checking-out. Our replies:

Questions from O.A.O.:
Does M-B plan to drop their new 5.5L turbo V8 into the SLS? And can we ever hope to see a Black Series variant?

We spoke with Mercedes-Benz PR on this one and posed your questions specifically. The new 5.5-liter V-8 is not destined for the SLS, though you can be consoled knowing that even in the higher state of tune, AMG estimates that the 5.5-liter will make 563 hp—the same number as the specially-tuned 6.2-liter V-8 in the SLS AMG. Add to that the dry-sump system of the current 6.2 and the magnificent sound and, well, we doubt a switch to the 5.5-liter would be an upgrade.

As for a Black Series version, there certainly have been rumblings and rumors. But Mercedes steadfastly told us that there are “no plans” for a Black Series SLS AMG.

Question from Abu:
What is special about this car?

Like most cars in this price range, it’s largely about personal preference. Many of us thought it was smashing in person. In terms of performance, the SLS is no slouch—we tested it and it produced an impressive 3.5-second 0–60 run. The styling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s different, and it’s the only car on sale in America today with gullwing doors. They attract a crowd everywhere. Driving the SLS AMG is a sensory experience, and unlike many high-performance cars, it’s livable on a day-to-day basis. Not that any buyers would . . .

Question from John:
Wouldn’t it be better with a stick?

We love ourselves a good manual transmission, although as two-pedal transmissions go, the SLS offers one of the best. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is lightning-quick and friendly to driver input. In fact, we recorded the fastest 0–60 sprints in manual mode. Of course, if you leave things to the computer there are sporty S and S+ settings.

Our time with the SLS may have come to an end—for now—but our reporting on it hasn’t. Stay tuned for more. In the meantime, check out our original first drive of the SLS AMG.

Next Hyundai Elantra Interior Previewed by Home-Market Avante 2010

Hyundai has released an interior image of its all-new Avante, which is sold in South Korea. Outside the homeland, the Avante is better known as the Elantra, meaning this image previews the inside of the next Hyundai Elantra that will be sold in the U.S.

The new interior wears an attractive, grown-up design that sheds some of the current Elantra’s economy-car cues. In place are a squished-hourglass-style center stack and an instrument cluster that reminds us of that in the new Sonata. Hyundai hopes the “futuristic” design and swoopy dashboard lines will appeal to younger buyers.

The car will continue to be positioned as an entry-level vehicle, but it looks to have a wealth of options. Interior gadgets include a large touch-screen navigation system, dual-zone climate control, and buttons for Bluetooth phone connectivity, parking sensors, and what looks like a self-parking system. None of those features are available on the current U.S. Elantra, and we don’t yet know which (if any) will make their way to American-spec cars. The Korean version will be powered by a direct-injected 1.6-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new Avante debuts in South Korea this August, and an updated Elantra is likely to arrive on our shores next year.

New Novitec Tridente Tunes Maserati Quattroporte and GranTurismo

Novitec Rosso is a German tuning company known for coaxing extra horsepower from Ferrari engines. Now they have a division called Novitec Tridente—which refers to the brand’s trident logo, not the gum—charged with modifying Maseratis. Tridente has tuning packages for the Quattroporte and GranTurismo that offer over 150 more horsepower than stock.

The company’s package for the Maserati GranTurismo S bumps engine output to 600 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, versus 440 hp and 360 lb-ft in the stock car. Changes to the 4.7-liter V-8 engine consist of a supercharger offering up 5.4 psi of boost, a water-to-air intercooler, a new intake, bigger fuel injectors, and a reprogrammed engine computer. Novitec Tridente claims the car is good for 195 mph yet still meets European emissions standards.

Outside, Pirelli tires wrap lightweight wheels measuring 20 inches front, 21 inches rear. A new body kit, comprising a front spoiler, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser, is said to reduce lift. Finally, the GranTurismo receives a new suspension with adjustable height and damping settings. The entire package costs the equivalent of $30,000.
If four-doors are your thing, the tuners have worked up a similar package for the Quattroporte S and Quattroporte Sport GTS. Power climbs to 590 hp and 422 lb-ft, thanks to a 5.1-psi supercharger, a water-to-air intercooler, a new intake manifold, larger fuel injectors, and a reprogrammed engine computer. (The stock S makes 425 hp, while the Sport GTS begins life with 433.) The tweaked cars are said to be capable of 183 mph. The modified Quattroporte also scores adjustable suspension components, 21-inch wheels, and a subtle carbon-fiber rear spoiler . The conversion costs about $25,500. Pay extra, and Tridente will deck out your car’s interior with full leather-and-alcantara treatments, a Blu-ray DVD player, or a high-speed internet connection.

Audi A6 3.0T Quattro vs. 2011 BMW 535i, 2011 Infiniti M37 - Comparison Tests

At the outbreak of World War I, David Lloyd George—British statesman, prime minister, and all-around champion of the underdog—was annoyed by the then-popular refrain, “The war that will end war.” Instead, he said, “This war, like the next war, is a war to end war.”

And so go the wars among the $50,000 luxo-sports sedans, a burgeoning and combative niche whose inhabitants seemingly engage in almost monthly one-upmanship. In fact, it was just last September that we ran our “Five at Fifty” comparo, in which a quintet of 50-grand execuliners duked it out. In that battle, an Audi A6 3.0T Quattro prevailed, followed not far behind by a BMW 535i and an Infiniti M45. Since then, the would-be Audi slayers have comprehensively renovated their products, so another war—this one surely a war to end war—seemed justified.

Naturally, the Audi returned, as champions will, shod with 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s rather than the previous Pirelli P Zero Rossos.

BMW’s sixth-gen 5-series, now based on vehicle architecture shared with the 7-series, has been as thoroughly updated as the auto-dial directory in Tiger Woods’s cell phone. Several key dimensions are up, notably wheelbase (3.2 inches), length (2.0 inches), and rear track (1.9 inches). The inline-six has lost one turbo in favor of a single twin-scroll unit along with BMW’s Valve­tronic throttleless intake system, and fuel is still injected directly into each cylinder. Power and torque remain static, but the lone-turbo layout has allowed BMW to revert to a single exhaust stream wending its way through a single catalytic converter.

Next, the Bavarians have, for the first time in 5-series history, opted for steering with electric power assist—a major shake-up, as we shall see. More aluminum has been deployed, including the doors (also a first), along with the hood and the front fenders, whose skins readily flex with the push of a finger. (Odd, then, that our 2011 test car weighed 212 pounds more than our previous manual-transmission 535i.) The front suspension’s strut has been replaced with a multilink arrangement, and the rear suspension now sports a fifth link. The transmission spins not six gears but eight, which seems like an awful lot. A clutched alternator charges the battery primarily while the car is decelerating in order to waste as little energy as possible. And, finally, the grille’s insignia kidneys jut forward more arrogantly, as if to taunt those poor souls in need of a transplant.

The Infiniti, too, has undergone a major makeover, with numerous swaths of its handsome new bodywork looking downright ­Jaguarish. With a Cd of only 0.27, it’s slippery, too. Width is up 1.5 inches, length is increased by 0.6 inch, and the rear-drive M37 offers a wider track. Underhood, you’ll now find the same V-6 used in the Nissan 370Z, producing five more ponies than were available from the former V-8–powered M45.

All of that fiddling, one would suppose, should be sufficient to dethrone the aging Audi, or at least scare it. Let’s find out.

BMW 6-series Rendered - Future Cars 2012

Along with the X3, the 6-series is the oldest BMW on the market. Launched at the Frankfurt auto show in the fall of 2003, the current car has carried on for seven years, supported by a convertible version launched in 2004 and a very modest face lift in late 2007. Now it's time to move on, and this is what we believe the next-generation 6-series will look like. It will be launched in late 2010 or early 2011 and draw heavily from the Gran Coupé concept car BMW unveiled at the Beijing auto show earlier this year.

Stylistically, the next 6 will be less bulky than the current model, which—back in 2003—was the second Bangle-fied blow absorbed by BMW loyalists after the portly 2001 7-series. With LED running lights and BMW’s characteristic air intakes below the headlights, the next 6 will launch with styling elements that undoubtedly will prove less controversial than the outgoing model's protruding posterior. It will look leaner, tighter, and more aggressive than the current model.

Power initially will come from BMW’s 300-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and 400-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. Europe will get a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel likely rated around 320 hp, but we doubt it will be offered in the U.S. We will, however, get another M6, which—like the next M5—will be powered by a high-output version of the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 rated as high as 580 hp. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a manual-transmission option. The current-generation V-10 M5 and M6 were launched with the automated SMG transmission only, but U.S. customers forced BMW to hastily add a six-speed manual—a lesson unlikely to be forgotten soon. If this engine portfolio sounds awfully similar to that of the 5-series, that's because under the skin—as has been the case since the 6-series debuted in the late ’70s—the 5 is the 6's closest sibling, even though the coupe poses as a sportier, slightly downsized 7-series.

Just as it does with the current model, BMW will offer a coupe and a convertible, and we expect the latter to keep its traditional fabric roof. But this time around, there likely will be a third variation: a sedan—which inevitably will be dubbed a "four-door coupe"—to compete with the Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Judging from the four-door Gran Coupé concept, it will be beautiful enough to make us forget the 6’s stylistic sins of the recent past.

2010 Dodge Releases Photos of Mopar ’10 Challenger

The few mechanical changes comprise a new air intake and strut bracing front and rear. Dodge tells us the intake and the hood scoop should coax an additional 15 hp from the 5.7-liter V-8 engine. The Mopar ’10 Challenger also scores Super Track Pac suspension, a $400 option on other Challengers that bundles better dampers, a new rear axle, upgraded brake pads, and sticky Goodyear tires.

Dodge has given us real photos of the Mopar ’10 Challenger, and it looks just as menacing in the sheetmetal as we expected from an earlier sketch. Just 500 will be built, all finished in black with black 20-inch wheels, hood pins, and a functional hood scoop. Buyers get a choice of blue, red, or silver for the side stripes.

The cockpit is outfitted with Katzkin leather upholstery featuring Mopar ’10 stitched logos, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a unique dashboard plaque bearing the car’s serial number. Manual-equipped cars get the pistol-grip shifter seen below, although Dodge expects about 80 percent of buyers to choose the automatic, which comes with a T-shaped shift lever.

Dodge is taking pre-orders for the cars now, and they’ll arrive in dealerships across the country next month. The entry price is $38,000 with an automatic and $39,000 with a manual transmission.