Automotive News

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan

click the above image to view pics of the 2007 NISMO 350Z

In July you’ll be able to purchase the fifth and most hardcore model in Nissan’s 350Z lineup, the 2007 NISMO 350Z. While we don’t know pricing yet, we can tell you what the NISMO Z features above and beyond a garden variety 350Z. The most obvious addition is the NISMO aerodynamics package that includes a new front fascia with a highly extroverted front chin spoiler, side skirts and a new rear fascia with a diffuser big enough on which to throw a picnic for two. The car also features a specially tuned independant multi-link suspension, big Brembo brakes, a NISMO-tuned exhaust and NISMO gunmetal gray RAYS lightweight 5-spoke forged-alloy wheels wearing Bridgestone Potenzas. The front wheels are 18-inches large while the rears grow to 19-inches. The interior features exclusive black cloth seats with red inserts and red stitching throughout, as well as NISMO white and gray gauges.

While we’ve never been disappointed with Nissan’s VQHR 3.5L V6, which in this case pumps out 306 horsepower and 268 ft-lbs. of torque just like the standard Z, we are a bit disappointed the NISMO isn’t fitted with the new 3.7L version planned for the 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe. It was probablay a timing thing and the larger V6 will end up in the 350Z soon enough, we hope.

Check out the press release after the jump and our gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized pics showing the 2007 NISMO 350Z

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading New York Preview: Nissan unveils 2007 NISMO 350Z

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Click here to advertise on the Worlds largest Blog Advertising Network

Filed under: Concept Cars, Gadgets, New York Auto Show, Safety, Tech, Crossovers/CUVs, Infiniti

The Infiniti EX concept that will debut next week at the New York Auto Show features a trick piece of parking assist technology called the Around View Monitor. It uses four cameras placed around the vehicle to create a composite video feed showing an aerial view of the vehicle. While we don’t know much about how it works, the system features cameras placed in the grille, beneath both side view mirrors, and below the Infiniti badge on the concept’s rear hatch. The camera in the grille is especially trick, as it’s concealed when not in use and rolls out when activated. It’s even chromed to match the grille! The obvious use of the system is to aid in difficult parking manuevers. As such, we bet it can only be turned on when the vehicle is in Reverse. We’d love to see someone hack the system to record a trip in motion from the sky, though.

Check out the video from Infiniti after the jump to see how the system works.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Continue reading Infiniti’s Around View Monitor is watching

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Blog advertising

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

The Detroit News is reporting that the United Auto Workers union is hosting a town hall meeting for workers at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Kentucky this Saturday. Not an organization known to mince words, the UAW has labeled the meeting’s topic as “The Human cost of Toyota’s Success”. A press release issued about the meeting states that workers will talk about on-the-job injuries, the use of temps, and concerns about conditions at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky. In attendance will be UAW Vice President Terry Thurman.

As far as we know, the UAW has not managed to establish a credible presence at any automotive assembly plant in the U.S. owned by a foreign automaker. The union would certainly have us believe that the town hall meeting will be attended by a number of disgruntled Toyota employees ready to take action against their employer in a more organized way. Indeed, Thurman states “Our union is firmly and fully committed to helping these workers gain justice.”

Problem is, we’ve never heard of these gross injustices being perpetrated against workers employed by foreign automakers. Perhaps that’s because these workers have never had an organized voice before, but it could also be because their jobs are no worse or better than those under the umbrella of the UAW at domestic automakers. Truly, we really don’t know which is the case and are very interested in what the workers at Toyota’s assembly plant in Kentucky have to say.

[Source: The Detroit News]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Buy any word or phrase on this site and thousands of others using Phrase Links™

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler

Chooseco LLC (nice name) has filed a trademark lawsuit against DaimlerChrysler for Jeep’s new marketing campaign that uses the tag line “Choose Your Adventure,” which apparently is too close to the publisher’s popular series of “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Remember those? They were the books that always got checked out first from your grade school library, forcing you to look for dirty words in the encyclopedia instead.

The publisher is miffed at not just the similar tagline, but the entire campaign, which it claims is aimed at men in their 20s and 30s who grew up reading “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Both sides are currently talking, though Jason Vines, head communicator for the Chrysler Group, says his company offered to link to the publisher’s website from the Jeep brand webpage. “Obviously, they’re looking for money,” he said. “We’d offered to link our site, which gets nine katrillion times more traffic, to their site.” Truly a maestro of words, that Vines.

Though DCX was hit with a cease and desist letter on March 16th, the campaign is already in full force, with magazine and TV ads already out there. Airtime during the NCAA finals this weekend has also been bought, as well. There’s no putting the toothpaste back in this tube, so we’ll likely see Chooseco settle for an easy payday.

NOTE: The book shown is not an actual CYOA title, just one of many farcical photochops found on the net.

[Source: WCAX.com via Winding Road]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Click here to advertise on the Worlds largest Blog Advertising Network

Filed under: Supercars, Lamborghini

click above image to view desktop wallpaper-sized pics of the Lambo Alar

According to our friends over at Argentina Auto Blog (no relation), the debut of the controversially-styled Lamborgini Alar has been postponed from tomorrow to Wednesday of next week. The show at which the officially sanctioned Lambo was to debut, Expo World Cars, has been pushed back on account of weather. Designed by Joan Ferci, the Alar stands as one of the most fugly supercars ever badged with the famous Italian bull. For proof, check out the new high-res profile shot that was released, as well as the rest of our Lamborghini Alar gallery.

Thanks for the tip, Carlos!

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Create Instant Buzz

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Audi

In a world full of AMG and M models, Audi can’t be satisfied with fielding only the 436-hp, V10-powered S6. That’s why it’s working on returning the RS6 to the lineup. The new RS6 was caught by Brenda Priddy’s spies doing laps on the Nurburgring in Germany. Wearing a migrane-inducing camo pattern, the RS6 is distinguished by fenders that push out wider to handle larger wheels and a rear diffuser that houses a pair of oval tailpipes. As the linked article indicates, while the S model sports four round tips, RS models stand out with these oval pipes. There was no mention of what may power the RS6, though it needs to be pretty hot motor to best the detuned V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo that powers the S6. We’ve heard rumors of a twin-turbo version of the V10 producing between 500 and 550 horsepower, though other mills are being considered, too.

Thanks for the tip, Zerin!

[Source: Speedsportlife.com]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Buy any word or phrase on this site and thousands of others using Phrase Links™

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Videos, Supercars, Dodge

Hennessey has a long history of making big horsepower, usually involving turbochargers. This in-car video from a breathed-on Viper shows off just how quickly Hennessey’s mods can make the scenery blur. We really hate the sound of the fuel pump at the beginning of the clip - it’s loud and obtrusive, and covers up a lopey idle from the V10. We’re going to go out on a limb here and state that the cam isn’t stock, and that’s where the bumpy idle comes from. The fuel pump is quickly forgotten when the run starts. After a soft-shoe launch to maintain traction, the driver lays into it. The twin huffers sing their banshee song, things get real fast in a hurry, and ultimately 220 MPH is achieved in 24.1 seconds. Thanks to our friends over at Streetfire for yet another clip to giggle like schoolgirls over instead of working.

Video after the jump

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: One Dodge Viper + two honkin’ turbos = 220 MPH in 24.1 sec

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Click here to advertise on thousands of blogs including mine

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA, Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Chrysler

Well, Glassback has a better ring than “big ol’ moonroof”. Either way, Classic Design Concepts of Novi, MI came up with a slick way to augment the light coming through the 300’s gun-slit sideglass. CDC’s SEMA-award winning mod installs a piece of metallized glass where once there was only metal. Harking back to the ‘58 Eldorado, a stainless overlay covers the little bit of roof left. Rounding out the change from 300 to Glassback is CDC’s Stainless Effects body kit. There’s a new chin spoiler, rockers, a bit for the decklid that proudly announces Glassback, as well as other bits of brightwork.

Beyond style, there are a couple of real-world benefits to the glass roof. First, the Vanceva(R) glass panel attenuates noise in the 1000-6000Hz range by up to six decibels. That’s a lot, as dBs are a logarithmic measure, so six dB is twice as quiet as a standard as a metal roof. That 1-6K frequency range just happens to be where a lot of voice action occurs, so conversations inside your Glassback will be easier. The glass is also excellent at blocking out UV and Infrared radiation, due to it’s metallic layers. You’ll have nearly the same experience as a convertible, without the noise, or the sunburn on your melon. You may have to rumble up the exhaust a bit to get through that noise attenuation, but that’s nothing a couple Flowmasters can’t handle.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

[Source: CDC]

 

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Create Instant Buzz

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi

A seminal car like the Audi R8 needs a proper marketing push to become an effective halo vehicle, so the Stuttgart crew has produced the first commerical for its supercar called “Warm Up”. Much like the recent Shell/Ferrari commercial (if you haven’t seen it, do so), “Warm Up” takes us from the past all the way up the present. Audi begins 70 years ago with the introduction of the mid-mounted engine, which leads to the use of aluminum construction for the first time, quattro all-wheel drive and finally the automaker’s FSI direct injection technology.

Filmed over six days in Mexico, “Warm Up” certainly has a lot of production appeal and features the R8 front and center the whole time. It also features five actors, 1,050 extras and 100 crew members. A little movie of its own, “Warm Up” will be debuted during the showing of “I, Robot” on the RTL Channel in Europe on April 6th.

Check out the full commercial after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading VIDEO: “Warm Up” Audi’s first commercial for the R8

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Click here to advertise on the Worlds largest Blog Advertising Network

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Mercedes Benz

While most everything in the MB AMG stable (including the CL63 AMG) is getting or has already gotten AMG’s monster 6.2L 500+ horsepower all-motor V8 crammed underhood, the big CL-class coupe is the beneficiary of a second AMG upgrade. The CL65 AMG, arriving fall ‘07, receives the 6.0L biturbo V12 thrust carnival found in it’s S-Class AMG cousin. This is a perfectly good thing, as the powerplant is good for 612 horses and a tire liquefying 738 lb-ft of torque. 62 miles per hour arrives in 4.4 seconds — no small feat, given the CL’s 4,900-lb curb weight. Those kind of numbers are usually reserved for aftermarket tuning houses whose upgraded machinery costs a lot more than the factory AMG cars.

The CL65 AMG debut coincides with AMG’s 40th anniversary, and, as such, a special (and very limited) edition is available. Only forty CL65 “40th Anniversary” cars will be built, and each one is finished in liquid-metallic-looking Alubeam paint, which has previously appeared on Mercedes-Benz show cars only. Inside, diamond-patterned quilted leather, an Alcantara headliner, and edition-specific trim such as embossed “V12″ headrest logos and carbon fiber accents round out the package. The rest of the car features everything you expect from AMG, including the tasteful aero kit and big split-spoke wheels. If you can’t afford an SLR (not many can), this big coupe may well be the next best thing you can drive out of a Mercedes dealership.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading New York Preview: Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

 

Permalink | Email this | Comments

---

BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Click here to advertise on thousands of blogs including mine