2009 Nissan Infiniti FX35

The FX35 models are available with standard 303-horsepower 24-valve DOHC 3.5-liter V6 engines, while the FX50 offers a standard 390-horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine with Variable Valve Lift & Event (VVEL). All models feature a new, standard 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and available solid magnesium paddle shifters (standard on FX50). The Infiniti FX is a showcase of Infiniti’s design and technology leadership, including available Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) and Lane Departure Prevention system (LDP). The FX50 includes available Continuous Damping Control (CDC)®, Rear Active Steer and 21-inch super lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels designed by Enkei.


2009 Infiniti FX

New 2009 Porsche Boxster S

Porsche Boxster Model year 2009 upgrades start where they do for any enthusiast machine: in the engine bay. The previous base Boxster's 2.7L flat-six has given way to a new 2.9L unit. Power rises from 245 to 255 hp; the Cayman's 2.9 is rated at 265 hp. There's no displacement increase for the S versions; it remains 3.4L, but the powerplant is largely new and boasts direct fuel injection. It spools out 310 hp in the Boxster S and 320 in the Cayman S, increases of 15 and 25 hp respectively.


Porsche's in-house developed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe -- call it PDK for short -- is a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle that's as modern as they come. It's really two separate transmissions, each with its own clutch. PDK allows control and responsiveness the old Tip S couldn't dream of and suffers none of the friction loss of a conventional automatic. It's available as an option on both Boxster and Cayman models.Boxster interior was rightly criticized as being too cheap and chintzy, something Porsche began working on early and has continued to upgrade. The '09 boasts a first-class cabin with a new center stack and new audio options. The optional (Porsche Communication Management) system incorporates a touch-sensitive monitor for the nav, audio, and other functions.

Naturally, you can connect your iPod, link your phone via Bluetooth, and even slip the SIM card out of your phone and right into a slot on the dash for full integration with the on-board system. Order up a Bose 10-speaker surround-sound speaker system if you like. New optional seats are now heated and cooled.

Boxster are minimal. New, larger front air intakes, rear diffuser, two tailpipes, new outside mirrors. You can see for yourself when the new Boxster and the new Cayman with the same improvements enter showrooms in March in the United States.The price increases will be fairly stiff,That could a minimum of $52,000 for the base model and $61,000 for the Boxter S.

Clarion NX509E Multimedia Car

The in-car electronics and multimedia specialist has launched today the new Clarion NX509E multimedia system. The Clarion NX509E promises to be as user friendly as possible despite the fact that it has the full spectrum of features. The Clarion NX509E is DVD-Video/DVD±R/DVD±RW/CD/CD-R/RW ready and is MP3/WMA/AAC compatible with ID3-TAG display. The new system is also able to play DivX videos.

The Clarion NX509E has direct iPod control via a rear USB connector and a fully-motorized 7-inch QVGA color touch-screen.

Press Release:

To utilise the many features on offer, Clarion’s NX509E incorporates 2-Zone technology, separating the in-car environment into two distinct zones, so that a DVD for example, can be shown in the back (with the addition of a suitable screen/screens), whilst the front seat passengers can listen to their favourite songs via CD, Radio, USB or iPod.

Clarion’s sophisticated NP509E navigation system is incorporated into the NX509E unit as standard, and offers the most up-to-date navigation experience. A rich POI database offers instant access to just about any point-of-interest in a surrounding area, including petrol stations, ATMs, leisure facilities and much more, whilst a ‘My POI’ feature allows you to add your own into a favourites file.

Encouraging safer driving, the NX509E’s navigation uses test-to-speech voice guidance to give clear and precise instructions, including road names, in much the same way they would be read out.

Bluetooth connectivity is an optional addition, via the BLT373 interface, allowing safe access to a number of mobile phone functions.

To enhance the home-entertainment feel of its in-car AVN unit, Clarion utilises a 24-bit D/A converter (usually found in expensive home audio systems) to cancel unwanted background noise, and create a clearer, more realistic audio reproduction.

Meanwhile, Magna Bass EX provides extra low-frequency impact (boosting bass by 10dB at 60 Hz), for a well-balanced sound reproduction, whilst the addition of BBE MP (Minimised Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation) enhances compressed music formats.

The NX509E sports the most sophisticated navigation graphics, with comprehensive digital elevation model data used to create a realistic 3D landscape at all levels of zoom, whilst clear lane and signpost information and RDS-TMC traffic information delivers real-time, free traffic information whenever required, to lessen the chance of getting lost or stuck in a ‘jam’.The Clarion NX509E price has not been announced yet.

2009-2010 New Jaguar XFR

first reaction to the news the Jaguar XFR's all-new, supercharged 5.0L direct-injection V-8 develops 510 hp is a faintly disappointed "Oh..." It might outgun the 500-hp BMW M5 and the 507-hp Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, but it comes up short against Cadillac's mighty 556-hp CTS-V and Audi's head-banging 572-hp RS6. We're here to tell you, however, that sheer horsepower ain't everything. Just point the new XFR at your favorite stretch of gnarly two-lane, nail the gas, and you'll soon see what we mean.

The XFR is, of course, the new flagship car in an upgraded and expanded XF range for the 2010 model year. By now you will have noticed the entirely predictable exterior mods: a new front bumper fascia with large air intakes, deeper sills, a vented hood, new 20-in. alloy wheels, and quad tailpipes. Inside, the XFR retains the XF's cool and charismatic interior design, though Dark Oak veneer is the standard wood trim, complementing a unique dark mesh-aluminum dash panel. The XFR's front seats feature electrically adjustable bolsters for greater side support.

The big news is all under the skin: suspension tweaks that include magneto-rheological shocks, bigger brakes, an active differential, and the supercharged version of the all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engine.

The 5.0L Gen III has been designed in-house at Jaguar. The new engine is almost an inch shorter than the current 4.2L V-8, thanks to the relocation of the oil pump. The aluminum block is now a high-pressure die-cast item with cross-bolted main bearing caps. The four-valve cylinder heads are made from recycled aluminum, and the camshafts feature variable valve timing activated by the torque motions of the valves themselves instead of oil pressure, enabling the oil pump to be reduced in size. The engine features what Jaguar claims is an industry-first direct-injection system with centrally mounted, multihole, spray-guided injectors.

2008 Mazda 6

Like most Frankfurt previews, we get to see the car but not much of the details yet, so let’s just feast our eyes on this new second generation Mazda 6 for now and wait until more details surface.

Mazda say the new second generation 2008 Mazda 6 is lighter than it’s predecessor – something that breaks the tradition of newly released cars getting heavier and heavier with every generation. The new Mazda 6 does not share a platform with the Mondeo’s EUCD platform, instead uses a revised version of first generation CD3 platform.

From these photos, you can see three variants are available – a sedan, a liftback and a station wagon.

New Leon Cupra R gets 265HP 2.0 TSI

Frankfurt Motor Show, being held from 17-27 September, will see Seat unveiling its most potent series production model to date, the new Leon Cupra R. Based on the 2009MY Leon Cupra facelift that was revealed at the Barcelona Show in April, the R replaces the standard model's 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with a 265-horsepower direct injection 2.0 TSI.

It's not clear if the 2.0 TSI is the same engine found in the Audi S3, but Seat claims that the new four-banger features a new, high-pressure fuel pump injector to "satisfy its greater performance demands, while fully complying with strict EU5 emissions standards."S

The extra grunt allows the front-wheel drive only Leon Cupra R to slash the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint from 6.4 seconds (standard Cupra) to 6.1 seconds and top speed climbs from 247 km/h (154mph) to 250 km/h (155mph). The standing kilometer takes 25.7 seconds while Seat announces a combined fuel economy of 8.1 lt / 100km or 29mpg US / 34.9mpg UK.

Aside from the 'R' logos on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key, the range-topping Leon also gets 19 inch, five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tyres. The larger wheel assembly allowed Seat's engineers to upgrade the braking system with 17 inch 345 x 30 mm discs at the front and 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear.

Inside the Leon Cupra R gets a pair of racing-style bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminum pedal arrangement.

Seat is expected to reveal further details including prices and the official launch of the Leon Cupra R date closer to the Frankfurt Show.

2011 Kia Sorento at its first U.S. Plant in Georgia

2011 Kia Sorento CUV will be produced at Kia's first U.S. plant in West Point, Georgia, making it the company's first domestically built vehicle, the Korean automaker announced today. The first examples of the new Sorento that has already been unveiled in its home market are scheduled to begin rolling off the assembly line before the end of the year.

"It will be a historic milestone when the first Sorento rolls off the assembly line at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia later this year," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. "Our first domestically built vehicle, the all-new Sorento will be built by team members who have undergone rigorous training and who have great pride in their newly learned skills."



The 2011 Kia Sorento gets seating for seven while it also features a unibody design rather than the previous model's body-on-frame setup.

Spiced Up Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera Gemballa-prepped Mistrale appeared on the internet today providing us with our first glimpse of the German tuning firm's take on the Panamera sports sedan. The company has not published any official information on the Mistrale but it's almost certain that aside from the exterior appointments, Gemballa's sport package will also comprise of chassis and engine upgrades.

From what we can tell, the Mistrale's bodykit consists of a new front bumper that includes a carbon fiber lip, air vents on the hood, a new rear skirt with integral diffuser, additional air vents and larger tail pipes plus a carbon fiber rear wing and a decorative reflector strip with firm's name between the tail lights. The beefier 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black complete the exterior styling changes. [ Via: Autoblog.nl ]

Volkswagen and Porsche become an Integrated Automotive Group

VW announced today that Volkswagen and Porsche will become an Integrated Automotive Group as the Supervisory Board approved a comprehensive agreement. The agreement says that both the solid financial base of Volkswagen and Porsche's independence will be preserved. both companies hope this agreement will result in high growth, earnings and synergy potential accompanied by job security.



Volkswagen and Porsche will total sales of 6.4 million vehicles and more than 400,000 employees.Under this agreement, Volkswagen will take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009. this process will end with the complete merger of Porsche SE with Volkswagen.

Nissan GT R car Fire Lamp

Nissan GT-R utility vehicle and which is a better place to put it at work than the Nurburgring race track in Germany. This Nissan GT-R fire fighting car is a ultra-rapid response emergency vehicle which was offered by the Japanese carmaker to Nordschleife circuit's officials.

The Nissan GT-R fire fighting car was designed by M&M Automotive and features a medium-pressure extinguisher system (20 bars), winding device for the hose and a radio communication system. The Nissan GT-R fire fighting car will be able to fight an unfortunate event for around 2 minutes on one tank.



The Nissan GT-R fire fighting car is based on the standard model with a power output of 485 PS.

Honda Accord Type-S

European market Accord Type-S line-up with the addition of a petrol-engine model powered by the same 2.4-liter four-banger with 201 HP that we find in the other versions of the Accord, which by the way, is sold in the States as the Acura TSX. Up until now, the Accord Type S, which made its official debut at the Geneva Show earlier this year, was offered exclusively with Honda's 180-horsepower 2.2-liter turbo diesel.

Despite the promising logo, the Accord Type S does not feature any mechanical upgrades as changes are limited to a new aero kit with front and rear aprons, side skirts, smoke chrome finished grille and clear indicator covers along with newly styled 18-inch alloy wheels.

Complementing the suite of exterior changes, are aluminum sport pedals and footrest, sport seats in a combination of fabric and leather plus a aluminum and leather shift knob for the 6-speed manual gearbox (buyers can also opt for an automatic transmission).



In Germany, the Accord Type S 2.4 will be offered in a limited run of 900 units with prices starting from €32,000 (about $46,100 US at today's exchange rates).

Honda Exclusive Zeus makes the Honda Insight a little more appealing

Not impressed by the sportiness of your Honda Insight hybrid? Well, let Japan’s Exclusive Zeus help you out. The Japanese tuner is offering a body kit for the Insight that offers a lowered suspension, a new front apron, side skirts, a blacked out grille, a new rear apron and a diffuser.

You also get a set of new alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile tires.

No performance upgrades are being offered, so you’re stuck with your 98-hp 1.3L SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. However, you’ll probably still enjoy 40/43 mpg (city/highway). [Source: egmCarTech]

Honda to begin sales of two more hybrid models in 2010

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z sporty hybrid model in February 2010 and Fit Hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models, which leverage the unique characteristics of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency. In addition, Honda is currently developing a new hybrid system which is intended to be installed on mid- to large-size vehicles.

Honda also announced that, in addition to the No. 1 line at its Suzuka Factory, the production of Insight also began on Suzuka's No. 3 line in mid-June 2009, leveraging Honda's flexible production system.

In order to continue contributing to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda will continue to focus on research and development of technologies which improve fuel-efficiency and strive to deliver products with improved environmental performance to as many customers as possible by making such products more accessible to all people. [Source: Honda Media Website]

Honda Fit and Honda Jazz becomes Japan's best selling vehicle for first half of 2009

Honda Fit and Honda Jazz becomes Japan's best selling vehicle for the first half of 2009 with 65,589 vehicles being sold between January and June 2009.[source: ホンダのWebサイト]

Honda Mugen Euro to build Type R prototype

Following media speculation, MUGEN EURO Co., Ltd has confirmed the development of a highly-tuned Honda Civic Type R 'MUGEN' concept prototype road car, using the same powertrain as the Civic MUGEN RR saloon launched in 2007 in Japan.

The car is being developed in Japan by MUGEN EURO – the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s long standing tuning partner MUGEN – and will be brought to the UK for testing later in the year. At this stage, the car is being prepared purely as a prototype model.

To enhance the performance of the already-impressive Civic Type R, MUGEN EURO will tune Honda’s 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine to produce more power and torque, as well as developing the brakes, exhaust and suspension. Externally, the Civic will take on an even more aggressive appearance, with a new aerodynamic package including a larger rear boot spoiler.

“In standard trim, the Civic Type R is a thrilling machine to drive,” said Hiro Toyoda, Vice President of MUGEN EURO. “It is a fantastic base model from which we hope to develop one of the quickest point to point front-wheel-drive road cars in the country.”

There are currently no plans for a production model. [Source: Newspress]

Honda CR-Z to be available for sale end 2010

The latest issue of Honda Malaysia's 'With Dreams' newsletter has a feature on the CR-Z. Inside, it quotes a speech by the Honda Motor Co. Ltd. CEO in December 2008 that says that the CR-Z will be 'available for purchase by the end of 2010'. This suggests that the original target of a JDM launch at this year's Tokyo Motor Show has been cancelled and postphoned.

Source: Vtec.net