April 15, 2005
2005 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe
Designed from the ground up on the racing-inspired FM (Front Mid-ship) platform, Infiniti G35 coupe expands its performance capabilities for the 2005 model year with the addition of a new Sport-Tuned Suspension Package featuring 19-inch wheels and tires, Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) and 18 additional horsepower for the G35 Coupe 6MT model with 6-speed manual transmission.
Posted at 06:06 AM in Infiniti | Permalink
April 14, 2005
2005 Nissan 350Z 35th Anniversary
Thirty-five years since its first appearance in North America, the high performance Z sports car returned in 2005 with a special commemorative 35th Anniversary model, along with a number of other enhancements, that continued the Z heritage of design, performance and value that has remained unchallenged since the original Datsun 240Z was introduced as a 1970 model.
The 35th Anniversary Z, available along with the 2005 350Z Track model, offers unique features, including enhanced horsepower from the standard Z’s 3.5-liter DOHC V6.
Posted at 06:03 AM in Nissan | Permalink
April 13, 2005
2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon
The Sportwagon is based on the entry-level X-Type sedan, which came to North America in 2002. Jaguar hoped that today's X-Type buyer would be tomorrow's customer for its other offerings, from the mid-level S-Type to the top-of-the-line XKs and XJs. And though some 100,000 X-Types have been sold in North America, the smallest Jaguar has needed incentives to keep its sales at decent levels. It's not done much to improve the brand image here, but in Europe it's been a bigger success, especially with the diesel versions now plying the streets.
The Sportwagon gives the X-Type some much-needed, mid-lifecycle interest. And the versatility of the wagon body, built around luxury trappings, gives the lineup an appealing entry in the niche dominated by Audi and BMW.
2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon
Price: $36,995
Engine: 3.0-liter V-6, 227 hp
Transmission: Five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 185.5 x 70.4 x 58.4 in
Wheelbase: 106.7 in
Curb Weight: 3761 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 18 /24 mpg
Safety Equipment: Dual airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, all-wheel drive
Major Standard Equipment: Air conditioning, AM/FM/CD player, power sunroof
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
Posted at 06:08 AM in Jaguar | Permalink
April 08, 2005
2005 Volkswagen Jetta
Confusing? Yes, which is why VW tells us to think of the "new" Jetta as a 2006 model, even if it isn't officially.
It should be though, as the all new fifth-generation Jetta is totally different from the previous generation in looks and feel.
2005 Volkswagen Jetta
Base price: $18,515 (manual); $19,590 (automatic)
Engine: 2.5-liter in-line five, 150 hp/170 lb-ft
Drivetrain: Five-speed manual or six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 179.3 x 69.3 x 57.5 in
Wheelbase: 101.5 in
Curb weight: 3230 lb (manual)
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 22/30 mpg
Safety equipment:Anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake distribution, traction control, dual front and side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners
Major standard equipment: Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, 60/40 split folding rear seat
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
Posted at 06:06 AM in Volkswagen | Permalink
April 07, 2005
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Posted at 06:22 AM in Porsche | Permalink
April 06, 2005
Ferrari 430 Spider Makes North American Debut
The F430 Spider is the newest open-top car from Ferrari, joining the F430 coupe which debuted last fall at the Paris Motor Show. The Ferrari F430 coupe and F430 Spider the new mid-engine V8-powered sports cars from the legendary Italian automaker. The F430 incorporates advancements in design, technology and performance that promise to push it beyond the achievements of the 360 Modena, which it will replace in the Ferrari lineup.
Posted at 06:09 AM in Ferrari | Permalink
April 05, 2005
Jeep Reveals Commander and Grand Cherokee SRT8 in New York
Here in New York Jeep rolled into the full-size SUV segment with its new 2006 Commander, the first Jeep with 7-passenger seating wrapped in an exterior package that looks remarkably like the original Jeep Cherokee. The exterior shape is very square and vertical, characterized by an upright windshield, vertical back glass and straight sides, capped off with the signature Jeep seven-slot grille.
Posted at 06:06 AM in Jeep | Permalink
April 04, 2005
Two New Sedans From Lexus
Lexus takes the wraps off its next-generation IS and the innovative GS 450h hybrid.
When Lexus first introduced the IS sport sedan for the 2001 model year, the automaker had the BMW 3-Series in its sights. It seems appropriate that within hours of BMW debuting its next-generation 3-Series, Lexus would show the next version of the IS, too.
The new IS is the second example of styling that Lexus refers to as L-Finesse. The first was the new GS, which just went on sale this month. L-Finesse is represented by simplicity in design with a look of understated luxury.
At the top of the IS lineup will be the IS 350. Powered by an all-new 3.5-liter V6, the new sport sedan will have more than 300 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters will be standard. The IS 350 will also feature a revised version of teh Lexus VDIM stability control system that was introduced in the new GS.
The IS lineup will also include an IS 250, which will get a new 2.5-liter engine expected to produce more than 200 horsepower, teamed with a 6-speed sequential manual transmission. The IS 250 will be available with either rear-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive. The automaker expects the IS 250 will make up around half of annual IS sales.
Sales of the new IS will begin this fall. Pricing information will be made available closer to the vehicle's on-sale date.
In addition to the new IS, in the Big Apple Lexus introduced a car that continues the prominence of hybrid vehicles for its parent company Toyota. The Lexus GS 450h will be the first luxury sedan—as well as the first rear-wheel drive vehicle—to feature a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
This new hybrid powertrain is unique to the GS 450h. It features a 3.5-liter V6 engine teamed with a high-output electric motor that, when combined, will produce "substantially" more than 300 horsepower, according to Lexus vice president of marketing Mark Templin. Lexus claims that this hybrid will be quicker than the new V8-powered GS 430, yet it should achieve fuel economy similar to that of a compact sedan with a 4-cylinder engine.
Similar to the way Honda has marketed its Accord hybrid, the GS 450h will be at the top of the GS lineup. The new hybrid is expected to go on sale as a 2007 model in the spring of 2006
Posted at 06:00 AM in Lexus | Permalink
April 01, 2005
New Concept From Scion
The newest Toyota division shows off its latest concept vehicle here in New York.
Just three years after the introduction of the Scion brand, the youth-oriented division of Toyota debuts an all-new concept called the t2B.
Designed at Toyota's Calty Design Studio in Newport Beach, the t2B is purely a design exercise, according to Jim Farley, vice president of Scion at Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. However, the two concepts that launched the Scion brand back in 2002 were very close to the production models that followed.
The t2B features an aggressive-looking front end and a somewhat boxy form, similar to the current Scion xB. However, this concept is much more shapely, with side windows that wrap around the front of the vehicle. A large rear window is featured as well, which Scion says is part of a design theme called "demado," which is Japanese for bay window.
The wedge-shaped roof allows for the aggressive exterior while retaining a roomy interior. There are no door handles to mar the smooth lines, and a large power sliding door allows easy access from the passenger side to both the front and rear seats. On the driver's side are two rear-hinged "suicide" doors.
The interior evokes a "lounge-like atmosphere." In the ceiling are two clear panels running the length of the vehicle. Passengers would have access to movies, games or music via Internet download, and the movies can be shown on the rear glass via a ceiling-mounted projector. This effectively turns the car into an entertainment center. Of course, Farley noted, these features would be used when the vehicle is parked.
Built on an all-new Toyota platform, the t2B comes gets power from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Scion designers had plenty of other ideas, showing two models of other possibilities for this new platform in New York. The one-quarter scale models feature fastback and pickup designs.
All three Scion models currently for sale in the U.S. also began as auto show concepts that quickly made their way into production. It's a fairly safe bet that this successful brand will eventually launch another new model based on this t2B design study.
