They’ve done it again. Nissan’s familiar VQ series engine has been included in the latest ‘10 Best Engines’ list by Ward’s, making it the 14th straight year a VQ series engine has earned that distinction. This also makes it the only engine to be included in the list every year since the award began back in 1995.

The new engine is the VQ37VHR, which is actually used in the Infiniti G37 Coupe. New features of the V6 engine is VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) technology, which sees final output rate in at 330hp (246kW) and 366Nm (270lb-ft) of torque. Although based on a similar design to previous VQ engines, the latest powerplant contains approximately 35% new and unique parts from the Infiniti G35 sedan’s VQ35HR unit.

The VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance, response and efficiency.

To qualify for the award, engines must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification models and be on sale no later than the first quarter of 2008. The catch is that the cars must be priced no more than $54,000 - a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

Source: Nissan wins 14th straight Ward’s 10-Best Engines award

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Good news for our friends in the Great White North. For the ‘08 model year, the MINI Cooper Clubman (R55) and MINI Cooper (R56) with standard transmission are eligible for a CA$1,000 rebate from the Canadian government!

As part of the Government of Canada’s plan to protect the environment, the ecoAUTO Rebate Program encourages Canadians to buy or lease fuel-efficient vehicles. It offers rebates from CA$1,000 to CA$2,000 to people who buy or enter a long-term lease (12 months or more) for a new fuel-efficient vehicle.

One of the requirements is for new passenger cars with a combined city-highway fuel consumption of 6.5 litres (L)/100 kilometres (km) or less. This is why the automatic transmission equiped car doesn’t get the deal.

The auto will cost you about CA$100 over the course of the year in extra fuel. Add to that the cost of that option (CA$1390) plus the lost rebate (CA$1,000) and it really will cost you over CA$2,400 the first year alone. That sounds like pretty good incentive to learn to drive a manual transmission.

Thanks to Andrei for sending this in and doing the math!

[ Vehicles Eligible for the ecoAuto Rebate Program ] Transport Canada

[ 2008 Model Year ecoAUTO Eligibility ] Complete List

Written By: DB

Source: Canadians Save $1,000 on an ‘08 MINI

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Sam Abuelsamid
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors

On Wednesday December 12, Tesla Motors held a open town hall meeting for all of its customers. The meeting was hosted from San Carlos and made available via conference call to everyone who has put down a deposit. I spoke with Darryl Siry after the meeting, and he said a full transcript will be on the Tesla Motors Club discussion board. Chairman Elon Musk and new CEO Ze’ev Drori provided an update on the status of the company and Roadster.

The weak link in the Roadster remains the transmission. The problem of surviving the process of shifting gears while the motor remains at full torque is a tough one to overcome. Both of the first two suppliers proved to not be up to the task. There are now two other transmission suppliers working feverishly in parallel to develop a robust transmission. In spite of these issues, production unit number one has been built at the Lotus factory in Hethel, England. That’s Musk’s car and it does not have a finalized transmission. Musk fully expects to have to replace the transmission in a few thousand miles. Continue reading after the jump.

[Source: Tesla Motors Club, Tony Belding]

In fact, in order to get production going, Tesla is considering shipping early cars with transmissions that they expect to fail and a slightly reduced performance calibration. Once the final transmissions are available, these early vehicles would be retrofitted with new gearboxes and software. Speaking of software that is still being tweaked, the previous test that yielded a 245 mile range was erroneous. Latest testing now puts the range in the 220-230 mile region.

In response to a customer query about increasing top speed, the response was that higher speed stability would require more downforce. The problem is that downforce is a trade off with drag, and that would cut the range too much.

From a business perspective, the plan remains the same, with management intent on staying independent. While another funding round is in progress, Elon Musk remains committed to the venture. Even if every other investor decides to pull out their money, Musk said he would personally back the company. Until things settle out with the Roadster, plans for future cars like the WhiteStar will not be finalized. Any future products will be electrically driven but may contain a range extender in addition to a battery. Check out all of Tony’s notes and the responses at the discussion board.

Source: Tesla: Roadster production unit #1 completed; future models may use range extender

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Simona Alina
Filed in: Volkswagen | 2008 | concept cars | Detroit Auto Show

According to AutoSpies, Volkswagen will launch a new concept based on the Audi R8, at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The Concept called Rayra will probably see production in 2009.

Under the hood there will a 4.2 liter engine that delivers 420 hp at 7800 rpm. The fuel consumption is about 15 City/20 Highway.

New Features include Advanced anti-theft vehicle alarm system. A Theft deterrent light in driver’s door and an immobilizer prevents engine start when key with automatically changing electronic code feature is not used. A speed warning device that warns you if you are driving to fast.

If produced, the Rayra will be offered with a V10 TDI Diesel engine and a tiptronic.

Source:AutoSpies

Source: Volkswagen Rayra Concept to be unveiled at Detroit Auto Show

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

As promised, the complete set of 2008 Ford Falcon ‘Orion’ photos released by Ford. Click here for details and more spy shots. You can also find the entirety of our comprehensive Falcon spyshots gallery here.

Source: 2008 Ford Falcon ‘Orion’ official gallery

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Simona Alina
Filed in: | funny | Celebrity Cars

Being seven-times world champion is not an excuse for taking taxi by time to time. The problem is that the way others drive might not please you that much; after all you are one of the fastest man on Earth. Yes, we are talking about Michael Schumacher. He needed to take a taxi like any other person, but he asked the driver, very politely, to allow him driving. And how seeing Schumacher driving is the biggest dream for person dream, the cab driver set on the right seat during the journey.

But why did Schumacher needed a taxi in the first place? Relax there was no big emergency! Just a puppy! Yes, a puppy! Schumacher flew into the aerodrome at the Bavarian town of Coburg on Saturday and took the taxi to the village of Gehuelz, 30 kilometres away, to pick up a new puppy - an Australian Shepherd dog called “Ed”. And he wasn’t alone: his wife and his two children were with him.

Tuncer Yilmaz, the cab driver, said: “I found myself in the passenger seat, which was strange enough, but to have “Schumi” behind the wheel of my cab was incredible.”

And if you consider that at the end of the journey Tuncer took a nice tip (on top of the 60 euros (88 US dollars) fare, he was also given a 100 euros (146 US dollars)), we can say that it was indeed a good day for him!

Source:Yahoo News

Source: Schumacher - Germany’s fastest taxi driver?

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Simona Alina
Filed in: Opel | Europe | Opel Agila

Featuring high practicality at an affordable price, the new Agila can now be ordered from 9,990 euros and will be available at dealerships from spring 2008. The new Opel mini monocab offers plenty of feel-good space for family and friends, as well as up to 1050 liters of cargo capacity despite the car’s compact exterior length of 3.74 meters.

The new Agila is the youngest member of the highly successful Opel monocab family. A monocab is distinguishable by its hood line that flows without a visible break into the combined passenger and luggage compartment. Thanks to this design and clever innovative details, the fully fledged five-door, five-seat mini monocab can set standards in space economy and variability – just like the small Meriva and compact Zafira monocab have already done. The Meriva has been the top-selling small monocab in Europe since its launch in 2003, and leads the overall monocab segment together with the Zafira.

The new Agila is not only very affordable, but also boasts low fuel consumption and emissions: the Agila 1.0 with 48 kW/65 hp requires an average of five liters of gasoline per 100 km, while the 1.3 CDTI with 55 kW/75 hp and diesel particulate filter as standard consumes just 4.5 liters of diesel per 100 km. Both variants produce just 120 g CO2/km.

The entry-level Agila comes with a wide range of standard safety equipment. For less than 10,000 euros, customers get ABS, front and side airbags for both front passengers and ISOFIX child seat mountings. Also on board ex works is speed-dependant power steering, height-adjustable front seats, rear window wiper with interval control and power tailgate with touchpad. Customers who order the new Agila ahead of its official market launch in early April 2008 will receive a Styling package from Opel as a bonus with their new car.

Source: Internal

Source: Opel Agila pricing announced

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Noah Joseph
Volkswagen

Although the Volkswagen Group brands that sell in the United States (namely Volkswagen and Audi) tend to keep their respective platforms to themselves – almost to a fault – in foreign markets the German automaker rebadges and rebodies the same cars under several different labels. Skoda is one such brand, and its flagship sedan, called Superb, is due for replacement. And that’s just what the Czech carmaker is preparing to unveil at the Geneva show next March.

What you see above is the second-generation Skoda Superb, based on the current (fifth-generation) Volkswagen Passat and stretched some. Details and additional pictures haven’t yet been released, but Skoda promises it’ll incorporate many “smart solutions”, including an anticipated creative approach to the hatchbach-trunk debate.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subscription required]

Source: 2009 Skoda Superb flagship to bow at Geneva

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Jonathon Ramsey

One of the knocks against hybrids is that they’re best around town, but once you get on the highway, it’s back to full-time fossil fuels. Nissan is developing its own hybrid tech that it plans to launch in the Infiniti FX, in which the electric component will assist the engine at highway speeds as well, not just around town.

We don’t know how close, if at all, it will be to the hybrid system in the Porsche Cayenne — that (as-yet-untested) one can run the vehicle entirely on electric power at 75 MPH. Nissan’s offering is slated to arrive some time in the next decade, presumably in the next generation FX. When it does, that will put at least four different types of major manufacturer hybrids on the roads, making their way through streets also littered with clean diesels. When we get that kind of concentration, the shakeout will really begin to decide who’ll win the altpower war.

[Source: Channel 4]

Source: Infiniti to put new kind of hybrid in FX

Bookmark it:

Continue reading...

Drew Phillips
Aftermarket, Tuners, Euro, Supercars, Porsche

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Edo Competition Carrera GT

The number of supercars that haven’t been modified by Edo Competition is shrinking daily. Its latest victim is the Carrera GT, which gets the option of three different engine upgrades and a potential of 770 horsepower. The stage 1 package includes a new air intake and filter, an ECU calibration, high-flow catalytic converters, and a cat-back exhaust system good for a total of 670 horsepower. Stage 2 adds upgraded cylinder heads and headers good for another 45 ponies. Finally, the stage 3 option includes a bump in displacement to 6.0-liters, along with new camshafts and pistons good for 770 horsepower. Other upgrades are available as well, including an adjustable KW suspension system, high performance brake pads, forged wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, a carbon fiber wing, and Recaro sport seats with 6-point harnesses. No word on pricing, but if you have to ask… yada, yada, yada.

Full details are available in the press release after the jump, and get your fill of supercar imagery in the gallery below.

[Source: Edo Competition]

Gallery: Edo Competition Carrera GT

PRESS RELEASE

Introduced at the Frankfurt International Motor Show two years ago, the Carrera GT was the undisputed highlight of the event. Today, Carrera GT owners have the opportunity to make this expensive and rare Porsche even more sporting and exclusive than it already is.
This unbelievable excess of power and individuality is made by edo competition Motorsport!

670, 715 and even 770 HP, instead of 612 HP in the Carrera GT

edo competition achieves this level of power thanks to the use of a modified intake system, re-calibrated engine controls, high flow air filters and new header catalytic converters. To round off this power package, edo competition delivers a full stainless steel performance exhaust system featuring electronic programmable butterfly-valve control.

Acoustics are anything but neglected; the sport exhaust system, which is available in two different sound levels, produces a wonderful deep and sonorous tone, clearly announcing the approach of an edo competition Carrera GT.

The cat-back exhaust system was developed on the dynamometer from start to finish. The result is a power increase of 19 kW (25 hp) and a 30 Nm (22 ft-lb) increase in torque. An additional benefit: The system is 18kg (40 lbs) lighter!

Aerodynamics

The aerodynamic rear wing is fabricated entirely from carbon fiber. The center portion of the Gurney Flap raises along with the retractable rear wing to produce additional downforce on the rear axle, along with the fixed flaps on either side of the wing.

Suspension

The 3-way adjustable edo/KW Competition shock absorbers and sports suspension system are designed for motorsports. For our 3-way adjustable shock absorbers, we employ gas mono-tube shocks that are adjustable for compression and rebound (separate adjustments for low/high speed compression damping) and feature a remote oil reserv