2010 Nissan Nismo 370Z

Nissan's new 370Z may be quite nimble, but those hankering for a track-ready package should consider stepping up to the new 2010 Nismo 370Z, which debuts at the 2009 New York auto show.

Like the Nismo 350Z before it, the new car receives a host of suspension revisions designed to glue the Z to the track. Nismo (Nissan's in-house tuning firm) adds a front strut tower brace, performance dampers, increases the front spring rates by 15 percent, and stiffens the rear coils by 10 percent. Coupled with thicker stabilizer bars, the tweaks increase the 370Z's damping factor by 40 percent in front and a whopping 140 percent in the rear.

In order to provide power to match the track prowess, Nismo also fiddled with the Z's engine. The 3.7-liter V-6 is almost identical to that in a normal 370Z, but thanks to a Nismo exhaust system and a tricked-out engine control module, it sees a substantial boost in power. The Nismo-tuned mill produces 350 hp at 7400 rpm (vs. 332 hp @ 7000 rpm) and 276 lb-ft of torque (up from 270) at 5200 rpm. Nismo 370Zs are only available with a six-speed manual transmission, which is equipped with the trick rev-matching system.

Nismo also modifies the 370Z's exterior, adding a new elongated front fascia. Although it does clean up the Z's front appearance, the new snout also incorporates a chin spoiler and twin canards to improve downforce. New side sills are designed to match, and a giant rear spoiler, inspired by racing-spec Zs, is again part of the package. So too are Rays aluminum wheels - these 19-inch pieces are unique to the Nismo Z, although the large vented disc brakes are culled from the 370Z's Sport Package.

The Nismo model throws in a few interior touches, including red stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Nismo logos on the tachometer and cloth bucket seats, and aluminum-trimmed pedals. Don't look for an iPod dock or navigation - the Nismo 370Z makes do with the base four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system, and options are otherwise limited to selecting one of five paint colors (red, white, silver, graphite, or black).

Nissan hasn't discussed pricing for the new Nismo model, but does expect cars to arrive at U.S. dealerships sometime in June 2009.

New BMW Concept Active

Coming to the next North American Auto Show in Detroit, BMW will show a 1 Series based EV called the Concept ActiveE. This is yet another piece of evidence that all of the big auto manufacturers will be getting into making electric vehicles in one way or another. And, since this is a BMW, it looks like they’re tying to keep it as fun to drive as possible.

Let’s deal with the specifics first, and then we can talk about the potential impact after that. The BMW Concept ActiveE is rear wheel drive and that means it should be fun to drive, especially when you consider all the torque that electric motors can churn out. And speaking of the EV 1-Series is powered by synchronous electric motor that is all new and was designed and will be purpose built for this car. The motor develops 125 kW/170 bhp, and puts out a maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. The electric motor gets its juice from a lithium-ion battery pack that was jointly developed by BMW and SB LiMotive (a German electronics firm). The custom tailored battery features a new stable temperature regulating function that optimizes the battery packs performance.

And speaking of charging, keeping the lithium-ion battery pack topped up is handled via conventional power outlets at public charging stations or at a special wall box at home. In Europe, the battery pack can be fully charged at a 50 ampere high-current power outlet in as little as 3 hours. And in North America, using a 32 ampere continuous high-current residential wall box, the charge time is around 4.5 hours.

The ActiveE is just a concept, says BMW, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this one on the road soon.

Performance-wise, the little EV should scoot from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than 9 seconds, and tops out at an electronically limited to 145 km/h (90 mph). BMW says that the “real-world range” should be about 160 km / 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions.

In wanting to bring the performance up to BMW standards, they have kept the center of gravity low and have kept weight distribution as even as possible. When you add this to the rear drive layout, then it’s easy to believe that the BMW Concept ActiveE ” … has everything it requires to provide the dynamic driving properties and agile handling in the style of the BMW 1 Series,” as BMW says.

Weight? Well, as for all things EV, it’s kind of on the porky side. The BMW Concept ActiveE tips weighs 1,800 kilograms or 3900 lbs. Given the size of the BMW 1 Series, that is pretty hefty, but not all that bad for an EV.

New Cars 2010 | Lotus Exos Type 125 2010 Power F1 Car

2010 Lotus Exos Type 125 Wings

The company introduced the Lotus sports car track Lotus Exos Type 125, made in the style of F1. The car cost $ 1 million is not intended for public roads and has specifications similar to those of the royal race cars. Lotus promises to bring happiness to 25 customers, who can feel the pilots of Formula 1. Moreover, according to assurances given by the company in servicing T125 is relatively simple and does not require a whole team of mechanics.

T125 is equipped with a 3.5-liter Cosworth V8, 630 hp outstanding and spins up to 10800 rpm (power F1 car for 150-200 hp). Thrust is transmitted to the rear axle with a 6-speed sequential semi-automatic transmissions, step by shifting podrulevymi petals. At the helm are a lot of buttons and multifunction display. The suspension and monocoque made of carbon fiber’s formula for the principle. Karbonokeramicheskie brakes can withstand serious critical loads. Extensive use of carbon allowed to keep a lot of car at 650 kilograms, which means that 1 kg of working almost 1 hp – Very serious figure!

2010 Lotus Exos Type 125 Interior
2010 Lotus Exos Type 125 Front Wing
2010 Lotus Exos Type 125 Body Design

The company also reports several programs for Exos: training and racing. Expected to create monokubka and training rides will be led by an experienced pilot F1 (presumably this would be a pilot Jarno Trulli).

All 25 copies of the T125 will be released in 2011.

New Cars 2010 | 2010 Jaguar XFR New Cars

2010 Jaguar XFR front angle

2010 Jaguar XFR dashboard

2010 Jaguar XFR front

2010 Jaguar XFR rear angle

2010 Jaguar XFR

New Cars 2010 | 2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor New Cars 2010

2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor

A new standard 6.2-liter V8 engine pumping out 411 horsepower, new technologies and a newly available SuperCrew option that gives Raptor customers more choices in cab size all ensure the 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will remain the off-road performance truck champion in the new model year. “When we launched the F-150 SVT Raptor, consumers were blown away with the capability of the vehicle,” said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development. “By adding the SuperCrew, we have expanded the versatility of Raptor, and now even more enthusiasts will be able to experience the no-compromise off-road performance that only Raptor delivers.” The F-150 SVT Raptor is the first-ever high-speed off-road performance truck offered by any manufacturer and highlights 33 years of Ford truck sales leadership by emphasizing F-150’s Built Ford Tough durability, innovation and engineering. Developed with the DNA of an off-road pre-runner, comprehensive modifications focused on chassis and suspension enhancements.

2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor side

2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor offroad

The F-150 SVT Raptor is 7 inches wider than a base F-150 to make room for the additional suspension components that give Raptor its unparalleled off-road abilities. The wider stance also gives the truck an aggressive appearance. Internal triple-bypass shocks by FOX Racing Shox – the first on a production truck – provide position-sensitive damping and extra suspension travel for extreme off-roading and a smooth ride on the road. Raptor also has unique cast-aluminum front control arms and SVT-tuned 35-inch BFGoodrich® All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires. These components give Raptor 11.2 inches of front suspension travel and 12.1 inches of rear suspension travel on either SuperCab or the new SuperCrew. The new available 145-inch-wheelbase SuperCrew offering with a 5.5-foot box adds to the extensive list of F-150 SVT Raptor features.

2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor speed

2011 Ford F 150 SVT Raptor rear angel

While contributing additional space and flexibility for the customer, the SuperCrew delivers performance as well. Applying lessons learned from the SuperCab F-150 SVT Raptor, engineers were able to tune the truck to handle off-road events with ease. The 12-inch-longer wheelbase on SuperCrew also delivers the benefit of a more comfortable ride, especially in rough off-road situations. “We spent a lot of time getting the ride and suspension characteristics of the SuperCrew similar to that of the SuperCab, and we were successful in getting the same character and flavor out of the SuperCrew,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “While the SuperCab and SuperCrew both have different strengths, each is worthy of the Raptor nameplate.” A larger 36-gallon fuel tank and increased towing capability – rated at 8,000 pounds – keep F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew a mainstay in the desert environment, with capabilities as a chase or tow truck.
(Source: Ford)

New Cars 2010 | Jaguar R Coupe New Cars 2010

Jaguar R Coupe front

Jaguar R Coupe

Jaguar R Coupe lights

Jaguar R Coupe rear

Jaguar R Coupe dashboard

Jaguar R Coupe left

Cars Japan’s top-level Super GT series 2010

Is this the face of a race car? Subaru certainly thinks so.

The latest rumors indicate that the automaker intends to enter a version of its new 2010 Legacy model (launched at the New York Auto Show this year) into Japan’s top-level Super GT series. The car will no doubt receive numerous modifications, but engine output won’t be changed all that much. The reason for this is that Subaru will race the car in the 300 (meaning 300hp) class – rather than the highest 500 class.

A Legacy 2.5GT is the likely choice to form the basis of the race car, especially as it sports a new 2.5-liter boxer engine with 265hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque.

The move is surprising as the cash-strapped automaker pulled from the World Rally Championship (WRC) this year, citing economic reasons. Subaru teams had, however, performed poorly the past few years.

No doubt the Super GT entry will be much less expensive to run than a full WRC team and besides, it would be a shame to reassign those Subaru racing engineers to the accounting department.

New 2010 BMW M3 Sedan Facelift

The car 420hp 4.0L V8 is expected to remain unchanged, but it is offered, with the new speed of seven M-DCT-double clutch gearbox.

The BMW M3 sedan debuted just last October, and it is still not for sale in a number of markets around the world, but despite these prototypes for a facelifted version of the performance sedan have already spotted ahead of its sale launch early next year . The changes are in line with the center of life for the regular updating E90 sedan, expected for this year, and a number of smaller changes, both externally and the cabin.
Most cars will remain unchanged, but there are some differences, as the update with new LED lights of information, such as double taxation Daytime running lights. Until a new back bumper with a change of the organizer and rear lights redrawn.

Cadillac BRX concept car 2010

Recently views a new concept car cadillac BRX, this new concept car will start production in May of 2009 at the Ramos Arizpe plant.most likely a version of GM's "High Feature" under the hood we found, direct-injection 3.6 liter V6 found in the CTS, powered by 300hp, A 2.0 liter turbodiesel variant.On the amenities side, expect leather upholstery, heated seats, a navigation system, rear-obstacle detection and a rearview camera making the features list.

Nissan Leaf EV 2010

Are you looking for a car that is cheap yet environment friendly? No worries as Nissan will launch one in late 2010. Nissan Leaf EV is designed for everyday use. Its 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world’s motorists.

Nissan Leaf EV has a real passenger space. There is plenty of room equally in front and rear for adults. There is also an extra room for luggage as the batteries are placed under the seats within the wheelbase. All interior pieces are positioned properly, the digital instrument cluster display and the drive controller, which made the look polished and welcoming.

Of course, the batteries are heavy as it weighs 200 kg per car. Nevertheless, Nissan plans ahead and makes sure that the total weight will be similar to a gas car. How about public charging stations? A built-in advanced IT system is integrated and is connected to a GPS which will display the location of charging stations in close proximity.