We have familiarized ourselves with the tune “It’s a Small World” thanks to the folks at Disney. While the automotive sector is still dominated by hulking pickup trucks in North America, the philosophy of a smaller life for drivers has resulted with a slew of new compact vehicles. A small car market once dealt with as a novelty by American automakers is now a serious battleground. As important as the passenger car has become, the commercial vehicle market has also growing fond of a smaller set of wheels.

Responding with excellent fuel mileage and all the utility needed for business, the Ford Transit Connect has led a boom in the small commercial vehicle market in North America. Competitors are beginning to take note presenting their own smaller scale work solutions. Following the debut of a Fiat-based Ram ProMaster van, Chrysler Group is expected to announce a compact companion vehicle imminently. For the meantime, Ram is offering a Dodge Grand Caravan-based commercial minivan. Unwilling to be left behind, General Motors has brokered an agreement to insure their participation in the small van market by late 2014.

Available for fleet vehicle use in the United States and Canada, 2015 Chevrolet City Express cargo van is commissioned to serve the need of urban small businesses. Entering a deal with Nissan, the NV200 van will be the basis for the City Express. Powered by Nissan’s 2-liter double overhead cam engine connected to a continuously variable transmission, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be a front-wheel drive cargo hauler. Chevrolet’s identity with the City Express is established with its own front end styling featuring unique headlamps and grille. While the idea of Chevrolet depending on other automakers may seem disheartening to those patriotic to the Bowtie badge, sourcing commercial vans from other car companies is a common practice. In Europe, General Motors produces a majority of their Vauxhall and Opel commercial vans in cooperation with Renault. Chevrolet used to sell the Renault Trafic van in Brazil under their brand briefly in the late 1990s.

Being marketed as a smaller commercial van, the Chevrolet City Express is not that small compared to what the automaker had sold in the past. Measuring 186.3 inches in overall length, the City Express is   actually longer than short wheelbase versions of the full-sized Chevrolet van constructed until the mid-1990s. Compared to the current full-sized Chevrolet Express van stretching 224 inches, the City Express continues to boast 122.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Rear cargo doors open in a 40/60 fashion on a hinge allowing up to 180 degrees of swing. Dual side sliding doors also guarantee cargo can be promptly loaded into the City Express. A protective floor cover, six cargo hooks and 20 integrated cargo area mounting points providing maximum convenience to van operators.

At front cabin area of the 2015 Chevrolet City Express, the small van is designed to serve the enterprising individual. Cargo storage areas in the dashboard and center console are large enough for all of the tools needed to logistical work. The 2015 City Express’s center console bin is gigantic enough to hold file folders or a portable computer. The passenger side can fold flat offering a table surface for a laptop or for writing out an invoice. An available technology package on the Chevrolet City Express will provide operators with navigation radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, rear view camera as well as XM satellite radio.

Customizable to a far-reaching variety of businesses, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express van provides more than a surface to place company’s vinyl graphics and signage. Six roof rack mounting points allows fixtures for holding ladders to be easily installed. For business customers desiring windows instead of the traditional panel-covered cargo area, the 2015 City Express can be ordered from the factory to feature a multitude of window layouts.

To be available in two trim levels, the base LS model of the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will include standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes, six air bags, a full-sized spare tire and electronic stability control. The Chevrolet City Express LT variant adds cruise control, remote keyless entry as well as power heated mirrors and door locks.

Tailor-built for the fleet customer, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will exist in a similar capacity as the Captiva Sport. Availability of the Nissan-derived Chevrolet City Express van is scheduled for the fall of 2014. The cost of doing business with the Chevrolet City Express van will be announced at a future date.

Information and photo source: General Motors, Nissan North America

The article No Job Too Small: Chevrolet to Sell Nissan Based City Express Van appeared first on Automoblog.net.

A blessing and a curse of this connected world is there are fewer secrets remaining in the world. Decades ago, following motorsports relied on finding a source or publication highlighting a specific form of racing. In the United States, NASCAR Sprint Cup blossomed from a regional level into a national force with media sources deciding to profile the stock car series. Through the 1990s with expanded television sport coverage and later through the Internet other forms of regional motorsport around the world can be fully appreciated. The German DTM Series has been a recent organization observed to be booming worldwide with growing race coverage. The impact of DTM has led to the commitment for a similar series in the United States by as early as 2015. While there is a two-year wait for the DTM Series, Another international import is preparing for a maiden stop at the new Circuit of the Americas track in Texas this upcoming weekend.

From May 17th to the 19th, the American race fans will be offered the first chance to witness the Australian V8 Supercars Series in person. The 3.427-mile (5.515 kilometer) Circuit of the Americas hosting of the V8 Supercars comes a six months after a Formula 1 race christened the track.

For the inaugural Austin 400 event, spectators can expect a race weekend differing from what we would see in NASCAR or the IZOD INDYCAR Series. Four practice sessions will be held on the Friday for the V8 Supercars ahead of a series of qualifying races. Saturday and Sunday will each consist of two qualifying races followed by a pair of 27-lap feature events. Each sprint race is expected to take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

A derivative of the Australian Touring Car Championship that ran from 1960 to 1998, passion for racing high-performance V8 engines are richly observed Down Under. Australian classic cars competing in the touring car includes the Holden Monaro GTS350 and the Ford Falcon XB. Action movie fans would recall a black “Pursuit Special” Ford Falcon XB in the Mad Max movies. Since 1998, the Australian Touring Car Championship has operated as the V8 Supercars organization. For a long time limited to the Oceania region of the world, the Australian V8 Supercars Series has actively branching out to other world audiences. The Australian V8 Supercars Series first venture to other markets consisted of a stop at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2005. Trips to the Bahrain International Circuit and the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates have also sit on the V8 Supercars calendar in recent years. Operating under the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the track that proved more than capable of hosting the 2012 United States Grand Prix should serve ideally for the first North American race for the V-8 powered machines.

The first year for a new set of rules designed to foster greater on-track competition, improved driver safety and lower costs for teams, the V8 Supercars grid has doubled from two to four car makes in 2013. Returning to the series is the Ford FG Falcon and the Holden VF Commodore. For motorsport audiences in the United States, the Holden VF Commodore is recognized thanks to a General Motors relative currently racing on the NASCAR circuit. The limited production 2014 Chevy SS sedan and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV share the General Motors Zeta platform with the Australian sold Holden VF Commodore. Making a high profile arrival in Australian Touring V8 Supercars for 2013, Nissan enlisted the experience of 2006 V8 Supercar champion Rick Kelly and brother Todd as part of a new Altima race effort. Michael Caruso and James Moffat are also campaigning a pair of Nissan Altima race cars in 2013 powered by a custom V-8 engine. The fourth competing make in 2013 Australian V8 Supercars is the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG campaigned by three competitors this season. 28 cars total are set to part of the 2013 Austin 400 race event.

Several teams involved in the Australian V8 Supercars circuit have prepared special paint schemes for their inaugural North American event. Normally running a black and red paint scheme with Australian auto part retailer Supercheap Auto prominently displayed, the 2005 championship driver Russell Ingall will don a yellow and black colour on his #17 Holden VF Commodore for the Austin race weekend. Jonathon Webb’s Team TEKNO has also chosen to debut a new livery promoting Darrell Lea soft liquorice for the Austin 400 race.

Having over $100 millions of cars and equipment flown overseas by two Boeing 747 airplanes, a lot is being invested in the V8 Supercars’ first United States event. With less than a week before the various V-8 powerplants will be revving at the Circuit of the Americas, the prelude to the event has already involved a driver swap between NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch and Holden Racing Team pilot James Courtney.

Information, photo and video source: Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR, Nissan North America, V8 Supercars

The article Texas Track Prepares to Host V8 Supercars appeared first on Automoblog.net.

This is a terrific time to be a speed demon with a bank account fill of money. Conversely, it is also a terrible time for the banks when they realize vast amounts of cash flowing towards the purchase of fine, high performance automobiles. With automakers borrowing racetrack inspiration in a volume unseen since the 1960s, we have recently been witness to several new examples of unbridled performance. Deemphasizing the use of infotainment solutions and other creature comforts that outrage sports car purists, a growing list of 2013 and 2014 model year street performers are poised to add an extra edge to the exhilaration of driving. Chrysler division SRT announced a 33-vehicle release of a lightweight Viper T/A model at the 2013 New York Auto Show. In the General Motors section of the past New York exhibition, the return of the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 presented a raw, street legal track athlete. Nissan becomes the latest name contributing a track-oriented vehicle using their already fierce GT-R supercar as the platform.

A limited edition release capped at just 150 cars for the United States, the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition supplies a driver to chance to wheel an aggressive production version of Japan‘s greatest current supercar. By first examination, the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition’s array of features is reminiscent of the Black Edition. Special black 20-inch RAYS forged wheels and dry carbon fiber rear spoiler are carried over to the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition. However, a series of minor touches prove to be major identifiers to something special.

Maintaining the Premium level GT-R twin-turbocharged, 3.8 liter V-6 intact as a 545 horsepower screamer, the Track Edition upgrades are by no means cosmetic. While the technologically advanced ride continues to feature the Bilstein DampTronic suspension system, race course tuning performed at the Germany’s famed Nurburgring was used to enhance the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition. Enlisting former professional racing pilot and current Nissan test driver Toshio Suzuki to shakedown the supercar, the 2014 GT-R Track Edition rides on a uniquely calibrated suspension setup. The addition of functional carbon fiber air inlets provide a racing-chic touch for the supercar. Brake cooling is also given a boost on the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition using modified guides to allow the Brembo supplied braking to breathe easier. A Track Edition specific front spoiler is also noted on the limited Nissan GT-R model.

The 2014 GT-R Track Edition to register a lower weight compared to Premium and Black Edition trim. Curb weight of the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition model is rated at 3,796 pounds (22 pounds lighter than the Black Edition). The majority of the weight savings is a result of the deletion of the rear seat. Instead of the standard Nissan GT-R’s 2+2 cockpit featuring a backseat that frequently punishes occupants with the tight and cramped accommodations, the GT-R Track Edition places a quilted cloth mat in where the seating would be placed. For the driver and the passenger, leather-appointed Recaro seats present a blue/gray pattern.

A vehicle available only at select Nissan dealerships, pricing for the United States-bound 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition is announced at $115,710. Almost $16,000 more than a 2014 GT-R Premium trim version and $5,410 above the GT-R Black Edition, there will be at least 150 individuals who will find the adrenaline-packed sensation of the Track Edition model as money will spent.

Information and photo source: Nissan North America

The article Fast Favorite: Limited Run 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Gas prices are steadily going up, and the government is not only making stricter emission standards but also making the manufacturers meet tougher average mpg figures for their lineup of cars to meet. What does all this mean?  The hybrids are invading!  This decade is all about skinnier, less grippy, fuel saving tires, electric engines, and alternative fuel.  

The leaps in performance are saved for the ultra rich, while one by one the high performance affordable sports cars fall by the wayside.

Well what if you’re just an evil hoonigan?  What if you’d rather not have a car that silently wafts by like a spring breeze?  What if you are such a mad man…that you’re unconcerned with the baby deer and family of rabbits who are apparently inhaling straight from your exhaust pipes and prefer something a little more…exciting?  Maybe you prefer the snarling turbo straight pipe street beasts of yesteryear; the type of ride that would make a Nissan Leaf wilt and blow a hole in the ozone with every up shift.  Let’s have a look back at the best tuners!  They may not meet the emission standards, and they may hurt the manufactures mpg average, but we love them anyway.  Tree huggers may disdain you for driving them and go-green hipsters deem them unnecessary…but the loud, sideways-sliding hoonigans get the warm fuzzies from driving these Top 5 Tuners:

#6. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX

The Eclipse GSX disappeared after 1999, and there hasn’t been an AWD turbo eclipse since.  While this may not have been a king of the streets, it was still a quick car and put it’s minimal ponies down off the line well.  The 2.0L DOHC turbo engine was a great base for the car tuners as well.  Stock, it had an acceptable 210 hp out of the inline 4 engine and a limited slip diff.  It was almost an Evo “preview” for the states with the same 2.0L Inline 4 single turbo setup, 5-speed manual transmission, and similar AWD drive-train, however the Evo VIII had 271 hp stock.  Despite the slight under-steer issue, this is a great little tuner!

You can kind of think of the GSX as the Evo’s kid brother.  The world might not have room for a new turbo AWD Mitsubishi but I would like to see what kind of sports coupe they could come up with to revive the GSX name.

#5. Subaru STi Coupe

Yes, it’s another AWD turbo coupe from Japan.  The coupe body style Impreza vanished after the turn of the century and sadly has never returned.  By the time the STi made it across the pond it was only available in a 4dr body style, however Subaru did give us a little taste of their street rally car ways with the Impreza 2.5 RS.  There was one thing that was terrible about this car however.  It drew quite a bit of attention to itself as it strongly resembled the turbo model, but only eeked out 165 hp compared to the real deal which was boosted to 276 hp…making the 2.5 seem rather horseless.

The 22B body also looked better than the newer Imprezas, something about the compact 2 door look channeled an R34 GTR. This car didn’t suffer from the excessive understeer that plagued the next Impreza either.  I think it would be great to see them revive the coupe, and bring back a shorter wheelbase STi.  The flat 4 turbo combined with a more nimble chassis would make something worthy of home made Gymkhana videos…I’m talking to you Subaru!  We want to hoon, so give us the backroad boxer that destroys the Evo.

#4.  S2000

Honda has completely shunned their sporting ways and gone all soft on us.  What’s up with that?  The S2K was an absolute street legend!  The Civic Si just isn’t going to cut the mustard…I’m just telling you there is NOTHING exciting or good or fun about FWD, and that’s a fact.  You won’t impress your friends by understeering into a curb, or torque steering into the neighbor’s tree.  Also everyone who does reverse donuts need to be punched in the face, honestly.

For some reason when Honda decides to do an affordable RWD sports car, good things occur.  Just look at the NSX or as you can see above these words, the quite agile, quite fast S2000.  They got 237 hp out of a 2.2L non-turbo I4 DOHC.

So naturally every ricer bolted a turbo onto it to.  The car was also extremely savvy when it came to corners, so for a very affordable price you already had a great stock platform for tuners to build on.  With the resurrection of the NSX upon us, it would be great to see a 2014 S2k although it’s doubtful.  Maybe offer a hardtop this time around so people don’t have to go out and buy one for themselves.  The point, however, is that when Honda actually tries, their donuts make me go nuts.

#3.  Mazda RX-7

Okay let’s not sugar coat this…the RX-7 and RX-8 were a pain in the ass to run on a frequent basis.  Everyone knows they weren’t a daily car, and the rotary engine is about a fussy as they come.  But the hard core RX-7 was a labor of love.

The standard twin turbo system boosted it up to 255 hp…not bad for the early 90′s!  The 50/50 weight distribution made it a bit of a handful under braking, but if we can learn anything from the Viper that means it is easy to kick the arse out, which equals loads of tire squealing fun.

I think it’s also one of the best looking cars ever made, and it sits very low to the ground.  Then Mazda killed the RX name by coming out with the RX-8, which was soft, under-powered, and terrible with fuel consumption.  I can verify that as a previous owner.  The rotary was known for these problems and that’s why it became popular for engine swaps.  If you put a LS1 V8 you would actually improve the fuel economy and have the insane grip and lightness!  2JZ engine swaps became very popular as well (for those of you that don’t know, a 2JZ is a Supra engine).  Mazda needs to bring the RX back with the same simple beautiful looks, only this time with a range of inline 6 cyl engines…from non-turbo to twin turbo.

#2. Nissan 240SX

When you think of drifting, and then type it into youtube because you’re bored at work, almost every video features a Nissan 240SX.  This car goes has gone through about three phases, S13, S14, the Kouki, and finally the S15 which we didn’t get to the States.  That’s the beauty pictured above.  The 240SX came into life entering the 90′s with a 5-speed manual and I4 140 hp engine.  It was eventually given 155 hp in ’91.  In ’95, the S14 made its debut with improved styling (ditching the pop-up head lamps) but remained at only 155 hp.  However the wheelbase was 2″ longer, it had a wider stance, and lost 80 lbs.  In 1997 the exterior changed but the chassis was still the same.  The headlamps looked a little meaner along with the grill and side skirts.  The body style from 97′ to 98′ was referred to as the “Kouki”.  When the S15 slid onto the scene it had an I4 with a turbo that boosted it up to 250hp!  Sadly this car never came to the States, and by 2002 it went out of production.

These cars had ample room in the engine bay to install mods and do engine swaps, and with the RWD platform the possibilities were almost endless!  2JZ, and GT-R engine swaps were very popular.  Also upgrading the 4 cylinder block with a turbo was very common.  While Nissan has the Z series coupes, and the GT-R on the market right now there isn’t much room for another performance line.  What they should do is bring the Silvia back under the Skyline name and have a series of trim levels leading up to Godzilla.  For instance start with the Skyline.  Just a RWD non-turbo inline 4 with a 5-speed and say…250 hp.  Have the same car with a turbo 6-speed for the next step up and give it 300 hp and that would be the Skyline R.  The last trim level before the GT-R would be the Skyline GT, and this would be AWD!  Also put a 3.7 but without turbos.  Tune it to put out the Nismo Z 350 hp and call it a day.  There you go Nissan!  I have it all laid out here, now just go and do it!

#1. Toyota Mark IV Supra

The Mark IV Supra is the king of tuners that has fallen by the wayside.  After the Celica Supra (1982-1986) and the Mark III (1986-1992) the 93′ Supra made a rather choice return sporting a new sexy look.  It was curvaceous and had quite a nice ass.  Like having a hot girl with you out on the town, you just want to be seen with this car! Especially when it’s done right with some aftermarket magic (the car, not the girl.)

The MKIV made its silver screen debut in The Fast and the Furious (2001) which solidified it as street racer royalty.  The base had a 3.0L I6 that had an exciting  220 hp transferred to the rear wheels.  However there was a twin turbo model…which whirred 320 hp from the 2JZ inline 6 to the rear tires, and not only did this make the car a legendary drifter, but the engine itself became one of the most popular engines for swapping into other tuners.  You would frequently find these in Silvias, or RX-7s and RX-8s.  Sadly they quit production for the exports in 1998 and finally ceased all Japanese production in 2002 due to emission standards.  When you see a Mark IV drive by…you look…because they are somewhat rare, hard to find, and special.  The Supra  has an epic presence like a Skyline GT-R!  It’s one of the big boys.

Screw emission standards, bring it back and make it better than ever!  Make an affordable R35 challenger, for a price tag closer to 50K and you have another legend on your hands, Toyota.

The article Six Tuners We Want Back appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Well, you’re probably all too drunk to be reading this, but maybe you’ll catch it in the morning.

As you and your liver know, it’s St. Patrick’s Day today! St. Partick’s Day started when…huh? Yeah, pass over another Guinness!

Enough talking – check out the gallery below and let us know what green supercar is your favorite. Feel free to share your own in the comments!

The article Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a Crapload of Green Supercars to Look At appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Since the Harlem Shake has seem to run its course let’s have a look back at the top 5 motoring Harlem Shakes.  In case you haven’t heard of the Harlem Shake it is a song that exploded onto the scene a few weeks ago out of nowhere where people do a common dance.  If you have heard of it, then chances are you probably have also seen about a thousand of the videos, so I will keep it short with only 5 that I must be sure you view.  I will start from most excellent to least so that I also make sure you see the best ones before you get bored or annoyed!  If you think I have them in the wrong order, don’t hesitate to tell me why, although that won’t change anything.  Without further adieu, here is #1-5.

#1.  Josef Newgarden Harlem Shake IndyCar Style

This 1 needs to be #1, for one thing, because they are doing it on the yard of bricks!  Anytime a professional driver takes the time to organize a Harlem Shake it’s going to be good.  It’s nice to see an Indy 500 driver take a break from going 230 mph and do some…uhm…”dancing”.

#2.  Car Meet Harlem Shake

This is one of the best “unprofessional” versions I’ve seen, and it has a LOT of Hoonigans in there too!  This is Tokyo Drift meets viral fad…look at it…neon lit tire smoking yobbos as far as the eyes can see.

#3.  Jeff Gordon NASCAR Garage Harlem Shake

Jeff has always seemed to be a pretty straight forward guy, always keen to thank the sponsors after a race, and be a true professional in front of the camera.  I think he needed this.

#4.  Harlem DriftShake Street Legal Media

Here we see some more Hoonigans, but in great drifting fashion!  I like this one because they do something a little original to break up the monotony.   Plus who doesn’t like good ol’ 240SXs drifting around?  Well…probably Cops…or the elderly.

#5.  Jet Car Harlem Shake

Something else original, these guys do some shaking of the Harlem style around a flaming jet car!  They can take the heat!  No literally, it is probably pretty hot near the jet.

So if you are not totally sick and tired of it yet, we have a BONUS ROUND!  This is a late entry by driver extraordinaire Jimmie Johnson after winning the Daytona 500 this past Sunday   This is how they celebrated another monumental achievement.

Bonus Shake!  Jimmie Johnson After Winning the Daytona 500

The article Top 5 Motoring Harlem Shakes appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Against the grain of modern automotive promotion of safety and overall reducing carbon footprints, performance still reigns supreme. Learning many lessons in recent years, auto companies have become educated to the fact that they must infuse excitement into every vehicle they build. From the most economy-oriented subcompact to their flagship car, the desire for quality performing automobiles drivers want to handle provokes greater influence from motorsports. Originally founded as a competition division of Nissan, NISMO will be launched into a more prominent role as a specialty sub brand from 2013 and beyond.

In a major announcement, Nissan has officially declared the NISMO name will step into the forefront of the auto company’s strategy. Opening NISMO’s new headquarters and development center in the Japanese city of Yokohama, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn was on hand to reveal a new global focus for the auto company’s motorsport arm. Confirming that the NISMO name will be behind enhanced versions of a large line-up of Nissan automobiles, Ghosn said, “NISMO will democratize performance and bring new excitement to the Nissan portfolio with a broader range of affordable and innovative performance models for more markets and more people,”

Speaking of the “NISMO Spirit”, Nissan touts the focus for the expanded division is to sculpt racing-inspired production vehicles that combine fun performance and practically. NISMO vehicles will be developed to also draw attention to quality and innovation. This auto show season, we have receiving a taste of the NISMO spirit with two new vehicles. Launching the NISMO is an unforgettable version of the Nissan Juke. The 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO’s 197 horsepower and performance themed handling and styling has excelled in grabbing attention. Keeping in mind that the Nissan Juke already known to deviate from conventions, NISMO touches pushes a distinctive style for what we may expect from future products from Nissan‘s performance line. Returning as an elevated version of Nissan’s more accessible sports car magic, a refreshed 350-horsepower 2014 370Z NISMO goes on sale this summer in the United States. A new Nissan GT-R NISMO is one of many vehicles on the drawing board.

An abbreviation of Nissan Motorsports, the NISMO name first appeared in 1984 with the purpose of perpetuating the auto brand in auto racing. Creating vehicles mostly for sports car-type activities, NISMO has participated in Japanese and other global racing competitions. Relating to North American motorsports, NISMO was completely behind an overall victory at the 1992 Rolex 24 at Daytona. As Nissan was propelled to success on-track, NISMO was mentioned more frequently off-track.

Since the late 1980s, NISMO had been tempting Nissan owners with an array of tuner kits and components for bring more performance out of their vehicles. Recently, the NISMO badge has been used on several tricked-out models. Nissan’s Sentra, Z Series cars and the GT-R supercar have been recipients of NISMO performance enhancements. NISMO appearance attached to Nissan cars in several popular video games such as Gran Turismo 5 has filled the virtual world with Japanese brand racing packages. Despite the popularity of NISMO, Nissan had up until now fallen short of throwing a continuous global commitment to the performance brand in a similar way to how Mercedes-Benz backs AMG or the SRT division now operates within Chrysler.

The expansion of the NISMO brand will also include a more visible global motorsport presence. Auto racing programs will operate under NISMO in 2013 with continuous emphasis on the FIA GT Series and Japanese Super GT Series. The New Year adds the newly started Australian V8 Supercars Championship effort with the Altima sedan powered by a production-based engine.

As many remember from last year, the DeltaWing chassis was powered by a Nissan powerplant similar to that found in the Juke. Since the Nissan-DeltaWing has competed in a non-classified manner in 2012 sports car racing, the motorsport world had been introduced to a new school of thought for building the racing vehicles of the future. Two years after Nissan participated in the Project 56 experiment, their reinvigorated performance arm NISMO will be one car builder with plans of upping the game of the DeltaWing. Nissan promises the NISMO name will be behind an all-new prototype sports car effort involving a potentially groundbreaking vehicle occupying Garage 56 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. A program just announced to the public, the NISMO racecar is pledged to integrate electric vehicle technology for the 2014 sports car effort. Nissan and NISMO will continue to support competitors in other sports car prototype classes at the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans with engines. The DeltaWing’s first official season of competition in the American Le Mans Series is also likely to depend on Nissan-NISMO power.

Creating everything from potent everyday driving vehicles to extreme technology racecars, Nissan and NISMO is prepared to make noise ahead of the Japanese auto company’s 80th birthday in December.

Information and photo source: Chris Nagy, Nissan North America

The article Nissan Nurturing NISMO into Full-Fledged Performance Brand appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Expected to adhere to constantly changing criteria driven by government and consumer fronts, automakers have utilized the practice of building multiple vehicles off a single platform. Existing as a kind of foundation for automotive designers, vehicle platforms represent a series of standardized parts that can conform to various cars, trucks and crossovers. Defining a standardized platform has provided car companies with the opportunity to maximize their market reach in a cost-effective manner.

In some cases, platform sharing results in nothing more than a lazy effort in brand engineering. Several General Motors products built in the past 20 years (such as the Chevrolet Cavalier based J body vehicles) qualified as less than stellar examples of platform diversity. In contrast, there are several examples where the modern auto industry has created products transcending across a single vehicle category. Today, a one platform can used to deliver coupes, sedans, wagons, crossovers and even electrified alternative powertrain vehicles.

The following is some of the more popular vehicle platforms that we not even know are the basis of so many products:

GM Delta II

In earlier iterations of small car platform sharing had resulted in a rather chilly reception among the North American market (let along the all-so-important global spectrum). Created accepting that a greater focus must be placed on the compact car category, General Motors commissioned the Delta II chassis as a bold move to capture international acclaim. In a way perhaps no one could have predicted, the GM Delta II platform delivered on provocative boasts by the automaker.

The GM Delta II platform debuted in production when the Chevrolet Cruze was introduced to the international market in 2008. A compact car that focused less on being a budget-oriented option, buyers of the Chevrolet Cruze were acquainted with a heightened level of refinement and build quality. As the Cruze arrived in North America, positive press on the Delta II platform Cruze allowed Chevrolet to become a serious challenger in the compact sedan category. European models have also been treated to the Chevy Cruze in hatchback and even a station wagon body style. For the 2012 model year, North American motorists received a Buick version of the compact sedan based on the Delta II platform called the Verano. Several markets excluding the United States (Canada included) received a utility compact Chevrolet Orlando on the Delta II serving to the diversity of the General Motors platform.

Serving not only gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, the Delta II became noteworthy for powering the first major production model of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Adding a large battery, electric motor and reallocating a gasoline engine as a “range extender”, the Chevrolet Volt coasts on similar underpinnings as a Cruze. At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a Cadillac ELR becomes the latest recipient of the Delta II architecture.

Developing what will become the Delta III platform, General Motors has aligned with PSA Peugeot Citroen. The General Motors/PSA Peugeot Citroen collaboration of the future small car framework is targeted, not only, to provide a single platform architecture to a multitude of vehicles but also incorporate advanced materials for the lower cost automotive market.

Toyota MC Platform

An industry born from modesty after the Second World War, Japan’s auto sector has been mastering the technique of sharing as many components as possible to build a fleet of vehicles. Toyota can credit much of their growth (and their recent reclamation of the position as the world’s top-selling auto company) to the fact they have mastered the ability of creating a global line-up of cars and sport utility vehicles using a handful of platforms. Without much doubt, the Toyota MC platform exists as the backbone of the auto manufacturer’s success.

While the MC platform is not a household name, many of the Toyota-related products constructed on the single source of technology can be found near the top of vehicle sale charts. Produced since 2006, the Toyota MC platform has been applied to the construction of small to mid-sized cars, sport utility crossovers, and minivans. In fact, the vehicles using the MC platform architecture accounts for the majority of the over two million Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles sold during 2012 in North America. Under the Toyota brand, the Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Prius hatchback and Sienna are currently produced on the MC platform. Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus and youth-oriented marque Scion also use the same underpinnings. The ability to create multiple products from roughly the same basis has been performed near seamlessly acting as a benchmark for all other auto companies.

Seven years on the market, a next-generation replacement for the Toyota MC platform is presently under development.

Nissan D Platform

Recognizing the high upfront engineering costs of a platform, many auto companies have realized that sharing development between brands can help to greatly optimize their resources. Japanese auto company Nissan has enjoyed a close strategic and financial partnership with French car builder Renault. From 2000, platform sharing between the two companies have become greater. A utility player in a global marketplace for the Nissan-Renault alliance, the D platform offers the footprint for a variety of mid-sized vehicles.

The successor to the platform known as the FF-L, the D platform features a growing variety of Nissan’s top front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive products. In 2007, the Nissan Altima became the first vehicle built on the D platform followed shortly by the Nissan Murano and the Maxima. In other parts of the world, the D architecture is used for the Renault Laguna and Latitude as well as for two vehicles built under the Renault Samsung name in South Korea. Demonstrated early on mostly sedans (with exception to the Murano), the mid-sized vehicle platform would show utility. The eight-passenger Elgrand minivan was first sold as a luxury product through much of the Asian continent during 2010. In 2011, the latest generation Nissan Quest was granted a striking redesign based on the D platform. The Nissan Pathfinder’s migration from a truck-based utility to a large crossover vehicle is another high capacity offering on the same underpinnings as several other vehicles. Thanks to the sharing of platforms, finding the new Nissan Altima in Dubai is now possible.

Ford C Platform

As Ford Motor Company has been flourishing in North America, many would say several international markets exists as areas where the 110 year-old auto company is required to show even greater focus (excuse the pun). Though Ford has had a global presence since the Model T, their attempts to keep a profitable worldwide business model has faced challenges. For the most part, Ford believed that the answer for the European market was unique vehicles catering to the market‘s preference for smaller cars. However, financial constraints, global reputation building and changed vehicle buying attitudes have led to Ford’s development of a consistent global line-up.

For the most part, that has involved the North American importation of vehicles such as the Ford Transit Connect and Ford Fiesta. The Ford Focus had also been the crown jewel to what was intended to be a strong global presence. While a rough in the United States and Canada hurt the Focus, it also became a case where Ford fell into old habits when the company decided to completely reengineer the European model on a newer C1 platform while North American audiences settled on a redesigned version based on the older C170 platform. For the 2012 model year, the Ford Focus was finally harmonized again under what is known as the global C platform.

The basis for compact vehicles, the 2012 Ford Focus was the first vehicle that introduced North American car buyers to their C platform. A year later, the all-new Ford Escape was treated to a significant remodel on the latest generation platform. An addition to the US market last year, the Ford C-Max multi-purpose vehicle also displays the C platform. Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid models of the Ford C-Max demonstrated how modern platform development now includes the versatile application of advanced powertrain compatibility.

Information and photo source: Chris Nagy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Corporation

The article Automakers Realize the Platform for Success appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Dark city streets reflecting the bright colors of traffic lights and glowing skyscrapers off of the blacktop, driving through downtown towards some of the urban back roads.  Under the overpasses onto the outskirts of the skyline.  When I think of the modern Nissan Z, this is its territory… a proper backdrop to scare off some midnight 4 banger drivers.  It was, and still is, one of the most popular imports for modifying.  Since 2003 when the 350Z came out, it was a new animal.  Modern, and sleek while still being brooding and most importantly not taking itself too seriously. The car didn’t wear a goofy ridiculous grin, but it didn’t have its angry eyes on either… it had no need to!

The same can be said for the new 370Z, despite a few more styling lines being drawn in, somehow Nissan captured the perfect working man’s sports car in this era.  They have a personality, that is deeper than the down-to-business blue collar looks, and that makes more of a bond between man and machine than anything else.  The Z knows what it is, and so do you, so it doesn’t need to go shouting about it…until you squeeze the right pedal down to the floor.  The old 3.5L emitted a growl I’ve never heard from a V6 before.  It was like the rumble from a massive thunderstorm echoing across Navy Pier.  However that’s not a very fun comparison.  But not to worry!  Because there is a newly tuned best of the best version of the 370Z, so we can use more similes!

Now when the 370Z came out it was touted for being much more nimble through the corners, unlike some of its German counterparts such as the revamped Z4, just to name one.  In addition to its new found agility, it also packed on some muscle in the form of 26 more powers of a horse from the last 08′ 350Z.  So the base model has 332 hp, but the Nismo edition has been trained well with more track savvy and more power.  Let’s take a look at how they made a great sports car even better.

First of all, I apologize for sounding too much like Jeremy Clarkson ahead of time, but I must to describe this car. Now the base model may sound like a younger scalded lion, but the new in-house tuned version emits a sound similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger yelling through a Darth Vader mask.  In addition, the Nismo dual exhaust decreases back pressure by 30%, boosting performance.  I’ll just let you think about what that sounds like for a second.  Okay, so lets go over the specs for the newest edition of the Japanese muscle car.  Now I say new, but when they lifted the cover off it at the Chicago Auto Show, the only changes revealed were a couple red pin stripes, and grey accents.  The new styling accents are supposed to “define” the new Nismo line which also consist of the demographic deprived Nismo Juke.  The performance figures are the same, but I’ll go over them anyway just to help remind you why this car is the best affordable coupe on the market.

The 3.7L V6 is tuned up to 350hp, and although it only has a 7500 rpm redline, they claim to have advanced variable valve timing which improves airflow into the combustion chamber (stay with me) and improves torque. In layman’s terms, it improves the motor’s efficiency.  It produces 276 ft lbs of torque, and Nissan also claim to have an advanced “Viscous” limited slip differential to help put all that power and torque to the road during hard cornering.

There are many other clever Nismo parts installed as well; the chassis is stiffened with stability bars and sport tuned suspension.  The aerodynamics have also been improved with a formed front splitter minimizing understeer, as well as a rear spoiler to improve stability and a rear diffuser that suck the car down to the road and increases grip. While having improved downforce, they have spent an abundance of time in the wind tunnel reducing drag as well.  It has a couple of driver aids as well.  The traction control is able to be turned off so fear not you tail-swinging, tire-smoking jackaloons!  It also has Synchrorev, which matches the revs on up shifts and down shifts for a seamless change, which I don’t mind on the Nissan, because it can be turned off and left to the driver.

Just to get an idea of the performance, let’s put it up against the old Nismo 350Z, which had 306 hp.  That’s still 26 hp less than a standard 370Z, and 44 less than the Nismo.  You get all of this improvement for around $43,810 fresh off the lot, which isn’t bad for a top of the line Z. 

Everything about this new model reminds me of playing Need for Speed Underground 2, and I’ll explain why.  It is just the perfect blend of import tuner and muscle, which makes night cruising the perfect backdrop to this car. Somehow Nissan has given a mid-range sports car a bit of the epic appeal like a supercar has. It’s that car that you know you want someday when you’re younger!  With Japanese Nissan reliability and performance teamed with a bit of American persona, this car just fits cruising along Gulf Blvd… or showing up vtecs on the midland U.S. 31 cruising strip. It’s the Batman of blue collar sports cars – it owns the night.  So if you’re a fan of the previous Z models, a fan of the GT-R but can’t quite swing the price tag, or are just looking to avoid the common Mustang because they are all driven by cougars now, the Nismo 370Z is a perfect place to go.

Save thousands off MSRP on your new car at TrueCar.

The article Newly Styled Nismo 370Z – Still King of the Underground appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Over the years, America has acquired a bad rap from European car enthusiasts for having a lazy, sedentary style of driving. This may be our own fault for producing the massive imposing land yachts in the 70’s, and modern muscle cars that still use leaf springs for rear suspension. The fact of the matter is they assume we all just like going fast in a straight line, or having cars with seats like sofas so we can lounge comfortably and eat our burgers while driving down Route 66. Times have changed in the States now, though. Despite what the rest of the motoring world may think, the U.S. is not stuck in the 50’s – 70’s. We have rally fans, Ken Block, Formula 1, road courses, and real driving enthusiasts! The fact is we got so bored over here we decided to make a Corvette that laps the Nurburgring in 7:12:13.

It took several years to bring the Lancer Evolutions, turbocharged Imprezas, and GT-Rs back to the states; let’s take a look at what else should be brought across the pond, in order from least deserving to most.

5. Alfa Romeo Brera

You don’t see many Alfas driving around in the U.S. and with good reason. They don’t sell them over here! If you go to Alfa’s website, according to them, the United States does not exist. Well I’d say it’s time for them to come back, with their whole fleet in fact! That way we don’t miss out on a great car such as the Brera again. This is possibly one of the best looking cars ever made.

The Alfa Romeo Brera had fantastic looks! It was the perfect understated town car, yet while driving through the brick roads of posh outdoor shopping malls, you’d be turning heads and getting noticed. But when the going gets rough, the AWD drivetrain will get you to your destination. The DOHC 3.2 V6 delivers 260bhp, which isn’t bad considering it will be taken to the shops and on holiday. There are some small issues, such as cramped space in the back seats, and body roll through cornering tightly. Then again… complaining about that is sort of like complaining about how practical your Italian supermodel girlfriend is to get around in heels. Why does America need Alfa Romeo? Just look at it.

4. Renault Clio Sport V6

This next car on the wish list is unlike anything else. It’s French, it’s fast, and it is completely insane! If you already know what this car is, then you know why it’s made the list, and if you don’t, well you aren’t a ridiculous car obsessed geek…yet. This is one of those cars you can’t bother explaining to your friends or co-workers, or one that will have the ladies attention. This is one of those rare cars, that only the most fuel diluted, piston-hearted, exhaust breathing, gear-head will recognize, and I am not talking about your average American car buff either. You will probably only be recognized with a nod of approval from the rare rally fan, or a Jeremy Clarkson “Padawan”, and that is what this car is all about!

If you open the hood on the Clio V6, you will not find an engine, but a tiny storage space. It has no back seats, because that is where the 3 liter V6 engine sits. So it is a hot hatchback, with the convenience of a Lamborghini Diablo and looks of a Ford Focus RS. You have 2 seats with a 6 speed transmission, and 255 bhp behind your head that will take you from 0 – 60 in a mere 5.6 seconds!

3. Ford Focus RS/Escort RS Cosworth

These are a couple no brainers. I think it is a little odd when an American company doesn’t make certain trim levels or models available in their home country. It’s a bad sign when even Ford thinks the RS and Cosworth models are too hardcore for the U.S. Let’s start with the RS Cosworth. With a turbocharged, 2 liter, inline 4cyl engine and AWD, it had similar ingredients to the Lancer Evolution. 217-227 hp takes you from 0-60 in just over 6 seconds! Couple that with the convenience of back seats, 25mpg, and that makes it the ultimate daily performance coupe. The looks are fun and unique, and just by looking at it you can tell it would be an absolute hoot to drive. This car would have been an instant classic in the states.

Now for the Focus RS which has a similar story. It’s another fun American-badge hot hatchback that never made it to the U.S. There is one difference though, and that is the engine. Not many cars can say they have an inline 5cyl engine, but the Focus RS can! Once again the lethal combination of a DOHC inline engine allows the turbo to force a lot of air quickly through one side of the engine, and expel it out the other. This configuration strikes with 300 bhp. The 300 horses max out at 163 mph, a little faster than your average BMW or STi. Front wheel drive or not, that’s enough to put a pep in your step. There are only two things it’s missing: AWD, and American buyers.

2. Holden Ute

Here is another gem made by an American company that was never made available over here. Granted, it is under GM’s Aussie brand, even still. When looking at Chevys lineup, Holden basically said, “That’s not a car, THIS is a car…”

You might not recognize the name, and that’s because it first thundered onto the scene as the Maloo pickup. Since 2010 it has gone under the Ute badge. It has quite a large range currently as well, going from the Omega model that has a 3.0L DOHC V6 and 190kW. That is about 255 American horses running under the hood of the base model. The SS V Z-Series Ute has a 6.0L V8 engine that if brought over here would have about 362hp! Nothing says American muscle like a 6 liter V8, am I right? Basically Holden’s performance line was Pontiac, and the GTO still lives on through the Commodore. What GM should have done was brought over the biggest maddest Commodore or Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst supercharged model under the Pontiac GTO label to save that brand name. Then, here’s the biggest part, they should have scrapped the SSR pickup before production, and brought over the then Maloo or the current Ute models and sold those as an all new El Camino! Why GM never did this I will never understand.

1. Nissan Skyline GT-R

Now we come to the main attraction, Godzilla himself, the granddaddy of street running monsters, the Nissan Skyline GT-R. No quality is more perfect in a car than purpose. You can have snazzy looks, fancy gadgets, but none of that really matters to a driver. The only truly beauty a car can have is form following function, which leads to a purpose. The Skyline GT-R range was built for no other purpose than to be the fasted all around sports coupe on the market. The Twin Turbo inline 6-cyl engine layout is legendary, along with its AWD system and corner shredding differential. It was made to corner faster, handle better, and accelerate quicker than anything on the market and still be an “affordable” super car with back seats.

There are many theories why the Skyline Models never made it to left hand drive production, and beyond that, why they are so hard to import into the U.S., especially the R34 Skylines. One theory going around is that the police force could not keep up with the agile powerful skylines. That is a bit de-bunked because, after all, the R35 GT-R is available over here, and I’d like to see the Crown Vic cruiser that could hang onto that. Beyond that there are an abundance of cars that would leave police cruisers in the dust that are available here, such as Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, or the Japanese fighting fish Lotus Exige. A more sound reason is that they never met DOT standards to be imported, including emissions, seatbelt standards, and crash standards.

The bottom line is, when you ask anyone what cars they have in Europe that we want, the Skyline GT-R is the first on the list. It is a great shame that we have the car emissions standards that we do, and also that Nissan could not make a Skyline that could just barely squeeze into DOT standards. We can all take solace in the fact that the GT-R is back and available for us to drive off the lot, but unfortunately it will never be a Skyline, and that hole will always be left in the gear head community where it should be. I suppose that is part of what makes Godzilla such a legend.

The article Top 5 European Cars That We Deserve in the U.S. appeared first on Automoblog.net.

With the month of December gone, some motorsport fans may be going through withdrawal in North America. Some of us are counting down the days for the Rolex 24 at Daytona (set for January 26th) while other hardcore supporters of NASCAR and INDYCAR are stuck waiting a little bit longer for action 2013 racing action to commence. Excited to say old favourites return to professional racing competition, the 2013 motorsport season brings the addition of some new faces and especially new racing equipment.

The following represent some of the 2013 racing vehicles fans can expect to see competing, and potentially in victory lane for the upcoming season.

Bentley Continental GT3 Car

In the early part of the 20th century, W.O. Bentley turned aviation expertise into a series of precision British performance machines. Pioneering technology such as an overhead cam four valve per cylinder engine layout, Le Mans and even the Indianapolis 500 were proving ground for an ambitious new auto company. Part of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race in 1923, Bentley finished 4th but would become a powerful juggernaut winning five of the next seven 24-hour races in France. The sale of Bentley Motors Limited to Rolls-Royce in 1931 put the kibosh to racing activities as the brand was recognized as super luxury brand.

Fast-forward over 80 years, a production-based Bentley Continental GT3 concept car is signalling a return to sports car racing. Recalling that Bentley returned to Le Mans between 2001 and 2003 with the brand’s sixth win coming in final year, the Speed 8 was a specialized prototype racer that involved technology from the competition-built Audi R8. While Volkswagen Group inspiration is part of modern Bentley vehicles, the Continental GT3 uses the road-going GT Speed version and pairs it with aerodynamic and other performance tweaks.

Bentley has indicated that a return to auto racing is set for later in 2013 but has not identified a series.

Nissan DeltaWing

Heading into 2013, the Nissan DeltaWing is already a celebrated race car design. Participating in two events during the 2012 sports car racing season, no spectator could mistake the DeltaWing race car for anything else on the race track. With a Nissan turbocharged 1.6 liter engine and a lower weight than other prototype race machines, the DeltaWing chassis proved to be more than a novelty when the #0 car finished the 2012 Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in 5th place. Although the Nissan DeltaWing operated as an unclassified entry (meaning it could not officially claim any class honours) this past season, the American Le Mans Series has approved the Nissan DeltaWing vehicle as a full-fledged entry in 2013. There has been no announcement specifically in what class the DeltaWing will run. Pace at Le Mans and Road Atlanta was equal to the P2 Class racing machines.

Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Stock Car

Ford’s latest generation mid-sized sedan enters vehicle showroom as an ever-important vehicle for 2013. Competing in a vehicle sector occupied by the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord just to name a few, the 2013 Ford Fusion will be balancing family sedan practicality with technology for advanced electronics and alternative powertrains. The new 2013 Ford Fusion will also have a place on the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule where will attempt to atone for next season’s shortfalls.

While 2012 started promising for Ford with Matt Kenseth dominating the late stage of the Daytona 500 on route to victory, the manufacturer title was collected by an alliance of Chevrolets and Brad Keselowski driving a Dodge Charger claimed the driver’s championship. The 2013 Ford Fusion stock car has even more to prove than its vaguely related production counterpart. The last driver of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series to pilot a Ford to the season-ending title was Kurt Busch in 2004. In that occasion, a Ford Taurus body sailed Busch to the Sprint Cup.

Showing off the Aston Martin-sourced exterior design as a charming silhouette, 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup series team are intent to steer the new Ford Fusion to victory in as many of the 36 points-paying events possible in the elite stock car tour.

Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR Nationwide Series Stock Car

Starting in this 2013 NASCAR season, the Chevrolet camp will be represented by an each major division will be represented by dedicated product between the Sprint Cup and shorter distance Nationwide Series races. Entering the 2014 Chevrolet SS sedan into Sprint Cup competition, the Chevrolet Camaro is being called into duty as the next NASCAR Nationwide series vehicle.

The Chevrolet Camaro returns to major NASCAR competition since the disbanding of the short-lived Grand American series that ran from 1968 to 1971. A shape, faithful application of the street car’s muscular look, the Chevy Camaro Nationwide Series stock car is certain to be a welcoming sight bowtie badge fans to NASCAR events starting with Daytona Speedweeks in February. At the start of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series season, the Camaro’s appearance on the race grid will reignite a frenzy fight with fellow pony car the Ford Mustang.

Mazda6 SkyActiv-D Clean Diesel GX Car

Auto racing has been and continues to be a vivid test bed for innovative technologies. Promoting all-around breakthroughs like the rear-view mirror on the first Indianapolis 500-winning Marmon Wasp in 1911, motorsports can also provide a meaningful activity for car manufacturers to demonstrate their proprietary technology to a large audience.

With few diesel products sold in the United States compared to other marketplaces on the globe, the daring launch of their SkyActiv-D clean diesel Mazda6 sedan will definitely require an exceptional marketing campaign. Eager to sell the benefits of the 2.2-liter clean diesel engine, the 2014 Mazda6 SkyActiv-D sedan will be exhibited on the racetrack prior to its sale debut later this year. Taking part in brand new sports car GX category operating under the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, Mazda is met with incredible coincidence with a production-based class promoting clean diesel and hybrid set to debut at the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona. There will be at least three cars campaigning the Mazda6 SkyActiv-D clean diesel in the GX Class in late the January endurance race.

Information and photo source: Bentley Motors Limited , Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Grand-Am, Mazda Motor of America Inc., NASCAR, Nissan North America

The article Funky, New Race Cars Expected to Compete in 2013 appeared first on Automoblog.net.

In an era where an increasing amount of business can be done without ever having to set eyes on a customer or employer, many lines of employment continue to require the ability to make a face-to-face presentation. Service-based and sales businesses demand automobiles that fulfill specific duties linked in to making income.

Whether proceeding through the path of purchase or car leasing, current economics necessitates a business-focused vehicle must also be affordably priced and have low cost of operations. There may also be a benefit that a more budget-friendly vehicle in regards to making the important first impression. If a plumber or electrician shows up at a job site in a Bentley, a client could think their hired professional is looking after someone else’s interests rather than what is attached to work. The following list is a few examples of vehicles that could prove suitable for winning or maintaining customers.

Ram Cargo Van

Derived from a leading minivan that has evolved from nearly 30 years of innovation, the Ram Cargo Van was added Chrysler Group’s work duty brand for the 2012 model year. Visually differing from a Dodge Grand Caravan with metal paneling over what would be the rear passenger side windows, the Cargo Van within the Ram brand fosters a professional, business-like capability. Boasting best in class payload and towing capacity, the Ram Cargo Van is propelled confidently with the 283-horsepower, 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6 engine. Commercial vehicle duty components such as an engine oil cooler, stronger suspension and a beefed-up electrical system is standard equipment on the Ram Cargo Van for a dependable performance.

The current design Ram Cargo Van could be discontinued with the likelihood a European-sourced Fiat Group small vehicle will join the large ProMaster in late 2013 or 2014.

Nissan Cube

Demand for Nissan’s quirky Cube compact utility vehicle has taken a measurable drop in 2012. Nevertheless, the wacky little Nissan Cube’s standout style and impressive practicality are notable qualities that have lent itself appropriately to commercial use.

Powered by a 122-horsepower 1.8 liter, reasonable city performance combines with fuel economy that registers at 25 miles per gallon city and 30 miles per gallon highway. For the 2013 model year, commercial entities searching for a fleet vehicle might be unnerved by the reality that Nissan has discontinued the cargo version of the Cube. However, the 2013 model Nissan Cube still provides meaningful urban utility. A maximum cargo space of 58.1 cubic feet allows the facilitation of light deliveries or transport, the Nissan Cube is a rare case where a flashy, attention-grabbing machine has a useful presence. Without doubt, The Nissan Cube can look rather spiffy in the business graphics applied through vehicle wraps.

Ford Transit Connect

A popular work van for professional enterprises entering into a contract hire (a process businesses in the United Kingdom lease vehicles), the Ford Connect Transit sizable cargo capacity paired with a relatively compact size has been a key selling point that eventually brought the van to North America in 2009.

Built on the same platform that conceived the first generation Ford Focus, the Transit Connect embodies car-like handling that comes through front-wheel drive and two liter, four-cylinder powerplant. An impressive 135.3 cubic feet of cargo space and able to haul items of 51.1 inches high upright, the Transit Connect operates as the automotive equivalent of a multi-tool. The Ford Transit Connect’s large side panels have the added benefit of providing a sizable billboard to potential customers.

Reshaped with a major touch-up for the 2014 model year, the Transit Connect is set to be taken even more seriously in the commercial vehicle realm.

Mazda CX-5

When an occupation does not require someone to get their hands dirty, making a good first impression on clients would benefit with a vehicle that projects confidence and a strong worth ethic. An all-new, well-mannered crossover vehicle, the Mazda CX-5 is an affordable way to convey attentive properties.

Ideal for real estate agents and other professionals who actively require a vehicle for acquiring income, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 is smart mover. KODO-derived (also known as Soul of Motion) exterior styling, a peppy 155-horsepower, 2-liter inline-four cylinder prescribing to Mazda’s SkyActiv technology and a full array of safety features make the CX-5 crossover vehicle a good candidate for a company car. An available navigation system incorporating TomTom GPS technology will be insurance that you will always arrive at important meetings on time.

With the right vehicle in the new year, making 2013 into a financially prosperous time is reachable.

Information source: Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Company, Mazda Motor of America, Nissan North America

Photo source: Chris Nagy, Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Company

The article Budget-Minded Business Vehicles of 2013 appeared first on Automoblog.net.

The Nissan Altima has been a sleeper success in the mid-size segment. While the redesigned 2013 Toyota Camry, 2013 Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata have gotten a lot of attention, it hasn’t as much until its recent redesign. The previous car rose up to sales ranks to become the second-best selling passenger car in the United States.

The 2012 model wasn’t terribly competitive, but the 2013 has changed things up significantly. The new model borrows its styling heavily from the more expensive Maxima. The 2013 Altima looks much more substantial on the exterior and improves things in the areas that really matter to customers – such as fuel economy.

While enthusiasts hate the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), NIssan has used it to great effect, and buyers are responding. The Altima is built at NIssan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Tennessee. This year the company has announced the passing of a critical milestone. Since being introduced in 1992, the Altima has sold over 4 million units. The 2013 redesign has also helped set a new record for Altima sales in a calendar year. The previous record was 284,762 units back when the economy was booming in 2007.

Digging more deeply into the details tells a good story as well. 25 percent of Altima buyers in 2012 were former owners of Toyota or Honda vehicles. Also, 11.6 percent of buyers traded in a premium brand. In addition, transaction prices (key to profitability) are on the rise as well. We wouldn’t be surprised to see another record set next year as well. That’s because the redesigned Altima just went on sale in August. The Altima is Nissan’s best-seller, and some in the industry think it could one day overtake the Toyota Camry. If anyone could do it, it would either be Nissan or Ford with the Fusion. 2013 seems like the perfect situation too, given the fact that these models are so new. We’ll see if negative news like recalls and poor crash test data, will have any impact on Toyota’s sales.

The article Nissan Altima Sets Sales Record, Crosses 4 Million Unit Mark appeared first on Automoblog.net.

Past the midway point in the month of December, we enter into two unofficial seasons delivering several surprises. Firstly, Christmas brings the opportunity for friends and family to surprise every other with tokens of generosity. The end of the year is also the time leading into some of the globe’s highest profile auto shows reveal carmakers eager to express their latest corporate philosophies heading into 2013 and beyond.

Ahead of an introduction of a their newest luxury sports sedan at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Nissan’s premium car division Infiniti has rolled out a brand-wide repositioning of their vehicle line-up empathizing the letter “Q“ starting in 2014. For 2014 cars, the “Q” will stand alongside a double-digit number (for example Q50 or Q70) while crossover vehicles will be similarly ranked with a “QX” branding. President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited Johan de Nysschen explained the new effort as a way to simplify their image. “Over the past few months, we have talked at length with our retailers, our customers, and our business partners about our brand. The need for a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity with our model range as we expand the portfolio became evident. To achieve this, we clearly needed a simple and consistent nomenclature framework.”, said de Nysschen.

Without doubt, the last time a single name attached to the letter “Q” was when the late Desmond Llewelyn provided gadgets to James Bond over the course of 17 movies. Many astute luxury car owners would notice Infiniti does not have the market cornered on the letter “Q”. Audi has been selling a Q7 crossover vehicle since 2007 in the United States with Q5 and now a smaller Q3 model also available. It appears, in the case of automotive fashion, “Q” is the new “X”.

Despite possessing a purpose to draw a higher income niche with unique, standout vehicles, the luxury car market has evolved to a point where actual model names are no longer welcomed. Slanting towards alphabetic, numeric or a combination to identify their premium products, we have even accepted American luxury brands such as Lincoln and Cadillac abandoning proper names for almost all models. Able to allow luxury car marques to integrate with ease within crucial international markets and transcend languages, German luxury car companies as well as Japanese brands have uncovered the secret of alphanumeric identities for a long time.

In utilizing the “Q” throughout their model line, Infiniti is reconnecting with its roots. In 1989, a four-door luxury vehicle called the Infiniti Q45 gave the United States its first impression of the Japanese idea of sophisticated travel. As Infiniti approaches 25 years of age in 2014, the return of Q could be as pleasing as it was in the James Bond movie Skyfall.

Information source: Infiniti
Photo source: Chris Nagy, Infiniti

The article Infiniti Realizes Power of Q for 2014 Model Line-up appeared first on Automoblog.net.

If you a purchaser of the latest in high-tech items but do not welcome the overnight line-up at an electronic store, you are perhaps very familiar with the process of waiting a special, desirable product. A case of days or weeks in many instances, there is also times where a specific item could be delayed for months or even years. Living in Canada, I remembered a five-year wait until satellite radio services were officially sold in the country.

For the case of some vehicles, the wait for certain vehicles to be officially welcomed to the United States has stretched decades. The Toyota Prius was first marketed in 1997 but would not be sold by the Japanese auto giant in North America until the 2000 calendar year. A similar, longer scenario played out in regards to the Nissan Cube that was brought to the United States after around a decade of enchanting its domestic market with the funky, odd shape. With the news of the world more accessible than ever, the word of a special vehicle spreads at the speed of light. For this reason, the game is up for automakers wanting to preserve the secret of concern cars and trucks limited to their selected marketplace.

Reflective of a more global auto market, the following vehicles are examples of how the North American car buyer has received a reward for patience:

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

First constructed in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (earlier known as the G-Wagen) has been in continuous production since. A classic body-on frame, four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle, the G-Class was accepted by European buyers as well as by numerous militaries. With the United States love for large sport utility vehicles being especially strong during the late 1990s through to the 2000s, it made little sense why Mercedes-Benz chose to put priority to the M-Class crossover while keeping the G-Class out of the market. Eventually, Mercedes-Benz bowed to pressure by introducing the heavy sport utility vehicles to their North American line-up in 2002.

Though not officially going on sale in the United States until 2002, those with money and the desire for the G-Wagen or G-Class could acquire them through import channels. Some companies would import Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens and convert them to comply with American vehicle regulations. When Mercedes-Benz finally began importing the G-Class through their dealerships, those same buyers were actually saved money when comparing the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price to the ‘gray market’ importer cost.

In 2013, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has out-lasted the whole product line-up from the Hummer division as a pompous display of luxury and off-road capability in one vehicle. A Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG can also be selected containing 536 horsepower that can move the vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.3 seconds.

Ford Fiesta ST

For an auto company that started in the United States, it is surprising to see how many vehicles Ford Motor Company has produced for other markets but kept away from their domestic buyers. In 2005, Ford chose to present an all-new Focus to the European market while leaving North American buyers with the older Focus that wasn’t entirely revisited until the 2012 model year vehicle. 2005 was also the same year the Ford Fiesta ST debuted on European roads. In a marketplace where the Ford Mustang isn’t the name of performance for the Blue Oval, the need to improvise has created a variety of sport compact vehicles to fill the void. The side effect of creating some breath-taking small performance cars in Europe is the fact North American buyers will eventually see the vehicle and want it themselves.

Through the arrival of the Transit Connect, C-Max and the Transit van, Ford appears more open to sharing European-positioned vehicles with their stateside line-up. Under the weight of public outcry, the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show came highlighted by the announcement that the next generation Ford Fiesta ST is coming to North America. A 2014 model vehicle, the upcoming Fiesta ST features a 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine producing 197 fun-loving horsepower. The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST will join another long-time holdout Focus ST as examples of European small car performance present in United States showrooms.

Scion (Toyota) iQ

While it’s clear that Europe and Japan are big microcar markets, the wide, long roads of North America have not always delivered the same amount of love for smaller vehicles. Referred to as microcar, city car and super compact, the vehicle segment has attracted several serious automakers with fuel economy standards set to more than double in some world regions by 2025. In 2007, Toyota debuted a concept called the iQ that entered production in late 2008. A 120.1-inch long vehicle powered by a small engine, the Toyota iQ began running about Japan and Europe in award-winning fashion.

Interesting enough, British luxury carmaker Aston Martin had reached out to Toyota so they can build their own iQ microcar. Called the Cygnet, the Aston Martin super compact car is significantly dressed up version of the iQ meant to satisfy their clientele. While it’s questionable whether the US auto market would accept a luxury city car let alone the general vehicle type, Toyota realizes that a growing influx of smaller vehicles into the North American marketplace is enough to sell the iQ.

Four years since being named the Car of the Year in Japan, the iQ can now roam United States and Canadian roads. Seeing the vehicle as more tempting as first-time new car buyers, Toyota decided to marry the iQ into the Scion brand. Priced at a nifty $15,385 starting price, the 2013 Scion iQ also sports super-efficient fuel economy numbers of 37 miles per gallon highway.

Audi TT RS

Kept away from the subcompact Audi A1 and such high performance offerings as the RS6 Avant, the North American market is understandably unnerved by being overlooked concerning certain models. However, as Audi has devoted a greater global focus to their product line, there seems to be some optimism for United States customers wanting something more from Volkswagen Group’s premium luxury division. With the Audi Q3 crossover all-but here, modern motoring times has also allowed many of the specialty RS vehicles to cross the Atlantic.

For the 2012 model year, the North American marketplace was treated to the hyper-powered edition of Audi’s entry-level TT sports car. The Audi TT RS had brought all 360 horsepower from its TFSI 2.5-liter engine to the United States after nearly three years in Europe. Since the TT RS was set loose on the Autobahn and other roadway in European locales, hardcore Audi fans stateside led a fierce campaign to bring the car over the ocean. When Audi posted a petition on their Facebook page with 11,500 respondents requesting the TT RS, the auto company finally concurred that the sports car belonged in the marketplace. Arriving only as the TT RS Coupe, this vehicle brought some life back to Audi’s smaller sports car.

Nissan GT-R

The story of the Nissan GT-R’s arrival to the United States was a long one. Connected to the Nissan Skyline for nearly four decades, the GT-R badge was one of the Japanese leading supercars remaining as a long held secret for the land of the rising sun. Thanks to the enthusiastic launch of the compact tuner car market during the 1990s, the all-wheel driver, twin-turbocharged engined Nissan Skyline GT-R was vaunted into the world spotlight. So desired, versions of the Nissan Skyline GT-R was a product of various second-hand importing attempts. For the most part, the desired R-32 to R-34 variants of the Nissan Skyline GT-R built between 1989 to 2002 was illegitimately brought into the United States.

At last, the time had come in 2008 that the GT-R moniker grew into its own supercar. By doing so, the Nissan GT-R was free to enjoy its first legal trip to the United States. Incorporating the latest performance-oriented ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive and originally the twin-turbo 3.8 liter V-6 engine that originally cranked out 480-horsepower, the Nissan GT-R became and continues to strike terror in a challenging Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette. Producing a mammoth 545 horsepower for under 3 second launches from 0 to 60 miles per hour, the 2013 Nissan GT-R is very much the fans of the brawny Japanese supercar wanted to see (though the just under $100,000 base price may not be).

Which cars are you glad that you’re finally able to see in the States?

Information source: Audi AG, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Corporation
Photo source: Chris Nagy, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, Nissan North America

The article Top 5 Cars that are Finally in the States appeared first on Automoblog.net.