2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Z06

Engine 7 liter V8, Aspiration natural, HP 505 hp, HP/Liter 72.1 hp per liter.

2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Celebrates Racing Heritage

Z06 Centennial Edition to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach sale
Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s trademark sports car technology.

The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models – including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 – starting this summer.

The special package was inspired by Chevrolet’s racing-bred foundation, which continues with Corvette’s international racing excellence and production sports car prominence.

“Racing and performance are the roots of Chevrolet, a tradition carried forward today by Corvette,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The Centennial Edition not only celebrates our 100 years, it once again pushes Corvette forward for a new generation of sports car fans.”

Chevrolet will auction a Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 9, with the proceeds to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. It will be the 100th 2012 Corvette off the assembly line, with a vehicle identification number ending in “00100.”
The Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette expresses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-looking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette models.
The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Aficionados will note one other small detail: The historic crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with “100” in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis symbol, only for the Centennial Edition.

The exterior color scheme is reinforced inside the car, with the Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complimented by red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter. Microfiber suede accents on Centennial Edition seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests were first used on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.
The Chevrolet Centennial Edition will be available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC. Pricing will be released this summer prior to the start of availability.

“Louis Chevrolet was a fearless racing pioneer who also designed our first car,” Scheidt said. “Corvette is a natural fit to honor that legacy, while creating a compelling new package for sports car drivers.”

»»  READMORE...

2012 JE Design Audi Q7 S-Line Widebody

Engine 4.2 liter diesel V8, Aspiration turbocharged, Torque 660 lb-ft, HP 404 hp, HP/Liter 96.2 hp per liter, 0-62 mph 6.1 seconds.

More sport for the Audi Q7 S-Line: JE DESIGN Widebody "ennobles" the sports SUV
• Aggressive body kit for the Audi Q7 S-Line
• 22-inch SUV Select and SCORPIO alloy wheels
• Performance enhancements and sports lowering available
• All components supplied with TÜV certificates
More sport, more individuality, and more overtaking prestige: Car-tuning manufacturer JE DESIGN is offering all Audi Q7 S-Line models of the Facelift generation a significant boost in exclusivity with a multipart bodywork kit and 22-inch alloy wheels.

The JE DESIGN bodywork kit, which includes door trims, merges harmoniously with the Audi Q7's contours and enhances the SUV's design. During assembly, the high-class wheel arches are glued to the bodywork, widening the vehicle by 30 millimeters per side at the front and 40 millimeters per side at the rear. Especially the fender extensions on the rear axle, with their vent holes, lend the Audi Q7 S-Line a very sporty look. Also included are front-spoiler corners, a PDC-suitable (Park Distance Control) rear-apron extension, and two JE DESIGN double-tailpipe covers, all of which are fashioned from highly polished stainless steel in an attractive diamond-shape design. A dynamic roof wing with side covers above the C pillars adds further emphasis to the sporty charisma of the JE DESIGN "Widebody". The complete styling package, including tailpipe covers, is available directly from the tuning manufacturer from 7,438 euros.
22 inches of exclusivity
For an even more exclusive look than with the standard Audi S-Line on international boulevards and streets such as "Fifth Avenue" in New York, "Kensington Palace Gardens" in London, "Avenue Montaigne" in Paris, "Avenue Princess Grace" in Monaco, "Via Suvretta" in St. Moritz, "Maximilian-Straße" in Munich, "Ostozhenka" in Moscow, or "Severn Road" in Hong Kong, the wheel arches beneath the broad fenders are filled out by single-part 10 x 22 inch SUV Select alloy wheel rims. The timeless five-spoke design wheels are available in three different color schemes (matte-black, front silver matte / shadow silver, front polished / graphite matte, polished lip) and are fitted 295/30R22 tires. Alternatively, the new JE DESIGN complete wheel set SCORPIO is also available in 10 x 22 inches. The set offers a completely new interpretation of the popular double-spoke design and is also available in the size 9 x 20 inches in matte-black with polished-silver rim flange. For both 22-inch complete wheel sets, which are available from 5,190 euros, JE DESIGN installs 30-millimeter-thick (front) and 40-millimeter-thick (rear) wheel spacers (409 euros) under the expansive wheel-arch extensions of the widebody kit.
The JE DESIGN wheels look even more formidable with a lowered suspension (1,428 euros). Here, an electronic adjustment of the Audi "adaptive air suspension" lowers the chassis by around 35 millimeters. The functionality of the smooth-adjustment damping system with its five different damping modes ("automatic, "comfort", "dynamic", "lift", and "offroad") is, of course, still present.
Performance enhancement
For the various engines of the Audi Q7 Facelift, JE DESIGN offers numerous performance enhancements. For example, the Q7 4.2 TDI tiptronic's 250 kW (340 PS) standard series power is increased to up to 302 kW (410 PS) thanks to optimized programming of the control electronics; this also increases the maximum torque to 895 newton meters. With its new power, the SUV accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. JE DESIGN offers the new control-system software from 1,499 euros including VAT. This includes a one-year guarantee for the engine, turbocharger, transmission, and drive train, which can be extended by a further year for just 199 euros, provided the Audi Q7 is not older than two years and has less than 100,000 kilometers on the clock. In the company’s own specialist workshop in Leingarten, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the optimization of the Motronic takes just three to four hours. Alternatively, JE DESIGN will collect the dismounted control unit by courier and will return it to addresses within Germany the following day.

The high-quality JE DESIGN accessories have received many awards in international specialist publications, are supplied with TÜV certificates, and can be entered easily into the vehicle documents. Following the performance enhancement, the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI meets statutory emissions requirements, ruling out any difficulties in the emissions test.

»»  READMORE...

2011 Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Engine 1.75 liter, Weight 1874 lbs, Aspiration turbocharged, HP over 200 hp , HP/Weight under 9.4 hp per liter, HP/Liter over 114.3 hp per liter, Top Speed over 155 mph.

World Premiere: the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
At the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept will make its debut, a compact "supercar" which represents the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.

The new concept presents the classic formula of the two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with its engine at the centre, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres: dimensions which serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. Distinguished by its graceful and clean external lines, the same principles are also applied to the inside, with the Concept's specific on-board design maintaining features and devices which directly reflect the car's sporting spirit.

On the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione find a home - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology derived from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.
Quite simply, this vehicle screams Alfa. Its sports car soul creates a unique driving sensation, both on the road and when racing, where its velocity and transverse acceleration become even more demanding.

Born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the new concept car shares its rear-wheel drive with the exclusive supercars as well as its philosophy based on achieving maximum driving pleasure and the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. This is an objective which the 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider pursue mainly through their increased power, while the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept follows the route of limited weight, made possible by extensive use of carbon, which also plays a structural role and guarantees exceptional agility with a weight/power ratio which is lower than 4 kg/HP. The chassis supports a body crafted completely from carbon, inside which there is space for the driver and passenger, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively. The final result is a significant reduction in weight, limited to less than 850 kg, as well as the optimisation of the vehicle's centre of gravity, which gives the advantage of increased agility and drivability on the most challenging roads.

The name "4C Concept" is suggestive of the sports driving pleasure which only the spectacular "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine which offers over 200 HP can bring. Already featured on a number of models in production, for example the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, the engine boasts cutting-edge technical solutions such as direct injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, turbocharger and the revolutionary scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.

Located centrally in the rear of the vehicle, the engine in the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept ensures performance which matches or exceeds that of a 3 litre engine whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder engine. Coupled with the new automatic "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, launched only a few months ago on the MiTo and which will soon be available on the Giulietta, the powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 250 km/h and to accelerate from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds. The vehicle integrates its Alfa DNA technology perfectly, a true philosophy which brings together all of the on-board technology, making it enjoyable and customisable for the driver and further accentuating the "competitive" nature of the Concept compared to other vehicles currently on sale.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has an extremely sophisticated suspension layout (high quadrilateral at the front, MacPherson at the rear) to ensure maximum agility and road handling. This solution, along with the rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight/power ratio, ensures Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, enhanced even further by the weight distribution (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle). The Concept takes up the Brand's sporting tradition, taking us back to its origins, when agility and the weight/power ratio were the keys to a successful racing vehicle, and combining these aspects with the Alfa Romeos which take to the road every day.

This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo's global growth.

»»  READMORE...

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Engine 1.75 liter TBi inline-4, Aspiration turbocharged, HP 235 hp, HP/Liter 134.3 hp per liter.

Alfa Romeo at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show
The Giulietta is the undisputed star of the booth and of the Alfa Romeo Centenary. With the new car - capable of expressing both great agility over the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads – the Brand continues in its custom of presenting all its new products and features in a world preview on the occasion of the Geneva Motor Show.
Indeed, after the Alfa 159 and the Alfa Brera in 2005, the Alfa 159 Sportwagon, the Alfa Spider in 2006 and the Alfa 8C Spider in 2008, now is the time to present the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
The Giulietta is a five-door hatchback, with an evident Alfa Romeo appearance, capable of expressing both great agility over the most demanding routes and providing comfort on everyday roads. This is thanks to the new "Compact" architecture which, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the fine materials used and the manufacturing technologies implemented, allows the Giulietta to achieve excellent levels both in terms of on-board comfort as well as its dynamic and safety features (active and passive).
From May this year, the model will be on sale progressively on all the major markets, while visitors of the Geneva Motor Show will be able to admire five different models: two Quadrifoglio Verde versions fitted with the 235 HP 1750 TBi, two Distinctive versions with 170 HP 2.0 JTDM and a Distinctive version fitted with the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol.
The name of the new car is an obvious tribute to the mythical Giulietta which, in the Fifties, caught the imagination of generations of car enthusiasts, making the dream of owning an Alfa Romeo and enjoying the high level of comfort and technical excellence accessible for the first time.

»»  READMORE...

Nissan Skyline Coupe

Nissan Skyline Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Style and Performance

Nissan Skyline celebrated its 50th anniversary today in grand style at an event held at Tokyo’s new Midtown development. Dating back to 1957, the Skyline is a legendary car in the Nissan line-up with a long heritage of style and performance, beloved by motoring fans all over the world.

Taking this opportunity, Nissan also showed the all-new Skyline Coupe today, making its first appearance in Japan. The new Skyline Coupe is scheduled for release this fall in Japan.
Present at the celebrations were the chief engineers that led the product development of each generation Skyline, including Shinichiro Sakurai, chief development engineer of the first Skyline model. The event featured a film presentation that reflected the evolution of the Skyline design, performance and image throughout the different eras of each generation Skyline.

A fashion show entitled “Skyline GT Collection” was held in commemoration of the anniversary, featuring twelve of today’s most popular fashion models, including Yoko Horiuchi. The models were dressed in specifically designed outfits, inspired by each generation Skyline.
Celebrity guests included musician Joe Hisaishi, actor Ken Watanabe, while major league baseball player Ichiro offered his congratulations via a video message. Each of these celebrities share in a common trait with the Skyline i.e. that they were born in Japan but have since gained fame and recognition in the global arena. Mr. Hisaishi’s latest composition, I Will Be, written for the Skyline’s new TV commercial, was performed for the first time by Mai Hisaishi, who is also featured on the commercial.

The Skyline 50th Anniversary exhibition, featuring each generation Skyline model, will be open to the public at Tokyo Midtown Garden from Tuesday, April 24th to Sunday, May 6th. The new Skyline Coupe and the Skyline GT Collection fashion line will be on exhibit at the Midtown Atrium from Wednesday, April 25th through Sunday, May 6th.

»»  READMORE...

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

Price $38,860, Production 1000, Engine 3.7 liter V6, Aspiration natural, HP 332 hp, HP/Liter 89.7 hp per liter.

Nissan Announces U.S. Pricing on the 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition
Limited Production Z® Coupe, Set for Early Spring On-sale, Priced at $38,860 USD

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) has announced pricing for the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition, which is scheduled to go on sale in late February 2010. Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Datsun 240Z, the 40th Anniversary Edition starts with the 370Z Touring model equipped with Sport Package and 6-speed manual transmission then adds unique special equipment. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price* (M.S.R.P.) is $38,860 USD. The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 1,000 units.
Along with the standard 370Z Touring and Sport Package features -- including SynchroRev Match, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential -- the 40th Anniversary Edition adds a unique, premium "40th Graphite" exterior color and special red leather-appointed interior.

Other exclusive 40th Anniversary Edition equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front shock tower brace. Inside, along with the red leather-appointed seats, are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary debossed seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and an interior 40th commemorative plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Edition Z also comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.

Along with the 40th Anniversary Edition, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe is available in two well-equipped models: 370Z and 370Z Touring and in a special edition NISMO 370Z -- starting at $29,990 (6MT), $34,660 (6MT) and $39,190 respectively. A 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster, with fully automatic cloth convertible top, is also offered, starting at $36,970 (6MT). All prices are USD.
All 2010 Nissan 370Z models are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The engine is rated at 332-horsepower for the 370 Coupe and 370Z Roadster, while the NISMO 370Z Coupe is tuned to produce 350 horsepower. Buyers also have a choice of 6-speed manual transmission with an available SynchroRev Match synchronized downshift rev matching system or a 7-speed automatic transmission (NISMO 370Z and 40th Anniversary Package are available with 6-speed manual transmission only). Crisp handling is once again provided by a 4-wheel independent suspension.

Available technology features for 2010 include the enhanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 7-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, 9.3GB HDD Music Box, USB connectivity and iPod connection, XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information and XM NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately), automatic phonebook download (select phones) and Bluetooth Streaming Audio; Nissan Intelligent Key and a Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System.
About Nissan in North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infinitiusa.com.

»»  READMORE...

Nissan NISMO 350Z

Engine 3.5 liter V6, Weight 3352 lbs, Aspiration natural, Torque 268 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm, HP 306 hp @ 6800 rpm, HP/Weight 11 lbs per hp, HP/Liter 87.4 hp per liter.

2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z Continues Tradition of Performance With Super GT Race-Inspired Styling and Features
Taking Performance One Step Further With the 2007 NISMO 350Z
For the first time ever in the Nissan Z’s 37-year history, a high-performance NISMO 350Z is part of the extensive Z lineup. The new 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z, which makes its North American debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, features an extensively developed list of unique equipment – including a special body package and improved handling equipment. This new model, the fifth in the 2007 350Z Coupe lineup, is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only. It goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2007.
NISMO, the premier supplier of high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles in the United States since 2003, previously participated in the development of the NISMO Frontier off-road pickup truck, introduced in 2005. The NISMO 350Z is the second Nissan model to be branded with the legendary marque. Like the Frontier model, which is specially equipped for off-road excursions, the 2007 NISMO 350Z is optimized for enthusiast drivers.

"With the combination of the new VQ35HR engine found on all 2007 350Zs and NISMO performance and design enhancements, the NISMO 350Z represents the pinnacle of Nissan performance machines," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA).
"The NISMO 350Z is the ideal package for true enthusiasts – adding a high level of aesthetic and performance enhancing equipment which is not available in the aftermarket – while retaining the reliability, durability, and comprehensive warranty found standard on every 2007 Nissan 350Z," he continued.

The most striking visual feature of this special vehicle is the NISMO aerodynamics package, which strongly resembles the Super GT championship winning Zs. Featuring an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser and a rear wing, the NISMO 350Z produces additional aerodynamic downforce to provide enhanced cornering and handling performance.

Special consideration is given during assembly of the NISMO 350Z – structural rigidity is enhanced by additional body welds to the already rigid 350Z body and additional supports have been added front and rear. The NISMO 350Z also utilizes special body dampers mounted in the front radiator core support and in the rear cargo area, which assist in controlling body vibrations.

Additional performance features include a special NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch front and 12.7-inch rear rotors) and special NISMO-branded gunmetal gray RAYS super lightweight forged-alloy wheels (18x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear with 245/40WR18 front, 265/35WR19 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires). A special NISMO-branded tuned exhaust adds an even more authoritative tone to the Z’s 306-horsepower V6 engine.
"The combination of aerodynamic enhancements and performance tuning adds up to a Z with enhanced cornering, steering precision and handling," said Bosley. "Every exterior and mechanical improvement made to the NISMO 350Z isn’t just for show, it’s also for performance."

Four exterior colors are available, including Redline Red, Magnetic Black, Silver Alloy and Pikes Peak White.

Inside, NISMO 350Z drivers receive special treatment with unique black cloth seats with red inserts, red stitching throughout the interior and special NISMO white-faced tachometer. All NISMO 350Zs receive a serialized NISMO-etched aluminum plaque mounted on the center console, designating its limited edition status.

The NISMO 350Z includes a full complement of 350Z standard features, including the new VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 306 horsepower @ 6,800 RPM and 268 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 RPM – with more than 90% of torque available between 2,000 and 7,000 RPM. Engine features include variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a 7,500 rpm rev limit and a symmetric twin ram air intake system.
The standard 6-speed manual transmission features close-ratio gearing from 1st through 5th gears for high-performance driving and an overdrive 6th speed for highway fuel economy. For performance handling, standard on the NISMO 350Z is a Traction Control System (TCS) and Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD).

Also standard is electronically-controlled vehicle speed-sensitive dual-orifice rack-and-pinion power steering system, front and rear strut tower bracing, 4-wheel disc Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, cruise control, aluminum pedals, illuminated steering wheel audio controls and auto dimming rearview mirror, power windows, 3-bay gauge cluster, High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-xenon (high and low beam) headlights, LED taillights, Advanced Air Bag System, side and curtain side-impact supplemental air bags and Active Head Restraints.

"The NISMO 350Z is geared towards enthusiasts who want the ultimate 350Z straight from the factory performance experts,” said Bosley. “They also want a Z that makes a statement and is a testament to their love of driving."

In addition to the new NISMO 350Z, the 2007 350Z Coupe is offered in Base, Enthusiast, Touring and Grand Touring models. The 2007 350Z Roadster is offered in three models – Enthusiast, Touring and Grand Touring.

»»  READMORE...