Unveiled back in 2009 with an even sharper Z shape, Nissan is already making minor improvements to the second year 370Z. Upgrading items like the Navigation Package contents, heated mirrors and in cabin micro filter to improve air quality as well as one new tantalizing color, Black Cherry, all starting at just $29,990.
Compared to the old Z33 350Z’s four trim lineup (regular, Enthusiast, Touring and Grand Touring), the current generation Z34 will only be sold in base and Touring trims. Allowing owners a bit more creature comfort, the Japanese automaker will then allow new car buyers two option packages, Sport and Navigation. Powered by a VQ37VHR 3.7 Liter V6 with VVEL rated at 332 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a 6 speed manual or a 7 speed automatic with auto blipping Downshift Rev Matching and Adaptive Shift Contro. The combination is good for an estimated 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
The exterior design revisions include sharpened boomerang HID light clusters as well as a revised front end and wider arches. Meanwhile the interior benefits from a few new upgraded materials while maintaining the classic trio of gauges on the dash. It would appear that Nissan only improved upon what we thought was pretty perfect.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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The last generation 3 shared a platform with the Ford Focus, and so now that the (European) Focus has upgraded its chassis, so will the 3. The new look of the 3 takes cues from the Mazda6, and continues what Mazda says will be the base of its future design language.
On the North American market, the new Mazda3 will be launched as a sedan only, with the hatchback version arriving at a later date.
2010 Mazda3 is offered with two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 148 hp at 6500 rpm and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm; and Mazda3 s powered by a MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 167 hp at 6000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. The i version gets a five-speed manual transmission while the s version gets a six-speed stick-shift transmission.
The Mazda3 i achieves 25 mpg in city driving with the manual transmission and 24 mpg with the automatic. The highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg with either transmission. The Mazda3 s also tops 20 mpg in all conditions. Equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, its city rating is 21 mpg, rising to 22 mpg with the 5-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg with either transmission.
Press release after the jump.
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Hyundai unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2010 Genesis Coupe, a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sport coupe featuring two performance-focused engines – a 212-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-hp, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine. Genesis Coupe is scheduled to join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2009.
2010 Genesis Coupe was shown as a concept at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show and its transformation from concept to production reveals that its signature design features have emerged intact.
Genesis Coupe is lighter than the Infiniti G37, and its chassis is also 24 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than the BMW E46 M3. Rear-wheel drive provides a 55:45 front/rear weight distribution.
Two engines infuse Genesis Coupe with performance. The 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC V6 engine delivers an estimated 306 hp and 263 lb.-ft. of torque on regular unleaded. This engine will launch the Genesis Coupe from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds.
The turbocharged, intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder benefits from CVVT on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The 2.0-liter turbo generates an estimated 212 hp and 217 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features a cast-aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head. Both engines feature a free flowing dual cat-back exhaust and an available limited slip differential to put the power to the ground.
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Nissan unveiled today at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Maxima, a model that marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan’s roots as a commanding 4-door sports car – a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel.
For five previous generations, Maxima has been built on a front-wheel drive (FWD) platform. Yet with the new Maxima’s development team everything was open for discussion, including the benefits of front-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive (RWD). Although there are well-known advantages of RWD in terms of sporty handling, it was ultimately decided that by switching Maxima from its previous platform to Nissan’s new “D platform,” which was first introduced on the current Nissan Altima Sedan, Hybrid and Coupe, the target Maxima performance could be delivered – without giving up the added FWD benefits of lower costs, lower weight and enhanced roominess versus a RWD platform.
For 2009, Maxima again features a standard 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine, enhanced and refined to take its driving performance to new levels. The engine delivers 290 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque (estimated), increases of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima. All 2009 Maximas come equipped with a revised Xtronic CVT with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima’s sporty driving character.
Full details after the jump.
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Infiniti launched the 2008 EX37, the world’s first compact coupe crossover. Based on the Infiniti FM platform, EX37 shares much of its hardware with both the G37 and G37 Coupe. As a result, it enjoys the same high levels of handling precision and balance as well as similar levels of performance, refinement, build quality and equipment.
The EX37 is powered by a new 3.7-litre version of VQ engine family. Regularly honoured in independent awards the world over, the twin cam 24 valve V6 produces over 310PS and an impressive over 350Nm of torque.
EX37 is available with a new seven-speed automatic transmission while the suspension design - double wishbone set up at the front and multi-link arrangement at the rear - delivers the ideal blend between sporting handling and superior ride comfort.
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