The new generation Nissan Z Roadster entered the market a year later than its coupe brother, so with such a short history, the 370Z Roadster enters the 2011 model year with no major updates. Changes for 2011 are limited to the addition of RearView Monitor to the optional Navigation Package and one new exterior color, Gun Metallic. The Roadster model is offered in two versions: 370Z Roadster priced at $37,520 and 370Z Touring Roadster priced at $41,070.
Like the coupe version, the 370Z Roadster is powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine with an output of 332 HP @ 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm. The engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. The roadster sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 155 mph (limited).
Compared to the coupe version, the roadster gets exclusive high back seats, added structural body reinforcements, and a convertible top. The 370Z Roadster’s roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to provide a sleek silhouette matching the Z’s stunning styling with the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.
Updated 04/01/2011: Nissan Europe has unveiled today a new gallery of images featuring the 2011 370Z Roadster. And may we add it looks great in white? Enjoy!
Press release after the jump.
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Like with all the other G models in Infiniti’s line-up, the Convertible model is entering the 2011 model year with a few updates, including a new Limited Edition model. The 2011 Infiniti G37 Convertible goes on sale at a price of $44,500 and the Sport 6MT version at $48,950. The Limited Edition Infiniti G Convertible, with unique content and exclusive Monaco Red leather-appointed interior is priced at $56,750.
The 2011 G Convertible gets a revised front fascia design (Sport and non-Sport) with fog lights moved from inside the headlight to the lower fascia area, revised 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs and two new exterior colors – Lapis Blue and Malbec Black. In addition, the Navigation Package is now standard on the G37 Convertible Sport 6MT.
The Limited Edition model is distinguished by solid magnesium paddle shifters, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, summer performance tires, Sport brakes, Sport-tuned steering gear, front fascia, side sills, Midnight Black grille, exclusive red leather-appointed interior, Climate-controlled front seats, driver’s seat power lumbar support, unique maple accents with red tone, aluminum pedals and footrest.
Press release after the jump.
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Not long after the debut of the all-new BMW X3 in Paris, BMW has announced the suggested retail pricing for the sporty SUV.
The entry level 240-horsepower X3 xDrive28i will be priced at $37,625, and arrives in dealer showrooms by the end of this year. The turbocharged, 300-horsepower X3 xDrive35i will have an MSRP of $41,925. Both prices include $875 Destination & Handling fees and feature the standard 8-speed automatic transmission along with BMW’s acclaimed xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system. The 2011 models will also have a significant increase in all round value compared to their 2010 predecessor by sporting more standard equipment, including Bluetooth connectivity, iPod/USB interface, anti-theft alarm system, and - on the X3 xDrive35i - standard BMW Xenon Adaptive Headlights.
Produced exclusively at BMW’s newly upgraded Spartanburg, S.C. factory, the new X3 will be supported by a state-of-the-art ordering and manufacturing system. Customers will be able to make changes to their vehicle order up until six days prior to the start of production.
The SUV market may be slowly, very slowly, shrinking as more and more people decide that smaller, more efficient models are the way to go, and Infiniti seems to have noticed. The Japanese company revealed details on the FX luxury SUV and with those details came news of a price decrease for the mid-sized SUV. The FX50’s price saw a decrease of $2,600 USD and the FX35 model got reduced by $1,250 USD. Both received a few updates for the new year as well. For 2011, the FX will be offered in three trim levels: FX50 AWD with 5.0-liter V8 - $56,400, FX35 AWD with 3.5-liter V6 - $43,050, and FX35 RWD with 3.5-liter V6 - $41,600.
The 2011 FX will be offered with two engines: a standard 5.0-liter V8 engine rated at 390 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque and a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with 303 HP and 262 lb-ft of torque.
Infiniti will offer only five option packages: Premium Package, Deluxe Touring Package, different for the FX35 and FX50, Sport Package (FX50 only), Technology Package (FX50 and FX35). Safety features found on every 2011 FX include a seat belt reminder system; standard Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS); dual-stage front supplemental air bags with occupant classification and seat belt sensors; seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for enhanced outboard seat occupant head protection.
Press release after the jump.
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It has not been an easy couple of years for the third member of America’s big three. Their products were lame and their profits were even worse, not to mention public perception after the bailout wasn’t that good. While General Motors and Ford have been dominating with new vehicles, Chrysler has been laying low with the same old stuff. Needless to say, this machine has been a long time coming.
With 2010 comes a whole new machine, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a stable in the Chrysler lineup for years, redone and ready to dominate the competition. Not that there is much competition for a full size off-road SUV.
Taking cues from the new Dodge Ram, the 2011 Grand Cherokee takes them in a whole new direction that results in one of the best interiors money can buy. Not to mention a vehicle that is quiet and refined on the road, but hard and aggressive in the rough stuff, not that we were able to go in any.
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Canary Wharf in London is a modern business center, similar to La Defense in Paris. It was built up out of nothing and, as the buildings grew, the people flocked in. This was modern London and everybody wanted a taste. The area around the wharf has everything from expensive shops and restaurants to high-rise apartments. It has everything that anybody could possibly want except a history.
The normal Lexus convertible would fit well in this area. It’s not really a performance hardtop like its rival, the Infiniti G37 Convertible. The convertible Lexus is more at home cruising the avenues around the boutiques and making its way to party after high profile party, all while making the driver and passenger look good.
Thankfully, Toyota managed to inject a little life - which they don’t do often - into the convertible Lexus, as the SC430 was awful. It’s still no performance machine, but the IS250C is sure trying hard.
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When you first look at the new 2010 Audi S4, it might appear that Audi has taken a step backwards with a less-powerful, less-expensive S4, but you’d be wrong. The “third” German car company is finally an individual, no longer shadowing behind the Mercedes AMG or BMW M.
Today, visit an Audi dealership and you will find a completely revamped S4 with more power than the base A4 2.0T and better handling than the Mercedes C63 AMG.
This newest S4 pushes aside the old V8 for a far more efficient supercharged V6 with more torque. Some purists might whine about this change, but the fact of the matter is that the car is now $3,000 cheaper and just as fast.
With the new A4 range, Audi is hoping that its cheaper models will lure people into buying the more expensive high performance sedan. Unlike the old S4, which was pitted against the Mercedes AMG C-Class and the BMW M3, the new $40,000 range S4 is more suited to battle the 335i or C350.
Full review after the jump.
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BMW America announced that the North American market will get, next to the 535i and 550i, a new addition to the 5-Series line-up. The new 528i Sedan is priced at $45,425 and will go on sale this July. As we mentioned before, we believe that BMW will eventually bring out new models of every car in their current line-up and juice them up with their EfficientDynamics technologies. The BMW 528i brings us closer to being correct. We can’t blame them, they have come up with a remarkable technology that should be taken advantage of.
The 528i is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-6 engine that delivers 240 HP and 230 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is made in 6.6 seconds when the engine is mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission.
The options list includes: new 17-inch light alloy wheels, the optional Sport Package that includes 18-inch light alloy wheels, a standard lumbar support, and a larger standard moonroof. The new sedan will be offered with rake energy regeneration, valvetronic, electric power steering, and an on-demand operation of engine accessory drives.
Consumers will now be able to get the always beautful BMW with more advanced features and technological breakthroughs. Sign us up!
Press release after the jump.
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Japanese sports cars have always been a favorite of mine; they have great lines and styling, are easy on the wallet when it comes to the gas pump, and when tuned properly can move very fast with great maneuverability. Recently we reviewed the
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster with the optional touring package and, in all honesty, the car was a blast to drive. It handled well and had a great power plant with great looks to match, but now I am delighted to be in the presence of a different version of the 370Z. This version, one that is more aggressive and powerful, can only be found in the 2010 370Z Nismo edition. This car reminds me that the era of the Japanese sports cars that I favored did not go away with the
Supra,
RX7, and the rest of the big Japanese cars, but is alive and well. The best part is that Nissan is still true to the original Z car introduced to the market almost 40 years ago while providing a plethora of Z cars to match the needs, budgets, and stylings of most drivers.
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The Lexus GS luxury sedan enters the 2010 model year, in three version - GS 350 RWD, GS 350 AWD and GS 460 RWD. Next to all the latest technologies, the GS is also offered with new exterior colors: Deep Sea Mica replaces Black Sapphire Pearl and Satin Cashmere Metallic replaces Golden Almond Metallic. In addition, Parchment leather interior takes the place of Cashmere. Prices start at $45,600 and go up to $54,070.
TGS 350 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 303 hp at 6,200 rpm and 274 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,600 rpm. The GS 460 gets a V8 that produces 342 hp at 6,400 rpm and 339 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,100 rpm. The GS 460 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and the GS 350 in 5.7 (5.8 for AWD).
At front the 2010 GS gets a sloped, vertical grille surrounded by four independent headlamps visually connects the current GS sedans with the previous-generation models while signaling the brand’s design progression. The lower valance features integrated fog lamps, and a low 0.27 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps to minimize wind noise and maximize highway fuel efficiency.
Press release after the jump.
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