Nissan Releases New Diesel
September 30, 2008
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, announced the launch of a new clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT,” which goes on sale September 18 at Nissan dealers nationwide. The new X-TRAIL 20GT has met Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations”*1 – the first vehicle in the world to do so*2.
The X-TRAIL 20GT achieves high fuel-efficiency of 15.2km/L under Japan’s 10-15 test mode operation, representing an increase of approximately 30% in fuel economy over a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with the same power output. In addition to its low fuel consumption, the X-TRAIL’s new “M9R” clean diesel engine is more economical to operate, due to the lower price of diesel versus standard gasoline in the Japan market.
In addition to complying with Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations” emission standards which stresses high environmental performance, the new M9R clean diesel engine also achieves high levels of driving performance demanded by X-TRAIL owners.
The 2.0-liter M9R engine has the power equivalency of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, generating maximum power of 127kW(173PS)/3750rpm and maximum torque of 360N・m(36.7kgf・m)/2000rpm. The engine provides high torque at low rpm and delivers ample performance in any driving situation. At the same time, the environmentally–friendly and fuel-efficient M9R engine emits far lower CO2 than a comparable 3.5-liter gasoline V6 engine, achieving excellent emissions performance. The engine design also emphasizes smooth, quiet operation, eliminating unpleasant noise and vibration associated with current diesel powerplants.
- New technologies utilized in the M9R engine which reduce emissions, noise and vibrations include:
Emissions Reduction Measures - Common rail system
EGR cooler
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Lean NOx Trap catalysts (LNT)
Double swirl port - Noise and Vibration Reduction Measures
- Piezo injector
Balancer shaft
Highly Rigid Chassis
Highly Rigid Engine Mount Brackets
Sound insulation glass
Distinctive Styling and Comfortable Interior
The X-TRAIL 20GT offers versatility, convenience and high levels of dynamic driving pleasure. The front grille was redesigned to the same design found on the popular European version of the X-TRAIL. The new X-TRAIL 20GT also adds Nissan’s advanced Scratch Guard paint (offered as standard equipment in six colors), which self-repairs minor scratches in the paint’s clearcoat surface.
Inside, the comfortable, high utility X-TRAIL interior adds a number of new features for the 20GT model, including new sporty seat fabric, step lamps, Intelligent Key and additional audio speakers (6 speakers total).
The new clean diesel X-TRAIL 20GT is offered with ALL MODE 4×4i and 5-speed manual transmission. It is priced at 2,999,850 yen (including consumption tax).
*1: In Post New Long-Term Regulation, regulation values of NOx is reduced by 47% and the values of PM (particulate matter) by 64% from those of “New long-term regulation” which has been in effect since 2005 (applicable to vehicles weighing more than 1,265kg). Post New Long-Term Regulation is effective for new model vehicles beginning Oct. 2009, and for existing models and imported vehicles, starting Sept. 2010.
Hummer Big Foot
September 26, 2008
Road&Track - Hummer has come up with an entry-level offering called the HX. Riding on a 103.0-in. wheelbase, the open-top HX measures 171.0 in. overall and is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 producing 304 bhp and 272 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The suspension features an independent front with coil-over shocks and a semi-trailing link rear. Brembo 6-piston caliper front and 4-piston rear disc brakes are found beneath 20-in. alloy wheels.
This rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything SUV has the angular, bare bones look of the original H1, but on a much smaller scale. The face of the vehicle has round headlamps in square housing, the seven-slot grille opening and an upright front windshield, all classic Hummer cues. In addition, the slant-back design of the HX and the matte olive paint scheme are intended to echo the military origins of the Hummer brand.
The top can be reconfigured from a closed cabin for all four passengers, an open rear cargo area like an SUT, or a completely open roadster. The exposed hinges allow the two doors to be removed, and the composite fender flares can also be detached for additional clearance on tight off-road trails.
Ford New Comer
September 19, 2008
And there’s no better time or place to litmus test Ford’s dramatic new Flex family car. At one summer cookout in my neighborhood recently I polled friends and neighbors for their views on the Flex. After all, everyone in holiday cookout land drives a family vehicle, be it a minivan, a big, old truck-style SUV, or a newer, car-like crossover.
The verdict was an overwhelming landslide endorsement of Flex’s blocky styling. One mom said it looked too much like a hearse, while 12-year-old Matt, a seventh grader, called it a “loser minivan.” But those were the only negative remarks I encountered.
The most flattering evaluations thought the Flex recalled vintage surf wagons, suggesting it would look natural with a couple boards on the roof. This suburban survey was critical to guessing the Flex’s future, because with this car Ford is treading into unknown territory.
That’s because the Flex is impossible to pigeonhole. It isn’t a Jeep-wannabe SUV, it isn’t a minivan, and it isn’t one of the cuddly, soft-edged new generation of crossover SUVs. It has a bold, almost haughty, visage that defies classification. And this can cause shoppers to overlook a product when they draw up their shopping list.
One cookout companion had actually tested a Flex at the dealer the day before, and I asked her what kind of vehicle she thought it was.
“The dealer said it is a crossover,” she replied, “but I don’t even know what that means.”
This would be worrisome if the styling verdict wasn’t so overwhelmingly favorable. Ford has taken this chance before. When the company introduced the 1986 Taurus, the car brought avant-garde styling to the masses and established Ford as Detroit’s style leader for a decade, until Chrysler snatched that title away.
Like the Flex, the Taurus sought to introduce mainstream family car buyers — usually the most conservative of customers — to a new design aesthetic. Groundbreaking design is the purview of urban fashionistas, not suburban moms and dads. Attempting to sell high style in high volume is a risky business.
But Target has shown that middle-of-the-road suburbanites can embrace fashion when it’s matched with solid quality and affordable prices. The same consumers who snap up Target’s Michael Graves-signature products for their homes seem ready to consider the Flex, just as their parents embraced the Taurus a generation ago. But times — and people — change, so it’s impossible to be sure. After all, in 1986 Sarah Palin and Keith Olbermann were both sportscasters.
The complication in this calculation is the price of gas. If it had remained under $3, as was expected when the Flex was in gestation a few years ago, the vehicle would probably now rank alongside the iPhone as one of the most sought-after consumer goods of the year. It may yet achieve that status. Yahoo reported that Flex was among its top ten searches by consumers in July, and heads turned everywhere I went with my test vehicle.
But pricey gas has consumers reconsidering plans to buy three-row, seven-seat vehicles, and it’s making them think about downsizing to something smaller and less thirsty. This reluctance on the part of consumers to commit to vehicle of the Flex’s size and fuel economy is the only obstacle to it becoming a success along the lines of the original Taurus and Chrysler minivan.
The EPA says the front-drive version of the Flex will get 17 MPG around town and 24 MPG on the highway, while the tested all-wheel-drive version is rated 16/22 MPG. In a week of driving around suburbia, I got 17.5 MPG, suggesting the front-drive version would match the 18-19 MPG I normally see in minivans and front-drive crossover SUVs.
Outdoor Car Covers
September 11, 2008
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Protection you need, Quality you can afford
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Car Covers Superguard focuses on maximum protection in all weather conditions. If you live in mild weather areas, such as southern California, then you may not require this level of protection.
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- Breathable - Allows air to circulate through the fabric.
- Dust / Pollution Barrier - The two middle layers of melt-blown fabric act as a filtration barrier against most airborne pollutants.
- Our Outdoor Superguard.. Absorption - 4-layer thickness absorbs impacts better than any other vehicle cover fabric to help protect the finish from nicks, dings, dents and scratches.
If you need high quality, maximum protection from your car cover, then there is no better product in design or material than the Superguard Car Cover.
The peak body representing the Australian car industry
September 5, 2008
Fcai- The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), says the Senate’s decision not to allow the increase in the luxury car tax is an economically responsible move.
“This was always bad policy and the Senate was right to reject it,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.
“This is a vital reprieve for the Australian car industry and it’s hoped that this will provide a confidence boost to the industry at a time when there are clear signs of a market slowdown,” he said.
Figures released yesterday showed a 19.3 per cent fall in sales of vehicles above the tax threshold.
“It is a sensible outcome for small businesses, particularly tourism operators, farmers and those living in rural and regional areas who would have been slugged with this unnecessary and unfair tax hike,” Mr McKellar said.
“The Senate acknowledged that many people in these circumstances rely on vehicles affected by the tax for their livelihood and safety,” he said.
The car industry says the debate surrounding this tax must not end here.
“It is essential that the luxury car tax itself now be re-examined in full as part of the review of the tax system being conducted by Treasury Secretary, Ken Henry,” Mr McKellar said.
“It remains a punitive and damaging tax and should be abolished in its entirety,” he said
