Nissan Back To Le Mans With Signature LMP2
This might be the first positive signal from the Japanese manufacturer’s return to the International motor racing. Some years ago, we have seen some big manufactueres such as Toyota and Honda pulled themselves from Formula One, and Subaru does the same thing on the World Rally Championship. Their place on the world of racing has been replaced by outside Japan and independent manufacturers.
The positive sigh from Nissan is the creation of new LMP2 program to return to Le Mans. The car will be provided by a Nismo-tuned VK45V8 engines to Signature. This French racing team will bring that engine to the Nissan’s LMP2 prototype at the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, including the 24 hours Le Mans and also Sebring. However, the driver’s lineup still hasn’t yet to be announce for a few weeks later, but Nissan has retained the Formula 3 driver Franck Mailleux for it.
This combination of Nissan and Signature plans to finish at Le Mans, as well as hoping to successfully score a podium finish a couple of time during the season. The picture that I included above is the computer renderings of the car that they hope to do so.
Nissan Back To Le Mans With Signature LMP2 is a post from: Automotive News and Review
MX-5 Miata Special Edition: More Exclusive, More Price
Mazda MX-5 Miata is already an awesome car in the market today. However, a person won’t meet their satisfaction point. In this case, they tend to look for more exclusivity. But don’t worry, you can see this 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition as it seen in the picture above. It will be the new range topping droptop, with of course a more exclusive price.
Mazda limited this car to only 750 units, and it will be very easily spotted for its Sparkling Black or Dolphin Gray Mica exterior paint, completed with the 17 inch alloy wheels. The car is based on the fully loaded power Grand Touring model. For the interior, it has a chrome accents, gray upholstery, and aluminum pedals. The car will also get a standard suspension package as well as the Bilstein shocks.
The weight of this two seater car is 2,593 pound with Mazda’s 2.0 liter four cylinder engine under its hood which will bring 167 horsepower and 140 pound feet of torque to the car for the 6 speed manual transmission, and 158 horsepower for the 2,619 pound 6 speed automatic transmission. Exclusive specs of course, but coming along with an exclusive price of $ 30,925 for the manual transmission and $ 31,525 for the automatic variant.
MX-5 Miata Special Edition: More Exclusive, More Price is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Saab Targeting 15k Units Sold This Year
North American Saab Cars is planned to revive from their terrible year of 2010, with only 5,445 units were sold. For your comparison, Toyota makes the same number of Camry sedans on Thursday of most weeks. The problemn is of course because Saab’s flirtation with oblivion and the crippled supplier base, as well as a lack of consumer awareness. These things were worse with their lack of new product.
The reports from Automotive News said that Saab are assuring the dealers that 2011 will turn out a lot better with the target of between 15,000 to 20,000 units sold. Yes, it is an amazing sales recovery, 3-4 times compared to the previous year. However this target is helped with the fact of a strengthening auto market. Beside that, their new product in the pipeline, the 9-4X crossover like in the picture above will arrive in May. They will also continue selling the 9-5 sedan and a new wagon variant for a further boost.
Now the question is, will the 9-4X be that helpful for Saab to fix their sales? With the fact that the company’s sales bogey is so low, some people might casting doubt on them. But the 9-4X is pretty attractive to meet the market, especially when people today are looking for a high end CUV.
Saab Targeting 15k Units Sold This Year is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Lotus Evora by Mansory For Geneva Motor Show
Lotus already has a big plan for the future, beside some sort of stuff in the pipeline. So, what will happen with their current lineup, especially their newest car, Lotus Evora? Some reports said that Lotus was working to bring the mid engined 2+2 car with the more aggressive design language. However, it is not what Lotus has to go to the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Lotus is asking the public, “Is it always wise to customize?” I think it is not always wise, but it might be work sometimes. Mansory will be involved in this thing to give it some paint jobs and garish interiors. Unfortunately for once in a while, Mansory giving a re-skin for an existing car which is usually with carbon fiber, it usually makes the customers consider another option. You can see it on Bugatti Veyron Vincero and Aston Martin DB9 Cyrus.
Now, I wish it won’t be happen to Lotus Evora. The Evora take by Mansory is said to see what is possibly done in the after market. Mansory gives it enough carbon like they want to compete with F1 car. However, it is only the impression from the picture, so let’s see what will people think after seeing it at Geneva Motor Show.
Lotus Evora by Mansory For Geneva Motor Show is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Hyundai Genesis R-spec Rolls Out With 5.0
The current version of Hyundai Genesis 4.6 sedan seems like a slouch with the 385 horsepower from its V8 engine. Actually according to some road tests, this luxury four door sedan is reportedly could reach 60 mph in only about 5.5 saeconds. In order to increase the performance bar of the vehicle, as well as snuff out the peoples who have complained abnout the lack of sport feeling on this car, Hyundai finally unveiled the new 2012 Genesis R-Spec sedan.
It has the new 5.0 liter V8 engine under its hood. It is the most powerful engine that ever fitted by Hyundai to the street vehicle which is rated at 429 horsepower with 376 pound feet of torque. This engine was mated in the eight speed standard automatic transmission. This engine should be able to bring more power for its sprint to be able to make it a ‘real’ sport car.
Beside the new engine, it has a unique R-Spec transmission tuning, larger brakes, recalibrated sport steering, and some upgrades on the suspension. for the appearance, the sedan was painted in dark chrome headlight inserts. But it will also be available in Black Noir, Platinum Metallic, and Titanium Gray paint.
Hyundai Genesis R-spec Rolls Out With 5.0 is a post from: Automotive News and Review