The new 2009 Nissan Frontier brings back some of that old Nissan truck appeal, only this time it  offers a lot more.

We tested the new 2009 Nissan Frontier 4×2 Crew Cab LE with the long wheelbase. Our test vehicle came with a 4.0-liter V6 that pumps out a steady 261 horse power and 281 ft-lbs of torque, which is standard on all Frontier crew cabs. The ample portion of power gives this truck an edge when it comes to light to medium hauling or towing. The towing capacity, at 6300 lbs., is plenty coming from a compact truck.

The Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is very reminiscent of its “big brother”, the Nissan Titan. With similar Nissan visual cues up front, there is no mistaking this Nissan for any other type of truck.

On the outside, the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is rather appealing to the eyes with 18 inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 R18 BFGoodrich tires, chrome bumpers and accents, roof rails and the front fascia. From the looks of the rear doors, you may think that there is not much room. On the contrary, after opening the rear doors you find that there is ample room for 3 adults across the rear seating bench. Several years ago, before the introduction of crew cab 4-door trucks, you could only use a small folding bench that was only good enough for a small kid in a king cab truck. Now it’s second nature for crew cab trucks to haul a load in the back while transporting 4 of your co-workers or friends.

Each automotive manufacturer attempts to bring a certain level of comfort, even when it comes to the design of their trucks. Nissan is no exception to this rule when it comes to the new Nissan Frontier Crew Cab. Our test vehicle had the optional LE value truck page which included the subtle luxury amenities that you would get in a well-equipped luxury car. The list included perforated leather seating areas with power adjustments and heated front seats. The value package also included an upgraded Rockford Fosgate Audio System with XM Satellite radio, Bluetooth, 2 subwoofers and a 6-disc changer that is capable of playing wma/mp3’s. I was very pleased with the upgraded audio system which provides a crisp sound quality no matter where you sat in the truck. Other options included in the package are Dual Heated mirrors, and a fold-down center armrest. Surprisingly the complete package only added $1,600 to the base price of $27,040.

The front seating area is spacious enough for guys over 6 feet tall. As you can only imagine, using the Frontier as a work truck, you will get the occasional 6 foot tall friend to hitch a ride with you. The instruments are clear and concise although the HVAC controls could use more of a contrast on the turn-knob markings. The cluster included the normal gauges with the addition of a voltage and oil pressure gauge which may become useful when towing.

Having driven the 4×2 version of the Frontier, I was unable to judge its true off-road abilities. Although I took the vehicle on the beach and never had any issues with traction, even in the soft sand, you may be hard pressed to choose the 4×4 version of this vehicle to take advantage of what the V6 powerplant really has to offer. Never did I think I was driving a car when behind the wheel of the new Frontier with the exception of its low-end power delivery. Like any typical truck with a “real” engine, the Frontier’s V6 was exceptional under acceleration. With the multi-leaf rear suspension and solid axle, the Frontier was sure-footed on the road and in the dirt.

If you choose to haul a load in the bed of the new Frontier, then you have a few extra tie-down options utilizing its 4 adjustable tie down cleats that are mounted on aluminum rails along the side of the bed. I thought this was a unique feature that more trucks should be equipped with as standard equipment. Fortunately for Nissan, this is a standard feature on the Frontier Crew Cab. Other items on the standard equipment list that I found useful were the front fog lights, rear privacy glass, leather wrapped steering wheel and the second row ventilation ducts.

The Nissan Frontier Crew Cab is a good alternative to those who may be looking at full size trucks and want to save a little cash. Nissan’s Frontier has grown into a more prominent truck bridging the gap between compact and full-sized trucks. My test vehicle came in at $29,490.00 which includes a $745.00 destination charge.

Price: MSRP $27,040 as tested $29,490
Type: Compact Truck
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Standard Pickup Trucks

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 219.4 in.
Width: 72.8 in.
Height: 73.9 in.
Wheel Base: 139.9 in.
Ground Clearance: 8.9 in.
Curb Weight: 4371 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5730 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 40 in.
Front Hip Room: 55.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 58.3 in.
Rear Head Room: 38.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 58.3 in.
Rear Hip Room: 58 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.4 in.
Rear Leg Room: 33.6 in.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 34 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 4 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 261 hp
Max Horsepower: 5600 rpm
Torque: 281 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm
Maximum Payload: 1346 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 6300 lbs.
Drive Type: RWD

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 15 mpg / 20 mpg / 17 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 316.5 mi. / 422 mi. / 358.7 mi.

You could say some people have very creative minds. Case in point, this concept design of a BMW S.X has caught my attention. From the front BMWesq grill with classic round headlights to the subtle design lines running through the side, this BMW S.X Concept is a serious “looker”.

It is no wonder BMW has pumped all of its creativity into a broad line-up including the newest BMW 5-Series GT, BMW X6 and even the latest Z4, their designers are staying busy through this economic struggle. The BMW S.X Concept is yet another conceptual design thought to reach the driveways and garages of car enthusiasts around the world. The BMW S.X Concept was created by grad student Iulian Bumbu. He also created a Lamborghini Insecta Concept that you may have witnessed images of earlier this year.

BMW S.X Concept - Click for full size image

The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ has finally been revealed, and it’s a big departure for the Leaping Cat crew from Coventry. Sure, it shares a number of outward similarities with the already-available XF, but benefits from being designed after the drop dead gorgeous C-XF concept (unlike the production XF). And it certainly doesn’t look like anything like the outgoing XJ, which may only be around seven years old but visually it comes off as much older.

All-new Jaguar XJ Launch Film

Driving and Beauty Shots

Exterior Views

Interior Views

Technology

New Jaguar XJ manufacturing plant at Castle Bromwich, UK

ALL NEW JAGUAR XJ – IN SUMMARY
The all new Jaguar XJ brings a daring new spirit to automotive luxury.
•
Sleek, sporting and sophisticated, it offers a seductive mix of striking
design, breathtaking performance, refined luxury and sophisticated
engineering.
Building on the success of the new XK and XF models, the introduction of
•
the all new XJ is a landmark for the revitalized Jaguar brand. Clearly
positioned as the company’s ultimate four-door flagship, it extends the
appeal of the legendary XJ line to a new generation of customers.
Jaguars are renowned for their elegant, sporting lines and the all new XJ,
•
with its fluid, contemporary style, is the boldest interpretation yet of Design
Director Ian Callum’s vision for Jaguar in the 21st century.
A panoramic glass roof is an integral part of the all new XJ’s design,
•
enabling the car to have a lower, more streamlined roofline, while
dramatically enhancing the feeling of light and space inside.
Standard and long wheelbase models are available from launch. The long
•
wheelbase offers an even more sumptuous and refined environment for
rear-seat passengers with an additional 5 inches of legroom. The XJ’s
largest-in-class trunk features power opening and closing for convenient
access to the 18.4 cu. ft. storage space (without alloy space saver spare
wheel).
The all new XJ cabin blends elegant, contemporary design with the
•
comfort, luxury and unmistakable sporting style of a Jaguar. Chrome and
piano black detailing provides an eye-catching contrast to the beautifully-
crafted leather and veneer surfaces.
To complement the all new cabin design is a level of choice in colors,
•
veneers and leathers not seen before in a Jaguar. The four models – XJ,
XJL, Supercharged and Supersport – blend together the different elements to allow the customer to tailor the car to suit their personal
tastes. The ultimate expression of this is the Supersport model, available
by custom order only, with specification including a leather roof-lining,
semi-aniline leather seats and veneers with laser inlays.
Advanced new technologies have allowed Jaguar’s interior designers to
create an environment more akin to a state-of-the-art living space than a
simple car cabin. Stunning, 12.3-inch high-definition Virtual Instruments
complement the 8-inch Touch-screen, which displays vehicle functions.
Premium surround sound options include the top-of-the-range 1200-watt
Bowers & Wilkins system which is comparable in audio quality to the
world’s best in-home entertainment. Advanced infotainment features also
include hard drive-based audio and navigation systems, and
comprehensive connectivity for portable audio and video devices via the
powerful Media Hub.
The all new XJ’s beauty is much more than skin-deep: it is constructed
using Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminum body technology, which
makes the XJ lighter than its rivals by at least 300lbs. These technologies
– now developed into an even more impressive new generation of the XJ
– provides benefits to performance, handling and fuel economy, while
delivering increased strength, refinement and safety.
Proven Jaguar dynamic technologies are taken to new levels in the all
new XJ. Features such as air suspension, Adaptive Dynamics
(continuously variable damping), Active Differential Control and quick-ratio
power steering deliver the blend of responsive, dynamic handling and
refined, supple ride expected from a Jaguar.
The all new XJ benefits from the most advanced powertrains ever in a
Jaguar, combining high performance with fuel efficient technologies such
as direct injection. In the U.S. market, customers will have a choice of
three engines based on model, all coupled to a shift-by-wire, six-speed
automatic transmission controlled by the JaguarDrive Selector™ or
steering wheel-mounted paddles:

5.0-liter 385hp AJ-V8 Gen III naturally aspirated direct-injection V8 -
0-60mph in 5.4 secs (0-100kph in 5.7 secs), in the XJ and XJL
models
o 5.0-liter 470hp AJ-V8 Gen III supercharged direct-injection V8 - 0-
60mph in 4.9 secs (0-100kph in 5.2 secs), in the XJ Supercharged
and XJL Supercharged models
o 5.0-liter 510hp AJ-V8 Gen III supercharged direct-injection V8 - 0-
60mph in 4.7 secs (0-100kph in 4.9 secs), in the XJ Supersport
and XJL Supersport models
Jaguar has built upon its leading quality performance using the latest
‘virtual’ product development technologies. This approach features an
obsessive attention to detail, with almost 40,000 quality-specific
assessments during the development stage.
The all new XJ brings new standards of sustainability to the luxury vehicle
segment. The lightweight aluminum structure – with 50 percent recycled
material – underpinned by a lifecycle approach to vehicle design and
manufacture, enables the all new XJ to minimize its carbon footprint. This
alone creates a potential savings of three tons of CO2 per vehicle,
compared to a bodyshell made from new aluminum.
The Jaguar brand has been acknowledged with a joint first ranking in a
vehicle dependability study in 2009. Jaguar’s obsessive attention to quality
and service has also resulted in #1 rankings in sales satisfaction and
customer service.
The all new XJ offers extremely attractive cost of ownership with
impressive fuel economy across the range, high predicted residual values
and 15,000-mile service intervals.
In the U.S., the all new XJ can be ordered now. Delivery of first customer
cars will begin in early 2010.

The new Hyundai Genesis Coupe is undoubtedly making an entrance into the hearts of tuners around the world. Here is another rendition to support that very theory. Or is a reality? You Pick!

Enjoy the images below and visit Vossen Wheels at www.vossenwheels.com!

Tuned Orange Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Vossen Forged VF051 20 inch Wheels - Images

Contact Vossen Wheels:

2000 NW 96 Ave
Miami, FL 33172
info@vossenwheels.com
vossenwheels.com
Toll Free: 888-463-7778
Telephone:  305-463-7778
Fax:  305-463-7779

Nissan’s newest Altima has moved onto the big league with its latest design, becoming one of Nissan’s work-horse vehicles with a long consistent history.

At a reasonable distance, it is hard to differentiate the new Nissan Altima from its “big sister”, the Nissan Maxima. Although they share many components, the Altima is still in a different class that could ultimately save you money while providing some of the same styling that makes the Nissan family such a remarkable brand.

The newest styling was introduced in 2006 and seems almost as innovative and refreshing as it did back in 1999. Moving in the right direction, Nissan has pumped the new Altima with several modernized gadgets that were commonly found years ago only on luxury cars.  A few of the things included now consist of the new key-less push-button ignition, Bluetooth, MP3 player, side airbags and the list goes on.

The Altima is sold in several trim levels including the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder 2.5S test vehicle, hybrid and the upgraded V6 in 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL trims. Our test vehicle’s 2.5-liter engine was matted to the infamous CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) transmission that can be found in many other Nissan vehicles such as the Sentra, Maxima and Murano. The CTV is proven technology that offers a new level of fuel efficiency when compared to conventional automatic transmissions. The Altima 2.5S provides surprising power delivery from its 4-cylinder engine producing 175hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. With this type of setup you could keep up with many V6 cars on the highway while managing an average of 26 MPG. Basically, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Nissan’s interior has come a long way. Once criticized for the massive amount of cheap plastics, Nissan has upped the ante in the new Altima. The new Altima provides a somewhat decent interior with comfy seats, and the dash looks very appealing. Our 2.5S test vehicle had standard cloth seats which were surprisingly supportive when taking sharp turns. The rear 60/40 split fold-down seats provide ample room for three adults. It was not as noticeable to see where the hard plastics end and the lower padded portion began. Chrome accents are found throughout the interior adding a rich aesthetic to the over-all appeal of the new Altima. Such accents attempt to give you that luxury car feel.

The Nissan Altima was always noted for having more of a “sporty” feel than its competitors. Even when matched with the Toyota Camry 4-cyl, the Altima is able to hold its own and wear the Nissan badge proudly even if the sales come in third behind the Camry and Honda Accord.

The Nissan Altima remains to be a safe vehicle, or just as safe as any of its competitors. Although one gripe that I have about the new Altima 2.5S is that it’s missing ESC (Electronic Stability Control) as a standard feature. In past years Nissan has missed out on making some safety features standard. The out-going Altima did not even have standard ABS. This time it is ESC that is missing from the standard list while ABS, driver and passenger side mounted airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system are all standard now. Even the Korean rivals such as Hyundai and Kia have implemented ESC as a standard feature.

With my one major gripe aside, I truly enjoyed driving the new 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5S. It is a reliable, economical, and relatively inexpensive form of transportation that you can comfortably make long distance trips in without too many worries.

Specifications

Price: MSRP $21,540 / As Tested $25,800
Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 189.8 in.
Width: 70.7 in.
Height: 57.9 in.
Wheel Base: 109.3 in.
Curb Weight: 3192 lbs.
Gross Weight: 4279 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 40.6 in.
Front Hip Room: 56.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.7 in.
Rear Head Room: 36.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.5 in.
Rear Hip Room: 52.5 in.
Front Leg Room: 44.1 in.
Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 15.3 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 4
Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4
Horsepower: 175 hp
Max Horsepower: 5600 rpm
Torque: 180 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 3900 rpm
Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 36.1 ft.
0-60mph: 7.5 seconds

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 23 mpg / 31 mpg / 26 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 460 mi. / 620 mi. / 520 mi.

The Tuner Perspective: Reviewed- 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S
-by Darryl Dowe, President Drivensport Performance

Supposedly “Z” inspired, the 2009 Altima is Nissan’s latest foray into the mid-sized sedan market. Offered in either the QR25DE  2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder or the venerable VQ35DE  3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6, the Altima boasts 175 hp and 270 hp respectively. A hybrid system based on the QR25DE powerplant is offered as well with a reported net power of 198 hp. The Front engine, front-wheel drive (FF) layout is standard fare for this category of fuel-sipping econo-box and the 6-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission round out the drivetrain options. 11.7″ Front vented disc/11.5″ rear disc brakes are standard, as well as independent front and rear suspension. Wheel and Tire options consist of 16″ x 7.0″ Steel /aluminum-alloy wheels or 17″ x 7.5″ aluminum-alloy wheels with P215/60/55TR16/17 All-season tires. Curb Weight ranges between 3,145 and 3,470 lbs in it’s heaviest  incarnation.

Stock, Mild or Wild?

In stock trim, the Altima neither seeks to exceed or excel, impress or offend but finds itself squarely seated in the realm of the average and the mediocre; average in this case is not necessarily bad (the Altima gets between 19-23 mpg city and 26-33 mpg hwy), in fact for most consumers the Altima is just what Dr. Pangloss ordered ” the best of all possible worlds”

MILD UPGRADES

Altima owners are not left totally out in the cold when it comes to performance mods. Basic bolt-ons abound as aestetics and performance go hand in hand.  Intakes, exhausts and body kits are already available for the newest addition to the Nissan stable of economy cars and some mods even claim to improve performance:

Takeda Short Ram Intake for the 2009 Nissan Altima 2.5L,  (Fits both Coupe and Sedan) boasts a +9HP / +11TQ increase over stock; a supposedly simple, quickly installed, bolt-on horsepower affair

MagnaFlow Cat-Back Performance Exhaust System. 2.5L, 2.25 inch. System, 4inch. Dual Polished Stainless Tips, Dual Rear Exit, Bolt on installation, no welding required, increase in horsepower & torque. Dual-exit Stainless Steel Axle-back System for the 2008-2009 Altima 2.5L I4 featuring 2.25″ tubing and 4″ double-wall polished stainless tips. Magnaflow’s Nissan Altima exhaust system features fast-flowing, mandrel-bent, stainless steel tubing, a Wide-Open, straight-through, stainless steel Magnaflow Performance muffler and a snappy-looking polished stainless steel tip.

GENUINE NISSAN ACCESSORIES

Want to make a statement without voiding your factory  warranty?  Try these Nissan blessed, NISMO genuine parts to add a little flair and style to your 2.5L Altima!

Rear Spoiler- Make your Altima extra sporty with an aeroydynamic Rear Spoiler. Custom designed to help enhance rear down-force,  Prepainted in factory-matched colors

Fog Lights- They look great but, more important, they increase your visibility in foggy conditions. White lens adds wide-angle view, increasing visibility, Lens design creates low, wide projection for foggy conditions, Integrate into front bumper for a factory-installed look

Nismo Cat Back Exhaust System- 7.5 HP and 5.2 lb-ft increase at the front wheels, Complete mandrel bent cat-back exhaust system, 303 stainless steel construction,  Weight: 54 lbs (24.5kg), Precise bolt-on installation,  4.0″ (101.6mm) double-walled tips with laser-etched NISMO logo, Provides a more aggressive, sporty sound and is 50-state emissions legal,  Covered by Nissan’s 12 Month/12,000 Mile Parts and Accessories Warranty, (US Customers Only), Available for the 2009 Nissan Altima

READY TO WALK ON THE WILD SIDE?

Given enough time, money and effort, any car can be modifed and fitted with a plethora of custom parts and accessories, a truly unique one-off  car.  Turbochargers, Nitrous, Alcohol injection and engine management upgrades are some of the most common ways to boost performance and add style and flavor to your ride.

Jet Chips ECU Upgrade Kit - QR25DE- the ECU will be programmed according to the information you provide for optimized performance and mileage to match your specific modifications; Jet’s exclusive Dynamic Spectrum Tuning provides optimal performance across the entire power band and not just at full throttle; The programming includes extensive modification to air/fuel ratios, ignition advance and boost pressures for turbo applications

Ultimately,  the 2009 Altima Nissan 2.5L S is a great econonmy car, with no delusions of grandure when it comes to its appeal as a readily modified tuner platform.  A very basic car at an affordable price, look to the 3.5L V6 or the Altima Coupe for more options when it comes to support from the tuning community.

D2Forged wheels attended the New Jersey Flex Carshow this year which featured the infamous NYC radio DJ, Funkmaster Flex. He hosts a celebrity carshow tour every year and pictured below are images of D2Forged’s vehicles present at the show.

D2Forged Wheels fitted on the vehicles below:

• LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
  VS6 - 20×8.5 / 20×11
• CORVETTE Z06-TT
  VS1 - 20×10 / 20×13
• PORSCHE 997-TT
  VS5 - 20×8.5 / 20×12.5
• LEXUS IS-F
  VS5 - 20×9.5 / 20×11

D2FORGED Contact Information:
D2FORGED WHEELS
800-913-3513
Info@d2forged.com
www.d2forged.com