We posted a movie trailer for Transporter 3 a while back but it was not so “car focused” as the newest movie trailer for Transporter 3. The movie, obviously is the 3rd installment of the Transporter and Transporter 2 movies where each included a bad-ass sports sedan. In the first Transporter it was a BMW 7 series (735) and in Transporter 2 it was an Audi A8 W12. In Transporter 3 they up the ante a bit more and introduced an Audi S8.

Although the car tricks are somewhat unrealistic in part 2, it still adds to the automotive appeal of the Transporter movies. Many car enthusiasts will see this movie solely based off of the automotive thrill and visual effects of the most impossible automotive stunts that you could imagine. Can you think of other movies or even shows that are just as or more car focused as the Transporter movies? How about Knight Rider, Gone in 60 Seconds, Ronin, Bullitt, and many others. What is your favorite?

Link to YouTube version of Transporter 3 Trailer here.

Offical Site for Transporter 3 (including the new movie trailer): http://transporter3film.com/

It seems as if every day there’s a new story about a major automaker having trouble because of the state of the economy, not just in the United States, but worldwide as events build and effects cascade.

• Toyota’s worldwide production is down by 1.3% for the first half of their fiscal year which likely means profits have slumped a little, though they’re still stronger than much of their competition.
• Honda is also feeling the strain. Their North American operating profit dropped 80.6 percent during the third quarter of 2008, and they’ve responded by cutting their outlook for the year.
• Alfa Romeo had planned to bring Alfas to the U.S. in 2010, but has pushed that back to 2011, with planned cars being for the 2012 model year (this marks the third delay – originally the cars were due on these shores in 2005, which then got pushed back to 2007).

Taken separately, these items are unpleasant. Taken together there is cause for alarm, and a sincere wish for some kind of cheap car insurance equivalent available for automobile companies.

Bigger automobile company news comes from sources a bit closer to home, where Chrysler, which has been losing money since Cerberus bought most of it from Daimler last year, has shut down the factory which produces their Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids, just as those vehicles were arriving in dealer show rooms, and General Motors has announced the delay of their 2010 Cadillac CTS coupe and Buick LaCrosse and is spending a lot of time trying to find a way not to file bankruptcy, including idling some of their production plants for a week at a time.

One possible rescue of GM may actually involve Chrysler as well. While GM has little cash, Chrysler has access to $11 billion of Cerberus’s money, and it’s been reported by Bloomberg, Business Week, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal that the holding company is interested in some sort of trade in which General Motors acquires Chrysler in exchange for the 49% of GMAC they don’t own already, which would potentially give Cerberus any government bailout funds GM is likely to receive.
The question then becomes: why would GM want to make such a deal? Acquiring Chrysler would increase their assets and bands, but it would also lead to bad press from more worker layoffs. On the other hand, a GM-Chrysler entity would receive a larger share of the $25 billion in federally guaranteed loans to develop fuel-efficient cars, than GM would alone.

Of course, GM isn’t the only company that was looking at Chrysler. Two years ago, says Automotive News Europe Nissan/Renault considered “extending their partnership to General Motors, and investors hated the idea.” More recently, it was reported that Nissan/Renault was in talks with Chrysler, but any such talks have now been abandoned.

With GM and Chrysler both asking for bailout funds as of this morning (October 29th), Fiat keeping Alfa Romeo out of the U.S. market for another three years, and both Honda and Toyota showing significant drops in profits, does this market look good for anyone? Not really. Though all of the attention on the status of GM and Chrysler has boosted sales of Ford’s Focus, company stock is currently hovering around $2.00. Ford CEO Alan Mulally is adamant that bankruptcy is not an option however. In a statement made yesterday, he said, “I just can’t imagine that being a strategy,” he said. “Your revenue would fall off so fast, I don’t know how you’d get back out.”

In a time when nothing is certain, one thing is: those companies that wish to succeed will have to drastically rethink their product offerings. Fuel-efficiency, whether it comes from standard gasoline engines, or hybrid options, is the key to future purchases and profits.

We recently posted another SEMA 2008 show preview of a Lexus IS F by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance but that was just a tip of the iceberg that Lexus is rolling out on the floor of this year’s SEMA show.

(images and more info after the jump)

Other Lexus cars that will be showcased at the 2008 SEMA show will include:

Five Axis “Project IS F” with a newly fortified engine.

Five Axis “Project GS” luxury sport sedan.

Four new projects based on the IS F high-performance sport sedan.

F-Sport-equipped IS 350 with a new concept body kit.

A specially modified LX 570 luxury utility vehicle.

Lexus marks its return to the SEMA Show with another selection of exciting project cars following its official debut at the 2007 show.

All of the vehicles will be available for viewing at the Lexus exhibit tent, located outside between the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The tent sits next to the Motor Trend Proving Ground powered by Lexus, where the 416-horsepower IS F and an F-Sport equipped IS 350 will be available for test drives.

[Source: Lexus USA]

(click thumbnails above for larger image)

You all may have seen plenty of posts and images of what the new 2010 Nissan 370Z would look like but now it is official. Here are photos of the new Nissan 370Z. Do not feel shameful as it is not a sin to look at this beauty in naked form. Today the Nissan 370Z gets exposed.

We should get even more details and photos at the time of the upcoming LA Auto Show.

Enjoy the images and let us know what you think about the way it looks? Love it or hate it?!?!?!

(click for hi-res image of the new Nissan 370Z)

0-60 in less than 4 seconds, 460 horsepower 4.3L V8 and a 7-speed dual clutch tranny. Did we mention the engine is in the front of this new Ferrari? This Ferrari is a bit more plushy than the normal. Laced with some extra luxury accents and luxury features this new Ferrari is still able to push you up to 193mph. You still get the best of both worlds in a hard top convertible that retracts in about 14 seconds. Time for another Ferris Bueller!… OH YEA!!!

Enjoy the images and video after the jump!

Images:

Update: Fast and Furious Movie Review (Movie Reviewed) - New Model Original Parts - Is It a Good or Bad Movie?

Update: Link to the 2nd and lastest Trailer in HD (as shown during Superbowl XLIII: The newest Trailer!!! 

View the official trailer for Fast and Furious in Hi-Def (HD 1080p)

Update: August - Sept 2008 - New images and Video

The first Trailer/Video clip of the Fast and Furious movie:

Here it is as I promised! The New Fast and Furious Trailer/Video clip of the upcoming Fast and Furious movie!

Enjoy and feel free to spread the word/link! (videos after the jump)

Fast and Furious Trailer - Short Video clip - Fast and Furious

Update: June 2008

Fast and Furious – The official name for The Fast and Furious 4.

The latest word on the street is the 4th installment of The Fast and the Furious will be simply called “Fast and Furious”. Go figure right.

Shown here on this post are three new images from the movie showing off Vin Diesel’s Chevelle SS. WOOT WOOT!

Update: May 2008 

New video clips (trailers) of the upcoming Fast and Furious 4 movie are starting to circulate on the internet. Here are a few clips of the production videos/the making of the movie.  ENJOY!

Fast and the Furious 4 Spy Footage

The rumor mill has started up faster than the NOS crave in the first Fast and the Furious movie about a June 2009 release date of the newest Fast and the Furious Movie. Yes folks, a few sources have stated that Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Jordana Brewster will return to the new addition of the Fast and Furious movie sequel (part 4).

Update: April 2008

[source: imdb.com and TheHollywoodNews.com]

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed — “Fast and Furious.” Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor through the Mexican desert in the new high-octane action-thriller.

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O’Conner (Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmanuever him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what’s possible behind the wheel.

The plot outline in various sources sum up a scenario where this movie actually takes place BEFORE the first installment of Fast and the Furious (they go back in time like Batman Begins did) where the movie follows Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) back story as revealed in the original Fast and the Furious movie. I admit that the sources seem somewhat sketchy but they have confirmed that “A new Fast and the Furious movie” will be produced but cannot make a definite conformation on any additional details.

Take it for what it is worth… here are a couple quotes from other online sources such as imdb.com and one posted yesterday with a strong conformation from Vin Diesel about him doing the new Fast and the Furious (4th installment) posted on beyondhollywood.com:

Beyondhollywood.com:

The whole “Fast and the Furious” franchise may not be high art, but man, people sure love the hell out of it. Maybe it’s the fast cars and loose women, or maybe it’s just the fast cars; either way, “The Fast and the Furious 4″ is coming to a theater near you in 2009, and Vin Diesel talked to MTV about it. In a word: He’s jazzed to come back to the franchise that made him famous.
More:
“I think doing the cameo in ‘Tokyo Drift’ confirmed a lot of things for me. It confirmed that if you create a role that the world kind of identifies with, or the world adopts, sometimes you have that responsibility to revisit that role,” Diesel enthused of his character Dominic Toretto from the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, which he will revisit in the series’ upcoming fourth installment.
Most fans had given up on the idea of once again seeing Diesel in arguably his most famous part, but it turns out the actor just likes to take his time.
“I’m a little bit slower than the average actor that just jumps into the sequel, but I think the time has come to revisit Dom Toretto.”
And yes, he confirms that Walker will return, but we already knew that, didn’t we?

Written by ComingSoon.Net  

Brian help the feds stop a heroin importer known as Braga. With the help of an informant named James Park, Brian - and ultimately Dominic Toretto - wins a place on the criminal’s team, where he - and his flashy Nissan - plan to catch the man red-handed.

Written by Fazle- imdb.com 

In the previous films the cars were fast. It’s not until the fourth that we see the fury of these vehicles. Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto is back and he’s out for revenge against the Dynasty drivers for kidnapping his daughter. It began 4 years before the first film took place, Toretto’s back story is revealed and the connection between the Han Warrior Import Club is spiced up. We later learn that Doc has created a portal into the past bringing Toretto back to the future for a sequel to “The Fast and the Furious”, but not the same as 2Fast 2Furious it’s an alternate time line. Sit back and enjoy the thrill of a life time! I don’t want to reveal the movie, but let’s just say that the cars are fast, the good guys win, and they meet a lot of hot women along the way, and at the end have a ton of money.

The SEMA 2008 auto show will have the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro and one of the versions will be dressed in black. No it is not the funeral procession for the death of GM, at least not yet. It is more like a BUZZ for Chevrolet to show-case the new 2010 Chevy Camaro in a new light, or should we say DARK?

There is a long list of modifications that complete the Camaro “Black” which includes larger exhaust tips, front lip spoiler, new five spoke wheels and red-colored halo/angle eye headlight accents (reminiscent of BMW). More information will be released as the November 4th gets closer marking the opening day for SEMA 2008.

Click on image for hi-res photo

Below are a few videos of the making of this BLACK Chevy Camaro. (click “read more” to view) Enjoy!

Nissan allowed Motor Trend to take the new upcoming Nissan 370Z out on the road and do a little review. They could not let you view the inside but they allowed them to showcase the car still in tape wraps. Looks like it has a few cues from the new Nissan Maxima and Nissan GT-R-esc designs. We noticed the roofline is very similar to the GT-R while the headlamps may be similar to the new Maxima headlamp clusters. Due to the transmission whoas of the new GT-R this may be a nice alternative to those who want a fast Nissan sports car. Although this will not be super-car status like the GT-R but it is suppose to be faster than the outgoing 350Z model. November 17th should mark the date for the new official stats and unveiling of the new Nissan Z car (370Z).

Another bling-bling ride to add to the 2008 SEMA show, a new Hyundai Genesis with Apple interior.

Okay, so the interior is not lined with your normal Apples that you eat. They are Apple computer’s Macs and iPods fitted inside this new Genesis complete with custom accents. The new RIDES Magazine Hyundai Genesis which will be showcased at the SEMA 2008 car show in Las Vegas, NV starting November 4th.

Source: [RIDES Magazine]

RIDES MAGAZINE TRANSFORMS HYUNDAI GENESIS SEDAN INTO TECHNOLOGY CENTER ON WHEELS FOR SEMA SHOW 2008

Hyundai Motor America and RIDES magazine are teaming up to develop a customized Hyundai Genesis for the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. The RIDES Genesis will be the ultimate in technology, style and refinement, containing the latest in technology both inside and out. As added incentive to visit the Hyundai display, 5,000 RIDES Digital Genesis iTunes cards will be distributed from the car’s Wi-Fi network during the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Nov. 4 – Nov. 7, 2008.
“This Genesis perfectly suits the mobile executive, with multiple Mac computers and its own mobile Wi-Fi network,” said Ben Harris, associate publisher, RIDES. “All of the modifications compliment the Genesis’ natural attributes and emphasize the sleek look and luxury interior. We are looking forward to the SEMA show and displaying this amazing vehicle.”
Inside, the RIDES Genesis will feature the latest in digital accessories including two Mac Mini computers, a MacBook Air, iPod Touch, iPhone 3G, high-speed Wi-Fi internet connection and movie theater-quality surround sound. The trunk will house its own Mac mini computer, a 20-inch Apple Cinema Display and a motorized tray containing the mouse and keyboard for the rear computer. Within the center console will be the iPhone 3G, Mac Book Air laptop and wireless keyboard and mouse for the Mac Mini mounted on the rear deck. Each passenger in the back seat has their own computer with internet connectivity. The 8.4-inch VGA headrest monitors are wrapped in the original leather to maintain the OE look and feel, while the seats contain suede accents.
“Genesis’ spacious and ultra-quiet cabin offers an ideal environment to experiment with new in-vehicle information and entertainment systems,” said Michael Deitz, manager, Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “Adding state-of-the-art connectivity and computing power to existing technology like navigation, Bluetooth and satellite radio, this RIDES Genesis offers a glimpse into the future of hi-tech luxury.”
At the Hyundai booth, SEMA attendees will view clean exterior modifications to compliment the high-tech interior. Modifications include 22-inch custom-made staggered fitment MHT three-piece wheels, Pirelli tires, custom-molded front body kit and side skirts, lowered suspension and smoked headlights. Custom dual-tip stacked exhausts and custom-molded rear bumper accentuate the metallic silver and blue paint job.

In today’s economic times we sometimes wonder what really put us in this position. The Automotive Industry has a big influence in a lot of things and not just the economy. Peter M. De Lorenzo, founder of Autoexremist.com which started back in 1999, did a book called “The United States of Toyota”. Basically, a business story outlining the automotive industry in a provocative tone discussing many “issues” that many of us have recently been brought to light of.

FROM THE UNITED STATES OF TOYOTA – Peter M. De Lorenzo:

“People who flippantly dismiss the fate of the domestic automobile industry in general are simply missing the point. I continue to be amazed by Toyota’s “enablers” — the media intelligentsia on both coasts and certain members of Congress in Washington (who just happen to have import auto plants in their states) who dance around this issue, insisting that what’s going on in Detroit will not negatively affect the entire country in some way, shape or form.”

I urge you to visit www.unitedstatesoftoyota.com and then check out www.autoextremist.com. You will defiantly open your mind to the thoughts and happenings (behind doors) of the automotive industry as a whole around the world and not use in the US.

Dodge will unveil a Viper-powered Dodge Challenger at the SEMA 2008 auto show which starts November 4th. Not only does this SRT10 version of the Dodge Challenger have V10 Viper power (600hp and 560 lb-ft of torque) but it has other tweaks to make it a complete performance upgrade over other versions of the Challenger. Other upgrades include new carbon fiber interior parts, a shaker style hood, Bilstein shocks, upgraded brakes, and other visual modifications.

Look for this vehicle and a lot more at the upcoming SEMA 2008 auto show.

Mitsubishi Galant with BMW roundel emblems?

You ever pulled up next to a riced out Honda Civic and it had a big “Type-R” emblem on it and you just know for certain that it was nothing more than a Civic DX with rims and cut springs? What about a Mitsubishi Galant a BMW roundel on the hood and truck? They are all over the place and some a quite a disgrace to the automotive race. Yes, I said it… a disgrace!

Just the other day at the gas station a Mitsubishi Galant pulled in front of my wife’s SUV and it had a custom grill and a funny looking roundel on the hood that I could not make out from a distance. So I broke out the handy iPhone and attempted to take a picture. As I walked close I noticed that this guy had a BMW roundel on the hood of his Galant. I was speechless. I wanted so bad to ask this guy “what kind of car is that?” Just to mess with him. I held back and settled for some iPhone camera action. After driving away and seeing the rear of this Galant I noticed he had another roundel on the trunk as well. Whoa! I didn’t bother snapping the image of the trunk as I think the owner of this “BMW” was on to me at this point with me holding my iPhone up in the air pointing at his “PHAT BMW”.

Here is the image that I snapped. (click for full size)

Maybe his girlfriend thinks it is a BMW?!?! What do you think?

In today’s episode of Autoline Daily, John discuses:

• BMW comes out with a simpler iDrive
• Kirk Kerkorian is dumping all the shares he bought in Ford
• Automakers are starting to move away from traditional gauges and using virtual displays
• Honda building a plant in Thailand
• “You-SAID-It” - Questions answered from viewers, a new segment on Autoline Detroit’s Autoline Daily

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy

We are going to take ride into the danger zone…. In a new Toyota Yaris.

We recently posted an Epic Fail on the failure of the Nissan GT-R Tranny situation. So what does that have to do with this interesting Toyota Yaris commercial? It too is an Epic Fail! So, they have something in common. Watch the video below of a silly commercial of a Toyota Yaris being driven off of an US Naval Aircraft Carrier.

Try to Enjoy!

Let’s slap a ricer-boy spoiler on this bad boy! Yea, not what you would normally think to do to a new Benz SLR McLaren but someone had to do it right?

Hamann is an enthusiasts dream if you so happen to own an exotic car and you want to TUNE it. No doubt that I love a nicely tuned car presented in a “clean” fashion but this one I have to be honest. I have seen better, let’s just leave it as that. Below is a teaser video of this newly tuned by Hamann Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren.

Look at that wing, and enjoy the video below!

[Video]Preview: Mercedes SLR McLaren Hamann Volcan

In today’s episode of Autoline Daily, John discuses:

• Chrysler merger deal could switch to join Nissan-Renault
• Sirius/XM will turn a profit despite the economy situation
• Some GM dealers going out of business hurting GM’s market share
• Rumors about the Toyota iQ
• Chrysler’s electric vehicle
• Insurance companies starting to close loopholes that allow drivers to participate in motorsport events

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy.

The infatuation of a car is something usually present in the automotive enthusiast only. Because only an automotive enthusiast or race car driver could actually appreciate what the Ferrari F430 Scuderia has to offer, it goes un-wanted among who sip the foam of your café-latté drink in your plush, big cup holder luxury car. You may ask, what does it have to offer. Well, a lot less than the normal F430… well… actually, performance wise… it is a LOT more! You see, when Ferrari sets out to make a “racing version” of any of its cars, they really do it. They strip out carpet, radio equipment and any other plushy amenity that your lady would think to find in a Ferrari.

The videos below are a nice demonstration of a bad case of Scuderia. When I say a bad case of Scuderia, I don’t mean anything remotely similar to a bad case of diarrhea, this is more or less quite orgasmic especially when a car can shift a gear in a mire 60 milliseconds. I don’t think I can blink that fast, can you?

Enjoy!

On The Cutting Edge of Performance and Luxury

The all-new 2009 Infiniti FX50 stands at the top of the performance luxury sport utility segment. I can say that because after my first drive, I was so impressed with the added power, handling, the luxurious appointments, high-tech gear, and the multitude of safety systems that also includes more sensors than you can shake a stick at. My only disappointment was that there is no power liftgate available. No big deal but it could come in handy when you are carrying cargo to the rear with both arms.

None the less, the new FX50 continues with head-turning styling and sporty proportions that enabled the first generation FX45 to stand out from all other performance luxury crossovers on the market with its long hood, stretched wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, and a low stance.

The aggressive styling serves notice of its performance capability, yet FX50 also offers room for five and the cargo capacity to hold four full-size golf bags.

New distinctive, chrome side air vents have been added behind the front fenders and are functional, allowing air to flow through the engine compartment and out the side of the vehicle, reducing front end lift by a full 5%, thus improving high-speed stability.

The front fascia retains the FX’s lustrous Infiniti signature double-arch front grille, fog lamps, and Adaptive High Intensity Discharge bi-xenon projector headlamps. The wheelbase has been stretched 1.4in. with the front wheels moved forward and out-providing a more pronounced performance stance.

The aggressive silhouette is once again highlighted by a strong front-to-rear shoulder line, a tight greenhouse with a wraparound chrome strip, kicked-back roofline and integrated rear spoiler. The large LED taillights extend beyond the body, helping create aerodynamic downforce, while big dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips cap the action-ready appearance.

The vehicle’s unique sporty styling works for me with its sexy, curvy lines, lowered stance, and big, 21in. wheels and tires stuffing the flared, rounded fenders. Black molding wraps around each wheelwell to further the aggressive look.

The only straight line is at the bottom of the doors that now feature a tasteful chrome strip. Deep side extensions below give it a lower the center of gravity, enhancing stability even more.

Under the FX’s polished, assertive styling is an equally advanced body structure. It uses the rigid platform architecture from the performance-oriented Infiniti G sedan, G coupe and M sedans. The FM (front-midship) flatform offers a performance foundation and balanced front-to-rear weight distribution for exceptional handling.

Efforts were taken to reduce weight and enhance body strength, including the use of new aluminum outer door panels. The overall FX body structure weighs nearly 200lbs. less than the previous FX, but the overall vehicle weight is increased due to additional equipment.

The new FX comes standard with the industry’s first use of Infiniti’s Advanced Scratch Shield paint which is a special ‘self-healing’ clearcoat paint that repairs fine scratches, such as fingernail scratches under door handles. Over a period of several days, using sunlight to heat the clearcoat, causes the small scratches to fill in.

Open the wide-opening doors, easily step over the stainless steel Infiniti kick plate, and you’ll discover a driver-oriented cockpit design that is sporty, comfortable, ergonomic, and luxurious with several breakthrough innovations.

The command center-style cockpit is designed to enhance your driving experience. The optional quilted leather-appointed 10-way power-adjustable sports driver’s seat includes variable air-inflating side bolster and lumbar support, and available thigh extensions. The front passenger seat offers 8-way power adjustments, and both seats are available with a new, quieter, more efficient heating and cooling functions for maximum comfort in any season.

The attention to detail and materials such as the real, hand-cut and rubbed wood, premium leather, aluminum, chrome, and quality soft-to-the-touch materials are designed beautifully around the Infiniti signature double-wave instrument panel, door trim, and easy to see white/violet Fin Vision electroluminescent gauges.

Optional is a new Automatic Driving Position system, which moves the seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively into the correct position-allowing you to change seat position while driving and keep the same mirror viewpoint and relationship between the steering column and your shoulder position.

The incredible FX50 interior comes standard with an array of comfort and convenience equipment, including a sporty, tilt/telescoping 3-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel for the perfect reach and angle, leather-wrapped shift knob, front door pockets, front seatback pockets, dual front and rear cupholders, locking glove box, center console with soft leather armrest, four assist grips, overhead sunglass holder, four 12-volt power plugs, power windows with front/rear one-touch up/down on FX50, dual map lamps, thick-cut pile carpeting with signature Infiniti front/rear/cargo floor mats, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Start/Stop ignition, power door locks, sporty aluminum pedals, auto-diming rearview mirror, power-remote/heated side mirrors, cruise-control with steering wheel controls, front/rear intermittent wipers/washers and a special Welcome Lighting system with 12-point sequential lighting that starts by turning on the puddle lights under the side mirrors as you approach the vehicle, and continues to light key areas as you and your passengers settle into the interior. All buttons, dials and switches are within easy reach and fully illuminated for safer nighttime driving.

Another new option is an Advanced Climate Control System with Plasmacluster ionizer that removes or neutralizes interior airborne contaminants. The system includes a ‘clean mode’ which emits a low concentration of negative and positive ions that attach to airborne particles (mold, fungi, spores, etc.); causing an attraction to interior surfaces so they are no longer floating around, while rendering them harmless.

An ‘ion mode’ creates a high concentration of negative ions to impart a freshness and crispness to the air, similar to what people say they experience after a thunderstorm or near a waterfall.

In addition, the FX50 utilizes a new filter using fibers impregnated with natural grape seed polyphenol, which has the ability to neutralize allergens that conventional filters cannot remove due to their incredibly small size (0.3 to 0.5 microns).

The new FX comes equipped with state-of-the-art audio-an advanced Bose audio system, acoustically engineered by Bose to optimize sound within the FX’s interior. The 11-speaker system features an AM-FM-6CD player, an advanced Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system, XM satellite radio, diversity antenna and steering wheel-mounted remote buttons.

The optional Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System features XM NavTraffic with real time traffic information and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive for digital music storage and playback. The Interface System works with an iPod, the compact flash card slot, and Voice Recognition system for climate control, navigation, audio system and phone functions.

Other high-tech features inside include RearView Monitor and an optional Infiniti DVD Mobile Entertainment System with a 9in. flip-down console-mounted rear monitor, two wireless headphones and remote controller. Both the front and rear screens can display DVD content (front only when parked), a good idea.

I was blown away by the new interior design, sportiness, luxury, convenience and high-tech creature comfort and fun-to-use features. The FX50’s fully loaded interior really gives me the feeling of being more connected to the vehicle. Once acquainted with all of the controls and features, it just further moves the FX50 on up the ladder to the top of the luxury class sport utilities.

Firmly placing the all-new 2009 FX50 atop the segment is the exhilarating power and responsive, high-performance handling that I experienced once I put my foot down hard on the throttle.

The FX50 features a new 5.0 liter DOHC 32-valve, all-aluminum V8 engine rated at 390hp and 369lb.ft. of torque. The engine also features a high rev limit, a powerful, throaty engine sound from the specially tuned dual exhaust system, and improved fuel economy verses the previous 4.5 liter V8 engine. One of the keys to the new V8’s impressive performance is the adoption of Infiniti’s patented Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) valve control technology, which was first introduced on the high-performance 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe.

The VVEL system continuously adjusts valve event and lift amounts, enabling higher fuel efficiency with higher torque and improved emissions over conventional VV designs. The VVEL intake camshafts, which feature continuously variable lift control teamed with a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS), allow for a 6,800rpm redline and a high compression ratio of 10.9:1.

For those economical-minded consumers, the FX35 comes with a 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that is rated at 303hp at 6,800rpm and 262lb.ft. of torque.

Only one transmission is offered on the new FX-an all-new 7-speed automatic transmission, the first ever offered on an Infiniti vehicle. This new transmission offers both a wide ratio of coverage and a wide lock-up area, as well as a manual shift mode, downshift rev matching and adaptive shift control (ASC).

The standard ASC system adapts the transmission’s shift time, depending on your driving style, ensuring more responsive performance. ASC can switch between several different programs –adjusting gear hold and downshifting, helping the FX feel more like a manual shift transmission when you want. The standard solid magnesium paddle shifters on the FX50 enable you to shift the transmission without releasing you hands from the wheel which helps you maintain stability when accelerating or decelerating or when cornering at high speeds.

FX50 AWD and FX35 AWD models are equipped with Infiniti’s advanced ATTESAE-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which uses an advanced torque split control strategy that automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions. The system provides outstanding torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions. The system provides outstanding handling due to optimum torque distribution from the front to rear (50:50 up to 0:100). ATTESA E-TS also provides high starting traction performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or off-road situations with a 50:50 torque split at standing start.

Allowing you to maintain a rock solid ride at speed straight-ahead, when challenging curving back roads, and getting around slow moving city traffic is the fully independent suspension with a new double-wishbone design up front. This new front setup offers better ride and improved handling reflexes.

The rear setup utilizes the multi-link design from the last FX45, but is refined to weigh less and provide more wheel travel-again for improved ride and handling. Large diameter stabilizer bars front and rear keep body lean to a bare minimum improving handling performance. The suspension system also incorporates special ‘dual flow path’ shock absorber technology with rebound springs for a responsive, yet comfortable ride. and firm, tight reactions to your inputs.

A new optional Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension system offers special electronically controlled shock absorbers. Using input from a variety of sensors, the system continuously alters the damping of the shocks to provide optimal ride and handling response. A selectable switch on the center console has two settings, ‘Auto’ and ‘Sport’, allowing you to control the shock valving levels depending on how you want the vehicle to react to your inputs at the time.

The FX50 is available with an advanced Rear-Active Steer system-the first of its kind for a SUV, which uses precise, electronic motor-driven control to turn the rear wheels up to one-degree, helping generate a nimble steering response at low speeds, and enhance stability at high speeds, especially on curving roads. The result is a vehicle that is able to change direction with improved quickness, precision and stability.

The FX50 comes standard with huge, 21X9.5in., lightweight, six-spoke aluminum alloy wheels developed by Enkei, and were created using a special type of ultra-lightweight casting and are as light as many smaller 18X8in. alloy wheels. These deluxe wheels are wrapped with 265/45R21in. all-season tires or W-rated high-performance summer tires.

These giant tires improve traction and stability, while improving the already compliant ride over poorly paved roads.

When you want to let your search for thrills take over you can always shut down the Infiniti advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with Traction Control by pushing on the VDC button on the lower dashboard to your left, canceling out the computer controlled vehicle intervention that uses the throttle and brakes to prevent oversteer and understeer in certain situations. The ride is like they say,’ riding on rails’.
Powerful and secure braking performance is provided by the FX50’s 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Brake Assist, ABS, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution enhancements. The FX50 system includes 4-piston front/2-piston rear (opposed piston) calipers clamping down on large 14in. rotors. The brakes are very strong and when I pushed on the pedal the feel was very linear and precise.

Infiniti engineers and designers pretty much covered everything about what an up-to-date, luxury and performance-driven sport utility should include, and I now want to mention the breakthrough, advanced automotive safety warning technologies and systems.

The intelligent brake assist system (IBA) uses the laser rangefinder from the Intelligent Cruise Control’s (ICC) system and analyzes closing speeds to an obstacle ahead to prevent or reduce damage caused by a rear-end collision.

Also available is a Distance Control Assist (DCA) system. Designed for low-speed, heavy traffic situations. DCA uses the Intelligent Cruise Control sensors to measure distance to the car a head. The DCA allows one-foot driving in heavy traffic-you depress the throttle to move forward, but when the car ahead slows, DCA ‘pushed back’ on the throttle, and automatically applies the brakes, even to a stop. You then depress the throttle to get moving again.

The available Intelligent Cruise Control (full speed range) system combines the brakes, throttle sensor and laser rangefinder with the cruise control system to automatically maintain a set distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Also available is the advanced Infiniti Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which takes Infiniti’s existing LDP one step further. LDP utilizes the FX’s Vehicle Dynamic Control System to apply slight brake pressure to the wheels opposite the side of the lane departure direction to help prevent the vehicle from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane. If no action is taken by the driver, alarm bells will sound.

The breakthrough, optional, ‘Around View Monitor System’ is fantastic, and utilizes four small superwide-angle cameras-mounted on the front, side and rear of the FX-to project an all-around view of potential objects on every side of the vehicle, helping reduce blind spots when parking. The system uses advanced image processing to provide a unique one-of-a-kind ‘birds-eye-view’ of the vehicle, making it easy for you to position the FX for parallel parking by simultaneously confirming the exact placement of the front and rear of the vehicle. I love the system, it even showed the red paint on the curb as I backed as close to its beginning as I wanted to. It really gives you an overhead view.

When you put the transmission into reverse the 8in. screen is split between a TV image showing what is behind the vehicle, and the Around View.

Standard safety equipment includes 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, and three, three point seat belts in the standard 40/60 split back seats, dual-stage front supplemental airbags with passenger seat occupant classification system and seat belt sensor, roof-mounted side-impact and rollover curtain airbags for enhanced outboard seat occupant head protection, active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system and LATCH child seat anchors.

FX also has an optional Pre-Crash seat belts that automatically cinches-up the FX’s seat belts if the system detects emergency braking, skidding movements or an emergency handling situation-based on information from the brake pedal stepping speed and stroke.

I don’t know what I have left out but the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX50 is phenomenal, easily ahead of the rest in the growing luxury sport utility segment with the spirit of a high-performing luxury sport sedan that can’t be beat!

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: MSRP $58.400 Invoice $53,893
Type: Midsize SUV
Where Built: Japan
EPA Class: Sport Utility Vehicle

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 191.3 in.
Width: 75.9 in.
Height: 66.1 in.
Wheel Base: 113.6 in.
Ground Clearance: 7.36 in.
Curb Weight: 4575 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5766 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 39.3 in.
Front Hip Room: 54.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.3 in.
Rear Head Room: 38.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room: 54.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 44.7 in.
Rear Leg Room: 34.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 24.8 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 62 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 5 liters
Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 390 hp
Max Horsepower: 6500 rpm Torque: 369 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4400 rpm Maximum Payload: 1182 lbs.
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs. Drive Type: AWD
Turning Circle: 36.7 ft.
0-60mph: 5.3 seconds (some sources have reported 5.0 seconds for 0-60mph)

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 23.8 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 14 mpg / 20 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 333.2 mi. / 476 mi.

In today’s episode John discuses:

• How GM pushes on with the GM-Chrysler merger talks where they both may need to raise money before anything happens.
• The new Honda Odyssey is introduced in Japan with some new innovative technologies.
• The finalist for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year Award are named.
• Luxury car brands are now taking a beating as the U.S. market continues to weaken.

This and more on today’s Autoline Daily from Autoline Detroit hosted by John McElroy.

Speculations have been made about BMW’s development of a full electric Mini to be produced but it has actually been confirmed and a spy shot of the new electric Mini was taken on the streets of Germany. Experts believe this is a test mule of the soon-to-come electric Mini.

Shown in the image on this post is a Hybrid tag that reads “HYBRID Erprobungsfahrzeug” which means “Hybrid vehicle testing”. Now, with knowing that you probably raise the issue of a “Hybrid” as we know it in America is not a full electric car. So what gives? Actually, this very well could mean it is a derivative of two technologies working together. But if you closely look at the image and talk with the photographer that snapped this photo, you will notice the lack of an exhaust pipe. The exhaust is non-existent on this Mini so that leaves us with the conclusion of this actually being a full electric vehicle.

(Click for full-size image)

Lets hear from you! What do you think? Think the exhaust is hidden somewhere? Do you think this is the real deal electric Mini Cooper?

Today’s highlights include:

• Toyota Builds Microcar
• Harley-Davidson Sales Slump
• GM Gunning for Chrysler – A possible buyout?
• Ford stopping development of 4.4L diesel engine for it’s pick-up trucks

Have a great weekend! Check back Monday morning for the October 20, 2008 Autoline Daily Episode.

As we ramp up for this years SEMA show, which happens to start November 4th, we look to some moded Lexus vehicles as a preview to the 2008 SEMA auto show in Las Vegas, NV. Below are a few images of the Lexus renditions done by Five Axis on the Lexus GS 460 and Fox Marketing on the Lexus IS-F. They love getting their hands on some of the latest Toyota products. Have they done it justice? Well, that’s for you to decide. Post your comments below!

Epic Fail: Nissan GT-R Transmission Failure Not Covered Under Warranty

So your buddy purchased a new Nissan GT-R and thought he would launch the S*#@! out of it several times just because HE CAN. Now, the transmission has failed after the many unplanned NASA launches and Nissan tells your buddy, “ahh, we are not fixing this under warranty, pay us over $20 grand and we will think about it”. So, the question is… why do you get punished for utilizing an actual feature on a vehicle? It just so happens that you have to void the warranty of a vehicle to accomplish the manufacturer’s performance numbers.

Matt at Garage 419 pretty much reiterates what was just stated above about the Nissan GT-R transmission warranty/launch control issue. That’s absolute BS… I may have to think twice before purchasing a Nissan GT-R. Now.

What do you think, should or shouldn’t Nissan replace the tranny in a GT-R given the same circumstances? Do you know anyone who has blown the tranny in their Nissan GT-R?

Today’s highlights include:

• Tesla Closing Facility
• Blogs buzz about new Toyota Prius
• GM and Cerberus Declare War
• Today’s top news stories

Hosted by John McElroy

Autoline Daily for October 15, 2008

Highlights:

• GMAC Hurting GM Dealers
• Toyota Profit to Drop
• Diesels Denouement