Nissan GT-R Cobra N+

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Nissan GT-R gets an upgrade package from Cobra Technology & Lifestyle. The standard version of Nissan GT-R may develops 485 hp / 356.9 kW with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine. While the first power stage of the Nissan GT-R Cobra N+ is expected to delivers 550 hp / 404.8 kW and 680 Nm of torque.

As have been said by the company that Nissan GT-R Cobra N+ is expected to reach 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds and the top speed is up to 320 km/h.

The company also plans to increase the Nissan GT-R Cobra N+ performance up to 620 hp / 456.3 kW and around 800 Nm of torque, as this car is still under development.

Nissan GT-R Cobra N+ gets the extra power from an increased boost pressure by 0.15 bar, a re-programmed ECU, and sport air filters.

Nissan GT-R Cobra N+ will be available for sale from spring 2009 and this car will be equipped with a free-flow COBRA N+ stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts.

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Suzuki Equator 2009 Pickup Truck

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Suzuki Equator 2009 has been launched by Suzuki as the midsize pickup truck at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. With no pricing information being available yet, the 2009 Suzuki Equator will be launched on the US market in the fourth quarter of this year. There’s a choice between two engines for the 2009 Suzuki Equator: a 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine with an output of 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque, or a 2.5-liter DOHC inline four engine developing 152 hp and 171 lb.-ft. of torque.

Press Release

To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company’s bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500
Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki’s first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company’s offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.

Leveraging Suzuki’s credibility as a maker of lifestyle-oriented, fun-to-use products, the Equator offers the perfect blend of style, utility and off-road capability that truck buyers – many of whom are current Suzuki motorcycle, ATV and marine product owners, loyalists and ambassadors – demand and enjoy. Developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America, Inc., and based on the Nissan Frontier, the 2009 Equator will be available in both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles and rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations. The all-new 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2008. Pricing has not yet been announced.

“Since Suzuki has continued to strengthen its brand equity among outdoor enthusiasts, we thought now was the right time to produce a vehicle that meets the additional needs many of these people have,” said Mark Harano, president American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “Truck buyers are a particularly good fit for Suzuki since they’re likely to participate in motorcycle riding, power boating and other lifestyle-oriented activities that fit with our brand identity and our product portfolio. The Equator provides Suzuki with an opportunity to build an authentic connection with a group of consumers who are familiar with our brand and, in many circumstances, own other Suzuki products.”

To introduce the Equator, Suzuki is unveiling three separate representations of the truck during its Chicago Auto Show press conference. The three concepts, coined the RMZ-4 for off-road enthusiasts, Quad for outdoor adventurers and Quay for boating and watersports aficionados, showcase Suzuki’s diverse brand spirit, while illustrating the capability and flexibility of the all-new Suzuki Equator.

In addition to Chicago’s global reveal of the all-new Equator, Suzuki will showcase the SXForce, a sportbike-inspired concept reinforcing the link between the company’s rich motorcycle heritage and versatile line of fun-to-drive automobiles, as well as a range of outdoor and performance-oriented motorcycles and ATVs, including the KingQuad 450, LT-R450 QuadRacer and all-new Hayabusa sportbike, to name a few.

2009 Suzuki Equator
Performance and Functionality

Built at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., the 2009 Equator features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter DOHC inline four with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing a class-leading 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for outstanding performance and durability, the Equator’s V6 engine incorporates an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, Teflon®-coated pistons, variable valve timing and a silent two-stage timing chain.

The Equator is matched to either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (I4 and V6) or five-speed manual transmission (I4), and offers an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. For enhanced off-road capability, the rugged Equator offers a comprehensive off-road traction system, including four-wheel limited slip, electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill descent control and hill start assist.

The Equator’s strong, fully boxed frame anchors a long 125.9-inch wheelbase (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed), enhancing driver and passenger comfort and stability, while its overall length of 205.5 inches (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed) provides the perfect balance of utility, maneuverability and composure for a midsize pickup truck. The 2009 Equator features an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke for optimized off-road dynamics. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds. EPA fuel economy estimates are still preliminary.

Other Equator powertrain components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness and good on-center feel and standard four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Equator also features a variety of available wheel and tire packages, including 16-inch off-road style wheels with rugged 265/75R16 tires and 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires.

Styling and Utility

The all-new Equator features a contemporary exterior design with a number of unique Suzuki elements, including hood, front fenders, grille, bumpers, front fascia and tailgate. Both Equator Extended Cab and Crew Cab models offer an available high-utility bed that includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and an extensive tie-down system with adjustable tracks, providing ultimate cargo hauling flexibility through the use of five special “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed (two channels in the bed floor and one each on the bed side rails and the bed header panel). Removable utility cleats slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attachment points for securing cargo – including Suzuki motorcycles or ATVs. Suzuki also will offer specialized bed accessories that make loading, securing and transporting a motorcycle or ATV easier than in many competitive trucks. To further satisfy the needs of active lifestyles, Suzuki will offer its customers a full range of more traditional accessories for use with the channel system, including bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units. Crew Cab models will offer an available roof rack.

Interior

The Suzuki Equator offers the driver and up to four passengers a functional interior that combines versatility, cargo utility, comfort and convenience. Both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles feature flip-up rear seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat and removable storage boxes tucked beneath the rear seats to provide additional cargo capacity. The Equator offers additional convenience features such as a dual glove box with lock, damper and lamp, center console storage and one-liter bottle storage integrated into the front doors. A host of cupholders and power points are standard throughout the truck. Equator Crew Cab also will offer available leather-appointed seats, including a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats, heated mirrors and a factory-installed moonroof. Additional available interior amenities include a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system with six-disc in-dash CD audio system, optional satellite radio and MP3 capability and MP3 player aux-in jack.

Safety and Packages

The all-new Equator includes a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment, including zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor, three-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. To make the safety story even stronger, the Equator comes equipped with supplemental front seat side-impact air bags and supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for front and rear outboard passengers. Additionally, Extended Cab and Crew Cab models provide three-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the center position for the Crew Cab. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system is provided in the rear seat of the Crew Cab model.

Equator RMZ-4, Quay and Quad Concept Vehicles

Designed to match Suzuki’s performance-oriented motocross motorcycles, the RMZ-4 concept offers rugged off-road performance in a Crew Cab. This Equator-based concept, built by the Carlab of Orange, Calif., features a number of exterior modifications, including a bed extender provided by Amp Research, an eye-catching graphic treatment, 18-inch black chrome wheels and specialty Luzlab headlights. The truck’s striking exterior is matched by an equally stunning sound system that includes an Alpine HD-Radio unit connected to Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components.

Another Carlab creation to debut in Chicago, the Quay concept is built to suit recreational boating and watersports lifestyles, with a customized paint job that reflects the look of Suzuki’s line of marine engines. With an Extended Cab, long bed and hefty towing capabilities, the truck also is equipped with a state-of-the-art Visteon nav-control head unit that provides satellite radio, MP3 and navigation capabilities, in addition to Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components. The Quay also sports special 20-inch wheels and a matching locking hard tonneau cover.

Built to resemble the Suzuki QuadRunner ATV, and to accommodate a recreational outdoor lifestyle, the Quad concept was developed by Torrance, Calif.-based Andry Specialty Vehicles and comes outfitted with a Crew Cab and military “look and feel.” In addition to a custom paint job and a two-and-a-half inch front end lift, the exterior of the truck has been modified with a set of 500 series fog lamps, a safari-style front bumper, front skid plate and tubular rocker guards. To enhance the vehicle’s overall appearance and performance, the Quad is equipped with Yokohama Geolander tires that ride on 17-inch custom aluminum wheels and features Rockford Fosgate amp and speaker components.

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2008 Infiniti EX35

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Infiniti announced the pricing for the 2008 Infiniti EX35 luxury crossover. The 2008 Infiniti EX35 is available in four versions: EX RWD, EX RWD Journey, EX AWD with ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system and EX AWD Journey.

The 2008 Infiniti EX35 price for the four versions starts at:
- $31,300 for the EX RWD
- $32,700 for the EX AWD with ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system
- $34,850 for the EX RWD Journey
- $36,250 for the EX AWD Journey

Press Release:
Infiniti announced pricing on the all-new 2008 EX35 personal luxury crossover SUV today at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The Infiniti EX35, which goes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide on December 21, 2007, offers an exceptional combination of seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology systems – including the debut of the available Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which utilizes four small cameras to give the driver a “top-down view” of the outside of the vehicle while parking.

The new EX also becomes the second Infiniti production vehicle, following the fall introduction of the 2008 Infiniti M, to offer the new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and the first to feature “Scratch Shield,” a special “self-healing” clear coat designed to maintain its gloss level over time and keep the EX looking new.

The 2008 EX is available in four models – EX35 RWD (rear-wheel drive), EX35 RWD Journey, EX35 AWD (all-wheel drive) and EX35 AWD Journey.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) pricing of each model is:
• $31,300 for the EX RWD
• $34,850 for the EX RWD Journey
• $32,700 for the EX AWD with ATTESA E-TS intelligent all-wheel drive system
• $36,250 for the EX AWD Journey

The Infiniti EX’s sculpted elegance expresses a timeless appeal – sleek lines that portray speed, grace and finesse, with the look and feel of a luxury coupe and an SUV’s interior flexibility.

EX was also conceived to offer a reinvigorating and engaging interior environment, one that is both indulgent and inspiring, with room for four passengers, as well as three golf bags in the cargo area with the rear seat in the upright position.

All 2008 EX models offer a long list of standard equipment, including a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with Manual Shift Mode and Drive Sport Mode (DSM), assisted by Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, aluminum interior trim, 7-inch color monitor display, 8-way power driver’s seat and more.

EX35 Journey models add power slide/tilt moonroof with one-touch activation, front and rear leather-appointed seating surfaces, an industry-leading power-folding second row seat, auto-dimming inside mirror with electronic compass, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, front and rear sonar system and auto on/off headlights.

Available industry-leading EX35 technology features include the Around View Monitor (AVM) system, Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, RearView Monitor, Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). For audiophiles, EX offers an available 11-speaker Bose® Premium Audio System with Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, two subwoofers, 6CD in-dash changer and iPod® connectivity. Also available is an advanced voice-activated, touch-screen Infiniti Navigation System featuring available XM® NavTraffic™ with real-time traffic information (requires active XM® subscription after free 3 month free trial subscription), which includes a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback.

2008 EX35 equipment packages include the Premium Package ($2,150); Luxe Elite Package ($1,650); Navigation Package ($2,150); Technology Package ($1,950); and Luxe Style Package ($1,250). Also offered is maple wood trim ($450) and roof rails ($200).

“Infiniti customers have created a need for a vehicle like EX personal luxury crossover – they want the style and performance of a coupe, but need more utility, with the luxury of a sports sedan and the versatility of an SUV, all in a size that makes for easy maneuverability,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “The EX blends all the best attributes of each segment to create a perfect vehicle that appeals to men and women of all ages and family sizes.”

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G sports coupe and sedan, the M luxury performance sedan, FX premium crossover SUV, QX full-size luxury SUV, and the EX personal luxury crossover, which goes on sale in December. More information about Infiniti and its total ownership experience can be found at www.Infiniti.com.

OPTIONS MSRP

Premium Package: 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system w/ 24-bit Burr Brown Digital Audio Converter, 6-disc changer Infiniti Interface System for iPod; Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control; heated front seats and rear HVAC vent; heated outside mirrors w/ reverse tilt-down feature; Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System; memory system for driver’s seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors with synchronization; 8-way power passenger’s seat, 4-way power front seat lumbar support; and power tilt/telescoping steering column: $2,150

Luxe Elite Package: Upgraded leather appointments on, armrest, door and textured leather seat inserts; 18-inch aluminum wheels and 255/55R18 all-season tires; Bi-Xenon auto-leveling front headlights; Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS): $1,650

Navigation Package: Infiniti hard drive-based Navigation, voice recognition for HVAC, audio and navigation, XM® NavTraffic with real-time traffic information; 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive for mp3 storage, compact flash drive slot; single in-dash CD; RearView Monitor: $2,150

Technology Package: Around View Monitor (AVM); Lane Departure Prevention System (LDP); Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC): $1,950

Luxe Style Package: 18-inch aluminum wheels and 255/55R18 all-season tires; Bi-Xenon auto-leveling front headlights; Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS): $1,250

Wood Trim: Maple wood trim on center console and doors: $450

Roof Rails: Aluminum roof rails: $200

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