0 comments Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Credit goes to Motor Trend.




"A senior Nissan source has confirmed the company is studying the possibility of producing a high-performance four-door sedan based on the exotic Nissan GT-R hardware. The source suggested the car may be sold as an Infiniti.

Producing a four-door GT-R is certainly feasible, though it wouldn't be cheap. Although the GT-R coupe is based on Nissan's flexible FM (front midship) platform, it is what one analyst calls "a major deviation" from that platform's architecture, to the point where it's known internally as PM (premium midship).

The PM platform could be stretched to allow an extra set of doors and useable rear passenger space, while keeping the existing suspension pickup points, powertrain mountings, and other sheetmetal. This would enable the four-door to share a lot of the GT-R's mechanical hardware, including the 480-horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter VR38 V-6 engine, all wheel drive, and the rear-mounted six-speed DSG-style auto-clutch transmission.

However a sedan version would require a new bodyside, plus expensive revisions to the carbon fiber intensive front structure, so while Nissan could save some money through component sharing with the GT-R, it's likely that a sedan variant would cost $3000 to $5000 more. One alternative would be to make the car with a conventional steel body (it would add weight, but Nissan would want the GT-R coupe to remain its performance flagship anyway).



The drawings here are purely illustrative; it's unlikely Nissan would retain too many GT-R cues on an Infiniti-badged car. Nissan knows a four-door GT-R would have about as much credibility in Japan as a four-door Corvette would here in the U.S. Furthermore, American and European buyers likely would balk at the idea of paying $85,000 for a sedan with Nissan badges. Making the car an Infiniti could help solve both problems, and it would give the brand the halo vehicle it lacks.

A high-tech, high-performance Infiniti sedan also could serve as a halo car for the expansion of Nissan's luxury brand into Europe, China, Japan, and other world markets. After dithering for a decade or more, Toyota has finally made Lexus a global brand, and its new IS-F sedan signals an entry into the premium high-performance segment dominated by Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M cars.

The significance of both moves won't have been lost on Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn."

0 comments Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Well, this is a new one. Ford has been through this in the past, when cruise control on some of their F150's caused fires. Certain companies have been notorious for widespread recalls, from rollover danger to technical malfunctions. But honestly, who would have expected it from Acura? They recalled 273,000 2004-2008 Acura TLs recently. This is a quote:

"Apparently an issue with high temperatures under the hood can cause the power steering hose to degrade to the point that it could crack and leak fluid onto the catalytic converter. This could result in a fair amount of smoke, or, at worse, a fire."



So..if you own one, go get it checked out now! If you don't, bask in the glory that is your non-recalled car.

0 comments Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Just thought I'd share this amazing detail on a Jaguar.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=56439

It's a long post, but the pictures speak for themselves. Here are some pictures.
Before:


After:



0 comments Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Amazon Link

The disclaimer says it all: "Please note: this product is not intended for use while driving." I guess if you're looking for that pesky promotion that your co-worker keeps on getting, this is the gift that you get them! Just don't tell them the disclaimer. (I'm just kidding, please don't get any ideas).

The two most applied tags to the item:
ignorant (254)
garbage (184)

0 comments Tuesday, February 19, 2008

This was on eBay a while back. In case you missed it, someone was selling a sticker that would go on the roof to try to trick people into thinking you have a sunroof.

eBay auction

The original listing expired, so I can't show you all the funny Q&A's, but here's pictures and the transcript in case you missed it.





Question & Answer

Q: Do I get a discount in shipping if I buy 2? I want to put one on the roof and one on the inside of my car so when I look up a can pretend to be looking outside, also can you make one that simulates looking up at the stars I think chicks would really dig it or put a scary face on it so when People in my car look up the think there is somebody on the roof I think you have endless possibilities with this product. Thanks.
A: We give free shipping when you buy 3 or more.

Q: my car does not have an anti lock braking system - i am interested in an abs light for my dash - i cannot afford nor am i interested in the actual braking benefits of an abs system - i am solely interested in tricking people into thinking my car is safer than it is. do you or are you looking into prototyping this product - it seems like its up your alley.
A: We are working on new ideas, thank you.

Q: I honestly think this is the greatest product i've seen on ebay in a while. Honestly if i didn't have a sunroof i think i would buy two and make it look like my car was a T top..I think you should sell that as a seperate product as well....and if you do, give me a free one for the idea.
A: Thanks!

Q: I don't understand why someone would want the look without the functionality? Is this a gag to fool your friends?
A: We came with this idea, sometimes people just want to have the look of a sunroof, and can´t afford or don´t have the permission to make a hole to their/parent´s car.

Q: Do you have a holographic version so that if someone looks from a certain angle, the sunroof will look like it's open? Do you also have a sunroof visor that I can stick on to look like I have a real sunroof visor? Do you also sell controls that I can stick on the ceiling of the car so I can act like I have a sunroof controls? I'm curious, If I stick it on the hood of my car would this then be called sunhood? This is one of the best ideas I have ever heard of.
A: We are still working on having more products like this, at this moment we only have this self adhesive sunroof. You can put it in the hood if you want. Thank you

Q: What kind of tool would I use for cutting the whole? will it leak?
A: This sunroof is ornamental, it´s only a sticker with the shape of a sunroof that you put in your car´s roof and gives your car the look of a real sunroof, but you don´t make any holes to the car, and you can´t see through it. You don´t make any modifications to your car.

Q: So what type of motor does it take and how do i go by wiring it all up and locating the switch??
A: This sunroof is ornamental, it´s only a sticker with the shape of a sunroof that you put in your car´s roof and gives your car the look of a real sunroof, but you don´t make any holes to the car, and you can´t see through it. You don´t make any modifications to your car.

Q: How much would it cost for a shop to do the install on this sunroof on a 1994 Subaru Legacy L?
A: This is only a sunroof sticker that gives your car the look of a real sunroof. You can install it yourself, you don´t need to make holes in your car and you will not be able to see through it.

Q: Will I have to declare the addition of this modification to my insurance company and will it compromise the structural integrity of my car?
A: It doesn´t compromise the structural integrity of your car because it´s just a sticker with the shape of a sunroof that you put in your car´s roof.

Q: I would really love the open-roof experience of a sunroof. I'm very excited to see that this can give me that feeling without drilling holes. What a product! How does it work?
A: First you clean your car´s roof You select a place where you want you Selfadhesive sunroof to be, check for any bubbles . Remove the peripherical edge binding and press the molding frame against the car. As I told before, this self adhesive sunroof is just ornamental, and will give only the look of a sunroof.

Q: Will this work with my convertible?
A: If it has a solid top you can use it.

Q: can I get away with only buying one, for two cars... and switch which one I put it on depending on my mood?
A: Once you install the sunroof if you take it off, the sunroof won´t damage your car, but it will not be able to use on another car, this is for prevent burglars to steal it.

Q: Can this be put on other parts of the car, such as the hood or trunk lid, or do you have to put it on the roof? Does it fit all models? I have a Dodge Stratus right now, but I'm probably gonna get a Dodge Viper pretty soon.
A: Yes, you can put it on other parts of the car. If fits all models.

Q: How does the sun get thru the roof?
A: The sun won´t get thru the roof, because the self adhesive sunroof is a sticker that gives your car the look of a real sunroof, but you don´t make a hole to the car.

Q: Does this sunroof come with all of the installation tools necessary for proper install?
A: This sunroof is ornamental, it´s only a sticker that you put in your car´s roof and gives your the look of a sunroof, but you don´t make any holes to the car. It comes with step to step instructions, it´s very easy because you only have to put the sunroof sticker in the car.

Q: how much horsepower does this add?
A: The self adhesive sunroof doesn´t add any horsepower to the car.

Q: I would love to have a sunroof - is it guaranteed to be waterproof? do you have pictures from the inside of the car after install?
A: This sunroof is ornamental, it´s only a sticker in the car´s roof, and it´s waterproof and weatherproof, there´s no need to make holes on the car. From the inside the car will look the same since you´ll only be attaching the sticker sunroof in the carroof.

Q: What is this magnetic technology? so is it a sticker or a magnet?
A: It´s a magnet and a sticker so it can stick better to the car.

Q: Is this the kind of sunroof that slides back or only pops up?
A: This sunroof is only ornamental, it´s a sticker that gives your car the look of a real sunroof, but it doesn´t slides back or pops up.

Q: Does the product come with instructions on how to cut the hole in the car roof?
A: This sunroof is ornamental, it is only a layer of stickers that attaches to your car, without any holes and gives the car the appearance of a sunroof.

0 comments Thursday, February 14, 2008

It's kind of silly to have a new post with only one picture, but shots of the new 2009 Acura TSX are rare and hard to find and are in high demand right now, so here's another one. This is closer to what it will look like than the earlier concept models. Click for a bigger view.


0 comments Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Check out this video I just uploaded.

350Z vs Honda S2000 vs Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 vs M3

Posted 1 Hour Ago

Nissan 350Z vs Honda S2000 vs Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 vs BMW M3 vs Porsche Boxster. The end also shows a canyon race between an AE86 and a Skyline.



Seems to good to be true, but this vid delivers what the title says. Some of the top performance-oriented cars go head to head on a circuit. Nissan 350Z vs Honda S2000 vs Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 vs BMW M3 vs Porsche Boxster. Then, the end shows a canyon race between an AE86 and a Skyline.