Friday, December 4, 2009

Infiniti Considers Production of Essence Coupe




Infiniti exec Ben Poore has reportedly told Motor Trend that reaction to the concept was "phenomenal." When the Essence was unveiled, Infiniti told the audience at Geneva that the vehicle was concept-only and that future vehicles would be influenced by its stunning design.

INFINITI ESSENCE:
THE MAGNIFICATION OF "INSPIRED PERFORMANCE"

ROLLE, Switzerland (March 3, 2009) - The essence of the Infiniti brand distilled into one car and then taken to the extremes to satisfy the world's most demanding car enthusiasts ... this is the Infiniti Essence. 

Presented as a concept at the 79th International Motor Show of Geneva, Essence is a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it is an inspiring exploration into the brand's future.

The dramatic design, technology and performance statement is a 600PS, petrol/electric hybrid coupe with rear-wheel drive. What Essence is not is merely an indulgent birthday present from Infiniti to itself.

This concept embodies Infiniti's core values as an inspiration for the future as much a celebration of the past. Essence showcases many of the technologies, including hybrid, and design cues that will distinguish Infiniti production cars of the coming years. And by steering Infiniti's guiding principle of "Inspired Performance" into the super-performance, super-luxury coupe market for the first time, it reaffirms Infiniti's place among the world's most exclusive and vibrant car brands. 






ESSENCE: AN OVERVIEW 
• A front-engined, two-seat, 600PS luxury coupe concept, 4.7m long
• First motor show preview of Infiniti's petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain
• Capable of vast speeds where conditions allow, zero emissions where they don't
• Rear-wheel drive for maximum driver involvement
• Fresh design language to influence future production models
• Previews new safety technology including Back-up Collision Prevention 
• Minimalist and intensely driver-focused interior 
• "New luxury" meets traditional Japanese craftsmanship
• Bespoke Louis Vuitton fitted luggage to maximise trans-continental capability 

ESSENCE: THE CONCEPT 
"An Essence owner is characterized by his or her fearless self confidence; he or she is an intellectual hero rather than just a successful money maker." 
Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning

Essence began life not in the design studio but in Infiniti's product planning department. Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning, and his team might not, at the start of the project, have known how Essence would look, but they did know what it had to be, why it had to exist – and who it would appeal to. 

"Essence is a brand icon," Francois Bancon said. "It is driven more by a conceptual approach than by any design execution. It is not just an object. It isn't a teaser for a new model. It is solely dedicated to Infiniti brand promotion, to demonstrate and advocate the Infiniti unique values."

The concept called for a very clear understanding of who the super-luxury coupe's potential customers would be. Painstakingly, Bancon and his team of advanced product planners built up a picture of a typical Essence owner. It was a profile that showed an uncompromising, risk-taking 42-year-old passionate about the best things in life, but equally passionate about not flaunting them. "These consumers don't need to demonstrate to others," said Bancon. "They are already at the next step of achievement that leads to rewarding themselves first."

Francois Bancon went on: "We wanted a new way of mixing various ingredients to get a car that was reserved but with a big presence, something trendy but also indicating the next trend. We wanted a car that aspired to become a cult. It had to be exclusive, smart and mysterious. For the driver, it had to sum up the six-word essence of Essence: 

Everything I want, nothing I don't 

ESSENCE IN DETAIL

1. DESIGN: DYNAMIC ADEYAKA

"The design embeds a sense of mystery, a sense of being in the know. Essence is not about showing signs of wealth and success."

Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design

With breathtaking good looks and perfect proportions, Essence exerts a powerful pull on all those who love cars. It looks like a driver's car, one that would be right at home spearing down the world's grandest motoring routes. 

But Essence is no aggressive sports car. Infiniti's "Dynamic Adeyaka" attitude ensures Essence is single-minded, but also inviting, sophisticated and born of inspiration from both the human and natural worlds. To further boost its emotional appeal, it features details that bring a very modern take to some very old Japanese traditions. 

The designers' aim was to merge all existing Infiniti design cues with fresh design language in a shape that the 20-year-old marque has never before attempted. The result is highly sculptural yet also very delicate. Essence speaks of power but not intimidation. 

The bonnet is, as you would expect of an Infiniti, long, and the rear deck short. Together with a flowing "wave" profile between muscular front and rear wheelarches, Essence at first appears to be in the classic sports car mould. But there is nothing retro about Essence. 

The side window graphics bring a particularly innovative and distinctive edge to the styling. The window appears to be resting on a ledge, its razor sharp line in contrast to the concave sweep of the upper body just below it. Imagine juxtaposing flowing water with the stark outline of a canyon landscape. 

The rear section also features complex surfacing with concave "scoops" that flow down the rear pillars from one of Essence's most distinctive design cues: a C-shaped kink to the side windows' trailing edge. Outlined by a wide flourish of stainless steel, it adds instant movement to the car even when it is standing still. 

One of the most distinctive details is the trim around the side air vents. The simple yet delicate shape, finely finished in aluminium, is based on the "kanzashi", a hairpin used by women when wearing the kimono. Other lines and details are inspired by the wide brush strokes of Japanese calligraphy. Essence represents a successful merging of iconic cultural cues with automotive aesthetics. 

Essence's front is characterised by Infiniti's signature double-arch grille, set at an angle that suggests the car is about to leap forward. There is an illuminated Infiniti badge at its heart. Rounded corners effectively hide the front overhang and make this 4.7m-long car appear anything but big in the flesh. 

The grille is framed by subtle strips of stainless steel but there's little other trim and no other grilles or intakes, not even foglights. At the front as over the rest of the car, Essence eschews superfluous body embellishments that could interrupt the graceful strength of the whole. The door handles are slithers of push buttons flush with the body while even rear-view mirrors must make way for minuscule cameras teased out of the A-pillars. 

More familiar Infiniti cues include the lights. At the front the signature L-shaped modules taper back on to the bulging guards, picked out at their top edge by a row of LEDs. Slender fillets of red light curve around the car at the back, overlapping with the boot opening and framing the vestigial spoiler. Edged by more stainless steel, the spoiler appears to have been pushed out from within the car.

The windscreen flows back into a full glass roof that then tapers down towards the boot opening – making just one more memorable view of a car that doesn't have a wrong angle to it. 

On design, Essence is simple and amazingly complex, classical and totally dynamic all at the same time. Most of all as the epitome of "dynamic adeyaka" it boasts massive presence. Once seen, never forgotten.


2. INTERIOR: DRIVER-FOCUSED
"Detailed artistic expression and the rich warmth of the human hand go far beyond mechanical precision."
Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design

For a driver's car, the perfect driver's cabin. Essence's interior is minimalist, ergonomic and totally focused on the job in hand: to give the person behind the wheel a feeling of absolute control. And yet all this driver focus goes hand in hand with a passenger area dominated by comfort, calm and elegance to offer the kind of hospitality that is so important to the Japanese people, and also to Essence. 

The asymmetrical cabin is divided into two areas separated by a large curving console between the seats that sweeps around to merge with the centre of the dashboard. The result is two very distinct cocoons. The driver's side is themed black, the passenger's "cocoon" an earthy red. 

A flat-bottomed steering wheel and chronometer-style dials announce to the driver this is a serious performance machine. There are no gimmicks or sci-fi solutions here, just single-minded dedication to driving. Witness the technical nature of the displays, the short, alloy-topped gear selector and, just in front of it another finger-flick away, the bright red engine start button.

The car wraps itself around the driver who can quickly relax with the Infiniti trademarks of supportive seat and perfect driving position. There are more Infiniti cues such as the big gearchange paddle shifters behind the wheel and the analogue clock in the centre of the dash.

Infiniti designers believe the best functionality works behind the scenes, appearing only when needed. They call this "hidden tech", and it's the key to the functional minimalism that dominates the control layout. By not baffling drivers with buttons or overburdening them with information, Essence offers a sense of well-being to everyone, allowing them to focus entirely on enjoying the energizing driving experience. 

With the materials used – leather, Alcantara, hand-painted wood inspired by traditional Japanese lacquerware – the cabin exudes a rich and inviting warmth. Attention to detail is such that even the leather seams on the seat backs differ from left side to right side. Why? So they can accurately reflect the way Japanese men and women tie their kimonos.

Essence's interior promotes a sense of well-being which is key to the Infiniti driving experience. 


3. DRIVETRAIN: POWER WITH RESPONSIBILITY 
"Infiniti's performance feel has been captured as natural dynamism, like energy rising from within." 
Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning 

Essence's drivetrain is designed to meet the highest expectations of owners by delivering the one thing everyone expects of an Infiniti – sheer driving pleasure. In Essence that pleasure is taken to new heights, at the same time as previewing an innovative green hybrid engine.

Essence is unusual even in the rarefied atmosphere of the world's fastest road cars by being able to call on a mighty 600PS (592bhp). The power guarantees high performance responses on any road, in any situation. Essence is not, however, an intimidating sports racer. Like the design, the performance is designed to be sophisticated and unobtrusive – performance with a human touch. 

The hybrid system is a logical extension of Infiniti parent group's groundbreaking green commitments. It offers power with efficiency, and high performance with zero-emissions running, by combining a petrol engine with an electric motor. These can work independently or together as a "parallel" hybrid system. 

In congested urban areas, the electric motor alone is all that is needed for Essence to glide silently between stoplights, with no tailpipe emissions. 

When the traffic clears, Essence responds with a highway performance that few cars could match. In "power assist" mode the full 600PS is unleashed with both petrol and electric power working together. 

A key difference over some other hybrid systems is that both the V6 and the electric motor feed their power only to the rear wheels. Performance is more linear, response is crisper – and driving pleasure further enhanced – as a result.

Infiniti's familiar 3.7-litre V6 gasoline engine is fitted with twin turbochargers, boosting power to 440PS (434bhp). A new direct-injection fuel system ensures the engine works more efficiently than ever in Essence.

Essence previews a new type of electric motor, called 3D Motor, that was designed to meet tough requirements on size and power output. The result is a particularly slim, disk-shaped motor that has twice the torque of a conventional unit. Its design was achieved by 3D magnetic field analysis to optimize the layout of the electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets. 

In Essence, the motor is positioned between the engine and transmission and provides 160PS (158bhp), drawing power from a compact lithium-ion battery pack in the boot area. Because the 3D Motor operates in both propulsion and power regeneration modes, the battery pack is kept charged up.

Optimized energy useage across the widest possible range of driving conditions is guaranteed by two separate clutches which "switch in" the motors as required. It is a system that needs no torque converter, further enhancing responsiveness and driving pleasure. 


4. SAFETY: A COLLISION-FREE FUTURE
On a global level, Infiniti is committed to building safer vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies.

Essence previews some of the next-generation safety features that will ensure Infiniti cars remain among the safest on the road. Chief among them is a "Safety Shield" that goes a long way towards the Infiniti engineers' dream of a collision-free car. 

The Safety Shield adds two new technologies to the Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems that are available in today's production Infinitis. Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP) extend the anti-collision shield all the way around the car. 

With SCP, when the driver decides to change lanes, side-mounted sensors activate a warning if an approaching vehicle is detected in the driver's intended lane. A yaw mechanism is then activated through brake control of individual wheels to help prevent a potential collision. Back-up Collision Prevention works in a similar way, sensing a vehicle behind, giving the driver a warning but then, if the warning is not heeded, activating the brakes automatically. 

The warning system and pre-emptive safety features are designed to help support the driver in an intuitive manner with minimal intervention.


5. PRACTICALITY: A VERY BESPOKE SOLUTION
The team behind Essence harked back to an early motoring era to find the right solution for carrying luggage. The result is as classy as luggage ever gets, surprisingly practical and dreamily romantic. It also re-establishes the historic ties between a carmaker and one of the best-known names in luxury goods – Louis Vuitton.

Vuitton first worked with a coachbuilder – the famous Kellner company – in 1908, equipping one of their early luxury limousines with a set of bespoke luggage. Other coachbuilders quickly beat a path to Vuitton's door in Paris. Made-to-measure Vuitton trunks were an integral feature of some of the greatest cars of the first part of the 20th century. 

The collaboration between Infiniti and Vuitton revives the idea of a set of the highest quality luggage made to fit exactly a car's boot area. In Essence there are three rigid pieces: a matched pair of slender briefcases atop a large trunk. All are made in the new Damier Graphite canvas and feature sleekly integrated handles and an overall design in harmony with the car itself. 

There is hi-tech, too. A button on the key fob electrically opens the boot lid, allowing the boot floor to slide silently rearwards. This is one boot an owner will never have to struggle to access. 

In a nod at tradition, the cases even bear the initials of their owner – SN, standing for Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design.

6. INFINITI: 20 YEARS OF PERFORMANCE CARS

The Essence has been 20 years in the making. For that is how long the essence of the marque – its very being, a distillation of everything that Infiniti stands for – has taken to reach its current state of perfection. 

The idea behind Infiniti was first discussed in 1985 but it wasn't until November 1989 that the first Infiniti model was sold in North America. Today it is the fastest growing luxury brand in the US.

But it is also far more than just a US brand. Today Infiniti has more than 230 dealers in 15 countries with worldwide sales of 150,000 annually. 

Infiniti's success is down to many things, not least the "Dynamic Adeyaka" attitude behind every Infiniti model. When Adeyaka meets The Total Ownership Experience the result is the three pillars of Infiniti: driving pleasure, hospitality and peace of mind. 

All these values are perfectly summed up by Essence which is revealed at the Geneva Motor Show of 2009 not only to coincide with the marque's 20th anniversary, but also in the midst of the brand's current challenge: to take on the European market.



Porsche Design new driving and sportswear collection




The Porsche Design Sport Spring/Summer 2010 Collection 

Stuttgart/Herzogenaurach. Porsche Design Sport – the collaboration between adidas and Porsche Design – fuses performance technologies with highly refined male style. With the Spring/Summer 2010 collection Porsche Design Sport enters its seventh season. 

Functionality, top quality technology and striking design set the Porsche Design Sport Spring/Summer 2010 range apart. "Driving", "Golf", "Running/Fitness", "Tennis", and "Water/Snow" are the categories that make up the collection of apparel, footwear and accessories. With each piece, exclusive materials are combined with performance-enhanced details and superior craftsmanship to create a signature look that is cutting-edge, modern and timeless. 

For Spring/Summer 2010, Porsche Design Sport focuses on the "Water/Snow" category, with "Water" being the seasonal highlight. To test and develop the perfectly crafted Porsche Design Sport sailing range, 3-times Olympic gold medalist and 2-times America's Cup winner Jochen Schümann provided significant support, testimonials and advice. 

The footwear highlight product is the "AC Bowman". Engineered in cooperation with Jochen Schümann, it is tailored for fast, flexible agility using shock-absorbing adiPRENE®. The fast-drying mesh upper and sticky rubber outsole for wet deck traction make this high performance item the perfect fit for inshore as well as offshore racing. The "Horizon II" marks adidas' 2nd approach to luxury sailing. Its premium design and innovative drainage system have made it a favourite of Jochen Schümann and his team. 



In apparel, the "Spray Light Top" fuses technical outdoor performance with timeless style. The wind and waterproof GORE-TEX® Paclite® Shell offers superior breathability and includes a 28,000 mm-water column, while remaining extremely lightweight and packable. The "Spray Light Top", also engineered in cooperation with Jochen Schümann, includes other details such as a stow-away storm hood, waterproof half-zip and neoprene accents. Rounding off the highly functional sailing range are exceptional accessories like the "Navigator" and "Cargo" bags; these use waterproof materials in combination with the latest in bonding and seam sealing technology. 

In "Running/Fitness" Porsche Design Sport introduces the "Bounce:S²" – the next generation of the premium running shoes "Bounce:S". The first of these was launched in January 2008 and has been recognized with several awards, including the "Plus X Award 2008", Europe's biggest technology, sport and lifestyle competition. That same year, an international jury of design experts granted the "Bounce:S" the German "Red Dot Design Award" for innovative design and the renowned "Time" magazine awarded the high-tech running shoes as one of the best 50 inventions of the year. The "Bounce:S²" takes a new approach to comfort 
and design: a one piece and virtually seamless mesh outer layer engineered for breathability and step-in comfort is affixed to a futuristic RPU exoskeleton that brings structure to the shoe, while guarding it against abrasion. 

The Porsche Design Sport collection will hit retail in January 2010 and will be available in selected high-end boutiques, adidas Sport Performance Concept Stores and Porsche Design Stores worldwide. 

Stylish yet understated, casual yet technical, Porsche Design Sport is defining a new era of engineered luxury sportswear. 

The adidas Group is one of the global leaders in the sporting goods industry offering a wide range of products around the three core segments adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has approximately 31,000 employees worldwide and generates sales of about 10.3 billion. 

Porsche Design is a luxury brand with particular focus on technically inspired products. The brand was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and since then its products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design. The product portfolio includes classic men's accessories, a sport and fashion collection as well as electronic products and a men's fragrance range. The products are designed in the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and sold worldwide in own stores, shop-in-shops, high quality department stores and exclusive retail outlets. 

Jochen Schümann is a 3-times Olympic Gold medalist (1976, 1988 and 1996) and 2-times America's Cup Winner with the team Alinghi (2003, 2007). He was furthermore ISAF World Sailor of the Year (1996). For the past two years, Jochen Schümann has provided significant support, testimonials and advice to test and develop the perfectly crafted adidas Porsche Design Sport sailing range. Together with his team "All4One" he is outfitted with Porsche Design Sport products. 

Custom "Mazdaspeed2 Models At LAIAS






Mazda 2Evil Special Concept
This concept is inspired by the weekend track car but one that can function equally well as an urban commuter. The body has been modified to show a more aggressive front spoiler and a deeper side rocker for improved aerodynamics and lower overall stance. A strong lower diffuser is added to enhance the rear proportion and more emphasis is placed on the exhaust tip. The rear upper spoiler was redesigned for both additional downforce and a race appearance. The dynamic MAZDA2 body is finished in Ceramic Grey metallic with subtle motorsports inspired graphics. The graphics are finished off with the historic number 55, a tribute to the 1991 Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B race car. Wheels, mirrors and other details are accented in Spirited Green. To top it off, the performance and stance are enhanced with 17" wheels, 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan tires, lowered coil-over suspension provided by H&R and Magna performance exhaust.




The Mazda Active2 Surf & Snow Special Concepts
The Active2 Surf exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17" wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Spirited Green and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and white, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Surf has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and a matching carbon fiber surfboard.
The Active2 Snow exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17" wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Frozen White and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and Spirited Green, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Snow has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and matching snowboards.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Honda Neo Urban Transport Concept





The Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) design study model demonstrates a futuristic concept for an ultra-compact and sophisticated city coupe, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Conceived around a small "footprint" for maximum convenience in tight urban settings, the packaging concept integrates a center driving position configuration and a rear powertrain layout. The exterior styling leverages crisp angles with dynamic flowing lines that originate from the front of the vehicle and span outward toward the rear. The end result is a sleek and aggressive exterior that also allows for a spacious and open interior with excellent visibility.
"A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities," said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle."
The exterior styling is intended to capture a future direction for premium sophistication while balancing the need for maximum interior space and an aerodynamic appearance. The interior layout, in conjunction with the rear powertrain design, contributes prominently to the exterior's overall shape.


The layout of the interior space, with its center driving position flanked by two rear seats, provides generous legroom for all occupants, roughly the equivalent of a mid-sized sedan in a vehicle that has an exterior footprint similar to a micro car. Interior functionality is increased by rear seating areas that fold up and out of the way to increase storage capacity. The windshield serves as a heads-up display for the navigation system and the back-up camera.
The modular rear engine bay, depicted on the exterior by blue composite material, is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.



"The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs," said Marek. "While the Honda P-NUT concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don't have to compromise on style or amenities."
The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los Angeles developed the P-NUT design study model. Honda R&D Americas began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle research, design and development. Recent Honda-brand efforts include trend-setting products such as the Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si Coupe.
Specifications
Size class: Ultra-compact
Layout: Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Passengers: 3
Length: 3,400 mm
Width: 1,750 mm
Height: 1,439 mm
Powertrain: Internal-combustion engine, hybrid-electric or battery-electric

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Infiniti Debuts 2011 M56 And M37 Rival To BMW 5 Series




Infiniti today unveiled the all-new 2011 Infiniti M sedan at a media event in Beverly Hills, Calif. Infiniti's halo sedan, which is scheduled to go on sale in late March 2010, will be available in two model designations - the Infiniti M56 with an all-new 420-horsepower 5.6-liter VVEL Direct Injection Gasoline(TM) V8 and the Infiniti M37 with a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL V6. Both engines are designed to offer more power and increased fuel efficiency versus the previous generation M's V8 and V6 engine offerings. The Infiniti M56 and M37 will be offered in a choice of rear-wheel drive or with Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.
The 2011 Infiniti M's completely redesigned body offers authentic sports sedan proportions and evocative new styling with a low front end and deeply sculpted fenders. Inside, the new M's interior is pure Infiniti, combining vibrant, Japanese-influenced design, luxury materials and amenities and premium entertainment systems with driver-oriented sports seating and controls.


The new Infiniti M continues its predecessor's tradition of offering an array of advanced technology systems, including Active Noise Control, an innovative Forest Air(TM) climate control system, "Infiniti Drive" selectable drive mode control, Active Trace Control, Eco Pedal and enhanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System. The Infiniti M also introduces the new Blind Spot Intervention(TM) (BSI) System, a world's first system that alerts the driver if another vehicle is detected in the blind spot area and helps return the vehicle back toward the center of the lane of travel away from the other vehicle.
"The 2011 Infiniti M embodies all of our best thinking, design and quality to date," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. "It's a truly inspired design offering invigorating performance, luxurious comfort and the highest levels of craftsmanship and style ever offered in an Infiniti."


Other available 2011 Infiniti M features include a Bose® 2-channel 10-speaker premium audio system or Bose® Studio Surround® sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 16 speakers (including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat), heated steering wheel, climate-controlled front seats, semi-aniline leather and genuine White Ash wood trim that has been enhanced with real silver powder.
Also making its debut today was the revised 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan, which goes on sale December 17th at Infiniti retailers nationwide. The G Sedan features a new front exterior design, refined interior treatment and enhanced technology, including an advanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System. The Infiniti G37 Coupe and G37 Convertible also receive interior and technology refinements for the 2010 model year. The G Coupe also goes on sale this month, with the G Convertible scheduled for an early February 2010 release.

Will cover this amazing vehicle in the months to come.

2011 Ford Fiesta: Ford Is Focused On Success




Ford's hot-selling new Fiesta will deliver more than just great looks and the top fuel economy in its segment when it goes on sale in North America next year. The 2011 Ford Fiesta - available in four- and five-door body styles - also will set a new small car benchmark for safety, connectivity and powertrain technology.
"Fiesta was developed with customers, not just for them," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for Global Product Development. "Fuel economy, spirited performance, efficient use of space and great looks are universal desires, across global markets -- and Fiesta delivers."


Kinetics and aesthetics
Kinetic design gives Fiesta a sense of movement -- even while standing still -- harmonizing character elements to reflect global Ford identity, which enables Fiesta to project its own air of confidence, style and individuality.
Adding eyes to the Fiesta face are sweeping headlamps that frame and connect the hood to muscular, sculpted front fenders. The design is further enhanced with a choice of nine vivid new colors. From Bright Magenta through Lime Squeeze to Blue Flame, Fiesta's broad color palette offers more choices than any other competitors in the segment.




Inside Fiesta
Fiesta is as dramatic on the inside as it is on the outside. Boldly sculpted surfaces, contrasting colors and comfortable, supportive materials make the interior as individual as the driver. First-row buckets with a 60/40-split second-row seat offer cloth or leather seating surfaces with comfort, style and individuality.
Fun, with fuel efficiency
The 1.6-liter DOHC I-4 engine develops an estimated 119 horsepower and 109 ft.-lb. of torque, making spirited performance and fuel-efficient economy signature attributes. Fiesta is expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy up to 40 mpg.
The advanced 1.6-liter features Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT), allowing the engine to be downsized for fuel economy, while continuously optimizing camshaft phasing for throttle response, performance and flexibility.
Specially tuned front struts, bushings, dampers, stabilizer bars and a rear twist-beam axle keep Fiesta confidently planted. Sporty, European driving dynamics prevail.
A North American industry-exclusive PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission offers the responsive performance and fuel economy of a manual transmission, with the convenience of a traditional automatic. A five-speed manual transmission is standard.
For driving dynamics, Fiesta features Electric Power Assist Steering, which reduces complexity while saving weight and fuel. This speed-sensitive system provides optimized assist based on speed, cornering forces and movement.
Strength and safety
More than half of Fiesta's welded body structure is made from high-strength steel, including ultra-strong boron components, bringing confident road-holding, best-in-class occupant safety and quiet composure. Fiesta features dual-stage first-row air bags, a class-exclusive driver's knee air bag, side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac® with Electronic Stability Control.
Fiesta sales success
Fiesta is continuing its sales momentum as Europe's No. 2-selling car and Ford of Europe's top-selling vehicle, helping increase Ford's share in Europe's main 19 markets. More than 500,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched in autumn 2008.
For more information
For full press release text and additional information and images, click here.