Sport Car: Infiniti

Showing posts with label Infiniti. Show all posts

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Infiniti Launches Limited Edition EX30d Black Premium in Europe, Throws in Special VIP Pass

A new special edition version of the diesel-powered EX30d crossover has joined Infiniti's European lineup. Production of the EX30d Black Premium will be limited to 150 units to be shared among all of the firm's European markets, with all buyers receiving a special VIP membership to a selection of high-class hotels and restaurants, usually available only by invitation.

All examples are finished in an exclusive for the EX Malbec Black paint. Other features include 19-inch five double-spoke alloy wheels, sunroof, polished aluminium roof rails, Bose sound system, graphite leather interior and, aluminium and black lacquer trims.

The EX30d Black Premium is motivated by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel delivering 238-horsepower and 550Nm or 405 lb-ft of peak torque. Matted to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel propels the EX30d to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and returns a combined fuel economy of 8.4 lt/100km (28mpg US or 33.6mpg UK) with 224 g/km of CO2.

As part of the package, all buyers will receive a two-year membership in the exclusive Relais & Châteaux Club 5C. According to the company, with this VIP pass owners will be "looked after more like house guests than hotel customers." In addition, each of the special EXs comes with a Lys d'Argent, valid for a double room for one night, dinner with drinks and breakfast for two people in one of more than 200 Relais & Châteaux hotels around the world.

The EX Black Premium is available to order now, with pricing in the UK starting from £45,671.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Official Photos

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Front View

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Pictures

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Side in Motion View

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Images

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Interior View

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Official Photos

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Rear Angle View

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Luxury Sedan

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid Engine View

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid First Drive

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Japan’s Economic Future in Doubt: A National Introspective

It’s not been a good year for Japan. China has recently overtaken the Land of the Rising Sun as the world’s second biggest economic power and a recall of over ten million vehicles by one of the nation’s biggest and most respectable companies, Toyota, kicked off a global PR debacle that some analysts predict will take years to recover from.

Add to that Japan’s aging population, its growing national debt and heavy reliance on manufacturing, all of which are effectively killing what was once thought destined to be the world’s leading economic superpower. The departure of its fourth Prime Minister in three years and a nasty diplomatic row with China over the detention of a trawler captain by the Japanese Coast Guard is also hurting.

What’s worse is that Japan’s population is dwindling due to a low fertility rate of just 1.3 children per woman. It is expected that the population will drop from 127 million to just 90 million by 2055, with 40% of that number being over 65s.

As the nation enters its third decade of economic stagnation, university students worry whether they can find steady employment or support their families. A third of Japan’s workforce is temporary workers or “Freeters” that flit from one available job to another. Such workers are unable to qualify for unemployment benefits, and make up more than three-quarters of the nation’s jobless. In these dark times, it’s no wonder -and a sad fact- that more than 30,000 people a year have committed suicides since 1998.

Japan’s Prime Minister, Nato Kan, is aware of the burgeoning crisis. His solution is to open up the country; reducing trade barriers and tariffs and loosening regulations to make the country a more attractive proposition to outside investors. A free trade agreement with the U.S. and other nations, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is also under consideration. Though it could lead to Japan’s economic revival and cheaper imports, it could also cause significant job losses and social dislocation of the rural classes.

Analysts are convinced that the nation needs to find new growth areas such as green energy, software engineering and health care to help prop up the failing economy. More so, however, Japan needs to change its national mindset. Perceived to be rooted in conformism and census, it is seen by some to be too insular and too slow to change and respond to crisis. Without change, Japan has little hope of a short term recovery.

Of course, this is just one opinion. As always, our readers are encouraged to voice theirs in the comments.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Infiniti Releases UK Prices for EX37 Compact SUV

Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, has began releasing prices for its UK-bound models that are set to arrive in dealerships in September. This time, the Japanese automaker confirmed pricing and specifications on its compact SUV model, the EX that is available in two trims, the EX37 and the EX37 GT with prices set at £35,200 and £36,500 OTR respectively.

Both EX models are equipped with a standard all-wheel drive system biased towards the rear wheels and a 320HP 3.7-liter V6 engine matted to seven-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control that launches the compact SUV from standstill to 62mph (100km/h) in 6.4 seconds.

Standard features for both trim levels include scratch Shield paint, electric folding rear seats, 18 inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, Cruise Control, Bluetooth, adaptive Xenon headlamps plus LED rears, electrically adjustable front seats, iPod connection and rear privacy glass.

The EX37GT adds full leather upholstery, 10 -way power driver's seat with memory function, electrically adjustable steering column, heated front seats and a coat hanger integrated in the driver headrest.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Infiniti Prices the FX SUV from £42,600 in the UK

Infiniti has confirmed pricing for its new luxury crossover, the FX, that will hit UK showrooms in September. The three-model FX line-up starts at £42,600 on the road for the FX37 GT and rises to £44,600 for the better equipped FX37 S while the range topping FX50 S starts from £53,800. The FX37 GT and S models are powered by the same 3.7-litre V6 with 320HP that claims 0-62mph (100km/h) in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 145mph or 233km/h with an official combined fuel cycle figure of 23.4mpg UK.

The FX50 S is equipped with a 390HP 5.0-liter V8 and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds while the top speed is limited to 155mph or 250km/h. It averages 21.7mpg UK on the combined fuel cycle.

All FX models come with standard leather upholstery, electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, a seven-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and gear shift paddles, Bi-Xenon adaptive cornering headlights, six airbags, ASC stability control, glass sunroof, cruise control and more.