2011 Infiniti M: First Official Photos of all-new Luxury Sports Sedan

In a special presentation at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California, Infiniti unveiled the all-new 2011 M executive sports saloon through a 3-dimensional holographic presentation. The Japanese brand also released the first official photos of the mid-size sedan that will be sold for the first time around the world in 32 markets including Western Europe. The trio of German executive sedans, the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, should be considered the new M's closest competitors.

The third generation of Infiniti's M sedan comes with a completely new body that takes styling cues from the firm's latest production and concept cars such as the Essence sports study blending organic shapes with swoopy lines and sculptured wings - though we must say that the front-end design does look similar to the Nissan Maxima.

Moving to the new M's interior, as with most cars of the kind, Infiniti customers will feel right at home with the styling. The Japanese brand promises that the M will stand out thanks to the use of innovative materials, an advanced climate control system, superior audio and an enhanced quality feel.

The next-generation M saloon will be offered in the States and other markets with two new gasoline engine configurations. The 2011 M37, which will replace the current M35 and its 303 HP 3.5-liter V6, is powered by the company's new 3.7-liter V6 producing around 330 horsepower. The range-topping 2011 M56 that takes the place of the current M45 and its 325 HP 4.5L V8 is moved by a new 5.6-liter V8 said to deliver over 400 horsepower.

For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a Renault-sourced V6 performance diesel with an output of around 265 horsepower.

Infiniti did not disclose if the new M will be available with all-wheel drive versions in addition to the standard rear-wheel-drive models.

The new M sedan is scheduled to go on sale across the world as a 2011MY starting from Spring 2010. More details and photos will be released closer to the launch date.



Nissan's GT-R Nurburgring Race Track Fire Fighter

Meet the world's fastest fire fighting vehicle: Nissan's specially modified GT-R that takes up role as an emergency response vehicle at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany The fire-fighting GT-R is a gift from Nissan to the Nurburgring operator and it was created in collaboration with M&M Automotive, a Bonn-based specialist for car development and motor sports. While the mechanical hardware remain intact, the GT-R's rear seats were removed and replaced with a 50-liter water tank secured with a roll cage.

The 485-horsepower sports car also gets a medium-pressure extinguisher system (20 bars) as well as a winding device for the hose while an additional radio communication system and a new set of Recaro sports seats complete the upgrades. The manufacturer claims that with a foam reach of around 18 meters and a 20-metre hose, the unit will be able to fight fire for around two minutes on a single tank.

Even though the extra equipment added 200 kg or approx 440 pounds to the coupe's weight, Nissan supports that the GT-R can still lap the Nurburgring circuit in less than 8 minutes. The standard model has recorded a lap time of the Nordschleife circuit of 7 minutes and 26.70 seconds.



Audi Confirms U.S. Pricing on S4 Sedan, A5 and S5 Cabriolet Models

Audi has announced official pricing for the U.S. market 2010 S4 sedan and A5 and S5 Cabriolet models. The two S models that are powered by a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 will arrive at Audi showrooms in late August while the A5 Convertible will enhance the firm's range in the Fall. Set to compete against the BMW 335i, the 2010 S4 sedan is priced at $45,900 for the six-speed manual gearbox model and at $47,300 for those that prefer the S-Tronic twin-clutch transmission.

When equipped with a manual transmission, the S4 delivers a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of 4.9 seconds, compared to a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the previous S4 V8 manual while the its also more fuel efficient than its predecessor returning 18 mpg city/27 highway, compared to the previous-generation 2008 S4 V8 manual ratings of 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway.

The A5 Cabriolet that features a fully automated soft top will be offered with a base 2.0-liter TSI engine and a range topping 333HP 3.0 TSI for the S5 model. The front-wheel drive A5 Cabriolet 2.0T Mutlitronic is priced at $42,000 while the Tiptronic Quattro model at $44,100. As for the S5 Cabriolet, it starts from $58,250.

Buyers should be aware that Audi will add a $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges to all MSRPs.


VW Launches New Transporter Sportline Limited Edition X Model

The Transporter Sportline is the latest VW model to receive the 'limited edition' moniker with the release of the UK-bound "Edition X". In addition to the standard Transporter Sportline's standard equipment that includes 18-inch alloys, chrome grilles and side sills, leather seats and front and rear spoilers, the Sportline X models gain chrome and black 'Dakar' alloys, leather steering wheel and gear lever, specially designed black and blue leather seats with limited edition numbered tags, specific floor mats, and rear parking sensors.

Available in short and long wheelbase panel van or short wheelbase kombi, production of the Transporter Sportline Limited Edition X will be limited to 150 units for the UK with each vehicle individually numbered.

Buyers have a choice of two metallic paint colors, Reflex Silver, and for the first time for the Sportline range, Shadow Blue.

VW said that the Edition X costs only £500 more than the equivalent Transporter Sportline T30, 174 horsepower, 2.5-liter TDI PD models, with basic prices including metallic paint set at £25,065 for the short wheelbase panel van, £25,545 for the long wheelbase panel van, and £26,805 for the kombi.


Pontiac Firebird Conversion for 2010 Chevy Camaro

The demise of the Pontiac brand killed off any dreams that General Motors might create a Firebird model out of the new 2010 Chevy Camaro, but fans of the car may find some comfort in the Trans Am conversions that are being readied by the crew over at "Trans Am Depot". The company said that it will unveil a one-off Kevin Morgan "Trans Am" Concept at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals at the end of the month with the production version kits set to be available for order later this year.

The Phoenix T/A project that is said to recall the '77 - '78 Trans Am will feature among other things, new front and rear fascias, unique alloy wheels, lowered suspension and turned aluminum inserts in the interior plus a series of performance upgrades.

Trans Am Depot said that the company will be offering everything from the body conversion only to the limited Phoenix Edition with details, pricing and delivery information to be released at a latter date.

Phoenix T/A Conversion Specs - Excluding Performance Upgrades

Exterior

  • 1' - 1.5' Lowering Kit w/sway bar handling upgrade
  • Wheels & Tires
  • Front: 20x9.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 275/45ZR20
  • Rear: 20x11.5x120 CB-66.9 Gold or Silver Machined Face Snowflake Wheels. PIRELLI PZERO 305/35ZR20
  • Hood
  • Shaker Scoop
  • Fender Extractors
  • Exhaust Conversion w/ splitter tips
  • Rear Fascia Clip w/tail lamp lenses and bulbs
  • Rear Spoiler
  • TA Graphic Package

    Interior

  • Embroded Head Rest and Console Lid - KM Graphic Punch
  • Turned Aluminum Door Panel
  • Turned Aluminum Dash Inserts
  • Turned Aluminum Instrument Cluster
  • Door Panel Badges
  • T/A SN Badge and Designation

Link: Trans Am Depot , Via: Jalopnik