Autoblog

According to Car and Driver, a preliminary version of the Nissan GT-R V-Spec -- that stands for Victory Specification, mind you -- could be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this year and may even be ready for sale by the end of the year. The V-Spec, whose actual specs have not been revealed, is the even better, faster, stronger version of the plain old blindingly fast Nissan GT-R. The V will be lower and more powerful than the regular GT-R, but no one knows yet by exactly how much.

Apparently Nissan has also admitted that the $70,000 GT-R is currently a loss-leader. As the company rolls out more cars on the same platform, like an Infiniti version in a year or so, the GT-R's balance sheet will begin to show profit. Speaking of that Infiniti version, it will be intriguing to see how they combine Nissan gadgetry with Infiniti luxury. And although the V-Spec could be shown in just a few months and on sale by December, it isn't expected to go on sale in the U.S. until 2010.

[Source: Car and Driver via Motor Authority]

A forum member at Motive has (supposedly) obtained Infiniti's 2009 ordering guide, and with it comes (supposed) word that the 2009 G-series sedan will be upgraded with the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V6. Exact output has yet to be confirmed, but the document rates the 3.7-liter V6 at 320+ hp, with power sent to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The model and package list (posted after the jump) goes on to say that the 2009 Infiniti G37 will include four-piston front brakes equipped with 14-inch rotors, five-spoke 18-inch wheels, re-designed side view mirrors and the Scratch Shield paint found on the new FX line of CUVs. Two new exterior colors will also be made available: Moonlight White and Sahara Sandstone.

We've got a call in to Infiniti's PR people to confirm the information. Watch this space for an update.

UPDATE: Infiniti got back to us, saying that more information about the 2009 Infiniti Gs will be available in August, but it wouldn't confirm the G37 sedan. As we already know, the retractable hardtop G37 coupe is on the way and sales are expected to begin in February next year. That means we should see the G37 convertible at an auto show later this year -- our money is on LA.

[Source: Motive]

The US market may have made Infiniti what it is today, but Nissan's luxury arm is putting more power and better equipment into its vehicles destined for sale in Europe later this year. Engineers have made 300-500 changes per car, including tweaked styling, high-end knobs, bigger brakes, better windshield wipers, improved stability systems, and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Infiniti is also planning to add the 3.7-liter V6 to the overseas 2009 FX, which is more powerful than the 3.5-liter engine we'll receive Stateside. With no four-cylinder or diesel models planned until 2010, Infiniti will still be playing catch-up with its European competitors for the near-term.

The reason for the many improvements is that Infiniti is facing an up-hill battle to woo luxury customers away from very entrenched Euro brands like Mercedes and BMW. That's all well and good, but why not just make most of these improvements in the US market as well? Infiniti is a very good luxury brand, but it's getting its butt kicked in sales by the likes of Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and Cadillac. We like fancy knobs and seven speed automatics, too.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Infiniti G37 coupe.

Carlos Ghosn assembled the press this morning in Japan to announce Nissan/Infiniti's financial results for 2007, and despite sales in Japan dropping by 2.5-percent last year, global sales are up by 8.2-percent, with a 3.0-percent increase in U.S. sales and a massive 17.9-percent bump in Europe. All told, Nissan took in $94.62 billion last year, with a $6.91 billion operating profit. Nissan attributes its successes abroad to the release of 11 new models worldwide, including the Altima Coupe, GT-R, Murano, Infiniti EX CUV and G37 coupe.

The automaker has its sights set firmly on the future, with a five-year plan that focuses on three key commitments: quality leadership, an industry leading zero-emissions vehicle program and a five-percent growth in revenue between 2008 and 2012. The program is called Nissan "GT" 2012, with the "G" standing for "growth" and the "T" for "trust." To achieve those goals, Nissan will be expanding with Infiniti's launch in Europe, along with pushing further into developing markets like India, the Middle East, Brazil, China and Russia. Leading the charge will be 60 all-new models released in the next five years and the debut of 15 new technologies each year from 2009 onwards.

While we're already familiar with most of the vehicles Nissan and Infiniti intends to release in the coming year (Qashqai+2, new Z), two models were officially confirmed: an Infiniti G37 convertible (rumored to sport a retractable hard top) and a "mini SUV." While there's been speculation that a G37 cabrio was on the way, the small 'ute is likely to the rumored 1-series competitor we've reported on before.

Make the jump for Nissan's press release.

While Jonathan's shots of the new 370Z were seductively cryptic, these newest images from Car do more to confuse than enlighten. Car was attending a presentation by Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura, and with their camera phone at the ready, snapped off a few shots of Infiniti's upcoming small sports car that looks more like Han Solo in carbonite than a swoopy coupe.

The Infiniti two-door is expected to debut sometime later this year in concept form, and is poised to take on the BMW 1-series in the compact coupe segment. The shape, even in the grainy pic, is decidedly different from anything else in its class, with a long hood and a cab-backward design that has plenty of potential.

Car also grabbed a shot of the Nissan 370Z, which appears to get some seriously styled wheel arches and a steeply raked windshield. But according to the Brit buff book's sources, the new Z will take several cues from the GT-R when it's unveiled later this year at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

[Source: Car]

Infiniti is gearing up for its entrance into Europe, but something's missing from its lineup: a small car. With BMW's 1-series being a popular choice for badge-obsessed consumers abroad, Infiniti needs something similar to solidify its place in the luxury hierarchy, but what form it will take is unclear.

According to Autocar, Infiniti insiders are planning to unleash something that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series, but unnamed sources at Infiniti are quick to point out that the shape will be something entirely different than what's currently being offered by its competitors. The two options, according to Autocar, include a smaller crossover that would slot in below the EX35 or a hardtop convertible. Whatever it looks like, expect the new B-class Infiniti to be revealed sometime in 2010.

[Source: Autocar via JustAuto - Sub. Req.]

Click the image above for more hi-res shots of the 370Z and Infiniti design teasers.

There were crisp images of a blurry car being swapped and discussed today at Nissan 360. When Shiro Nakamura, the head designer at Nissan, revealed the barest hints of a car outline hidden behind a taut sheet of fabric, speculation began as to whether it represented the new Z. The arced flanges over the wheels, and the way they follow the wheels, have 370Z written all over them. However, it doesn't look as if it would fit this rendering exactly -- which is not a bad thing. All Nakamura would say is that we'll be seeing that wheel later this year, which, coincidentally, is when the next Z -- supposedly lighter and four inches shorter than the current car -- is slated to be unveiled.

The other design teaser was a top-view sculpture of future Infiniti design elements. Who knows what or how much of the elements -- like the ducktail rear -- will make it to the final product, and who knows what those features will look like when in production. But it's a good looking piece of art in its own right. A brace of edges peeking out from a sea of crimson undulations -- if they had thrown wheels on it I would have driven it out of the hotel last night.


Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Click the image above for more hi-res shots from the first day of Nissan 360

Nissan is holding its second ever Nissan 360 event in Cascais, Portugal as we speak. The two-day Nissan (and Infiniti) product extravaganza gathers every product produced by the company from around the world, and we're here to drive them all. We were in the Infiniti group yesterday, so we tooled around the Portuguese coast in rides like the FX50 and EX35, which we've already had a chance to drive on American soil. We also took the Speed -Racer-worthy GT-R for a spin or three around the Estoril race circuit, and got a ride with a pro driver at the wheel.

The only Nissans we got our hands on were the Large Commercial Vehicles, a Clipper JDM van, and a two-generation-old, authentic Nissan Cedric taxi complete with fare receipt printer. But stay tuned, because we'll be right back with first drives of impossibly cute Nissan city cars like the Cube, Moco, and Micra, among others. In the mean time, feel free to check out the gallery of hi-res shots from our first day in preparation for more to come.

Travel and lodging for this media event was paid for by the manufacturer.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Infiniti FX

It's confession-time: I've got a fetish for multi-purpose vehicles. No, I've never been a fan of SUVs. And no, the recent spate of crossovers has left me scratching my head (give me a wagon or give me death!). But what I am interested in are vehicles that can exhilarate on-road while holding their own off-road. It's that same allure that had me pressed against the window of a Subaru dealership at midnight to fantasize about the 2.5RS ten years ago; the reason that I can't wait to drive the BMW X6; and the reason I find myself in San Diego, once again, to spend some quality time with the 2009 Infiniti FX.


All photos © 2008 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

A certain sales manager from a certain dealership in Long Island was kind enough to take a little bit of the wind out of Infiniti's sails ahead of its unveiling of the redesigned FX CUV. The detailed headlamp shot above was posted on an Infiniti FX forum (who knew?), and pretty much confirms the styling tweaks the new fascia will get, particularly when you imagine it on the set of spy shots we've seen already. The only thing that's left to the imagination is the reconfigured rear end, which will likely sport some new tail lamps and a redesigned bumper. We'd be remiss not to point out that it's not in the dealer's best interest to include his name and contact information in his forum signature, lest Infiniti's corporate communications folks come calling.

Thanks for the tip Jonathan.


[Source: InfinitiFX.org]