Autoblog

Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37

Chris Paukert — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, Infiniti

Back when we gave you our first drive impressions of Ford's new Taurus and Taurus SHO, we expressed a measure of concern that it wasn't immediately clear as to which competitors Dearborn's new offerings might square off against. While carving out a new niche can sometimes mean that you can coerce buyers from all segments of the market (Chrysler's PT Cruiser was a good example of this when it launched, as was the Mini Cooper), we openly questioned whether that will be the case with the Blue Oval's big new sedan:

"The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are - a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers."

Judging by their new comparison test which pits the SHO against a Journey-spec Infiniti G37 sedan, the folks over at Inside Line share our quandary. After all, given that the rear-drive Infiniti is significantly smaller and lighter, driven by half-as-many wheels (and seemingly from a different end of the market), this seems like a questionable matchup. And yet, there really aren't many cars that are better comparisons - the Chrysler 300C AWD, perhaps, or the front-drive Chevrolet Impala SS, but both are older propositions that are massively outclassed by the spanking new Ford. We might have suggested the Acura TL, but Inside Line already tested that car in a comparison and found it wanting.

Given that the Blue Oval itself appears to be targeting upmarket brands with some of its benchmarks, perhaps the G isn't an unreasonable choice, especially given that its as-tested price ended up being cheaper than the Ford. In any case, the SHO vs. G37 comparison makes for interesting reading, so check it out by clicking on the link below.

[Source: Inside Line; Image: Kurt Niebuhr]

Bigs n' Littles: Inside Line pits Ford's new Taurus SHO against Infiniti G37 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2008: Infiniti releases G37x coupe, G37 sedan, revised M35

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Infiniti, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of Infiniti in Monterey.

Infiniti ramped up its presence in Monterey this year with the new G37 sedan and G37x coupe, the latter equipped with the automaker's advanced ATTESSA E-TSO all-wheel-drive system and seven-speed automatic gearbox. We're looking forward to seeing if the AWD coupe can retain the engaging driving characteristics of its RWD counterpart, while providing the security of all-wheel-drive for those of us that like to make a run into the mountains during the snow season.

Infiniti also used its time on the peninsula to show off the first image of the G37 convertible (we curbed our urge to take a picture of the picture), along with the release of the revised M35 and M35x. The 2009 model benefits from the automaker's scratch shield paint, new seven-speed auto 'box and an increase in output to 303 hp, while still boosting fuel economy by one mpg. We're eagerly anticipating the 3.7-liter V6 finding its way under the hood of the M sometime around the turn of the decade, with some G-inspired styling to match its newfound horsepower.

Gallery: Infiniti in Monterey 2008

Monterey 2008: Infiniti releases G37x coupe, G37 sedan, revised M35 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti prices 2008 EX35 just over $30k

Chris Shunk — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Infiniti

Entry luxury crossovers are only a few weeks from getting a new competitor, and the Infiniti EX35 will be priced to sell. The base EX begins at a reasonable $31,300, and includes a 297 HP 3.5L V6, five speed automatic, and six air bags. Infiniti also offers a RWD EX Journey for $34,850, and leather-trimmed seats, moon roof, and front and rear sensing systems come standard. AWD is a $1,400 option on both models. Infiniti also offers several option packages that will bring the little CUV over the $40,000 mark, but that's the standard top end for much of the segment.

The EX35 has good looks, a willing chassis based off the G35 sedan, and an outstanding VQ engine. At these prices, Infinity should meet sales quotas and steal buyers from other luxury nameplates at the same time. The EX35 will be available beginning December 21. Check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti prices 2008 EX35 just over $30k

Infiniti prices 2008 EX35 just over $30k originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti G35's sat-nav ranks top among users

Dan Roth — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, I.C.E., Technology, Infiniti

J.D. Power and Associates has polled owners of factory-nav equipped vehicles, and Infiniti's zippy-performing setup gets the nod for top honors from end users. Part of the win might be chalked up to the hard drive that the Infiniti system comes with, making it more responsive than a DVD based navigation system. Infiniti owners also tend to be more tech savvy than owners of other navigation-equipped vehicles, further contributing to the win. The study's results show that even after coming up with a few extra thousand dollars to get the fancy LCD in the dash, most drivers hardly scratch the surface of what the systems can do for them. Apparently, watching a little triangle follow an animated route is all many owners ever use their nav systems for, preferring to be even more helpless and use live operators to talk them in.

Ignorance leads to negative comments about maps that are out of date (easily rectified via updates), while actual technology gets in the way when it comes to wonky voice activation and real time traffic updates that have limited coverage in some areas. Despite the complaints, most owners declined to go back to the dealer for any kind of solution. Some owners apparently purchase navigation systems because they like the fancy cachet, while others actually use the systems. Those that use their nav more than twice a week tended to be more satisfied, pretty much proving that navigation systems are complex and take time to learn how to fully utilize before they're more than an expensive electronic bauble. Having used the Infiniti navigation system, we can say that it is among the best when it comes to ease of use and accuracy, but unfortunately, we're not junketing enough to far flung locales to actually need it.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Infiniti G35's sat-nav ranks top among users originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti G37 coupe to get AWD

Dan Roth — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Infiniti

Official word has yet to come down from on high, but it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Infiniti G37 will eventually get AWD hardware. Potential buyers are asking dealers, who are in turn asking Infiniti about channeling the VQ's urge through all four wheels. The M45 and G35S will both be gaining AWD in the near future, so it does bode well for the possibility of a G37x. Official statements are vague about any actual developments, other than to say "it's reasonable to expect it may happen." It's also reasonable to assume that Infiniti's watching the competition like BMW and Audi proliferating AWD euro-luxers, and they'd be remiss to neglect offering the same capabilities.

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: 2007 Infiniti G37 Coupe

Infiniti G37 coupe to get AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan adding fuel efficiency gauge to all new models

Chris Shunk — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Green, Nissan

Nissan plans on adding an instant fuel economy reader to every new Nissan and Infiniti it sells by 2010, and the meter is already available Stateside in the Altima and G35. The gauge is being added to show drivers how to drive with reduced fuel consumption in mind, and Nissan thinks owners can achieve 10% better fuel economy after using the gauge to adjust driving habits.

As an owner of a Volvo S40 with the same feature, I can personally tell you it works. My fuel economy went from 24.5 MPG to 27 MPG within a couple weeks of discovering the feature, and all it took was more coasting before stop lights, and less heavy acceleration from a stop.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Nissan adding fuel efficiency gauge to all new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Week in Photos: Week of May 20, 2007

Chris Shunk — Mon, 28 May 2007 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Chevrolet, Dodge

This has been a huge week on Autoblog, as we launched our completely updated website, and we're celebrating this feat by giving away a fully-loaded $29,000 Dodge Nitro. (Enter every day through June 14th by clicking here.) We also had reviews of both the Chevy Silverado and the Infinity G35, and we had a great post on the Jeep JT Conccept proving it is more than just some thrown-together concept.

To get a three-minute recap on the past week, all you need to do is click play on the video above. We've also added links below to some of the more significant galleries from the last seven days. This week, music comes from Three Legged Dogg with "Frozen Summer". Enjoy!

Gallery: Jeep Wrangler JT Concept

Gallery: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ

Gallery: 2007 Infiniti G35S follow up

Autoblog Week in Photos: Week of May 20, 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 May 2007 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keep 'em separated: Cellphones could erase Nissan I-Keys

Alex Nunez — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Infiniti, Nissan

If you have a 2007 Nissan Altima or a 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan, you might want to keep your mobile phone in a different pocket than your car's fancy I-Key fob. The fobs, as you're probably well aware by now, enable and disable the cars' keyless ignition systems. According to Nissan, the problem is that if the fob is touched by a cellphone while a call is in progress, the software that controls the I-Key's automagic goodness could be altered or erased, rendering it useless. Furthermore, the damage is not reversible, and the I-Key simply becomes landfill fodder.

Nissan's modifying the key to correct the issue, and will provide new ones to owners once it's straightened it all out. According to the AP, this'll happen sometime in the fall. In the meantime, some dealers are stocking up on spares just in case, and you'd be advised to follow Nissan's advice and keep a little distance between the key and your phone. After all, you don't want the simple act of pressing the Start button to turn into an exercise in futility -- especially over something as mundane as checking your voice mail.

[Source: AP]

Keep 'em separated: Cellphones could erase Nissan I-Keys originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In The Autoblog Garage: Infiniti G35 S follow-up

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 May 2007 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Infiniti

click above image to view a high-res gallery of the Infiniti G35 S

A while back we had a G35 S 6MT in the Autoblog Garage. That car was delivered in a delightful snowstorm with high-performance tires showing some wear, so it was quite difficult to get a good bead on the car's true capabilities. How ironic, then, that we should get a second chance with the G35 S. This time, it was delivered in gorgeous spring weather wearing a set of ooey gooey Blizzak LM22s. You can't win.

While the snowshoes hindered capabilities slightly, they were far more accomodating than a snowstorm when it came to wringing out the G35S. Our previous impressions of the car still stand, but we did gather useful dry-road experience, as well. The VQHR's 306 horsepower was a heady brew, and the bark from the exhaust had a ripply crescendo that encouraged redline shifting with the 5-speed automatic's manual mode. This car is seriously eager. The burble is sometimes wearying on highway jaunts, or when you just want to slip away unnoticed; but as car guys, it's tough to deny the allure of a bitchin' exhaust note.

Gallery: 2007 Infiniti G35S follow up

Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Infiniti G35 S follow-up

In The Autoblog Garage: Infiniti G35 S follow-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Chris Tutor — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

Sometimes news is just too good to keep to yourself. Just ask GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz. With his company supposedly claiming 13 spots on Edmund's Consumers' Most Wanted list, Lutz just had to brag a bit on the corporate blog before the winners were made public.

And he should brag. Most other car of the year awards are chosen by us automotive writers who usually prefer horsepower over hip room. As the name implies, Edmund's CMW awards are chosen by the car-buying public. And despite not voting with their wallets, the car-buying public who visits Edmund's really like their GMs.

The GMC Acadia got Most Significant vehicle of the year, beating out Honda's Fit, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Ford Edge and the Toyota Tundra.

Click through to see Edmund's press release as well as the other category winners.

[Source: Edmunds, GM FastLane Blog]

Continue reading Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks

Lutz lets a bit of Edmunds survey slip, GM takes 13 first place picks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Nissan Skyline Aero concept

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Japan, Infiniti, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

The nice folks over at Nihon Car and Bike have been letting out a few choice pieces of automotive tunage straight from the Nippon Convention Center at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS).

The TAS has historically been a showcase for aftermarket tuning houses to show off their wares, but over the past several years, the OEM manufacturers have been getting into the game more and more.

Case in point: the brand new Nissan Skyline (or Infiniti G35 on these shores) sedan gets a full body massage, with the addition of a new front fascia, side skirts, a small spoiler, and a revised rear bumper to house a set of enlarged exhaust outlets. Although it isn't clear how the Skyline got its new stance, the whole package is dropped over a set of nine-spoke, 20-inch wheels.

No information was provided about what, if any, mods were performed within the engine bay, but knowing how Nissan's engineers can get when left alone with some R&D dollars, we'd expect something pretty entertaining.

[Source: Nihon Car & Bike]

Tokyo Auto Salon: Nissan Skyline Aero concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Jan 2007 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview sketch of the next G35 coupe

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Infiniti

UPDATE: According to Automotive News (Sub. Req.), the redesigned G35 will debut in New York, this April, along with a small crossover that may see production towards the end of the year.

Click the image to enlarge.

We've tired of trying to discern what styling cues will be pulled from some of the concept sketches that come our way. Thankfully, the nice folks over at Nissan Sport have a thorough and thoughtful design analysis of the G35 coupe illustration that was released earlier today.

We'd encourage you click on over for their full breakdown, but a few elements are worthy of note.

The front bumper seems to have taken the brunt of the modifications, dispatching some of the angularity seen on the concept, while the two air intakes on the front bumper have been nixed in favor of a gaping inlet in the middle, accompanied by two smaller intakes on either side. The "katana" grille is still present, however the implausible (for the time being) door mounted cameras have been replaced with more conventional mirror units and the c-pillar's kink seems to have been smoothed out to better match the roof's plunge into the hatch.

Follow the link for a few other Nissan-obsessed writers' opinions and look for the production vehicle to, hopefully, bow sometime this year.

Thanks for the tip, Guru G!

[Source: Nissan Sport]

Preview sketch of the next G35 coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe - the poor man's G35

John Neff — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Nissan

click on image to enlarge

Yes, the new 2007 Nissan Altima Coupe is the poor man's G35, as long as the financially challenged don't mind moving the coupe's motivating wheels up front. Though given a shorter wheelbase and shorter overall length than 4-door Altima, the Coupe looks like a cross between its sedan sibling and rich cousin, the Infiniti G35. Ahead of the doors it's all Altima, but aft of and including the C-pillar, it's all G35. The broad and defined shoulders that flow over the rear fenders and into the trunk are just gorgeous if you ask us.

The Altima Coupe will be staring down the Honda Accord Coupe and Toyota Solara Coupe in the marketplace, as well as perhaps the Pontiac G6 Coupe and Chevy Monte Carlo. It will be armed with either a 170-hp, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine or the yummy 3.5-liter VQ V6 rated at 270 horsepower and 258 ft-lbs. of torque, both available with either an Xtronic CVT or 6-speed manual. The interior is standard Altima stuff, except for seats that are more deeply bolstered, and the backseat doesn't look suitable for anyone other than Frodo and friends. Nissan hasn't released any info on price, but the Altima Coupe will arrive in showrooms next summer as a 2008 model.

Follow the jump for high resolution live and press shots of the Altima Coupe, as well as a full press release with detailed specs.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading LA Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe - the poor man's G35

LA Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe - the poor man's G35 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti drops the price on all-new 2007 G35 sedan

John Neff — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Infiniti

Infiniti announced pricing for its all-new Infiniti G35 Sports Sedan today, and we're pleased to report Nissan's luxury division has held the line on price for some models and even reduced it in some cases. The base model with a five-speed automatic will keep the 2006 model's MSRP of $31,450, while the most popular model, the G35 Journey, will receive a price cut of $700 to $31,900. The remaining models include the G35x AWD that starts at $33,950, the G35 Sport 6MT with a six-speed manual that starts at $32,250, and the G35 Sport with a five-speed automatic and magnesium paddle shifters that starts at $33,450.

Considering how much the Infiniti G35 sedan has improved over its predecessor, the same-or-lower pricing makes the sports sedan an even more attractive bargain than it was before. The car features Nissan's next generation VQ V6, a superlative powerplant that now produces 306 horsepower and 268 ft-lbs. of torque. That alone is worth the cost of admission, but the new G35 is built on a new platform that's longer and wider than the previous model, which allows for a larger interior. Infiniti spent some serious time redoing the G35's cabin, as the car's dash design was never one of its strong points. Some of the more interesting options on the new model include an 18-inch performance wheel and tire package, an Infiniti Navigation package with live traffic updates from XM and a 9.6GB hard drive for music. The exterior design has also evolved into a more organic shape with sweeping lines and sinewy curves.

The G35 has always had the BMW 3-Series in its cross hairs, and from what we've heard the new models takes a different approach to beating the bimmer than did the old one. The new G35 is larger and more practically useful now, which has sacrificed a bit of its athletic handing. The 3-Series, of course, is the banner car for athletic sports sedans, but its price has crept ever upward and BMW doesn't seem interested in offering more rear legroom at the cost of a slower slalom speed. Though the BMW 328i does start at $32,400, its less powerful 230-hp 3.0-liter in-line six means its not really the right contender for the new G35. The 335i sedan with its twin-turbo in-line six producing 300 hp is more of a match, but that car starts at $38,700. It seems that Infiniti is banking on the G35's value being the sedan's biggest selling point, and with the prices announced today it just might be right.

Infiniti's full press release can be found after the jump.

[Source: Nissan / Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti drops the price on all-new 2007 G35 sedan

Infiniti drops the price on all-new 2007 G35 sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DAMD again: Japanese tuner gives G35 the Aston treatment

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Infiniti, Nissan

Imitation, they say, is the sincerest form of flattery. So then the Japanese must really love Aston Martins, because from Japanese tuning house DAMD (the same people who brought you this custom Mitsu Outlander) comes yet another Aston Martin look-alike.

Like the 350Z roadster we brought you a while back, DAMD's Nissan Skyline 350GT/Infiniti G35 Coupe puts an Aston snout on a Datsun. Aside from the custom front end and a set of ghastly chrome rims, the rest of the coupe seems pretty much stock.

The Aston G and the Aston Z are both part of the Black X Metal line-up, in collaboration with ANCEL, and also includes an Aston-nozed MX-5 (similar to this one).

(More pics after the jump)

[Source: Nihon Car & Bike]

Continue reading DAMD again: Japanese tuner gives G35 the Aston treatment

DAMD again: Japanese tuner gives G35 the Aston treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Infiniti G35 released in South Korea ahead of US debut

John Neff — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Infiniti

They may live below a country run by a husky dictator who has a thing for BluBlockers and nuclear weapons, but South Koreans can take heart knowing that Infiniti has bestowed upon them the honor of being the first market to receive the new G35 sedan. Infiniti announced the G35's arrival in South Korea yesterday at the Seoul Trade Exhibition and Convention Center in Hagnyeoul, Seoul. Nissan's luxury division is keenly interested in presenting itself as a global brand (see Related posts below), which accounts for the decision to give South Korea's market the nod before selling the sedan in North America. The car's new generation VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 now develops 315 horsepower, though the South Korean model will apparently only pair it with a 5-speed automatic and not the 6-speed manual that will also be offered in North America. There's also no mention of an all-wheel drive model. Instead, South Koreans can choose from a "premium" or "sports" version of the G35 sedan, the former offering a bit more luxury and the latter offering a bit more sport. Prices start at 47.5 million won ($49,780USD) for the "premium" model and 49.8 million won ($52,190USD) for the "sport" model.

[Source: Nissan]

Related posts:

New Infiniti G35 released in South Korea ahead of US debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan forgets to take out trash and fuels speculation

John Neff — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Infiniti, Nissan

In its haste to leave Southern California, Nissan apparently forgot to check with the local salvage yard and make sure its spent prototypes were destroyed while it was moving its operations to Tennessee. Unfortunately for Nissan, some anonymous Nissan Performance Mag staffers found a banged up 2007 Infiniti G35 (we assume sedan, although it's not specifically stated) hiding out under a cover in an auto salvage yard. Normally this wouldn't be noteworthy, as the major auto mags have already reported on the production version of the 2007 Infiniti G35, and in one case already pitted it against a BMW 3-Series. However, none of the major auto mags went into great detail about the new VQ35HR motor that will be powering the G35 and, presumably, the 2008 Nissan 350Z.

John Smalberys from Nissan Performance Mag has taken information brought back by his staffers before they were accosted by a junk yard dog and written a great piece dissecting Nissan's flagship V6 from top to bottom end. We'll spare you the intricate details here, but Smalberys theorizes that because the engine is so much beefier than the VQ35DE it replaces, that Nissan is planning to turbocharge it in some application. One might expect such an engine to appear in the 2008 Z-car, either as standard equipment or as part of a high performance package. Smalberys also notes that the upcoming Skyline GT-R is expected to receive a punched-out, twin-turbo 3.7-liter variant of the G35's new 3.5-liter, and that this new engine platform could possibly be enlarged all the way up to 4.5-liters in the future. Check out Smalberys' in-depth piece at Nissan Performance Mag if you really want to know more about the nuts and bolts of Nissan's new VQ V6.

Top tip, David!

[Source: Nissan Performance Mag]

Nissan forgets to take out trash and fuels speculation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan expects sales skid to end in Q4

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:52:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Nissan, Earnings/Financials

Dominique Thormann, Nissan's veep of administration and finance, maintains that Nissan's current sales doldrums will be remedied by new products on the horizon.

Nissan NA has seen a 2.7 percent slump in sales during August 2006, compared to the same month last year, much of which is attributable to a lack of new models and an overall trend towards fuel efficiency that has marooned Nissan's pickup and SUV offerings on dealer lots.

All that will change, according to Thormann, when the new 2007 Sentra is released within the next month, partnered with the new Altima and Infiniti G35, which will hit dealers in November.

The impending launch of the G35, which makes up approximately one-third of all Infiniti's sales will be the star in Nissan's show and judging by the positive reviews afforded to it so far, it looks like they'll have another hit on their hands.

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan expects sales skid to end in Q4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti launches in Russia

Alex Nunez — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Infiniti, Misc. Auto Shows

Infiniti is at this year's Moscow International Auto show, marking the launch of Nissan's luxury brand in Russia. When word first broke back in March, the only details we knew were that there would be two dealers in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg. Now, however, we have the rest of the story.

Potential customers visiting the stand will learn that when sales begin in the fall, the first vehicles available will be the FX crossover and the M sedan. Both engine options (V6 and V8) will be available for each. The second wave of products will include the redesigned '07 G35 sedan and the ginormous QX56 SUV.

Also on display is the Infiniti Coupe Concept, which Infiniti's press release states "hints at the future," but we get the picture: they'll get the G35 Coupe, too. When all is said and done, Russia will have access to the entire Infiniti lineup.

The other news out of Moscow is that Infiniti has chosen Switzerland as the site of it's new European HQ. The Euro nerve center will be located in the town of Rolle outside Geneva.

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti launches in Russia

Infiniti launches in Russia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan pins 2006 hopes on new models

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:09:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Sedan, Japan, Nissan

Speaking at Nissan Motor's annual general meeting of shareholders Tuesday, CEO Carlos Ghosn held to his forecast of a 4.5 percent increase in worldwide sales for Nissan, despite dismal first quarter sales in the Japanese domestic market.

With eight months to go in Nissan's fiscal year, Ghosn is pinning his hopes on a new-model blitz planned for the second half of the year, with no fewer than eight all-new vehicles on tap, including the Sentra, Infiniti G35 and Altima (shown at right in its New York Auto Show debut) for the U.S. market.

Even if the company hits its sales target for the year, profits are likely to be flat, held down by skyrocketing commodity prices.

[Source: Reuters]

Nissan pins 2006 hopes on new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jun 2006 19:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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