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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IIHS midsize smack down: Side impact ratings better, rear crashes, not so much

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just wrapped up its latest battery of batterings and most of the tested contenders in the mid-size segment faired well. The Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, along with the Infiniti G35, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Mitsubishi Galant and Kia Optima all received a grade of "Good" for front and side impacts, with the exception of the Optima, which ranked "Acceptable" during the side impact evaluation. However, problems arose in the rear crash test, where the G35, Altima, Malibu, and Aura were all rated as "Marginal," while the Avenger/Sebring received an "Average" score and the Optima walked away with a gold star and a "Good" rating. The only vehicle that received a "Poor" rating on any of the tests was the Mitsubishi Galant, which didn't hold up as well during the rear-impact test.

All the details from the IIHS are available in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading IIHS midsize smack down: Side impact ratings better, rear crashes, not so much

IIHS midsize smack down: Side impact ratings better, rear crashes, not so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:29:00 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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Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year

Chris Tutor — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

In case you somehow hadn't noticed(?!), it's not only deer and turkey season, it's also automotive award season. And here's yet another trophy for those keeping track of all of them. CNET.com wants you to help decide their 2006 Tech Car of the Year Award winner. They've done the hard work and weeded out the really big turkeys to give you a list of some real dears.

In early voting, the Lexus LS460 L, with its 19-speaker sound system, live traffic GPS and self-parking system is leading the other nine contenders. So what's it gonna be for you? Acura's RDX with voice commands? Audi's adaptive-suspension-equipped Q7? BMW's 335i with its adaptive cruise control and iDrive? Or are you more a Cadillac guy, voting for the Escalade with OnStar?

See the other five contestants after the jump.

[Source: CNET]

Continue reading Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year

Vote for CNET's Tech Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:50:00 EST

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

Nissan has revealed details about its next-gen V6 engines, which will first appear in the 2007 Nissan Skyline / Infiniti G35.

The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR feature new blocks and a host of new key components. The highlights of the engines' improvements are a 7,500 RPM redline (up from 6,600 on the previous-gen VQ), a 10% increase in fuel economy, and a SULEV emissions rating.

The VQ35HR (pictured at right), as applied in the '07 G35, will be good for over 300 horsepower, but Nissan has yet to divulge an exact number. In Japan, the '07 Nissan Skyline will be available with both the 2.5L and 3.5L engines, as was previously the case. The last-gen VQ25 made 210 horsepower -- a number that will undoubtedly go up with the introduction of the VQ25HR. There are currently no known plans to use the 2.5L V6 in North America.

Key specs of the new VQs are listed in the press release after the jump, and Nissan also released audio of what the VQ35HR sounds like, which you can stream by clicking here.

The release of the details surrounding the new powerplants has prompted enthusiastic discussion over at the FreshAlloy.com forums, where Nissan/Infiniti fans have also posted some X-Ray-type shots of the 2007 G35/Skyline's new intake and exhaust systems.

Thanks Jason for the tip!

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Nissan via FreshAlloy.com forums]

Continue reading More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6

More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac CTS Coupe coming by 2008

John Neff — Wed, 10 May 2006 07:55:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Cadillac, GM

Sources close to Cadillac spilled the beans to AutoWeek about the addition of a coupe to the CTS lineup when the sedan's second generation debuts in 2008 as a 2009 model. While not officially approved, Lutz the car czar reportedly "really wants it" and since the lion's share of its components, sheetmetal and powertrains would come straight from the CTS the associated costs shouldn't be too much for the General to swallow. AutoWeek, however, expresses concern over the coupe's size, which will be larger than potential competitors including the BMW 3-Series coupe, Infiniti G35 and upcoming Audi A5. A probable V-Series edition with 400-hp, however, would give it the grunt to keep up with most luxury two-doors.

[Source: Autoweek]

Cadillac CTS Coupe coming by 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 May 2006 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Esquire magazine picks its '10 Most Awesome Autos'

Chris Paukert — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Infiniti, Lotus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru

As Esquire magazine appears to have forgotten to post its "10 Most Awesome Autos" feature from its May issue online, Terry Box at the Dallas Morning News has been kind enough to accommodate list fanatics. The men's magazine actually made a pretty good show of picking its 10 favorite cars under $50,000. No defining criteria other than price and editorial opinion appears to have been employed, so take these for whatever they're worth. In no particular order and without further delay, the envelope, please ...

Lotus Elise ($42,990):
Chevrolet Corvette ($44,490)
Mazda 6 ($19,670)
Infiniti G35 coupe ($33,200)
Ford F-150 ($19,640 to $37,005)
Audi A3 3.2 DSG ($34,700)
Subaru Legacy GT ($28,795)
BMW 3-Series ($30,900 to $44,900)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ($29,149)
Chrysler 300C SRT8 ($42,695)

So, did Esquire get it right, or is it missing something?

[Sources: Dallas Morning News; Esquire; Lotus]

Esquire magazine picks its '10 Most Awesome Autos' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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