Autoblog

Porsche 911 somersaults into parking space, sticks the landing [UPDATE]

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:01:00 EST

Like most auto enthusiasts, we prefer to park our own cars rather than hand the keys off to the valet. This ~~Porsche~~ car owner, however, skipped the whole parking lot song and dance entirely.

How so? A lot of speed and some barrel rolls. The end result is a parking spot at the rear of the lot, some light body damage and a possible concussion. It's a scary scene, but what is perhaps most remarkable is that even after flipping over a wall, the driver still gets out to inspect the car's damage.

UPDATE: There's speculation amongst staff and readers as to what type of car is shown in the video. We're undecided, but 350Z/370Z has become a popular choice.

Click past the jump to see how a vehicular gymnast parks.

Continue reading Porsche 911 somersaults into parking space, sticks the landing [UPDATE]

Porsche 911 somersaults into parking space, sticks the landing [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Certain Chevrolet, Nissan owners most likely to die in a car crash?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Chevrolet, Nissan

We've got some sour news for you if you've got a Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Cobalt, Nissan 350Z or Nissan Titan in your driveway. According to a new study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, owners of those particular vehicles are more likely to die in an auto accident than those who own other vehicles. That's thanks in part to the fact that those models aren't equipped with traction control. Automotive News reports that the IIHS study found that of the 26 lowest-rated vehicles in the study, none had the technology.

In the past, SUV drivers were the ones most likely to die due to the threat of rollovers, but new safety systems have changed that trend. The IIHS report now says that SUV drivers are among those who are most likely to survive an accident.

So, which vehicles came out on top? The Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Toyota Sienna, Ford Edge, Nissan Armada and Land Rover Range Rover Sport and LR3 were among the winners of the survey. That settles it, Aveo owners; time to trade it in for Range Rover.

Certain Chevrolet, Nissan owners most likely to die in a car crash? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Nissan

Cobra Technology and Lifestyle dual-mode exhaust - Click above to watch video after the jump

German tuner Cobra Technology and Lifestyle has developed a range of aesthetic and performance parts for the Nissan 370Z coupe and roadster. One of them is an exhaust with a remote-controlled butterfly valve that allows the driver to control how loud it bellows. Delivering the same kind of effect you'd get by revving an Aston above 4,500 rpm, you can buy 120-mm pipes with a flap that ranges from "discrete sportiness to pure racing sound."

You can check it the sound range in the video after the jump. Even with the flaps open it doesn't seem bad at all, but it might still come in handy for those hamlets where any kind of loud noise is a no-no.

[Source: Gizmag]

Continue reading Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z [w/video]

Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 May 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Nissan, UK

Project Zed Nissan 350Z dragster - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quick - what's the World's Fastest Nissan? While visions of the GT-R are probably dancing around in your head, in reality, that title goes out to Project Zed, a Pro Class drag racer built using Nissan's 3.5-liter VQ six-cylinder engine borrowed from a 350Z. Not that the engine is stock, of course. In this case, Project Zed's tuned powerplant is reportedly sending nearly 1,900 horsepower to the rear wheels... yes, really.

As you'd expect from nearly two thousand galloping ponies, acceleration will be epic. Builder and driver John Bradshaw estimates that his maniacal machine will hit 60 in just 1.2 seconds as its rockets its way past the 200 mile-per-hour mark in just over six seconds.

Bradshaw plans to debut the car at the famous Santa Pod Raceway in England on September 10th, where it will go up against a slew of American V8-powered dragsters. Nissan is planning to show its support for the project by bringing along fresh copies of the latest 370Z and GT-R. Time for some head-to-head Nissan action? Hit the jump for a video and the official press release.

Gallery: Project Zed Nissan 350Z dragster

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds

Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan says next 370Z to compete with Porsche

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Porsche

When Nissan launched the 350Z in '02, it was working hard to reinvent itself and the new Z was clearly its halo car in the U.S. market. Now that that the revival has come and gone, expect the new 370Z to take on a new tack as a harder edged vehicle. In fact, Nissan plans to take on Porsche, the most classic of all sportscar manufacturers, with its newest coupe. Equipped with a larger 335-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and having gone on a serious diet, possibly shedding as much as 200 lbs, the new Z will definitely have the cojones to keep up with its foes, including the Cayman, and its shorter wheelbase and wider track should conspire to make it quite the handler as well. We'll get our first official look at the new son-of-Godzilla at the LA Auto Show, shorty after which the Nissan 370Z should show up in Japanese dealerships with U.S. delivery at a later date. Hopefully, not too much later.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Nissan says next 370Z to compete with Porsche originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Nissan to unveil updated 370Z next October

Noah Joseph — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Paris Motor Show, Nissan

click above for more high-res pics of the 2007 Nissan 350Z

Speculation is circulating around the automotive media that Nissan is preparing a revised version of the Z-car. According to reports, the 350Z will turn into the 370Z when Nissan updates the sportscar with the 3.7-liter V6 in its recently-revised sibling, the Infiniti G37 coupe. Whether the Japanese automaker will use this opportunity to facelift the model altogether as anticipated remains to be seen.

The reports suggest that the 370Z will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, home turf to Nissan's sister-company Renault, this coming October. That's still months away, so stay tuned for more information.

[Source: Autocar magazine via Winding Road]

Gallery: 2007 Nissan 350Z

Rumormill: Nissan to unveil updated 370Z next October originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Nissan's affordable RWD sports car

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Nissan

Last week we told you about Nissan's plan to revise the 350Z and add a new, smaller RWD sports coupe to its lineup. All of a sudden, pics of that smaller sports coupe have appeared today on the interweb. Winding Road has a few clear shots of an oddly shaped 350Z-based mule tagging along behind a Porsche Boxster. The car looks a lot like a 350Z, but is much shorter overall and has spy photographers speculating it will be the Z-car's baby bro'.

Whether a new Z-car, new 240SX or whatever, it's just a mule for now. The Urge Concept is said to be the inspiration for the shape of the new small sports coupe, so hopefully future prototypes will be wearing a body we can recognize as influenced by that concept. There's no word on a powerplant for this new coupe, but we've already voted for a turbocharged version of the SE-R Spec-V QR25DE motor, just in case Nissan is listening. Hopefully it will be rear-drive, as well, but that goes without saying on a car like this. Click the Read link or the pic to view a few larger photos of this odd mule.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: Nissan's affordable RWD sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor Mill: New Supra details emerge

John Neff — Tue, 29 May 2007 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Green, Toyota

UPDATE: Ed Hellwig from the Straighline Blog totally disagrees.

click above image for high-res gallery of Toyota's FT-HS Concept

Toyota's next-generation Supra is veiled in mystery, but we tend to take seriously any news coming from Winding Road's Peter Nunn because, well, he actually lives in Japan and hears the hometown gossip. According to Nunn, rumor has it that the next-gen Supra's design will be inspired by the FT-HS Concept, which we kinda sort of already knew, and be powered by either a hybrid drivetrain or an all-gas V6.

The last issue of Automobile Magazine claimed that the FT-HS Concept would go into production as Toyota's Supra successor, but made no mention of another all-gas version. WR's Nunn, however, speculates that the car will be offered with either an updated version of the 3.5L V6 from the Lexus IS350 producing around 330bhp and a V6 hybrid drivetrain likely scooped from the Lexus GS450h and producing 400bhp.

The all-gas Supra would obviously be less expensive than the hybrid version, and thus would likely be the volume seller of the two. Looks like we're expecting both to arrive sometime in the latter half of 2008, though any details having to do with Toyota's plans for the Supra are obviously about as firm as Jell-o.

[Source: Winding Road]

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

Rumor Mill: New Supra details emerge originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2007 350Z Pricing Announced

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Nissan

Click the image for our full, hi-res gallery.

Although the car has been on sale since January 5th, we just got word of pricing (and pics) on Nissan's 2007 350Z lineup. One of the best sports cars on the market since it was introduced a few years ago, the refreshed '07s get even better with a newer 306hp version of Nissan's much-lauded 3.5-liter V6, as well as an updated nose, Bluetooth phone compatibility with steering wheel controls and a few new control choices. All that for just an extra $250 over the 2006 models. The only model that goes up in price more is the Roadster Enthusiast model, which finally gets the front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags which are now standard on all Zs. That model will be $500 more than a comparable 2006 version. Still a bargain in our book.

The 350Z is now available in your choice of four coupes or three roadsters. The full rundown of prices is as follows:

350Z 6MT ($27,900)
350Z Enthusiast ($29,600-6MT, $30,600-A/T)
350Z Touring ($32,700-6MT, $33,200-A/T)
350Z Grand Touring ($36,100-6MT, $37,100-A/T)
350Z Roadster Enthusiast ($35,550-6MT, $36,550-A/T)
350Z Roadster Touring ($37,900-6MT, $38,900-A/T)
350Z Roadster Grand Touring ($40,250-6MT, $41,250-A/T)

The press release is posted after the jump.

Continue reading 2007 350Z Pricing Announced

2007 350Z Pricing Announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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