Sunday, May 3, 2009

Nissan Maxima 2009












The new Maxima will play an increasingly important role in the large and medium car market by offering the best blend of distinctive luxury - at an attainable price,” said Mr Thompson. “We are doubling the appeal of the new Maxima in Australia with our new two-engine model strategy and a very attractive entry price.”“The new 2.5-litre V6 engine, the sharp pricing right in the heart of the four-cylinder market and the unprecedented high level of luxury features as standard, makes the Maxima 250 ST-L unbeatable. For a start, no one else in this market sector offers leather upholstery as standard. We are making four-cylinder large car customers an offer they can’t afford to ignore in the Maxima ST-L,” he said. “And with the elegant Maxima ST-S and Ti sedans, an impressive ride and luxurious appointments will give the new Maxima the muscle to grow its sales in the upper end of the large car market where there are many customers looking for unparalleled value.”
Perhaps the biggest change to the Maxima line-up as a whole is the introduction of the smaller VQ25DE 2.5-litre V6 engine to the range.
This award winning power-plant is featured exclusively in the 250 ST-L and is a free revving unit that is quite smooth and linear in delivery managing 134kW at 6000rpm.
Power delivery comes courtesy of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (automatic) transmission that keeps the car within its torque range long enough to utilise the 228Nm on hand at 4400rpm under steady acceleration.
Once on the open road the engine is barely noticeable in terms of noise, something Nissan have gone to great lengths in improving across the new J32 series, and also manages exceptional fuel economy at just 9.5-litres per 100km as a combined average, that’s 0.5-litres less the Toyota’s four-cylinder Camry.
Specifications - Maxima 250 ST-L:
Engine: 2496cc DOHC V6 (24 valve)
Power: 134kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 228Nm @ 4400rpm I
nduction: Multi Point
Transmission: Six-Ratio CVT Driven
Wheels: Front
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
CO2 Emissions: TBC
Fuel Consumption: 9.5 litres per 100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Fuel Type: 91RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: TBC
Airbags: Front, Side and Curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction
Control Spare Wheel: Full Size Alloy
Cargo Capacity: 506 litres
Tow Capacity: 1200kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Warranty: Three Year/100,000km
Weight: 1516kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch
Specifications - Maxima 350 ST-S & Ti:
Engine: 3498cc DOHC V6 (24 valve)
Power: 185kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 326Nm @ 4400rpm
Induction: Multi Point
Transmission: Six-Ratio CVT Driven
Wheels: Front
Brakes: Discs with ABS,
EBA & EBD CO2 Emissions: TBC
Fuel Consumption: 10.2 litres per 100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 litres
Fuel Type: 95RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: TBC
Airbags: Front, Side and Curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control Spare
Wheel: Full Size Alloy
Cargo Capacity: 506 litres
Tow Capacity: 1200kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Warranty: Three Year/100,000km Weight: 1535kg/1563kg (Tare) Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch

Buick Riviera by GM Pan Asia Technical Centre












The Buick Riviera, a car designed by GM Pan Asia Technical Centre and first shown at the Shanghai motor show last year. The concept is proof that style houses in China can produce good looking cars.
Being a concept the gull wing doors will never see production, but Buick says the rest of the car’s bold looks will will one way or another find their way into future Buick model.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Honda undercuts popular Prius with new hybrid Insight EX







2010 Honda Insight EX
BASE PRICE: $19,800 for LX; $21,300 for EX without navigation system.
AS TESTED: $21,970.
TYPE: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger, compact hatchback.
ENGINE: 1.3-liter, inline four cylinder with i-VTEC and 10-kilowatt electric motor.
MILEAGE: 40 mpg (city), 43 mpg (highway).
TOP SPEED: NA.
LENGTH: 172.2 inches.
WHEELBASE: 100.4 inches.
CURB WEIGHT: 2,727 pounds.
BUILT AT: Japan.
OPTIONS: None.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $670.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Worlds Most Admired companies Toyota Ranks 3



Toyota Ranks 3

MOST ADMIREDTop 50 rank: 3Rank in Motor Vehicles: 2 (Previous rank: 2*) Overall score: 6.25
Why it's admiredAs U.S. automakers GM and Chrysler went crawling to Washington for help, Toyota was still looking relatively strong. But the global downturn still took a toll: For the first time since 1950, in February Toyota forecasted that it would post a net loss -- almost $4 billion in its 2008 fiscal year. Just days earlier, the company named Akio Toyoda, the grandson of renowned founder Kiichiro Toyoda, as president. By going back to the basics, the world's largest and richest automaker hopes to drive its earnings north again. -A.A..Address: 1 Toyota-choToyota, Japan 471-8571Phone: 81-565-28-2121Website: http://www.toyota.co.jp/
Nine key attributes of reputation
Industry rank
Innovation 3
People management 3
Use of corporate assets 2
Social responsibility 1
Quality of management 2
Financial soundness 1
Long-term investment 2
Quality of products/services 2
Global competitiveness 2
Industry: Motor Vehicles Most Admired -Rank -Company -Overall score
1 BMW 6.50
2 Toyota Motor 6.25
3 Honda Motor 5.99
4 Volkswagen 5.22
5 Nissan Motor 5.17
6 Daimler 5.00
7 General Motors 4.73
8 Renault 4.57
Contenders -Rank - Company -Overall score
9 Volvo 4.50
10 Hyundai Motor 4.41
10 Suzuki Motor 4.41
12 Mazda Motor 4.34
13 PSA Peugeot Citroën 4.28
14 Ford Motor 3.89
15 Fiat 3.56