skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) fuel economy figures for Infiniti's all-new M35h are finally out. According to the government agency, the Japanese brand's first-ever hybrid model returns an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg on the combined cycle. For comparison, the conventional M37 with a 330HP 3.7-liter V6 is rated at 18 mpg City and 26 mpg Highway, while the M56 that is powered by a 420HP 5.6-liter V8, at 16 mpg City and 25 mpg Highway. The M35h's drivetrain pairs a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine with 306HP to a 50 kW [68HP] electric motor for a system net output of 360 horsepower. Both the gasoline V6 and electric motor deliver their power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Infiniti says the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan can reach 62mph (100km/) from standstill in 5.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).According to the Japanese automaker, the M35h can drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 62 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles at a time.U.S. sales of the 2012 M35h will start this spring.photosRead more In
Cars
As Hyundai continues its ascent to the top, the South Korean automaker-that-could is getting bolder every day. This time the company entered new grounds at the Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling facelifted Genesis sedan that gets a new sporty variant for the for the 2012 model year. The new model sports the R-Spec moniker and comes with a new 5.0-liter direct injection V8 engine pushing out 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 lb. ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm, which makes it the company's most powerful series production model ever. The V8 is mated to Hyundai's all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. While the Koreans did not release acceleration figures, Hyundai did say the car's fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The Genesis R-Spec also boasts a more aggressive chassis tuning with larger stabilizer bars, suspension tweaks, larger brakes and a different steering calibration, plus 19-inch wheels that can be fitted optionally with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires. The sportiest member of the Genesis family receives some very subtle styling cues such as the unique headlights with dark chrome inserts, specific alloy wheel designs and the black R-Spec embroidered floor mats. The Genesis R-Spec will be offered only in three exterior colors: Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic, each with Black leather interior and an all-black leather steering wheel.As for the rest of the Genesis range, the big news for the 2012 model year is the updated 3.8-liter V6 engine that receives direct injection (GDI) technology and several other upgrades boosting output by 15 percent, from 290 to 333 horsepower, and peak torque from 264 lb.-ft. to 291 lb.-ft. According to Hyundai, fuel economy increases over seven percent from 27 mpg to 29 mpg on the highway. Both the 3.8-liter V6 and the 4.6-liter Tau V8 with 385HP will be offered with Hyundai's new eight-speed automatic transmission, which helps increase the V8's fuel economy over seven percent from 25 mpg to 26 mpg on the highway.Other changes for the 2012 Genesis sedan include refinements to the 3.8 and 4.6 model suspension damping calibrations, and the fitment of larger brakes, plus some modest styling revisions to the headlamps that gain LED accents and daytime running lights, front grille, bumpers, tail lamps, and exhaust tips. photosRead more In
Cars
Making its Australian debut today is the refreshed Holden Captiva 7 Series II. To avoid any confusions, the Captiva 5 Series II that we told you about in our previous post is based on the Opel Antara, while the Captiva 7 is Holden's version of the Chevrolet model of the same name that's sold in Europe. The latest Series II version of the seven-seater Captiva enters the new model year with some styling and performance upgrades as well as reduced pricing as Holden sliced $2000 off the recommended retail tags of all equivalent Series I Captiva 7 models.Making its Australian debut today is the refreshed Holden Captiva 7 Series II. To avoid any confusions, the Captiva 5 Series II that we told you about in our previous post is based on the Opel Antara, while the Captiva 7 is Holden's version of the Chevrolet model of the same name that's sold in Europe. The latest Series II version of the seven-seater Captiva enters the new model year with some styling and performance upgrades as well as reduced pricing as Holden sliced $2000 off the recommended retail tags of all equivalent Series I Captiva 7 models. photosRead more In
Cars