Nissan May Delay the Introduction of the Diesel-Powered Maxima

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In 2008 Nissan confirmed that the Maxima would receive a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, that was developed by Renault for the US market. The original plans saw the introduction of the diesel-powered Maxima being released later this year. But now it looks like those plans have either been delayed or scrapped altogether.

A Nissan spokesman told AutoObserver there is "no official word yet," regarding Nissan's maintaining the U.S. launch for diesel-powered 2010 Maxima. The spokesman would also not deny that it was being in fact delayed or that if it was actually being canceled.

"We're reviewing our mid-term product plans right now [some to be delayed, some potentially canceled], but nothing in concrete as yet," the spokesman added, saying the company's U.S. arm "should have some clarity in the coming weeks."

Other automakers have also recently announced plans to delay or cancel their own diesel programs in the US. Acura has delayed, possibly indefinitely the diesel-powered TSX. GM also announced plans to discontinue development on a new V8 diesel that was to be used in light trucks and SUVs.



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Chrysler Wants Another $1.5 Billion to Give Out More Auto Loans


Chrysler Chief Executive Bob Nardelli is asking for another $1.5 billion from the US government to fund the company's financial arm, which would allow for more loans to individuals that haven't been able to qualify.

Due to the credit crunch it has become increasingly harder for individuals to receive financing, since banks are now requiring better credit scores and higher down payments.

In January the US government gave $1.5 billion to Chrysler Financial, which allowed Chrysler to subsidize zero percent interest loans on new vehicles.



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Swimming With Sharks: Driving a GT-R on the LA Freeway


Well, it took almost four days of living in Los Angeles, but I finally got behind the wheel of a supercar. Sitting here typing, I still can’t believe what happened. Now it’s not like I’ve never realized that I’m one of the luckiest bastards to ever walk the face of the earth—I have, really—but lately that’s been happening like, every [expletive deleted] day. You see, CarDomain and YoParts are going to be giving away a Nissan GT-R, and when I rolled into the office yesterday morning, Nads told me we were picking it up from DC Motors, which is a solid 45 minutes from the office, that afternoon. He also—for reasons I can’t at all fathom—informed me that I was going to be driving it back.

Um…  I can barely remember my address, I have to consult a map to figure out how to get home from work, and the only things I’ve eaten since I’ve been here—seriously—are tacos. And I was getting charged with driving one of the baddest machines on the planet down the infamous LA freeways? What? Obviously, I was excited, but I also felt like I was also about to go ride a gold-plated mountain bike through the scenic parts of Afghanistan. And watching Nads weave through the terrible traffic on the way out to Orange County didn’t make me any less nervous.

DC Motors was easy to find. The lot was filled with Lambos, Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris, and our GT-R was waiting patiently for us in the back of the showroom. Cliff, the guy who was handing it over, actually had to jump it, because it’d been parked since arriving on a truck. This GT-R had no miles on it. None. Like not any. And I was going to do the honors. At that point, I felt like I’d just stood up too fast. This, I thought, is really not the time to screw up. Cliff pulled it out of the building, handed me two sets of keys, pointed out the fact it didn’t have plates, and gave me his business card, in case I got pulled over. Then he told me to drive carefully, and shook my hand. I climbed in, checked the mirrors, dropped the tranny into drive, and gently pulled up behind Nads’ Honda. Since I had absolutely no idea where I was going, I needed to follow him. “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble keeping up,”  he laughed. And he was right—keeping up was easy.

Upon leaving the lot, we had to make an immediate u-turn, which I did very, very, carefully. Then I gave Nads some space, and pounded the gas. Oh. My. God. The engine screamed, and my neck snapped back. I let off just as the turbos started to whine and jammed on the brakes. It was immediately apparent this was the quickest car I’ve ever driven—by a long shot. I couldn’t believe that the twin-turbo V6 was producing “only” 473 horsepower, and there was a supreme confidence in the way the power came to the ground. I literally felt glued to the road, and was immediately grateful for the all the electronic nannies Nissan had equipped the GT-R with. While we waited at a light, I glanced at the screen which reports on the car’s vitals. It’ll tell you what percentage throttle you’re using, the amount of boost, the lateral g-forces, and probably, what time it is on the moon. That was the last time I looked at it during the drive, and while I’m sure it sounds dope, I didn’t even think about turning on the Bose stereo. Just before the light turned green I toggled the shifter into manual mode, and we made a left on to the entrance ramp.

There was a line of cars on the left, and Nads ripped past them. I slammed the gas to the floor and started knocking up through the gears. I was in third and the engine was howling when we merged onto the freeway—the traffic looked like a swarm of bees. But there was no fear. I was as calm and confident as I’ve ever been. Apparently, I already have the aggressive tendencies necessary to navigate the ferocious LA freeways.

For the next 30 minutes, we bobbed and wove through the myriad cars, with Nads plunging ahead, and me playing the most exhilarating game of catch-up I’ve ever experienced. I quickly learned that if I wanted to stay with him, I was going to have to ride his ass pretty seriously, because drivers here will try to wedge into virtually any free space. It wasn’t like I was going that fast—I might have hit 100MPH—but the acceleration was blistering, and the hyper-accurate handling gave me confidence to squeeze into any available space. Literally, it felt like parallel parking at 80MPH. It was beautiful. I think I’m going to like it here.

Then before I even knew it, we had to exit the freeway and start crawling through the downtown core. While we were sitting at the light, I toggled the shifter back to automatic mode, took a deep breath, and began to absorb the savage level of adrenaline coursing through my veins. While we drove, ever so slowly, back to the office, I noticed tons of  pedestrians staring at the car, and was blown away by how quiet the engine was. At 40MPH, it was happy to plod along in fourth gear—Godzilla was as tame as a tired puppy. Oh, and one of the last cool things I noticed about the GT-R? When I was driving it around in the parking garage for pictures, it didn’t keep yelling at me to put on my seat belt. Now, I always buckle up when I’m on the road, but I find it annoying when a car wants me strap in to drive 25 feet. Anyway, Nads and the StreetFire camera crew are working on getting some sick footage of this baby out on the track, but until that’s posted, check out my quick walk-around video, and this clip of the engine firing up. And of course, stay tuned for more details about the GT-R giveaway! Somebody almost as lucky as me is going to take it home!

Walk-around:

Start up:



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What's The Best Winter Driving Car? [Question Of The Day]

It’s cold outside. So it’s time to put away the P Zero Neros and get practical. But can safety be combined with fun on roads covered in slush? What’s the best winter driving car?

Gizmodo’s Brian Lam and I have been having this argument for months. He’s convinced AWD is the only possible option when it comes to snow driving, but I think he’s just trying to justify the purchase of yet another boring Audi. A couple of years ago I drove a C6 Corvette across the frozen Baltic Sea and a couple of weeks back I drove a Lotus Exige S 240 across a snow-bound Manhattan. You know what? Both cars were fine. Rear wheel drive and decent weight distribution led to predictable slides and big goofy smiles. If I had to pick a winter car, I think it’d be that C6 ‘Vette, equipped with winter tires of course. But maybe Brian’s right, maybe most drivers are better off in an A4. What say you?

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of The Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)



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Hemmings Find of the Day: Wagoneeeeeeeer

1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer limousine

What we love about this 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is not that it’s stretched by several feet, nor that it’s actually a functioning limousine, it’s that it was done rather tastefully (we’ll grant the directional billet wheels): It looks like if AMC, in its last throes as a functioning company, built one of their junior executives an awesome bachelor party rig. Back in Time Classics of Commerge, Georgia, which is selling the Wagoneeeeeeeer for $24,900, describes it as thus:

1987 jeep grand wagoneer stretched limo, with only 43,267 miles, with a 360 motor, and automatic transmission, and four wheel drive, front and rear air, black out side, and has a beige interior, power steering, power disc brakes, power windows, tilt, cruse, power door locks, power seats, privacy window, wet bar, tv, vc, stereo, sun roof, and the list goes on, this is the top of the line model, with all the bells and whistles, even has the wood grain, it runs and drives as new, the paint and interior looks as new, if you dare to be different here it is.

If anybody knows which coachbuilder is responsible for this, let us know in the comments!



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Geneva 09' Preview: Audi TT RS Teasers Released

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Audi has released the first teaser images of the TT RS, which is the ultimate TT that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The TT RS will feature over 300 horsepower from ts turbocharged 2.5L five-cylinder.

It's still up in the air if we'll get it here in the U.S.



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Honda F1 Roundup: Brawn, Schumacher and Ferrari

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F1 teams change hands all the time, but when a major manufacturer pulls out of the sport, it's bound to trigger a rumor mill of tsunamic proportions. And that's exactly what's been going on in the motorsport press following Honda's announcement to cancel its F1 program.

First came rumors that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim was to buy the team, but those reports were later denied. Ferrari, meanwhile, has confirmed discussions with Ross Brawn, formerly the Scuderia's technical director and now head of the Honda F1, over the prospect of supplying engines to the team if and when a new buyer is found. (Last year Ferrari supplied both Toro Rosso and Force India, but the latter has switched to Mercedes for the upcoming season.) Brawn and his colleague Nick Fry are reportedly speaking to a number of potential buyers (Prodrive's David Richards possibly still among them), but while the asking price for the team must be lower than usual given the economy and Honda's motivation to sell, sources don't expect the list includes any automakers. (For our part, we wouldn't be surprised to see Hyundai make an offer.) Some reports suggested that Michael Schumacher - with whom Brawn built a close relationship during their tenure at Ferrari, and who races occasionally with Honda on two wheels - could get involved, but Schumi's own spokespeople have denied the rumors. For his part, Brawn has stated his number one priority is securing the jobs of the team's many employees, but even that might prove to be a tall order during these troubled times.

[Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty]

Honda F1 Roundup: Brawn, Schumacher and Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REVIEW: Audi &amp; NFL Films find <i>Truth in 24</i>

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With most sports documentaries, you know how the story's going to end before you even sit down. That knowledge doesn't make Truth in 24 any less fascinating, dramatic, or exciting. The story of Audi's 2008 effort at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Truth in 24 provides a very rare glimpse behind the scenes as Audi Motorsport prepares for, competes in, and ultimately wins the world's most famous endurance race. Audi went to NFL Films to make the movie, and director Keith Crossrow has applied that outfit's uniquely compelling storytelling ability to motor racing -- a sport he was largely unfamiliar with by his own admission. The results, fortunately, make for one Hell of a watch.

Continue reading REVIEW: Audi & NFL Films find Truth in 24

REVIEW: Audi & NFL Films find Truth in 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Bentley Arnage Final Edition, Paris Auto Show Preview

In 2011, Bentley will bid adieu to its flagship sedan, the Bentley Arnage. For a proper send off, Bentley is expected to unveil the Bentley Arnage Final Edition at the 2008 Paris Auto Show in October. Befitting a vehicle that is intended to pay homage to a 50 year legacy, many of the Final Edition’s specifications will remain true to typical Bentley heritage.

To denote the limited production, “Final Series” badging will grace the front wings and tread plates, and interior accessories will include an Arnage “Final Series” steel plated flask and matching shot glasses. Most of the vehicle’s aspects will remain traditional Bentley, however, and the Bentley Arnage Final Edition will merge the design elements of the Arnage R, Arnage T, and the Bentley Brooklands coupe. In keeping with that theme, exterior aesthetics will be legendary Bentley, including the “Flying B” logo gracing the front grill, Bentley jewel filler cap, twin exhaust pipes, and body-colored headlamp bezels. In addition, the Bentley Arnage Final Edition will also feature Bentley’s famed 500-hp twin-turbo V8, replete with 738 lb-ft of torque.

Pricing is expected to fall in the neighborhood of $220,000, and will be available in the traditional Bentley range of 42 different exterior colors, 25 interior coverings, and 3 veneers. [AutoNews]



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Queen Converts Bentleys To Biofuels [The Royal Family]

The Queen is going green, converting her two custom $15 million Bentley Limos to run on bio-ethanol, preempting an effort by Bentley to do the same for its entire fleet.

Queen Elizabeth the II, who lives rent free in several state-owned mansions and castles — the poorly insulated kind that are a bitch to heat in the winter — travels by a state-owned private jet and requires a security detail that uses many fossil fuel powered cars, trucks, motorcycles and helicopters, has decided to do her bit for the environment. The biofuel conversion is estimated to increase the fuel economy of her two, scarcely used, Bentleys by a staggering 40%. How? By burning some of her tiny island nation’s food supply in place of gasoline. Bentley is expected to introduce a similar system for its range of luxury cars by 2012, allowing similarly well-heeled individuals to feel better about themselves while dining on imported fine foodstuffs.

Last summer, Prince Charles, the Queen’s doting son, converted his Aston Martin DB6 to run on ethanol produced from surplus wine. It’s not known which fuel source the Queen will use to power her Bentleys. [via The Daily Mail]



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2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse, Paris Auto Show Preview

Surrendering to the endless bombardment of pre-Paris reveals, for the next few days leading up to the 2008 Paris Auto Show, RideLust will be exclusively covering all the leaks and teaser shots of the major impending Paris reveals. To kick things off, we’re starting with the 2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse, Fiat’s sporty revision of the compact Fiat 500 Abarth that launched earlier this year.

Full gallery after the jump

Getting the full street racing treatment, the Fiat Abarth Essesse is trimmed with a full aerodynamic body kit, complete with a hefty rear spoiler, Brembo brakes, and 17″ Alloy wheels. Under the hood the Fiat Abarth Essesse is expected to feature a 4-cylinder engine 1.4L turbo charged engine, producing a respectable 160-hp. According to Fiat, they already have 200 workshops toiling away to put the kits on the market, and hope to give the Mini Cooper S a run for it’s fierce little compact money.


[Photo Cred:WorldCarFans.com]

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