Nissan suspected of cheating in record setting Nurburgring GT-R run.

Nissan Skyline GT-R at Denver Auto Show.

After purchasing an American GT-R Porsche set to the task of recreating the run, but evidently was unable to achieve a time with the car with 25 seconds of the record time.

It isn’t surprising that Porsche would go to these lengths to stand by their record set on home turf, what is surprising is how Porsche suspects Nissan cheated.

“For us, it’s not clear how this time is possible. What we can imagine with this Nissan is they used other tyres.”

Reasoning that tires would make such a large difference begs the question as to whether a Porsche GT2 would set an even more impressive time granted the stickier rubber.

Nissan has yet to comment, but I would assume that Porsche is not pulling any punches as Japanese companies have been famous for stretching the rules for their own benefit.

You may all well remember the SAE revisions that took place back in 2005 in which several major Japanese manufacturers took hits on their horsepower and torque figure for some of their best selling cars.

Or if you choose to look further back and will remember the rumored “300 horsepower agreement” many of the Japanese brands would simply underrate the horsepower and torque figures for their respective supercars.

In my opinion there is no honor in cheating, but if you never get caught then who is the wiser?

The 2009 Ford Flex

Ford Motor Company has seen better days,

With record losses, bland new models, giant rebates on older models, and only the mustang to anchor the drifting company; many might think back to the iconic models of Ford’s yesteryears.

Enter the Ford Flex.

After years of production for the boring and sales lacking Ford Freestar and Mecury Monterey minivans, Ford has entered the world of the elite crossover.

Crossovers have existed for a decade in one form or another and were tipified with the introduction of the RX300 from Lexus. So, Ford entering this growing segment is needed but with every other manufacturer entereing the game as well, the waters ahead are rocky to say the least.

Luckily, Ford chose with this new model to draw on interesting styling and functionality rather than overall technology (as found in the Acura RDX) or sci-fi trechie styling that perforates most asian based crossovers.

What we end up with is the 2009 Ford Woodie…. whoops, should I say FORD FLex.

Accidentally harking back to the kitchy surf mobile made popular by california hippies in the 60’s, the Flex is immediately recognizable. It stands out in a sea of boring seemingly submersible blobs and razor edged SUVs.

With available seating for 7 and a choice of engines that can receive up to 26 mpg highway it should be gobbled up by the young adventurous family.

My only gripe with this particular mode of transportation with its slab sides and upright windshield is the lack of interior style. Ford continues to create bland uncomfortable looking interiors with bland panel fits and uninspired layouts.

Porsche plans to launch a four door coupe. Codenamed EB2, the big porsche goes on sale in 2009 as a 2010 model, but it’s already been caught lapping the Nordschleife at the Nuerburgring racetrack in Germany. This three-quarter shot shows the production car’s general proportions, but it’s cagily disguised to look as if it’s revealing more sheetmetal than it is. You’ll see the car’s lighting graphics previewed in a face-lifted Cayenne coming in 2007. The Panamera will be assembled in the Cayenne’s Leipzig factory and will share its 340-horsepower, 4.5-liter V-8 and 450-horsepower, twin-turbo V-8 powerplant.

Earlier today, GM unwrapped the vehicle that they feel is the key to the company’s survival.  That vehicle is the Chevy Volt.  It is a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor upto 40 miles, and then a small gasolin engine kicks in to help propel the electric motor.  Some features include: an all-black roof, solid front grill, and in the interior, a bright white center stack and customizable LCD displays.

According to GM, the Volt’s lithium-ion battery can be charged in eight hours on a 120-volt plug. Using a 240-volt outlet cuts the time down to less than three hours. The claimed 40-mile all-electric range is based on the EPA city cycle, but GM has not said how power accessories and components like air conditioning will affect it.

It will enter the market in late 2010 as a 2011 model.  Is it too little too late for GM?  What do you think?

Mazda Kiyora, a lightweight, next generation, urban compact concept car is going revealed at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show which will be held starting Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 19, 2008.Mazda Kiyora (meaning ‘clean and pure’ in Japanese) represents the harmony between driving fun and environmental and safety features aspired towards Mazda’s long-term technology development vision.

Mazda Kiyora

The concept of “Kiyora” helped the designers to imagine a city car cutting cleanly through an urban landscape, with water as the design theme.  The car achieves excellent fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions because of the fact it is equipped with Mazda’s next generation 4 cylinder direct injection engine and featuring the company’s unique Smart Idle Stop System. The new Mazda concept car is newly redesigned in order to maximize weight reduction and a high level of safety, in pursuit of enhanced driving excitement. It also features an interior design and new functions that support a youthful exuberance.

When the first generation Honda Insight launched back in 1999, it was a vehicle that was simply before its time.  The vehicle could achieve over 60 miles per gallon highway and was a hit among certain groups.  However, gas at that time was relatively cheap in comparison to today, and people were not interested in a vehicle that did not have the roominess and power that was desired by the general public, which led to dismal sales.  After seeing the success of the Toyota Prius, Honda hopes to win more hybrid customers away from Toyota with the launch of its 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid, which Honda believes will provide great value and great economy at a price that will make it more affordable than the Prius.

NEW DELHI: A faulty air-conditioner compressor of a CR-V has landed Japanese carmaker Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) into trouble. The Karnataka state consumer commission has asked the vehicle manufacturer to pay a compensation of Rs 1,00,000 to a complainant in Bangalore.

With this order, HSCI’s reputation as a reliable carmaker takes a serious hit since this is the second time in three months that the auto firm has been ordered to cough up compensations by various consumer courts across the country.

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