Filed under: LA Auto Show Sports/GTs Nissan
Click image to enlargeWhile everyone was lining up in orderly rows to watch the official unveiling of the Sentra SE-R and Altima coupe at Nissan's LA press conference we snapped a few pics of a pre-production model of the 2007 350Z.
Although the exterior has gotten a few subtle tweaks that only those of us in the Z-car enthusiast camp would notice they deserve a brief mention. While the headlamps and taillights have been revised with LED bulbs and new housings the most striking change was the addition of a power dome that eschews the two creases that formerly flanked both sides hood.

So what could possibly justify such a change? Why more power naturally. Nissan's venerable VQ35 3.5-liter V6 is now producing 306 HP which doesn't seem like a substantial increase over the last model's 300 HP until you take into account that new output calculations have recently been adopted. As it turns out the same engine that's fitted to the new G35 and the 350Z is making between 15 and 20 HP more than the outgoing 2006 models which should easily be felt by even the numbest backside.
The increase in power is mainly due to revisions made to the variable valve timing on the exhaust side of the valvetrain allowing the new engine to rev past the 7k redline of former models all the way up to a newly set 7500 RPM.
This new engine will also find a home in the new Altima and Maxima as well as the Altima coupe which should make Nissan's new entry-level two-door one of the great performance bargains of 2007.
More pics of the 350Z's new exterior bits and interior are posted after the jump.
[Source: Nissan and Kicking Tires]
Continue reading Nissan quietly drops new VQ in 350Z
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Filed under: Gadgets Safety Tech BMW

Car companies and electronic manufacturers are always conspiring to come up with new high-tech gimmicks for our cars. Almost invariably they either distract the driver from driving or else help him keep his eyes on the road. Champions of road safety (and cool flashing lights) that we are of course we prefer the latter. With more cars on the road each passing day - and average driver skill not improving one bit - staying on the road is enough of a challenge without toying with an unintelligible driver interface (iDrive we're looking at you) being distracted by in-dash DVD players or looking for directions from a sat-nav screen.
That's why we applaud BMW's new HUD. The Bavarians have put all the vital information right there on the windshield so you never have to take your eyes off the road. The HUD projects the speed as well as information from the sat-nav system right ahead of you. BMW's also reportedly working on something called RoadPreview that also projects information regarding upcoming obstacles and big turns cross-referencing the data with your speed to tell you if you're going too fast to avoid what's up ahead. (Given some of the jerks we've seen behind the wheels of Bimmers this could only bode well.)
Sounds to us like the engineers in Munich have been listening attentively to The Doors: "Keep your eyes on the road your hands upon the wheel". HUDs can be found in other cars currently on the market like the Chevy Corvette whose HUD also displays key vehicle info nav directions and even a real-time g-meter.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Filed under: Gadgets Safety Tech BMW

Car companies and electronic manufacturers are always conspiring to come up with new high-tech gimmicks for our cars. Almost invariably they either distract the driver from driving or else help him keep his eyes on the road. Champions of road safety (and cool flashing lights) that we are of course we prefer the latter. With more cars on the road each passing day - and average driver skill not improving one bit - staying on the road is enough of a challenge without toying with an unintelligible driver interface (iDrive we're looking at you) being distracted by in-dash DVD players or looking for directions from a sat-nav screen.
That's why we applaud BMW's new HUD. The Bavarians have put all the vital information right there on the windshield so you never have to take your eyes off the road. The HUD projects the speed as well as information from the sat-nav system right ahead of you. BMW's also reportedly working on something called RoadPreview that also projects information regarding upcoming obstacles and big turns cross-referencing the data with your speed to tell you if you're going too fast to avoid what's up ahead. (Given some of the jerks we've seen behind the wheels of Bimmers this could only bode well.)
Sounds to us like the engineers in Munich have been listening attentively to The Doors: "Keep your eyes on the road your hands upon the wheel". HUDs can be found in other cars currently on the market like the Chevy Corvette whose HUD also displays key vehicle info nav directions and even a real-time g-meter.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Filed under: Gadgets Safety Tech BMW

Car companies and electronic manufacturers are always conspiring to come up with new high-tech gimmicks for our cars. Almost invariably they either distract the driver from driving or else help him keep his eyes on the road. Champions of road safety (and cool flashing lights) that we are of course we prefer the latter. With more cars on the road each passing day - and average driver skill not improving one bit - staying on the road is enough of a challenge without toying with an unintelligible driver interf