New Car Scoop

Although sale of the first 2010 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrids are almost a year away, the company already put together a 4-door sports convertible. The two-door folding-hardtop concept is the hottest car I’ve ever seen. Combine this with the fact that it’s got a 4-cylinder that backs up the battery cell powered electric motor and you have a winner in both performance and efficiency.

The fascia, body and shape of the car are all based off the original Karma. It supposedly does 0-60 in the same six seconds, travels up to 50 miles on battery power and averaging nearly 100 mpg (so Fisker says).  Fisker also quotes the Q-Drive’s output at 403 hp and almost a over 1000 lb-ft of torque. Sexy. Fast. Green. Move this to the top of my must have list.

Simply put, it’s one of the most exciting cars coming to the United States. What’s so excited about a Ford Fiesta (besides the fact that the car’s green)? It’s a cheap, small car that gets great gas mileage and will not break the bank. Sure, you could buy a Prius that gets 50MPG (Fiesta should be just under 50MPG), but it costs well over $20k (the Fiesta should cost under $15k base price). You could buy a Mini Cooper, but again the price savings (and the Fiesta is still a cool car that could be in the same class as the Mini) is huge and the gas mileage is as good if not better.

In the end, if Ford does bring over a non-neutered version of the Fiesta (there is a 65+ MPG version in the UK), it will surely be a smash in a time when people are becoming more energy concious. Sure, it might not be as flashy as a Prius, but it was built without the use of VERY hazardous materials like battery acid and lead other battery waste. Expect to see this car tweaked by the import tuning crowd AS SOON as it hits American shores.

With the 180 degree turn around Cadillac has pulled in the last 10 years, it’s not hard to believe other companies with the same stodgy images could do similar work for their badges. Buick is no stranger to freshening their image, with the use of Tiger Woods as their spokesperson for the last few years. However, with his huge endorsement salary having to be forgone because of the current economy, Buick will now have to depend upon exciting and solidly designed new cars. With Buick’s increasing popularity in China, among younger American’s and their increased quality, the 2010 Buick LaCross may have just pulled this feat off.

Source: Jalopnik

After a year of speculation and months of testing, Nissan finally has officially acknowledged the tuned version of the Nissan GT-R, the SpecV. For a mere $161,300, you get additional suspension tuning, chassis tuning and the 3.8L Twin Turbo V6 as the previous version. However, though the 3.8L has similar power, it has up rated torque and an over boost setting. While Nissan plans to produce 1,000 of the standard GT-R models worldwide a month, it can only make 20 or 30 of the Spec V cars a month. The GT-R Spec V goes on sale Feb. 2 at seven dealers in Japan, which can provide the extra maintenance services for the model. It is planned for sale later this year in Europe, but North American sales are still undecided.

PRESS RELEASE

Nissan Announces New GT-R SpecV Model

TOKYO (Jan. 8, 2009) — Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a new limited-production Nissan GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale at seven specially selected Nissan dealers throughout Japan on February 2, 2009. The GT-R SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle.
NISSAN GT-R SpecV

NISSAN GT-R SpecV

Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, which was introduced just more than one year ago to universal global acclaim, the new SpecV model builds on the original’s “ultimate supercar that anyone can enjoy driving anywhere, at anytime” philosophy - taking it to an entirely new level of “oneness between man and machine.” The SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the GT-R’s unmatched performance to even higher levels.

The GT-R SpecV’s new exterior features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, a carbon fiber grille, and carbon fiber brake ducts. The SpecV is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body color. Inside, the SpecV’s unique two-seat interior (non-SpecV GT-R models also include a two-place rear seat) offers special Recaro carbon fiber bucket seats, while carbon fiber insets embellish the rear center storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas.

Performance is enhanced with a new high gear boost control device, which momentarily increases boost of the engine’s twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy. Other modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes that provide powerful stopping performance.

The GT-R SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminum wheels that were developed for this model and have been sold by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) since September 2008. The lighter unsprung weight provided by the new wheels, together with the enhanced braking capability, an exclusive suspension and high-grip tires, combine to deliver the SpecV’s exceptional performance.

The SpecV will be sold at the following seven dealer outlets, each of which is staffed by mechanics with special GT-R SpecV training and who are knowledgeable of racing circuit driving.

Dealer outlets selling the SpecV
Ibaraki Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Mito Sennami Outlet
Nissan Prince Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd. Kamedo Outlet
Nissan Prince Nagoya Sales Co., Ltd. Fukiage Outlet
Nissan Prince Osaka Sales Co., Ltd. Horie Kawaguchi Outlet
Nissan Prince Hyogo Sales Co., Ltd. Nada Outlet
Nissan Prince Kagawa Sales Co., Ltd. Takamatsu Outlet
Yamaguchi Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Ogori Interchange Outlet

Suggested nationwide retail price (including consumption tax) 15,750,000 yen