Starting Lines: October/November 2009
Infiniti Confirms M35 Hybrid Production
Infiniti confirmed that its first production hybrid vehicle will be part of the recently announced line of 2011 Infiniti M luxury performance sedans, which are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2010 at Infiniti dealers nationwide. The M35 hybrid is expected to arrive about 12 months later as a 2012 model. It is Infiniti’s first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in Infiniti’s history. Realizing the high performance/low emissions promise of the recent Infiniti Essence concept car, the M35 Hybrid has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience. The M35 Hybrid is based on the all-new M, which itself picks up styling cues from Essence, that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009. The M35 Hybrid will maintain a high-performance luxury sedan profile while overlaying it with the fuel economy, a charismatic V6, rear-wheel drive and CO2 emissions of a smaller car…delivering driving flair to please any enthusiast. The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in “power assist” mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. Along with charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking. The M Hybrid can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency and optimizing energy usage across the widest possible range of driving conditions. Details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later.
Mitsubishi Celebrates Sales Milestone
In September, Mitsubishi Motor Canada announced it had topped the 100,000 sales mark since it was established in Canada in 2002. While Mitsubishi is still a young company in the Canadian market, its operation has almost doubled in size over the past three years. Mitsubishi attributes its success, in this global recession, to the hard work and dedication of its people and the quality and leading edge technology found in its model line-up, which includes the Lancer Evolution and Eclipse Coupe and Spyder. “It took seven years to get to this milestone,” said Koji Soga, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. “It’s a real testament to the Mitsubishi brand that it has taken such a short time for Canadians to recognize the core values of our brand. Athleticism, durability and reliability are all qualities that have stood the test of time and can be experienced in each new product we bring to market.” Mitsubishi’s September sales were up 18.5 percent over September 2008 while year-to-date sales are up 7.1 percent with a total of 15,551 vehicles sold versus 14,524 sold at this time last year.
Cherry Bomb Partners with StreetFire.net
Enthusiasts have enjoyed the sound of Cherry Bomb mufflers for years. The company that features a full line of high performance mufflers, cat back systems and accessories has teamed with StreetFire.net, the number one video streaming site for automotive related videos, to deliver weekly muscle car content. At the same time, they will conduct a sweepstakes to provide a chance to win a custom Cherry Bomb Exhaust System as well as promotional gear, just by simply entering the “Disturbing the Peace Sweepstakes.” If you have never visited StreetFire.net, you are in for a treat as you will join over two-million monthly unique visitors who enjoy the site that is streaming more than a million videos daily and is one of the largest web sites online dedicated to providing services to the automotive community.
Winter Tire Gaff
In our last issue, we unintentionally omitted the Nitto SN2 in our Winter Tire feature. So not to be completely left out, we wanted to include it this month. The SN2 was developed for the driver that demands superior traction, predictable handling and a sense of security from their snow tire. It uses an advanced Silica compound that evacuates water and resists hardening at lower temperatures which helps to maintain excellent traction in wet, ice and slush situations. The 3D multiwave sipes incorporated into the overall tread design increase tread block rigidity over conventional sipes to improve lateral and longitudinal stiffness which, according to the company provides better handling on dry and wet roads as well as more grip on ice and snow-covered roads.
ROUSH Introduces Pair of540-HP Mustangs
The folks at ROUSH recently introduced a pair of new 2010 Mustang models, each with 540 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque ready to be unleashed by the touch of the throttle. The 2010 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang will once again take its rightful place atop the hierarchy of Jack Roush’s lineup. The vehicle comes fully loaded with the ROUSH body components, resonator exhaust, four-piston front brakes with 14-inch rotors and painted rear calipers with slotted rotors, and the new upper billet grille which removes the fog lamps and streamlines the appearance of the new Mustang while improving cooling performance. Interior enhancements include ROUSH leather seats with an embroidered Jack Roush signature, four-piece performance pedals, ROUSH illuminated sill plates, short-throw shifter with black or white ball, and a new interior Stage 3 badge with the car’s serial number engraved. It will ride on 18-inch chrome wheels with Cooper RS3 tires. The suspension package includes ROUSH front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear stabilizer bars and jounce bumpers. The suggested retail for the 2010 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang is $59,945 US and it will have a limited production run of only 103 vehicles. The second Mustang unveiled with the 540-horsepower powerplant is the new 2010 ROUSH 540RH, a limited content, full powertrain vehicle. Also known as the Hammer, this car comes armed with massive horsepower, a ROUSH rear decklid spoiler, and short-throw shifter with a choice of white or black ball. The 540RH is a stoplight slayer. Proving just how quick this car can be on the optional 18-inch Cooper RS3 tires, ROUSH engineers recorded an 11.8-second elapsed time at 121 mph during testing at Milan Dragway in Michigan early this fall. The ROUSH 540RH has a new suspension package which includes front and rear springs, front and rear stabilizer bars and jounce bumpers, and a subtle tone-on-tone striping package. All this comes with a suggested retail starting at $46,145 US when built on a base Ford Mustang GT chassis. Both vehicles are available with a manual transmission only and will be available at a dealer near you soon.
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