Toyota and Honda top automotive brands in consumer perception

Automakers spend billions of dollars to promote their vehicles and build brand awareness. Yet, marketing alone does not shape consumer perception without a clear connection to the vehicles in the showroom. In the latest Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, Toyota and Honda brands ranked first and second, respectively, by dominant margins over all others. Likewise, the vehicles from those brands have consistently performed well in our testing, often ranking among the best in their classes, and have been mostly at the top of our reliability ratings over the years. Lets your journey with world car brand.............

Friday, August 21, 2009

INFINITI

2010 Infiniti GT-R
There were first rumors saying that the GT-R will be badged Infiniti. Now after it was launched, and turned out to be a Nissan after all, the company confirmed there will also be a Infiniti version of the GT-R.The decision was made in an effort to consolidate Infiniti’s place on the sports-car market.The 2010 Infiniti GT-R will be powered by the same 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 "VR38" engine found in the Nissan GT-R, but the output will be raised to 500 hp.Stay tuned, more details will follow. At the moment, the company only confirmed the existence of the model.
2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Preview
The 2009 G37 Convertible will be inspired by the 2008 Coupe version; this means it will combine the same exhilarating performance, stunning styling and modern, sporty interior of the original Infiniti G Coupe.
Under the hood of the Convertible version we will see a 3.7 liter V6 engine with an output of 330 hp and a peak torque of 269 lbs-ft. The engine will be matted with a a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, DS mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for quicker shifts in sporty driving situations and available genuine magnesium paddle shifters; or a newly revised, lightweight 6-speed manual transmission.
2009 Infiniti FX37 and FX50 Preview
The 2009 FX will be available in two different choices: the FX37 and the FX50. As you suspect already one will be powered by a 3.7 liter and the other by a 5.0 liter engine.
The FX37 wil be powered by the same 3.7 liter VQ-series V6 engine engine used in the G37 Coupe and will deliver 300 hp. The FX50 will be powered by a 5.0 liter engine with an output of 390 hp and 369 lbs-ft.
2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan
Infiniti will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 G37 Sedan, a model designed especially for the European market. It will be offered with either a rear- or all-wheel drive system with drive taken to the wheels via a slick six-speed manual or an advanced seven-speed automatic transmission.
Four-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) is available as part of the Infiniti G37 Sport model (see standard and optional equipment). This helps improve handling performance by varying the front steering ratio and adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed.
An AWD version, known as the Infiniti G37x, uses Infiniti’s ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, as found on EX37 and FX models will also be available.
The G37 Sedan will be powered by a 3.7-litre version of VQ engine family. Regularly honoured in independent awards the world over, the twin cam 24 valve V6 produces over 310PS and an impressive over 350Nm of torque. Prices for the 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan with 7-speed automatic transmission starts at $33,250.
2009 Infiniti FX50
Infiniti unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show the second-generation FX performance luxury crossover. The 2009 FX will be offered in three models, including a new 5.0-liter V8-equipped Infiniti FX50. The 2009 FX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in the United States and Canada in June 2008.
The Infiniti FX50 features a new powerplant, which makes it debut on this model – an advanced 5.0-liter V8 that is mounted low in the chassis to help lower the FX50’s center of gravity. The engine design includes twin symmetrical air intakes, microfinished crankshaft, lightweight pistons, super-silent cam drive chains and an electrically driven cooling fan to help optimize performance.
The goals for the development of the FX50’s all-new VK50VE V8 started with outstanding power output – 390 horsepower (287kw) and 500 Nm of torque – a high rev limit, a powerful engine sound from a specially tuned exhaust and improved fuel economy versus the previous generation FX45.
2009 Infiniti G37 convertible
Infiniti revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show the first ever convertible model in the G line-up. The car doesn’t stray much from the G37’s original recipe, and it carries over the coupe’s platform and engine. The biggest addition to the car is the extra sky available form the folding hardtop. Sales of the topless G will begin in spring of 2009.

The G37 convertible is powered by the same 3.7-liter V6 engine as the coupe version that delivers 325 hp @ 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 267 lbs-ft @5,200 rpm. The engine is mated to either an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.The model is offered in two different trim versions: the G37 Convertible and the G37S Convertible Sport 6MT, which adds sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, along with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.The problem with many convertibles is that top-down motoring can create a lot of wind in the passenger cabin. The G37 convertible combats the effects in two ways. When the three-pieces folding steel top is down, the Bose audio system will change the radio setting depending on detected outside noise. Also, the climate control system will adjust fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed.For the Bloomingdale’s Holiday Catalog, Infiniti added a G Convertible Premier Edition limited to only 200 units.

2009 Infiniti Essence
Essence, the concept revealed by Infiniti today at the Geneva Motor Show was created to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, but also to give an idea of the brand’s future.
Designed in cooperation with Louis Vuitton, the Essence is a RWD model, featuring a dramatic design, technology and performance statement: it is powered by a 592 hp petrol-electric hybrid engine.The hybrid system - a zero-emissions one - combines a petrol engine with an electric motor. These can work independently or together as a “parallel” hybrid system. When the traffic clears, Essence responds with a highway performance that few cars could match. In “power assist” mode the full 592 hp is unleashed with both petrol and electric power working together.A key difference over some other hybrid systems is that both the V6 and the electric motor feed their power only to the rear wheels. Performance is more linear, response is crisper – and driving pleasure further enhanced – as a result.The petrol engine, a 3.7-litre V6 gasoline engine is fitted with twin turbochargers and delivers 434 hp, while the electric motor, called 3D Motor delivers 158 hp.
2009 Infiniti FX50S
The Infiniti FX was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Infiniti QX4, a luxury SUV based on the Nissan Pathfinder. With the FX Infiniti wanted to meld the functionality of an SUV with the styling and performance traditionally found in a much smaller vehicle. Infiniti could not have said it any better when they called the new 2009 FX a “luxury SUV with the heart of a sports car.” Especially when it has almost 400 HP, nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a radical metallic paint job.
At first glance our Mojave Copper Infiniti FX50S is shocking. The finish is similar to when Nissan offered a rust colored 350Z calling it Le Mans Sunset, however the luster of the FX is brighter and much more appealing. Noticeable changes to the exterior of the vehicle include the dark chrome wave grill, radically redesigned headlamps and the metal vents found directly behind the front wheels. Given a closer look, a trained eye will see that everywhere there was a crease in the sheet metal on the previous generation FX; the modelers have filled them in and smoothed the gaps to create a more powerful figure with even more complex curves.