Cars Valley: March 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Jaguar XJ: A Greener Luxury Car

Jaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had the input of Sir William Lyons, the company's founder. The current Jaguar XJ was launched in 2009.
1 Mark I - Series 1, 2 and 3 (1968–1992)
1.1 Series 1 (1968–1973)
1.2 Series 2 (1973–1979)
1.3 XJ Coupé
1.4 Series 3 (1979–1992)
2 Mark II - XJ40, XJ81, X300, X305 and X308 (1986–2003)
2.1 XJ40 (1986–1994)
2.2 XJ40 (1989–1994)
2.3 XJ81 (1992–1994)
2.4 X300 (1995–1997)
2.4.1 Safety
2.5 X305 (1995–1997)
2.6 X306 (1995–1997)
2.7 Daimler Corsica concept
2.8 X308 (1997–2003)
3 Mark III - X350 & X358 (2003-2009)
3.1 X350 (2003-2007)
3.2 X358 (2007–2009)
4 Mark IV X351 (2009-)
5 'XJ' Numbering
6 References
7 External linksXJ Series I Jaguar XJ Series I Jaguar badged
Also called XJ6, XJ12
Daimler Sovereign
Daimler Double-Six
Production 1968–1973
82,126 produced
Assembly Coventry, England, UK
Cape Town, South Africa
Nelson, New Zealand
Predecessor Jaguar 240, Jaguar 340 & Daimler 250
Jaguar S-Type
Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign
Jaguar 420G
Body style 4-door saloon
Engine 2.8 L XK I6
4.2 L XK I6
5.3 L Jaguar V12 (from 1972)
Wheelbase 108.75 in (2762 mm)
Length 189.5 in (4813 mm)
Width 69.75 in (1772 mm)
Height 52.75 in (1340 mm)The XJ6, using 2.8 litre (2790 cc/170 in³) and 4.2 litre (4235 cc/258 in³) straight-six cylinder versions of Jaguar's renowned XK engine, replaced most of Jaguar's saloons – which, in the 1960s, had expanded to four separate ranges. Apart from the engines, the other main component carried over from previous models was the widest version of Jaguar's IRS unit from the Mark X.

Jaguar XJ

mazda mx5 yellow new best top

The MX-5, also known as Miata (pronounced /miˈɑːtə/) in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan, is a lightweight two-seater roadster, of front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan. The model was introduced in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and kicked off a new era of low cost open-top two-seater sports cars not seen in the automotive industry since the 1970s. The MX-5 was conceived as a small roadster – with light weight and minimal mechanical complexity limited only by legal and safety requirements; technologically modern, but a philosophically direct descendant of the small British roadsters of the 1960s such as the Triumph Spitfire, Austin-Healey Sprite, MG Midget and Lotus Elan.

The second generation MX-5 (NB) was launched in 1998 and the current (NC) model having been in production since 2006, and it continues to be a best selling convertible and by February 2011, 900,000 MX-5s have been built and sold around the world

Since the launch of the third generation MX-5, Mazda consolidated worldwide marketing using the MX-5 name, though enthusiasts in the USA still refer to it as Miata, a name that means "reward" in Old High German.1 Generations and overview
2 From idea to production
2.1 Jinba ittai
3 First generation (NA)
3.1 M2 Special Editions
3.2 2011 BBR MX-5 Turbo
4 Second generation (NB)
4.1 MX-5 10th Anniversary Model (1999)
4.2 Facelift (2001)
4.3 Mazdaspeed MX-5 (2004)
5 Third generation (NC)
5.1 Facelift
5.2 MX-5 Superlight (2009)
5.3 MX-5 20th Anniversary Edition (2010)
6 Transmissions
7 Safety
8 Production numbers and details
9 Technical specifications
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
The MX5's first generation, the NA, sold over 400,000 units from 1989 to 1997 – with a 1.6 L (98 cu in) straight-4 engine to 1993, a 1.8 L (110 cu in) engine thereafter (with a de-tuned 1.6 as a budget option in some markets) – recognizable by its pop-up headlights. The second generation (NB) was introduced in 1998 with a slight increase in engine power; it can be recognized by the fixed headlights and the glass rear window. The third generation (NC) was introduced in 2005 with a 2.0 L (120 cu in) engine.It was launched at a time when production of small roadsters had fallen into almost total disuse. The Alfa Romeo Spider was the only comparable volume model in production at the time of the MX-5's launch. Just a decade earlier, a whole host of similar models - notably the MG B, Triumph TR7, Triumph Spitfire and Fiat Spider - had been available.

Mazda MX5

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Kia Optima new top best

The Kia Optima is a mid-size four-door sedan manufactured by Kia Motors since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze & Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States and Malaysia where the Optima name was retained. The Optima name is now going to be used for all markets except China, where they will use the South Korean market name.
1 First generation (MS; 2000–2005)
1.1 Update
1.2 Total U.S. sales
2 Second generation (MG; 2005–2010)
2.1 Update
3 Third generation (TF; 2011)
3.1 Engines
3.2 Hybrid version
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
Also called Kia Magentis (Europe)
Kia Optima Regal (KDM Facelift)
Production 2000–2005
Assembly Hwasung Plant, Hwasung, South Korea
Yangcheng Plant, Jiangsu, China[citation needed]
Kaliningrad, Russia
Engine 2.4 L Sirius II I4, 149 hp
2.5 L Delta V6
2.7 L Delta V6, 138 kW (185 hp)
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (110 in)
Length 4,745 mm (186.8 in)
Width 2000–2005:1,815 mm (71.5 in)
2002–2005:1,820 mm (72 in)
Height 1,420 mm (56 in)
Related Hyundai Sonata (EF)
Hyundai Santa Fe (SM)From 2000-2005 Optimas were a rebadged variant of the Hyundai Sonata, differing only from the Sonata in minor exterior styling details and equipment content.

In 2010, Subaru started a viral marketing campaign using a 2001-2002 Kia Optima dressed up as the "2011 Mediocrity", in order to "promote" a generic mid-size car with nothing special about it. It is being used in comparison to Subaru's real mid-size offering, the Subaru Legacy All of the Kia badges were removed from the "2011 Mediocrity".
The 2002 Optima received a minor update. The Optima Regal was a luxurious version of Kia Optima sold in South Korea. American models did not wear the Kia logo on the grille, but the Kia logo was used in the grille for Canada. The grille was redesigned for the United States in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).

Kia Optima

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Nissan 370Z Fully Exposed: 2010 Nissan 370Z Official Images

The Nissan 370Z (known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) is a sports car manufactured by Nissan Motors.It was announced on October 29, 2008 and was first shown at an event in Los Angeles ahead of the 2008 Greater LA Auto Showbefore being officially unveiled at the show The 370Z is the sixth-generation of the Nissan Z-car line, succeeding the 350Z.* 1 Engineering
* 2 Versions
o 2.1 370Z Coupe (2009–)
o 2.2 NISMO 370Z (2009– )
o 2.3 370Z Yellow (2009)
o 2.4 370Z Roadster (2010–present)
o 2.5 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition (2010)
* 3 Specifications
o 3.1 Body styles
o 3.2 Engines
o 3.3 Transmissions
o 3.4 Performance
o 3.5 Physical
o 3.6 Equipment
* 4 Sales
* 5 Awards & recognition
* 6 Marketing
* 7 See Also
* 8 References
* 9 External links2009 Nissan 370ZAlmost every piece and component of the 370Z has been redesigned from the previous model (350Z). It is powered by the VQ37VHR 3.7 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6 with Variable Valve and Lift Control and produces 332 bhp (248 kW; 337 PS). Power delivery to the rear wheels comes through a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission which features the world's first synchronized down shift rev-matching system, SynchroRev Match. The SynchroRev Match system is only available with the sports package. The differential offered with the Sport Package is indicated to be a viscous limited slip differential.

Compared to the 350Z, the 370Z has a wheelbase 4 in (100 mm) shorter at 100.4 in (2,550 mm) and an overall length 2.7 in (69 mm) shorter at 167.1 in (4,240 mm). The overall width has been increased by 1.3 in (33 mm), the rear track by 2.2 in (56 mm), and overall height reduced by 0.3 in (7.6 mm). The smaller exterior dimensions and use of more lightweight materials help reduce weight. (Although it should be noted that a 2003-2005 base model 350Z is actually lighter in weight than the 370Z). The 370Z features a front aluminum subframe, aluminum-alloy engine cradle, aluminum door panels, an all-aluminum hood, and an aluminum hatch.

Front body torsion rigidity is improved by 10 percent with an extensively revised body structure which includes a new front suspension cradle to reduce front body lateral bending, new rear structural reinforcements, and an underbody "V-bar" to help reduce rear lateral bending. Additional enhancements include the use of a carbon fiber composite radiator housing and strengthening of the rear fender and hatch areas. Rear body torsion rigidity is improved by up to 22 percent and rear body vertical bending rigidity is improved by up to 30 percent. The new structure weighs slightly less than the 350Z.

The coefficient of drag is 0.30 and 0.29 with the Sport Package, figures identical to the 350Z. Nissan has also changed the clutch and brakes of the 350Z for the 370Z. The brakes have been changed from the more expensive Brembo racing brakes to Nissan branded brakes which are manufactured by Akebono.
You all may have seen plenty of posts and images of what the new 2010 Nissan 370Z would look like but now it is official. Here are photos of the new Nissan 370Z. Do not feel shameful as it is not a sin to look at this beauty in naked form. Today the Nissan 370Z gets exposed.

We should get even more details and photos at the time of the upcoming LA Auto Show.Enjoy the images and let us know what you think about the way it looks? Love it or hate it?!?!?(click for hi-res image of the new Nissan 370Z)

Nissan 370z