The hybrid Infiniti blasts from 0 to 100 miles per hour in just 11.54 seconds and covers the quartermile in just 13.41 seconds. This record for the quarter mile is even better than the achievement of the Infiniti before which helps it live to its claim that the M35h is the best full hybrid in terms of acceleration.

The Panamera S Hybrid depends on a 3.0L V6 powerplant with a supercharger that makes it produce 329 bhp backed up by a 46 bhp electric motor. The maximum output of the M35h is 375 bhp combining the V6 and the electric motor. The Panamera S Hybrid gets from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in a matter of 6 seconds while its top speed is pegged at 270 kilometers/hour.

The M35h has a 3.5L V6 powerplant that gives out 302 bhp. The conventional engine works with an electric motor with an output of 67 bhpp. The combined output of the M35h sums up to 359 bhp. It blasts from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h.

The track ready 370Z NISMO went on a crash diet and dropped every trace of luxury from its standard release. As a result, the car is about 1,000 pounds lighter and hits the scales at 2,954 pounds.

In addition to the trimming off of the extra weight, Nissan Motorsport installed performance upgrades like reprogramming its ECM, installing a new exhaust system fit for race cars, put in coolers for the differentials, heavy duty clutch, engine oil, and flywheel.

The V6 3.7L engine was beefed up a bit compared to the stock model and is now capable of giving out 355 horsepower and a torque of about 276 ft-lbs.

Other features include the following: Sparco steering wheel, roll cage, racing seats by Recaro, switch panel made of carbon fiber, six point harness, fire extinguisher, and a roll cage.

The Nissan 370Z NISMO conforms ott the GT4 standards of the International FIA and the GTS class specifications of the World Challenge.

Nissan did not announce the tage price for their new creation but if you want to purchase one, call Nissan Motorsports thru 888.833.32.25.

As far as racing pedigrees go, one does not have to look beyond the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car has won more than 200 races and this includes winning the all Japanese Car Championships for five consecutive times, a tough feat to attain. A racing car needs to have a special aerodynamically designed body and with every passing year the body of the Nissan Skyline GT-8 has been improved so that it can deliver top-notch performance in the races.

Not just the aerodynamics, even the rigidity of the car has seen radical changes since the first time it was introduced. This car also has the envious record for holding the unofficial lap record for a production car. It is hence not amazing to find people selecting this car when they want to participate in competitive racing. They know that with the Nissan Skyline GT-R, they can never end up being losers.

Nissan is working on a new GT-R, by the way, expected in 2011!

The reason why Ford Motors is producing an HEV and a PHEV variant of the C-MAX five-seater is because the company intends to give their customers a wider range to choose from. The car manufacturer recognized the need for electric vehicles, especially with the emission regulations for the coming years.

The Ford’s Valencia plant was Europe’s single source for all CMAX versions and Grand CMAX which will be launched this year. The Grand CMAX feature the new Ford Ecoboost gasoline and Duratorq TDCi diesel and Ford Ecoboost engines. The car manufacturer is also ahead of the game with its global sourcing tactic. The Valencia plant will also produce the seven-seater variant of the CMAX. This is slated for distribution to North America by 2011.

Ford’s total investment in the Valencia plant for this year (including the HEV and PHEV investments) amounted to $410 million. The investment in the hybrid project alone should amount to $36 million. According to reports, the Spanish government and the regional administration of Valencia will be extending their maximum financial support so that the vehicles can meet the European Union requirements, as Ford is counting on it to boost small car sales.

In line with these developments, Ford also committed to introducing a total of five BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) and Hybrid models to Europe on 2013. The full-battery Transit Connect and the next generation BEV Ford Focus will be out by 2012. The fifth vehicle hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s going to be a hybrid-electric model.



More recently, FAW produced licensed stretch sedans which were loosely based on Lincoln and Audi vehicles. During the Beijing Motor Show, First Auto Works showed off a new limousine. According to the presentation, this limo is fit to be used by the government officials of the People’s Republic of China. The new limo was a modern take on the 1950s originals. The car carries a lot of classic details, but it also has a greenhouse and a door array.

Western guests in the car show would be quick to notice that the limousine bears a strong resemblance to the contemporary Rolls Royce Phantom. This is probably due to the design of the car’s door array. There weren’t any press materials written in English, so the following information were only deduced.

The western press had reason to believe that the limo is powered by a V12 engine. Again, it looks strangely like the engine of the BMW 7 series whose V12 engines made ripples in the 1990s. While FAW’s new Red Flag limo is questionable in terms of originality, it does “echo” the best of the classics, and it seems to be a respectable car in its own right. Being quite the limo fan, I’m loving it!

The next gen SC will be revealed by 2014 or about four years after the birth of its sibling which is due to be out by July this year. The next development will be a hybrid that will combine an electric motor with a V8 5.0L power plant. The GS-F performance saloon will be available by 2013 carrying a V-10 4.8L under its hood. Lexus’’ team is planning to de-tune the V10 to about 4.6L with an output of around 450 hp. This way, the low range torque can be beefed up. No need to worry about the reduced numbers since the GS-F will still be the most powerful Japanese saloon in the market today.

The Lexus GS-F will also get a torque differential which is similar to what the M cars and X6 of BMW has. The torque splitter will distribute the power properly to the rear wheels to help with better handling. The new SC will also have this feature.

Before we get too excited for the Lexus GS-F and SC, the car maker will pull the covers off its first hatchback at the upcoming motor show in Geneva this March.

The CT200h is a 5-door hybrid hatchback that will be available to consumers by 2011. It is inspired by the Prius platform but has been improved to be a more sophisticated ride.

The car is notable for having no driver aids at all. The concept is to provide the purest of driving experience with the driver taking command of the engine by its feel. We can not forget how the RS III super crashed on its first public test run.

The V10 engine can blaze from 0 to 60 in a blink of 3.2 seconds and it can zoom on a top speed of 216 mph. The sticker on this striking car is $375,000. The car will be on a limited basis with Vermot expected to roll out only 50 units. It will not be hard to find souls to write checks for a car like the Veritas RS III.

Vermot will also be coming up with an M3 V8 power plant that still kicks with 480hp.

The Veritas RS III will participate in the London Salon Prive this coming July. It will catch the spotlight together with other eye catchers like the DBS Volante, V12 Vantage, One-77 from Aston Martin, and the Maybach Zeppelin.

Seeing the car during the London show is also not cheap. Ticket prices come at $190 per head. Story via Sports Cars News.