As Infiniti’s most popular model line, the G Series has always been chasing the BMW 3 Series—from sales numbers to performance figures. In fact, when BMW announced that it was building a retractable hardtop (instead of the tradition ragtop) for its new convertible versions of the 328, 335, and M3, it did not take long for Infiniti to unveil the G37 Convertible. Although this top-down model did feature a folding solid roof like its German competition, the G37 Convertible did not exactly follow suit.
Completely redesigned from the ground up, the new Infiniti proved that the Japanese brand was no longer content playing catch-up. Instead of simply creating a convertible based on the original coupe’s design, Infiniti restructured its outward appearance to complement the clamshell-shaped folding roof. The automatic hardtop tucks into the trunk in less than 25 seconds and keeps the car’s design looking fresh with the top up or down.
Another advantage to the convertible’s new design is that the interior cabin actually boasts a bit more room than the coupe, making the backseats a little more useful for fitting full-sized adults. And although the convertible’s 3.7-liter V-6 suffers a 5 hp drop compared to the coupe, it is blessed with Infiniti’s all-new 7-speed automatic transmission—which matches revs during downshifts and helps the car reach 60 mph in less than six seconds.
Pricing for G37 Convertible starts at $43,850, but Infiniti provided a fully loaded model to Robb Report’s editorial staff for evaluation. Fitted with the Premium, Sport, and Technology packages, the G37 (at just under $50,000) featured an impressive Bose Open Air Sound System, larger brakes, sport-tuned steering, solid magnesium paddle-shifters, 19-inch wheels, and a more aggressive front fascia. The only thing that the convertible really lacked was cargo room with the top down, as the clamshell-shape top took up all available trunk space. The car is really built for Sunday drives along Pacific Coast Highway rather than weeklong road trips anyway, so enjoy it the way it was designed: with the top down and radio turned up.
The Maybach brand is bringing out the new Maybach Zeppelin to spearhead its luxury saloon model range. The newcomer represents the absolute zenith in the high-end luxury saloon segment. This makes it a worthy successor to the legendary Maybach Zeppelin, which was revered worldwide as the ultimate in high-class automotive engineering in the 1930s. The hallmark features of the new Maybach flagship’s unique sense of style include a stunning paint finish, featuring a shoulderline in a contrasting colour, as well as the exquisite, meticulously crafted materials in the interior, whose long list of optional extras includes a world first – a highly sophisticated perfume atomiser. The new model’s performance outclasses the rest of the Maybach range, making it the most powerful Maybach ever. In a nutshell: the Maybach Zeppelin epitomises stylish elegance and vehicle manufacture as no car has ever done before. The new Maybach Zeppelin is being built in a limited edition of 100 worldwide.
Chinese car makers are hitting the market with cheap and green cars. The idea of the cars are to sell to the low income workers of china to go to and fro. The electric cars are at a decent price range, but you get what you pay for. The electric cars are dubbed “The knock off cars ” but these aren’t the only cars the new Chinese auto makers are knocking off. Plenty of them showed up at the Shanghai Auto Show.
To think of the 911 as a single model in Porsche’s scintillating range of sporting vehicles would be a pretty egregious understatement. At last count, there were more than a dozen variations of this evergreen beauty, ranging from the $76,300 911 Carrera coupe to the $194,000, 204-mph 911 GT2. And this year, the artistes from Stuttgart add four more models to the mix. First up is the new 911 Turbo, in coupe and cabriolet versions. The new Turbo again features a twin-turbocharged horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, but it’s enlarged from 3.6 liters to 3.8 and enhanced with direct fuel injection for improved throttle response and better fuel efficiency. Matched either to a traditional six-speed manual transmission or to Porsche’s lighting-quick seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the engine delivers around 500 horsepower to all four wheels, sufficient to deliver car and driver to 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds, on their way to a 194-mph top speed.
Rolls Royce Ghost are now making the rounds. This ultimate super luxury car will soon also be coming out with a number of variants on the Rolls Royce Ghost 2010. It is entirely likely that there will be a hard-top and soft-top convertible model and a two door coupe. While the Ghost model is smaller than the conventional Rolls, it cannot get any smaller, without compromising on its luxury and space.
The company hopes to double its sales next year. The Ghost is going to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September. Powered by a 375+kw 6.6 liter V12 engine, it looks a lot like its concept. This top end brand is not going to be cheap, and will probably cost around $700,000.
I have to admit that this $1 million 700hp Batmobile, built over a 1973 Lincoln Continental chassis, looks amazing. Even without seeing its interior, which apparently is loaded with gadgets, from rear-view cameras to a plasma TV.
However, if I had $1M I would rather buy other things, like a house, 200,000 Shake Shack burgers, or a green dress. Or, if I was living in Sweden—like the crazy Swede who made it—I would buy a kick ass sailboat to take my friends around, and fish out mackerels. [Bilfeber via Geeky Gadgets via Dvice]
For all those who believe Jay leno’s fleet of cars is responsible for global warming, EcoJet has come out as a jab. Television host, comedian, and well-known car enthusiast, Jay Leno’s biodiesel-powered EcoJet has recently claimed its fame with its ability to run on biodiesel and at the same time putting out an impressive 750 horsepower and 700 ft-lb of torque at 48,000 RPM from its Honeywell LT101 jet turbine engine.
As Infiniti’s most popular model line, the G Series has always been chasing the BMW 3 Series—from sales numbers to performance figures. In fact, when BMW announced that it was building a retractable hardtop (instead of the tradition ragtop) for its new convertible versions of the 328, 335, and M3, it did not take long for Infiniti to unveil the G37 Convertible. Although this top-down model did feature a folding solid roof like its German competition, the G37 Convertible did not exactly follow suit.
