Variance

Just GT-R.

Mercedes-Benz at the New York International Auto Show 2006: World premiere of the new-generation E-Class New York, Apr 12, 2006 The world premiere of the new-generation E-Class will be the focal point of Mercedes-Benz’ presentation at the New York International Auto Show 2006. After four years in production and around a million vehicles sold, the facelift of the world-beating executive saloon is cleaner, safer, more powerful and of better value than ever before. The new-generation E-Class once again sets the benchmark first and foremost through its outstanding safety features. The standard equipment includes the anticipatory PRE-SAFE® system whose “reflexes” respond before an impending collision by activating protective measures for the driver and front passenger. What’s more, the safest car in its class takes agility and driving pleasure to new heights. This comes courtesy of the DIRECT CONTROL package, with more direct steering and a retuned suspension, and six new or enhanced engines which develop up to 26 per cent more output and 18 per cent more torque whilst maintaining the same excellent levels of fuel economy. Tying in with the E-Class premiere, the new-generation SL is also making its US debut at the New York show. “The new generations of the E- and SL-Class make it clear that Mercedes-Benz offers its customers attractive vehicles featuring state-of-the-art technology,” explained Dr. Klaus Maier, Board of Management member with responsibility for Marketing and Sales, at the Mercedes-Benz Press Conference. “Both new models,” Maier continued, “reinforce Mercedes-Benz’ claim to building the best cars in the world. The most recent example of this is the new-generation E-Class, the cleanest, safest and most powerful E-Class of all time.“ For over 60 years the E-Class and its predecessors have been the “heart” of Mercedes-Benz, representing basic brand values like safety, comfort, innovation, economy and quality. Since 1946 Mercedes-Benz has delivered some ten million luxury saloons to customers. In June 2006 the E-Class will be unveiled with an even more dynamic concept, additional pioneering innovations and an upgraded standard specification. 29 model variants will be available - 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. As such, Mercedes-Benz will be offering the largest, most varied model range in this market segment. With outputs ranging from 100 kW/136 hp to 378 kW/514 hp, the new-generation E-Class outpaces the previous model range (90 kW/122 hp to 350 kW/476 hp) and its competitors in all displacement and output classes. A revamped front-end design reflects the power, poise and assurance of the new model range. E 320 BLUETEC – the world’s cleanest diesel vehicle Since 2004, the E-Class in the guise of the E 320 CDI is the first diesel model in the premium-class segment in the United States. Starting in the fall of 2006 Mercedes-Benz will launch the first BLUETEC production vehicle. The trailblazing BLUETEC technology significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. The E 320 BLUETEC is the world’s cleanest diesel vehicle, using 20 to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable petrol-engined vehicles. In Europe Mercedes-Benz plans to launch BLUETEC in a passenger car model by 2008. New SL generation: US debut at historic site 52 years after the first SL (W198) was unveiled in New York, its latest successor is now making its US debut in the same city. Just as with the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has once again significantly enhanced the new model range of the iconic sports car in every respect, thanks amongst other things to a completely new range of engines. Source: DaimlerChrysler

Nissan Announces North American Sales Channel for GT-R [April. 12, 06] NEW YORK (April 12, 2006) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn today announced that the next generation of Nissan’s renowned GT-R performance car will be available in North America and badged as a Nissan model, consistent with its global branding. The GT-R, which was previewed in concept form as the GT-R PROTO (shown above), has not previously been offered for sale in North America. The GT-R will debut in production form at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in Fall 2007, followed by the U.S. and Canada in Spring 2008. More details on the launch of the GT-R will be available at a later date. Link: http://www.nissannews.com/nissan/news/prod...412053909.shtml

2007 Infiniti G35 Press Release

2007 Nissan Maxima Press Release

2007 Nissan Altima Press Release

Either the 9-3 Sedan or SportKombi with the turbo V6 for me.

It is. That's probably not the top of the line interior, though. No navigation or wood trim like the SL trim would have. The outside look nice a nice overall evolution of the 3rd generation.

Actually, no. It's a new 3.5. http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...E/60410001/1041

Not really. It's sitting on an all-new platform and has a new V6 engine.

Looks pretty sleek. Can't wait to see the front.

As a matter of fact, it will be.

I wonder if this will take over the lust I have for the GTO. I think it might.

Thanks for the appreciation.

Lookee here: The gap is there! The exterior is very nice. Overall, not too much a detraction from the concept. The interior looks pretty good, too. I just don't like that ribbed background around the IP.

Hmm, I'm suprisingly underwhelmed by the exterior. It's not bad but I was expecting something...edgier with the front and rear clips. The interior is fantastic, though.

Let's all buy Priuses. That'll show those EXXON bastards. :AH-HA_wink:

Ah. Hmm, after viewing BanditWS6's GTO with the SAP, I think I have to eat my words from a month or two ago about the SAP looking tacky. It looks great. http://ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...earance+package

You know, that's the funny thing. For all those people complaining about how the GTO looks too bland and boring Pontiac does (or at least they did) offer an optional body kit to "spice it up" a bit: http://www.pontiac.com/gto/contextualpages...pageSection=ex5 And you know, to this day, I have not a seen a single GTO on the road or internet with this kit. So I guess the stock look is just fine after all.

But...the new S-Class is flawless. It's "perfect". Edmunds told me so.

25 job cuts which happens to coincide at the same time they're celebrating the 25th year in America. Kinda funny in a way.

Geez, that's a bit extreme isn't it? Dings and dents are a part of car ownership (not that I enjoy them but still...). Are you just going to buy used Saturns for the rest of your life?

I'm sorry but does anyone else find "Jeep Patriot with Freedom Drive" just a tad cheesy?

Preview: 2007 Jeep Patriot The Compass gets a hardcore sibling. by Henny Hemmes (2006-04-10) The Chrysler Group gave us the first glance at the Jeep Patriot at the Frankfurt auto show last fall. Although the Patriot was shown alongside the Jeep Compass as a concept car, the Patriot soon became a confirmed entrant in the small-SUV segment. This Wednesday in New York , the Patriot will be shown to the public as a production-ready vehicle. The new Patriot will do to Jeep's bottom what the Commander did to its top - extend the model range for the hallowed brand. A compact SUV with a traditional Jeep exterior design, the Patriot is based on the underpinnings of the Dodge Caliber that is on sale now in the U.S. and will go on sale in Europe in May. The new Jeep is sized similarly to the Caliber. It has a wheelbase of 103.7 inches, an overall length of 173.6 inches, and it's 69.1 inches wide and 64.4 inches high. The Patriot will be available with three drivetrain configurations: the basic front-wheel-drive version, as a Freedom Drive I model, and as a Freedom Drive II Off-Road vehicle. The Drive I seems designed to bring in shoppers of other SUVs and those who want more all-weather safety than in a normal front-drive car. It has an available full-time 4WD system with Lock mode and is meant for daily use including driving in rain and snow. The system features a lockable center differential for deeper snow and other low-traction surfaces. The Freedom Drive II Off-Road version is charged with keeping Jeep's dirt cred intact. It gives the Patriot a Trail Rated 4x4 label and includes a continuously variable transaxle (CVT) with a low range that engages when the off-road mode is activated. It also includes 17-inch aluminum wheels and all-terrain 215/60 tires, a full-size spare, skid plates, an air-filtration system, fog lamps, and tow hooks. The package is meant for serious off-road situations, including steep grades and rock climbing. The Trail Rated Patriot sits one inch higher than the normal versions and has nine inches of ground clearance, a 29-degree approach angle, a 33-degree departure angle, and a 23-degree breakover angle. This version also has additional body sealing and high-mounted drivetrain vents to support 19-inch water fording capability. The Patriot will be available in the U.S. with a 172-hp 2.4-liter engine with 165 lb-ft of torque, teamed to a five-speed manual gearbox. This motor is a new World Engine that is built in the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) assembly plant in Dundee, Mich. The Patriot rolls out of the assembly plant in Belvidere, Ill. , that also builds the Caliber and the new Jeep Compass. For other markets, including Europe, the Patriot will also be available with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine. All Patriots have standard traction control, stability control, Brake Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, and off-road anti-lock brakes with rough road detection. Jeep engineers coupled the off-road goods with a flexible interior with rear seats that can be folded flat and a front passenger seat that can also be folded down to increase cargo space. Skis or an 8-foot ladder can be transported in that configuration. The Patriot's Ultra Floor, a washable and removable vinyl load floor in the cargo area, has a load capacity of 250 lb. The seats are covered with "YES Essentials" fabric, a soil-repellent and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odors, and discoloration. Among other features, the Patriot includes standard side-curtain airbags, a theft-deterrent system, an AM/FM/CD radio with an auxiliary audio input jack, an outdoor temperature display, a 12-volt power outlet, and foldaway mirrors. The Jeep Patriot will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. Pricing has yet to be announced. Link: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Re...181.A10262.html

2006 Cadillac STS-V Driven to thrill. by Paul A. Eisenstein (2006-04-10) Few stories we've ever run on TheCarConnection.com have ever generated as much reader feedback as our original scoop on the formation of Cadillac's performance-based V-Series. The general response, other than a few cranky skeptics, was "about time." The first offering in the line-up was the CTS-V, appropriate enough considering the base sedan ushered in Caddy's edgy Art & Science styling theme, setting in motion one of the most significant, design-driven turnarounds in domestic automotive history. Now, the luxury maker is readying two more V-Series offerings, the XLR-V, which we reviewed a few weeks back, and the STS-V, the 469-horsepower spin-off of Cadillac's flagship sedan. That's a neck-snapping leap from the standard V-8 model's 320-hp Northstar engine, and as with anything Caddy will designate with the flying-V badge, that means 0-60 times comfortably under the five-second mark. Fast may be fun, but when you're spending this kind of money, you're looking for a lot more than just muscle. A truly world-class luxury sports sedan needs to deliver a blend of acceleration, handling, and, of course, all the high-line accoutrements one would get from competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. With its knife-sharp lines, the CTS remains a traffic-stopper, even three years after its debut. In today's crowded market, that's no easy feat. The STS doesn't have quite the visual arrest. It's a little more refined, in a sanded-down way. Oh, it's handsome enough, but without the raw power. In V-trim, things look a little better, the big sedan getting a menacingly refined stainless steel mesh grill and mesh lower air intake. There are new, ten-spoke aluminum wheels and modest, lower aero treatment. Inside, the sedan gets a gauge cluster that's distinctive and unique to the STS-V. There's also a new wood trim package that would help distinguish the interior overall were it not for the massive center electronics cluster. The climate control, audio, and navigation system are collectively clad in the sort of ungrained, gray plastic that normally distinguish discount-store gear. Think of it as trying to put a museum frame around a velvet Elvis. That's too bad, because the rest of the interior pushes world-class. The French-stitched leather seating, in particular, is lavishly upholstered and incredibly comfortable. It's also got the sort of bolstering you'll need as you push a car like the STS-V the way it should be driven. Slip behind the wheel and press the Start button. You're greeted with a deeply resonant roar and just a modest dose of blower whine. We were pleased to see Caddy engineers put so much effort into sound control. There's nothing like the rumble of a big V-8 under full load, though we've never warmed to the whirring of supercharger gears. But we're getting ahead of the story. It took more than just a Roots-style supercharger to pump out another 149 horsepower and 124 pound-feet of torque from Caddy's Northstar V-8. Engineers actually reduced the bore on the engine block, displacement cut from 4.6 to 4.4 liters, in order to ensure the necessary rigidity and reliability. They modified the connecting rods, introduced new cylinder heads and heavy-duty pistons, and came up with an intriguing solution for intercooling the blower's charge. That alone added a lot to power. You feel it the moment you tap the accelerator. The electronically controlled throttle is faithfully responsive and despite the sedan's 4295 pounds, you're running extra-legal speeds before you can glance down at the gauges. No, you're not going to blow away an M5, but you'll give an E55 a reasonable run for the money, despite its extra torque. During a couple days running around city and countryside near San Diego , we had a chance to not only push the STS-V to its max, but also to see how it compared with a CTS-V. The comparison was startling. The smaller four-door is about as fast and we have to love its Corvette-derived manual (while lamenting the lack of stick in the STS-V). But one thing we realized was just how skittish the CTS-V feels in comparison. It feels like you're riding on skates as you push things hard. The bigger sedan, on the other hand, remains fully planted, no matter how rough the road, no matter how demanding your right foot. Cadillac's impressive MagneRide obviously gets a lot of credit. The system is the fastest electronic suspension on the road. But other steps enhance handling on GM's Sigma platform, which is shared by both sedans. There are larger anti-roll bars, for one thing, stiffer springs and other suspension components. Steering is still a little lighter than some of Caddy's European competitors, but it's markedly more precise than the CTS-V, and less likely to cause fatigue after a few hours of driving. Along with the basic Sigma "architecture," CTS-V and STS-V share four-caliper, 14.0-inch front and 14.3-inch rear Brembo brakes. The car's non-linear brake feel could use a little improvement, however. At $77,000, the V doesn't come cheap, though it's a relative bargain compared to the likes of the E55. And it comes standard with a fairly hefty list of standard gear, including navigation, keyless start, and a highline Bose audio system. It's too bad Caddy couldn't have done a little more to fix the overall modest issues with the STS-V, though we're expecting a sizable interior re-make within a couple of years, according to our corporate sources. Even then, the STS-V is a solid and credible entry that will further underscore the seriousness of GM's bid to rebuild this once-dominant brand. The STS-V doesn't win a hands-down shootout, but it holds its own proudly. This machine will help redefine the concept of American muscle. 2006 Cadillac STS-V Base price: $77,090 Engine: Supercharged 4.4-liter V-8, 469 hp/439 lb-ft Transmission: Six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Length x width x height: 197.6 x 72.6 x 58.2 in Wheelbase: 116.4 in Curb weight: 4295 lb Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 14/21 mpg est. Major standard features: Power windows, doors, and mirrors; heated leather power seats; auto multi-zone climate control; Bose AM/FM/six-disc, in-dash CD; rain-sensing wipers; remote keyfob and keyless start; MagneRide suspension; Bluetooth hands-free phone system; navigation system Safety features: Dual front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles Link: http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Re...183.A10258.html