Paris 2010: 2011 Toyota Verso-S is a small MPV with big features

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Paris Motor Show, Toyota

2011 Toyota Verso-S - Click above for high-res image gallery

The mini-MPV segment is quite popular outside of the United States, and Toyota has just unveiled its newest member of that market - the 2011 Toyota Verso-S. We didn't know much about it earlier in the year, but the secrets have been spilled at the Paris Motor Show.

The Toyota Verso-S takes the stage as the shortest entrant into the B-MPV segment. However, the interior volume is on par with that of rivaling C-segment vehicles. It is the first car in this category to offer a multimedia, touchscreen system in the center stack. Down the line, an optional Navi-Box feature will be made available which boosts the multimedia capability but it also greatly enhances the navigation system features. The system can display speed camera warnings, sign posts on roadways and allows users to access numerous Google-based connected services. Points of Interest can be downloaded from the internet and entered as destinations. Also, the Navi-Box can display fuel prices, news and weather reports.

The 2011 Toyota Verso-S will go on sale in February 2011. Two engines will be made available; one diesel and one standard gasoline-burner. The diesel unit is a 1.4-liter diesel engine that produces 90 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 2,800 rpm. The 1.3-liter gasoline engine produces 99 hp and 93 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline engine is rated at nearly 43 miles per gallon while the diesel unit can hit 55 mpg. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission however the 1.3-liter can be paired with a seven-speed sequential unit and the 1.4-liter can be fitted with a six-speed automated manual. Click through our gallery of live shots to see the funky little MPV for yourself.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Toyota Verso-S

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Paris 2010: 2011 Toyota Verso-S is a small MPV with big features originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/01/paris-2010-2011-toyota-verso-s-is-a-small-mpv-with-big-features/

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Nissan to display nine cars at Tokyo Auto Salon including GT-R Nismo with data-logging

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon

With everything going on in January (Detroit Auto Show and CES, just to name two), it's easy to overlook one of the largest tuning expos in the world: The Tokyo Auto Salon. As it's done in previous years, Nissan will have have a large presence at Japan's aftermarket extravaganza, bringing nine vehicles in various states of tune, along with a new variant of the venerable GT-R.

Nissan hasn't divulged exactly what's included in the updated NISMO Club Sports Package for the GT-R, only saying that it boasts "a high level of sports performance." It's safe to assume that a tweaked ECU, reworked suspension, new aerodynamic components and a set of wheels are part of the package, but the most compelling part is a new data logging system. Developed by Nissan's in-house tuning arm, the NISMO Data Logger Kit allows drivers to download performance data from the GT-R to their computers via a USB cable. Nissan hasn't released pricing or availability yet, but this strikes us as something that could make it to the States in due time.

Joining the tweaked GT-R, Nissan will show off the Roox Highway Urban Selection concept, a sport-pack equipped Skyline coupe and sedan, a few Autech-tweaked models and the NISMO 370Z (known in Japan as the Fairlady Z). You can get a sneak peak at Nissan's booth, along with some of the models it plans to display, at Nissan's Tokyo Auto Salon minisite, and make the jump for all the official details.

Continue reading Nissan to display nine cars at Tokyo Auto Salon including GT-R Nismo with data-logging

Nissan to display nine cars at Tokyo Auto Salon including GT-R Nismo with data-logging originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/06/nissan-to-display-nine-cars-at-tokyo-auto-salon-including-gt-r-n/

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Rendered Speculation: Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Filed under: Wagon, Jaguar, UK, Design/Style, Luxury

It likely comes as no shock to hear we're all sorts of excited about the prospect of a Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Even though we know the model may never show up on our shores, we're happier in a world in which a machine like this exists. Ivan Martinovic has been so kind as to render what the longroof XF may look like once Jaguar strips off all the swirls. Is it faithful to the final product? Your guess is as good as ours, but we're hoping the production version has a bit more elegance to its rear when it drops.

As we've already heard, the XF Sportbrake is an attempt for Jaguar to snap up buyers who would otherwise spend their hard-earned cash at their local BMW or Audi dealership. Jaguar has made it clear that its new wagon won't be coming to the U.S. due to a tangle of federal regulations. That means we won't get to cram the family in this luxury hauler any time soon. More importantly, it means the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon and the inevitable - we hope - Jaguar XFR Sportbrake will simply have to glare at one another from the across the pond. Head over to PS Garage for a closer look.

Rendered Speculation: Jaguar XF Sportbrake originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/rendered-speculation-jaguar-xf-sportbrake/

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Recall: 2011 Nissan Rogue vehicles may have bad power steering

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall alert for 2011 Nissan Rogue vehicles. Approximately 7,365 of the cars have incorrectly installed electronics that may cause failure of the crossover vehicles' electric power steering systems. According to NHTSA,...

Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/12/recall-2011-nissan-rogue-vehicles-may-have-bad-power-steering.html

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Would you pay $8/hour to own a Ferrari?

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Ferrari, Luxury

Life is full of unattainables. Most of us will never hold the keys to an expansive beach-front property, lounge on our own personal yacht or park a Ferrari in the garage, and for good reason. The very exclusivity of those objects is part of their lure, but a new site looks to change all that. Jointli allows regular Joes and Janes to co-own property, vehicles, boats and more. The site's tools allow users to chose potential co-owners in their area, sign agreements and manage time shares accordingly. So, how much would it conceivably cost to own, say, a Ferrari F430?

According to Jointli, four people could conceivably wrangle one of the Italian exotics for as little as $8,000 per person, which works out to close to $8 per hour individually. Of course, Jonli's math means that's the cost after selling the vehicle after just one year of use. It also excludes any unfortunate dings or repairs that may arise as the result of four people who don't know how to drive a Ferrari being tossed the keys. The whole scenario sounds great in a perfect world. Unfortunately, our planet is about as far from that bright center as you can get. Head over to Jointli to check out the system for yourself.

Continue reading Would you pay $8/hour to own a Ferrari?

Would you pay $8/hour to own a Ferrari? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/would-you-pay-8-hour-to-own-a-ferrari/

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Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Jaguar, Luxury

There are plenty of attributes we associate with Jaguar. Luxurious, powerful and attractive all spring readily to mind, but we're not sure we'd tie the world "playful" to the brand. Jaguar seems to think otherwise, and has released a new ad showing three of its most sultry models frolicking about in jungles both natural and urban. The spot ends with the tagline "Welcome To Our Jungle," though Axl Rose and Slash are conspicuously absent.

The XJL Supersport, XFR and XKR-S all share some time on screen set to a little Spanish guitar and the bark of delicious supercharged 5.0-liter V8 exhaust notes. The agency behind the spot, Spark44, says that the goal was to show the vehicles as animate, fun objects.

We can certainly attest to these vehicles' ability to paint a smile on your face. The ad does still seem plenty conservative, however. While there's a bit of sideways action here and there, the vehicles mostly seem constrained to speed limits and turn taking. We want to see some sibling rivalry. Hit the jump to check out the full clip for yourself.

Continue reading Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad

Jaguar's jungle looks awfully inviting in new ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/jaguars-jungle-looks-awfully-inviting-in-new-ad/

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Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission

Filed under: Technology, Nissan

Finally, A CVT That Doesn't Suck



Continuously variable transmissions have been the bane of our enthusiast existence since... well... forever. An endless, droning tone coupled with the dreaded "rubber band" effect has relegated the gearboxes to rolling appliances and miserable fuel misers - save for one particular sedan.

It's not just an improvement, this is the best driving CVT yet.

When Nissan debuted the new Maxima and revived the "Four-Door Sports Car" name, we wanted to love it. Then we saw one glaring omission on the spec sheet: a manual gearbox. Nissan wouldn't offer the Maxima with a stick, and to add insult to injury, the reborn 4DSC would only be available with a CVT. That bitter taste in the back of our throats - disappointment.

But then we drove it. And it wasn't THAT bad. The six faux ratios were a bit of a joke, but they worked, and everything from the seating position to the chassis tuning were better than nearly anything in the segment.

Last week I had the chance to sample the Maxima again, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Thirty hours after dropping off the Maxima at the airport I was behind the wheel of an Altima prototype with the automaker's all-new CVT. Nissan claims it boosts fuel economy another 10 percent while offering a dramatically refined driving experience. I can't speak to the new tranny's decreased fuel consumption, but I can say this: It's not just an improvement, this is the best driving CVT yet.

Continue reading Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission

Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/nissan-shows-us-its-new-and-improved-continuously-variable-trans/

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