by Import RPM on January 25, 2012
Last year, the Infiniti M Hybrid set a new Guinness World Record as the world’s fastest hybrid. The 360-horsepower sedan is capable to sprinting from 0-62 mph in just 5.5 seconds and covers a quarter mile in just 13.9031 seconds. Despite offering stunning speed, the M Hybrid is able to achieve 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Those impressive performance stats are now being illustrated in a new commercial the pits the M35h Hybrid against the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. Dubbed “The Duel,” the commercial highlights the sedan’s unique balance of environmentally-friendly technology and thrilling performance.
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by Import RPM on January 23, 2012
Minicars like the Smart Fortwo are big on fuel economy, but are rarely thought to offer much utility, if any. However, Smart may want to change that perception. At the recent Detroit Auto Show, the minicar brand unveiled the Smart For-Us, a concept that combines the pint-sized proportions of the ForTwo with the utility of a pickup.
The For-Us concept is propelled by an electric motor that cranks out 75 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. Electricity is supplied by a 17.6 kW/h lithium ion battery pack, which, for comparison, is more juice than a Chevrolet Volt. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 22, 2012
Social media has become an essential component to any automaker’s overall online marketing strategy due to its ability to build brand loyalty, engage directly with consumers and generate website click-throughs. According to Mashable!, no other automaker knows social media better than Nissan.
Nissan continues to be dominant on numerous social networks, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Recently, the automaker was even listed among Apple and Nike on HootSuite’s list of Top 15 Brands on Twitter. Currently, Nissan has more than 75,000 Twitter followers spread across accounts for the brand @NissanNews and vehicle models @NissanVersa, @NissanJuke, @NissanQuest and @NissanLEAF. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 22, 2012
The 2013 Porsche Boxster won’t official make its debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March, but we’ve already been given a glimpse of the overhauled model. For the upcoming model year, Porsche is giving the Boxster better performance and fuel economy, as well as refreshed lines that are more akin to the recently redesigned 911.
In typical Porsche fashion, the new Boxster is more evolution than revolution, which suits us just fine. The all-aluminum roadster has been subtly and tastefully restyled, and it now features a wider track and a lower curb weight. The latter will help make the 2013 Boxster more efficient, while also providing better driving dynamics. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 18, 2012
In 2005, Nissan introduced a “self-healing” paint that had the ability to automatically fix itself when a scratch occurred. Now, Nissan is eager to market the paint for non-automotive applications. Specifically, Nissan is bringing its new Nissan Scratch Shield paint to the ubiquitous Apple iPhone.
An iPhone case may seem like a radical departure from the automotive world, but Nissan wanted to focus on a product that’s prone to scratches through everyday use. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 17, 2012
According to JD Power and Associates, no other automaker is holding on to their customers better than Hyundai. The Korean automaker ranked No. 1 in the annual Customer Retention Study, signifying that Hyundai has been successful in improving its image, quality, and general appeal.
Hyundai ranked just ahead of Ford and Honda, which both tied for the second place spot. JD Power noted that Hyundai’s retention rate is primarily driven by the Elantra and Sonata models. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 16, 2012
There hasn’t been too much news concerning the compact pickup segment lately. The biggest news may have been Ford’s decision to pull the plug on its Ranger pickup. But now that the Ranger is out of the way, Nissan has spotted a huge opportunity.
“We’re really the beneficiary of Ford pulling out of the segment,” says Al Castignetti, Nissan Division’s U.S. sales chief. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 14, 2012
The 2012 Mini Coupe offers go-cart-like handling to excite just about any driver, but it’s low-slung roofline and somewhat awkward lines aren’t for everyone. The all-new 2013 Mini Roadster, however, is a little easier on the eyes while retaining the Coupe’s beloved driving dynamics.
Available in the Cooper, Cooper S, and the John Cooper Works trim levels, the Roadster is powered by three versions of the automaker’s 1.6-liter inline-four, producing 122, 184 and 211 horsepower, respectively. Responsive handling is assured thanks to a low center of gravity, a rigid body structure, and an aerodynamic design. The Roadster also offers a host of driving aids including standard Electric Power Steering and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), and available DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) with EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 13, 2012
Like the recently unveiled 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Acura isn’t ready to call the 2013 RDX on display at the Detroit Auto Show a production model just yet. However, it’s still a good look at what the all-new performance-oriented crossover is going to look like when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
The new RDX will be quite a bit bigger than the current model, but the biggest change is what’s under the hood. Acura is ditching the RDX’s current turbocharged four-cylinder unit in favor of a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 273 horsepower. Despite two more cylinders and more horsepower, the compact crossover is also expected to become more efficient, with anticipated EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on January 12, 2012
Mazda has released official fuel economy figures for the all-new CX-5, and they certainly don’t disappoint. The new compact crossover is rated at 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, which is enough to be best-in-class.
Such aggressive fuel economy figures have been achieved with the help of Mazda’s suite of all-new SkyActiv engine technologies. Aside from an all-new direct-injection 2.0-liter inline-four and an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, Mazda also incorporated weight-saving measures into the new crossover to further boost fuel efficiency. With a total curb weight of 3,208 pounds, the FWD CX-5 is the lightest compact SUV in its class. [click to continue…]
