Nissan Releases Short Film on Juke-R's Supercar Race in Duba

On the heels of the announcement on the limited production run of the 545-horsepower Juke-R, Nissan launched a new cinematic online movie today.

The six-minute long film is named "Desert Nemesis" and it follows Nissan’s inaugural GT Academy winner, Lucas Ordonez, taking on a handful of European exotic sports cars including the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, through the roads of Dubai’s exclusive International Marina Club.

The aforementioned race took place in Dubai this past January, and ever since, Nissan is always looking for an opportunity to remind us of the result...

You can take a look at Desert Nemesis along with a few more clips from the race in the videos that follow below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbhy8eOGHw8&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiE7li015jk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w5aTVxk74g&feature=player_embedded

Jaguar Officially Confirms 5.0-liter Supercharged V8 for the

We first heard the rumors last week, but today, Jaguar confirmed plans to offer a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 alongside its new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in the upcoming F-Type sports car.

We still do not know the performance specifications of the F-Type's force-fed V8, but it will likely be one or perhaps even both versions of the 5.0-liter unit offered by Jaguar.

The first iteration delivers 510-horsepower and 461 lb-ft (624Nm) in the XFR, XJ and XKR models, while the second variants produces 550-horses and 505 lb-ft (745Nm) in the XKR-S.

Unless Jaguar's future plans include the introduction of its new 2.0-liter turbocharged four that will debut on the XF and XJ saloons next year, the base engine for the F-Type will be the British brand's also new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 rated 375hp (380PS) and 460Nm (339 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The two-seater F-Type will go on sale worldwide next year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F3JwkK4Hrc&feature=player_embedded

Volvo XC90 "Delightfully Refreshed" for 2013 Model Year, Pri

Another new model year, another string of tweaks for Volvo's XC90 SUV that has entered its tenth year in production with no replacement in sight.

For the 2013 model year, Volvo claims that the mid-size SUV has been "delightfully refreshed" (their words, not ours), and that the result is "the most significantly updated XC90 since its launch a decade ago".

Apparently, someone at Volvo forgot about the 2006 facelift that brought several visual and mechanical upgrades including a redesigned snout and the introduction of a then new straight-six engine.

For the record, we'll remind you that we first heard about the updated XC90 at its European presentation last September.

The cosmetic spruce up on the 2013 model includes body color front and rear bumpers, sill moldings and wheel arches, plus standard LED daytime running lights and taillights.

Te base XC90 3.2 also receives a new silver front bumper bar, chrome taillight trim, silk matte mirror caps, air intake décor trim and 18-inch "Thalia" alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2013 XC90 3.2's seven-seater cabin gains sanded silver aluminum inlays, white instrumentation lighting and a leather strap on the tailgate. In addition, all XC90s are now equipped with standard rain sensor windshield wipers and headlight washers.

The Premier Plus and Platinum trim levels also receive standard Sovereign hide soft leather seating surfaces, red wood inlays and gearshift knob and Executive floor mats, with a red wood steering wheel being a new option for both trim levels.

The sportier looking XC90 R-Design model benefits from new 19-inch "Ixion" alloy wheels and updated upholstery and trims.

The 2013 XC90 is priced from $39,500, not including an $895 destination fee (*).


Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2013 XC90
XC90 3.2: $39,500
XC90 3.2 Premier Plus: $42,000
XC90 3.2 Platinum: $44,700
XC90 3.2 R-Design: $42,300
XC90 3.2 R-Design Premier Plus: $42,700
XC90 3.2 R-Design Platinum: $45,400
Destination: $895

New Porsche Boxster Roadster from £37,589 in Britain

The third generation of Porsche's roadster model has landed in UK showrooms with on-the-road prices starting from £37,589 for the 262bhp Boxster and from £45,384 for the 311bhp Boxster S.

Among other highlights, the new Boxster is up to 35kg (77 pounds) lighter and sports a 60mm (2.4 inches) longer wheelbase, widened track on the front and rear axles, and larger wheels than model it replaces.

The base Boxster is powered a mid-mounted, 2.7-liter flat-six delivering 262bhp (265PS). When fitted with the PDK dual-clutch transmission and Sport Chrono Package option, it completes the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5 seconds, while returning a combined fuel economy of 36.7mpg UK, and emissions of 180g/km CO2.

Standard features include an Alcantara interior, 18-inch alloy wheels, Auto stop/start and Sports mode, remote control hood operation, audio CD with 7-inch colour touch-screen control, and MP3 connectivity.

The sportier Boxster S features a 3.4-liter flat-six that delivers 311bhp (315PS), with the PDK version going from zero to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, and returning 35.3mpg UK combined with CO2 emissions of 188g/km.

According to Porsche, the new Boxster S with PDK laps the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:58 minutes, or 12 seconds faster than its predecessor.

The Boxster S' equipment builds on the standard model adding 19-inch alloy wheels, partial leather interior and Bi-Xenon headlights.

Fiat Revitalizes Linea Sedan with a Light Cosmetic Makeover

Created by Fiat as a world car for developing economies including Turkey, India and Brazil, the Linea is based on a stretched version of the Grande Punto's platform and has been in production since 2007.

To stimulate interest in the car, the Italian automaker introduced a refreshed version of the small sedan, which at least in Turkey, will be offered alongside the older model. The facelifted version is called Yeni (for New) Linea, while the original model bears the name Classic Linea.

Cosmetically, Fiat revamped the Linea's front end with new grille and bumper designs. At the rear end, there is a re-sculptured bumper with larger chrome trims and a black lower section, while Fiat also relocated the license plate holder from the bumper to the boot and added a decorative chrome strip on top.

Inside, the New Linea benefits from a newly designed dashboard sporting a pair of deeply set instrument gauges and a different center console with new controls for the audio and air-conditioning systems.

At least in Turkey, the New Linea is offered with three engines, a 1.4-liter petrol with 77hp, a 1.3-liter turbo diesel delivering 95hp and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel rated at 105hp.

Story References: Fiat via Worldcarfans

Peugeot Hatches a Competition Version out of its New 208 Sup

Aiming at those looking to race in the lower formulas of rally, Peugeot has introduced the first competition version of its new 208 supermini.

The new 208 R2 was developed for the popular R2 rally category and features a raft of upgrades over the regular model.

These include the driveline that combines a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine tuned to deliver 185hp at 7,800rpm, linked to a five-speed, manual, sequential gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column.

Peugeot's engineers also made changes to the suspension, the brakes and switched the standard car’s electric power steering to a hydraulic unit, while the car rides on specially developed racing tires from Michelin.

“With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to create a new motoring icon,” noted Peugeot’s Range Director Laurent Blanchet during the R2 model’s launch.

“The 208 carries over the spirit of the 205 and the 206, plus the functionality of the 207 in a thoroughly modern package,” added Xavier Peugeot, the brand’s Product Director.

The 208 R2 will make its first public appearance in full racing livery when it serves as ‘zero’ car for next week’s Tour de Corse (May 10-12), the fourth round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rallye Challenge.

Peugeot said that the gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 will both be available in kit form including the engine with prices starting at €37,500 (US$49,500) as well as in fully built form for €57,500 (US$76,000).

Japan's Subaru BRZ Declares War on the 2013 Ford Mustang V6

After we learned how much Subaru's all-new BRZ costs in the States, someone was bound to put the Japanese sports coupe up against the quintessential American pony car, the 2013 Ford Mustang in V6 trim. And that someone was Angus MacKenzie from MotorTrend magazine.

The similarities between the two sports coupes begin with their price and end with their front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

The 2013 Ford Mustang is a modernized version of an old formula that combines a solid rear axle with a contemporary 3.7-liter V6 that churns out 305hp at 6,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm). Ford's pony car tips the scales at 3,511 pounds (1,593kg).

In the U.S., the Mustang V6 starts at $22,995 (€17,400), with the model tested by MT in this comparo priced at $30,830 (€29,400).

The BRZ was designed by Toyota and Subaru from a clean sheet of paper with the goal of creating a modern and reasonably priced, nimble sports car for the masses. It sports a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter flat-four with direct-injection that generates 200hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 151 lb.-ft. (205Nm) at 6,400 rpm. It has a curb weight of 2,747 lbs (1,246kg).

Pricing for the BRZ begins at $25,495 (€19,300), with MT's tester listed at $28,245 (€21,400).

If you believe that the Ford's 105-horsepower advantage over the BRZ (despite the weight handicap) matters when it comes to straight-line acceleration and track times, you are right, but does that make it a better sports car?

You probably already know the answer to that question, but if you want to hear it for yourself in detail, hop over the break to watch MT's video test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD3hgleEOXA&feature=player_embedded

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