2009 Infiniti FX35

The 2009 Infiniti FX will continue to use a 3.5-liter VQ engine to power the base model. Some speculated the 3.7-liter engine found in the G37 would appear under the hood of the FX to distance it from the new EX35, but that won't happen. Instead of a slight difference in displacement, the V-6 crossovers will be separated by only a few horsepower and a pair of gears in the transmission.

To be specific, the FX35 will produce 303 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 28 hp, but a loss of 6 lb-ft of twist compared with the outgoing FX35. Both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models use a new seven-speed automatic transmission with manual override and rev-matching downshifts. Magnesium paddle shifters are available for those who wish to maximize the effectiveness of the manu-matic option.

The FX35 will not be available with the 21-inch Enkei rims found on the FX50. Base models make do with 18-inch alloy wheels, but 20-inchers with a metallic finish are available. Another difference between the FX50 and FX35 is only the FX50 will have the option of active rear wheel steering.

Inside the FX, the V-8 model has an 8.0-inch information display to the V-6 model's 7.0-inch display. Features like heated and cooled seats, driver's seat memory function, aluminum pedals, and Bluetooth capability are optional on the FX35, but standard on the FX50.

Click the links below for high-resolution FX images, as well as our coverage of the FX50 that was recently unveiled in Geneva.

Suzuki Equator

To bolster its versatile and dynamic product line, enhance the company`s bold and adventurous brand identity and further expand the growing line of products marketed by approximately 500 Suzuki dealers nationwide, American Suzuki Motor Corp. debuts its all-new 2009 Equator midsize pickup truck at this year`s Chicago Auto Show. The introduction of the Equator marks Suzuki`s first entry into the midsize pickup truck market and expands the company`s offering of activity-oriented cars and trucks.

Leveraging Suzuki`s credibility as a maker of lifestyle-oriented, fun-to-use products, the Equator offers the perfect blend of style, utility and off-road capability that truck buyers – many of whom are current Suzuki motorcycle, ATV and marine product owners, loyalists and ambassadors – demand and enjoy. Developed as a joint effort with Nissan North America, Inc., and based on the Nissan Frontier, the 2009 Equator will be available in both Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles and rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive configurations. The all-new 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck is scheduled to go on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2008. Pricing has not yet been announced.

"Since Suzuki has continued to strengthen its brand equity among outdoor enthusiasts, we thought now was the right time to produce a vehicle that meets the additional needs many of these people have," said Mark Harano, president American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Truck buyers are a particularly good fit for Suzuki since they`re likely to participate in motorcycle riding, power boating and other lifestyle-oriented activities that fit with our brand identity and our product portfolio. The Equator provides Suzuki with an opportunity to build an authentic connection with a group of consumers who are familiar with our brand and, in many circumstances, own other Suzuki products."

To introduce the Equator, Suzuki is unveiling three separate representations of the truck during its Chicago Auto Show press conference. The three concepts, coined the RMZ-4 for off-road enthusiasts, Quad for outdoor adventurers and Quay for boating and watersports aficionados, showcase Suzuki`s diverse brand spirit, while illustrating the capability and flexibility of the all-new Suzuki Equator.

In addition to Chicago`s global reveal of the all-new Equator, Suzuki will showcase the SXForce, a sportbike-inspired concept reinforcing the link between the company`s rich motorcycle heritage and versatile line of fun-to-drive automobiles, as well as a range of outdoor and performance-oriented motorcycles and ATVs, including the KingQuad 450, LT-R450 QuadRacer and all-new Hayabusa sportbike, to name a few.

2009 Suzuki Equator Performance and Functionality
Built at Nissan`s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., the 2009 Equator features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter DOHC inline four with 152 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque or an optional 4.0-liter, V6 DOHC engine producing a class-leading 261 hp with 281 lb.-ft. of torque. Designed for outstanding performance and durability, the Equator`s V6 engine incorporates an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, Teflon®-coated pistons, variable valve timing and a silent two-stage timing chain.

The Equator is matched to either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (I4 and V6), five-speed manual transmission (I4) or six-speed manual transmission (V6), and offers an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time two-speed transfer case. For enhanced off-road capability, the rugged Equator offers a comprehensive off-road traction system, including four-wheel limited slip, electronic locking rear differential, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill descent control and hill start assist.

The Equator`s strong, fully boxed frame anchors a long 125.9-inch wheelbase (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed), enhancing driver and passenger comfort and stability, while its overall length of 205.5 inches (Extended Cab or Crew Cab/regular bed) provides the perfect balance of utility, maneuverability and composure for a midsize pickup truck. The 2009 Equator features an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle rear suspension with overslung leaf springs and a long suspension stroke for optimized off-road dynamics. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds. EPA fuel economy estimates are still preliminary.

Other Equator powertrain components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering for responsiveness and good on-center feel and standard four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Equator also features a variety of available wheel and tire packages, including 16-inch off-road style wheels with rugged 265/75R16 tires and 17-inch wheels with 265/65R17 tires.

2009 Volvo XC60

Volvo Press Release

Volvo XC60 2009Here are the first pictures of one of this year's most exciting new car models - the new Volvo XC60! "It's not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it's also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?" says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp. The new XC60 has its premiere showing at the international car show in Geneva on March 4 and the first cars will reach dealers in Europe in autumn 2008.

Volvo Cars' new crossover steps boldly into what is the motoring world's toughest and fastest-growing segment, boasting an exciting mix of two car styles. Down below, the unmistakeable, capable XC muscles are pumped up, creating a strong athletic body mated with high ground clearance and large wheels. Up above, the flowing lines create the sporty charisma of a coupe.

"This car is charged with more emotive form and more energy than any other Volvo. We're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume. If you say that you'd recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I dare say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance," says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin.

Volvo XC60 2009A variety of intelligent safety systems are another important part of the XC60 model's special character. The big news is City Safety - a unique feature that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.

"We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision," says Fredrik Arp.

The XC60 project has its sights set on a target group that imposes high demands on design, brand integrity and high-tech content in its choice of lifestyle products.

Volvo XC60 2009"One might say that this could be the C30 owner's next car. It's as sporty and exciting, but way more capable. With the XC60, we're widening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle," explains Fredrik Arp.

Equal volumes to Europe and North America
The new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 which produces 285 hp, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 horsepower respectively. All Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard.

"During 2009, we will offer a front-wheel driven 2.4-litre version powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine producing 163 horsepower and with a CO2 rating of around 170 g/km," reveals Fredrik Arp.

The sales target for the new XC60 is over 50,000 cars per year. The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China.

The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Sales of the car will start in Europe during the second half of 2008, while sales in North America will get under way in early 2009.