2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

2009 Mazda MX-5

The once youthful shot in the proverbial Mazda arm Miata, is now the brands stalwart patriarch. Actually, rather than some sort of leap forward in technology or style, the original Miata was refreshingly old-school. It was inexpensive, but not cheap. Basic, but still comfortable. And fun and sporty, while still reliable. Most of those qualities could not be said of the old British roadsters that Mazda mimicked in inspiration for the Miata. So now at almost 20, does the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata still provide sports car thrills that exceed its price tag?

2009 Nissan 370Z Official Photos Released

After scores of spy shots and a few obscure glimpses in the Need For Speed Underground trailer video, official images of the new 2009 Nissan 370Z have finally been released. Intended as a replacement for the current Nissan 350Z, the new 370Z is intended to elevate Nissan’s “attainable” coupe closer to GT-R performance levels while still maintaining a price tag that won’t induce a cold sweat. Starting the overhaul underneath the hood, the 370Z borrows its powertrain from the Infiniti G37, thereby upgrading the Nissan coupe to a 3.7L V6 that produces 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Saving some of the juicier details for the Nissan 370Z’s official reveal at the LA Auto Show, Nissan has refrained from either confirming or denying whether a V8 option will be available or – more importantly – whether or not the 370Z will be equipped with the same dual-clutch tranny as the GT-R.

2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V Details Leaked

The highly anticipated specs for the 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V have leaked their way into the auto blog world and are dispelling quite a few rumors that had begun to brew. Contrary to fanboy belief, the new GT-R Spec-V will not be equipped with a 520-hp engine but will instead be powered by the same 478-hp twin turbo V6 found under the hood of the current GT-R. Since big girls don’t get much love from speed demons, Nissan attempted to slim down the 3,814lb curb weight by replacing the rear seats with a carbon fiber shelf. The interior and exterior aerodynamic components also received the carbon fiber treatment, but it’s unclear how successful the tweaks were in reducing the overall curb weight since Nissan has decided to sit on that particular detail for now.

Cobra N+ Nissan GT-R Unveiled –

Following in the footsteps of Hennessey Performance, tuning firm Cobra Technology has released an upgrade packaged of their own for the 2009 Nissan GT-R super performance car. The most immediately obvious upgrade are external and include COBRA N+ exclusive lightweight performance rims, stainless-steel exhaust, rocker panels, and front/rear spoilers. Unlike the job your local grocery boy did on his ‘98 350Z, however, the exterior modifications COBRA N+ made to the GT-R are largely functional, intended to enhance the technical boosts that were injected under the hood.

2009 Nissan 370Z Gets The Cobra N+ Treatment

Cobra N+ 370Z

Forget the GT-R, the most exciting car in the stable at Nissan may be the new 370Z. The newly revised sports car has been getting all sorts of love from critics, tapped for possible hybrid duties in the near future, and now German tuner company Cobra N+ is offering a host of upgrades that, at least on the surface, put the Nismo Z to shame.

Wireless Charging Coming to Nissan EVs

Nissan Mixim Concept

Look Ma, no cords! Though there is a preponderance of electric vehicles in the works and few on the road, Nissan is already hard at work on improving them. Using inductive charging methods recently perfected on smaller devices like cell phones, Nissan’s upcoming Zero Emission Vehicle will be able to charge wirelessly inside a special parking bay. Even better is their plan to help charge your car on the way to work.

New Fisker Karma Images Leaked Ahead Of Detroit Auto Show

Debuting about a month ahead of its scheduled appearance at the Detroit auto show in January, official images of the 2009 Fisker Karma (no, you’re not the only one thinks it sounds like “Fist ‘er Harda”) have been leaked onto the web. While this newest batch of images certainly gives us a generous eyeful of the luxury hybrid sedan’s sleek body, we’re disappointed that Fisker was stingy with the full frontal. For 2009, the Fisker Karma is supposed to have received a modest nose job, but the angles the ‘09 Karma was posed at make it impossible to tell. Although typically known for borrowing underpinnings from both Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Fisker Automotive CEO Henry Fisker says the Fisker Karma is underpinned by a chassis completely unique in design.