Nissan's Vq37vhr Voted One Of The "World's Best Engines"
G37 coupe owners now have a new reason to be proud of their ride. The VQ37VHR motor that powers them has been voted by Ward's Automotive Group as one of '07's Top 10 engines.
This isn't the first time a VQ-series motor was featured on the prestigious list. Nissan's versatile V-6 has appeared on the Ward's line-up every year since the award began in 1995.
The Ward's 10 Best Engines' award takes into account not only the performance of an engine, but also its smoothness, everyday tractability and use of new technology-attributes that the VQ37VHR has in spades.
The Ward's panel tested the engine in an '08 Infiniti G37 coupe equipped with a six-speed manual and were particularly impressed with the VQ37VHR's VVEL infinitely-variable valve lift and duration system. The molybdenum-coated pistons, symmetrical intake tract and tuned-length exhaust manifolds also scored significant points for the VQ, while the 330hp power output and 270 lb-ft of torque won it some fans as well.
Nissan Motor Co.
Lancer Ralliart Is Go
It's taken a while, but Mitsubishi finally has a proper competitor for Subaru's ubiquitous WRX: the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.
While the Lancer Evolution and WRX STI duke it out in the upper echelons of the performance car world, the more prosaic WRX has had the budget AWD sports car segment virtually all to itself. Mitsubishi, however, now has their own remedy for this in the form of their AWD, turbocharged Lancer Ralliart, which features the very capable drivetrain from the outgoing Evo IX coupled to a version of the Evo X's 4B11 motor detuned to produce around 238 hp. The U.S. market will probably see the Lancer Ralliart in the form of the now-familiar four-door sedan body, however the European market may get theirs in the shape of a five-door hatch-not unlike the Lancer Concept Sportback shown here.
Mitsubishi will also be fitting the Evo X's twin-clutch SST gearbox to the Lancer Ralliart, which is somewhat surprising given the complexity of the unit and the expense of producing it. There's no word yet on whether a conventional H-pattern manual will be offered, but given it's available on the Evo you can expect to see it in the Ralliart as well.Mitsubishi Motors
Japanese Aftermarket Industry Begins Rolling Out Parts For R35 GT-R
Nissan's all-new R35 GT-R is no slouch in factory form. Its ability to sprint to 62 mph from a standstill in 3.3 seconds is well within supercar territory, as is its 11-second quarter-mile time, but that's not to say there isn't room for improvement. Several Japanese aftermarket manufacturers have already begun releasing tuning parts for the R35, with boutique tuner Mine's being first off the line.
Mine's announced that they have developed a replacement titanium cat-back exhaust and high-flow catalytic converters for the R35, as well as upgrades for the springs, dampers and brake rotors. An air filter and a VX-ROM ECU retune are also on the cards, but the best news is that Mine's will be extending their sales network to the USA for the first time. The parts should be on sale here around the time the GT-R hits North American showrooms, with should have happened by the time you're reading this.
Mine's isn't the only tuner making parts for the R35. Top Secret bought a GT-R, as have HKS Kansai Service, while the GT-R of Matchless Crowd Racing was spotted getting fitted with a prototype exhaust system by ARC.
Lexus Lf-A Prototype To Join Supercar Club?
If you thought the R35 GT-R's 7-minute, 38-second Nurburgring lap time was impressive, then you'll no doubt faint at the news of a Lexus LF-A prototype shattering that time by a full 14 seconds. That's right. Rumours circulating in theJapanese automotive press say the 500hp LF-A just might be the fastest production car around the world's scariest circuit.
Pending confirmation of the rumour, the current "King of the 'Ring" is the Pagani Zonda F, Europe's most exotic of exotics, which can lap the Nordschleife in 7:27. Is a Japanese luxury car better than the best that Europe has to offer? We'll find out once Lexus confirms (or denies) the rumour, but if the whispers of the LF-A's feat are true, it could be just the milestone Lexus needs to help bolster its standing in the luxury-performance market and would most certainly be their ticket into the ultra-exclusive supercar club. Now, if only they'd hurry up and release the thing.