When it comes to specialty cars like the Aston Martin Rapide, the more the photos the merrier. It's not as if most of us will ever have the opportunity to like or dislike the Rapide as an owner, so we might as well enjoy it from a reader's perspective.
And with 120 high-resolution photos of the British sports saloon in four different shades (Hardly Green, Magma Red, Quantum Silver and Silver Blonde) and in all kinds of poses and settings, we reckon that you'll feel pretty 'joyous' after you check out our gallery below.
The brand-new, seventh generation of the Nissan Patrol had its world premiere in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The Japanese firm claims that the 2011 model year of its Toyota Land Cruiser rival builds on its history as one of the most capable 4x4s in the market adding a more modern design, enhanced interior comfort and luxury as well as a more powerful V8 powerplant to the equation.
Nissan's product design director, Taiji Toyota (how ironic...), tells us that the Patrol's all-new exterior design, which was previewed by the 2006 Terranaut Concept, is less rugged and more upscale.
"Not as edgy and hardcore as its predecessor, the softer new surfaces are beautiful and add a sense of modernity to the design equation, while still maintaining a ruggedness and commanding road presence" he said.
In similar fashion, the new Patrol's interior is a much more luxurious place to be with the company claiming that since most customers spend less than 15% of the time off-road, it wanted to create "a better, higher quality interior for the whole family".
That translates to a more premium design with generous amounts of leather, polished aluminum and wood grain paneling as well as a bevy of luxury features such as a new multi-screen DVD entertainment system with two rear-facing 7-inch screens embedded into each front seat headrest.
Furthermore, Nissan says that it has improved passenger space with the 2011 Patrol offering over 100mm more legroom for second row passengers, and a roomier third row of seats as well.
The latest generation Patrol is built on a new platform and is offered with a new and more powerful 5.6-litre V8 engine that replaces the previous model's 4.8-liter V8. Featuring direct injection technology, the new V8 produces 400hp and 550Nm of torque. Nissan did not disclose any details on any other future powerplant offerings for the Patrol.
The 5.6-liter V8 engine is linked to a new 7-speed automatic transmission and an upgraded 4WD system that incorporates a variable 4x4 mode package allowing the driver to quickly switch between four drive modes: sand, on-road, snow and rock.
The 2011 Patrol gets a new suspension setup that now employs 4-wheel independent suspension, upgraded from the previous rigid axle setup, while Nissan also equipped the SUV with a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (HBMC), which is said to reduce body roll during lane-changing and cornering.
Other highlights include the new Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control and a revised brake system with new hydraulic brake booster and a 4-piston opposed front caliper setup with larger 358mm front discs.
While the new Patrol will form the base for the 2011 Infiniti QX (see here) - due for launch in North America towards the end of the year or in early 2011- it remains to be seen if Nissan's luxury SUV makes it on this side of the Atlantic.
The term 'facelift' is actually too much of a stretch for the 2011 M3 range that comprises of the Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, as there are far less changes than on the recently launched 2011 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models.
To sum up the upgrades, all three body styles of the M3 gain a new Auto Start Stop function that promises to reduce average fuel consumption and CO2 levels, while the Coupe and Convertible get modified LED tail lights and the Coupe and Sedan an optional Competition Package that sharpens handling.
Volkswagen celebrated the world premiere of its new Touareg SUV with a special event in Munich, Germany this week. More than 600 guests and celebrities hailing from radio and television, industry and politics enjoyed a 'Late Night Show' themed presentation that led up to the official reveal of the firm's new SUV model that will have its first public outing at next month's Geneva Salon. Read more »
Honda selected the 2010 Chicago Auto Show to unveil the Odyssey Concept study that teases the next-generation of the Japanese firm's minivan. And by that, we mean that the concept is more of a garnished pre-production model than a pure study.
Just don't expect the shaved door handles, funky exterior mirrors, large alloy wheels, the futuristic light inserts and every other detail that makes the concept stand out to be present on the series production 2011 Odyseey that will debut this fall.
Compared to the current Odyssey, the concept has a slightly lower roofline (-1.0 inch) and wider stance (+1.4 inch), both contributing to a somewhat sleeker shape and a more dynamic stance. The wheelbase length remains the same at 118.1 inches.
The Japanese company said that the production version of the next generation Odyssey will boast enhanced aerodynamic properties and new powertrain technologies resulting to an increased fuel efficiency.
In particular, Honda anticipates that the 2011 Odyssey minivan will achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway on select models.
