Tarlton, November 7 - The Nissan Motorsport Donaldson Nissan Navara team of Duncan Vos/Ralph Pitchford, Ivar Erik Tollefsen/Quin Evans and Hannes Grobler/Juan Mohr claimed the top three places in the 2009 South African Off-Road Championship for production vehicles, which finished with the RFS Magalies 400, the eighth round of the series at Tarlton in Gauteng on Saturday.
In a season in which the team dominated what would be its last national off road championship, Nissan won six of the eight rounds and Vos and Pitchford emerged champions with five wins and 148 points. It was Vos’s third consecutive championship success and Pitchford’s second in three years. Norwegian Tollefsen and Briton Evans were runners-up in their best result in three seasons of contesting the championship with 94 points. Former champion driver Grobler, appearing in his final race for Nissan after a remarkable 33-year career with the same manufacturer, and defending co-driver champion Mohr were third with one win and 81 points.
Nissan’s record for the nine years it has contested the championship is nine driver and co-driver championships, six manufacturers’ championships and a total of 57 wins in 72 events.
Sunday, November 8th saw the final round of the 2009 SUPER GT series taken place at Twin Ring Motegi. Aiming at title glory, the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#1 – Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treuyer) qualified in fifth place and put in a spirited drive in the race until tyre trouble slowed the car’s progress. The results netted third place for Satoshi Motoyama in the Driver’s standings, while NISMO were third in the Team’s title fight.
The final race of the season saw over 35,000 race fans crowd into the circuit. Under cloudy skies that occasionally allowed the sun to peek through, the 250-km event got underway. Being the final round of the year, all entries ran without the customary ‘handi-weight’ (success ballast), and the race itself was 50kms shorter than the norm. The ambient temperature stood at 20 degrees Celsius, under dry track conditions. Starting from fifth on the grid, the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#1 – Satoshi Motoyama / Benoit Treluyer) began the race leading the championship. “We plan to move up the order right from the start” related NISMO Team Director Yutaka Suzuki before the race began. Starting driver Benoit Treluyer immediately attacked the car in front, resulting in a thrilling battle for 4th place with the #38 LEXUS SC430. On lap 4, he got past the #38 car, but because of excessive tyre wear due to his extreme, offensive driving he was forced to slow his pace.
YOKOHAMA (Nov. 5, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will start registration for domestic handraisers for its EV, Nissan LEAF, to be released in late 2010, on the Internet on November 5. This precedes accepting pre-orders starting from early 2010.
Those who registered will be able to receive information on LEAF through e-mail delivery and participate in EV test-drive events scheduled to be conducted (when the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, participants will be chosen by lottery). In addition, they have priorities for the delivery of LEAF after its release in late 2010.
■ Nissan LEAF
Carrying a message, “a new era of mobility - the zero-emission era”, the new Nissan LEAF is an EV offering both driving pleasure and environmental performance. Displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show closed on November 4, Nissan LEAF was a fruit of many years of research and development efforts based on Nissan’s epoch-making zero-emission vision for the future. Nissan LEAF will be launched in North America, Japan, and Europe in late FY2010.
TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., November 3, 2009 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced that the all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour is set to debut on November 20 in the US.
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour EX-L
The Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile characteristics of an SUV to create an entirely distinct concept within the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment. Leveraging the many benefits of a car-based platform, the Accord Crosstour starts with the top-level refinement of the Accord V-6 Sedan and further expands utility with a sleek-yet-functional profile for increased cargo space.
The Accord Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area. Increased functionality is provided by an under-floor storage area in the rear of the vehicle and reversible cargo floor panels ideal for dirty objects. Cargo area access is further enhanced by a tailgate with a large opening and a low lift-over height.
LAS VEGAS, U.S.A., November 3, 2009 - Celebrating its 50th year in America, Honda kicked off its week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with a variety of historic and accessorized Honda vehicles, a robust Honda Performance Development (HPD) racing display and the reveal of a 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories.
2010 Honda Accord Sedan with MUGEN(TM) Accessories
“Customized Honda cars factor strongly into SEMA history and are a big part of Honda’s 50 years in America,” said Bruce Smith, vice president of Parts Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “With a growing accessory lineup, now including MUGEN kits for the Accord sedan and Fit, Honda is committed to supporting personalization of our vehicles into the future.”
A 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today, along with the announcement that, on November 11th, Honda will make a complete line of MUGEN accessories available for the Accord Sedan on an a la carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Accord will include: 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side spoiler, rear under-spoiler, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a distinctive front emblem. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to one of five popular Accord sedan colors: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components.
YOKOHAMA (Oct. 23, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is proud to announce that its much-loved sports car, NISSAN Fairlady Z, has won the Most Fun Award, one of the most coveted categories of Car of the Year Japan 2009-2010.
NISSAN Fairlady Z
The Car of the Year Japan winners were announced at the Car of the Year Japan Special Exhibition commemorating its 30th Anniversary located at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. Voting and final counting of votes were conducted on October 21 with the awards presented on the October 22nd, 2009.
The NISSAN Fairlady Z celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The car, first introduced in 1969, has gained fans worldwide for its fun-to-drive characteristic and evolving style through the years.
This is the second time the Fairlady Z series has bagged the Car of the Year Japan’s Most Fun Award since 2002-2003.
YOKOHAMA (Oct. 21, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the release of the latest version of the Nissan GT-R, which goes on sale on December 7th at Nissan dealers nationwide in Japan. The updated GT-R receives a number of enhancements, including a revised navigation system, recalibrated suspension settings and an improved-flow catalyst system. It is scheduled to go on sale in other global markets beginning next spring.
Nissan GT-R
Since its introduction in the Japanese market in December 2007, the Nissan GT-R has gone through continuous evolution, remaining on the cutting-edge of multi-dimensional performance. The GT-R has also been acclaimed globally, winning more than 50 top awards in various categories since launch. Nissan also supports GT-R owners with exceptional after-sales service.
The latest revisions to GT-R include a new HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system with enhanced entertainment functions. A USB port with iPod®*1 connectivity allows the driver and passengers to enjoy their favorite music in the car, creating an even more pleasant interior environment. *2
Suzuki Motor Corporation is putting the all-new Kizashi sedan on sale in Japan on 21 October.
The Kizashi is Suzuki’s new flagship model. It offers bold, sporty styling; a refined cabin that’s the result of careful craftsmanship; equipment that reflects a focus on comfort; and exhilarating performance. Plus, it combines sporty handling with great ride comfort thanks to extensive testing and fine-tuning on roads in Europe and North America.
“Kizashi” is a Japanese word meaning “a sign of great things to come”. As the name of Suzuki’s new flagship model, it reflects the dynamic, forward-looking approach with which Suzuki takes up new automaking challenges.
Suzuki plans to launch the Kizashi in the United States after launching it in Japan.
Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that sales of Toyota-brand vehicles began today in South Korea at five new dealerships, including three in Seoul, established by TMC’s local distributor Toyota Motor Korea Co., Ltd. (TMKR).
Now available are the third-generation “Prius” gasoline-electric hybrid midsize vehicle, the “Camry” and “Camry Hybrid” midsize sedans and the “RAV4″ crossover SUV. TMC has set an initial combined monthly sales target of 500 vehicles and aims to increase that number to 700 vehicles beginning in 2010.
At a press conference today in Seoul, TMC Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo said: “The introduction of the Toyota brand into South Korea is aimed to meet the diversifying needs of consumers in this growing market. We intend to make every effort to contribute to South Korean society and earn a loyal following.”
To mark the launch, TMKR plans a series of social contribution activities including traffic safety workshops for elementary school students beginning in 2010.
Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned “Mark X”, which furthers the series’ “sporty and luxurious” concept by offering enhanced quality in an authentic rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Mark X 250G S package, Relax Selection
The Mark X features a dynamic low center of gravity that is combined with powerful driving performance made possible by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine. The style and driving performance of this upscale vehicle are in tune with adult sensibilities, delivering in-touch-with-the-road steering that responds instantaneously to the driver’s every wish, stability at high speeds and a smooth comfortable ride.
In addition, the vehicle’s environmental performance is at the top of its class1. The fuel efficiency of the Relax Selection two-wheel drive models exceeds the 2010 standards by 15%, qualifying them for incentives and subsidies under the Japanese government’s taxation system for environmentally considerate vehicles.
The new Marx X, starting at an appealing 2.38 million yen, comes in a diverse lineup—standard type, sports type and premium type—to allow drivers to show their individuality.
Vehicle Outline
Rear-wheel drive package offers dynamic styling and exciting cruising
The design concept behind the Marx X is “glam tech”—combining the visual “glamour” conveyed by the vehicle with the “high-tech” expression of its modern and precise feel. The result is subtle contrast as well as a dynamic and stylish form.
