The new plan calls for the introduction of 52 new cars for fiscal years 2011 to 2016, or about one new vehicle every six weeks.
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The apparently intoxicated owner of this black Infiniti FX along with his equally messed up friends went berserk on a Russian beach (or at least the person who uploaded the video on Youtube claims that the incident took place in Russia) and put everyone in danger including themselves when they drove the Japanese crossover into and out of the sea.
In their third attempt to show their pedigree to beach goers they managed to sink the Infiniti, which of course was flooded with sea water once the driver opened the door... Follow the break to watch the video for yourself.
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“The all-new Infiniti JX crossover will allow us to continue to expand the Infiniti brand’s presence in the Americas,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.
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The Infiniti Car Zero is very close to standard specification with only a few modifications necessary for rally duty, such as the Vimesa roll bar, Bilstein dampers, Galfer brake pads, additional lights , siren, communications equipment and a GPS.
Sparco supplied the racing seats and seatbelts, the fire extinguishing system and equipment for the drivers. Finally, the car rides on high performance Michelin Pilot SuperSport tires.
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The hybrid sedan's powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain’s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.
To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).
Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.
By Csaba Daradics
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All examples are finished in an exclusive for the EX Malbec Black paint. Other features include 19-inch five double-spoke alloy wheels, sunroof, polished aluminium roof rails, Bose sound system, graphite leather interior and, aluminium and black lacquer trims.
The EX30d Black Premium is motivated by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel delivering 238-horsepower and 550Nm or 405 lb-ft of peak torque. Matted to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel propels the EX30d to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and returns a combined fuel economy of 8.4 lt/100km (28mpg US or 33.6mpg UK) with 224 g/km of CO2.
As part of the package, all buyers will receive a two-year membership in the exclusive Relais & Châteaux Club 5C. According to the company, with this VIP pass owners will be "looked after more like house guests than hotel customers." In addition, each of the special EXs comes with a Lys d'Argent, valid for a double room for one night, dinner with drinks and breakfast for two people in one of more than 200 Relais & Châteaux hotels around the world.
The EX Black Premium is available to order now, with pricing in the UK starting from £45,671.
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Add to that Japan’s aging population, its growing national debt and heavy reliance on manufacturing, all of which are effectively killing what was once thought destined to be the world’s leading economic superpower. The departure of its fourth Prime Minister in three years and a nasty diplomatic row with China over the detention of a trawler captain by the Japanese Coast Guard is also hurting.
What’s worse is that Japan’s population is dwindling due to a low fertility rate of just 1.3 children per woman. It is expected that the population will drop from 127 million to just 90 million by 2055, with 40% of that number being over 65s.
As the nation enters its third decade of economic stagnation, university students worry whether they can find steady employment or support their families. A third of Japan’s workforce is temporary workers or “Freeters” that flit from one available job to another. Such workers are unable to qualify for unemployment benefits, and make up more than three-quarters of the nation’s jobless. In these dark times, it’s no wonder -and a sad fact- that more than 30,000 people a year have committed suicides since 1998.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Nato Kan, is aware of the burgeoning crisis. His solution is to open up the country; reducing trade barriers and tariffs and loosening regulations to make the country a more attractive proposition to outside investors. A free trade agreement with the U.S. and other nations, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is also under consideration. Though it could lead to Japan’s economic revival and cheaper imports, it could also cause significant job losses and social dislocation of the rural classes.
Analysts are convinced that the nation needs to find new growth areas such as green energy, software engineering and health care to help prop up the failing economy. More so, however, Japan needs to change its national mindset. Perceived to be rooted in conformism and census, it is seen by some to be too insular and too slow to change and respond to crisis. Without change, Japan has little hope of a short term recovery.
Of course, this is just one opinion. As always, our readers are encouraged to voice theirs in the comments.
By Tristan Hankins
Source: AP via Yahoo
