Honda launches Acura Financial Services

TORRANCE, Calif. - 04/23/2009 American Honda Finance Corp. (AHFC) this week launched Acura-branded financial services to better satisfy the needs of Acura dealers and customers.

The creation of Acura Financial Services (AFS) marks a major milestone in Acura history. This is just the first step of a multifaceted effort to further enhance customer service and raise the brand image for Acura, the luxury nameplate that pioneered the launch of Japanese luxury automobiles in the U.S.

"With our most recent ranking in the top two, three and four positions in the luxury lease segment of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, the timing is perfect to utilize our years of experience and expertise to create financial services that will meet the needs of Acura clients," said Stephen E. Smith, senior vice president of AHFC. "The creation of separate Acura-branded financial services parallels other moves to strengthen and differentiate the Acura luxury brand."

About American Honda Finance Corporation
American Honda Finance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor *** Inc., is the captive finance provider of consumer financial products for Honda and Acura automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, minivans, Honda motorcycles, Honda power equipment, and Honda marine products. In addition, AHFC also provides Honda and Acura dealerships with vehicle floorplan programs, real estate, construction and capital loans, revolving lines of credit and inventory insurance.

Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Review by Motor Trend

Try splitting a market segment. That is, encapsulate the positives of both ends with none of the negatives. The Audi A6 does it deftly, bridging the space between the midsize A4 and full-size A8. Naturally, it shares engines with both, a 3.2L V-6 and a 4.2L V-8. But for 2009, it receives something in between: Audi's new supercharged 3.0L V-6.

Underhood the 2009 Audi A6 3.0T, the supercharger provides 11.6psi maximum boost to produce 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Max torque is available from 2500 rpm to 5100 rpm, where max horsepower starts and stays until the 6800 rpm redline. The result is eyebrow-raising acceleration as you pull the six-speed automatic's paddle shifters and watch as the digital speedometer slot-machines into triple digits. And that seat-of-the-pants sensation translates to the hard data: Acceleration to 60 mph takes 5.4 sec, just a tenth off the pace of the outgoing Nissan 350Z Track. Sure, the Z reaches the quarter-mile mark a little over a tenth faster, but this A6 is an inconspicuous, all-wheel-drive, 4139-lb sedan.

Audi is keen on that unassuming nature. The Roots-type blower sits concealed between the cylinder banks of the V-6. Hood popped, there's no indication of a power adder - save for the "TFSI" misnomer. There's no belt whine at speed, either. The engine fires in silenced, but powerful blasts. It's quiet and deceivingly quick -- a good combination for, say, a spy..

Land Rover gets new Armoured Discovery Vehicle Trim for Luxury SUV Protection

07:56 GMT, April, 2009 Gaydon, Warwickshire Land Rover is introducing a new armoured version of its multi award-winning Discovery 4x4 vehicle.

The new Discovery Armoured combines Land Rover’s legendary all-terrain capability with discreet, state-of-the-art protection, whilst providing highly versatile and comfortable transportation for five people and a generous 500kg payload.

Benefiting from Land Rover’s extensive experience in the armoured vehicle market, including the Range Rover Armoured, the Discovery Armoured is supplied with a full three-year, 80,000km factory warranty on the base vehicle and armour, along with comprehensive after-sales support from specialised technicians.

“The broad range of capabilities provided by the new Discovery Armoured make it the ideal choice for government agencies, security organisations and businesses whose employees are exposed to high-risk locations,” says John C Wright, Land Rover’s manager, Government and Direct Sales. “The Discovery has been carefully engineered to help enable occupants to travel across challenging terrains with confidence.”

2010 Aston Martin Rapide -- Official First Picture!

Aston Martin's much-anticipated Rapide sedan has finally broken cover with an official pic, and it's gorgeous.

The big sedan will go head-to-head with Porsche's bloated Panamera and try to take some starch out of Mercedes, BMW and Audi as the big sedan war heats up.

"The Rapide will be the most elegant four-door sports car in the world," Dr. Ulrich Bez, company CEO, said in a press release. "It completes the Aston Martin range while conveying our established attributes of power, beauty and soul."

And spectacular styling.

Back before the economy cratered and auto sales tanked, it seemed everyone and his brother was promising a big sedan with power to match. Even companies that really have no business building sedans - coughPorsche coughLamborghini - were arguing they simply must have a four-door high-performance sedan if they are to compete.

2009 Nissan GTR Tuned by Nismo - Ready to Race the FIA 2010 GT1

Unveiled last week in south of France, the Nissan and Nismo unveiled their FIA GT1 ready GT-R, a “little” 600hp modified 5.6l V8 engine (VK56DE) giving not less then an incredible 650Nm of Torque and which achieve a quite honorable 2:05.447 lap time at Paul Ricard…

We hope both Nismo and Nissan to be as successful on the old continent that they are here in Japan !

Media Days and the Official Test Session for the FIA GT were held at Circuit Paul Ricard HTTT (5.842km) in the South of France on the 6th and 7th April.

At the Press Conference of SRO, the official promoter of the FIA GT Championship, which took place at midday on the 6th April, the R35 NISSAN GT-R, built according to the 2010 FIA GT1 regulations was unveiled in front of more than 200 people.

The objectives for NISMO's FIA GT program for 2009 is to develop GT-R race car which shall be available for sale to the privateers who wish to take part in the FIA GT World Championship from 2010 and onwards.