Inifiniti M Unveiled

The BMW 5 Series gets yet another competitor in the 2010 Infiniti M. It might not be a real looker, but for those looking for badge alternatives, then the M would be an option.

Infiniti’s 3.7L V6 which dishes out 316 bhp remains to be the car’s gasoline engine option. The car is also set to feature a new V6 diesel engine that will surely be an attractive option for the European market. A gasoline-hybrid configuration is said to be coming by 2011

Tech highlights of the car include Blind Spot Intevention which takes over steering when shifting into lanes currently occupied by cars in your blind spot region and an Active Noise Control system which would play sound waves through speakers that wouid cancel out unpleasant noises.

As a kicker, the car also features a Forest Air system that would create “gentle breezes and subtle scents” of the forest to relieve stress. Let’s just hope that the forest smell would not include vermin turd or rotting undergrowth scents.

Now these are the features you won’t expect a German automaker to make.

2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

American gearheads should be at least happy that Fiat took over Chrysler. In the land of muscle cars, some Italian styling from Alfa Romeo should at least be a welcome change of pace.

Meet the Alfa Romeo Giulietta – Alfa’s replacement to the old 147. While the US might not exactly get the Giulietta, the car will be the basis of a new Chrysler sedan planned for the US market.

Engine choices include a 1.4L TB gasoline dishing out 118 bhp and a Multi gasoline dishing out 168 bhp. Diesels are also part of the lineup with a choice bwteen a 1.6L dishing out 104 bhp and a 168 bhp 2.0L.

Elsewhere the car is expected to go toe-to-toe with the Volkswagen Golf. The Giulietta is a bit larger but is expected to match the Golf in terms of pricing.

Performance-wise, the Giulietta has much to overcome to beat the Golf but a DNA selector that changes throttle response and steering would a welcome addition to the Alfa’s tech offerings.

2010 Audi A8 Revealed

Audi just unveiled their lxuury saloon that has been the company’s competitor to the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7 Series. The Audi A8 has struggled to put up a fight against the Beemer and the Merc but that’s not stopping Audi from trying.

The car is powered by several choices of engines with a 3.0 V6 diesel with the base model. A 4.2L V8 diesel also comes as a choice.The range-topping 4.2L V8 dishes out 366 bhp and can propel the car from 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds.

Inside, the car gets a slew of tech and luxury. The car features a touch pad next to the gear stick with which to access the car’s multi-media interface (MMI) system via handwriting.

The car also packs a Pre-Sense safety system, the basic version of which closes the windows and the sunroof while tightening the seatbelts and flashing the hazard lights when the car enters a skid or emergency braking.

Prices start at £53,595.

Source: CAR

Alfa Romeo Under Review

Forget about passion and legacy, at the end of the day, car making is business. Alfa Romeo might carry the most soul but if it doesn’t make its owners any money, it would still count as a liability.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is reviewing Alfa Romeo’s future. The brand actually costing Fiat money with sales doen. Marchionned is even considering halting all investment in the brand and push for platform sharing with Chrysler.

“We need to work a lot harder on Alfa to make an intelligent decision that effectively preserves the highest possible value to Fiat,” Marchionne told Automotive News.

Part of the options include rebadging Chrysler platforms as Alfas. I’m sure European fans will think this would be a mockery of the brand but hey, it’s all business.

Source: AutoCar