1999 Infiniti Q45 T Sedan 4-door 4.1l on 2040-cars

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Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge running prototype driven by Sebastian Vettel

Infiniti's high-performance Q50 Eau Rouge concept might be one of the biggest teases in the current automotive world. It was first shown at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show as a body without an engine. Then, the sports sedan arrived at the Geneva Motor Show with a modified version of the turbocharged V6 from the GT-R under the hood, tuned to 560 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and with all-wheel drive. However, it was still just a concept. Finally, the Japanese luxury automaker is showing us what the Eau Rouge can do on the road - briefly.
The company brought reigning Formula One champ Sebastian Vettel along to get behind the wheel, for this all-too-short video from the Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK. There's more good news too. While Infiniti isn't saying that it's definitely going to build the Eau Rouge, it is "pressing ahead with the evaluation." More info about these tests will be released at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show at the end of April. Scroll down to watch Vettel drive the Q50 Eau Rouge and read a little more about it.

Recharge Wrap-up: Infiniti PHEV, free biodiesel?

In certain cases, biodiesel is so inexpensive that it is essentially free to use. Thanks to the decline of crude oil prices, other fuels, including biodiesel, have been following the trend. After setting new renewable fuel mandates, Congress also reinstated a $1-per-gallon tax credit for refiners. With such low prices, Midwest refiners are paying as low as $0.645 per gallon. In California, however, additional incentives mean some customers could get money back on the biodiesel they use, depending on the deals between producers and blenders and whether or not they share the credits. Read more from Ag Web. Infiniti is considering adding plug-in hybrid technology to its vehicle lineup. Infiniti CEO Roland Krueger says that it will leverage the EV expertise from Nissan for the electrification of its cars. Don't hold out for a luxury version of the Leaf wearing an Infiniti badge, though. When asked if an all-electric Infiniti were out of the questions, Krueger says, "Performance and the range are very important in the premium segment, so we believe that for Infiniti a hybrid or plug-in hybrid is the right proposition at this time." Read more from Automotive News Europe. Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell drivers in California have logged a cumulative 1 million miles. With nearly 100 Tucson Fuel Cells sold so far in Southern California, these drivers have prevented some 385 tons of CO2 emissions. "Breaking the seven-figure consumer mileage barrier gives us new vision into the unlimited zero-emissions potential for Hyundai's fuel cell vehicles," says Hyundai's Mike O'Brien. "With our growing fleet of hydrogen-powered Tucson fuel cell vehicles accumulating one million miles this quickly, one can only imagine the unlimited potential for a zero-emissions hydrogen vehicle future." Read more in the press release below. Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Drivers Accumulate More Than One Million Zero-Emission Miles Cumulative Zero-emissions Miles by Southern California Fuel Cell Drivers Breaches the Seven-Figure Mileage Barrier Fuel Cell clean H2O emissions effectively replaced approximately 385 Tons of CO2 emissions compared with gasoline vehicles of similar size FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Feb.

Major automakers post mixed US June sales figures

General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV posted declines in US new vehicle sales for June on Monday, while major Japanese automakers reported stronger figures. Once again, demand for pickup trucks and crossovers offset a decline in sedan sales. Automakers' shares rose as overall industry sales still came in above Wall Street expectations. The US auto industry is bracing for a downturn after hitting a record 17.55 million new vehicles sold in 2016. Analysts had predicted that overall, US vehicle sales would fall in June for the fourth consecutive month. As the market has shown signs of cooling, automakers have hiked discounts and loosened lending terms. Car shopping website Edmunds said on Monday the average length of a car loan reached an all-time high of 69.3 months in June. "It's financially risky, leaving borrowers exposed to being upside down on their vehicles for a large chunk of their loans," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of industry analysis. GM said its sales fell about 5 percent versus June 2016, but that the industry would see stronger sales in the second half of 2017 versus the first half. "Under the current economic conditions, we anticipate US retail vehicle sales will remain strong for the foreseeable future." GM shares were up 2.4 percent in morning trading, while Ford rose 3.3 percent and FCA shares jumped 6 percent. "US total sales are moderating due to an industry-wide pullback in daily rental sales, but key US economic fundamentals clearly remain positive," said GM chief economist Mustafa Mohatarem. "Under the current economic conditions, we anticipate US retail vehicle sales will remain strong for the foreseeable future." Ford said its sales for June were hit by lower fleet sales to rental agencies, businesses, and government entities, which fell 13.9 percent, while sales to consumers were flat. But it sold a record 406,464 SUVs in the first half of the year, with Explorer sales increasing 23 percent in June. And sales of the F-150 had their strongest June since 2001. On a media call, Ford executives said an initial read of automakers' sales figures indicated a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of around 17 million new vehicles for the month, which would be better than 16.6 million units analysts had predicted. FCA said June sales decreased 7 percent versus the same month a year earlier.