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Finally, Nissan has announced that the all-new 2009 370Z Coupe goes on sale in the U.S. today with an MSRP starting at $29,930 for the entry-level model equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and $31,230 with the new 7-speed automatic transmission. The new Z is also offered in a Touring model, which is priced at $34,460 with the 6-speed manual and $35,760 with the 7-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan also offers 370Z buyers the option of two new packages. The Sport Package which is priced at $3,000, includes an array of upgrades such as the 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, aerodynamic front and rear spoiler, larger Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential.
The Navigation Package will set buyers back at $1,850 and adds a Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and Interface System for iPod.
The rev-matching manual gearbox is a unique feature (which can thankfully be disabled for those that prefer to drive themselves) for the Sport package-equipped models, and in all cars the automatic finally gets an upgrade to a much more modern 7-speed unit. At the heart of the new Z lies a familiar VQ-variant engine displacing 3.7L and rated at 332hp (250kW), though most of the power gain over the outgoing model's 3.5L unit is to be found at the very top of the rev range.
Flavio Briatore’s indefinite ban from motorsport has been overturned by the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris.
The court reversed the decision of the World Motor Sports Council (WMSC), which hit Briatore with the ban for his part in conspiring to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Briatore was also awarded €15,000 (US$21,600) compensation, although that figure was short of the €1 million (US$1.44m) he was seeking. The French court gave the FIA 15 days to pay or face a €10,000 per day fine.
The FIA’s lawyer Jean-Francois Prat told Associated Press that the governing body would likely launch an appeal, preventing Briatore from returning to the sport until the appeals process had run its course. However, if the judgement stands Briatore’s lawyer Philippe Ouakrat said: “We are in a situation in which Mr Briatore is reinstated in all his capacities to act in Formula One or motorsport.”
Ouakrat argued that the FIA had exceeded its authority by imposing the sanction and that Briatore was targeted because of his tense relationship with ex-FIA president Max Mosley.
“We have the feeling that some justice has been reinstated,” Ouakrat said. “I’m certain that the court was quite shocked by the way that the decision was made against Mr Briatore.”
The judge told the court that the FIA’s evidence was weak, and that lawyers were unable to question witnesses because their identity was withheld.
Ex-Renault director of engineering, Pat Symonds, also had his five-year ban overturned for his part in the scandal. He was awarded US$7,200 compensation, again well short of the US$722,000 he had sought.
Renault got off relatively lightly from the original WMSC hearing, with a two-year suspended ban, and decided not to appeal. Driver Nelson Piquet Jnr was given immunity in exchange for evidence.
After Honda had released the facelifted Honda Zest and the new Zest Spark the earlier day, Mugen released a new styling package for both versions of the kei-car. The body kit package include a front spoiler, a modified front grille, side skirts, a rear spoiler and a roof wing. Furthermore, the aero package can be combined with 14-inch alloy wheels while the more sportier Zest Spark pictured above can be fitted with 15-inch alloys. Mugen also offers a sport exhaust system and suspension as well as a few other accessories for both variants of the Zest.
