KEY POINTS:
Nissan's new monster
The first pictures of the new Nissan GT-R coupe have appeared in US magazines, before the carmaker officially takes the covers off the supercar at the Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday. But there is still speculation about what's under the bonnet. The smart money out of Japan is on a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 350kw (475bhp) and 580nm of torque and driving all four wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission called GR6. What's really intriguing are the reported go-fast specs: a blistering zero to 100km/h time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 311km/h. The GT-R will go on sale in Japan before Christmas at around $90,000. Expect it to be priced between $140,000 and $155,000 when it gets here, probably later next year.
War funding indicates Iran
Speculation that the US will go to war with Iran firmed this week when the US Senate approved US$23.6 billion ($31.38 billion) in additional funding for mine-resistant armoured vehicles. This is on top of the US$4.1 billion already committed for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, whose V-shaped hulls, experts say, can dramatically reduce US troop deaths from roadside bombs. The money is part of a mammoth US$648 billion assigned to US defence over the next year and would allow the US Army to replace all of its armoured humvees in Iraq with MRAPs.
Porsche to leap VW law
The European Court of Justice is expected to overturn Germany's so-called Volkswagen Law next week and allow Porsche to take control of Europe's biggest carmaker. The law dates from 1960, when VW was privatised. It was put in place to protect the company - a vital employer in northern Germany - from takeover. But, over the past few years, the court has criticised the law as a hindrance to free movement of capital. Porsche is almost certain to raise its 31 per cent holding in VW to a majority 51 per cent. Analysts in Europe say the move will put Porsche CEO Dr Wendelin Wiedeking in the driver's seat and unleash changes at the carmaker that will be felt throughout the industry.
Ford gets in sync
Analysts say Ford's in-car info-tainment system, called Sync, has leap-frogged the competition. Sync is essentially a small computer running the Microsoft Auto operating system that wirelessly integrates mobile gadgets. It enables hands-free phone use and has a universal music player that pulls songs from virtually any MP3 player. Its most impressive trick is its ability to receive text messages and then read them to the driver. Its flexible software platform means it should be easily upgradeable. Expect Sync to filter through Ford's global models over the next few years.
We are the world
Mazda owners in the US will be able to keep tabs on what their teenagers are up to in the family car and disable the engine if necessary. The tracking system allows parents to monitor the learner drivers from a computer or mobile phone and cut the power once the car has stopped.
