Los Angeles Times (Enlarge photo)

Take that, $9,990 Nissan Versa 1.6 . Hyundai has made its 2009 Accent the cheapest new car on sale in America by lopping $1,100 from its MSRP, so the numbers on the screen now read $9,970 . This price applies to the three-door GS model with a five-speed manual transmission.

For that kind of money, we’re still talking about a 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine, 27/33 mpg (city/highway), power steering and a full complement of airbags. Hyundai also has a good warranty, and serial surveyor J.D. Power €™s no radio as... // Los Angeles Times

I confess, I have never watched a single full episode of "Seinfeld," and the snippets here and there I have seen left me in stony, un-amused silence. It’s just one of those things. I’m sure there are people who don’t think “The Simpsons†are funny. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Jerry Seinfeld himself, however, has my admiration as a serious car guy. In April, for example, the comedian was... // Los Angeles Times

With the new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, Lamborghini has created a driving experience like absolutely no other - fascinating design, breathtaking performance and extreme handling characteristics come together with all the sensual intensity and open-air pleasure that only a soft top super sports car can deliver.

An even more powerful engine, permanent all-wheel drive and an all new chassis mean that the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder offers yet another... // European Car Magazine

Los Angeles Times (Enlarge photo)

Look, it's science. What are you going to do?

A few months ago, Up to Speed's Colin Ryan told you about a study that evaluated the effect of exotic car engine sounds on men's and women's ... um, hormone levels, let's say. A small group of men and women were tested before and after listening to recordings of roaring engines sounds from a Maserati, Ferrari and a Lamborghini . The animal-in-pain sound of a VW Polo was included as well, just for... // Los Angeles Times

Easier (Enlarge photo)

With the new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, Lamborghini has created a driving experience like absolutely no other – fascinating design, breathtaking performance and extreme handling characteristics come together with all the sensual intensity and open-air pleasure that only a soft top super sports car can deliver.

An even more powerful engine, permanent all-wheel drive and an all new chassis mean that the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder offers yet another significant increase in performance against its predecessor. With its innovative design, the new LP 560-4 Spyder takes the unique Lamborghini styling ethic to the next level; the Spyder displays this powerful and elegant design language with even greater distinctiveness, making it all the more unmistakable.

The Gallardo LP 560-4 has been on... // Easier

New Car Net (Enlarge photo)

The new car, first shown at Geneva Motor Show in March 2008, replaces the original Gallardo Coupe. With 40 hp more power than the previous car, enhanced acceleration from 0-62 mph of 3.7 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 200 mph, the new car also includes a NavTrak vehicle tracking system and delivery package.

The Gallardo Coupe LP560-4 is so named due to its engine position - Longitudinale Posteriore - and its power output of 560 hp. With 40 hp more than the previous Gallardo and a 20 kg reduction in weight, the power-to-weight ratio is improved to 2.5 kg per hp. The '4' refers to the Lamborghini product feature of permanent four-wheel drive.

The LP560-4 comes with a new V10, 5.2 litre direct fuel injection engine: 'Iniezione Diretta Stratificata'. Despite its increased power, fuel... // New Car Net

In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its re-introduction in 2003, the new 370Z now sports a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, as well as the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system for the manual transmission.

But to get the full measure of the new model, now designated the Nissan 370Z, one need look no farther than the subtle upswept line of the new rear quarter window.  Quintessentially Z, the window is reminiscent of the original 1970 240Z – a car that revolutionised the sports car world with its unique combination of performance, style and, especially, value.  The new 370Z continues this philosophy, offering accessible... // AutoCorse.it

Nissan unveiled the Cube for the US market at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Though it's been available in Japan for some time now, we'll know soon enough whether American buyers are ready for the Cube when it hits showrooms as a 2009 model.

Not to be overshadowed by the 370Z, the Cube is the most unconventional designs to come out of Nissan in some time. The Cube features a squared-circle theme punctuated by a radical wrap-around asymmetrical rear window. Inside, the... // CNET News

LOS ANGELES — Rumors have been swirling around the 2009 Nissan GT-R and the issue of warranty claims around its launch control system for months, but this week Inside Line learned that the prospect of launch control going away completely is not a rumor, but a confirmed change for the 2010 GT-R.

In late October, Nissan's corporate communications department issued the following statement regarding warranty claims against damage assumed to be caused by the supercar's launch control system:

"The GT-R is built to exceptionally high standards and is a true supercar in every respect. It is designed to be operated in accordance with the Owners Manual provided at the time of purchase. The GT-R is not to be operated with the VDC system switched off, except when rocking the vehicle when stuck... // Edmunds.com/Inside Line

After Lamborghini proudly announced it was bringing a new model to the LA Auto Show many people suspected it would be a convertible, and they were right. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder is the drop-top follow up to the Coupe.

The new folding top runs via a hydraulic pump as well as electric motor that can close and raise the top in around 20 seconds. The headlights have been slightly updated with new LEDs and daytime running lights. As... // Car and SUV

Those about to buy a new Nissan GT-R won't have to worry about voiding their warranties if they use Launch Control - for the 2010 model year, the car won't come with the feature. A car news source is quoting a Nissan executive as saying "It's gone. We just don't want to deal with the warranty nightmare anymore. It'll make the 2009 GT-R really special. It'll be the only R35 with launch control."

There have been numerous cases where Nissan GT-R owners have brought their cars back to the dealership with transmission trouble only to be told their warranties won't... // Car and SUV

Driving.ca (Enlarge photo)

Press Release from Nissan on the new 370Z

In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its re-introduction as a 2003 model, nearly every piece and component has been rethought or redesigned - shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and improved fuel economy, a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a world's first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the manual transmission, new high quality driver-centric interior and new available technology features.

But to get the full measure of the new model, now designated the Nissan 370Z, one need look no farther than the subtle upswept line of the new rear quarter window. Quintessentially Z, the window harkens back to the original 1970 240Z - a car that... // Driving.ca

Autoblog (Enlarge photo)

It appears that GT-R owners won't have to worry about voiding their warranties if they use Launch Control -- for the 2010 model year, the car won't come with the feature. Inside Line is quoting a Nissan exec as saying "It's gone. We just don't want to deal with the warranty nightmare anymore. It'll make the 2009 GT-R really special. It'll be the only R35 with launch control."

We've previously reported cases where Nissan GT-R owners have brought their cars to the dealership with transmission trouble only to be told their warranties won't cover it. It turns out that disabling the car's VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) too often, in order to use the Launch Control function, meant Nissan wasn't covering the repairs. The cost to fix/replace the transmission is only $20,000, so you can imagine... // Autoblog

Jalopnik (Enlarge photo)

Nissan execs have apparently told the reporters over at Edmunds Straightline that the 2009 Nissan GT-R will be the first and last GT-R with the "launch control" system as the company is tired of dealing with the warranty nightmares that have convinced people they can't do GT-R donuts . Said one high-ranking exec:

It's gone," he said when asked if launch control would return in 2010. "We just don't want to deal with the warranty... // Jalopnik

CARkeys (Enlarge photo)

The Nissan 350Z sports car, introduced in 2003, is about to make way for its successor, the 370Z. If you half-close your eyes you'll see a family resemblance between the two cars, but in fact the new one is quite different, being slightly wider and much shorter.

As the name suggests, the 3.5-litre V6 engine has been enlarged to 3.7 litres. Nissan says that 35% of the components are new, and that maximum power output is 326bhp, though this figure still has to be confirmed for European-market cars. The gearbox is a six-speed manual, and one of the car's most notable features is that the engine speed is adjusted to match whichever gear the driver is... // CARkeys

Easier (Enlarge photo)

In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its re-introduction in 2003, the new 370Z now sports a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, as well as the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system for the manual transmission.

But to get the full measure of the new model, now designated the Nissan 370Z, one need look no farther than the subtle upswept line of the new rear quarter window. Quintessentially Z, the window is reminiscent of the original 1970 240Z – a car that revolutionised the sports car world with its unique combination of performance, style and, especially, value. The new 370Z continues this philosophy, offering... // Easier

Easier (Enlarge photo)

In 2002, an all-new second generation Nissan Cube was introduced in the Japanese market. More spacious inside, more glass outside, with more power and, more importantly, a few more angles and curved surface details added to its compact, slab-sided exterior. Quintessentially Japanese, this new Cube took Tokyo by storm. A pocket-sized fun-and-function cocktail mixing the charm of Godzilla and the wit of Mothra, buyers were smitten.

The Nissan Cube soon found an audience outside of Japan – not in person, but through its exposure in fashion and automotive magazines, videos and on the Web.

Back to today, more than 10 years since its original appearance and the Nissan Cube is ready to go global next year in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is... // Easier