Based on a Ferrari 512M, the FX keeps the 440 HP 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, but nearly everythng else has been redone. The body was made by Pininfarina, and utilized aluminum and carbon fiber. All very well and good, but the really impressive upgrade was the gearbox. Keep in mind that Ferrari did not yet offer an F1-style gearbox for their road cars. So, the Brunei royals went to the Williams Formula One team to supply a F1-spec sequential transmission. That meant, in 1994, the Sultan's road-going supercar had a 7-speed flappy-paddle gearbox — four years before the Ferrari 355 F1 would debut as a '98 model. And it was all downhill from there. [via Supercars.net]

The admittedly rare Holden has been a ward of Charlie's since he bought it second hand for $575 in 1970. While $1.2 mill sounds like an insane asking price, Mr. McCarron has already turned down offers of $900k for the car. From the sounds of things, there's been little needed in the way of upkeep, and if Charlie eventually finds a buyer for the car, he's looking at a return on investment somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,085%. Not bad for an old car huh? [CarsGuide]

Though the next generation keeps the same profile and curvy greenhouse, the real story is the sharp-looking (literally) headlights and much less pronounced grille. While we imagine they'll fill the gap with as much chrome as possible, it's hard to tell with all the tape. Is Infiniti just playing with us? [AutoWeek.nl]

Toyota Yaris Holds Top Spot; Infiniti Debuts

ATLANTA, GA - Gaywheels.com, the sole source of information specifically targeted to and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) car-shoppers, today announced its list of the Top 10 Most-Researched Vehicles during the second quarter of 2007. For the fourth straight quarter, the entry-level Toyota Yaris maintained the top position, while for the first time ever, a Nissan product, the Infiniti-branded FX sport-utility vehicle, joined the list.

Gaywheels.com Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles -April - June, 2007

1. Toyota Yaris
2. Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
3. Mazda MX-5
4. Volkswagen Jetta
5. VW EOS
6. Dodge Caliber
7. Toyota Camry
8. Audi A3
9. VW Rabbit
10. Infiniti FX

According to one self-stated attendee of an Infiniti focus group, posting on GM Inside News, Nissan's luxe brand has been busy on its upgrade path for the FX crossover. Although the current design's freshness date isn't quite up (at the moment), the company apparently has a more powerful, svelte and athletic FX in the works.

Whereas the current FX has a tall front grill, the front of this car appeared much thinner. It was almost like the front of a sports car had been stuck onto the FX. The front was the biggest change and I'm not sold on it yet ... The FX37 gets bumped up to 300 horsepower. The FX50 comes with 390 horsepower and 369 lb.ft of torque. This sold me more than anything. I would guess that if the weight doesn't change that much, this thing must be quick.

Other presentations at the group reportedly included smart cruise control and mirrors that adjust automatically based on seating position. But more important, the group-goer says Nissan also gave a demo of its Around View blind-spot abatement system that will debut on its EX concept crossover at the New York auto show.

There were cameras in front of the car and behind it. On your Nav screen, it would show an outline of the car (as if looking down from the sky) and would paste the images around the car, so you'd have an almost 360 degree view of what was around you.

That's fairly rad. We still don't get how that'll work on a flat nav screen (we're picturing an optional set of 3D goggles), but we'll know more in New York next week. – Mike Spinelli

2009 Infiniti FX37 & FX50 coming... [GM Inside News, also The Mags Report]

Related:
New York Auto Show Preview: Infiniti EX Concept [internal]