All the News Without Fear or Favor. - Sport Compact Car Magazine
The SE-Rious SentraThe Los Angeles Auto Show has always had the disadvantage of occurring almost simultaneously with the larger, and consistently more spectacular, Detroit Auto Show. So this year, the LA show's organizers shoved it into December. The idea being to attract some real debuts. Here's one: the 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. It's sort of a going-away gift to Southern California, since Nissan North America skedaddled from the region for the hillbilly wages of Tennessee.
While this latest Sentra SE-R is based on the new-for-2007 Sentra, it keeps close to the previous model. So the 2.5-liter four from the base Altima is installed in the smaller Sentra sedan to create a performance car. In Spec V trim, it's tweaked to produce 200hp. A six-speed manual transaxle keeps it company. And the car gets larger disc brakes all round, a stiffened suspension, and low profile tires on 18-inch alloy wheels. There's plenty of redecoration to go with this performance transmutation: a deeper front valance, thicker side skirts and a deck spoiler outside, plus sportier seats and materials used inside.
The SE-R and SE-R Spec V go on sale this March.
Rumors&Lies* Mackin Industries, the only officially authorized American importer of RAYS and Volk Racing wheels, are taking action against the practice and practitioners of 'grey marketing': the illegal importation and sale of products without license.
* There are more and more rumors out of Ford that SVT will soon develop a sporting version of the Fusion sedan based around the 3.5-liter Duratec V6 used in the structurally identical Lincoln MKZ. Here's hoping SVT gets back into the sport compact business.
* The next-generation Honda Accord is nearing completion (due 2008) and rumors are that it will feature a truly all-new platform for the first time since 1990. Insiders speculate part of that platform shift is a move away from the signature double wishbone front suspension to conventional MacPherson struts.
* According to The Wall Street Journal, Toyota's goal is to have 15 percent of the global car market sewn up by 2010. That will overtake General Motors. Rumors are, however, that Mattel is still in front if you count Hot Wheels.
* On that note, Toyota is planning, it's said, two more plants in North America.