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Event Coverage: Freakmont X

In a recent article, “The Misconception of the Car Club“, I discussed the public view of the automotive community.
I mentioned that club gatherings start as a car meet, but eventually grow into family get-togethers. Well, this past weekend I had the fortune of attending Freakmont X, an annual Nissan/Datsun/Infiniti meet in California held by Team Driven. Held at LeMans Karting in Fremont, this meet is the largest Nissan gathering in California. Intended as a grassroots event, it involved a photoshoot, a barbeque, some go-karting, and enjoying each other’s company.

One important thing to note about Freakmont, is that it has a zero-tolerance policy for stupidity and disruptive behavior. Created as a family event, safety is paramount. Many people, in fact bring their children, spouses, and even pets to the event to share the passion with their loved ones. Participants are given a disclaimer before attending the event stating that any act of showboating, loud disruptive behavior, or anything that could endanger the safety of those attending or even the outside public would result in being asked to leave, or possibly even being escorted out by the local police department. Essentially, the point of this event is for friends to gather, and to prove to the public that car enthusiasts and car clubs are not a menace to society. Aside from one accident at Freakmont VIII, the event has had absolutely no issues or confrontations with the law in its 10 year history. In fact, the event has received praise from the city of Fremont for the organization and effort put into it.

Shockingly,the usually large 300zx community did not have a strong showing. Members from ZONC (Z Owners of Northern California) brought twenty-some Nissan 350z, 370z, Infiniti G35 and G37 models. Norcal240, which came early to help set up the event space, represented the drifting community with about 20 240sx’s. Also, a nice collection of Nissan Sentra and Infiniti G20s represented the sportscompact segment. 5 or so oldschool Datsun 510 racecars were present with swapped motors and gutted interiors. Finally, a rare gem of a Nissan Skyline GTR R33 V-Spec owned by the CEO of PhotoShootMyCar.com as well as a brand new Nissan R35 GTR were on site. Forums aside, many regional tuners like San Bruno’s The Shop, San Jose’s Z Car Garage, and Sacramento’s Driven Authority came to support the local club scene with raffle prizes and other services.

Once the majority of people arrived, the attendees huddled around the barbeque waiting for burgers and hot dogs. To further enhance the family atmosphere, Team Driven asked forum members to “register”, in order to get an idea of how many would attend. Every person who registered brought something to share with the others, like a true potluck. Afterwords, many members walked over to the go-karting track for some friendly competition, food in hand. Walking around to the various groups of friends at the event, some tinkered on their vehicles with each other’s help, others watched go-karters battle it out or just chatted about all things automotive and non. A few of members then decided to set off on a cruise to a spot nearby at Lake Elizabeth for photos and fresh air, while some others planned to continue the day by going to someones home for gaming and movies.

Around 5pm, people began cleaning up, ready to leave satisfied from a day out with friends and family. Shop banners and Nissan logos were wrapped up once again, awaiting their next appearance at Freakmont XI. Business cards, forum advertisements, and phone numbers were exchanged. For many, the event was their first time putting a face to a name. For others, the day was just another in a long list of family barbeques. In either case, Freakmont both built and strengthened personal bonds, as well as kept the enthusiast community alive.

-KF

Less is More: Cars Jump on the Low-Carb Diet

Race cars hit the treadmill. Why not road cars?

If you look at the current progression of car lineage, you’ll notice a sure thing: more “stuff” and more weight. Naturally, to lug these pigs around, you need gobs of horsepower. A car with a 0-60MPH time of more than 5.5 seconds is considered to be average and will soon be considered slow. Economy cars are almost breaking the 6.0 second barrier. A VW GTI can haul itself to 60MPH from a stand still in just over 6 seconds. Compare a Honda Civic or BMW 3 Series to their respective predecessors and you’ll find the cars have almost doubled in size and gained a half ton in weight. So obviously, you need some serious power, and with great power comes great fuel consumption.

In the racing world, your goal is to have the lightest car with the most power and least fuel consumption. This will allow your car to handle better, accelerate harder, and go further between pit stops. Out of all the factors, weight is key. Removing excess fat improves the all aspects of the cars performance. Chassis designers in Formula 1 cut weight everywhere they can. The fasteners for the body work are made out of magnesium, and the entire structure is made from carbon fiber. Millions of dollars are spent researching weight reduction. While a lot of technology from racing makes its way to road cars, the weight saving diets have not until now.

Coupled with poor fuel economy, rising gas prices and reduced handling, consumers have started to voice their complaints. Auto manufactures are starting to put their models on regimented diet and exercise program. Take the BMW 3 series for example. The first two models of the 3 series weighed in the neighborhood of 2600 lbs with the most powerful one having just shy of 200HP. Now the new M3 is a portly 3700lbs with a fuel thirsty 414HP V8. It’s a masterpiece of an engine, but the car as a whole is straying from its performance roots and headed towards luxurious fatness. However, with all that power and technology of the M3, a 335i can me made to handle better and have more power than the M3 for less money than buying an M3. This is one of the main reasons the 335i was such a success.

Surely automakers have noticed this trend, but few are actually taking action. BMW’s CEO Ludwig Willisch has already stated that the new M-cars will no longer be powered by progressively larger engines in larger cars. They will instead have the same power output as the current models but will have smaller turbocharged engines and will be lighter. This means more expensive light weight metals and carbon fiber with possibly better fuel mileage and sharper handling. This is a refreshing statement to avid fans who can’t seem to break up with the E30 M3, the first ever M3 and arguably the purest M-car. However, purists cried bloody murder when they heard the news of turbo M-cars and V6s instead of in-line 6s. It seems to go against tradition, but the spirit of M is still present. Turbochargers can put out excellent power without the annoying turbo-lag, and V6s are more compact, lighter, and can be moved further behind the front wheels to improve balance.

The BMW 3 series has gotten much larger and heavier.

BMW isn’t the only one cutting the fat. Nissan just recently launched their 370Z. It’s predecessor, the 350Z, was an instant success all over the world. It was fast, nimble and affordable. Best of all, you could live with it everyday. How could Nissan improve on a car that was hailed to be perfect in its market? Easy! Make it wider, shorter, more powerful, and lighter. Not only do you have car that the fans love, the tree huggers are kept happy because helps reduce the senseless killing of more dead dinosaurs.

So, what’s the catch? Price. All that fancy metallurgy and carbon fiber is nice on the scale but not nice on your wallet. Not only that, if you ding a curb or bump a pole, you have to replace your carbon fiber bumper. In addition, the safety standards as well as the environmental standards are steadily getting tougher. Cars will need to be stronger too. Soon, auto manufactures will fight just to maintain weight let alone reduce it.

BMW and Nissan understand these problems and realize they’re behind the demand. New models for the 5 series and 3 series aren’t slated to hit the showroom until 2010 and 2013 respectively, and Nissan has only put one of its cars on the treadmill. Also, the current focus in on performance models. Automakers will soon be forced to shift attention to the rest of their fleet. US and European governments have already announced tougher standards on weight, fuel consumption, and safety. It’s just an announcement though. Definite standards need have yet to be set for the future. While automakers sweat and decide the fate of their models, we the consumers wait with eager anticipation as finally our cry for less fat is being answered.

-KF

Nissan Cube Set For Spring 2009 U.S. Release

nissancube Nissan has announced that the brand’s response to the need for fun, spacious yet fuel efficient vehicles, the Nissan Cube, will be released in the USA in Spring 2009. This second generation of the Cube comes stateside 10 years after the release of the original 1999 version so popular in Japan. The Cube also boasts the title of the first car in that segment. Its nearest competitor, the Toyota bB (Scion xB in the USA) was released in Japan in 2001. Due to the Cube’s late USA release, however, it now has two competitors gunning for its market share: the aforementioned Scion xB and the new Kia Soul.

The quirky asymmetrical box, affectionately dubbed the “Urban Mobility Device”, features two different profiles. On one side the “U.M.D” sports one elongated window that wraps around and acts as the rear windscreen. The other side looks conventional, with two windows. A fun fact about those windows is that the wraparound was designed originally for the JDM market for better vision while exiting a parking space or merging, and Nissan decided not to change the configuration to the other side for the US version. The driver is essentially getting a little bit of the Japanese driving experience with the window on the wrong side while you are switching lanes.

cubeinterior
The interior combines blue and white color lighting to help the driver keep track of the speedometer and tachometer separately while driving, and the dash is designed specifically with driver comfort in mind with all instruments placed at a slight angle towards the driver’s seat. The interior also features a “double shelf” feature on the passenger side which acts as a storage compartment for such things as keys, wallet, or any other small object that may flop around while the car is in motion. To add to the fun-factor of the car, it comes with an optional shag-carpet dash mat which screams “shall we shag now… or shag later… baby???” cubeshag

In order to appeal to the young crowd Nissan searches to win over, the Cube will have numerous customization options and will come in three trims: the Cube 1.8, 1.8S and 1.8SL. The owner can add such things as 16-inch alloy wheels, side window deflectors, a rear roof spoiler, or even a full aero kit.

The Cube will be peppy and drivable around town, with a 1.8 liter motor (as noted by the trim names) producing 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. The car will be available with a CVT transmission for all trims, or a 6-speed manual for the 1.8 and 1.8S models for those who want a sportier experience.

This quirky box is the first iteration of a new trend of fun people carriers in the USA.

-KF

2009 Nismo 370Z

nismo370z21 Only a few months after the release of the Nissan 370Z, the company has announced plans to release a Nismo edition in June 2009. It took Nissan a few years to release a Nismo edition of the 370Z’s predecessor, the 350Z. This time, the company will reuse a number of parts from the Nismo 350Z in the new model, which allowed for the car to be announced very soon after the base version.

The Nismo 370Z will feature a 350 horsepower 3.7 liter V6, up from the standard 330 due to a redesigned exhaust system and engine tuning and will only be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The double wishbone front and four-link rear suspension has been retuned with stiffer spring and damper rates, and stabilizer bars have grown in size to stiffen up the chassis.

nismo370z_interior3 Compared to the Nismo 350Z, the 370 variant will feature more subtle differences from the base Z. A small spoiler adorns the rear and a redesigned bottom diffuser sets off the aggressive exhaust pipes and canards finish off the ends of the new front lip based on the Nismo 350Z. The car sits on standard 19-inch lightweight forged 5-spoke wheels and sports a black leather interior with red stitching and NISMO logos in the seats and dash.

This looks to be a year with many new models for Nissan, with the introduction of the Cube, the 370Z, the GT-R, the Nismo 370Z. Here is the first look, official video of the Nismo 370Z.

-KF

Infiniti Essence Concept

Infiniti dropped this bomb on the awaiting public a month ago in Geneva. They teased us for a long time with the Louis Vuitton luggage set and abstract angles of the car. Nissan executives promised something truly special.

On the day of unveiling, when the Nissan stagehands turned on the lights, what appeared was simply jaw-dropping. The pure gorgeousness of the car made most of the show-goers weak in the knees. Infiniti called it the Essence, and it absolutely stole the show.

This concept car has the goods to back up its awesome look. It features a hybrid drivetrain, unique to Nissan/Infiniti, producing more than 590HP and all kinds of new technologies that will be found in future Infiniti and Nissan vehicles. Should be a no-brainer for production, right?

No.

This is a design and technology study only. Too bad, because this car would have killed the Aston-Martin crowd. It out-Aston-Martins the Aston-Martin, probably with better reliability.

The good news is that the word from Nissan has it that the hybrid drivetrain will make it to the next Infiniti M series (Nissan Fuga in Japan), which is due in about year. Also the design cues from the Essence will be used in the next Infiniti Q-ship (Q50?).

It would be an excellent idea to bring the Essence into production and let it go up against the uber-luxo sports coupes, such as Aston-Martins and some Ferraris. Maybe we all need to start writing and calling Nissan/Infiniti and demand that they produce the Essence. If the naming is an issue, we would suggest Infinti S50?

Mr. Ghosn, and the rest of Nissan decision makers, don’t let this beauty become a side note in your company history.

-KF

Did You Know? Nissan MID-4

Nissan MID-4. Photo courtesy of Zhome.com

In the mid-1980′s Nissan created a concept car called the MID-4. It was the company’s interpretation of a world-class supercar – a competitor to the European exotics like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches. Not only did Nissan create two separate legendary sports cars from it, but it influenced other manufacturers’ sports cars as well. The MID-4 featured AWD, 4WS (4 wheel steering), mid-engine V6, and a revolutionary styling.

Two years later, they revised the concept (MID-4II) with a 320HP twin-turbocharged V6 and a sleeker styling.

Nissan MID-4 II. Photo courtesy of ZHome.com.

As you might have already guessed, the two Nissan sports cars that came out of these concept vehicles are 300ZX Turbo (Z32) and Skyline GT-R (R32). The 4WS (later renamed HICAS) went to both cars, AWD (later renamed ATTESA) was assigned to the Skyline GT-R, and the twin turbo V6 was shoehorned into the 300ZX Turbo.

If you study the MID-4 car carefully, you will see a ton of Honda NSX styling cues (Acura NSX in the US). It is not definitely known that Honda borrowed the idea for the NSX, but a V6 mid-engined sports car with more than a passing resemblance to the MID-4, is a bit suspicious.

-KF

Timeless Classics: 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Turbo (Z32)

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Turbo. One of the best automotive designs in history.

One evening, during dinner time, this famous commercial aired.

“Z. The last letter in the alphabet is the last word in sports cars…”

That was the first automobile advertisement that really caught my eye.

It must have been some time in the spring of 1989. From that time on, my taste in cars slowly changed…

Since the 1970-1978 Datsun Z cars, there was not a single Japanese car that the buying public lusted after – at least not for looks or driving dynamics. Japanese cars after the late 1970′s was far from being sexy, they were more utilitarian. Two things come to mind, utterly reliable and boxy!

You couldn’t tell the difference between a Cressida, Maxima, Camry, Stanza, Accord, Sentra, or a Corolla… as a matter a fact, even the size of those cars looked similar (thanks to the Japanese import vehicle width rule).

I was barely getting into my teenage years. Like all the other boys growing up in the late 80′s and early 90′s, I had posters of Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, Lamborghini Countach, and even a Chevy Corvette. At that time, I was hoping that my first car would be a Ford Mustang or something to that ilk.

Then Nissan rocked my world with the “Z” commercial.

“What is that?”

“That’s a Nissan???”

“Wow!!!”

The next day, I asked if my friends saw the commercial. “Man, did you see the Nissan Z commercial?”

“Nope, and don’t care! It’s a Jap car!” A friend declared, “Jap cars are crap, you want a real car… like a Camaro or a Mustang…”

Let’s fastforward to the late 90′s, when I first had a chance to drive a 300ZX Turbo.

From the outside, the Z was nothing like any Japanese car. It was low-slung and sleek, and it looked like it came out of a design studio in Italy, not Japan. Only one word describes this car – timeless.

The cockpit felt as if I was in a fighter jet. All the control switches and buttons were located in the driver pod, within fingertip’s reach. Turn the pistol shaped titanium ignition key, and the engine roars to life. The soft burbling of the 3-liter V6 at idle made my heart flutter with excitement. But, the best part was once you open up the throttle, the sound was absolutely soul stirring. Nobody does a V6 quite like Nissan – still to this day.

The precisely shifting, short throw gear box was a pleasure to row. Steering feel was excellent, if not a little overboosted. Handling was more than capable, and the acceleration was smoothly brutal. But interior featured sculpted seats that were comfortable and supportive, and a quiet cabin so you don’t get distracted from the wind/tire noise at high speeds. Everything about the car meant business… business to go fast!

The 300ZX Turbo was equally at home on the city streets, on the highway, and on the track. But the best way to enjoy this beast is a long road trip… let’s say the PCH (Pacific Coastal Highway).

I believe the time period from 1988-1996 was the pinnacle of Nissan’s sports car production. The lineup included the 240SX/Silvia, Sentra SE-R, Maxima SE, 300ZX, Pulsar GTi-R, and Skyline GT-R. All are world class sport cars/sedans, and cars with cult status. Although, we are having a second coming of Nissan’s sports car heyday with cars such as 350Z/370Z, G35/G37, GT-R – but we are still missing the affordable speedsters like the 240SX/Silvia and the original Sentra SE-R.

If you decide to get one, please do your due diligence on these vehicles. Join online clubs such as www.twinturbo.net and www.300zxclub.com, and do your research. Either you buy one at a low price and put money into restoring it, or buying a low mileage specimen, you will spend close to $10,000 for a good conditioned Z. You will not be disappointed for having one in your garage.

-KF