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Automobiles

Rumormill: 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo to hit 60 mph in 2 seconds?

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By Brandon Turkus

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Here’s your daily dose of incredulity – AutoExpress is reporting the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo will hit 60 miles per hour in two seconds. Okay. The report comes from an unnamed source that AE spoke with at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and would mean that the GT-R Nismo, a car that will likely sit below $150,000, will be able to outsprint (over short distances) a 1200-horsepower, $2.58-million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

Citing a more potent version of the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged V-6 along with a healthy drop in weight, AutoExpress says that the performance is the result of the same group that helped develop the Juke Nismo, Williams Advanced Engineering. An unnamed engineer for Williams (it’s not made clear if this is the same source from Goodwood) notes that there are improvements to be had “even with a car like the GT-R.”

As exciting as the GT-R Nismo is going to be, we’re having a hard time accepting that it will be able to hit 60 in two seconds flat, at least on street tires. What do you think? Have your say in Comments.

2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo to hit 60 mph in 2 seconds? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Report: BMW M4 Concept headed for Pebble Beach?

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By Brandon Turkus

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If a report from AutoExpress is to be believed, BMW will have a surprise in store for August’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The sleuths on the other side of The Pond are expecting to see a production-ready concept of the M3 Coupe-replacing BMW M4. The near-production showcar move is something we’ve seen from BMW, particularly when it comes to M products, over the years.

From the report, AE is expecting production versions of both the M4 and M3 sedan to be shown at the North American International Auto Show in January. We’ve covered the M4 rather obsessively, reporting on the company’s efforts to reduce the new car’s curb weight just last week.

AutoExpress dives deeper, though, speaking to BMW Group’s Senior VP Brand and Product Strategies, Klaus Froehlich. According to Froehlich, the M3/4 only shares about 20 percent of its parts with the 335i/435i. The engine is expected to be a bespoke unit, and will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. There should be plenty of carbon fiber to cut weight, as well. The report gets even more explosive, though, as the British outfit has revealed that the M3 and M4 will be joined by a 4 Series Convertible and the new BMW 2 Series in Detroit.

Now, this all seems fantastic, and we’re inclined to believe that an M4 Concept could arrive at Pebble. But debuting four (four!) models, especially two M cars, at one auto show just doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. What seems more likely, though, is for the two M cars to arrive in Detroit, having been preceded by the 4 Series Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Why? Well, LA isn’t covered in snow for half the year, making it a much bigger convertible market than Detroit. As for the 2 Series, that’s a toss up. We could see it being shown at any of the big American shows, or it could be held until Geneva. We’ll be sure to update when we know more.

BMW M4 Concept headed for Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

BNP Paribas Unit: Stake in SNS Reaal Never Been "Substantial"

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BNP Paribas Investment Partners, a unit of French bank BNP Paribas SA (BNP.FR), said Friday that its stake in now nationalized Netherlands-based banking and insurance company SNS Reaal NV (SR.AE) “has never been substantial.” In an emailed statement, BNP Paribas Investment Partners confirmed its exposure via some of its funds to SNS Reaal, adding that this “is moderated by the diversified investment strategy in the relevant investment portfolios.” The Dutch government said Friday that the company will be nationalized following unsuccessful talks with private investors on a capital boost after heavy outflows of deposits had pushed the lender close to collapse in recent days.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox Business Headlines