Lexus International announced today that an elite judging committee has named AGAR PLASTICITY - A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE by AMAM the Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award 2016.
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OKAYAMA, Japan – They have won back-to-back Super GT championships, and now Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli have triumphed in the opening round of the 2016 championship at the Okayama International Circuit. The No.1 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R took maximum points with the No.46 S Road CRAFTSPORTS GT-R of veteran Satoshi Motoyama and last year's Blancpain Endurance Series driver's co-champion Katsumasa Chiyo claiming third to put two GT-Rs on the podium.After starting third, Quintarelli began a charge through traffic to close on second place, bringing the gap down to 0.3 of a second by lap 20. On Lap 28 he made a pass at the hairpin and set chase after the race leader.After closing to be right on the tail of the leading Lexus, the Italian took over the lead when his rival pitted on lap 35. Three laps later, incredible pit work by the NISMO crew had Tsugio Matsuda aboard the No.1 machine and back in the lead.From that point on he ran unchallenged to the checkered flag, kicking off the duo's charge for their third consecutive championship in the best possible way."This is my first time winning in the opening round, as well as at Okayama, but I have to be honest – it really hasn't sunk in yet," said Quintarelli. "The team did a great job perfecting the car for this weekend, and Michelin really came through for us. Our tire selection is really what enabled us to win here. It really goes to show that if your car and tires are properly suited to the conditions, you can really push hard. We'll have a weight handicap in the next round, so we'll be working hard in the next round to overcome that."Although the No.1 GT-R took victory, all eyes were on the No.46 GT-R and young star Chiyo. Although this was his debut GT500 race, in the previous day's official qualifying he managed to record the top time in the first qualifying session.Yet it was his performance on race day that had everyone's attention. Veteran Satoshi Motoyama took charge of the first stint and maintained position until pitting in at lap 35. Here he handed the car over to Chiyo.After taking the reins, Chiyo pulled out a momentous drive and began to swiftly close in on the rivals in front. By lap 52, he moved into third place after a stunning battle and then set his sights on second place. Despite a tough fight in the closing laps, he was unable to steal a GT-R 1-2 but still impressed with his GT500 debut."There were times when I was edging off the track, but I was totally focused on the road ahead and blindly pushed forward," said Chiyo. "Ever since it was decided I would compete in the GT500, I've been taught a great deal by Motoyama and the team, which I'm really thankful for. When he told me I'd done a great job I was really ecstatic."In GT300, Jann Mardenborough made his Japanese Super GT debut in GT300 with Kazuki Hoshino and scored 10th place in the hotly contested 27-car field."It's a shame really because we were running in eighth for quite a lot of the race and then in the last five laps we were overtaken twice, which was pretty frustrating," said Mardenborough. "But we hit all our targets in the pit stop, and Kazuki did a great job at the start of the race. It feels good to finish my first Super GT race and to get a point. At the start and the middle of the race the car was pretty consistent. We had a big debrief with the engineers, and so we'll be getting prepared for Fuji. It's very early in the season and every point counts so we're going to keep pushing."QUOTES#1 GT-R driver, Tsugio Matsuda "Our rivals were very fast in the tests carried out prior to this opening round, but this weekend our car's setup was perfect. Ronnie pulled out a fantastic drive in the first stint to raise us up the order and then our crew's blistering pit-work put us into the lead with a decent margin. It appears Chiyo was getting a great deal of attention in 3rd but I was only focusing on how big a lead I could build up. That was what was motivating me the whole time. We really achieved a well rounded victory today."#1 GT-R driver, Ronnie Quintarelli "This is my first time winning in the opening round, as well as at Okayama, but I have to be honest, it really hasn't sunk in yet. The team did a great job perfecting the car for this weekend and Michelin really came through for us. Our tire selection is really what enabled us to win here. It really goes to show that if your car and tires are properly suited to the conditions, you can really push hard. We'll have a weight handicap in the next round so we'll be working hard in the next round to overcome that."#46 GT-R driver, Satoshi Motoyama "Chiyo could not have done a better performance. During the tests there was a period where we were in a bit of a slump, but I don't think anyone could deny that he is ready for the GT500. [Chiyo] was able to get the top time in Q1 due to our tires matching the road surface temperature, but there was also a bit of luck and momentum involved. His battle with the #6 RC F was a little risky but he skillfully got passed him in the end. Although he used tires that were slightly softer than those I used in my stint, they clearly allowed him to confidently attack the course and drive with a good pace. I felt pretty at ease watching his drive."#46 GT-R driver, Katsumasa Chiyo "The #6 RC F was skilfully blocking me so getting passed him was a hard slog. From Attwood Corner to the hairpin our pace was faster so I felt like I could definitely overtake him. I wasn't able to make the final decisive blow and get in front of the #37 RC F and I think this is down to my lack of experience. There were times when I was edging off the track but I was totally focused on the road ahead and blindly pushed forward. Ever since it was decided I would compete in the GT500 I've been taught a great deal by Motoyama and the team, which I'm really thankful for. When Motoyama told me I'd done a great job I was really ecstatic."NISMO CalendarApril 16-17: FIA WEC, Silverstone, England ELMS, Silverstone, England V8 Supercar, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia Pirelli World Challenge, Long Beach, California, USAApril 23-24 Blancpain GT Endurance, Monza, Italy Pirelli World Challenge, Barber Motorsports Park, Alabama, USAMay 3-4 Super GT, Fuji Speedway, JapanMay 7-8 FIA WEC, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium Blancpain GT Sprint, Brands Hatch, England V8 Supercar, Barbagallo Raceway, Western Australia, Australia # # # ContactJane Johnstone Marketing Communications Director Global Motorsport Communications Nissan/NISMO Phone: +44 7979 710646 Email: [email protected] Ryan Marketing and PR Manager Phone: +1 678 644 0404 Email: [email protected]
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Is anyone in a position to find out the following wheel weights:
Standard is200 17" alloy
Standard is250 17" alloy
IS-F alloy wheels
WITHOUT tyres please
Toyota GAZOO Racing heads to Great Britain this week for the eagerly-anticipated opening round of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Silverstone.
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Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd., today announced that the Dongfeng Infiniti Board of Directors has appointed Lu Yi as the President of Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co., Ltd, and Managing Director of Infiniti China effective immediately. Lu Yi will be responsible for Infiniti business in China.Lu Yi takes over from Mrs. Gaby-Luise Wuest who, as Global Chief Operating Officer at Infiniti Motor Company, has supported the Infiniti operation in China for the past two months. Her extensive experience in the Chinese premium auto market has ensured the continuation of Infiniti China's strategy with double-digit sales growth during this transitional period. Continued excellence in delivering superior customer experiences and business operation in China is one of the key focus areas of Infiniti China."Lu Yi has a proven track record as an automotive leader who has a wealth of experience in Chinese premium auto market, and I am very pleased to welcome him to our Infiniti team. Lu Yi's expertise in premium automotive business management and knowledge of the Chinese market will be key to ensure Infiniti China's continued growth and success," said Infiniti President, Roland Krueger. "At the same time, I am grateful for Gaby-Luise Wuest's contribution to Infiniti China during this transitional period. She will continue to support Infiniti China as Global Chief Operating Officer of Infiniti Motor Company." Lu Yi is a seasoned professional in the automotive industry especially in the China market supported by over 16 years of experience in multiple premium automotive brands.About Infiniti: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi, near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its iconic design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.infiniti.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube. Contacts:For Infiniti Global Communications, contact:Stefan Weinmann General Manager, Infiniti Global Communications Infiniti Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong Phone: +852 3948 0126 Mobile: +852 9447 9973 Email: [email protected] # # #
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FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Infiniti today announced pricing for the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 of $47,950 for the rear-wheel drive and $49,950 for the all-wheel drive configurations. The new performance flagship of the Q50 portfolio is on sale now at Infiniti retailers nationwide."The Q50 Red Sport 400 carves out a unique space in the sports sedan segment – with no other rival offering this much horsepower priced under $50,000," said Randy Parker, vice president, Infiniti Americas.The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 are:ModelEngine/DriveMSRPQ50 Red Sport 4003.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo / RWD$47,950 USDQ50 Red Sport 400 AWD3.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo / AWD$49,950 USDDestination and Handling $905 USDIn addition to the all-new 2016 Q50 Red Sport 400's sport-tuned, high-output 3.0 liter V6 twin turbo engine (rated at 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque), it offers a range of performance-intensifying features:Sport styled front fasciaSport brakes with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipersSport-tuned Digital Dynamic SuspensionNew rack-based Electronic Power Steering or available, industry leading Direct Adaptive Steering™Leather-appointed sport seats, aluminum-accented pedals and solid magnesium paddle shiftersExclusive Red Sport 400 brushed-finish exhaust tipsExclusive Red Sport 400 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels (staggered for RWD models)Chrome finished red "S" exterior sport badging on the trunk and front fenders"The Q50 Red Sport 400's new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that Infiniti has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance," added Parker. "It also offers the highest standard, non-specialty horsepower in class."The new VR-series engine family replaces the award-winning Infiniti 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 in the Q50, which has been the industry standard for many years. Key engine features for the Red Sport 400 version include a compact, lightweight aluminum-alloy engine block and cylinder heads, Gasoline Direct Injection system, optimized turbine blade design, an optical turbo speed sensor, high capacity air-to-water intercooler system with dual water pumps, electronic wastegate actuator, e-motor valve timing control and an integrated exhaust manifold.The 2016 Infiniti Q50 is also available with three other powertrains – a new 2.0-liter I4 Turbo, a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid and an upcoming 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo. The Q50 2.0t and Q50 Hybrid Premium models are on sale now with pricing starting at $33,950 for the Q50 2.0t and $47,050 for the Q50 Hybrid Premium. Pricing for the 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo equipped 3.0t will be announced at a later date.For full information on the 2016 Infiniti lineup, please go to InfinitiNews.com.About Infiniti: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017. Infiniti design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.More information about Infiniti and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.infiniti.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube. # # #Media Contact: Kyle Bazemore Senior Manager Infiniti USA Communications (615) 739-8404 [email protected]* MSRP excludes applicable tax, title, license and destination & handling fees of $905. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.
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Dubai, UAE: April 7, 2016 – Nissan has set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the fastest ever drift. The record was broken with a speed of 304.96 km/hr and 30 degrees angle using a specially-tuned MY16 Nissan GT-R. Masato Kawabata, the Japanese drift champion and title holder for the Japanese drifting series, clinched the top spot from former record holder Jakub Przygo?ski of Poland. The record was set during a special event that took place at Fujairah International Airport, UAE.The record-breaking Nissan GT-R was developed with the support and coordination of Nismo specialists. It was tuned to 1380 HP in order to set the record, and adapted so all the power went to the rear wheels. The GT-R was prepared by GReddy Trust and tested extensively at Japan’s Fuji Speedway facility with Kawabata at the wheel. The car was set up for agility while maintaining stability and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics – essential when performing such challenging feats.“Once again, Nissan has broken a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title and has made international history for the fifth time in the Middle East,” said Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East. “The Nissan GT-R is one of the world’s most iconic supercars, proving time and again the incredible breadth of its capabilities, and has clearly demonstrated its performance leadership by beating the best drift cars out there. The fact that this achievement was set here in the UAE makes it even more special for our region. Setting this incredibly difficult world record was a clear demonstration of the excitement we are bringing to the Middle East with the Nismo brand.”Fujairah International Airport was strategically chosen for its 3km long airstrip which was deemed to be sufficiently long enough for the challenge. From the outset, Nissan wanted to perform the drift at a speed of more than 300km/h and Kawabata, who leads in the Japanese drifting series for Team Tokyo, was chosen from a group of highly specialized competition drivers.“We were very happy to be able to host such an exciting event,” said His Excellency Mohammed Al Salami, Chairman of Fujairah International Airport, “Once again, the UAE has achieved another GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. This great country is always accommodating when it comes to helping individuals and companies make history, and the staff at Fujairah International Airport were able to assist this record attempt while maintaining the airtight security required at facilities such as ours.”Cherfan also thanked the airport personnel and its management for their support, saying, “Fujairah International Airport was a perfect fit for this world record attempt and the enormous levels of support we received from every level was invaluable. We had to set up a workshop in one of the airport’s hangars and had just five days to get everything ready including the specially tuned MY16 Nissan GT-R, spare parts, tyres and all the other equipment which required stringent security checks and processes. Without the dedication and tireless assistance of everyone at Fujairah International Airport we could not have achieved this, and I wish to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved.”Mohammed Al Falasai from The Prodrift Academy UAE commented: "The Prodrift Academy UAE, in partnership with Nissan Middle East, is proud to be part of the Guinness World Records for the fastest drift. Hard work and dedication from all parties involved have enabled us to achieve our goal of setting this new record. Through our dedicated training programs, the Prodrift Academy and Nissan will continue to be at the forefront of drifting in the Middle East."GReddy Trust’s technicians worked on the specially tuned MY16 Nissan GT-R setup on site in the three days leading up to the event and had only three attempts to break the record as per strict guidelines set by Guinness World Records. Support was also provided by technicians and logistics personnel from the Prodrift Academy, Recaro for the driver’s seat, RAYS for the supply of special, lightweight alloy wheels and Toyo Tires for the drift tyres that were specially designed for this stunt.###About Nissan Motor Co. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
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Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), announced today that Toyota will establish its third TRI facility in the U.S. The new facility will be located in Ann Arbor, near the University of Michigan (U-M) campus where it will fund research in artificial intelligence, robotics and materials science. Joining the TRI facility established last January in Palo Alto working with Stanford (TRI-PAL), and in Cambridge working with MIT (TRI-CAM), TRI-ANN is scheduled to open in June and target a staff of approximately 50.
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Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), announced today that Toyota will establish its third TRI facility in the U.S. The new facility will be located in Ann Arbor, near the University of Michigan (U-M) campus where it will fund research in artificial intelligence, robotics and materials science. Joining the TRI facility established last January in Palo Alto (TRI-PAL) working with Stanford, and in Cambridge working with MIT (TRI-CAM), TRI-ANN is scheduled to open in June and target a staff of approximately 50.
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