General Motors is shutting the doors on its Antwerp

General Motors is shutting the doors on its Antwerp, Belgium manufacturing facility after failing to find a buyer for the plant. According to Automotive News, companies from both the United States and China expressed interest in the factory, but GM says that neither could come up with a sustainable business strategy that would keep the doors open and workers employed. The plant currently provides work for around 1,300 people who were warned earlier this year that the facility could be closed by the end of 2010. Now that possibility has become a reality.
The Antwerp plant builds the current Opel Astra, though with the company losing market share hand over fist, GM has been looking to shutter the facility for some time. Interestingly enough, AN says that this is the first closing of a European automotive manufacturing facility since 2006. GM says that while it continues to wind down operations at the plant throughout the remainder of this year, it will still be open to hearing proposals from companies looking to invest in the site.

Air Filter - Cotton gauze, Round, High flow

K&N Air Filter - Cotton gauze, Round, High flow
Part Number: K33E1796
Manufacturer Number: E-1796
K&N Air Filter K&N Air Filter
List Price: $85.09
Our Price: $60.84
You Save: $24.25
Free Shipping
Info/Buy
K&N HIGH FLOW DIRECT FIT AIR FILTER, RED -- Provides 1 to 4 h.p. power gain; 96 to 99 percent filtration efficiency; 9.5 in. height, 3.75 in. inside diameter, 6.06 in. outside diameter; Oiled element; Round style; Made of multiple interwoven layers of surgical cotton gauze; Increases horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration; Custom designed to fit into existing air box and features a drop-in design which means adding performance is simple; Provides high air flow with excellent filtration; Economical and environment friendly; Works with OEM vehicle electronics; Will last the life of your vehicle; Washable and reusable; Lasts up to 50,000-mile before cleaning is required depending on drive condition.

Chris Bangle headed back to Fiat?

Now here's a juicy rumor. Word on the web is that Chris Bangle may be looking to step back into the auto-design mainstream by revisiting one of his former employers. Don't expect new BMW models to be wearing any of the guy's influences though. From what we understand from our Google Translator, Caradisiac believes that Bangle would be the perfect choice for Fiat to give its products an extra level of pizzazz as the company wades even deeper into international waters.

On one level, the move makes sense. After all, Bangle called Fiat home before he moved to BMW in 1991, and the designer cut his teeth and made a name for himself while working on the likes of the Fiat Coupe way back when. But we haven't heard word one from the designer about making a return to the mainstream auto world.

For now, we'll simply file this one under rampant rumor and wishful thinking. Fiat isn't having any trouble cranking out stylish products, and one would think the company has its hands too full dealing with bringing Chrysler back to life to bring on a big name like Bangle. Doesn't hurt to ponder "what if?" though, especially since the guy's non-compete dried up in March.

2011 Infiniti QX Officially Unveiled, Priced from $56,700

[Updated with New Photos] Infiniti (officially) pulled the wraps off its all-new 2011 QX56 full-size SUV at the New York International Auto Show. Bigger and brawnier than its predecessor, the second-generation QX is based on the recently revealed 2011 Nissan Patrol. Infiniti's version features a unique front and end treatment, but the rest of the body has remained virtually unchanged.

"The look is clearly Infiniti with its signature Infiniti grille, broad shoulders and large greenhouse," says Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. "It's rugged, sophisticated and completely captivating." Well, we'll let you be the judge of that.

Styling aside, the new QX features revised dimensions versus the previous model as it is 1.4-inches longer, 1.1-inches wider and 3.8-inches lower in overall height.

Infiniti claims that the QX56's cabin is unique and almost out-of-this-world. Even so, there are no significant differences between the interiors of the Patrol and the Q56.

"If you could take the interior of a private jet and transform it into a full-size SUV, this wouldn't be far off," said Poore.

"From its available sofa-like semi-aniline leather seating to its premium audio and three-source entertainment systems, the QX interior is world-class. It's a highly adaptive environment, with a quality and quietness that adds to the stress-free driving and riding experience."

The new QX features standard 7-passenger seating capacity, with 8-passenger capacity available with the 2nd row 60/40-split folding bench seat. Also available is a remote release for the 2nd row seats to activate the tip-up function through a switch on the center stack. The 3rd row seat is a 60/40-split power folding design with reclining capability.

Like its sister Nissan model, the 2011 QX56 is powered by a new 5.6-liter V8 engine with direct-injection technology that's rated at 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Despite the 25% increase in horsepower over the previous QX, Infiniti claims that the new model is more than 10% more fuel efficient.

The V8 unit is hooked up to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Match.

The QX is offered in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with the 4WD model featuring Infiniti's All-Mode 4WD system with Auto, 4H, and 4L modes. The system can transfer up to 50 per cent of torque to the front wheels on demand.

Infiniti said that the QX's maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds for both 2WD and 4WD models.

As a first for Infiniti, the new QX will be offered with an optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system that utilizes hydraulic cylinders located at the shock absorbers to adjust roll stiffness in order to reduce body lean while turning.

The 2011 QX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in early summer with pricing set at $56,700 USD for the 2WD and $59,800 USD for the 4WD model. These prices are the same as the previous generation QX.