Supposedly our crazy friends at CAR are pretty slick with snatching photos of cars that automakers don’t want you to see until their launch date. They did with a couple of Audi’s before and today CAR says they have the first exclusive photo of Infiniti’s BMW 1-Series rival.

CAR snapped the photo with their camera phone at a recent Nissan press event during Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura’s presentation. Don’t be mad if Nissan never invites you back again guys.

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Mercedes-Benz is already hard at work on a BMW 1-Series competitor and now, according to a report by AutoCar, Infiniti is also looking for a BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 rival. Inside sources at Infiniti, told AutoCar that the automaker is planning a 1-Series rival that, design wise, will be totally different from anything in its segment.

Infiniti is looking at a small, high-end crossover or a coupe/cabriolet as body styles. The car is expected to arrive around 2010.

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We were very impressed with the 2009 Infiniti FX50 when CARandDRIVER reported a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds flat. Check out this video by Edmunds as we get a closer look at the new Infiniti FX.

“The new FX50 is much like a European performance SUV, like the V8 powered BMW X6.”

Refresher: Power comes from a 5.0L V8 producing 390-hp.

Click through for the video.

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So you want to buy a luxury car but don’t want to end up spending more than $50,000? Check out Forbes list of the Top 10 best luxury cars costing $50,000 or less. Forbespoints out the luxury automakers are targeting young professionals with high-paying jobs and are looking to transition into a luxury vehicles.

“You are treating yourself with these vehicles,” says Stephanie Brinley, senior manager of product analysis at AutoPacific, a market research firm covering the auto industry. “It is reaching a level of maturity.”

Let us know what level of maturity you’ve reached and which car you’d consider purchasing on the list.

Click through for the list of Top 10 best luxury cars costing $50,000 or less.

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Yes, that’s faster than the Ford Mustang GT and 0.1 second faster than the BMW 335i. Currently the 2008 Infiniti FX tops out at 320-hp but when the redesigned 2009 model arrives in dealers this summer the FX will be taken to a whole other level.

The 2009 Infiniti FX entry level model will come with a 3.5L V6 that produces 303-hp. The range-topper, FX50, will now be powered by a 5.0L V8 producing 390-hp. The latter comes with some crazy amount of performance for an SUV. In CARandDriver’s road test, drivers were able to accelerate the 2009 FX50S from 0-60 in 5 seconds flat.

To us, that’s highly-impressive - but don’t you think we’re getting a little crazy with these insanely powerful SUVs that mostly moms will be using to haul kids to their games?

Click through for more images.

2009 Infiniti FX Gallery:

   

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You don’t need to buy a small and cheap car to drive a vehicle that’s kind to the environment. What comes out of a car’s tailpipe is just as important as what goes into the fuel tank.

Our two least-polluting lists, one for luxury vehicles and one for non-luxury vehicles, are based on examining each model’s Air Pollution Score and Carbon Footprint ratings as determined by the EPA.

The Air Pollution Score represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants a vehicle emits. Among these are hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Scoring is based on a 10-point scale, with 10 representing a zero-emissions vehicle, meaning higher numbers are better.

Click through for the list of Top 10 Luxury Cars That Pollute the Least.

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Along with the new redesign, Infiniti will be making some powertrain upgrades for the new 2009 Infiniti FX.

Currently the range-topping Infiniti FX tops out at 320-hp, with an entry level 275-hp. When the redesigned 2009 FX arrives in showrooms this June, to new choices will be introduced. The entry level model will come with a 3.5L V6 that produces 303-hp. The range-topper will now be powered by an outstanding 5.0L V8 producing 390-hp. Infiniti will continue to offer a rear-wheel-drive FX35 with a 3.5-liter V6.

Infiniti will offer four packages with the FX including Sport, Technology, Entertainment and Premium. Pricing will be announced closer to launch date.

Click through for live images from the 2008 New York Auto Show and the press release.

2009 Infiniti FX:

   

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So how does Infiniti new 2009 FX look when it’s moving? Check out this short video of the new Infiniti FX50 in action. Unfortunately background music does not allow us to hear the engine.

The range-topping Infiniti FX50 will be powered by a 5 liter V8 engine that produces 380 horsepower. All engines will be mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and available solid magnesium paddle shifters, available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes

Click through for the video.

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How dare you launch a brand in Europe without diesel models? That’s the first thing that crossed our minds as Infiniti launched itself to a diesel-loved market. Well, worry not; Infiniti will be launching advanced diesel engines on models sold in Europe starting from 2010.

“As Infiniti starts to build volume and credibility, from 2010 we will be ready to offer our customers the latest generation of advanced diesel and hybrid powertrains,” Ghosn said at Infiniti’s European launch at the Geneva Motor Show.

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Celebrating the brand’s launch in the Western European market, Infiniti revealed the second-generation Infiniti FX at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The 2009 Infiniti FX features an all new aggressive design, along with a new range-topping model.

Power for the base models will come from an advanced V6 engine, details of which will be released later. The range-topping Infiniti FX50 will be powered by a 5 liter V8 engine that produces 380 horsepower. All engines will be mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and available solid magnesium paddle shifters, available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes. The new FX also feauters Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension, Rear-Active Steer, Intelligent Brake Assist and 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels designed by Enkei.

The 2009 Infiniti FX will make it to the North American market in June 2008. Pricing details will be announced closer to launch.

Click through for more images and the press release.

2009 Infiniti FX Gallery:

   

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Consumer Reports has named its Top Picks list for 2008 and for the first time a Korean automaker (Hyundai) has made it onto the list. Also for the first time since 2005, since a U.S. model made the list.

Hyundai made it on the list for two categories including the small sedan and midsized SUV with the Hyundai Elantra SE and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Chevrolet took the top choice for the pickup truck category with its new redesigned Silverado. The Toyota Prius remains the Top Pick in the green car category for the fifth year in a row while the Lexus LS 460L took the best luxury sedan.

Honda Accord took the Top Pick in family sedans over the Nissan Altima since starting this year, automakers must provide critical safety features, electronic stability control, either as standard or as a readily available option. So while the Altima scored higher in CR’s testing over the Accord, it lost the Top Pick since it offers ESC as a pricey option on the V6.

Click through for the list.

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The Infiniti EX37 will also join the G37 sedan and the G37 coupe when Infiniti takes on its German rivals in Europe later this year. Just like the G37 sedan, the Infiniti EX37 will be powered by the detuned 3.7 liter V6 engine producing 305 horsepower. That’s about 8 more horsepower than the EX35, along with the 3.7 that should make this EX a little more exciting than its U.S. brother.

And yes Nissan, we want a 330 horsepower Infiniti EX37 just like we want a 300 horsepower Infiniti G37 sedan. Get to work - we’re waiting.

Infiniti EX37 (Europe):

   

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If you really hate the Europeans for getting all the hot cars that we don’t get on the stateside, don’t be afraid by the title - just keep reading. Infiniti today announced that it will be offering the 3.7 liter version of the VQ family of engines in its ‘G’ sedan when it launches in Europe this year.

Yes, the Europeans will be getting a G37 sedan powered by the 3.7 liter V6 engine. However, the engine has been detuned to produce only 305 horsepower, much like the G35 sedan in the U.S. The engine will be mated with a six-speed manual transmission with an option of a seven-speed automatic with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) allowing a downshift blip control. Although, the 3.7 liter V6 should give the G Sedan a little more zip.

So calm down and stop being pissed because they won’t be getting a 330 horsepower G sedan. However, we would still like one.

Click through for the press release and images.

Infiniti G37 Sedan (Europe):

   

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