The first example of a given model to roll of the production line is called “Job One,” and the Infiniti is celebrating just that for its 2013 JX: A seven-seater crossover in Emerald Green – mated with its 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 from Decherd, TN – has rolled off the production line. Infiniti expects numerous JXs behind it to be the second most popular model in the company’s lineup, bested only by the G sedan, coupe and convertible range.
The $ 41,400 (including $ 950 destination) three-row crossover and its liberal suite of configurations and technologies goes on sale in March, but you can register your interest or play with the configurator right now. There’s also a press release after the jump with more details.
The Fiat group has a knack for (or a habit of) dressing up its most low-cost hatchbacks in tribute to its most expensive exotics. Alfa Romeo did a special MiTo and Giulietta for Maserati dealers, and Abarth did a special 500 to honor Ferrari. But since the latter has run its production run, the Scorpion marque is celebrating Maserati with this latest version.
Destined for unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the new Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati features the same 180 horsepower 1.4-liter turbo four as the aforementioned Tributo Ferrari, but with different 17-inch alloys. The Maserati version also adopts the 500C’s retracting roof panel and a more elegant design approaching than the previous Ferrari edition, topped by a three-layer burgundy paint job and sand beige Pontrona Frau leather.
Only 499 examples will be offered, and probably spoken for in quick order. But whether you think this gussied-up Cinquecento is whatever more worthwhile than the Mini Goodwood edition or the Aston Martin Cygnet will probably depend mostly on whether you’ve ever tried to drive a GranTurismo or Quattroporte through Europe’s notoriously crowded metropolis streets. Check it out in the trio of high-res images under and the press release after the jump.
It was only a matter of time before someone took a crack at parodying the most recent Super Bowl commercial from Chrysler. Saturday Night Live has stepped up to the plate with a new skit featuring none other than Bill Hader in Clint Eastwood’s shoes and scowl. The spot pokes fun at the unintentionally political ad, with Hader scowling his way through a third-quarter speech. We won’t ruin the ending for you, but we will say the skit features the phrase “tiny little chicken legs.” Comedy gold.
Chrysler came under fire shortly after the company’s game-day spot aired. The commercial featured Clint Eastwood drawing parallels between the fall and resurrection of Detroit and the rest of America. Critics complained the spot was a thinly veiled argument for a second term for the Obama Administration. Eastwood, a republican who was vocally against the auto bailout, quickly denied those claims. Hit the jump for the two the SNL skit and the original ad.
