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Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

New Nissan Juke Nismo with Tuned-Up 1.6-Liter Turbo Engine Debuts at Le Mans

It might not be as near as special or powerful as the limited run Juke R, but Nissan believes that most buyers looking for something sportier than the regular Juke will be content with the new Nismo-branded model that makes its world premiere in production guise at this week's 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

First seen as a concept model at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, the new Juke Nismo will go on sale in Europe in early 2013, with Japan and the U.S. to follow at a later date.

The Nismo badge brings a host of enhancements to the Juke starting with a tuned-up version of its 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine.

Nissan has not yet disclosed performance figures, but for the record, in regular trim, the 1.6-liter turbocharged unit delivers 188hp (190PS) and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque.

Toyota Gets Playful with Customizable Camatte Concept for the 2012 Tokyo Toy Show

In case you didn't pay much attention to our title, that's the 2012 Tokyo Toy Show (…and not the Tokyo Motor Show), which will open its doors to the public on Thursday, June 14, and continue to Sunday, June 17.

Toyota will be represented at the event by a very playful concept model called the Camatte that was designed as a big toy for the family with customizable body features that even children can drive.

"The Camatte aims to convey the joy and dreams of motor vehicles to current and future drivers, by providing an opportunity for parents and children to experience together the fun of driving, car customization and car enthusiasm," the Japanese automaker said in a statement.

Saab Bought by Chinese-Japanese Consortium to Build Electric Cars

Never say it's over with Saab as the Swedish automaker seems to have more lives than the proverbial cat…

Bloomberg News reported today a consortium named National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, which is led by Japanese investment firm Sun Investment and Hong Kong-based renewable-energy power-plant builder National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd., has agreed to buy Saab and turn the company into an electric carmaker.

The National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB consortium was recently formed with the sole purpose of acquiring Saab.

Thursday, 7 June 2012

Mercedes-Benz Launches SLS AMG Matt Special Editions for Japan

Since we have at least three months ahead of us before the first examples of the revised and renamed to the 2013 SLS AMG GT series begin arriving in Mercedes-Benz dealerships worldwide, the German automaker is trying to tempt Japanese buyers to opt for the current model with the presentation of a new special edition version named "Matt". Read more »

Monday, 4 June 2012

New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition is for Japan Only

Not that Mercedes-Benz is having a problem selling every C63 AMG that rolls out of the factory, but the Stuttgart-based premium carmaker wanted to treat Japanese buyers to a limited edition version specially customized for the domestic market.

In contrast to most special edition models these days that rely on added amenities at the best to stand out, the new C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition has actually been modified inside and out as well as under the hood.

Toyota Employs the Help of R2-D2 and C-3PO to Promote Prius Plug-in Hybrid

The Force continues to be strong with two of the most memorable robots to ever grace the silver screen, C-3PO and his plucky astromech companion, R2-D2, from the legendary Star Wars movie series.

In fact, it's so strong that Toyota used the two droids in a new commercial for its Prius Plug-in Hybrid in Japan.

Mind you, as noted on Leopaul's Blog, Toyota is not the first Japanese carmaker to employ the help of C-3PO and R2-D2 in a car advertisement as Mitsubishi had done the same for its Pajero SUV and the RVR back in 1996.

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

2013 Toyota Auris Hatchback Brochure Scans Leaked?

Earlier today, we told you about Toyota's plans to debut a pre-production concept of the next generation Auris hatchback (also known as the Corolla hatchback in some markets) at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this September.

As it seems, we won't have to wait until the fall to get a glimpse of what the 2013 Auris will look like as images of an alleged brochure for the Japanese domestic-market model have surfaced online.

Mazda Rolls Out More Fuel Efficient Demio 13C-V Smart Edition II in Japan

Mazda has introduced a new model year version of its Demio supermini (known overseas as the Mazda2) in Japan.

Most notably, the Japanese automaker has updated the 13C-V Smart Edition with enhanced aerodynamics through the employment of a rear roof spoiler and undercover, which result in a 0.4km/L improvement in fuel economy, from 20.2km/L (47.5mpg US) to 20.6km/L (48.5mpg US) under Japan's JC08 mode test cycle.

Saturday, 26 May 2012

Mitsuoka Launches Third Generation of its Retro-fused Viewt

For the past two decades, Mitsuoka, a Japanese company that specializes in the creation of eccentric designs, has been offering the Viewt, which is a small sedan model based on the Nissan March (also known as the Micra) that looks like a shrunken Jaguar Mark 2 from the 1960s.

This week, Mitsuoka presented the third generation of the Viewt built on the latest Nissan March / Micra (K12), which was launched in 2010.

Friday, 25 May 2012

Toyota to Roll Out 8 New and Cheap Compact Models for Emerging Markets by 2015

The relative maturity of the North American, European and Japanese markets are forcing Toyota Motor Corp. to look elsewhere for growth and in particular, emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India.

For this reason, the Japanese automaker said on Friday it plans to introduce eight new compact size models designed specifically for developing markets by 2015.

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Official: New Alfa Romeo Spider to be Based on the Next Mazda MX-5!

In a surprise announcement that is bound to excite Alfa Romeo fans, the Fiat Group and Mazda revealed today that they have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of a new roadster model for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands based on the rear-wheel drive architecture of the next MX-5.

"The study calls for both Fiat and Mazda to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight, roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive," the two automakers said in a joint statement, adding that each car will be powered "by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand".

According to the plan, the next Mazda MX-5 and Alfa Romeo's successor to the Spider will be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan, with production for the Italian model to begin in 2015.

With the exception of the limited production 8C Competizione Spider (2008-2010) and the RZ (1992-1994), the last time Alfa Romeo had a roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout was the classic Spider built from 1966 to 1993. This particular model was featured in the 1967 movie The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman.

Friday, 18 May 2012

Toyota President Lists his Favorite Cars Made by Domestic Rivals

Toyota President Akio Toyoda is not one your typical automotive CEOs, as believe it or not, the 56-year old grandson of the Japanese company's founder actually likes cars [...]. He is a full-time car guy and a weekend racer who has even competed in the Nürburgring 24 hour endurance race.

And like any other car buff, Toyoda's list of favorite cars is not restricted to one brand. However, unlike other automotive executives, Toyoda has no problem revealing which cars he likes from Toyota's domestic competitors in public.

Mitsubishi Details 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb i-MiEV Contenders

As it turns out, Mitsubishi will field not one but two i-MiEV cars in the Electric Class of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, to be held in Colorado from July 3 to 8.

Mitsubishi will enter the fully decked out i-MiEV Evolution prototype, which was teased through a pair of sketches back in March, and a regular production i-MiEV in the event.

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Subaru Refreshes JDM Legacy, gets New FA20 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbo with 296hp

After North America and China, it is time for Subaru to present the lightly facelifted Legacy sedan, Touring Wagon and Outback models in its home market of Japan.

While the cosmetic and chassis updates are common throughout all markets, the JDM model also gets a new 2.0GT DIT variant and an improved 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine.

The big news, of course, is the new 2.0-liter direct injection turbo (DIT) flat-four producing 296hp (300PS) at 5,600 rpm and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm, or 15hp and 50Nm (37 lb-ft) more than the 2.5-liter single-scroll turbo flat four it replaces.

Monday, 7 May 2012

Suzuki Refreshes Splash City Car with a Minor Cosmetic Facelift

Some four years after the presentation of the Splash, Suzuki has posted photos of the facelifted version of its tall city car on its Japanese website noting that full details on the model will be released during its official launch in June.

The revised model that appeared on Suzuki's website sports some mild visual tweaks, mainly up front with the redesigned bumper featuring a new grille and stretched fog lamp housings, and to a lesser extent, the rear-end with the refreshed tail lamp graphics and the new bumper that gains a pair of faux air outlets.

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Japanese Owner Finds Lost Harley Davidson from 2011 Tsunami Washed Out on Canadian Beach!

What are the odds of finding a motorcycle that was washed away during the horrific tsunami that hit Japan's northeast coasts on March 2011? Near impossible, you say? You are probably right, yet that "one in a million" chance happened to a Japanese man who lost his Harley-Davidson motorcycle more than a year ago.

The bike turned up in a makeshift container some 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) across the Pacific Ocean on a Canadian beach!

On April 18, 2012, Peter Mark from Canada was riding his ATV, exploring an isolated beach in British Columbia's Graham Island when he came across an open white trailer that had washed out from sea

Upon closer inspection, Mark saw a rusted motorcycle with Japanese license plates along with a few more objects such as golf clubs, tools and camping equipment lying around in the container.

"The door was ripped off it and I could see a motorcycle tire sticking out," he told CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation). "So I went closer and looked inside and saw a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It defies all logic. I cannot for the life of me figure out how that stuff stayed in there. The motorcycle was not strapped down. Everything was just laying loose on the bottom of the floor."

Friday, 27 April 2012

Honda Dreams its Future Through its Past in New JDM Spot

A new Japanese commercial from Honda's corporate division attempts to show the passionate and innovative side of the company by displaying several products from its past, mainly focusing on cars but also including motorcycles and even agricultural machinery.

The advert's title loosely translates to "We won't be beaten". You can watch it for yourself in the video right past the break.

Nisan Resurrects Cima Nameplate in Japan with a New Sedan Based on Stretched Infiniti M35h

Nearly two years after Nissan discarded its flagship model series in Japan, the Cima nameplate returns for another round in the premium sedan segment.

The Cima was introduced in Japan in the late 1980s to rival the Toyota Crown Majesta. From the mid-1990s, the Cima was based on the equivalent versions of the Infiniti Q45 series.

For its re-introduction in the Japanese market, Nissan chose to base the Cima on the long-wheelbase version of the Infiniti M35h, a China market-only model that made its world premiere at this week's Beijing Motor Show.

Like its Chinese counterpart, the Cima features a 5.9-inch (150mm) longer wheelbase than the standard Infiniti M and a rear passenger area highlighted by the additional legroom and many comfort amenities like the entertainment system and the power-reclining, heated and cooled seats.

Mazda RX-8 to Live a Little Longer Due to Increased Demand in Japan

Last November, Mazda announced that it would mark the end of production of the RX-8 sports car with the release of 1,000 examples of a special edition model called Spirit R, all of which would be unloaded in the Japanese market.

The automaker not only sold all of these cars but it also received a lot more orders than it originally anticipated and as a result, it decided to extend production of the RX-8 SPIRIT R by another 1,000 units until June 2012.

Saturday, 21 April 2012

Who Sat on this Celica? Now That's One Comically Crazy Negative Camber...

Some of you may remember the visible negative camber on the rear wheels of older BMW cars like the '02 series and even the first 3-Series models. Well, that's nothing compared to what the Japanese owner of a last generation Toyota Celica did to his car. Just look at the angle of those wheels!

The car was spotted as it was driving out of the Nagoya Exciting Car Showdown's hall. Head past the break to watch it on film.

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