Toyota FT-86 Concept in Monkey Ass Color
October 12, 2009
After quite a while of being under development and under wraps, we’re now seeing pictures of the actual Toyota FT-86 “Toyobaru” Concept.
The car’s developed as the tribute to the famed AE86 coupe (aka Corolla Levin, Corolla GTS, and Trueno Sprinter) that has been popular with the drifting crowd and road racers.
Powering the car is a 2.0L boxer engine from Subaru. The power is sent to the rear wheels in true 86 fashion. And the car’s painted red as a Japanese monkey’s bum. No. Seriously.
“Sports cars have to be red, but we wanted a new red,” said chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. “So we came up with shoujyouhi red, the traditional red color of a Japanese monkey’s backside.”
Source: NY Times
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Gets an Update
October 11, 2009
Mitsubishi’s not doing too well in the market right now but they had the good sense of updating their famed rally racer the Lancer Evolution X.
First off, Mitsu will be dropping the five speed proper manual on the GSR and will be replacing it with a twin-clutch SST six-speed gearbox.
If you think that the body kit on the old Evo X is already ostentatious, Mitsubishi thinks that it needs beefier side skirts. The front bumper’s also replaced with lighter plastics.
Finally, Mitsu tweaks the tech inside the car. A new LCD screen is fitted between the speedo and tach while general improvments on the trim and interior have been made as well.
Not really that exciting.
Tokyo 2009: Nissan Land Glider
October 7, 2009
Oh boy. It’s the Tokyo motor show again and since most of the participants will be Japanese, we can all expect that level of eccentricity that even the Brits can’t seem to match.
For Nissan, which isn’t making any major changes to Godzilla this year, it’s all about green zero-emissions vehicles this year. So they’ve already launched the Leaf which will be shown at the show stands but next to it is another EV concept – the Land Glider.
Just check out the funky design. It’s only good for one person and is Nissan’s “new proposal for urban mobility that can be enabled by zero-emission car.” Forget the Segway and Winglet, I think I’d rather still be in a car even if it looks like a snazzy bumper car.
Nissan claims that the narrow body can help deal with traffic congestions and help with parking spaces. Well, they might want to take a look at the number of cars without any passengers and do some fancy math and statistics to ascertain those claims but yes, the car has potential.
Honda CR-Z Will Come as Hybrid Only
October 6, 2009
For those hoping that the CR-Z’s sporty shell will pack something more exciting, Honda won’t be making a gas-only or even a diesel-only version of the car.
Honda’s really intent on bagging that greenest automaker title and that’s why they’re sticking with a hybrid powertrain for the CR-Z and that’s that. The car packs a 1.5 i-VTEC gasoline engine that dishes out 120 bhp and is linked to a 14 bhp electric motor. At least the engines are mated to a proper six-speed manual.
Honda plans to take on other sporty compacts with the CR-Z the likes of the VW Scirocco but with a hybrid-only powertrain, it doesn’t look all to appealing for the market segment though with the growing ecomentality, who knows? Honda assures us that it will be “responsive” and “fun.”
The CR-Z’s basically frankensteined from the Insight platform and bits and pieces from the Jazz and Civic bins.
Honda CEO Impressed by Hyundai
October 5, 2009
It’s Hyundai’s time and every other automaker should be shitting their pants. The Korean company’s set to be the next Asian giant in the automaking world and poses a serious threat to Japanese car makers. Honda chief Takanobu Ito thinks likewise.
Hyundai has shown that it can beat almost everyone when it comes to marketing especially with what it has accomplished in the United States despite the auto sales crash. Its brilliant use of anxiety marketing is one case study for the marketing books.
While not everyone (including myself) is convinced that Hyundai (including sister company Kia) cars have reached the quality of most of the Japanese automakers, Hyundai is surely getting there.
“Hyundai is awesome,” said Takanobu. “They are undoubtedly a threat because their products are cheap, and the quality is improving.”
Source: Autocar
Tokyo 2009: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
September 30, 2009
Aside from the Impreza STi Carbon, Subaru’s also set to unveil a hybrid concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
Dubbed the Hybrid Tourer Concept, the car is “Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance.”
Powering the cars is a 2.0L turbocharge gasoline engine which delivers power to all four wheels in classic Subaru all-wheel drive glory.
As a hybrid, the system uses two electric motors with a power and drive motor up front and a drive motor at the rear.
The car sports quite the futuristic design. The shape has been design with aerodynamics in mind and for added spice, the car’s got gull wing doors!
Source: Subaru
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