Thursday, December 1, 2011

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2013 Scion FR-S: This is the Final Production Version and it goes on Sale Next Spring [Updated]

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 09:50 PM PST


The third chapter of what has turned out to be a very long saga came to an end tonight with the official presentation of the new 2013 Scion FR-S, which follows the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ introductions at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier today.

The name Scion chose for the North American version of the Toyota 86 stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport. The 2+2 coupe is the fifth model to join the Scion family and will go on sale in the United States and Canada in the spring of 2012.

"Serving as a laboratory for Toyota, Scion is always experimenting with new things," said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. "The brand is iconic with the xB, adrenalized by the tC, and groundbreaking with the iQ. The FR-S will no doubt serve as the halo car, expanding Scion into a new dimension of driving performance," he added.

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Subaru BRZ Joins its Toyota Sibling at the Tokyo Motor Show [Live Photos + New Videos]

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 06:48 PM PST


Danny de Vito and body builder-turned actor-turned California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, were probably the only twins that were completely different to one another. On the other hand, that was a comedy film in which artistic freedom allows the producers to do anything they please.

In the real world, human twins may indeed differ, mostly in character – though not as much as Arnie and Danny by any stretch of the imagination. In the automotive world, however, when two manufacturers jointly develop a vehicle, 99.9% of the times it ends up being identical to its sibling.

Even Subaru and Toyota are not pretending that their BRZ and 86/GT86 are anything but the same car. They clearly admit it in their press releases and even inscribe it on the engine cover. It's badge engineering, pure and simple.

Therefore, all the hoopla about the extremely low center of gravity, the compact dimensions, the fun to drive RWD configuration et al is repeated in the BRZ which also made its premiere today at the 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show.

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Toyota's MR2 Based GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II gets its Motorshow Debut

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 06:59 PM PST


Visitors at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will have the chance to see Toyota's MR2 roadster-based GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II in the flesh.

Developed by Toyota and its motorsports partner Gazoo Racing, the prototype made its debut at this year's 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring in Germany.

For those of you wondering, "GRMN" is an acronym for "Gazoo Racing tuned by the Meister of the Nürburgring," the latter being a nickname for Toyota's late test driver Hiromu Naruse who died in an accident last summer while driving a prototype of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition.

The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is a development of last year's racing prototype that was based on production MR-2. The second iteration of Toyota's hybrid sports car features a brand new body while also improving upon the first concept on the powertrain front.

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Suzuki Envisions a Global Compact Car with Regina Concept in Tokyo

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 05:38 PM PST


The good thing with concept studies is that reality doesn't have time to sink in during their creation so designers can pretty much do whatever they want. And while Suzuki's Regina concept may not be to everybody's liking, its groovy -almost Citroen-like- styling won't go by unnoticed.

Suzuki says that the Regina embodies its vision of a next-generation global small car featuring a lightweight construction and impressive fuel economy.

The concept is 3.5-metres long and 1.6-metres wide, while it weighs in at just 730kg (1,609 pounds). According to the Japanese automaker, the quirky looking city car has a drag coefficient at least 10% lower than that of current models of the same size and category.

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Subaru's New JDM Impreza Sport Hatch and G4 Sedan Break Cover in Tokyo

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 04:37 PM PST


While the new BRZ coupe and the Sports Advance Tourer concept are the ones to watch out for at Subaru's Tokyo Motor Show stand, the Japanese automaker also revealed the much more important from a sales perspective, domestic market versions of its new Impreza. Read more »


Now that's a Burnout: Max Papis Plays Around with a Toyota Camry NASCAR at Monza Rally Show

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 04:08 PM PST


Like everything else in life, not all Camrys are made equal. And while your everyday Camry is about as interesting as a mid-Victorian debating society, Toyota's NASCAR racer is a different beast altogether.

Even more so when the 850-horsepower, V8-powered racing machine is in the hands of professional driver Massimiliano "Max" Papis who gave Italian fans something to remember him by during the 2011 Monza Rally Show.

Hit the jump to enjoy the clips

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Tokyo Motor Show: Tiny Daihatsu Pico EV Concept [Updated]

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 03:40 PM PST


The third Daihatsu concept model that made it to this year's edition of the Tokyo Motor Show is the PICO, a futuristic proposal for a diminutive two-seater EV commuter positioned between small cars and motorcycles.

At 2,400mm long, 1,000mm wide and 1,530mm tall with a wheelbase of 1,830mm, the Daihatsu concept is much smaller than the Smart Fortwo, yet it has space for two passengers sitting in tandem-style.

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It’s a CC Thing: Volkswagen's New Cross Coupe Concept Live from the Tokyo Show Floors

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 04:10 PM PST


For a very long time, we only had rugged 4x4s, but then SUVs made their appearance in the market followed shortly after by crossovers and before we knew it, all hell broke loose and each carmaker invented its own acronym to describe a specific niche in any given segment.

Albeit a conceptual proposal, the Volkswagen Cross Coupe is one such example with the German automaker describing it thusly: "a crossover between a four-door coupé and a compact SUV".

We'll just note that a four-door coupe is a crossover between a coupe and a sedan and leave it at there before we start saying things we shouldn't…

Naming and segment games aside, the CC SUV is a handsome creation overall though its snout could use some styling attention as it's somewhat flavorless compared to the rest of the car in the sense that you could throw in a Seat badge and no one would notice.

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Toyota 86 in the Flesh from the Tokyo Motor Show, Plus New Promo Video

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 03:22 PM PST


What is Toyota's first car with a front-mounted, horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel drive? Surprisingly, even to most motoring hacks, it's not the 86 (or GT 86 for European buyers).

It's a car that goes back almost half a century: the two-cylinder, boxer-engined Sports 800. So there you have it: another piece of information with which you can impress your friends.

This is 2011 though, and the latest boxer-powered, rear-wheel drive Toyota is the much talked about 86 It may have been officially revealed four days ago (and unofficially even earlier), but the Tokyo Motor Show gives the public its first chance to see Toyota's sports car in the flesh.

Even though Toyota claims a 50 year-old heritage behind the 86, as everyone knows - heck even Snooki should be aware of this by now…- the rear-wheel drive coupe has been developed in cooperation with Subaru, which in Tokyo is displaying its own version, the BRZ.

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Alpina's New 540HP BMW B6 BiTurbo Coupe Warms up the Tokyo Motor Show

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 01:57 PM PST


The B3 GT3 limited edition isn't the only Alpina making its debut at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show as the boutique automaker also brought along the coupe version of its B6 BiTurbo based on the latest BMW 650i.

Alpina has taken BMW's 4.4-liter V8 turbo engine to the next level with a series of upgrades including an intercooled dual turbo system and the addition a new titanium exhaust system developed in conjunction with exhaust specialists Akrapovic, that all help to lift output to 540-horsepower at 5,500 rpm and peak torque to 700Nm (516 lb-ft).

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Demolition Corsa: Small Opel Helps Pull Down a Wall in Poland

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 12:59 PM PST


A supermini would be the last type of vehicle any sane person would use to bring down a brick wall, but sanity is not a particularly useful attribute when it comes to having some fun…

And that pretty much explains the 'whys' and 'hows' of this Polish experiment with a three-door Opel Corsa that you can enjoy in the video after the jump.

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Mazda Hints at Next Mazda6 with Diesel-Powered Takeri Concept in Tokyo

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 12:40 PM PST


Arguably, the Takeri concept is Mazda's most important attraction at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Intended to showcase the styling of the Mazda6's replacement that is due in 2013, it adopts many elements of the new "Kodo" design introduced in the Shinari concept, which is also on display at the firm's Tokyo stand.

Powering the 4,850mm long four-door sedan study is the new SKYACTIV-D 2.0-liter diesel engine linked to the firm's new 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Takeri is also fitted with Mazda's i-stop idling stop system and a unique regenerative braking system called 'i-ELOOP' (Intelligent Energy Loop). The i-ELOOP is billed as the world's first kinetic energy recovery system that uses a capacitor and a 25V to 12V alternator instead of a traditional battery pack.

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New Mitsubishi Mirage is a No Frills - Low Cost Entry in the Small Car Segment

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 12:03 PM PST


You'd think that with the rise of the Korean auto industry, a troubled Japanese carmaker like Mitsubishi would up its game and even take some risks to gain a competitive edge.

Instead, Mitsubishi goes and creates the Mirage – quite possibly, the most bland looking city car in the market today…

But perhaps that was Mitsubishi's plan all along […] as the company claims that the design of the small subcompact model "was focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets as an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets for fuel efficiency and low-CO2 emission."

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New BMW ActiveHybrid 5-Series Premieres at the Tokyo Motor Show

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST


The ActiveHybrid version of BMW's X6 SUV may soon be discontinued from the U.S.market due to poor sales, but the Munich-based carmaker is certainly not giving up on hybrid technology.

In fact, it just unveiled a hybrid version of the latest 5-Series mid-size luxury sedan at the Tokyo Motor Show. Not that you'd notice by looking at it, since only the "ActiveHybrid 5" badges on the C-pillars, grille and inner door sills differentiate it visually from the non-hybrid version.

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Updated Ferrari 599XX Evolution Comes with More Power and Less Weight

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 10:55 AM PST


We're not even half way through the press days of the Tokyo Motor Show, yet we already have news from the next event in our automotive calendar, the 36th edition of the Bologna Motor Show in Italy (December 3 to 11) which will provide the venue for the unveiling of the updated 2012 Ferrari 599XX Evolution.

The 599XX is track beast for a select few über rich of our world that was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show as replacement for the Enzo-based FXX.

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New Toyota FCV-R Fuel-Cell Concept Heading for Production in 2015 [Updated]

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 10:22 AM PST


Toyota's conceptual products at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show are a bit more than crowd pleasers as both the FT-EV III mini and the FCV-R study pictured here, are slated to enter production.

The FCV-R is a next-generation fuel-cell concept model fueled by hydrogen that Toyota says is planned for launch in 2015.

According to the Japanese automaker, the fuel-cell unit is located beneath the specially designed body thus saving space with the concept being able to accommodate up to four passengers and their luggage.

The next generation fuel cell stack consists of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, which said to provide a driving range of approximately 700 km or about 435 miles.

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All Hail the Guardrail: Kawasaki ZX10R Rider Loses it on Mulholland Highway

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 10:04 AM PST


A guardrail is one of those things that you either never notice or don't really appreciate its existence until it saves your life.

And that it did when the owner of a Kawasaki ZX10R seemingly locked his front brake (we could be wrong, but that looks to be the culprit from the video) while taking a soft corner on Mulhollland Highway near Malibu California and ended up on the ground sliding dangerously towards the canyon.

Follow the break to watch the video for yourself.

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Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept Hints at Standalone Hybrid Wagon

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 09:11 AM PST


The Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept made its debut today in the flesh at the 42nd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show.

The sleek looking station wagon with the taut surface forms is a proposal for a standalone C-segment hybrid model that measures 4,580mm (180.3-in.) long, 1,840mm (72.4-in) wide and 1,430mm (56.3-in.) tall. Its exterior dimensions place it between the current Impreza (4,415mm long) and the Legacy (4,775mm).

The concept's design language both inside and out is believed to preview the forms and styles of the next generation of Subaru's models, though don't expect to see the scissor-style front doors on a production model any time soon.

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Daihatsu's Funky Little D-X Roadster Can be Anything You Want

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 08:18 AM PST


For this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu brought along an innovative new concept for a multi-purposes kei car series called the D-X ("d-cross").

While the car shown at the Japanese brand's booth is a two-seater roadster, Daihatsu says that its can be easily modified into different types of models by replacing or adding components on its resin-based body.

Among other body styles, the D-X can be transformed into a shooting-break-like hatchback with a hard top, a two-door crossover and a lightweight weekend-racer.

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Honda AC-X is a Futuristic Study for a Plug-in Hybrid Family Car

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 07:39 AM PST


Honda is betting heavily on conventional as well as more advanced plug-in hybrid models as the company is planning to increase its 'green' offerings in the very near future.

At the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, the Japanese brand lifted the wraps off a conceptual proposal for a mid-to-long range plug-in hybrid called the AC-X. The study is much larger than the Insight hybrid measuring 4,700mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,400mm with a wheelbase of 2,750mm.

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Tokyo Show: New BMW Alpina B3 GT3 is One Mean Green Machine

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 08:14 AM PST


Famed BMW tuning house Alpina showed up at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a world premiere, the limited edition B3 GT3 of which only 99 examples will be built, each carrying a price tag of €90.000 (approx. US$120,000) in Germany.

The B3 GT3 is based on the regular 3-Series Coupe and it uses a slightly modified version the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six found in Alpina's B3 S Bi-Turbo sedan, coupe and touring models.

Thanks to a different exhaust system and a titanium rear silencer made by Akrapovic the three-liter unit gains 8 more ponies lifting output to 408-horses at 6,000rpm and 540Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque at 4500rpm.

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Audi A1 Sportback Makes its World Premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 06:23 AM PST


The star attraction at Audi's booth in Tokyo is the new Audi A1 Sportback, which will be rolling into showrooms across the world – but not in the U.S.- in early 2012.

The more practical, five-door version of the A1 has the same length as the three door model at 3.95 meters (12.96 ft) but is several millimeters taller and wider thus offering a little more space in the rear seats – though don't expect any wonders.. In addition, buyers can order the Sportback with either a four- or five-seat layout at no extra cost.

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Honda Details New 118HP 1.6-liter Turbo Diesel Engine for Europe

Posted: 30 Nov 2011 05:36 AM PST


There's another new diesel engine created for the European market, this time from Honda that has just introduced a new 1.6-liter unit. The Japanese automaker's president and CEO, Takanobu Ito, made the announcement today at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The brand new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit joins Honda's revised 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel, which delivers 150HP. The smaller unit is rated at 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and has a peak torque of 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm.

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