A wicked Skyline HR31 from Australia!!!

I am not really into tuning - you know... "the fast and the furious" type of guy - but as I was passing by a kiosk, I saw the  latest issue of Banzai magazine with a really nice 240Z on the front cover. Anyway, I bought it and the article I liked the most was about a Nissan Skyline R31 (HR31 to be precise) from Australia.

The Skyline R31 generation is among my favourites and this particular car used to be a GTS-X. Now, after Nick Green took great care of it, it is powered by a tuned RB26DETT 2.6L DOHC 24V R6 turbo engine from Skyline GT-R R32 and produces... 528 bhp! Great work mate!!!

Subaru to launch Trezia in Japan

Subaru is about to launch the Trezia, a compact MPV, in Japan which will compete with Toyota's new Ractis (Verso-S in Europe).

I think there are a lot to expect from Subaru during the next couple of years, such as a better Impreza and the FT-86 (earlier post)...

First drive of Ken Okuyama's K.O 7!

You may be aware of Ken Okuyama, a Japanese designer worked as Pininfarina's design director responsible for the Ferrari Enzo, Maserati Quattroporte, and Maserati Birdcage concept, but it is likely that you have not heard of the K.O 7.

The K.O 7 is basically a roadster designed by Ken Okuyama himself, inspired by TAG Heuer watches, and it uses a Lotus Elise R platform and a Toyota engine. The 2ZZ-GE engine used has a 2.0L capacity and produces 210 hp, enabling the K.O7 to reach 60 mph in 5 seconds. The main materials used for the exterior are polished aluminium and carbon fibre. According to Okuyama, "we might be using a Lotus monocoque chassis, but we have pretty much redesigned the whole car". 

So, Motor Trend got the chance to interview Ken Okuyama and took also a K.O 7 out for a spin! The article doesn't say much, except from the fact that "the roadster turns in superbly with perfectly weighted steering, while the larger 17-inch Dunlop rubber delivers loads of grip under acceleration".

For the future, a Cosworth engine is planned and even a Honda S2000 powertrain may be used. Also, a coupe version, the K.O 8 (see photos below) will be built. As for the price, it costs around 20,000,000 ¥.

According to the article, Ken Okuyama is working also on a secret motorcycle project.

GT-R spotted... I just love it!

OK, it's not the first time I see a GT-R on the streets and I have been even overtaken by one, but every time I see one, I just admire it. I want one truly, madly, deeply...

Anyway, as I was going out yesterday night, I saw one parked and I immediately pulled over and took those shots. Just a standard GT-R, but that will do for me... Sorry for the bad photos, they were again taken with my mobile phone.

Next-gen Honda Accord/Inspire to get PHV version

According to Honda's president, Takanobu Ito, a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) system for medium sized vehicles has been developed and it will be sold in the States in 2012.

The next-gen Accord (Inspire in Japan) will be the first model to get a PHV version, which will use the engine in order to power the batteries. The system will be similar to the one of the Toyota Prius PHV and GM's Volt. It is likely that a 1.5L petrol engine will be used.

The next-gen Accord will also be available with a number of petrol engines (e.g. 2.4L R4 and 3.5L V6) and a "normal" hybrid version will also be introduced.

Nissan GT-R (11MY) live photos from Japan...!!!

Those are some very cool live photos from Japan showing the EGOIST, Club Track, Black and Spec V editions of the 11MY GT-R (earlier post). Enjoy!

[Source: carview.co.jp]

Hello Prius V!

We have already seen a rendering of the upcoming Prius V, as well as a puzzle that revealed the 3rd generation Prius with the Prius V behind it (earlier post), and now it's time for the real thing. So, this is it...

The Prius V is expected to make its debut in Detroit.

The new Nissan Tiida (Versa)... ?!

The new Nissan Tiida (Versa) was caught during testing in China last week (earlier post) and now those images come again from China. Is this the new Tiida, or Sunny or whatever is going to be called?! If it is, I was hoping for something better...

Prius gets naughty!

Toyota marks 10 years of Prius in the UK with this special edition model called Generation "X".

• Special features include body kit, 17-inch multi-spoke alloys, rear privacy glass and embossed black leather upholstery
• Production limited to 1,000 examples
• White Pearl or Astral Black exterior paint finishes available
• Available to order now, price £26,150

New Infiniti G (Skyline) Coupe coming...!

If you think that Japanese automakers are only focused on green cars, then think again. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) will expand and one of the first steps will be the introduction of the new Infiniti G Coupe (known as Skyline Coupe in Japan).

[Source: Best Car magazine]

New, lighter Honda Fit coming in 2013

The new Honda Fit (Jazz) is expected to be introduced in 2013 and the overall weight of the car will be reduced by 8-10%, compared to the current generation. This translates to around 100 kg, since the weight of today's Fit is around 1000 kg. Honda seems to follow Mazda's philosophy, which makes sense in order to improve fuel efficiency and reduce the CO2 emissions, but at the same time, it is a challenging target since lightweight materials are expensive to use.

Nissan releases new Fuga Hybrid in Japan

Nissan announced today the launch of the new Nissan Fuga Hybrid (known as Infiniti M35h outside Japan), which goes on sale November 2nd at Nissan dealers nationwide in Japan.

The new Fuga Hybrid adopts Nissan's original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system named 'Intelligent Dual Clutch Control', connecting the high-response electric motor and the 3.5-liter VQ35HR V6 engine directly to the transmission, without the use of a traditional torque converter. One of the two clutches completely disconnects the motor from the engine, realizing a quiet and highly efficient EV mode. Compared to traditional hybrid systems, the electric motor driving range is expanded for high-speed driving (up to over 100km/h on a level highway) and the EV mode is frequently applied.

The Fuga Hybrid's sport performance feel is enhanced by the use of double-piston shock absorbers, and the first-ever application of both the advanced Electro-hydraulic Power Steering system and Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system.

Pirces range from 5,775,000 ¥ to 6,300,000 ¥.

Main Features of Nissan Fuga Hybrid
● Exterior

• 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with chrome color coating
• Available in a choice of seven body colors, including a new Eternal Snow White (a special Titanium Metallic color with Scratch Shield)

● Mechanism and equipment

• Nissan original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system, 'Intelligent Dual Clutch Control'
• High-output lithium-ion battery with a quick charge/discharge function
• Advanced 'HM34' electric motor with maximum power output of 50kW（68PS） and maximum torque of 270N・m（27.5kgf・m）
• Special engine for hybrid 'VQ35HR' with maximum power of 225kW（306PS）/6800rpm and maximum torque of 350N・m（35.7kgf・m）/5000rpm）
• Electronic 7-speed hybrid transmission with manual shift mode