Info on upcoming Honda NSX and S2000 successors!!!

A TOV member came back from Japan and managed to get hold of a BC magazine copy, which had the rendering posted (earlier post) a couple of weeks ago. So, it seems that perhaps neither the term NSX successor, nor S2000 successor are correct. A new sports car is under development, but don't expect something like the old S2000 or NSX. Times have changed and thus it makes sense to follow a different approach this time.

It is mentioned that the new sports car (replacing the S2000) will get a 4WD system, similarly to the Audi TT, and it could be based on the Accord, which is being sold in the States as a coupe as well, but it will differentiate itself from it. The new car could be sold in the States as an Acura, which makes sense.

In terms of the NSX replacement, Best Car claims that if there is a successor indeed, power could come from a 3.5 L V6 engine plus the under-development hybrid system designed for mid-large size vehicles.

[Source: TOV - AznSupastar (translation by chuchurocket)]

LFA's V10 engine wins "Best Engine of the Year" award by Evo UK!

Evo UK's January 2011 issue features the magazine's selections for 2010, including the "Best Engine of the Year". The winner? Lexus LFA's 4.8 L V10 engine!!!  Lexus managed to win over SLS AMG's V8, 458 Italia's V8, GT-R's V6, LP570-4 and R8's V10, Porsche GT2 RS and GT3 RS H6, Evora's V6 and Focus RS500's I5 engines.

Some of the comments regarding the LFA's V10 were "A mix of road and racing engines: Lexus LFA's utterly intoxicating 4.8 Liter V10.", "There is the noise it makes, for a start, a dense shriek like a V10 F1 car's", "Then there's the wall of torque from 5000 rpm to 9000 rpm and a strong thrust even before that", "Lighter than an average V6 and it even meets the Euro 5 emission standards", "It is hard to imagine that such an engine's career will be over when all the LFAs are built, given the love that has gone into it. We certainly hope not".

[Sources: Twitter, Toyota Nation - silver04rolla]

First details about new Suzuki Swift Sport emerge

Almost one month ago, it was reported (earlier post) that the launch of the new Suzuki Swift Sport has been postponed until next autumn. Now, an article published by a Japanese magazine claims that the engine is going to based on the one fitted in the previous generation, M16A with dual VVT, and power will go up to 135 hp. Still no info regarding the available gearboxes, if there is a choice.

The price is expected to be around 1,700,000 ¥.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Honda CR-Z JCOTY special edition

Honda CR-Z has won the 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award (earlier post) and in order to celebrate this award, Honda has launched a special edition called "Memorial Award Edition". It comes in conduction with both available transmissions (6MT and CVT) and in terms of special features, it includes the following: Special Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue body colour, dark grey 16" aluminium wheels, metal pedals, JCOTY stickers, Honda's HDD and ETC.

In total, 1000 "Memorial Award Edition" CR-Zs will be made costing 2,794,000 ¥.