A glimpse of the new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

The latest issue of Best Car magazine has a very interesting cover showing all the important new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

So, here is what's coming (... I am missing a couple of Nissan sedan models):

• Daihatsu's small car based on the concept e:S (earlier post)

• Honda Fit - aka Jazz - wagon (earlier post)

• Honda Freed Hybrid 

• Honda Insight (facelift with design cues from  FCX Clarity)

• Lexus CT (looks like a spicy version... a CT-F perhaps?) 

• Lexus GS-F (earlier post)

• Mazda CX-5 (Mazda's variant of the Ford Kuga)

• Nissan Tiida - aka Versa - (earlier post)

• Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A (related posts)
  

• Toyota Prius V (related posts)

Mazda MX-5, RX-8 and 787B scale models

Three new Mazda models were added yesterday to my diecast collection. The Mazda 787B is the only Japanese car that has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race ever!

• Mazda MX-5 tuned by MAZDASPEED (Red Metallic) by AUTOart
• Mazda RX-8 tuned by MAZDASPEED (Red Metallic) by AUTOart
• Mazda 787B (Dark Silver) by HPI

Next-gen Mazda MX-5 to come with 1.6L engine

Just an update on my previous post regarding the MX-5's successor (ロードスター). According to information from a Japanese magazine, the new model will be equipped with a 1.6L engine featuring SKYACTIV technology (earlier post) producing around 130hp and don't be disappointed... in conjunction with a weight of 995kg, it should be still fun! The new model will be slightly smaller and lighter, a back to the basics approach!

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Mazda Shinari to influence design of next 6 / Atenza

The four-door sports concept Shinary will influence the design of the next-gen Mazda 6 / Atenza (マツダアテンザ), according to information from Mazda itself. The new design language is going to replace the "Nagare" one, with the latter one applied only to one model, the new 5, aka Premacy (プレマシー).

The next-gen Atenza is expect to be launched in spring 2012.

Mazda RX-7 Type R Bathurst X (FD3S) scale model by Kyosho

The "Mazda RX-7 (FD3S) Type R Bathurst X 1995" scale model by Kyosho has been re-released, in white, and I will try to get it in order to complete my RX-7 collection (earlier post). My next order should arrive at the beginning of December.

Actually, Kyosho will re-release a number of models, including the following:

• Nissan Fairlady 300Z (Z32)1989 (White)
• Nissan Fairlady 300Z (Z32)1989 (Yellow)
• Nissan Silvia (S13) K'S (White)
• Toyota Soarer (Z30) 2.5GT Twin Turbo L (Pearl White)
• Toyota Soarer (Z30) 2.5GT Twin Turbo L (Dark Blue Mica) 

 

If you want to stay up to date with the future releases by Kyosho, then this is a blog in order to do so. Future releases of Ebbro scale models are announced on their website.

RX-8 successor more than two years away

The RX-8 successor (earlier post) is at least one year behind schedule, due to failure in meeting the emission requirements. Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of Mazda's powertrain division, insists that "we will never give up" and the 16X Wankel engine under development is already 30% more fuel efficient that the Renesis engine. Hitomi stated that the 1.6L 16X engine is slightly more fuel efficient than Mazda's 2.0L petrol engine.

So, when the new RX will hit the market? "Maybe within two years we can tell you when we will introduce it to the market," according to Hitomi. 

Source: Automotive News

SKYACTIV technology: What the future holds for Mazda

Mazda has released details about its next-gen powertrain technologies with the name SKYACTIV, including completely new engines, transmissions, bodyshells and platforms that will be launched in 2011. 

Since Mazda claims that SKYACTIV technologies will be launched next year,  the first model to benefit will be the new Demio/2 which goes on sale in the first half of 2011. Thereafter, we can expect that the next models coming with the new technologies will be the new MX-5 (earlier post) and 6 (Atenza). 

SKYACTIV-G petrol engine

• Fuel consumption levels that until now have been the reserve of hybrid powertrains 
• Compression ratio of 14.0:1, the highest compression ratio ever used in a production petrol engine anywhere in the world 
• 15 percent drop in fuel consumption and 15 percent increase in torque output

SKYACTIV-D diesel engine

• Compression ratio at 14.0:1, the lowest ever employed for a diesel engine 
• 20 percent drop in fuel consumption 
• Two-phase turbocharger delivering smooth and linear responses from low to high engine speeds and increasing low and high-end torque up to the rev limit of 5,200 rpm

SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission

• It combines the advantages of a conventional automatic transmission, a continuously-variable transmission and a double-clutch transmission
• Direct driving feel that is comparable to a manual transmission  
• Improved fuel economy of up to 7 percent compared to a current, conventional torque-converter automatic transmission

SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission

• Lightweight and compact manual transmission contributing to lowering fuel consumption 
• Compact size allowing efficient vehicle packaging

SKYACTIV-Body & SKYACTIV-Chassis

• Newly-developed, high-strength bodyshell being 8 percent lighter and 30 percent stiffer 
• Outstanding crash safety with an excellent foundation for agile handling attributes 
• Use of high-tensile steels and optimised bonding materials 
• Newly-developed suspension that is 14 percent lighter than the current suspension

In further phases, efficiency improving technologies, such as regenerative brake systems and hybrid power systems, will be successively introduced.

Upcoming scale models from Japan!

Updated on Nov 02

The "Mazda RX-7 FD3S AMEMIYA ASPARADRINK JGTC 2004 NO.7" model was replaced by two other RX-7  (SA22C & FC3S) models

 

The latest additions to my model collection will arrive in November from Japan, including the following 1/43 scale models:

• ARTA HSV-010 SGT500 2010 SUZUKA 700km Winter by Ebbro

• Toyota 2000GT Prototype (White) by Ebbro

• Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33) V-Spec 1996 (Red) by Ebbro

• Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR32) V-Spec 2 (Crystal White) by Kyosho

• Mazda Savanna RX-7 (SA22C) Limited 1979 (Mach Green) by Kyosho

• Mazda Savanna RX-7 (FC3S) Infini (Shade Green) by Kyosho

Rendering of new Mazda RX-8

If the new RX-8 is anything like that, then I already know what my next car will be!!! Judging by the new design language 'KODO - Soul of Motion' and the Shinari concept, it's certain that Mazda will launch very interesting designs.

[Source: Best Car magazine]

New Mazda MX-5 due in 2012

The next-gen MX-5 is expected to be launched in 2012 and in terms of design, Mazda plans to make much greater use of its Nagare design language.

Th new MX-5 is expected to be equipped with direct-injection Sky-G petrol engines and a weight target of 1000 kg has been set.

Source: Autocar