New mighty Nissan Sylphy SSS on its way?!

Nissan Bluebird Sylphy (日産シルフィ), codenamed G11, uses Nissan's B platform and it is equipped with the same 1.5L engine as the Nissan Tiida / Versa (HR15DE), as well as the MR20DE (2.0L) engine. Unfortunately though, very few countries get it, besides Japan of course. For us, the Tiida is enough... 

Anyway, the specific photo is from a magazine claiming that Nissan will bring back the "SSS" version, which will come with Juke's MR16DET (1.6L) engine. The model shown is the next-gen one, as the current model is totally different, and it makes me wonder whether we  will get this as Tiida's successor and not the Chinese version we have already seen... Check out also my previous post about it.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: Likely spec of FB20 engine

I just came across with some likely spec of the FB20 engine, which will power the FT-86 / 216A (earlier post). The following data could well be fiction... but in any case I don't reckon it's far from the reality.

Engine displacement (L)
1.994

Bore/stroke (mm)
92.0 / 75.0

Compression ratio
12.5

Maximum output
200PS / 7,100 rpm

Maximum torque
21.0kg-m / 4,500 rpm

Fuel

Premium unleaded petrol – hm, I don't like this bit at all...

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]

Fancy a Honda CR-Z Roadster?

If you really fancy a Honda CR-Z Roadster, Honda may let you down since such a version is not in the plans, but you can have a scale model of it!

Rendering of next-gen Subaru Impreza

Subaru has presented an Impreza concept car at LA, previewing what we should expect (earlier post) and it seems that at last they came up with a proper design language. The latest Mag-X issue has a rendering of how they believe the production car will look like.

Seat belt airbag to be fitted on Lexus LFA

The Lexus LFA will be the first car to come equipped with seat belt airbags, developed by Takata (タカタ). The airbags are inflated in the case of frontal or side collision and aim to reduce the forces applied to the occupants' chest. In the event of a side collision, the airbag helps to control the movement of the head.

[Source: Response]

A Toyota Supra rendering from the past...

Back in 2005, a Japanese magazine published a rendering of the future Supra. Well, I don't think a new Supra will come out, but in any case it's a funny approach as this rendering is something between the last-gen Supra (A80) and Toyota's legendary 2000GT...!

Nissan slightly upgrades Cube and adds Party Red Selection

It seems that it's the time when manufacturers announce slight changes for their models and this time, it's Nissan Cube's (earlier post) turn. Also, the 15X / 15X Four Cube Party Red Selection (15X／15X FOURパーティーレッドセレクション) was released.

The Cube features now as standard an "ECO mode" function to support economical driving under starting and acceleration. Also, gear shifting is now optimised according to the size and distance of the corner by using information from the road navigation system.

Besides those changes, a new color "Shiny bronze (シャイニーブロンズ)" has been added to the available body colours, and now customers have a choice between nine colours.

The 15X / 15X Four Cube Party Red Selection features velour interior upholstery, in red of course, and other popular equipment as standard, such as a three-spoke leather steering wheel, intelligent key entry and a start/stop button.