Video: Nissan GT-R Porsche killer marketing in Germany

Full LFA Nürburgring package details!!! (updated)

Lexus Europe has released full details about the LFA Nürburgring package (earlier post), which is only available in Matte Black, Black, White or Orange exterior colours. There are also only three set of interior colour schemes - Black and Red, Black and Pur­ple, and all Black. The nice thing is that the package features a carbon fibre centre console and door trims, along with carbon fibre bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara.

Nürburgring Package is offered as an option on a maximum of 50 cars – just 10 per cent of the total LFA production run – for a $70,000 premium. These versions will be crafted during 2012, the second full year of LFA production.

To improve track dri­ving even fur­ther, the aero­dy­namic per­for­mance of the LFA with the Nürburgring pack­age will be mod­i­fied through revi­sions and addi­tions to sev­eral key car­bon fibre rein­forced plas­tic com­po­nents. Com­bin­ing to offer improved high speed down­force, these mod­i­fi­ca­tions include a larger front spoiler, fin-type side spoil­ers, canard fin, and a fixed rear wing.

Max­i­mum power will be boosted by 10PS to over 570PS. This will ensure that the LFA maintains its accel­er­a­tion time of 0-100km/h in just 3.7 sec­onds and a 325km/h max­i­mum speed, despite the addi­tional drag cre­ated by increased down­force. The gear shift time will be 0.15 seconds.

In terms of han­dling mod­i­fi­ca­tions, the Nür­bur­gring pack­age LFA will include a sports tuned suspen­sion, a vehi­cle height reduc­tion of 10mm, exclu­sive mesh-type wheels and ded­i­cated, high-grip tyres.

More photos after the jump!

First teaser photo of Subaru’s 216A (FT-86) concept!

So, here is the first glimpse of Scooby's new rear-drive sports coupe concept ahead of its Geneva debut!!!

Scoop on Infiniti's mighty sports car!!!

According to BC, Infiniti (aka Nissan Premium Factory) will launch a mighty sports car in 2013 - 2014. Power is likely to come from either a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, or Nissan's twin turbo VQ37VHR 3.7L engine. The power from the petrol engine should be around 440 ps, which will be boosted with an additional power of 160 ps from the electric drive system, thus giving a total of 600 ps!

Lexus CT 200's lateral dampers

Below there is an interesting article about CT 200h's dynamic dampers.

Why CT 200h Chief Engineer Sam Sadakata thought long and hard about one key feature: dynamic dampers.

OBVIOUSLY, HE THOUGHT about size. Obviously, he thought about the hybrid drive. And obviously, he thought about what kind of driver would be itching to own a Lexus CT 200h when it hits dealerships in a few weeks.

But not so obviously, at least until you get a chance to grab a test drive, is that the vehicle’s chief engineer, “Sam” Sadakata, spent a great deal of time thinking about suspension—or, more precisely, how to keep it in check.

By now, you may have heard about the CT 200h’s version of a selectable driving mode system, which allows you to switch the vehicle between Normal, Eco, and EV modes (aka the “blue light” modes), as well as Sport Mode for the accelerator-inclined—this is the “red light” mode that basically allows the driver to fully capitalize on the CT 200h’s combination of zero-rpm torque and ability to zip around like a jack rabbit.

The sporting proposition is partially the doing of a feature Sadakata and his team spent long hours perfecting: a new kind of suspension damper system that’s key to what Sadakata calls the “fun to drive” aspect of his little luxury hybrid.

THE CONCEPT


The relationship between body rigidity and handling is simple and direct. The more rigid a vehicle’s body, the easier it is to control the unwanted variables of suspension and wheel deflection caused by body flex, or the vehicle’s tendency to lean and sway when you attempt to turn it on a dime.

“So as part of the process of delivering a bit of driving fun, we naturally started off by working on increasing body rigidity,” says Sadakata. “But we ran into difficulties.”

Scoop on next-gen Toyota Crown!

As already reported, the next-gen Toyota Crown comes next year. BC claims that it should be launched in December 2012 and it will be powered by a 3.5L V6 engine. A power output of 320 ps is expected, while the maximum torque should be 39.5 kgm. Power will be transmitted to the rear wheels and the fuel efficiency should be around 11.0 km/L. 

The hybrid version, which will manage a fuel efficiency of 22.0 km/L, will be fitted with a 2.5L straight four engine, while an advanced version of the THS will be used. In terms of dimensions, the new model is expected to measure 4,820 x 1,780 x 1,460 mm (length x width x height). Prices should range between ¥ 3,000,000 and ¥ 5,000,000.

All-new Nissan Teana hybrid arrives in 2013

The next-gen Nissan Teana (aka Maxima) should arrive in 2013 and according to BC, it will be a hybrid with power coming from a 2.5L engine. The power output of the engine will be 150 ps (20.0 kgm of torque) and the fuel efficiency is estimated to be 25.0 km/L. 

New Nissan Tiida coming in October

The Tiida (aka Versa) successor will be launched this year, and according to BC it will be launched in October. As already reported, there is going to be a spicy version (GT?) powered by the 1.6L turbocharged engine (MR16DET), and it will be launched one year later.

Update on info posted about next-gen Toyota Corolla

Almost one month ago, similarly to the next-gen Auris, it was reported that the next-gen Corolla will make its debut in June 2011. This info was claimed by BC, which now has changed the date and according to the latest report, it should be launched in February 2012.

The hybrid version will be powered by the usual 1.8L engine and the fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, should be 30.0 km/L. In terms of dimensions, the new Corolla is expected to measure 4,430 x 1,695 x 1,450 mm (length x width x height). Prices for the hybrid version, in Japan, should range between ¥ 1,900,000 and ¥ 2,200,00.

Update on info posted about next-gen Toyota Auris GT

Almost one month ago, it was reported that the next-gen Toyota Auris is expected to be launched in May this year. Well, it seems that Best Car has some more info now, as the launch date mentioned is May 2012!

The spicy version, probably badged as GT, is still on the cards but this time, BC claims that power will come from a 1.8L turbocharged engine instead of the 1.5L turbocharged one claimed before. The 1.8L engine should deliver 204 ps and 25.5 kgm of torque, while the estimated fuel efficiency is 13.0 km/L. Prices are expected to range between ¥ 2,700, 000 and ¥ 2,800,000.

Next-gen Toyota Camry coming in October

In early December, Mag-X reported (earlier post) that the next-gen Toyota Camry will be available as hybrid, at least in Japan, and a launch date in July 2011 was mentioned.

Now it's time for the latest info as published by Japanese Best Car, which confirms that it will be available as a hybrid only. Power will come from a 2.4L petrol engine with a power output of 150 ps and 19.1 kgm of torque. Those figures don't include the output of the electric motor. The fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) is expected to be 20.0 km/L and the launch date claimed is October 2011. The new Camry will measure 4,830 x 1,820 x 1,480 mm (length x width x height). Prices will range between ¥ 2,700,00 and ¥ 3,000,000.

Toyota working on low budget FR sports car!!!

According to the BC Super Scoop Special issue, Toyota is working on a low budget FR sports car, which will compete with Mazda's new MX-5! It is not the first time I come across with this info, but now there are at least some number claimed...

So, BC claims that the new car should make its debut in 2013 and it will cost around ¥ 1,500,000. The engine will displace 1.5L delivering 105 ps and 14.4 kgm of torque. Power will be transmitted via a manual gearbox to the rear wheels and it should manage a fuel efficiency of 16.0 km/L. Total length is claimed to be 3,570 mm. Hmm, not impressed yet? Well, the total weight should be around 900 kg!!!

Latest rumours about new Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Suzuki Swift Sport, according to the latest rumours coming from Japan, will be powered by a 1.6L engine producing 125 ps and 15.1 kgm of torque. This is lower than the previous report, which suggested that it will get 135 ps. In terms of fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, it is expected to achieve 18.0 km/L. The new Swift Sport should be launched in October 2011 and it is expected to cost around ¥ 1,700,000.

Toyota to launch sedan version of new Vitz called Vios

Toyota will launch a sedan version of the new Vitz (aka Yaris), which will be called Vios (ヴィオス). No more info are available at the moment.

Toyota to start selling home EV chargers in 2012

According to Nikkei, Toyota will start selling home EV chargers for EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012. Group firms Toyota Home and Toyota Industries Corp. will jointly develop the charger and will market it under the Toyota Home brand, through the sales channels of Toyota Home and its affiliate, Misawa Homes Co., according to the report.

The companies will produce two charger types, with one designed to extend from the exterior wall of a home and the other made for installation in a garage. The chargers will be compatible with non-Toyota cars, and will be priced between several tens of thousands of yen to 200,000 yen, including installation costs.

In 2012, Toyota expects to sell a total of 50,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in Japan, the US and Europe, in addition to several thousand electric cars. It expects its sales of home battery chargers to reach 20,000 to 30,000 units during this period. The Japanese government wants 2 million regular EV battery chargers and 5,000 high-speed chargers to be installed across the nation by 2020.

[Source: Nikkei via Green Car Congress]