Honda CR-Z wins 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year award

The Honda CR-Z has won the 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award. The nominees for the award were: Toyota Marx X, Nissan March, Honda CR-Z, Mazda Premacy, Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, Peugeot RCZ and Jaguar XJ. 

The 2009-2010 award was won by Toyota's Prius.

Gran Turismo 5 coming in November?

Yet another illustration showing the Toyota FT-86

Last month, a rendering of Subaru's version was posted (earlier post) and now, it's again time for another illustration (by Best Car) showing the Toyota FT-86. I really look forward for this model and I have already started saving money...

Next-gen Suzuki Solio (YK8)

Suzuki sells some very interesting models in Japan, which unfortunately we don't get. Anyway, this is the next-gen Solio, codenamed YK8, and it will share chassis and engine with the new Swift. It is expected to be released in February 2011.

[Source: autoten.com]

New Nissan Serena (C26) officially released

The new Nissan Serena (earlier post) was officially released and sales start on 29th November. It is equipped with a newly developed direct-injection engine with Xtronic CVT and a Stop/Start system. 

You can read the complete press release here.

Nissan Skyline GT-R history / 日産スカイライン GT-R歴史

Nissan has produced more sports cars than any other Japanese manufacturer and of course, the Skyline GT-R is the pinnacle. Up to now, there have been five Skyline GT-R generations and the latest model is called just GT-R. You can read the history of Skyline models (English / Japanese) and the latest GT-R (English / Japanese) on Wikipedia.

After doing some search on flickr, I came across with a lot of beautiful images, but I selected just ten of them showing the GT-R generations. I think that's the best way to refer to history... as a picture is worth a thousand words!

New Nissan Serena (JDM)

This is the upcoming Nissan Serena (C26), which will be revealed officially on 29th November.

Lexus' Hiromu Naruse tribute video

Toyota’s chief test driver, 67 year old Hiromu Naruse (成瀬弘), died in a collision involving the Lexus LFA Nurburgring prototype. Reports stated that Naruse, a Toyota employee since 1967, lost control of the LFA and swerved into the oncoming lane and collided with a BMW.

Naruse-san will be deeply missed by the company and all of its fans. May he rest in peace.


This is a link where you can read an interview by Gazoo Racing back in 2008.