New Suzuki Swift Sport launch postponed

The launch of the new Suzuki Swift Sport was intended for spring 2011, but according to a report from a Japanese magazine, it has now been postponed until next autumn. The reason behind this has to do with engine improvements, as Suzuki aims to achieve 30% improvement in the fuel consumption. The engine will also feature a stop/start system and a decision regarding gearboxes has been made yet (manual or CVT).

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Amazing CarbonDry Protec wheels!!!

I am not really into after market bits and pieces, but those CarbonDry Protec wheels certainly caught my attention.

Those GT-R wheels were shipped to CarbonDry Japan (カーボンドライジャパン), which they were then refinished in carbon fiber (4 layers!!!) with the company's dry carbon Protec system. The result of course in not only aethetic, as it does improve the strength and it barely adds any weight.

The results below are from a strength test on a 80mm piece of aluminum that is 20mm thick.

	Force withstood	Strength increase
No coats	60 kg	0%
1 layer	86 kg	43%
2 layer	180 kg	300%
3 layer	296 kg	493%

I have to admit that it's an amazing job... just take a look at the details! You can also watch a video at this link.

Nissan sets up special Leaf support team in US

Introducing an EV vehicle to the market is not as simple as someone may thing, mainly due to consumer's anxiety. It's something totally new after all. Therefore, Nissan has decided to set up a dedicated support team of thirty technicians and ten engineers trained in the Leaf’s drivetrain. The team will be visiting customers who experience issues with the car.

A similar support system is being introduced in Japan. 

[Source: Automotive News]

Subaru Impreza Concept video

What’s under the bonnet of the Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition?

Honda NSX alive...? Or is it a ghost from the past.. which is anyway dead?

I have to admit that I have started being disappointed from Honda... NSX replacement cancelled, no F1 team (just at the time they had a winning car ready) and only words about hybrids... and again more boring hybrids. But wait!!!!!!

Now, this is shocking. New NSX alive???????

According to Motor Trend, it lives although in a different form. According to a source, Honda never gave up its plans, even though the V10 NSX concept came at the wrong time. So, the project was redefined, this time with a more market-friendly approach, which means giving it the latest hybrid tech.

The technology to power Honda new sports car "can be driven with either a clutch and an engine only, the engine and motor only, or the motor only," and a manual gearbox will be also available!

The car will be based on a modified Accord platform, and power will come from either a 2.4-liter R4 or a 3.5-liter V6 engine, with the latter considered the sure favorite. In Japan, a patent application that specifies a "V6 powertrain developing upwards of 400 horsepower" has been uncovered. Expect Honda to fit the rear-drive-based SH-AWD setup that enabled the test mule to lap the Nürburgring in 7 minutes, 37 seconds two years ago.

If it gets the green light for production, expect to see it in showrooms as early as 2014. 

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mitsubishi to launch plug-in hybrid SUV in 2013

Do you remember the Mitsubishi PX MiEV Concept? It was presented at 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and I found it a nice looking concept. So, what new now about it? Actually, according to Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi's global electric vehicle business, a plug-in hybrid SUV will be launched in 2013. The car will be similar to the concept.

The PX MiEV Concept was powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine mated to a hybrid system with two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Mitsubishi hasn't named its plug-in hybrid SUV, but it will carry the "MiEV" (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) moniker, Nakamura said. 

Now, just a question... what's the point in having cars like RAV4 EV and PX MiEV? I really think that "eco" technologies should be available in mass produced cars, but a big SUV with a limited mile range on the EV mode is destined for commuting, isn't it? So, people still want SUVs in order to move in big cities... and therefore, the marketing guys came up with this brilliant idea! Bring out a relatively green big SUV (after all, the tag "green" is the important bit), which in fact is not necessarily a green car... The fundamental element for a green car is weight reduction and if weight is low, then the 30-mile range of an SUV on EV mode can easily become 100-miles...

[Source: Automotive News]

Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept & Sprinter Trueno AE86 diecast models

I cannot resist ordering new scale models... and this time I ordered a couple of 1/43 ones which should look nice next to each other! 

• Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 Carbon Bonnet Takumi Fujiwara by Fujimi (フジミ)
• Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon by Kid Box (キッドボックス)