Mitsubishi to reveal Global Small Concept at Geneva

Following the official sketches of the upcoming global small car (earlier post), published by Mitsubishi, it has now been confirmed that the actual concept will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The production version is expected to be launched in March 2012, when the new plant in Thailand will start operating.

The engine is expected to have a displacement between 1.0 and 1.2 L, coupled to a CVT gearbox, and in combination with an energy recovery system and a stop/start system, it will be able to achieve an emission level of around 90 g/km.

It's still unknown whether the new small car will replace the Colt in Europe or not.

New Skyline Coupe / Infiniti G Coupe coming in 2012

A while back, Autocar reported that the new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, has already been shown to the management. Now, a Japanse magazine has published the rendering shown, claiming that a hybrid version will be available, along with diesel engines supplied by Mercedes-Benz.

The new model is expected to launched either at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, or at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

New Fairlady Z Z35 (390Z) coming in 2013!

In the "A glimpse of upcoming Prius V, Fit Wagon & facelifted Fairlady Z (370Z)" post, I mistakably wrote that on the cover of the latest BC issue, the facelifted Fairlady Z (Z34) was shown.

Well, the particular rendering is BC's impression of the all-new Fairlady Z (Z35), which will go into production in 2013.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Toyota FT-86 in GT5!

Now those are some wicked shots!!!!! Absolutely amazing!

[Source: Facebook (FT-86 concept)]

GRMN iQ Racing Concept in action!!!

Detailed info about Ariel Atom Mugen

The Ariel Atom Mugen (earlier post) was unveiled at the 2011 British Autosport Show and it's a special edition for the celebration of Ariel's 10th anniversary. Ariel, that has built 1,000 Atoms, will build just 10 of those special ones powered by the Honda K20Z Type R engine.

According to the press release, each Atom Mugen engine is stripped, measured and fully blueprinted at Mugen Europe’s Northampton headquarters. The engines are reassembled with high performance, higher compression pistons, high lift camshafts and new valve springs. A longer freeflow inlet manifold is fitted with a bigger diameter throttle body together with race grade spark plugs.  The engine also features a full baffled sump and is finished with a carbon fibre Mugen cover. 

After assembly, each engine is tested on the Mugen dynamometer and carefully run in prior to full power test. After 7 days of work on every engine they are bore scoped and inspected prior to sign off. A lightened balanced flywheel is fitted together with a limited slip differential to the close ratio Honda 6 speed gearbox prior to installation in the Atom.

More info and photos after the jump!

Nissan Elgrand Rider Premium Concept

One JDM model that I really like is Nissan's Elgrand (エルグランド) and those are some photos of the Elgrand Rider Premium Concept presented at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

More photos after the jump!

First production Lexus LFA

On December 15, 2010, production of Lexus LFA began at the Motomachi factory (earlier post). The LFA is produced by a total of 170 people, including the CFRP (earlier post) manufacturing staff. According to the press release, the CFRP technology, which was developed in-house, will be used in future Toyota and Lexus models!

The LFA is assembled by hand and consists of around 15,000 parts (a "normal" Lexus model consists of around 12,000 parts). Each LFA built will have over a 3,500-page work journal. This will be kept at Lexus and will be utilised for future reference in the case there will be an inquiry after the delivery of the vehicle.