Nissan to supply engines to LMS racing team

Nissan announced today an exclusive two-year official partnership with Signature Racing. The agreement brings together Nissan and Signature on the race track in the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), with Nissan providing the team its NISMO tuned VK45V8 engines for the LMP2 class.

New FB20 engine fitted in 2011 Subaru Forester

Subaru has launched its third-gen boxer design, which is fitted in the 2011 EUDM Forester. The new boxer engine is badged as FB20, replacing the EJ20 one, and according to Subaru, it's around 10% more fuel efficient. The specific version of the engine doesn't come with direct injection, but Subaru has improved a lot of other areas.

The combustion chambers have been redesigned and they are now more compact, there are chain-driven cams and intriguingly "bent" connecting rods (they allow installation and maintenance work without separating the block). The piston stroke has been increased and the valvetrain has been modified. The block and head have been also redesigned and the oversquare layout of the EJ engine (92 x 75 mm) has changed now to an undersquare layout of 84 x 90 mm. Those changes have resulted to improved low and mid-range power delivery and the FB20 engine fitted in the new Forester delivers 148 hp.

I really look forward what else Toyota and Subaru will change in the FB20 version which will be fitted in the FT-86.

More photos after the jump!

World debut for LFA Nürburgring package at Geneva Motor Show

The most exclusive Lexus yet built, the LFA supercar gains an even more track-focused profile with the addition of the bespoke Nürburgring Package, to be shown in public for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March.

Aimed at customers looking for even greater levels of performance from the V10 supercar, the Nürburgring Package is available on a maximum of 50 of the 500 cars that are being built. It provides additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions to improve handling and downforce, increases engine output by 10bhp to 562bhp and speeds up gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission.

Live photos of Five Axis Project CT

The Five Axis Project CT was presented at the Chicago Auto Show and I have to admit that it looks really impressive. Modifications by Five Axis include the following:

• Five Axis custom widebody conversion 
• JDSU “Dark Passage” paint and custom black accents
• TEIN Flex coilover suspension system
• Custom 19-inch FIVE:AD forged wheels
• Custom Ultrasuede® EcoDesign interior
• Custom touch screen interface center console 
• Stoptech High Performance Big Brake Kit on the front

More photos after the jump!

New Supra may not be dead... yet - Part 2

A few weeks ago, it was reported (earlier post) that a Supra successor may still be on the cards, with a likely launch date in 2013. Well, now there is another Japanese publication claiming the same thing, mentioning that it will be powered by a 3.5L V6 engine + an electric motor, with a total power output of 400 PS and a fuel efficiency of 15.0 km/L.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Suzuki to unveil Swift S-Concept at Geneva

Suzuki will unveil the Swift S-Concept at the Geneva Motor Show and as you can guess, it will be a preview of the upcoming Swift Sport (earlier post).

Nissan to unveil ESFLOW EV cocncept at Geneva

Nissan will unveil a 100% electric sports concept at the Geneva Motor Show, called ESFLOW. Below are its main characteristics.

• Rear-wheel drive two-seater 
• Two electric motors, each driving a rear wheel 
• Laminated lithium-ion batteries mounted low for best weight distribution 
• Dramatic styling with wraparound windscreen for unobstructed visibility
• 0-100 km/h in under 5 seconds  
• Over 240 km on one charge 

Some cool shots of Avensis BTCC development car during testing!!!

Those are some really nice photos taken today during testing of the Avensis BTCC development car (earlier post) at Brands Hatch.

[Source: Toyota UK via Twitter]