Mitsubishi launches Delica D:2 in Japan

As it has already been reported, Mitsubishi will sell the new Suzuki Solio as Delica D:2 in Japan, and today it was officially launched. Prices are starting from ¥ 1,393,000.

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.