Info on upcoming Honda NSX and S2000 successors!!!

A TOV member came back from Japan and managed to get hold of a BC magazine copy, which had the rendering posted (earlier post) a couple of weeks ago. So, it seems that perhaps neither the term NSX successor, nor S2000 successor are correct. A new sports car is under development, but don't expect something like the old S2000 or NSX. Times have changed and thus it makes sense to follow a different approach this time.

It is mentioned that the new sports car (replacing the S2000) will get a 4WD system, similarly to the Audi TT, and it could be based on the Accord, which is being sold in the States as a coupe as well, but it will differentiate itself from it. The new car could be sold in the States as an Acura, which makes sense.

In terms of the NSX replacement, Best Car claims that if there is a successor indeed, power could come from a 3.5 L V6 engine plus the under-development hybrid system designed for mid-large size vehicles.

[Source: TOV - AznSupastar (translation by chuchurocket)]

LFA's V10 engine wins "Best Engine of the Year" award by Evo UK!

Evo UK's January 2011 issue features the magazine's selections for 2010, including the "Best Engine of the Year". The winner? Lexus LFA's 4.8 L V10 engine!!!  Lexus managed to win over SLS AMG's V8, 458 Italia's V8, GT-R's V6, LP570-4 and R8's V10, Porsche GT2 RS and GT3 RS H6, Evora's V6 and Focus RS500's I5 engines.

Some of the comments regarding the LFA's V10 were "A mix of road and racing engines: Lexus LFA's utterly intoxicating 4.8 Liter V10.", "There is the noise it makes, for a start, a dense shriek like a V10 F1 car's", "Then there's the wall of torque from 5000 rpm to 9000 rpm and a strong thrust even before that", "Lighter than an average V6 and it even meets the Euro 5 emission standards", "It is hard to imagine that such an engine's career will be over when all the LFAs are built, given the love that has gone into it. We certainly hope not".

[Sources: Twitter, Toyota Nation - silver04rolla]

First details about new Suzuki Swift Sport emerge

Almost one month ago, it was reported (earlier post) that the launch of the new Suzuki Swift Sport has been postponed until next autumn. Now, an article published by a Japanese magazine claims that the engine is going to based on the one fitted in the previous generation, M16A with dual VVT, and power will go up to 135 hp. Still no info regarding the available gearboxes, if there is a choice.

The price is expected to be around 1,700,000 ¥.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Honda CR-Z JCOTY special edition

Honda CR-Z has won the 2010-2011 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award (earlier post) and in order to celebrate this award, Honda has launched a special edition called "Memorial Award Edition". It comes in conduction with both available transmissions (6MT and CVT) and in terms of special features, it includes the following: Special Pearl Deep Sapphire Blue body colour, dark grey 16" aluminium wheels, metal pedals, JCOTY stickers, Honda's HDD and ETC.

In total, 1000 "Memorial Award Edition" CR-Zs will be made costing 2,794,000 ¥.

Become a champion in your region by driving a LEAF...

Hmm, I am really wondering where we are heading to next... Nissan has created a system, called CARWINGS (カーウイングス), which connects all LEAFs to a network, wirelessly feeding their economy statistics. The point of all that? Well, there is a regional ranking system comparing the driver's energy economy to other LEAF drivers, and the winner gets... a gold medal on the navi screen.

At the moment, CARWINGS is only available in Japan and it includes also other services, such as 24-hour driver support.

[Source: Mashable]

New Nissan Patrol exceeds sales expectations in UAE

The fourth-gen Nissan Patrol (aka Safari サファリ), codenamed Y62, is not available in Japan, but it has proved to be a big success in the UAE. Ten months after its launch, sales have exceeded the company's original expectations according to Arabian Automobiles, Nissan dealer for Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

Local sales of the Nissan Patrol started in April 2010, and in the first eight months, more than 2,000 units have been sold in the UAE (not counting Abu Dhabi, which has a different dealer). However, I don't reckon that this number is higher than the number of Toyota Land Cruiser sold, but it's a good start.

[Source: Drive Arabia]

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: They come at the end of 2011 indeed!!!

In an interview with the President of Fuji Heavy Industries Mori Ikuo, it was revealed that the Subaru version will be presented at the end of 2011, and from what I could understand from the Japanese text, it will be revealed in December. Toyota is expected to launch it also at the same time.

The article also reveals that testing, as well as the body of the car have been almost completed, and tests are been carried out at the moment in order to fine tune the car for foreign markets. Mori revealed that the car is very comfortable and fuel efficient. The low seating position, in conjunction with the low centre of gravity, result in feeling very confident in driving it.

The price will be around 2,500,000 ¥.

I am glad that my detailed post has proved to be right, as the facts above confirm what I have written about the FT-86! If you want to read all the posts regarding the FT-86, you can use the "FT-86 variants FT-86のバリエーション" tag which is used for all upcoming versions of the model (Toyota FT-86, Subaru 216A, Scion FR-S etc).

[Source: 東京新聞; Source of photo: Subaring Days]

Rendering of next-gen Subaru Impreza WRX STi

This is the second rendering of the next-gen Subaru Impreza WRX STi (earlier post) I have came across so far, and as you can see, it is based on the concept presented at the LA Auto Show. As I have written before, Subaru... just don't cock it up....