Nissan GT-R EGOIST photography

The Nissan GT-R is an amazing car and following the recent nip/tuck, a more luxurious version called EGOIST (earlier post) has been prepared. EGOIST is the first and only Nissan GT-R in the world exclusively created by Takumi, or "master with greatest skills." Each customer can choose a combination of interior colors among 20 choices. In addition, the Bose sound system is exclusively tuned according to the driving position of each driver to meet every customer's needs.

Nissan has released some nice photos of the GT-R EGOIST and you can view more after the jump!

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]

Rendering of future Honda Beat!

According to BC, Honda is also working on a Beat successor, which is likely going to share bits and pieces with the new N (earlier post).

Honda N coming next year

Honda presented back in 2009 the EV-N concept and it seems that this cute little car is heading for production next year. Initially, the petrol version will be launched in March next year, and then the EV version will follow 6 months later. According to this rendering by BC, the production model will look very similar to the concept. Now, I really want one of these...

Some more info about Honda's 2.0L NA CR-Z

As posted a few days ago (earlier post), Honda is working on a naturally aspired CR-Z and according to Best Car, Honda is speeding up the development of it due to high customer demand. BC claims that it is very likely to use the K20A engine of the Euro Civic Type R, which produces 201 PS at 7,800 rpm and 17.7 kgm of torque. The NA CR-Z is expected to have a better fuel efficiency, around 15.0 km/L under the 10.15 mode, compared to the 11.6 km/L of the Euro Type R. The NA CR-Z could wear the Type R badge.

In the past, Autocar reported that we will get a spicy CR-Z equipped with a turbocharged engine (earlier post). I guess we will have to be patient until we really find out what engine will be fitted, but at least we know that the CR-Z will not remain a hybrid only model.

Toyota Passo de Tea Time

This is a car, presented at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, that I wasn't aware of until the latest BC issue arrived! It is called Passo de Tea Time and it was presented in order to showcase Toyota's original accessories. It is powered by a 1.0L engine and the large wheels, with the raised height, give it an adventurous look. Inside, leather and wood give it a British flair.

Mitsubishi to bring diesel sports sedan to market in 2013

According to a Japanese publication, Mitsubishi will be bring a green diesel sports sedan to the market in 2013. The car, which looks like a facelifted Lancer (aka Galant), will be powered by a 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine. Maximum power output is expected to be 200 PS, while it will produce 40.0 kgm of torque. As you can imagine, it will come with Mitsubishi's 4WD system (S-AWC) and a dual clutch gearbox (SST). Hmm, could that be a Lancer Evolution successor...?

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Video: Blue LFA flyby in Japan!

Video: LFA blipping & take off

Video: Top Gear takes an LFA for a spin

Old but still a very nice video about the LFA!

Infiniti confirms reveal of concept previewing new compact model

It's now also official. A concept previewing the new baby Infiniti (earlier post) is indeed going to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show (March 01).

“Infiniti is currently examining concepts for a luxury performance car that will fit below the current G Line. Like every Infiniti, it will be completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.” So said Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President for Infiniti, at the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London during September 2010.

Development of NSX successor officially back on track

Honda president Takashi Ito announced today that the company will resume the development of the NSX successor (earlier post). So, now it's official that there will be a new NSX! Can we have it without batteries please?

Toyota FT-86 II Concept breaks cover!!!

The FT-86 (earlier post) is perhaps the most highly anticipated Japanese model for 2011 and a second concept will be shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show (earlier post). The new BC issue, available on February 10, has on the front cover a photo of the new concept and as you can see, the only visible difference, at the first glance, is the shape of the headlights. As reported in the past, the overall shape won't change (detailed post).

Stay tuned for more information...

Prices of new Honda Fit Shuttle

Prices of the new Fit Shuttle, which will be launched in March (earlier post), will start from ¥ 1,650,000 for the petrol version, while the base price of the hybrid version will be ¥ 1,850,000. 15C and Hybrid C grades, which are business specification, are going to cost ¥ 40,000 cheaper than the standard ones. The 4WD model, available only with the petrol engine and 15X trim level, will cost ¥ 1,825,600.

Baby Infiniti, powered by Mercedes, coming to Geneva Motor Show

A concept previewing the new baby Infiniti (earlier post) is going to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. According to Autocar's sources in Japan, the new model is going to be a coupe-like three-door hatchback and it is likely to use the platform of the next-gen Megane. Power is expected to come from a turbocharged MB four-cylinder engine, which is likely going to be the 1.8L CGI (DE18LA) one.

Another rendering showing new Subaru Impreza coming this year

The new Impreza (earlier post) is coming at the end of the year, and most Japanese magazines have already published their impressions of how it's going to look like. So, this is another rendering coming from Japan, showing the hatchback version.

[Source: Subaru-tech blog]

Toyota readies Yaris HSD (hybrid) Concept for Geneva

Toyota is apparently going to show a hybrid concept of the new Yaris, with the name Yaris HSD Concept, at Geneva. It seems a bid odd to me, as Chief Engineer Yamamoto Hirobumi was asked during the launch in Japan whether Toyota plans to bring out a hybrid version of the new Vitz, and the answer was no (earlier post). It could be that the hybrid version will not be sold in Japan...?

Yet another scoop on future Honda NSX

OK, so here we go again... following the last scoop on the NSX and S2000 successors (earlier post) almost one month ago, BC has published another rendering of the future NSX. I hope I will be able to get the new BC issue soon and provide you with more info.

Web preview of new Honda Fit Shuttle

Honda has launched a website featuring info on the new Fit Shuttle (earlier post), which is scheduled to debut in March. A hybrid version will be available as expected.

Adeyaka Magazine (Infiniti): Quest for Inspiration

Nissan GT-R video: The perfect week

NISSAN GT-R | THE PERFECT WEEK BY FORMAT67.NET from FORMAT67.NET on Vimeo.

A concept fire brigade vehicle by Morita

This is a a concept fire brigade vehicle by Morita (モリタ) which is capable of sending and receiving information between the fire department and helicopters, while checking information such as fire spread due to variable wind direction and weather conditions (even thermal images can be generated). It has a GVW of 11,500 kg and features a CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) capable of spraying at a rate of 3,600 L/min. It comes also with LED night illumination in order to support firemen during the night.

More photos after the jump!

Donuts in a brand new Lexus LFA

Javier Quirós drives his Lexus LFA for the first time...

All-new Honda Civic caught undisguised in Japan!!!

The first new Honda Civics have been caught leaving from the Suzuka plant in Japan! Those units are under way to the States and I have to admit that I am seriously disappointed by the design. I think the new Corolla (earlier post) will be much nicer than this...

More photos after the jump!

Facelifted Subaru Exiga coming in June

The Exiga (エクシーガ) is Subaru's medium MPV, which is sold in Japan, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia. A facelifted model is expected to be launched in June this year, prior to the introduction of the new Impreza towards the end of the year. A new grille is very likely, which will feature the new corporate design as seen in the Impreza concept, and based on information published by Mag-X, the new generation of Boxer engines will be used, displacing 2.0L (FB20). A CVT transmission is also very likely to be introduced.

Next-gen Daihatsu Copen coming in 2014!

Following the scoop on the next-gen Copen (earlier post), now it's time for some more info. It was a long time since Daihatsu displayed the OCF-1 concept and the possibility of a Copen successor was under consideration, but it seems that Daihatsu decided that it will not stop it, as it is boosting its image in the small car segment. The new Copen will make its debut in March 2014, according to Mag-X, and it will use the same platform with the Move.

The new two-cylinder engine will feature direct injection, along with a turbocharger, and it is expected to produce 64 ps and 10.1 kgm of torque. Of course, the problem of vibration with two-cylinder engines is something that Daihatsu engineers are confident that can solve with modern material technology.

More photos of new Honda Fit Shuttle!

The upcoming wagon version of the Fit, called Fit Shuttle (フィット シャトル), is nothing new since a lot of leaked photos have been published. The new model is heading for a domestic launch in March, and in the latest Mag-x issue, there a lot of photos and detailed info (even the trim levels are listed)!

More photos after the jump!