Subaru Legacy Outback

When it comes to cars, I have to admit that I am fed up with all the "premium" German models that promise to be near perfect, but fail in so many areas... I really miss my Honda Civic FD1!

The only car that really excites me is the new Lexus NX, but due to the lack of a diesel engine (the hybrid comes with a 2.5L engine which is not a good idea due to the taxes involved), I started looking for a all-wheel drive car with some off road capabilities. 

I checked out the new Nissan X-Trail and although it's a great value of money, it just doesn't work for me. It lacks any excitement and I decided that it is not my cup of tea. Then I started wondering which cars I used to like a lot as a kid. Well, it was the Mitsubishi Galant and Subaru Legacy. And then it came to me... Legacy + off road capabilities = Outback!!!

I visited my local Subaru dealer this week and it didn't take long to decide. If I could afford buying a new car, it would be the one!!! Nice presence, simple yet elegant design, good quality, good ergonomics and it does feel very robust. It's difficult to describe it, but it has been a long time since the last time I sat in a car and I had the feeling that this is a well made car!

I really respect Subaru for choosing their own path when it comes to engineering. That makes me wanting a Subaru even more, as I would definitely like to try the boxer diesel engine coupled to the Lineartronic gearbox :-)

Lexus LS L-Select program: Escape Journey

There many beautiful items produced in Japan that unfortunately are not available outside the country. The same implies for the L-Select customization program available for the Lexus LS.

As part of the L-Select program (more info), there are six ‘worlds’ from which to choose the look and feel of your interior. Those "worlds" are the Presidential Suite, Escape Journey, Japanese Modern (my personal favourite), Royal Therapy, Wild Beauty and Passionate Spirit. The most distinct ones are definately the Escape Journey and the Passionate Spirit and although they may seem as extreme at first glance, the craftmanship and colour combinations are simply amazing.

The Escape Journey (more info) in particular conjures the image of a Mediterranean style yacht. The Marine Blue (マリンブルー) leather on the dashboard is spread in such a way that reproduces the scene of a steering cruiser aiming at the horizon (Kajiwokiru 舵を切る)! The aluminium trim also conjures the image of how the water reflects light.

Source of photos: Luxury TV

Source of price list: kotakunのページ

Scoop: Lexus NX

The new Lexus NX will go head to head with BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. It is expected to revealed in autumn, during Tokyo Motor Show, and sales should start at some point in 2014 for an estimated price of 3,500,000 yen.

Power is expected to come from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, badged NX 200t, and a 2.5-liter engine coupled with Lexus' hybrid system, badged NX 300h.

New Honda NSX Concept GT Car Debut!

Scoop: New Honda Fit (Jazz)

Mag-X has released a rendering of the upcoming new Honda Fit (Jazz). Of course, a hybrid version will be available and according to the same source, it will achieve a fuel economy of 36.5 km/l.

Scoop: Updated Nissan GT-R & new Skyline

It is well known that Nissan is working on an updated GT-R, as the R36 is 4-5 years away, and Skyline successor. Best Car has came up with those two renderings showing how the new cars could look like when entering production. 

Mazda MX-5 successor rendering

This is the latest rendering of the MX-5 successor coming from Best Car and according to the article, power is going to come from an 1.4-liter petrol engine. 

Honda readies small open top sports car

This is not a new rumour and Japanese Best Car magazine has revealed another rendering of Honda's upcoming open top sports car. It seems that the new sports car won't be a Kei car, but instead, it will be based on the CR-Z. Also, Honda is also about to reveal an updated CR-Z.

Photos of production Honda N leaked

Last year, it was reported that during 2012, Honda would reveal the production version of the EV-N concept (earlier post). Well, it seems that Honda is ready to launch it and those leaked photos are from the Japanese brochure! Most likely, the name of this little Honda will be N-One.

Source: 頑張れ

Video: How Lexus spends 38 days building a 'Shimamoku' steering wheel

Rendering of Lexus' LF-LC production version

Lexus may give the green light for a production version of the LF-LC Concept and Japanese magazines have started publishing renderings of the possible looks. I really hope that Lexus will go ahead and produce it.

Toyota readies four-door FT model!!!

According to Japanese Best Car magazine, Toyota is working on a sporty four-door model which will be added to the FT family. A four-door FT model is not something new, as a long time ago I posted about this scenario (earlier post). It seems that Toyota is back in business for good!

Lexus LFA: Pearl Brown with Orange interior!!!

Lexus Escondido has uploaded some photos of an LFA in Pearl Brown and Orange interior. I have seen photos of many LFAs, but nothing like this yet! At least someone had imagination and the more I look at it... the more I like it!!!

Subaru BRZ around Fuji Speedway

Subaru BRZ STi Concept coming in Tokyo

Subaru will display the BRZ STi Concept at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon. The concept comes with a roof and a bonnet out of carbon fiber, like the Impreza tS, wider tires (215 at the front and 225 at the back - 18" rims) and a few other cosmetic bits and bobs, such a a small rear spoiler etc. In terms of the oily bits, no changes have been made.

Next-gen Mazda MX-5 rendering

Over the time, renderings of the upcoming Mazda MX-5 (earlier post) have been published and although this particular one is neither coning from Japan, nor is the latest one, I found it quite interesting.

Video: New and old Acura NSX get together in GT5

Toyota Prius C makes its official debut

Toyota will make the market's most proven hybrid technology available to subcompact car shoppers with a starting MSRP below $19,000.

The Prius c relies on a 1.5-liter in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine that utilizes an Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency. This engineproduces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp.

The Prius c's hybrid system utilizes a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that has been located under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle, and low in the chassis to help improve the center of gravity.

Toyota Ns4 Plug In Hybrid concept

Not bad at all... but is it likely to make it into production...?! I hope it does... Anyone from Toyota listening???

Acura debuts NSX concept at Detroit!

The NSX Concept gives an indication of how the next-gen NSX will look like. The concept is equipped with Honda's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system. Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a Bilateral Torque Adjustable Control System, the all-new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering.

“This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make NSX the ultimate expression of Acura’s idea to create synergy between man and machine,” said Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.” 

“Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency,” added Ito, who led the development of Acura’s first NSX supercar. “In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.” 

Video: Lexus LF-LC concept

Lexus LX 570 gets minor facelift

Lexus' GS design has been a failure in my opinion with the Japanese trying to incorporate as many as "S"s as possible, a trend that appears in the facelifted LX... 

Source: Autoblog

Yet another Honda NSX successor rendering

Honda will introduce an NSX successor, although the initial project was halted for a few months due to the financial crisis. The new NSX won't have the same drivetrain configuration as the one we have seen being tested in the past, so you can expect a hybrid powetrain. 

Japanese Best Car magazine has came up with this rendering, which is the latest one floating around the net. Nice...

Lexus' stunning LF-LC concept

Simply speechless.... please Lexus produce it with just minor mods, please....