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#86
07-09-2010, 11:10 PM
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Rumormill: Nissan GT-R 'Egotist' coming soon?
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan, Rumormill  2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery Don't call it the Spec M. According to Autocar, the suits at Nissan have decided to sail a new luxury version of the mighty GT-R under the Egoist banner. The car will supposedly wear a completely new front fascia, and will debut alongside the facelifted version of the GT-R later this year. Other changes include a pair of special Recaro thrones, massive front brakes and unique 10-spoke wheels. All of that kit will set you back a lofty $166,740 at current conversion rates, but so far, it's unclear whether the Egoist will make its way to the States or whether it will be a JDM-only (and possibly Euro-only) piece. Autocar is also serving up a few details on the plain Jane 2011 GT-R. If the report has hit its mark, we can look forward to a significant weight reduction along with a few mechanical tweaks that should up the horsepower. A new oil cooler, exhaust system and slightly larger turbos should help the car churn out a grand total of 506 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are awfully specific without any official word from Nissan, but right now, this estimate is as good as anyone's. Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009 AOL [Source: Autocar] Rumormill: Nissan GT-R 'Egotist' coming soon? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... 
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#87
08-09-2010, 10:30 PM
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Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary
Filed under: Japan, Technology, Mazda  Mazda has big plans for the future of its rotary engine. According to GoAuto, the company is currently hard at work on improving the powerplant's fuel economy by a full 50 percent. If it can pull it off, the new mill will proudly wear the same "Sky" designation as its traditional four-cylinder counterparts. The site quotes Seita Kanai, Mazda's director of R&D and program management, as saying that upping the rotary's fuel economy is essential for the engine's survival. From the sound of things, Mazda is wholly committed to keeping a rotary in its stable. In the report, Kanai says the company is investigating every possible aspect of the engine's design to look for ways to increase efficiency, down to the very principles behind the design. Even so, he stopped short of saying whether or not the company is toying with an electric turbocharger as part of development. Even with word that the Japanese automaker is stoking the rotary flames, GoAuto reports the company currently has no plans for a legitimate RX-7 successor. While designers and engineers within the company may be itching to jump onto a new sports car, the company's decision makers are currently more occupied with slimming its corporate average fuel economy. [Source: GoAuto] Report: Next Mazda RX-8 to use Sky G rotary originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#88
17-09-2010, 11:10 PM
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Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine
Filed under: Japan, Lotus, Toyota  Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presents Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise R - Click for high-res gallery The last Toyota 2ZZ-GE VVTLi four cylinder engine has been built, and Lotus got it. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda came together at the British Embassy in Tokyo for a celebration where Toyota was presented with an Elise R carrying the engine by Bahar. The shindig marks a new chapter in the two companies' partnership, one that will allow Lotus to create powertrains that are more exclusively its own in future cars with the continued cooperation of Toyota. Designed for Toyota by Yamaha, the 2ZZ-GE engine owed a lot to motorcycle engine practice, and the wide-angled valves and variable valve timing and lift system enabled the high-revving engine to develop 100 horsepower per liter, and even more when supercharged. Power levels floated between 160-180 hp naturally aspirated and as much as 250 when supercharged and intercooled. The question now is what engine Lotus and Toyota will cook up to take the place of the 2ZZ-GE, now that its veteran power unit has been retired. We should find out more on that front at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Follow the jump to see the press release. [Source: Lotus] Continue reading Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#89
25-09-2010, 09:07 PM
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Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible?
Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Honda, Rumormill  2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery According to Road & Track, Honda may have its heart set on cranking out a new droptop sports car to keep the brand alive in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the new racer isn't likely to be anything like the much-loved S2000. No, instead, R&T's sources point to a convertible version of the CR-Z. The recipe calls for the platform to retain its front-wheel-drive layout, though a more powerful drivetrain would likely be fitted to lug around the additional weight of bracing and a folding top. We've heard worse ideas, but we can't remember when. If the car made it to production, it would theoretically go toe to toe with the long-reigning Mazda MX-5 in a battle that we can only assume would be over before either car got to the track. Should the CR-Z-based car prove successful, Honda would then look into building a more potent, rear-wheel drive hybrid sports car. You know, what the CR-Z should have been all along. Road & Track has worked up a rendering, and the curious/stout of stomach can check it out over at their site. Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL [Source: Road & Track] Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#90
01-10-2010, 04:10 PM
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Oh, Kei Go: Toyota set to enter JDM minicar market?
Filed under: Etc., Japan, Toyota, Daihatsu  Toyota is looking to get bigger... by going smaller. The Japanese automaker is looking to enter the kei car market, a popular segment in its homeland. Kei cars are small vehicles with restrictions on length (11.15 feet), width (4.86 feet), engine size (660 cubic centimeters) and power output (63 horsepower). Currently, Toyota is the only Japanese automaker not producing vehicles for this segment, but that is set to change, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.Thanks to its relationship with Daihatsu, Toyota can jump right into the kei car game. Daihatsu is one of the largest producer of kei vehicles and it is currently owned by Toyota. Although kei cars are restricted in terms of size and power, they are not restricted by technology. Automakers utilize different drive configurations, powertrains and amenities to keep their cars fresh. Daihatsu and Toyota plan to work together to produce Toyota-branded kei cars. The two companies will utilize Toyota's knowledge of electric and hybrid systems to produce efficient little vehicles for the Japanese market. [Source: The Wall Street Journal] Oh, Kei Go: Toyota set to enter JDM minicar market? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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