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#6
09-01-2010, 05:40 AM
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Unofficial Lexus LFA SuperGT contender rendered
Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Lexus, Toyota, Racing  SuperGT Lexus LFA GT500 - Click above for image gallery Take a look at the field of 2010 SuperGT competitors and something's amiss. Nissan's been campaigning its new GT-R in the series for two years and Honda recently revealed the HSV-010 before its inaugural run in the series this May. What's missing? A new competitor from Toyota. Jyuichi Wakisaka and Andre Lotterer took the overall GT500 win in the team's Lexus SC430 last year, but that model is not long for this world, so it's just a matter of time before Toyota fields a new car in the series. So what's set to take the SC430's place? The answer's obvious: the Lexus LFA. Although Toyota's yet to confirm the LFA's entrance (we're expecting an announcement later this year), Iain Chandler, a skilled 3D artist hailing from Australia, has rendered a GT500-class LFA, complete with six sets of livery. While it's far from official it's a pretty good indication of what to expect when Toyota finally pulls the trigger, and Lotterer seems to approve - he posted the images on his site. [Source: Iain Chandler/DeviantArt via LeBlogAuto] Unofficial Lexus LFA SuperGT contender rendered originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... 
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#7
13-01-2010, 06:20 PM
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Keeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S
Filed under: Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru  Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S - Click above for high-res image gallery Another day, another new special-edition Subaru Impreza. There are worse things, after all. This one, however, doesn't quite have the substance of the recently unveiled WRX STI R205. Whereas the R205 is a real fire-breathing monster of a hatch, the long-winded Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S (try saying that three times fast) is mostly a trim package. That package includes 18-inch gunmetal rims, gold Brembo brake calipers and Recaro buckets in a cockpit decked out with contrasting red top-stitch and a 10-speaker audio system. It definitely looks sharp, but the Japanese consumers that are able to buy it shouldn't expect much in the way of heightened performance over the already stonking STI. The Type S commands a 3,255,000 yen (circa $35k USD) sticker price in its domestic market, so if you want to have a look and you don't live in the Land of the Rising Sun, you had better check it out in our high-res image gallery below. [Sources: Nihon Car and Le Blog Auto] Keeping Up Appearances: Subaru launches JDM Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#8
14-01-2010, 11:30 PM
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Report: Asian automakers closing in on 50% share of U.S. auto sales
Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, South Korea  While it may come as no surprise that Asian car companies are constantly gaining market share in the U.S. market, the actual numbers are quite amazing. Ten years ago, companies like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and the rest accounted for a little more than one-quarter of total light-vehicle sales in the States. By 2005, that figure stood at 36.6 percent. By 2007? 41.9 percent. In 2009, Asian automakers sold a full 47.9 percent of the cars and light trucks we Americans bought. These numbers come from the latest report by Ward's Auto. Perhaps predictably, that same dispatch tells us that American automakers were hurt the most by those Asian gains. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler were once part of an American auto industry that accounted for nearly 70 percent of sales in 1999. The Detroit Three had just a 44.8 percent market share a decade later. The European automakers have also gained a bit in the U.S. over the past decade. Still, they only account for 7.3 percent of the market right now. If the Japanese and Korean manufacturers post gains for 2010 that are similar to the 2009 increases, they will pass the 50 percent mark for the first time in history. Individually, companies like Toyota have fared the best, nearly doubling their slice of the American pie, going from 8.7 to 17 percent since 1999. While Ford shared the biggest gain last year compared to 2008, they were also one of the decade's biggest losers, dropping 8.3 percent. Maybe last year's gain is a sign of recovery for the domestic automakers, but the troubles at GM and Chrysler don't bode well for the group. Check out the full breakdown by clicking the Ward's source link below. [Source: Ward's Automotive] Report: Asian automakers closing in on 50% share of U.S. auto sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#9
14-01-2010, 11:30 PM
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Report: All 165 Lexus LFA supercars earmarked for Japan already spoken for
Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Lexus  Lexus LFA - Click above for high-res image gallery We knew the new Lexus LFA was fast, but we didn't know just how fast until reports came in of the rapid rate at which wealthy Japanese customers are snapping it up. In the three months since the final car was unveiled, all 165 examples of the Toyota division's supercar have reportedly been spoken for. Whereas in North America, the allotment of LFAs will be leased in order to counter speculation, in Japan (as in Europe), buyers will be able to buy their super-Lexi outright, at a price of 37,500,000 yen (~$410k USD) apiece. If the remaining 335 examples destined for markets abroad go as quickly as Japan's allotment, we could be looking at one of the fastest cars ever made - in one sense or another. [Source: Response via Le Blog Auto] Report: All 165 Lexus LFA supercars earmarked for Japan already spoken for originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#10
15-01-2010, 09:20 PM
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Toyota launching G Sports Series cars at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]
Filed under: Performance, Japan, Videos, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Design/Style  Toyota FT-86 and Prius G Sports Series - Click above for image gallery Seems like Toyota is doing everything in its power to shake the fuddy-duddy, emotionless appliance image its built for itself over the last fifteen years or so. First came word that ToMoCo's Mr. Toyoda stated the brand needed to get sportier. Next came the very welcome news that along with Subaru, Toyota would be introducing a lightweight, RWD sport coupe (now known to be the FT-86) that would cost about $20,000. Finally, there's the LFA, the $500,000 Lexus, that if the reviews are to be believed, just might be worth every penny. That's all well and good, but what if you want a sporty Prius? Meet the G Sports Series. To quote Toyota, the G Sports Series, "is designed for customers who strongly desire to own a unique vehicle, offering them a personalized interior and exterior design along with sports-driving performance." Put another way, Toyota is bringing the aftermarket in-house. With a total of five vehicles getting the G Sports Series treatment, Toyota is looking to offer customized sportiness to whomever wants it. Only two of the five cars however are U.S. market vehicles: the Prius and the FT-86. The Prius gets one hell of a body kit, including sleek rear-wheel skirts. While far from beautiful, we have to say that we like the G Series Prius much better than the regular one. But, the real news is the G Sports Series FT-86. Because it's the FT-86 is still officially a "concept" Toyota isn't revealing any hard data beyond RWD, 2.0-liters and six-speed manual. Good enough for us. As far as the G Sports Series version goes, it's a little busy and the rear wing is beyond unnecessary. Still, we're quite excited. Especially as the front of the FT-86 might just be revealing an intercooler. Which would mean a turbocharger. Or is that just a fancy radiator? Well, you know the Subaru version is going to have an intercooler... Just to add to the speculation, check out the drift-o-rific video after the jump. [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Toyota launching G Sports Series cars at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video] Toyota launching G Sports Series cars at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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