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#11
16-01-2010, 03:40 AM
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TAS 2010: Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid concept packing 400-hp 3.3-liter V6, AWD [w/video]
Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Hybrid, Performance, Japan, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon  Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept - Click above for image gallery Back in November, the rumormill was set ablaze when reports began to surface that Toyota was working on a new MR2 packing hybrid power. Today, those rumors have been laid to rest... kinda. In addition to the G Sport Series FT-86 and Prius, Toyota trotted out a concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon based on the third generation MR-S (ZZW30). Although the MR2 was nixed in the U.S. in 2005 (and in Japan in 2007), Toyota and its partners at Gazoo saw fit to resurrect its midship drop-top by fitting a 3.3-liter V6 where the old 1.8-liter four-cylinder used to reside and an electric motor mated to a THSII hybrid system up front. That's right, the MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept is all-wheel drive, and between the two mills, it's churning out over 400 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). But despite its boosted output, the 2,800-pound concept is a bit on the porky side compared to its 2,200-pound predecessor. Toyota claims it can run to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds - still better than the stock ZZW30, but at what a cost to the MR2's supreme chuckability? While there's no chance of Toyota putting the MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept into production, this could point the way for things to come - for better or worse. Make the jump for a promo video. [Source: Gazzo via Carscoop] TAS 2010: Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid concept packing 400-hp 3.3-liter V6, AWD [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... 
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#12
16-01-2010, 06:00 PM
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Mitsubishi ponders Triton pickup production in States
Filed under: Budget, Truck, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi  Mitsubishi's been having a rough time of it lately here in the United States. Last year, sales fell 44.8 percent. Ouch. Even worse, Mitsu's lone U.S. manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois is way under capacity. How far under? Well, the Normal plant's website lists its capacity at 135,000 vehicles per year. Only thing is, back when that plant was a joint Chrysler/Mitsubishi venture it could pop out 240,000 cars per year. Last year, Normal made just 18,501 vehicles. As you might imagine, Mitsubishi's uncertain as to whether the Normal plant will remain open. One solution might be to introduce and build their Triton pickup truck in the U.S.. America's been sorely lacking in the small pickup market for the last 15 years or so, and the Triton would be a welcome player to the segment. Only thing is, because of the notorious chicken tax, Mitsubishi would need to build about 50,000 to 60,000 Tritons a year to make the endeavor worthwhile. Last year's 44.8 percent drop in business meant that Mitsubishi only sold 53,986 cars and trucks last year. Anyone else sense a problem? Even if Mitsubishi's sales rebound over the 100,000 unit mark, it's doubtful that 50 to 60 percent of that total would be a small pickup truck, especially as Mitsubishi's mid-size truck, the Raider, was quietly discontinued last year. [Source: Ward's Auto] Mitsubishi ponders Triton pickup production in States originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#13
18-01-2010, 01:00 AM
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Lexus brings IS F Circuit Club Sports Concept to TAS
Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Lexus, Tokyo Auto Salon  The Lexus IS F is a curious car. 416 bristling horsepower, one of the world's sweetest-sounding engines and an 8-speed flappy-paddle 'box that shifts faster than you blink are all excellent. However, it looks a little odd, has funny tailpipes and weighs too much. That last little bit - the IS F's big bones - turn a really great road car into something of a pig on the track. We know this because we drove an IS F at Laguna Seca. Seeking to rectify this a bit, while also fulfilling Mr. Toyoda's corporate sportiness maxim, Lexus brought the IS F Circuit Club Sports (CCS) Concept to the Tokyo Auto Salon (Japan's version of SEMA). What turns an IS F into an IS F CCS? We're glad you asked. Short answer: carbon fiber, and plenty of it. The hood, roof, trunk, front winglets, door sills and rear extractor are all made from lightweight, unpainted carbon fiber. Can't forget about the wing - it's also CF. Lexus saw fit to upgrade the power a bit, too. The engine is untweaked, but a new exhaust system reportedly adds a dozen ponies, raising the 5.0-liter V8's output to 428. It's hard to say for certain from just the photos, but those brakes also appear to be carbon ceramic, too. All in all, the mods probably save around 125 pounds. That'll certainly help out on the track, though an additional 125 lbs. on top of that would be even better. Also, the odds of the IS F CCS making it to a Lexus dealer near you are zero. [Source: Le Blog Auto] Lexus brings IS F Circuit Club Sports Concept to TAS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#14
18-01-2010, 04:30 AM
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Tommy Kaira presents Nissan GT-R "Silver Wolf" edition
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan  Tommy Kaira Silver Wolf Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery Japanese tuning enthusiasts (and racing sim fanatics everywhere) have come to know Tommy Kaira as one of the best in the business. The Japanese outfit works its magic on Skylines, Imprezas and more, and has now released a tuning package for the current Nissan GT-R. Called the Silver Wolf, this GT-R sees its engine left intact, but gets treated to a full body kit, plus new rolling stock, brakes, exhaust and suspension components. The carbon fiber widebody package gives Godzilla a serious attitude adjustment, while the functional components - if Tommy Kaira's previous offerings are anything to go by - promise to squeeze that extra bit of performance out of this Japanese icon. Click the thumbnails below for a closer look. [Source: Tommy Kaira] Tommy Kaira presents Nissan GT-R "Silver Wolf" edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#15
18-01-2010, 11:20 PM
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Toyota Supra comes to TAS dressed in 1967 Mustang duds
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Ford, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon  Here's one that's sure to set "teh internets" on fire. A group of students from Saitama University in Japan showed up to the Tokyo Auto Salon with a 2JZ-GE powered MkIV Toyota Supra dressed up like Nick Cage's Eleanor from the very bad to watch Gone in 60 Seconds remake. Not familiar with Eleanor? Aside from being far and away the best part of the film, Eleanor is a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that's been gone over with an epic-tooth comb. But let's not get to far afield. This car is not a Ford, nor is it a Mustang. It's a Toyota with a mighty straight-six (no word if the 2JZ-GE is in fact the brawny turbo-fied version, the 2JZ-GTE) cut to look like a classic Shelby 'Stang. Before you unload to harshly in the comments, just remember students built the dang thing, students... Also, are we nuts or is anyone else seeing a whole lot of Mustang II in this particular angle? [Source: Carscoop] Toyota Supra comes to TAS dressed in 1967 Mustang duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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