|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 As part of a raft of changes being made to the Euro-market Civic, Honda has made a number of revisions to their FN2 Civic Type R hatchback. The only major change is the addition of a Special Edition model to the CTR lineup, which among some minor cosmetic changes also boasts a limited slip differential. While the JDM FD2 CTR has benefited from a helical LSD since its introduction in 2007, the European and Australian-market Type R's have made do with a open diff, limiting the amount of...
04/10/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Okay folks, here's a curly one for you all. As its submission to this year's LA Auto Show design challenge, Mitsubishi has entered this, the MMR25 concept race car. Looking more arachnid than automobile, the MMR25 boasts a number of 'innovations' that Mitsubishi claim will be all the rage on the rally stages and racing circuits of the future. Take, for example, those wheels. While each of the four main 'wheels' is fixed to an axle and is roughly circular, they're actually made up of eight...
30/09/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Honda has given the JDM-only Civic Type R a mild refresh for 2009, with a few subtle revisions being made to take the most hardcore small sedan ever created into the new year. Don't get too excited though: the changes are only cosmetic and the power output, suspension setup and trim levels are exactly the same as the outgoing model. Not a bad thing, that's for sure, but a few more horses would've been nice... Still, it's easy to forgive Honda for leaving the mechanical package unchanged when... |
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 It appears that the R35 GT-R's semi-automatic gearbox is starting to cause headaches for at least one Japanese tuner, sparking rumours that the complex DSG system might not be up to the task of handling significantly more power than standard. Japanese tuning house MCR report that the gearbox on their R35 is wearing out a lot faster than anticipated, something which they attribute to the higher power output of the car as well as the serious track duty they've been putting it through....
26/04/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
  Fancy yourself as a bona-fide drifter but can't bear the thought of using your own whip as a dedicated drift machine? Perhaps Takahiro Ueno's D1GP USA car is the answer to your problems...
It's for sale, which probably has something to do with the D1GP USA series being cancelled for 2008, leaving Ueno with a car that's surplus to his needs.
Essentially a carbon copy of Ueno-san's Japanese-based car, the road-illegal terror is based on a JZZ30 Toyota Soarer. A 1.5JZ (1JZ head, 2JZ block) engine provides the grunt, while HKS coilovers, Ikeya Formula links and an ATS 2-way diff keep the Soarer out of the gravel. There's heaps of goodies on this car, and a full spec sheet can be found on Vertex USA's site.
Keep in mind, this is definitely not a road car, and although price isn't mentioned, don't bet on it being a bargain. Not only that, but being based on a JDM Soarer body you'll need to be okay with driving from the right-hand seat as you get sideways at well over 100kph.
So, if you think you've got the coin and the cojones to handle a pro-level drift car, give Vertex USA and see if you can nab it before it's too late.
[Source: Vertex USA, via GT Channel]
[Image courtesy of Vertex USA]
26/03/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Toyota's FT-HS hybrid sports coupe has been around the traps for quite some time now, and is widely considered by many a Toyota fan to be the spiritual successor to the JZA80 Supra. Up until now, Toyota haven't really acknowledged any connection between the two, however at the recent Australian launch of the FT-HS, Toyota Australia?s product planning manager Peter Evans let slip that the Supra and the Hybrid Sports could indeed be considered to be closely related.
"To really appreciate FT-HS, think of it as a 'Prius on steroids'. Alternatively, it could be a vision for a Toyota Supra of the future," Mr Evans said.
So, is this some kind of confirmation that yes, Toyota will be reviving the Supra nameplate, and that the FT-HS will form the basis for the new car? We'll have to wait and see, but given Toyota's new bent on creating sportier vehicles (think LF-A, IS-F and the upcoming lightweight sports), we think a Supra revival could be just around the corner.
Press release below:
25 February 2008 - Sports cars will thrive in the 21st century world of rising fuel prices and environmental responsibility, judging by a concept car unveiled today by Toyota Australia.
The FT-HS - which stands for Future Toyota Hybrid Sports - is a futuristic sports-car concept with a sleek, aerodynamic profile and a potent petrol-electric hybrid engine.
Its front-engine, rear-drive layout provides revolutionary hybrid acceleration and optimal performance with a projected 0-100km/h dash in the four-second range.
It also features the fuel-saving benefits and ultra-low emissions of Toyota's hybrid technology.
Toyota Australia's corporate manager product planning Peter Evans said the FT-HS is exhilarating to drive while having eco-friendly benefits such as impressive fuel efficiency and low emissions.
"To really appreciate FT-HS, think of it as a 'Prius on steroids'.
"Alternatively, it could be a vision for a Toyota Supra of the future," Mr Evans said.
"FT-HS shows what Toyota can achieve by combining its 50 years in motorsport with more than a decade of hybrid experience and development.
"The ability to enjoy the ultimate driving pleasure with a clear conscience makes FT-HS the ideal sports car for the 21st century.
"It will appeal to an emerging group of buyers who are environmentally aware and regard technology as a necessity, not a luxury."
Toyota is the global leader in hybrid technology, having sold more than one million units of the world's first mass-produced hybrid, Prius.
The new concept car mates an electric motor to a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, which is similar to that used in several production models.
Its combined power output target is about 300kW - or almost 50 per cent more than the V6 petrol-only engine in the Aurion family car, Kluger mid-size SUV, Tarago people mover and RAV4 compact SUV.
FT-HS was produced by Calty, Toyota's California research and design centre.
The centre set out to develop a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion in a concept that addresses the question: "What is a suitable sports car for the 21st century?"
Australians can view the FT-HS concept on Toyota's stand at the Melbourne International Motor Show (29 February to 10 March).
TOYOTA FT-HS CONCEPT VEHICLE
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Drivetrain
3.5-litre V6 hybrid electric
Target output: around 300kW
Projected 0-100kmh time: mid four-second range
Dimensions
Overall length: 4325mm (170.27 in)
Overall width: 1860mm (73.23 in)
Overall height: 1290mm (50.79 in)
Wheelbase: 2650mm (104.33 in)
Tracks - front: 1600mm (63.0 in); rear: 1555mm (61.2 in)
Wheels: Carbon fibre
Tyres - front: 245/35R21; rear 285/30R21
[Source: Toyota]
[Image courtesy of Toyota]
27/02/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Ahhh... The Fast and the Furious. Aside from portraying a woefully inaccurate depiction of street racing the FATF franchise, with its gaudy, over-the-top star cars, has perhaps done the most to cement the dominance of the Japanese import show car scene. Unfortunately, the box-office success of the series means that Universal Studios won't stop making them, meaning more innocent cars, like the WRX STI you see before you, are being sacrificed in the name of bad taste.
Spotted at Veilside USA HQ by GT Channel, this GH WRX STI is currently undergoing the transformation from street-legal road car to fibreglass abomination. Admittedly, the bodykit itself is pretty restrained by FATF standards, but then again it could all go pear-shaped once they take to it with a spray gun. Please, Universal, tribal graphics and chameleon paint are so 2001.
[Source: GT Channel]
[Photos courtesy of GT Channel]
10/02/2008
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 It seemed like we were going to have to wait until the Detroit Auto Show to lay eyes on Mazda's Furai concept, but thanks to Inside Line, we can all take a sneak peak at the Furai's curvaceous form before its official unveiling.
My first thought upon seeing these images was, "If Batman were a racing driver...". A supercar for a superhero? I digress. It truly is a striking form, with curves and creases going every which way. Those curves, by the way, not only have an aesthetic function but have also been created with proper aerodynamics in mind, creating downforce and helping channel air into the Furai's various heat exchangers and intakes.
It's not all about looks though, with Inside Line reporting that the Furai feels just like a competent race car should. Unsurprising, given that it's based upon a bona-fide racing chassis, but considering this is a concept car destined for a rotating platter in Detroit it's a pretty remarkable feat nonetheless.
Inside Line also reports that the Furai's 20B rotary engine emits one hell of a howl, but we'll have to wait for the Youtube vid to experience that one. One thing's for sure, if it sounds anything like the banshee scream produced by the 787B 's quad-rotor motor, it's sure to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
Visit Inside Line for more pics
[Source: Inside Line]
[Photos courtesy of Mazda]
28/12/2007
|
|
Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
13/12/2007
|
|
Motorkultur Magazin 
BMW