Introducing New Cars: Japan

Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Saturday, January 28, 2012

New Limited Edition Honda CR-Z 'Label α' for Japan

9:29 AM Hell No comments

Japanese buyers are no strangers to special edition versions with extremely subtle modifications, the newest one coming from Honda with its CR-Z 'Label α' model, which goes on sale this week and will be available for a limited release until May 31.

What makes the 'Label α' special in Honda's eyes is the bespoke burgundy pearl metallic finish on the outside with a matching interior color for the seats, door panels and the stitching on the leather steering wheel and manual gearbox shifter.

TRD Suits up the New 2013 Lexus GS F Sport Sedan in Japan

8:33 AM Hell No comments

As soon as Lexus rolled out the new 2013 GS sedan in Japan on Thursday, its parent company's performance division, Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), came out with a selection of upgrade parts for the F Sport model.

We'll remind you that the F Sport package for the new GS already includes an aero kit with different front and rear bumpers, a mesh front grille, side skirts and a rear spoiler along with 19-inch wheels and a tuned suspension.

So what does TRD's package add on top of that? Well, namely a pair of splats for the front bumper, an add-on part for the side skirts, a larger boot lid spoiler, a rear apron and quad tailpipes with a blue outline.

Mazda Begins Production of Diesel-Engined CX-5 Crossover in Japan

9:12 AM Hell No comments

Mazda announced today that it has commenced production of the diesel version of its new CX-5 crossver at its Ujina plant near the company’s Hiroshima headquarters. The new compact SUV will be available in Japan and Europe in spring, with other markets to follow including the U.S. from early 2013.

The CX-5 is the first model in Mazda’s range to be powered by the new Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine.

Honda's Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Sales Surpass 800,000 Units Since 1999

10:59 AM Hell No comments

While not as near as successful as its native rival Toyota when it comes to hybrid models, Honda remains a major player in the category having recently topped the 800,000 sales mark.

As we learned today, the milestone came at the end of December 2011 and was achieved 12 years and 2 months after Honda launched the first generation of its Insight hybrids in Japan in November 1999. For the record, last April Toyota sold its 1 millionth Prius in the States.

The first Insight delivered a fuel economy of 35km/liter (equal to 82.3mpg US or 2.9lt/100km) on the Japanese driving cycle, lending it the title of the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered model of its time - according to Honda.

Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Gone Wald

1:29 PM Hell No comments

While not many in numbers, Wald International believes that some owners of the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe would like to give the luxurious convertible a more bespoke tuner look.

The Japanese firm's offering is a styling package is named "Black Bison Edition", which starts off with an assortment of aero parts made of carbon fiber.

Porsche Panamera Falls Into the Hands of Wald International

8:58 AM Hell No comments

The latest model to receive Wald International's dark "Black Bison" treatment is the Porsche Panamera sports saloon. As usual, the Japanese tuning firm's package is centered on a raft of styling parts with minimal performance upgrades.

The Panamera's exterior receives a comprehensive makeover with a new carbon fiber aero kit that adds a new front bumper with sculpted air vents, rear wheel arch extensions, front fender mesh vents, rocker panels, a deck lid spoiler and a redesigned rear bumper with extra vents and a diffuser.

Watch a Lexus IS-F Drifter Drive On Top of a Set of Concrete Blocks

6:59 PM Hell No comments

After watching the following videos over and over again, the kindest explanation we can give about this incident that took place during the demo drift run at last week's Tokyo Auto Salon is that something went wrong and all of a sudden the driver of the Lexus was confronted with a locked steering wheel and stuck gas pedal.

Now, if that's not the case, then the driver of the IS-F racer not only has a lot of explaining to do but he should probably also avoid making any public appearances for the near future…

Take a Look at Some of Japan's Weirdest Looking Tuned Cars

5:39 PM Hell No comments

So you think your local car club has some bizarre creations, do you? Wait until you take a gander at the parade of modded cars in two videos that follow after the break.

If the findings of our basic research on the subject are right (if not, leave a comment and we'll make a correction), these strangely modified vehicles filmed on the occasion of last weekend's 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon are named "bōsōzoku style" and belong to a Japanese subculture with roots to motorcycle clubs and gangs.

Cadillac Refocuses on Global Markets, is Preparing Right-Hand Drive CTS-V

1:28 PM Hell No comments

With around 34% of the world's population driving on the left hand side of the road, in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan, any automaker that aspires to go global needs to produce right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles.

With only a few exceptions like the fifth generation Seville (built from 1998 to 2004), Cadillac has for the most part shied away from RHD markets. But this is about to change as the wreath and crest brand is getting more serious about increasing its presence in markets outside of North America.

Aside from the product presentations like the new BMW 3-Series rivaling ATS sedan that will eventually be offered with a diesel option as well, Cadillac is also getting ready to introduce right-hand drive models.

Subaru BRZ Black Edition by Prova from the Tokyo Auto Salon [Video]

3:34 PM Hell No comments

Prova, one of the more notable Subaru tuners in the Land of the Rising Sun, teamed up with the Japanese automaker to display a bespoke edition of the new BRZ sports coupe at this past weekend's 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The BRZ Black Edition is supposed to be a more mature tuning take on the rear-wheel drive model that goes on sale worldwide this spring.

Gazoo Racing Builds Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept with 180-Horses [Video]

7:46 AM Hell No comments

While Toyota has no current plans to develop a performance version of its latest generation Yaris (marketed in Japan as the Vitz), the automaker's tuning and motorsports partner Gazoo Racing introduced an interesting concept model at this past weekend's Tokyo Auto Salon 2012.

The Vitz Turbo Concept is based on the three-door Yaris and comes with a raft of performance upgrades that may become available to the public in the very near future.

Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari All Chromed Up

7:14 AM Hell No comments

The limited run Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari special may come with its own bespoke Scuderia Red finish with contrasting grey racing stripes (among other unique features) but that hasn't stopped Japanese tuner Office-K from giving it a new shade – fortunately, not permanent.

The tuning firm covered the Ferrari-branded Abarth model's body in a flashy chrome vinyl wrap with racing stripes in the colors of the Italian flag.

So You Never Want to Leave Your Toyota Prius, do You?

9:27 AM Hell No comments

If you are asking us whether someone has been creative with a ton of snow, the answer is no. If you are viewing this bizarre build from the side and wondering if this is some sort of humorous phallic statement, the answer once again is -you guessed it- no.

So what in the blazes is it, we hear you ask? Well, it's a Toyota Prius camper van conversion and it was unwrapped (or so to speak) at this weekend's 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon with NAPAC. And no, we are not pulling your leg – it does exist and it's available for order.

It's the wacky creation of Campinn, which specializes in these sort of builds. The transformation from going green to living in green involves the addition of a huge lump on top of the Prius, which is made entirely of Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and increases the hybrid's length to 4,980mm (196-in.) and height to 2,050mm (81.1-in.).

High Heels and Hot Wheels from the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon [Videos]

6:24 PM Hell No comments

The 2012 edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan's largest automotive aftermarket event, is into its second day, and even though it lacked a big presentation, it's always interesting to see what the local tuning industry has in store for us.

Even better when the plethora of tuned and heavily customized cars are accompanied by good looking –at least for the most part- models. In fact, some visitors like YouTube user "bbmovie1985", seem to have been more fascinated by the heels than the wheels, but who are we to judge?

We'll leave you to look at the videos that follow after the jump.

Gazoo Racing Supercharges Toyota iQ, Production Limited to 100 Units [Video]

12:00 PM Hell No comments

Remember the patent drawings of a wide body Toyota iQ (branded as a Scion in North America) that we showed you back in December? As it turns out, the drawings were for the GRMN iQ 130G that was revealed today at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan.

It's the creation of Toyota's motorsports and performance partner Gazoo Racing and is scheduled for a limited production run of 100 units later this year.

Honda Not Warming up Much to the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon

11:04 AM Hell No comments

The Detroit Auto Show hasn't even opened its doors to the public and yet some automakers are already getting ready for the next car show which is the Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 with NAPAC, which will be held from Friday, January 13, to Sunday, January 15. The aftermarket and customization show is Japan's equivalent of the SEMA show.

While Honda couldn't be absent from the event, the Japanese carmaker's offerings won't be drawing that much attention.

Once Again, the Japanese Prove Their Drifting Skills

3:06 PM Hell No comments

Typically, radio-controlled car users concentrate more on speed than anything else, but not when it comes to Japanese owners who are renowned for their drifting skills in the real world.

What makes this video even more special is the sheer number of RC cars drifting on the realistically designed miniature racetrack. Check it out for yourself in the video that follows after the break.

New Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Murdered Out by Wald International

7:01 AM Hell No comments

Japanese tuning firm Wald International likes to give its customers' rides a sinister look and its take on the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is no exception.

Even though in stock form the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's sports saloon comes with its own aero-aids, Wald International has prepared a new and more aggressive styling package named Black Bison.

Report: Mitsubishi to Launch Electric Light Truck and Plug-in Hybrid Outlander in 2013

9:29 AM Hell No comments

According to a report from Japan's Nikkei business daily, Mitsubishi is developing a pure-electric light truck that will be launched onto the market in the second quarter of 2013.

Mitsubishi has been one of the first carmakers to enter the EV market with its iMieV, an all-electric city car that like the Outlander SUV has also spawned PSA Peugeot Citroen variants.

Speaking of the Outlander, the report states that a plug-in hybrid version of Mitsubishi’s crossover will also hit the market at the same time as the electric truck.

Toyota Says it Received 60,000 Orders for New Aqua Hybrid in Japan Before Launch

8:59 AM Hell No comments

The new Aqua is off to an excellent start in Japan as Toyota revealed that it had already received pre-orders for 60,000 cars ahead of the sub-compact hybrid hatchback's launch on Monday, December 26. That's five times the company's monthly sales target of 12,000 cars in Japan.

"It will take about four months to receive the car once an order is placed," Toyota managing officer Koei Saga told reporters during a media briefing earlier this week.