Tokyo Motor Show
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Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Subaru
There was nary a peep of discontent about the looks of the Subaru Advanced Tourer concept revealed at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. But when everyone was clamoring for Scooby to transfer the Advanced Tourer's looks to a production vehicle, never once did people ask for that transfer to be foisted on the WRX. A report in Motor Trend, though, says that's what's happening: the concept "was actually an early look at the next-generation Subaru WRX."
MT's sources said the front end Advanced Tourer's front end will go onto the WRX, with other aspects of the concept made more aggressive to suit the personality of Subaru's rally-ready racer. And if the concept also presages the next WRX's dimensions, then you can expect the next-generation sedan and hatchback to be larger (though in truth we don't anticipate a big gain in footprint).
Notice the name "Impreza" hasn't appeared anywhere in our discussion yet. Subaru is reportedly dropping the name in an attempt to get more 'Likes' for the WRX by making it more approachable, so the next model will relinquish its association with the Impreza line and be more performanced focused even as it is receives a better interior and is morphed into a "more-mature sporty grand tourer." Engine choices are still being debated for the car due in 2015; the rumored options include 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinders and a hybrid version of the 1.6-liter.
Next Subaru WRX previewed by Advanced Tourer concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Wagon, Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen
Volkswagen is bringing its diesel-powered Passat Alltrack to the States after all. But don't get too excited - it's only coming in the form of a concept car at the New York Auto Show. At least, for now.
We last saw the Alltrack at the Tokyo Motor Show in November where VW announced that it would offer the all-wheel-drive wagon in the UK with two versions of the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-four. The engines are rated at 138 and 168 horsepower, the smaller of which is available with a manual transmission.
Despite the fact that the Tokyo show car was a full-on production model, VW is calling the New York-bound Alltrack a concept to presumably gauge the U.S. public's perception. If Americans seem open to the Alltrack, it would be a welcome alternative to the pricy Audi Allroad and granola-flavored Subaru models.
Check out our Tokyo Motor Show gallery below, and scroll down for the official press blast. Be sure to tell us if you think the Passat Alltrack should come to the states in our poll, as well.
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Continue reading VW bringing Passat Alltrak to New York as a concept [w/poll]
VW bringing Passat Alltrak to New York as a concept [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda, Electric
Combining electric propulsion with a performance orientation is a delicate balance. Tesla managed to pull it off to some success. Audi has toyed with the idea with its E-Tron concepts. And some have been experimenting with bringing F1's KERS regenerative braking system to road-going sports cars.
Honda, for its part, tried to nail it down with the CR-Z, which was supposed to be a hybrid sport-hatch, but like the Lexus CT 200h, it ended up lacking in the "sport" part of the equation. Which is why this latest development has caught our attention.
Just a few weeks ago at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda showed off a tempting little package called the EV-STER. The concept spoke of a zippy little ride around town, all on electric power. Now, reports are indicating that, based on positive feedback from the show, Honda has already decided to green-light the project and put it into production. Sources suggest it will be ready sometime in the new year ahead, and could offer a more conventional gasoline engine in addition to the electric powertrain.
Of course none of this is to say that Honda would bring the production EV-STER to the North American market, but we'll be excited if it gets built at all.
Honda EV-STER headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Volkswagen
Turns out the Volkswagen Cross Coupé concept shown off at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show may be a smoke signal for an impending new product. And apparently the reaction was positive enough to the integrated grille and sloping hindquarters that the picaresque four-door crossover could inspire a production version within three years.
VW execs believe CUVs will continue to grow in popularity, and that as they do, customers will want perhaps more car-ish variety in their styling, with more muscle and sportiness. According to Autocar, this vehicle wouldn't come alone, either, with "several variants" being pledged if this one does see the light.
The concept itself was done with that in mind, seeing as it sits on the transverse matrix architecture that will support the next Golf and Audi A3. When we saw the concept in person, we couldn't help but notice the production touches like partsbin window switches and seat rails, so we had a strong feeling that we were looking at a thinly disguised new model (though the hybrid powertrain will likely be a thing of the distant future).
Check out a video of the Cross Coupé on the stage in Tokyo after the break.
Continue reading VW Cross Coupé concept presages 2014 Evoque rival [w/video]
VW Cross Coupé concept presages 2014 Evoque rival [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Japan, Videos, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows
Maybe you've seen My Fair Lady - the musical story of an ordinary girl turned into someone altogether more elegant. Now meet Miss Fairlady.
Borrowing the name from the original JDM version of the Nissan Z, Miss Fairlady is the Japanese automaker's program for training its show-stand attendants. As might be expected, the program follows traditional Japanese values like the importance of appearance, manners and pride in one's employment.
Perhaps most importantly - and counter to most car show models we've encountered at other automakers' show stands - a Miss Fairlady is well-versed in everything about the company, from its senior executives to the products they're there to promote, so they're prepared to answer your questions instead of tilting their head in confusion. Follow the jump to watch and see these beautiful spokesmodels get schooled.
Continue reading How Nissan trains its "Miss Fairlady" show stand models
How Nissan trains its "Miss Fairlady" show stand models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Podcasts, Tokyo Motor Show, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Volkswagen, Fiat
Tokyo highlights, 100-million small blocks, Hyundai MPG flap, Honda Crosstour sales
Episode #259 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach this week. Topics include highlights form the Tokyo Motor Show, the dust-up about fuel economy between a consumer group and the Hyundai Elantra, Honda's position on the Crosstour and Civic in the face of disappointment, and General Motors reaching the 100-million mark with small block V8s. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #259:
Tokyo Motor Show highlights Hyundai fuel economy controversy GM builds 100-millionth small block Honda exec admits disappointment with Crosstour sales In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL
2012 Mazda CX-9
2012 Fiat 500C
2012 Toyota Prius V
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:18:21
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #259
Autoblog Podcast #259 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Tokyo Motor Show, GM, Honda, Hyundai
We record Episode #259 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #259
Tokyo Motor Show highlights Hyundai fuel economy controversy GM builds 100-millionth small block Honda exec admits disappointment with Crosstour sales [UStream] Interact LIVE at UStream - 10PM Eastern on Monday, December 5, 2011
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #259 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Car Buying, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Honda
In a roundtable with reporters at an event related to the Tokyo Motor Show, Tetsuo Iwamura, President and CEO of American Honda, told us that he's been surprised by the Crosstour crossover's slow sales:
"In the case of the Crosstour, I'm really disappointed because that's a nice car, [with] very beautiful styling, and it gives very good driving performance as well as packaging. But yet, we went a bit too far."
The five-door CUV has been struggling since it went on sale as a 2010 model. Through November, Honda has sold just 16,679 units this year - down nearly 36 percent from the 25,927 units tallied by this point in 2010. Honda had initially projected annual sales of 40,000 units.Iwamura confided that, in retrospect, launching the CUV branded as the Accord Crosstour was probably a "misstep," so the company subsequently shortened its moniker to Crosstour in order to give the vehicle more of a standalone identity. In our 2009 First Drive article, we praised the Crosstour's solid driving dynamics but criticized it for awkward styling, poor packaging and visibility, a short options list and premium pricing.
In our discussion with Iwamura, we noted that while Honda continues to enjoy solid sales numbers for its longtime mainstream offerings like the Accord, CR-V and Odyssey, newer models - particularly niche offerings - have had a tougher time finding buyers (see: CR-Z, Insight, Ridgeline). Iwamura expressed that Honda is actually "quite satisfied" with sales of most of its vehicle lines, maintaining that he sees nothing systematic within Honda that has prevented the company from generating new hit models. Further, Iwamura vowed to continue development of its niche players.
In the case of the Crosstour, Iwamura pledged, "With further refinement of styling and performance, it will be a very good success, a leading model."
Honda CEO disappointed by Crosstour sales, vows to make it successful originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Toyota
Toyota is flush with buzz surrounding the company's new 86 sports car, and that could translate into additional performance models if the vehicle's chief engineer has anything to say about it. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tetsuya Tada, the mind that brought the Toyota 86 to life, believes there's room in the stable for two additional sports cars. Tada is quoted as saying that while the 86 is a mid-sized sports car, he'd like to see one vehicle positioned below the boxer-powered coupe as well as an additional model slotted higher in the lineup.
The latter machine could potentially be a successor to the Supra, complete with a high-horsepower engine and rear wheel drive. Like the 86, that vehicle would be another collaborative project between Toyota and Subaru. Unfortunately, Tada is quick to say that nothing has been decided as of yet. Keep your fingers crossed.
Toyota considering Supra successor and sub-86 sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Videos, Tokyo Motor Show, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, UK
Badge engineering is the ironic label for when a company replaces the badge or branding of a product with that of another and considers it something new. Domestic automakers like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler have been vilified for their overuse of this practice. Then again, they weren't often badge engineering rear-wheel-drive sports cars (though they've done that, too).
This week, Toyota and Subaru both revealed their own versions of a RWD sports car jointly developed between the two companies: the GT 86 and BRZ. You'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart from a distance of 30 yards, but we got up close and personal with each at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show this week and discovered that there are, in fact, subtle differences.
Since we'll be getting the also-slightly different Scion FR-S in the U.S., this exercise is really aimed at our European readers who will be offered the GT 86, but everyone's free to participate.
We've got videos of each model in the metal after the jump, and after you watch, let us know which one you prefer in the poll below.
View Poll
Continue reading In the Metal: Toyota GT 86 vs. Subaru BRZ [w/poll]
In the Metal: Toyota GT 86 vs. Subaru BRZ [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Tokyo Motor Show
While rumors of Tokyo Motor Show's demise continue to persist, there was enough new metal at this biennial auto show to justify our attendance. The Toyota GT 86 and Subaru BRZ alone were enough to suffer through the jet lag for you. We hope the 2013 show will be even stronger yet, if it even happens. That's two years away, though, so for now let's look back on what this year's Tokyo Motor Show had to offer.
Honda AC-X Concept
Volkswagen Cross Coupe
Toyota GT 86
Nissan Pivo 3
BMW ActiveHybrid 5
2012 Subaru BRZ
Mazda Takeri Concept
Nissan Nismo Juke
VW Passat Alltrack
Honda EV-STER
Audi A1 Sportback
Nissan Leaf Nismo
Subaru WRX STI S206
Subaru Advanced Tourer
Subaru BRZ GT300
Honda N Concept 4
Toyota FCV-R Concept
2012 Mitsubishi Mirage
Honda RC-E
Honda E-Canopy Trike
Yamaha Y125 Moegi
Suzuki Regina Concept
Suzuki Swift EV Hybrid
Suzuki Q Concept
Mitsubishi PX-MiEV II
Toyota GRMN Hybrid
Daihatsu D-X
Toyota Aqua
We obsessively covered the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric
Toyota unveiled a handful of production and concept Aqua models at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. As you may recall, the Aqua will serve as the Prius C here in the United States when it lands at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012. The Yaris-sized hatchback will come equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, though Toyota hasn't said what we can expect in terms of total output. We do know that the vehicle's svelte curb weight and smaller engine will likely translate into Prius-besting fuel economy numbers, so buyers can look forward to over 50 mpg in the city.
The brightly-colored Aqua Kiriri Version and Aqua Piriri Version joined the production Aqua under the lights in Tokyo, giving the world a better idea of what the model could offer in terms of dealer modification. The little hatch looks sharp, and the fuel economy figures are enough to make anyone grin.
Toyota Aqua concepts hint at Prius C possibilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki, Design/Style
There's something about the Suzuki Regina Concept that we like. A lot. For starters, it has a white roof. What's cool about that, you ask? Well, after Ford stole the idea from Mini for the Flex, nothing. But darn it if it doesn't look good here. With those rear fender skirts, we're actually seeing a good bit of Citroën DS in Suzuki's stylish little econobox, and as we all know, the DS is the most beautiful car of all time.
The Regina Concept, on the other hand, is just an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon. Suzuki didn't share details about the powertrain, but Autocar is reporting that the Regina Concept is powered by a turbocharged, 800-cc gasoline engine, and uses both start-stop and regenerative braking tech to achieve such lofty fuel economy.
A car that light could be powered by a leaf blower and still be fun to drive, so we're giving this one a thumbs up. Go ahead and build it, Suzuki, because you know someone will figure out a way to put a small-block Chevy in it. Hit the jump for Suzuki's short press release.
Continue reading Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production
Gas-sipping Suzuki Regina Concept begs for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki, Electric
Suzuki hit the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a small flotilla of green-minded vehicles, including the Swift EV Hybrid. According to the company, most Swift buyers travel between 12 and 18 miles per day, so engineers designed this range-extended EV to cover that distance on pure electric power. A small-displacement internal combustion engine remains on hand to take over charging duties should the driver deplete the vehicle's batteries, just like in the Chevrolet Volt. Suzuki says that the design has several advantages over a traditional electric vehicle.
For starters, the system uses a significantly smaller battery than a full EV, which means the Swift EV Hybrid uses fewer resources and costs less. It also takes less time to charge than a full EV as well. While we don't expect to see this doorless wonder on the streets any time soon, Suzuki may apply the range-extender technology to production models in the future.
Suzuki debuts range-extended Swift EV Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Wagon, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Electric, Daihatsu
The one thing that's been missing from this year's Tokyo Motor Show are the inevitable rolling living room concepts of years past. But Daihatsu has come to the rescue with its FC Case concept.
The rolling bread box might not look like much from the outside, but inside it's packed with folding seats and a host of infotainment gadgets. Just as important is the FC's method of propulsion, a variant of hydrogen called hydrazine hydrate or N2H4 H2O (yes, we had to look it up) that's synthesized from nitrogen and hydrogen. Daihatsu says the fuel has a higher energy density and lower flammability, but more intriguing is the delivery. Hydrazine hydrate can supposedly be transported and inserted into the vehicle much like gasoline, which takes care of that pesky infrastructure situation. Couple that with some kind of autonomous driving system and it's not hard to imagine a fleet of FCs running down the highway at speed, bumper-to-bumper, cleanly and quickly delivering employees to work in 2035... or something.
Daihatsu FC Case Concept is autonomous, high-tech transportation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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