Feed your drive!
Technically, the FT-86 Open Concept that’s on display at the Tokyo Motor Show is nothing new. There’s only one big difference between this car and the one that debuted at the Geneva show earlier this year: it’s red. No confirmation yet if Toyota will mass produce one in this hue.
Source: Jalopnik.com
…spotted testing at the Nürburgring in Germany. The legendary red beast zooms on the track, following Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1.
Source: Road & Track
At the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Lexus will preview its first turbo engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The new engine will be previewed in the LF-NX concept that we saw at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show back in September, where it had a hybrid powertrain. The reason is that the production version of the LF-NX, which is due out next year, will be the first Lexus to offer the new engine.
The turbo engine is said to provide the LF-NX with a lower center of gravity than the previous hybrid version, suggesting the engine may be a ‘boxer’ unit similar to that featured in the Scion FR-S. Lexus designers have also added a front lip spoiler to the LF-NX to emphasize the sporty new engine fitted to the concept. The rear diffuser and exhaust tip design is also new.
The production version of the LF-NX is likely to be called the Lexus NX. A previous filing made by Toyota with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office revealed the “NX 200t” and “NX 300h” names, with the former expected to be used for the NX crossover equipped with the turbo engine. Beyond the NX, the turbo engine may make its way into the IS as a replacement for the IS 250 model’s aging 2.5-liter V-6, which delivers just 200 horsepower.
Source: Motor Authority
NEXT YEAR’S HOTTEST? You’ve probably seen this photo in an earlier post – now, we’re putting it again as the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was named the hottest new car for 2014 by Forbes. Coming in coupe and convertible versions, the Corvette Stingray is completely redesigned with an all-new chassis and mechanicals residing beneath seductively sleek bodywork. A technologically advanced 6.2-liter V8 engine channels an estimated 450 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque through the rear wheels that enables a launch from 0 to 60 mph in a sizzling 3.8 seconds.
Lighter in weight, though more structurally rigid than before, an ideal 50/50 front-to-rear weight ratio, reengineered steering and suspension systems and an array of sophisticated chassis-control hardware promise tenacious handling. A new Drive Mode Selector allows the driver to tune 12 separate performance attributes according to five different driving situations, including one for use on wet roads and another that enables the engine to run on only four cylinders to garner maximum fuel economy. Addressing one of the past model’s nagging weaknesses, the Stingray’s two-seat interior features a new driver-focused dashboard and extensive use of high-quality materials.
Do you agree with Forbes’ choice?
Mitsubishi is gearing up for the Tokyo Motor Show, where it will show off three new crossover concepts. The Japanese automaker recently shared a teaser with us, but now we have our first full look at the concepts: GC-PHEV, XR-PHEV and AR. The three concepts will be officially unveiled at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show this month.
The Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV is a full size SUV with full time four-wheel drive. The GC, which stands for “Grand Cruiser” (pictured at center) will use a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 engine combined with an electric motor and battery paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV (pictured to the right) stands for “Crossover Runner” and is a “next-generation compact SUV developed to take driving pleasure to new levels.” Interestingly, it will do this with a 1.1-liter turbocharged engine, paired to a lighter and smaller electric motor and battery pack. And the last model (pictured far left), is called Concept-AR, for “Active Runabout.” It uses the same 1.1-liter hybrid system of the Concept-CR. All of the Mitsubishi concepts use @earth, which is the name Mitsu has given its advanced technologies, similar to the way Mazda uses Skyactiv to reference a suite of technologies, as well as a philosophy.
Source: Automotive.com
