BMW has just announced a new turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant that will first appear in the BMW X1. Replacing the current 3.0-liter straight-six overseas, it will be found under the hood when the X1 hits dealers in North America. The new TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine displaces just 2.0-liter but makes 245-hp at 5000 rpm and 258...
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Well ahead of it’s planned debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, Mazda has announced the debut of the Minagi crossover concept. The latest vehicle to take the crossover segment further down-market, the Minagi Concept is rumored to wear the CX-5 badge and will compete in a class of cars popularized by the Nissan...
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The Mitsubishi Colt is one of the oldest nameplates in the compact car market, having been sold across the globe in fairly substantial numbers. While North Americans missed out on the previous incarnation, the Colt was well regarded as a practical and inexpensive subcompact that was also a competent driver’s car. For the next generation...
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[vs-jwplayer movieid=”5QXqGbBy0Vo” width=”640″ height=”385″ autoplay=”0″] The official unveiling of the Ford Vertrek Concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show gave us our first chance to explore what will eventually become the next Escape. Based on the same architecture as the 2012 Ford Focus, the Vertrek will be a global vehicle, and is also set to...
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[vs-jwplayer movieid=”Woi6jm_nfIA” width=”640″ height=”385″ autoplay=”0″] After 13 years on the market, Toyota has finally decided to expand the Prius name into a complete lineup of vehicles, starting with the Prius V. And why not; the Prius has already grown into a brand, described by Toyota Division VP and General Manager Bob Carter as being synonymous...
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Rumored for some time now, MINI is set to introduce a rival to the Golf GTD in Europe at the Geneva Auto Show. Powered by a 2.0-liter BMW turbo-diesel, the car should make around 143-hp and a more robust 225 ft-lbs of torque. But there’s more. MINI will reportedly introduce the more potent diesel powerplan...
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Due to overwhelming demand, not to mention lackluster sales for the original hybrid version, Honda will bring to market its CR-Z turbo model, possibly as early as this year. Facing new competition from the Hyundai Veloster, and aiming to offer something in line with higher-performance versions of the MINI Cooper, the CR-Z turbo will reportedly...
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Hardly the most attractive car on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the TES Concept T-Sports might be one of the most exciting for regular folks in search of an affordable sports car. Since the first introduction of Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept, rumors have surfaced that the cost of development of the car has risen and...
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First debuting at the Australian International Auto Show, Lexus rolled out the CT200h F-Sport model as part of its display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Unlike the IS-F Club Performance Accessory or the IS-F CCSR, this F-Sport model is confirmed for production. Taking the new Lexus hybrid hatchback to a more dynamic level, the...
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Looking forward to Subaru‘s version of the Toyota FT-86 Concept? Sure you are! But what if you could get your hands on another STI-tuned Toyota-derived Subie. Um….. maybe not. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Trezia STI gets an overhaul by the legendary Subaru Technica Institute. Never heard of the Trezia? We don’t blame...
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If you’re looking for the VIP section at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this is it. The RH9 Club, is a loose network of tuner shops that have built Nissan GT-Rs that can run a 9 second quarter mile or faster. As the legend goes, the shops all meet and discuss tuning ideas and even build...
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A year ago Honda officially announced the introduction of the HSV-010 GT race car, the company’s successor to the NSX in the Japanese Super GT Series. A purpose-built race car with a 500-hp 3.4-liter V8 engine, sadly, no production car will ever be derived from the HSV-010. That new is all the more disappointing when...
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It wouldn’t be the Tokyo Auto Salon without an appearance by a few specific tuners and that list includes Top Secret. Best known for building unmistakably gold high-powered machines – like the Toyota Supra – the Top Secret display in Tokyo this year includes a stunning Nissan GT-R. Sporting a special aero kit (including a...
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[vs-jwplayer movieid=”nKOjuRQUlBE” width=”640″ height=”385″ autoplay=”0″] After a buildup that lasted a year, BMW finally revealed it’s new 1 Series M Coupe at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, giving us our first chance for an up-close look at the latest M machine. Using the company’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six, the 1M Coupe makes 340-hp and 332 ft-lbs...
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Chrome on a car is cool when you’re talking about a Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 race car. Less so when you’re talking about a Toyota Prius. Still, when we spotted this IS.ME-tuned Prius at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon we had to snap a few pics to share, so you too can gawk at this...
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One reason to attend the annual Tokyo Auto Salon tuner show is to see Japanese Domestic Market vehicles extensively modified by some of the best aftermarket companies in the business. A second reason is to have a good laugh. A car culture that can deliver the NSX and GT-R, is also responsible for 1980s-era Transformers-styled...
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A BMW 750i that was stolen from BMW USA at the Detroit Auto Show was recovered by police after being stolen outside a Detroit hotel. The BMW was being used to transport executives around Detroit during the North American International Auto Show. Thieves took the car as it was being loaded onto a transport truck...
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Over in Japan, the Lexus GS is sold as the Toyota Mark X, meaning that you can get the rear-drive sedan at a more affordable price. While not exactly the most dynamic diver’s car, the folks at Goodyear Racing though it would be perfect for their new race car – if you can consider the...
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Subaru will finally reveal its version of the Toyobaru rear-drive coupe at the Geneva Auto Show this March. The automaker has confirmed that it will display a concept dubbed the ‘Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept.’ As the name suggest, however, it will be a concept and we don’t expect to see a production...
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Nissan/Infiniti tuner Impul chose the Tokyo Auto Salon to make the public debut of its new 651S tuning package for the new Infiniti M luxury sedan. While some of the aerodynamic modifications aren’t to out taste, thankfully Impul isn’t just some plastic-fantastic shop. They actually offer a full line of modifications. Shown on this car...
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One of the premiere tuners for Honda and Acura vehicles, J’s Racing is known for building parts for those who want to get out on the track. On display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the J’s Racing team brought along fully modified versions of the Civic Type R and the new CR-Z. Both models feature...
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Hybrids are increasingly becoming the car of choice in Japan and as a result the country that’s responsible for popularizing electrified motoring is also the Mecca for hybrid tuning. Yes, some performance shops are working on adding more power to hybrid systems, but as with the rest of the auto industry, the majority of tuning...
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It’s not even for sale in North America yet, but over in Japan they’re already hard at work modifying the all-new Toyota Vitz – sold here as the Yaris. A marked improvement on the current model in the style department, the G Sports team at Gazoo Racing have customized this little hatch with a selection...
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Love the Nissan Juke? OK, you probably don’t, but that’s most likely because you haven’t driven one. Criticized from Tokyo to Tampa Bay, the Juke is a front-runner for ugliest car ever, but it’s also a seriously fun package with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a sophisticated AWD system. Targeted at young urbanites, Nissan is looking...
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