What is Subaru planning for the next STI? We’re sorry to say we don’t have the answer, yet, but if you’re a Subie fanboy the car’s product boss has some good news for you. According to Akihide Takeuchi, Impreza product manager, we should have high expectations. Not expected to debut until about a year from...
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No stranger to the Nurburgring, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez has competed at the legendary racetrack since 2006, but this weekend’s event was different. That’s because Bez wasn’t behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, but a race-prepped Lexus LFA. Bez and Toyota President Akio Toyoda swapped rides for the ninth round of the...
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Mazda‘s new SkyActiv engine was never intended to be used in the current Mazda3 platform, but with the new 40-mpg motor already developed, product planners decided it didn’t make sense just to sit on the technology – especially in a hyper-competitive segment where cars like the Cruze, Focus and Elantra are all claiming the big...
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One of the complains that has been leveled against the new 2012 Honda Civic is that it isn’t very dramatically designed. In fact, we said as much in our review of the Civic Si, commenting that this “boy racer” needs an injection of testosterone. This may just happen, and far sooner than anyone could have...
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Banned from selling cars after they were caught charging a $25,000 mark up for a used Mazda6, Ken Trung and Mohammed Shaikh could be back working on a car lot as early as next year. The two men weren’t just fired for selling the family sedan for $66,000 at a Orangeville dealer outside Toronto, Canada,...
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Mazda is hoping to boost sales in the United States by 74 percent, and a key component of their strategy will be delivering sporty vehicles that can turn out “real world” fuel economy numbers. “It’s not acceptable to us have 40 mpg and sacrifice performance,” said Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior VP of U.S. operations. Rivals...
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VW on the other hand, claims Suzuki also violated terms of the contract by failing to disclose that it had done a deal with FIAT to supply engines, yet Chairman Suzuki maintains that this allegation “significantly disparaged Suzuki’s honor” and continues to seek an apology and retraction from the Wolfsburg company.
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You can be part of the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team’s pit crew when you play Infiniti’s first ever social game on Facebook. Infiniti and Red Bull Racing have teamed up for this new Facebook application called the Infiniti Pit Crew Challenge. Inspired by the competitive fuel that helps drive the Red Bull Racing Formula...
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It’s been over a decade since Toyota competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and when the Japanese auto giant returns next year to the world famous motorsports venue it will change the race forever. That’s because Toyota’s new race car will use a hybrid-electric drivetrain. Set to compete in the top-tier LMP1 class...
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A new continuously-variable transmission, a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine and an front-drive hybrid system should all arrive on the new Nissan Altima for 2013, helping Nissan stay competitive in an increasingly tough segment. The hybrid drivetrain will be similar to that used on the Infiniti M Hybrid, but adapted for front-wheel drive vehicles. The new...
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News broke last month that Honda CEO Takanobu Ito confirmed development of a new NSX. Now comes word that we could get our first look at the vehicle at the Tokyo Auto Show next month. If so, the new NSX might just be the best-kept secret in the auto industry. That vehicle would just be...
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As the European and U.S. suffer from an economy of alarming volatility, automakers are constantly seeking emerging markets to attain sustainable growth. Mazda, introducing its automobiles in Mexico only six years ago, have now established a new production facility, in joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation, in Salamanca, Mexico. According to Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi, “Since...
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Subaru is looking to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles by 30 percent and will introduce new technologies like turbocharging, different transmissions and hybrid systems to help meet those goals. First up will be a blitz of new product built on an all-new lightweight architecture that will replace the current platform used by all...
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At the Johannesburg International Motor Show in South Africa, Toyota introduced their latest 5-door hatch in TRD supercharged form. The Auris TRD will feature a supercharged 1.6L with 178-hp and 149 lb-ft of torque, up 48-hp and 31 lb-ft from the standard model and looks to be launched sometime in November. Even though the Auris is...
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The Wankel engine lives! Although recent reports have suggested otherwise, a tweet from Mazda’s PR department was posted in Japanese for their followers indicating a new generation rotary engine is in the works, and thus confirming a previous report stating that SkyActiv senior exec Kiyoshi Fujiwara is continuing development on the Wankel. Details on the rotary...
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Outlandish engine swaps are usually a fool’s errand that cost far more time and money than most people ever expect. Of course, if you’re a major automaker with endless financial and mechanical resources behind you, you can do whatever you want. When Nissan set out to create the Juke-R, considerations like “budget”, “space” and “access...
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In recent years, sales of Mitsubishi vehicles have been on a global decline. Some feared that this Japanese automaker could one day be forced to close its doors for good, if demand does not increase. In recent years, Mitsubishi has been given a lifeline by the PSA group, which owns Peugeot and Citroen. Both of...
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If you’re an avid follower of Formula 1, you’d have already known that Sebastien Vettel has won the 2011 Drivers Championship. Even though his F1 car is powered by a Renault engine, it is branded an Infiniti for marketing purposes, as Infiniti only launched in Europe this year. Starting with the FX Sebastien Vettel edition....
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The Honda CR-Z was always intended to be a car with a split personality. When docile, the hybrid system allows the CR-Z to reach 39-mpg. Then, if prodded, the sporty hybrid promises to deliver sports car levels of driving excitement. However, in its current state, the CR-Z has been more Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde....
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Toyota‘s rush to cut costs amid a rising yen is leading them towards a confrontation with parts suppliers, with the automaker demanding that Japanese parts makers slash costs or face being replaced with overseas companies. Toyota is still reeling from lost production during March’s tsunami and earthquake, and is estimated to lose $443 million for...
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The Mazda RX-8’s production run has already ended for much of the world, but Japan is sending off the last rotary engine equipped sports car (for the time being) with a special run of 1,000 cars dubbed the “Spirit R”. Special badging, red brake calipers, Recaro seats and 18″ wheels are the main highlights of...
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If you’re a fan of the Nissan LEAF, you’ll want to bookmark the EV’s new blog, “Go Electric.” The official Nissan LEAF blog was launched at the end of September and it’s a place where Nissan LEAF drivers and enthusiasts can share words, photos, and videos of about the EV. The GO Electric owner’s blog...
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With an announced debut for the SEMA Show in November, Lexus has instead revealed the new F-Sport version of its 2013 GS350 model at the Johannesburg Motor Show in South Africa. No official details have been provided but these snap shots were released on the Lexus of South Africa Facebook page. Modifications look subtle with...
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The rising yen is making exports from Japan increasingly unprofitable and Honda is looking to cut vehicle exports by 50 percent over the next 10 years as a response to the change in currency valuations. Honda hopes to sell as much as 90 percent of its vehicles in markets that can use locally sourced vehicles....
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