japanese cars
Suzuki/VW Alliance Dies Over Fiat Engine Deal
Nonetheless VW believes that an alliance is still possible, though the company’s Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said on a July 28 conference call that the partnership is currently “under review.”
Suzuki Swift Sport Revealed: 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview
As a brand Suzuki has had limited success in North America, selling rebadged GM crossovers when it probably should have been pushing the types of cars it knows best – small cars. While the Swift used to be offered here, its days passed long ago (apart from the rebadged old Daewoo offered in Canada). The…
Mazda Stop/Start Technology Not Headed to the U.S. Just Yet
In order to overcome anxiety and potential resistance to the technology, O’Sullivan says the best way is to phase it in and establish it across multiple product lines, a plan Mazda currently has in place across the pond.
2012 Nissan Versa Tops Sub-Compact Sales in its First Month
There hasn’t been a lot of buzz generated around the new 2012 Nissan Versa since its unveiling back in April at the New York Auto Show, so it’s completely understandable if one were led to believe that the Versa will manage limited success. On the other hand, Versa’s biggest competitor Hyundai Accent set off to…
2012 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Starts at $16,875
Toyota recently announced an updated version of its Tacoma pickup for 2012 and has now revealed pricing, with the top-selling truck starting at $16,875. The 2012 Tacoma will emphasize driving comfort, usability, and convenience. Exterior enhancements include a facelift with new hood, headlamps and fog lights. Two new shades of paint, Spruce Mica and Nautical…
New Toyota FT-86 II Concept Teased Ahead of Frankfurt Debut [Video]
As though there could be any more hype surrounding Toyota‘s upcoming sports car, a new version of the FT-86 II Concept is being teased ahead of its unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week. Touted to be “faster, lighter and sportier” than in the past, it’s unclear why Toyota has then decided to refer…
Volkswagen, Suzuki Tie-Up Unravels
Young love can turn into a bitter divorce faster than you can say “Rocktan.” That at least appears to be the case with the relatively recent partnership between Germany’s world-domination seeking Volkswagen and the minicar experts from Japan, Suzuki. Like many a relationship gone sour, the problem appears to be communication. “Volkswagen is not talking…
Subaru BRZ Photo: Subie’s Rear-Drive Sports Coupe Rendered into Reality
In two weeks time Subaru will give us the best look yet at its upcoming BRZ at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Rather than any sort of reveal, however, the “Subaru BRZ Prologue – Boxer Sports Car Architecture II” is expected to be yet another look at the car’s underlying platform and engine. The final unveiling…
2012 Toyota Camry Launch Pushed Up to Bolster Slumping Sales
Times have been difficult in the past four months for the giant Japanese Automaker, Toyota. With four consecutive months of sales declines, a 13% drop to 129,482 units in August alone, actions are in order for a much needed rebound. This action will come in the form of the redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry, now set…
Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version Revealed With 186-MPH Capability
Ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Infiniti has released a selection of photos of what will be called the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version. Wearing the name of the Formula One World Champion (and current points leader for the 2011 season), the man himself will be on hand to unveil the…
Car Review Videos, Monthly Wrap-Up: 2012 Toyota Camry, Hyundai Genesis
With August coming to a close, we’ve compiled a list of the latest AutoGuide video reviews for the month. Along with a test drive of the new Hyundai Genesis Sedan (including both the V6 and 5.0-liter V8-powered R-Spec model), we drove Mazda‘s SkyActiv prototype. It may look like a Mazda6, but underneath this odd right-hand…
Nissan NISMO GT-R GT3 Off to a Solid Start [Gallery]
Debuting over the weekend in the Blancpain Endurance Series at Magny-Cours, Nissan‘s new GT-R GT3-spec race car had a solid 8th place finish, competing alongside cars like the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 Italia. Driven by Richard Westbrook and David Brabham this car is the creation of NISMO and JRM, and marks the start of…
2012 Camry Hybrid Sales to Double Says Toyota
The jury is still out as to whether the Toyota Camry will retain its crown as the best selling car in America for the 10th straight year, but if it does, much of the reason will have to do with the hybrid model. During the launch of the all-new 2012 Camry just a few weeks…
Infiniti Planning Front-Drive Product Push
Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Infiniti JX Concept will go into production as both an all-wheel drive model and as a front-drive version, marking the start of more front-drivers to come. Following the JX will be a niche market electric car based on the Nissan Leaf’s front-drive architecture. After that, look for…
How Many Kids Can You Fit in a Mazda6 Without Getting Arrested? Not 17
Have you ever wondered how many kids you could fit in your car before you would get arrested? Of course you haven’t. Then again, neither did a South African man who, in retrospect, probably should have. The unnamed man (lucky for him) was arrested near Cape Town, driving with 17 children in a Mazda hatchback…
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition Unveiled [Exclusive]
Toyota has a long history of building rugged off-road trucks, the latest of which is the FJ Cruiser. And if you’re looking to match capability with Jeep’s “Trail Rated” machines there’s no better way to do so than with a more off-road capable Trail Teams Special Edition. The latest Trail Teams model is available exclusively…
Subaru BRZ to Hit Dealers Next Spring
It’s been a long time coming but fans of the Toyobaru sports car soon won’t have to wait much longer. Expected to officially debut at the Tokyo Auto Show in both its Toyota and Subaru forms, Subaru recently announced that its version will be called the BRZ. When it is unveiled, interested buyers won’t have…
Nissan NISMO GT-R GT3 Race Car Previewed Ahead of First Test
Nissan has released a lone image of its incredible GT-R GT3-spec race car ahead of its first competition test. Built by a partnership between Nissan’s NISMO motorsports division and JR Motorsports (JRM), the NISMO GT-R GT3 will hit the track this weekend for the fourth round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Magny-Cours. Driving duties…
Lexus GS350 Coupe Under Consideration
Looking to grow sales and continue to take the fight to the Germans, Lexus is reportedly considering a two-door version of the new 2013 GS350. Based on the same platform the car would use the same rear-drive setup and be powered by the automaker’s 306-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine. Currently Lexus has no hard-top offerings apart…
Lexus CT200h Sales Besting Rivals Despite Supply Issues
When a car meets its expected sales target it’s not normally worth reporting, but considering the flop that was the HS250h (not to mention slumping brand sales in general), Lexus seems on track to meet and even exceed its goal with the new CT200h. According to the latest figures the CT200h was the third best…
Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sport Parts Now Available from TRD
Prepping your IS-F for the track just got a lot easier thanks to a new line of performance parts released by Toyota‘s TRD performance division. The parts, first unveiled on the Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sport concept car at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, include a new carbon fiber front bumper, carbon trunk lid, rear…
2012 Toyota Camry Ads Play-Up NASCAR Connection [Video]
The all-new 2012 Toyota Camry is here and the Japanese automaker is shifting gears with its mid-size sedan. While an excellent vehicle the Camry has always been criticized as the “safe choice.” Now, thanks to some shenanigans provided by NASCAR points leader Kyle Busch, the big “T” is looking to rebrand the Camry, while touting…
Lexus GS F Sport and 450h Models Teased
After the reveal of the all-new 2013 GS350 at Pebble Beach, Lexus is soon planning to unveil both the F Sport and 450h variants. The 450h will be Lexus’ attempt at delivering V8 performance with a hybrid 3.5L V6 powerplant. While we can’t see any styling changes in these teasers, we anticipate there to be…
Subaru BRZ Revealed as Name of Subie’s Toyota FT-86
Subaru has announced its name for the joint sports car project developed with Toyota, dubbing the rear-drive coupe the BRZ. The news comes in a release by the Japanese automaker, announcing it will show a second rendition of the Boxer Sports Car Architecture, cumbersomely named “Subaru BRZ Prologue – Boxer Sports Car Architecture II” at…
