japanese cars
Report: Honda CR-Z Type-R Planned With 200-Horsepower
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According to AutoExpress, the automotive journalists equivalent to the National Enquirer, Honda is planning a CR-Z Type R model. While a host of modifications would be included, like larger brakes and a stiffer suspension, the real boost will apparently come under the hood. Instead of the lackluster 122-hp hybrid setup, the CR-Z Type R will…
Geneva Preview: New Nissan Global Small Car Teaser Video Released Ahead of Geneva Debut
With several teaser images already released of Nissan’s upcoming global small car, the Japanese automaker has now released a video highlighting some of the vehicle’s attributes. According to the video, Nissan has developed a new 3-cylinder engine that displaces just 1.2-liters, which Nissan claims has noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels equivalent to modern 4-cylinder…
NHTSA Probe to Investigate Timeliness of Toyota Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a probe to investigate if Toyota issued its recalls in a timely manner. The NHTSA will use its statutory powers to obtain documents from Toyota and investigate how it learned of the defects in vehicles and when it knew about them. Automakers are required by law…
Recall Notice: Toyota Recalls 8,000 Tacoma Pickups, 7,314 Camry Models
Toyota has again announced another recall. Or should we say another, another recall. Yup, not one, but two recalls, affecting the Tacoma pickup and Camry sedan. Both recalls are minor in number, totaling just around 15,000 units and affect only 2010 model year cars and trucks. First came the 2010 Tacoma recall for 8,000 trucks…
Leaked: 2011 Toyota RAV4 Euro-Spec Uncovered Ahead of Geneva Debut
Toyota, a company that is notoriously good at keeping its vehicles secret until the very last minute, has apparently let down its guard, with a few pictures of the facelifted 2011 RAV4 finding their way onto the net. With a new grille and headlights, the cute-ute gets a little less cute a it more muscular….
2011 Nissan Patrol Gives Us A Good Look at the Next Infiniti QX
Nissan has just taken the wraps off its updated Patrol SUV, which is sold under the Infiniti brand in North America as the QX. While certain style elements are likely to change, the general look of the beast will remain. Nissan has even chosen to upgrade the Patrol’s interior to Infiniti standards, so we shouldn’t…
Nissan Juke To Get 188-hp Turbocharged Direct-Injection 4-Cylinder
Nissan’s upcoming Juke crossover isn’t going to win any awards for style, but the vehicle’s engine is an exciting bit of technology. When the Juke goes on sale in North America later this year it will likely feature a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology – GTDI (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) for short. It…
Lexus CT200h Teased Ahead of Geneva Auto Show Debut
Lexus will unveil the first full-hybrid premium compact car at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Called the CT200h, it is inspired by the LF-Ch concept that the automaker debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. Interestingly, the teaser image that Lexus has sent us looks more like a sedan than the LF-Ch hatchback…
Nissan Leaf Electric Car On Sale in August, Deliveries in December
With Chevy set to begin selling the Volt later this year, Nissan will be ready to compete in the ultra-green category with its Leaf electric car. Nissan will begin taking orders for the car in August, with deliveries in December. Those eligible will have to live in an area where Nissan is working with local…
Report: New Honda Ridgeline Pickup Coming in 2011
Honda will deliver an all-new second-generation Ridgeline pickup for the 2011 model year. Vicki Poponi, Honda’s VP of product planning told PickupTrucks.com in an interview that the truck will arrive in 2011 as a 2011 model year, so expect it very early on – likely at the Detroit Auto Show. Introduced in 2005 the Ridgeline…
Chicago 2010: 2011 Infiniti M56 Makes Public Debut at Chicago Auto Show
Infiniti made a last minute decision to show its products at the Chicago Auto Show and so it took some searching to find the brands new 2011 M model tucked away in a back corner. But it was worth the hunt. Infiniti actually showed the car to us at a private event during the LA…
Chicago 2010: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition, First Live Photos
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan displayed, for the first time, its new 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. Celebrating 40 years since the 240Z landed in the U.S., the 40th Anniversary Edition model starts out as a well-equipped manual-transmission Touring model equipped with the Sport Package which includes the SynchroRev…
Chicago 2010: Honda Odyssey Concept Foreshadows 2011 Production Model
When Honda announced it would show a next-generation Odyssey minivan concept at the Chicago Auto Show, we assumed it would be one of the wild and wacky concepts that automaker debuted at the Tokyo Auto show last year. We were wrong. Instead, Honda has unveiled a concept that it says very closely resembles the 2011…
Chicago 2010: 2011 Toyota Avalon World Premiere
Toyota has just taken the wraps off the all-new 2011 Avalon. The changes certainly aren’t dramatic, but this is the Avalon after all. In other words, it’s a Japanese Buick. We don’t have much info on the vehicle as Toyota hasn’t even released any official specs, but from the press conference at the Chicago Auto…
Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition Priced from $38,860, With Lots of New Photos
Set to make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week, Nissan has just announced the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be priced from $38,860. And because we already knew this, to get our attention they included a large selection of new photos of the car. Starting out as a well-equipped manual-transmission Touring model,…
Nissan Juke Crossover Confirmed for North America
Nissan has now officially confirmed that the Juke crossover will be offered in North American later this year. Inspired by the Qazana concept, the Juke is an even smaller crossover than the Rogue and we expect pricing to start at less than $20,000. Nissan says the Juke is targeted towards the small hatchback segment, giving…
Scion tC Release Series 6.0 Headed for Chicago Auto Show Debut
Later this week at the Chicago Auto Show, Scion will unveil the yet another special edition tC model. Presumably the last limited edition tC, the tC Release Series 6.0 comes painted in the exclusive SpeedWay Blue, with a matte-black graphics package. The same blue hue is used in the interior for the seats as well…
Chicago Preview: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition Set for World Premiere in Chicago
Just last week we thought we’d have to wait for the New York Auto Show in late March before we’d get to see the 40th Anniversary Edition 370Z, but Nissan has just announced it has decided to display at the Chicago Auto Show, starting later this week. Nissan has been noticeably absent from the auto…
Chicago Preview: 2011 Infiniti M37, M56 Set for Public Debut
While the media was given a sneak peak at the all-new 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56 models at a private event a few months back, the cars will be on public display for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show. After dropping out of most auto shows last year, skipping LA and then Detroit…
Geneva Preview: Nissan 370Z Black Edition Headed to Europe
With the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition set to debut at the Chicago Auto Show in just a few days, Nissan has announced a special European version of the sports car, debuting at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Called the 370Z Black Edition, it gets the same 19-inch Rays wheels, red-painted brake calipers, 40th anniversary…
Geneva Preview: Subaru Impreza XV Model to Get Rugged New Look
Subaru will use the 2010 Geneva Auto Show to debut a new Impreza XV model in Europe and judging from the car’s description we think we’ve seen it before. In a brief press release Subaru describes the Impreza model as having many of the items featured on the U.S.-spec Impreza Outback Sport. What that means…
Report: Toyota Expands Brake Investigation to Cover All Hybrids After Admitting Issues With the Prius
Toyota has now expanded its internal investigation over braking issues to cover all hybrid models says a report by the Wall Street Journal. Toyota has already admitted that there was a braking problem with its 2010 Prius model, and according to Japan’s Nikkei News, Toyota is preparing to issue a recall for 270,000 Prius models…
Report: Toyota Recall Costs Estimated at $2 Billion
Toyota’s recent recall issues may cost the company an estimated $2 billion. Along with the company’s third quarter report, Toyota estimated the costs of the global recall at 180 billion yen (US$2 billion), including 100 billion yen (US$1.1 billion) for repair costs and another 70-80 billion yen ($787-899 million) in lost sales. Toyota predicts a…
Breaking: Toyota to Recall Prius Hybrid
According to Japan’s Nikkei News, Toyota will recall 270,000 of its 2010 Prius models due to an issue with the car’s braking system. Unrelated to past Toyota recalls, the Prius uses a unique combination of traditional mechanical braking and sophisticated regenerative braking, which is used to recharge the car’s hybrid battery. The National Highway Traffic…
