In what has been tagged as the most expensive car ever to come out of, the Lexus LFA Supercar took the Tokyo Motor Show by storm and dwarfing other car manufacturers on hand. The Lexus LFA is a limited edition supercar that will retail for a whopping $375,000. It features a lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced polymer body as well as suspensions made of lightweight-aluminum alloy. It also has carbon-ceramic breaks which all comprise its even allocated weight distribution of 48:52.

Other highlights of the Lexus LFA include a 4.8 liter V-10 engine paired with a 6-speed transmission which be sufficient for its boasted top speed of 202 MPH. Production for the limited edition Lexus LFA supercar will start December 10, 2010. Orders are now being taken at the Lexus LFA website.

(Source) New York Times

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The last we heard of the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV concept was when it was rumored to be lending its drive train to the Lancer Evolution XI. Today the car has been shown off during the Tokyo Motor Show and we have finally have some solid specs.

The car will feature 2 electric motors producing 82 hp and 200Nm of torque and will be coupled with a 1.6-liter engine good for 116hp and 125Nm of torque. Thanks to this combination, in addition to regenerative braking, you’ll be looking at a none-too-bad 117 mpg.

When exactly we will see if PX-MiEV hit dealerships, if ever, is still a mystery.

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In the past Honda has pointed towards fuel cell powered vehicles as the future — Today at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has again stated his company’s stance on the fuel cells saying that hydrogen energy is the best long term strategy for the auto industry.

Sure, Honda has some electric vehicles in the works such as the Honda EV-N and the Honda CR-Z but Ito says once the industry realizes the limits of batteries they too will turn to hydrogen.

What do you guys think? Is hydrogen the future or will we be seeing batteries stick around for a bit longer?

via..

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The Tokyo Motor Show continues ahead full steam and the latest vehicle on display from Subaru is the Impreza WRX STI Carbon. This vehicle is a tuned version of the regular Impreza WRX STI with a carbon fiber roof, hence its name. Such a light weight roof makes for a lower center of gravity while also reducing its weight making for better handling.

Now, I’m all for the carbon fiber hood but the fact that Subaru plans to ship this vehicle with only a 5-speed automatic transmission makes me a little angry. I mean a rally car really, a rally car without the option for a manual gearbox? What is Subaru thinking?

via wcf

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If we’re talking rally car inspired consumer vehicles two models almost always come to mind; the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The WRX is a nice car but for now we’re going to focus on the Evo as recent reports have surfaced that suggest the vehicle’s next iteration will feature plug-in technology.

Mitsubishi recently showed off the above Concept PX-MiEV at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show which is nothing more than an all electric SUV. However, the real treat comes from rumors that Mitsubishi is planning on using this vehicle’s drivetrain in the Lancer Evolution XI.

There isn’t much more information regarding this new Evo but our sources say it is expected to hit the market by 2013.

via autopia

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Here’s a strange bit of news for you–turns out that this year’s Tokyo Motor Show will occupy half the floor space of last year’s.

This by itself might not mean so much, but it joins up with some other, similar news.  The Tokyo Motor Show will only feature Japanese automaker cars.  Seems everyone else is neck-deep in pleading poverty.  The Japanese car makers, meanwhile, wouldn’t go to the Frankfurt show so they’d have something new to exhibit at the Tokyo Motor Show.

A litany of economic horrors followed:  the annual North America International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show), lost GM. The New York International Auto Show was less than half its previous size. Italy’s Bologna Motor Show is on the brink of collapse.

Worldwide, car shows are slumping, and facing outright extinction.  In fact, it may be that, someday, car shows will never be seen again.  Maybe they’ll become smaller, regional shows.  Or maybe they’ll go strictly online.  But no alternative meausre bodes well for things as a whole.

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What you see above is the Toyota FT-68 Concept, a concept vehicle expect to make its debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show next week. For those who don’t know, this is the concept that is the work of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru.

Details are slim but we do know that it will be a rear wheel drive vehicle with a 2.0 liter Toyota-Subaru “D-4S” Boxer engine. As for a release date, well, it’s expected to hit dealerships by 2011 wearing a Toyota badge but that could change with further announcements.

Check back next week as we cover the Tokyo Motor Show.

via ft-86 club

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Now here’s something interesting, folks–apparently Subaru wants a piece of the steadily growing hybrid pie.

This move has been years in the making, but Subaru’s going to have its new model, the Subaru Hybrid Tourer, ready for display at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

But there are some things we do know about it before it hits the show floor–stuff like that it comes with regenerative braking, that it has a straight flat-four turbocharged mill gas engine for high-speed running and two electric motors for help getting up hills and the like.

Some aspects of the current concept car Subaru likely won’t be making it to market–tell me, though, how awesome would it be to get a car with gullwing doors again?  I haven’t seen a car with gullwing doors since the last time I watched Back to the Future, and I for one would kind of like doors that serve as rainproof paviliions.

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You’ve been reading in this space piece after piece about electric and plug-in hybrid cars with ranges so preposterous you could probably walk farther than they could take you on a single charge.

Well, you can look to the Suzuki Swift to be a step in the right direction.

Designed to be used by motorists with about ten miles per day commute (does anyone live that close to work?  If so, chances are they work from home.) to be a pure electric, those of us who live farther away for once can actually still apply–the critical difference here being that the car could then switch into hybrid mode to get the rest of the distance.

I’ve been sick to death of reading all these reports about these electric cars that can’t go more than thirty, forty miles without whimpering like a schoolgirl and then folding up into the night.  Even though this is just a hybrid, it’s still a pretty good move, and hopefully the Suzuki Swift is just the beginning.

And, though you’ve heard about that one here once before, there’s some extra news along with it–not only will we be seeing that one at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, but we’ll also get the fuel cell version of the SX4 SUV.

The fuel cell in question for that one is being provided by General Motors.

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While most of you may have heard that the Nissan Land Glider concept will be at the Tokyo Motor Show that is not all Nissan has lined up. One other vehicle that Nissan is unveiling is the Nissan Roox Minicar, a compact 4-seater vehicle that is said to be the most spacious in its class. Among the striking features of the Nissan Roox Minicar include sliding rear doors, a drink cooler at the upper glove box, a storage box under the passenger seat and front SRS side airbags. Expect availability and pricing to be announced soon once the Nissan Roox Minicar is formally unveiled!

(Source) Icars

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What you see above is reportedly a leaked sketch of a Subaru/Toyota developed Sports Coupe that is in the works over at the two automakers. According to WCF, Subaru has yet to confirm that they are on board and Toyota is handling all development for the time being.

The car is apparantly the FT-86 concept Toyota is expected to show off at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show and is said to feature a 2.0-liter Subaru boxer engine with power reaching up to 200 horsepower.

We’ll just have to wait until the Tokyo Motor Show later this month to see this concept in the flesh.

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Toyota has unveiled a mean and green new sporty concept car with the Toyota FT-86. The car boasts of a 2 liter boxed engine courtesy of Subaru and is a rear-¬wheel drive that may yet rekindle the old AE86. This lightweight concept car aims to be a greener option for motorists who prefer a vehicle that is eco-friendly and stylish at that. The Toyota FT-86 concept car will be put on display at the Tokyo Motor Show from October 24 to November 4.

(Source) Press

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What you see above is Suzuki’s 2010 Swift, a plug-in hybrid concept that is set to make it’s official debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. This little vehicle features a 660 cc engine to charge its on board lithium ion batteries situated between the 2 front seats.

Those lithium ion batters in question will be used to power the car’s 54 kW motor which will then give the car front wheel drive.

That’s all we have now regarding the 2010 Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid concept, check back as the Tokyo Motor Show grows closer.

via autoblog

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The Tokyo Motor Show officially opens on October 24, hosting a wide roster of automakers to show off their latest vehicles set to be released in the market. And just when many people were looking forward to the event, Hyundai has begged off from the Tokyo Motor Show despite having paid a non-refundable reservation fee of $122,000.

There were no definitive reasons given for Hyundai’s pull out but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that it has something to do with expenses. If Hyundai participated, they would have to address other costs that include outlays, staffing and other support materials for any new model they would be unveiling as well as the space rental for the duration of the event. as well as the space rental for the duration of the event.

With their pull-out, the Tokyo Motor Show looms like a showdown among Japan’s familiar car brands. Only two other foreign car companies remain for the event and these are Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen and Lotus. With 3 weeks to go, will they stay or will they go?

(Source) NY Times

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Mazda will be among the many car manufacturers at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show on October 24. For their part, Mazda is expected to debut the Mazda Kiyora Concept Car although that is not the only thing they will be unveiling. They will also unveil their next-generation engine and automatic transmissions lineup. This includes the Mazda SKY-G direct injection gasoline engine Mazda SKY-D clean diesel engine and the Mazda SKY Drive high-efficiency automatic transmission.

These new technological advancements are expected to help in the improvement of fuel-efficiency as well as some eco-friendly enhancements and optimized combustion systems. But a lot of the focus is sure to be on the Mazda Kiyora Concept car which highlights the next-generation Mazda SKY concept powertrain technologies and comprehensive advancements in weight reduction for better fuel economy at 32 kilometers per liter.

(Source) Auto Racing

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