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Articles Matching “Japan”

That thing you do: Mitsuoka Viewt

Banovsky on October 21, 2009

We love interesting cars here at vLane. They don't have to be the best-looking, fastest, or safest. Don't get us wrong, we love Porsches and things — but sometimes "normal" vehicles are just plain boring.

Mitsuoka Viewt

Cue Mitsuoka. This tiny Japanese manufacturer takes existing vehicles (usually Nissans) and attaches a stylish retro body. Think of them as old Jaguars, shrunk in the wash — but reliable.

Here's their latest, the Viewt. What do you think?

Click through for more photos.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, WTF, Japan, Weird, Mitsuoka
Toyota FT-86 concept

Banovsky on October 8, 2009

I think I can speak for enthusiasts everywhere when I say this car must be built.

Toyota FT-86 concept

Hailed as a spiritual successor to the legendary "AE-86" Corolla GT-S, this FT-86 concept mates reader drive, a Subaru derived flat-4 cylinder engine, and rear wheel drive.

Styling? Well, that's a home run. Simple yet aggressive, you'd never mistake this sports car for a Hyundai Genesis coupe, or a Volkswagen GTI, its natural competition.

We'll tell you more about this car once it's shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, but for now, what vehicle is its biggest competition?
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Click through for more photos and a video!

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Sports car, Concept, Japan, Toyota, Coupe, Subaru, 2010
Silly old ad: The Toyota Cavalier

Banovsky on September 28, 2009

Yes, Toyota sold a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan. But was it a "new form of luxury" as the ads claim?

A strong candidate for an "LOL WTF" award…

Thanks to Flickr member for uploading this ad. Click through to see it…and two commercials!

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Sedan, Japan, Toyota, Advertising, Coupe, Chevrolet, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Cavalier, Original
Video: 2010 Subaru Legacy B4 race car

Banovsky on August 28, 2009

Sure, we've reported on the 2010 Subaru Legacy. We've even driven it, and we love it. But…in Japan, they'll be racing it.

Time to click through!

Sure, it's not exactly what we'd call "production-spec", but the Japanese GT series, or Super GT as its known, is pretty open when it comes to rules. That's why in the GT300 class, this car will compete against everything from Porsche 911s to Toyota Corollas. Really.

Note: most of the high-definition video is in Japanese, but at around the 3-minute mark, there's some in-car action.

(via speedhunters.com)

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Video, Sedan, Japan, Motorsport, Subaru, 2010, Racing, Super GT, GT300
Mazda MX5 Miata Superlight concept

Banovsky on August 10, 2009

Sure, we love the normal Mazda Miata, but for the car's 20th birthday, the company apparently has something special up their sleeves.

Apart from having to always wear a rain coat, it looks like the driving experience would be worth it…

Not much is known about this concept car, except that it was prepared by Mazda in Germany as the purest expression of a Mazda sports car. The saved top, no windshield, sportier suspension, and a few other changes are so cool that we almost don't care what's under the hood.

At the Frankfurt motor show in September, we'll know more. Stay tuned.

Read More:
Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, News, Mazda, Concept, Japan, Convertible, Motorsport, 2010, Design, Miata
Tiny Tuner: Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

Banovsky on July 30, 2009

This is a customized Toyota iQ microcar to be sold in limited quantities from this November, in Japan.

The Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

Unlike the Smart fortwo, the Toyota iQ has seen a little bit of tuner attraction. This version is lowered, with an exhaust, 16-inch wheels, and a snazzy bodykit.

And although it's unlikely to come to North America exactly as you see here, it may arrive on our shores as a Scion. And that has us excited.
Click through for a video…and yes, it sounds awesome.

[via paultan.org]

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Japan, Misc, Toyota, iQ, Coupe, Smart, 2009, MPG, LOL, Gazoo Racing, iQ
Upcoming: #carchat 16; June 24 @ 8PM EST

Banovsky on June 24, 2009

For this week's very packed #carchat we discuss how soon we'll be seeing serious alternative fuel vehicles on our roads, that auto suppliers are feeling the pinch (and if they go, the industry will go with it), Toyota's good and bad green image, and if you really care to buy domestic.

Check out the #carchat How-To, or click through for a #carchat widget. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST June 24, on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

This week:
So click through and read a few links related to tonight's discussion.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Industry, Environment, Future, Green, News, Classic, Feature, WTF, Japan, Misc, Toyota, Ford, Advertising, Advice , Humor, Link, This week, Chrysler, Ford, Discussion, Social Media, Hybrid, Detroit, Twitter, US, Cash for Clunkers, Mega Cruiser
Tuner Tuesday: Wald Black Bison

Banovsky on June 23, 2009

This is a Toyota Land Cruiser. It's been modified not to go off-road, but to look good on Main St. And I think it's awesome.

The majestic WALD Black Bison

"Black Bison" is code for Wald's line of tuning products. From Mercedes-Benz models to the Nissan GT-R and Bentley Continental, Wald sells a line of tuning parts for almost every "cool" car out there.

This particular kit consists of 20-inch rims, rear diffuser, styling kit, and a huge rear spoiler.

Price? No idea…but if you read Japanese, let us know! Click on for more photos of this beast.

Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under SUV, Feature, WTF, Japan, Toyota, SUV, tuner, 2009, Tuner Tuesday, Wald, Land Cruiser
Beat the Recession #6: Infiniti M30

Banovsky on June 10, 2009

In 1990, a year after Lexus arrived in the US, another Japanese company brought their luxury-minded wares to North America.

The JDM-only Nissan Leopard

Most people remember the first Infiniti as being the Q45, a V8-powered super-sedan that aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series. While that model enjoyed the media spotlight, the Nissan Leopard-based M30 luxury coupe and convertible languished on dealer lots. (Anyone remember the "other" Lexus that was brought in along with the LS400 in 1989?)

Even now, the car's specs seem good: 3.0-litre V6 engine, 162 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, 19 city / 25 highway MPG, and a price of around $26,000 for the coupe. (This is in 1990 money, remember.)

Other highlights? Infiniti said at the time that the first few thousand cars would be test-driven on a 20-kilometer route, to iron out any production defects before selling the vehicles. This was to ensure good quality, and judging by the M30s I've seen, it probably worked.

Read on…

Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Classic, Feature, Japan, Infiniti, Convertible, Coupe, Beat the Recession, rare
Upcoming: #carchat 12

Banovsky on May 27, 2009

I've spent the weekend in Montreal, and now back in Toronto, it seems as though the automotive world has barely changed. Well, GM is lurching closer to bankruptcy, but I think there will be a few other, interesting, topics to discuss tonight…

The agenda? More "future-of-journalism" chat, more #usedcar buying tips, Chinese democracy — IE "real fake" car designs, and if auto shows really matter…specifically, the Detroit one.

Check out the #carchat How-To, or click through for a #carchat widget. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST tonight, on Twitter. And have a suggestion? Tag it as "#carchat" at Delicious.com.

This week:
So click through and read a few links related to tonight's discussion.

Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under GM, Event, Government, Environment, Future, Green, News, WTF, Concept, Japan, Misc, Advice , Humor, Discussion, carchat