Japan


SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck – just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the sharp point of my spear of anger because it's basically responsible for the high-end CUV craze. Not a fan of hybrids, either. That said, I'm absolutely smitten with Branew's Lexus RX450h. I think it's the stance, has to be. But there is just something ... Read more →

SEMA 2009: Custom Suzuki Kizashi models impress, upset Jonny Lieberman

We totally dig the new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. It's a bold step forward for Suzuki and (hopefully) a harbinger of great things to come, which also happens to be what "Kizashi" means. However, the ...

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) takes gaming to illogical conclusions Jonny Lieberman

It's said that one hundred monkeys typing for eternity will eventually bang out the complete works of William Shakespeare. However, they will also come up with a whole bunch of other, um... ...

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod kinda cool misses the bullseye Jonny Lieberman

Yeah... Toyota is painting this one as a what-would-happen if Tundras existed back during the hot rodding heyday of the 1950s. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about that. However, we ...

SEMA Preview: Subaru bringing tuned STI, Legacy and 1969 360 van Jonny Lieberman

SEMA is just around the corner and aside from the inevitable Camaro riot that will be taking place in the convention center's parking lot, many auto folks are showing up with tuned rides. Like, ...

REPORT: Convertible Toyobaru FT-86 in the works 8 days ago on Autoblog

In news that will only shock those that haven't been paying attention, Toyota has reportedly confirmed that if the market demands it, there will be a convertible version of the new FT-86. Though Toyota still hasn't settled on a name for the upcoming budget rear-drive sports car, the announcement ...

Mitsubishi sketches out Concept-cX-influenced compact crossover for 2010 9 days ago on Autoblog

It's been two years since Mitsubishi took the wraps off its Concept-cX crossover at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, but before we see the production version at next year's Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi has released a teaser sketch of its all-new compact CUV. Aimed at competing with segment ...

Rendered Speculation: JDM rumormill reports Subaru's FT-86 will get turbo power, AWD 10 days ago on Autoblog

The crew from Japan's BestCar magazine have apparently taken the initial pics of the Toyota FT-86 concept and grafted a unique nose, rear fascia and wheels onto ToMoCo's new sports coupe, and while the result is less-than-fetching, the accompanying report offers a pseudo-confirmation of what's ...

Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition 10 days ago on Autoblog

It's Episode #150 of the Autoblog Podcast, and we raided the crypt to give you your buck-and-a-half's worth. Former podcast staples John Neff and Chris Paukert have been unearthed and join Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, and Dan Roth for this milestone occasion. A review of the Tokyo Motor ...

Accord Crosstour, JDM Odyssey, or JDM Accord Tourer - Which would have been your pick? 10 days ago on Autoblog

While we were in Japan last week for the Tokyo Motor Show, at least two American Honda officials expressed interest in bringing the automaker's Fit-based Freed MPV to the U.S. market. However, as we strolled the streets of Tokyo's Ginza district, another thought occurred to us when a JDM Odyssey ...

VIDEO: Best Drift Ever? Reverse-entry slide has JDM judges all aflutter 12 days ago on Autoblog

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/other_sports/Best_Drift_Ever_Reverse_entry_slide_has_judges_aflutter'; You know the famous soccer announcer (football to you internationals), Andrés Cantor, who screams "Goooooaaaallllll" after a score? A bit of performance genius has had some Japanese drift ...

Honda Racing finally puts NSX out to pasture as SuperGT tweaks regs 12 days ago on Autoblog

The Honda/Acura NSX has had a good run. The mid-engine supercar developed with input from the legendary Ayrton Senna first hit the market in 1990 and didn't cease production until 2005, giving it one of the longest production runs in the business. But even after Honda stopped selling the NSX, it ...

Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title 15 days ago on Autoblog

For the past 30 years, Japan has declared a car of the year, an award given to newly released or redesigned vehicles released from November 1st of the previous year to October 1st of the current year. More than 60 jurors composed of Japanese journalists receive an allocation of votes, and the ...

Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices 15 days ago on Autoblog

If there is one thing humans love, it's personal mobility. After all, what other species regularly harness other creatures for the sole purpose of getting around. The auto industry is all about personal mobility. Since the dawn of the car in the late 19th century, it has been adopted world-wide ...

VIDEO: Nissan Fuga officially, silently takes to the road 15 days ago on Autoblog

You will soon be watching video of the Nissan Fuga running around a glorious rode somewhere empty and scenic. What's a Fuga? Well, here in the United States we'd call the Fuga the 2011 Infiniti M with tiny wheels. Regardless, the video gives you a 98% complete glimpse of what the new 5-Series ...

The Lexus LFA may cost $375k, but the paper one is free 16 days ago on Autoblog

Many people are into model cars. And... origami. Tangrams, too – which are sort of a two-dimensional, reusable form of origami. What are we on about here, why are we discussing folding paper and models? Funny you should ask. See, the all new Lexus LFA went ahead and got revealed the other ...

Tokyo 2009: Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 is pure JDM awesomeness 16 days ago on Autoblog

Our jaws literally dropped when we spotted this car in the Subaru booth here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The concoction of carbon fiber spoilers, wings and widened fenders seen here is the Legacy B4 GT300 racecar that is set to compete in Japan's Super GT series next year. The car actually made ...

Tokyo 2009: Mazda RX-500 still awesome nearly 40 years later 16 days ago on Autoblog

One of the coolest concept cars here at the Tokyo Motor Show isn't even new. In fact, it's almost forty years old. Originally displayed at the Tokyo show in 1970, this Mazda RX-500 Concept features styling similar to the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO Breadvan, gullwing doors that swing forward, and ...

Tokyo 2009: Rear-wheel drive Toyota Mark X had us at "mite-suppressing agent" 16 days ago on Autoblog

Remember back when Toyota actually offered rear-wheel drive cars? Sure, a production version of the FT-86 concept is on the way, and yes, you can get a Toyota-branded truck or plump for a Lexus that routes its power out back – but when was the last time Americans could get a proper ...

Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu's Deca Deca concept is the most popular "super box" in the world 16 days ago on Autoblog

Daihatsu has a way with words: the company calls its Deca Deca concept a "super box," and we'll call it a super super box. A funky little piece of chunk, the Deca Deca has a flat floor – and a flat everything else -- along with pillarless doors that render the interior absolutely ...

Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga appears more 'M'pressive 16 days ago on Autoblog

We've always thought that Infiniti's current M35/M45 sedan deserved greater consideration from American consumers than it has typically received. With a strong VQ-series powerplant and entertaining rear-wheel drive handling, there has always been a lot to like from behind the wheel, but its ...

Tokyo 2009: 2010 Toyota Sai hybrid looks suspiciously familiar 16 days ago on Autoblog

Toyota has rolled out its new Sai hybrid here at the Tokyo Motor Show, and if it looks familiar, that's because you've probably seen something very similar wearing "Lexus" and "HS250h" badges. The overall aesthetic of the Sai is very similar to that of its premium sibling, but it features ...

VIDEO: Japanese market Gran Turismo PSP commercial is fantastic and revolting 16 days ago on Autoblog

Don't worry, this video is totally safe for work. But we're saying revolting because we can remember back years ago we watched Clint Eastwood's Pink Cadillac with a friend's father who happened to restore muscle cars for a living. Anywho, as you might imagine the 1959 Cadillac gets pretty dinged ...

Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu Tanto Exe and Tanto Exe Custom are boxy and... custom boxy 16 days ago on Autoblog

A "tanto" is a short Japanese sword or dagger, which means the only thing it has in common with the Daihatsu Tanto Exe and Tanto Exe Custom is the descriptor "short" and the additional epithet, "light." Both the Tanto Exe and Exe Custom are "lighter and more fuel efficient versions of the ...

Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu e:S plays small ball 17 days ago on Autoblog

Daihatsu didn't just bring out its big little guns, it had a couple of tiny guns there as well, such as this, the Volvo C30-esque e:S. Called "a new eco-car that reveals the future role of mini vehicles," it focuses earnestly on environmental impact and "embodies the roles that mini vehicles ...

Tokyo 2009: Suzusho Supasse-V strives to be a Le Mans racer for the road 17 days ago on Autoblog

The concept behind the Suzusho Supasse-V is a good one. Take a lightweight chassis, a Le Mans-inspired body, then stuff it with the turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 from the Mazdaspeed3 and a 6-speed transmission. How can that go wrong? Well, we wouldn't say the Supasse-V is a failed attempt at ...

Tokyo 2009: WRX STi Carbon gets a weave 17 days ago on Autoblog

Most people we talked with don't seem to understand the point of the Subaru WRX STi Carbon unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show – but it's a JDM-only car, and frankly, there are a lot of things that outsiders don't understand about the Japanese market. The carbon-roofed A-Line will come ...

Tokyo 2009: Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept previews Fuji Heavy's new design language 17 days ago on Autoblog

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer is sharp-nosed and an all-out sharp piece of car. The car's flat floor hides two electric motors, one aft that powers the car in low-speed acceleration and assists with acceleration, and one up front connected to a direct-injection turbocharged gas engine. The Tourer is ...

Tokyo 2009: Godzilla Refined - Nissan shows revised GT-R 17 days ago on Autoblog

Without much fanfare (okay – zero fanfare), Nissan has rolled a tweaked version of its home-market GT-R onto the show floor here at the Tokyo Motor Show. While you're not likely to notice any exterior differences, JDM buyers should appreciate that Nissan has fettled the suspension, ...

REPORT: Honda warming up to idea of electric vehicles 18 days ago on Autoblog

With offerings like the FCX Clarity and the Insight, it's been clear what technologies Honda favors for environmentally-friendly transportation. But a change in strategy conceded by CEO Takanobu Ito could see Honda focusing more energy on plug-in electric vehicles in the near future. Although ...

REPORT: Next generation Nissan Micra coming to the U.S. 18 days ago on Autoblog

On the eve of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has confirmed plans to offer the next generation Micra in the United States. The new, yet-to-be-named model will slot in below the Versa (the Micra is nearly two-feet shorter than Nissan's entry-level hatch) and will be built atop Nissan's new low-cost ...

Tokyo Preview: Toyota launches HS-based SAI hybrid in Japan 18 days ago on Autoblog

We're starting to develop a bit of a complex. Why is Toyota holding out on us? Yesterday we showed you the handsome second-gen Toyota Mark X, the Lexus GS-based rear-wheel-drive sedan that seems a perfect fit for buyers on these shores. But no, Toyota says that model isn't coming Stateside. If ...

Tokyo Preview: Toyota Mark X enters second generation 18 days ago on Autoblog

Here in the U.S., if you want a rear-wheel drive sedan from Toyota, you'll have to buy a Lexus. That's not the case in Japan. There the motor buying public can opt for the Mark X, the second generation of which will be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. Based on the same ...

REPORT: Honda likely to build Fit in the U.S. 18 days ago on Autoblog

What goes up, must come down. And in this situation, Japan's yen has gone up when compared to our dollar -- about eight percent since August. And with the yen's rise in value, the profitability of low margin cars like the Honda Fit goes down. Built in Japan, with the yen up, the strong-selling ...

Tokyo Preview: Lotus Exige Scura and Stealth cross over to dark side 19 days ago on Autoblog

Depending on where you live, you might be able to get a new 2010 Lotus Exige Stealth or 2010 Lotus Exige Scura, but not both, and neither unless you get crackin'. In anticipation of its official coming out party at the Tokyo Motor Show, Lotus just dropped the deets on a new special edition ...

JDM Retrofuturism: Mitsuoka launches updated New Viewt 19 days ago on Autoblog

You know that unique thing that Mitsuoka does? If not, see for yourself. And here's another example of it: the new Viewt. Originally introduced in 1993, the Viewt is a Nissan Micra underneath what kind of resembles a Jaguar MkII shell. The latest version of the Viewt underwent some slight ...

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Autoblog Podcast #151: With Car and Driver's Eddie Alterman

Eddie Alterman wades in with Sam, Chris, Dan, and Jonny to talk about SEMA and other recent events.

 
 

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