Honda has unveiled the CR-V concept at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California.

As is now tradition at Fuji Heavy Industries, the company’s car division will be showcasing even more derivatives of its performance hatches at the British International Motor Show where three new Special Edition Imprezas will take the stand. Subaru, along with its arch-nemesis Mistubishi, have never been ones to hold back on the officially-stamped mod of their performance vehicles, and the new Impreza hatch looks to be no exception to the rule.

The first of the three, a WRX-S uses the same 2.5-litre boxer unit to release 255 PS at 5,400rpm, up from 230 PS, while torque goes from 236 lb.ft to 287.6 lb.ft, a much greater improvement. Its 0 – 60 mph time does the opposite and drops from 6.1 seconds to 5.5, effectively entering STI territory. Thanks Prodrive!

Normal standard features remain, such as the 10-speaker 6-CD changer and xenon headlamps. Where the true enthusiast (with true cash in the bank) will go is the STI 330S, which, from the moniker, takes up a healthy 330 PS from the usual 300 PS, numbers that help it fleet straight into Porsche 911 Carrera S [corrected from an earlier version of the article that said 911 Turbo - ed] land with a 0 – 60 time of only 4.4 seconds. The 330S brings with it special 90mm pipes in order to facilitate the sound so reminiscent of the old manic scoobies of the past. Things like leather-covered Recaro front seats, satellite navigation, Smart-entry and push-button start add to the interior ambiance.

A potential showstopper however, is the 380 PS concept that Subaru says may go into production but only if fans show enough verve to justify it. They’re joking right?

Source: WorldCarFans

3.5 i-VTEC V6 250hp

Mazda’s rally history may not be as rich as some other Japanese marques, but Mazda Australia is more than willing to set the record straight. For their eighth Targa Tasmania excursion, held from April 15-20, Mazda will use a brand new Mazda3 MPS rally car.

Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley heads the team consisting of Rick Bates and Alister McRae and their co-drivers who will compete in the 2WD Showroom competition. Targa Tasmania rules state that the rally cars must be mostly standard, meaning that drivers will compete in cars featuring audio systems, electric windows and carpets and upholstery in tact. Additional safety equipment (roll-cage, five-point harness and fire extinguishers), as well as navigation equipment and extra brake ventilation, is fitted of course.

“The team learned a lot from last year’s event,” says Bates. “With one Targa in the Mazda3 MPS under our belts we’re all a lot more educated in terms of vehicle preparation and conservation during the event.” The Targa Tasmania covers 2,000 km over five days of competition.

The Mazda 3 MPS rally car is powered by a 2.3 liter direct injection, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 190kW (255 hp) with 380 Nm of torque and is coupled to a six-speed manual. It weighs 1403 kg and uses 320mm ventilated brakes in front and 280 solid discs in the rear.

Follow Mazda’s 2008 Targa assault at www.mazda.com.au/targa

• Stunning, uncompromised styling
• Two plus two cabin
• Rear-wheel drive driving dynamics with Four-Wheel Active Steer availability
• Potent 3.7-litre V6 engine producing over 310PS
• Six-speed manual or advanced seven-speed automatic
• Class leading passive safety features including pedestrian-friendly pop-up bonnet

• Unique combination of style and practicality
• Intelligent four-wheel drive
• Advanced features including Around View Monitor
• Potent 3.7-litre V6 engine producing over 310PS
• Advanced seven-speed automatic
• Superior build quality

http://www.nihoncar.com/review-482-x.html
]]> http://japanesecars.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/nissan-370gt-coupe-test-drive/feed/ 0 Ипотпал http://japanesecars.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/suzuki-splash/ http://japanesecars.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/suzuki-splash/#comments Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:29:50 +0000 blacksnoopy http://japanesecars.wordpress.com/?p=101 ]]>

* All-Suzuki engineering and specifically styled for Europe
* New design based on platform of best selling Swift
* Efficient, Suzuki manufactured, petrol and diesel engines
* Six airbags and ESP available
* Built in ultra-modern factory in Hungary
* World debut at 2007 IAA International Motor Show, Frankfurt

Suzuki Motor Corporation, the world leader in the compact car segment, introduces Splash, an all-new compact model aimed at building on the success of the loveable Swift. Following Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is the fourth all new Suzuki model within just three years, and it epitomises Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life!’ philosophy, underpinning its strategy of building cars that excite customers all over the world.

Splash for Europe will be built in Esztergom, Hungary, by Magyar Suzuki Corporation, a Suzuki subsidiary that already builds Swift, SX4 and Ignis. Suzuki will also be manufacturing the second generation Agila for Opel/Vauxhall at this plant. With identical engineering, the main visual differences between Splash and Agila include different styling at front (bonnet, wings, headlamps and bumper) and rear (tailgate, tail lights and bumper).

Suzuki is targeting annual sales of approximately 60,000 units throughout Europe. Opened in 1992, the Esztergom factory has produced over one million Suzukis to date.

Splash cannot be considered to be the successor of the Wagon R+, the enlarged version of the Wagon R which in 1993 was originally developed for the Japanese market, and later also introduced in Europe. “Based on completely different criteria, Splash’s design is mainly tailored to the requirements of European customers,” explains Toshihiro Suzuki, the project’s Chief Engineer. Splash comes with attractive styling, compact dimensions, responsive handling, very good build quality and a high degree of environmental compatibility.

While the focus of Phase One of Suzuki’s “World-Strategy” was on sportiness, Splash is the first model in Phase Two which will focus on young families as its main target group. Apart from fresh and sporty styling, young couples with and without children attach great importance to attributes such as spaciousness, flexibility and economy.

Rather than a purely functional box shape, the designers have endeavoured to provide Splash with styling that lives up to its name, epitomising youthfulness, freshness and zesty, energetic performance.

Styling and the design philosophy

The styling team for Splash was headed by Akira Kamio (44), who also played a big part in the styling of Swift. As early as 2003, he began to analyse the necessary characteristics for a future European mini-MPV.

It soon became clear that whilst it should not look like a shrunken version of a full-sized MPV this car must keep all of its advantages: the high seating position and resulting good all-round visibility, the pleasant feeling of space and great flexibility allowing the rear compartment to be easily turned into a substantial stowage space.

In order to get up-to-date information, a group of 10 Suzuki designers from Japan travelled to Germany in January, 2004 to spend a period of six months there. They analysed European trends in cars, fashion, lifestyle and design.

Out of their impressions and findings, they finally distilled three models, which, in so called ‘car clinics’, were then presented to audiences of owners of compact cars and small MPVs. In the end, these audiences favoured the model offering the optimum combination of dynamic sportiness with youthful styling, implying a positive attitude to life and maximum suitability for everyday and recreational use.

At the Paris Motor Show in late September 2006, Suzuki presented ‘Project Splash’, a concept car showcasing a taste of the styling of the future production-version Splash. The extremely positive response of the audience confirmed to Akira Kamio and his team that they had taken the right path for Splash. One thing is certain: Splash will be a major player in the mini-MPV segment. While ideally suited to tight parking conditions, the 3.72 m-long car nevertheless offers sufficient space for up to five occupants plus plenty of sports and leisure equipment.

Apart from attractive styling, a cute minicar also requires the best engineering. This includes safe and precise handling, outstanding ride comfort, a high degree of environmental compatibility, and optimum passive and active safety. Hence Splash uses a 30 mm shorter wheelbase version of the Swift’s platform, Suzuki’s current best seller.

The chassis, steering and brakes were adapted to the new parameters in extensive tests, which included tens of thousands of miles of testing over various types of European roads, from English cobblestones, through twisty southern Spanish tracks to fast German autobahns.

Choice of three engines

Splash will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, with sales commencing in Spring, 2008. Customers will have the choice of three engines – two petrol and a diesel. The petrol units are 100% Suzuki designs, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit producing 65 PS (48 kW) and a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder engine developing 86 PS (63 kW). Both are of advanced four-valve-per-cylinder design, offering a sophisticated combination of smoothness, low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Diesel fans can choose the 1.3-litre common-rail direct injection engine available with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). Producing 75 PS (55 kW), this 4-cylinder unit is manufactured by Suzuki at its new diesel engine plant in India under licence from Fiat Group Automobiles.

All three engines are combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 86 PS petrol version can also be ordered with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Given the stricter standards now being demanded with respect to environmental compatibility, all engines are Euro4-compliant, with CO2 emissions between 120 and 140 g/km in combination with manual transmissions.

Safety

Suzuki has paid great attention to safety measures in the design of Splash. Active safety features include ABS, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and ESP. Passive safety features include six airbags (dual front side and curtain airbags), a crash-optimised, rigid passenger cell, plus seatbelt-force limiters and seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats. For enhanced pedestrian protection the front end of Splash is fitted with energy-absorbing structures carscoop.