On the same day that the regular Aqua went on sale in its home market, Toyota's TRD racing and performance division announced a slew of tuning upgrades for the sub-compact hatchback.
.On the same day that the regular Aqua went on sale in its home market, Toyota's TRD racing and performance division announced a slew of tuning upgrades for the sub-compact hatchback.
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Now this trend seems to be reversing, albeit at a slow pace. For example, Peugeot’s new supermini, the 208, is lighter than its predecessor, the 207.
According to business daily newspaper Nikkei, Honda will soon join the pack as it plans to change its design and assembly methods to reduce its vehicles’ weight without making any compromises in safety or comfort features.
.Now this trend seems to be reversing, albeit at a slow pace. For example, Peugeot’s new supermini, the 208, is lighter than its predecessor, the 207.
According to business daily newspaper Nikkei, Honda will soon join the pack as it plans to change its design and assembly methods to reduce its vehicles’ weight without making any compromises in safety or comfort features.
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Among other changes, the Japanese firm has upgraded the GT-R's sophisticated electronics, aerodynamics, chassis and of course, the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that started out with 480-horsepower and now, in its latest iteration, churns out 550 ponies.
To see what these improvements mean in practice, Japan's BestMotor TV brought three generations of the GT-R from 2012, 2011 and 2009 [marketed as the 2013MY, 2012MY and 2010MY respectively in North America], to the Twin Ring Motegi circuit for a 0 to 400m / quarter-mile duel as well as a three-lap race around the track.
Among other changes, the Japanese firm has upgraded the GT-R's sophisticated electronics, aerodynamics, chassis and of course, the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that started out with 480-horsepower and now, in its latest iteration, churns out 550 ponies.
To see what these improvements mean in practice, Japan's BestMotor TV brought three generations of the GT-R from 2012, 2011 and 2009 [marketed as the 2013MY, 2012MY and 2010MY respectively in North America], to the Twin Ring Motegi circuit for a 0 to 400m / quarter-mile duel as well as a three-lap race around the track.
However, we're not 100 percent convinced that what we're seeing through this phone camera video (note to the mobile device owner: next time, please hold it the right way…) is indeed a Veyron, though it does look and sound like it is.
You can check out the short clip after the jump and tell us what you think.
.However, we're not 100 percent convinced that what we're seeing through this phone camera video (note to the mobile device owner: next time, please hold it the right way…) is indeed a Veyron, though it does look and sound like it is.
You can check out the short clip after the jump and tell us what you think.
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Japan’s number one car manufacturer, though, is readying a comeback to reclaim the throne it held since 2008 as soon as possible – which means, next year.
.Japan’s number one car manufacturer, though, is readying a comeback to reclaim the throne it held since 2008 as soon as possible – which means, next year.
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Nissan will showcase two models, the GT-R Pure Edition equipped with the right-hand drive only Track Pack and the JDM Skyline (sold in the rest if the world as the Infiniti G37) 55th Limited Edition, which commemorates the series' 55th anniversary and features bespoke aeroparts and a sportier chassis setup.
.Nissan will showcase two models, the GT-R Pure Edition equipped with the right-hand drive only Track Pack and the JDM Skyline (sold in the rest if the world as the Infiniti G37) 55th Limited Edition, which commemorates the series' 55th anniversary and features bespoke aeroparts and a sportier chassis setup.
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Mazda was the first to announce its line-up for the auto salon, led by the new CX-5 that will be launched in Japan next spring. The new compact-size crossover will be shown in two versions: the standard model, and a customized special edition sporting red bodywork color, matte-black alloy wheels and a slightly lower ride height.
.Mazda was the first to announce its line-up for the auto salon, led by the new CX-5 that will be launched in Japan next spring. The new compact-size crossover will be shown in two versions: the standard model, and a customized special edition sporting red bodywork color, matte-black alloy wheels and a slightly lower ride height.
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But that was to be expected as affordable and focused rear-wheel drive sports coupes have become an increasingly rare sight in our days.
.But that was to be expected as affordable and focused rear-wheel drive sports coupes have become an increasingly rare sight in our days.
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You can get a sample of their precise driving and impressive drifting skills with a Nissan 350Z RC in the videos that follow right after the jump. And while no doubt you'll find all the tricks and courses pretty cool, you may want to turn down the volume as the same music plays on all clips.
.You can get a sample of their precise driving and impressive drifting skills with a Nissan 350Z RC in the videos that follow right after the jump. And while no doubt you'll find all the tricks and courses pretty cool, you may want to turn down the volume as the same music plays on all clips.
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Toyota said that it expects to bring in a net profit of 180 billion Yen [US$2.3 billion] for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, down 53.8 percent from the 390 billion yen [US$5.04 billion] it projected in August.
.Toyota said that it expects to bring in a net profit of 180 billion Yen [US$2.3 billion] for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, down 53.8 percent from the 390 billion yen [US$5.04 billion] it projected in August.
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