Tokyo Topic Hub

Worst of Tokyo – 2017 ZAGATO IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo Sport

February 19, 2019, 3 pmOctober 26, 2017, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Not one to brag about my automotive skills, mostly. But I can see a Corvette reskin from about five miles away. And I certainly know what cutting-edge design does and does not look like. Zagato’s New IsoRevolta IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo is fairly hideous on first inspection. It is a dated example of surfacing with little to no aerodynamic engineering to justify its many wings. The carved bodywork and pseudo floating fenders are interesting. How could a giant Chevy V8 fit under a hood even lower than the stock Corvette?! This VGT Sport concept is ostensibly available to buy. Not sure who would want …

2017 TOKYO Motor Show LIVE – Top Ten Sexiest Debuts

February 19, 2019, 3 pmOctober 25, 2017, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

Tokyo is full of EVs and stand-tall vans per usual. But this year the eco flavor has a lot more speed and outdoorsiness. Cars like the Nissan IMx — a preview of a Juke replacement running 400+ electric ponies. Taller ride height and gravel-busting looks are part of the Subaru VISIV concept’s rallytough looks. We even love the new Mitsubishi Mazda is on a roll with its gorgeous Vision Coupe concept — a light teaser of where the humble Mazda6 is going in the future. Same for the sexy shrink-wrapped KAI Concept for its 2019 Mazda3 flavors. Cars like the …

2017 Mazda VISION COUPE and KAI Concepts Bow in Tokyo

February 19, 2019, 3 pmOctober 24, 2017, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

You know I really wanted this scoop because all these came from Mazda’s Japanese media site! The new Vision Coupe is a breathtaking, cab-backward look at a future Mazda sedan. Its sharky nose and pert tail are almost like an MX-5 saloon car! In the best ways. The KAI is a look at the upcoming Mazda3 refresh. It takes sleek, slinky curves to a new level. A fully shrink-wrapped package with sport stance like a Golf R. But with half the roof. Both stunning. Watch this space for updates and real photos once the cars debut on stage at the …

2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster – Japan 50th Anniversary Specials

February 19, 2019, 3 pmOctober 24, 2017, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

The idea of Lambos in congested Japanese city centers seems awful! But then recall that this mountainous country has some of the most demanding roads in the world. All flawlessly smooth tarmac, of course, but with wicked elevation changes, wild cambers and snakey ess curves. To celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini in Japan, the marque will sell five customized Japan 50th Anniversary specials. Each is to have its own livery — with a Captain Planet theme of fire, wind, water.. and other forces at the core of the themes. This blue to black transition-painted model is the Water theme. Its …

2017 Toyota GR HV SPORTS Concept Bows in Tokyo

February 19, 2019, 3 pmOctober 6, 2017, 10 am by Tom Burkart

Toyota is eager to transition its hybrid tech into fun-to-drive machines. Of course, the CVT automatic is a big buzzkill. As is the front-drive layout of any Prius variant. SO how about making a rear-drive, part-manual hybrid sports car!? Seems genius, and here we are. The GR HV Sports is Gazoo Racing (the inhouse Toyota race team)’s take on a next-gen sport Hybrid Vehicle. To up the fun quotient, the autobox can be truly shifted like an auto-stick. It has a standard PRND button setup on the dash – But pop the M button on dash from Drive to manual. …

Honda’s New Car Can Power Your House for a Week? Introducing Jamie Hanninen

February 13, 2019, 4 pmNovember 10, 2015, 7 pm by Jamie Hanninen

Honda has been working on hydrogen-fueled cars for several decades now, but hadn’t settled on a design they felt was worthy of releasing to the public until now. The Clarity Fuel Cell was just unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, and it packs an amazing punch, even though it looks like a standard four-door sedan. It Emits Only Water Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are so clean that the only thing that flows from the tailpipe is water. The cars rely on basic chemistry to convert hydrogen into power. The hydrogen enters the chamber, and is introduced to an anode. Its …

Tokyo Auto Show 2015 – Mega Gallery in 230 New Photos

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 28, 2015, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Some sweet strange at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show! Fave reveals include the NC2020 in red, plus the Yamaha Sports Ride concept — which is a mini Pagani for all intents and purposes. Of course, the Mazda RX-Vision is also a fantastic indication of future turbo rotaries returning to the Japanese supercar battle of 2018. Picture it: GT-R vs Supra FT-1 vs NSX vs RX-7 Turbo! On the other side of the power spectrum, the Honda S660 and Daihatsu Copen have potential fresh competition beyond the Yamaha above in a mini Toyota sportscar: the S-FR Concept. Or the mysterious Kode-9 …

2015 Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo is Yuppy-Chic Hydrogen PHEV

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 28, 2015, 2 pm by Tom Burkart

Tokyo has long been the global auto show to see some weird, wild and wacky stuff. Futuristic dreams on four wheels, usually with brightly lit color-schemes and adaptive video screens to boot. The show this year is still tech-rich, but a bit more somber than previous years. A firm production focus appears to be the concept-car focus so far. But here glides in an unlikely hero for wild and crazy concept cars, none other than Mercedes-Benz!? The Vision Tokyo is a funky style wagon aimed at chic yuppies stuck in traffic. As opposed to chic oldies in the back of …

2016 Porsche Macan GTS Makes World Debut in Tokyo

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 28, 2015, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

Porsche’s new Macan GTS just made its global debut in Tokyo — with a monochrome lipstick red over black motif a faithful recreation of the truck’s Cayenne GTS big brother. The new Macan GTS packs fresh engine programming to deliver 360-horsepower, up 20 from the the V6TT of the Macan S. Paired with an available Sport Chrono pack, the GTS snarls to 60-mph in just 4.8-seconds before hitting is 159-mph Vmax. Pricing for the new GTS sports model is not yet confirmed, but likely to slide in around $65k to start, which splits the difference between the USA base price …

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