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 …

Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept Teases Next-Gen SuperLimo at Tokyo Auto Show

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 28, 2015, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

Exciting day in Tokyo! The Lexus LF-FC concept is official, with more than a few surpriss along the way! First off, what are we looking at? Our initial hunch about this previewing the 2017 LS sedan appears wide of the mark: the proportions of this LF-FC are actually very low and sporty, much like a 650 from BMW versus a 750. Yet another wrinkle in the mystery: the LF-FC is huge with a length of 208-inches. This is up from the 192-inch length of the GS, or 203-in max length for the current LS600hL. It is also five inches wider …

Subaru Tokyo 2015 – All-New VIZIV Future Concept and Impreza 5-Door Concept

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 19, 2015, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Subaru has a new flagship design concept for the Tokyo Auto Show in early November. And despite its familiar VIZIV name, this masculine and high-tech design theme is very fresh. This third VIZIV Concept Future is an interesting preview of a future LWB Outback with seven seats. The powertrain and seating layout are much more Forester size for this sporty concept car, but the intention is a three-row variant of the large Outback platform, versus the smaller Impreza/Forester footprint. Or perhaps just a super-lux future Forester. The cabin is shockingly advanced, as is the powertrain. A next-generation hybrid is paired …

FUTURE-SPEC – Mazda MX-5 and CX-3 Platforms Reborn as Scion S-FR and Scion iD

February 13, 2019, 4 pmOctober 15, 2015, 12 pm by Tom Burkart

A few months ago, Toyota and Mazda announced a major partnership in vehicle development and production. The Mazda2’s conversion into the US-exclusive four-door Scion iA is a huge hit, and the two Japanese rivals seemed eager to deepen the bond. There may have been an equity swap to even seal their newly-strong link. But details on the ground were — and are — very secret. What are they working on together? PART ONE: The S-FR As the months pass, we have a much clearer idea: specific Toyota variants of Mazda platforms. The S-FR sports coupe for the Tokyo auto show …

2016 Honda HR-V Looks Damn Good in 88 New Photos

February 17, 2019, 7 pmMay 27, 2015, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

Updated 5.26.15 With 88 New Photos We struggled for a minute on this headline — but there is no mistaking the meaning: the 2016 HR-V’s design looks sublime in this new photo set. Even in its dark Steel Grey, the swoopy lines and stance of the HR-V are clear winners. We see LED lighting out back, but none up front. Even so, the nose of the HR-V is one of its coolest angles. The deep grille with its dark crossbar up top is very convincing. A sport grille is available, as are some cool multi-spoke alloys – as shown …

2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept Debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon

February 17, 2019, 7 pmJanuary 9, 2015, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

As a current Legacy GT owner, you can bet we were floored to see how sweet this sixth-gen Legacy B4 Blitzen concept looks! It is a luxury sports styling concept – with the standard 175-horsepower boxer engine. But the all-new front and rear fascias are very convincing, as are the carbon-fiber accents in the sills, wheels and rear spoiler. Favorite details are the gloss-glack mesh grille and the integrated LED styling accents in the outer bumpers. 2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept In third-generation and fourth generation Legacy, has been planned and developed as a special specification car ‘BLITZEN’ …

Concept Flashback – 1989 Mitsubishi HSR II Innovates With Six Active Aero Wings

February 17, 2019, 7 pmDecember 28, 2014, 7 pm by Tom Burkart

We’ve been pouring through the Mitsubishi back catalog today for a few Concept Flashback articles. The real all-star of the Mitsu lineup of show cars in the last three decades? It is this – the 1989 HSR II. HSR stands for Highly Sophisticated-transport Research and was a follow-up to a 1987 concept of the same name. The HSR II is far more beautiful, however, and also more innovative. Sure, as a 1989 Japanese exotic, the HSR II is packing a twin-turbo V6 along with 4-wheel-steering and 4-wheel-drive. This goes well with its ABS brakes, independent suspension and electronically-adjustable dampers all …

2016 Honda HR-V LA Debut With 50 New US-Spec Photos Inside and Out

February 17, 2019, 7 pmNovember 21, 2014, 9 am by Tom Burkart

Updated 11.21.14 As cool as the new Honda HR-V looks outside, a bit of really surprising news lives in the cabin of this Civic-based crossover. It is simply far more premium, stylish and modern than anything currently in the Honda stable. The floating console and fabric or leather-wrapped dash elements create a real sense of maturity lacking in the current Civic. The touchscreen tech solutions for HondaLink also appear to be very mature in the 2016 HR-V — meaning they are fast-reacting, easy to learn, and easy to use in day-to-day driving. The new HR-V is arriving into a …

2016 Honda HR-V Is Official! Will Debut in LA Next Month With On-Sale Dates In Early 2015

February 17, 2019, 8 pmOctober 20, 2014, 3 pm by Tom Burkart

Believe it or not, this below Honda Vezel article is the most popular piece on Car-Revs-Daily.com over the past 12 months. By a huge margin. People are excited about this vehicle. It is great to see the predictions come true in a USA model of this cool and stylish small crossover – even if the name and the headlights are toned down versus some of the European and Concept models a bit. We also lose a bit of body-color trim on the outside in favor of grey plastic, but such is life. The USA-spec HR-V still looks fresh and really …

2014 Nissan Sentra NISMO Concept + Altima NISMO Rendering with V6, Six-Speed Manual, LSD and Nismo Tuning

February 22, 2019, 3 pmOctober 12, 2014, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Updated 10.11.14 With 35 Photos and Altima NISMO Renderings We love the NISMO strategy at Nissan. The sporty overhaul of conventional models has always been a secret weapon of the German premium brands, and Nissan appears to be taking this niche strategy to the broader market via the $21,000 Juke NISMO and hopefully this Sentra NISMO in the future. A 2016 Maxima NISMO has been teased and is virtually a sure thing when the hot future Maxima debuts this winter at one of the big auto shows. But let’s step back a moment and think closely about the potential …

2005 Ferrari Pininfarina Crowd-Sourced Design Contest Is Gift That Keeps on Giving

February 17, 2019, 8 pmJuly 3, 2014, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

2005 Ferrari Pininfarina Crowd-Sourced Design Contest Is Gift That Keeps on Giving You know your brand has reached top-level icon status when you can ask the world to give your their best ideas, to possibly be used without credit, free of charge. That is exactly what Ferrari and styling lead Pininfarina did in 2005 to solicit ideas for a new hypercar flagship – something along the lines of the Enzo 2.0, or what we now know as LaFerrari eight years later in present-day. Do you recall the 2005 Ferrari and Pininfarina design contest? It was big news at the time …

Concept Flashback – 1997 Nissan Trail Runner – Inspired Peugeot’s 2015 DAKAR Entry?

February 17, 2019, 8 pmMay 16, 2014, 4 pm by Tom Burkart

Definitely ahead of its time, this 1997 Trail Runner concept. Nissan was ahead of Jeep and many others who started sensing this small/fast off-roader trend by the early 2000s. Other big guys threw more production muscle to make sketches like this car a real thing, but the results were shockingly-bad from Pontiac and Jeep. Yes, both the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Compass were, in fact, really cool sketches and designs at first. But they were both D.O.A. in production thanks to tiny tires and no engine power to match the compact off-road racer premise. Time has finally come for these …

Concept Flashbacks 1978 Nissan DOME Zero and 1987 Nissan MID4 Type II 3

Concept Flashbacks – Nissan DOME Zero P1 and P2 and 1987 Nissan MID4 Type II

February 17, 2019, 8 pmApril 12, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

What is not to love about a mid-engine hypercar concept? How about a three-pack of them?! These concept Nissan models are pretty amazing. All Nissans? Not exactly. The two Dome Zeroes below were from a startup by the same name, but were powered by the Nissan straight-six engine from the Z-cars of the era, making 145-horsepower in these applications. Limited any-res photos of each are readily available, but the Nissan Heritage collection does offer the specs of the 1987 MID4 Type II — which predates the Acura NSX and also foreshadowed the 300ZX and later, the 240Z of the 1990s. …

Cool! 2015 Honda Vezel Hybrid Previews Spring 2014 Civic CUV36

Cool! Honda Vezel Hybrid Previews (Possible) 2015 Civic CUV

February 17, 2019, 9 pmFebruary 10, 2014, 6 pm by Tom Burkart

Finally, Honda is back! The Vezel looks so good, it could proudly wear a red Type R badge. Honda proved itself in Tokyo this week, with the debut of the charming and on-trend Vezel compact crossover. With a roofline racier than any Honda model to date and a sensible, handsome and refined style: the Vezel will be climbing the U.S. sales charts starting in Spring 2014. The Tokyo debut is a RHD hybrid variant, indicating a name change may even be possible before this little Juke-fighter arrives. CR-V… CR-Z…CR-Y… CR-X? Nothing comes to mind. I like Vezel, and hopefully it …

2015 Porsche Macan - Latest Images - CarRevsDaily

Update1 2015 Porsche Macan Turbo and Macan S – Interior/Exterior Photos + Performance Specs

February 17, 2019, 9 pmFebruary 10, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

[Orig Published Nov 25, 2013 @ 10:47] The Porsche Macan is easily one of the most hotly-anticipated new models of the coming years. Porsche’s engineering and tech wizards have spent almost three years evolving the donor Audi Q5 platform to meet Weissach’s exacting performance requirements. The Q5 is already a rocket-ship with its supercharged (Porsche-designed…) V6 engine configuration – which bodes well for a future Macan Turbo S being the first sub-4-second SUV to 60 MPH. Beastly and rapid as the big Cayenne Turbo, SRT Grand Cherokee, and even the 4.4-second new Range Rover Sport are – none has been …

LEVORG Says WRX Wagon? Inside Scoop On Subaru’s Success, c/o Porsche’s Famed Creative Agency

February 17, 2019, 9 pmJanuary 28, 2014, 5 pm by Tom Burkart

Subaru is very busy these days. From a usually-quiet and predicable company, years of continued success are finally bringing out some excitement. Here is some juicy dirt on the marketing behind this success: Perhaps the real kudos (definitely in Japan, at least) is shared with the BRZ project. But regardless: Subaru is awesome. #Love really is the greatest ad slogan, c/o Carmichael Lynch in Minneapolis. Many may know that name best from their three decades of legendary work for Porsche Cars North America. When Porsche left for greener pastures, Subaru assigned the firm their whole account without a review. That …

Subaru LEVORG Concept -0 CarRevsDaily.com GIF - Right-click to download

LEVORGY: Inside Scoop On Subaru's Success, c/o Porsche's Famed Creative Agency

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 22, 2013, 1 pm by Tom Burkart

2014 GT-R + 2015 GT-R NISMO Now Far More Beautiful, Luxurious… and EVEN FASTER!

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 22, 2013, 11 am by Tom Burkart

The next GT-R just debuted in Tokyo, and boy is it magnificent. A beautiful vision in anthracite grey. Hugely redesigned surfaces appear all over the exterior, with the nose and grille graphic perhaps the most improved versus the current car. All-new LED lighting is featured throughout, finally bringing the GT-R’s styling up to the same caliber as its world-beating performance. The evolution of the 2015 GT-R brings much of the revised technical solutions from the brand-new 2014 Nissan GT-R NISMO — but wraps the enhancements in that far prettier exterior and now, even a lavish interior. The Infiniti ‘leathers and …

2015 GT-R + GT-R NISMO Official Debut! Now Far More Beautiful, Luxurious… and EVEN FASTER!

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 22, 2013, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Nissan Sentra NISMO – Now This Is A Sport Compact

February 17, 2019, 9 pmNovember 22, 2013, 11 am by Tom Burkart

Nissan brought all the big guns to the auto shows in LA and Tokyo this week, with no less than ten stunning debuts. From the BladeGlider – a light-weight DeltaWing EV sports car – to the 2015 GT-R, the news is coming faster than one man can type it up! One interesting tidbit to start with is the Nissan Sentra NISMO concept. First off, the car looks outstanding. It has a deep drop in ride height, totally reworked grilles, and a red-accented lower air splitter like the best NISMO race cars. The Juke NISMO RS also bowed this week, promising …

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