Honda NSX

NSX (picture) is one of my favorite car of all time. It is not powerful, it is not outrageous, it is not super expensive and yet it is a piece of technological art of its time......from its all aluminum body, to its mid mounted high revving engine and its everlasting design. The Honda HSC was rumored to be the next NSX. The latest car that was rumored to be the next NSX was the Advance Sports Car Concept. Rumor has it, that Honda did not like the Advance Sports Car Concept as the NSX replacement. Honda wants to go back to the drawing board to start all over again. Here are some of my suggestion:

1. High rev engine (Hey Honda makes 20K Revving Formula 1 engine)
2. Light weight/Composite Body
3. Rear wheel drive or better yet Honda's own SH-AWD
4. Paddle shifter (like F1) or 6 speed manual
5. Turbo charged? Maybe...see the RDX

If you are reading this, leave me a comment as to what should the new NSX should look like or how it should be? Should it have any heritage from its 1st Gen or should Honda go with a all new design?

New Honda Fit 2008

This is the latest picture of the New Honda Jazz for the rest of the world and Fit for the US market. It is suppose to come out as 2008 model as a Jazz. No words yet on the spec and the date when it will go on sale in the US market. Come back for more news on spec and on sale date.

Source: www.AutoExpress.co.uk

Ford GT Matech

Swiss Team Matech based next to Nurburgring has developed a Ford GT for GT3 Class race. Looks amazing. Check it out.

Source: Top Gear

Camry made by Subaru?

From Toyota's worldwide website, there is an agreement signed in Oct 2005 between SIA (Subaru of Indiana Automotive) and TMC (Toyota Motor Corp) that SIA's facility will be used to manufacture Camry for the US market. SIA plant will produce 100,000 unit per year. There is also news about Toyota and Subaru exchanging about 100-150 engineers. This is good news for both companies. Toyota will need some STi blood and Subaru can use some Toyota\Lexus design advise. I think with this collaboration, we will see some amazing vehicle. Camry with Subaru AWD? Tribeca with some Lexus touch. How about a Turbo charged IS250 with AWD? Here is another. WRX STi with a on/off turbo plus a hybrid system. With Toyota reliability and design and Subaru's AWD and performance parts, they will rule the rice boy fantasies. I am dreaming already.

Source: Toyota Worldwide and Wards Auto.

Evo X is official

It is official that the prototype X is the Evo X...yes "Ten" not "X". This is one of the most innovative Evo yet. With its beautiful design and interior, it seems like the whole Lancer project was design upon the prototype X and not the other way around. I believe the previous Evo was firstly built as a econo sedan and then built up to become an Evo. But this time around, the platform was built down from and Evo to a econo Sedan Lancer. I truly believe this should be the way to built a heritage. The Lancer GTS has so much DNA flowed down from Evo X. So how much HP...not sure yet. Here are some official specs on the X. Click here for the pictures.

1. New S-AWC traction and handling system.
2. New 2.0 liter MIVEC engine.
3. Aluminum cylinder block.
4. 6 speed automated manual transmission.

Toyota is No.1 in the world.

This has been something that a lot of people knows it is going to happen. Toyota has been expanding faster and more aggressive than all the automaker around the world. With its bullet proof quality and its sleek, mean and lean manufacturing, it seems like they cannot be stop. I guess there is a new sun rising from the land of the rising sun. GM has this title for 76 years and this year they might have to give it up. Once GM loses it, it might take them a long long time before they can earn it back. The most personal favorite and most promising vehicle from Toyota will be the FT-HS concept.


Here are some facts about Toyota:

1. Sold 2.35 million vehicles compare to GM 2.26 million from Jan-Mar 2007.
2. 2006, Toyota produced 9.018 million vehicles. 10% increase compare to last year.
3. $11.8 billion profit for 2006 fiscal year.
4. Toyota founded in 1937 by Toyoda San.
5. Taiichi Ohno created the Just In Time production concept and still being use today in many different industry.
6. Kaizen - worker empowerment. Enable worker to continuously improve production concept even to the point to allow them to stop the production line.
7. Started Lexus in 1989.
8. Latest Production Plant is located in San Antonio that makes the Toyota Tundra.
9. Majority stakes also in Hino and Daihatsu. Small stake in Fuji Heavy Industries or Subaru and Isuzu. Other wholly own brand are Lexus and Scion.
10. Join NASCAR in 2007 season with 3 teams.

BMW Concept CS

This new/copy coupe sedan concept has been around since MB introduced its CLS series. When the CLS first came out, it was received with raving reviews. BMW is late into the Coupe Sedan arena and by its concept design, it looks like they are very very serious about entering this particular market. Its design is sharp and mean. With its usual gunmetal silver metallic paint job and its uber wheels, it looks like it can eat up anything in front of its path. It's signature double Bimmer grill is extra larger. Looks like a huge nostril of a rhino. It's C-pillar merged with its rear in a way that it looks like the Lexus GS design. This is a significant concept for BMW. Hopes we will see more specs on the pre-production car. I think BMW is heading towards the MBenz route where it has a significant foot print in every class of vehicle we can think off. Click here for picture.

Top 10 Safety Feature and Vehicle according to Forbesauto

Top 10 future automotive safety technology according to Forbesauto.com:

1. Electronic Stability Control (mandatory by 2012)
2. Collision Mitigation
3. Blind Spot / Lane-Departure Warning
4. Smart Cruise Control
5. Rear-Looking Cameras and Radar
6. Tire Pressure Warning Gauge
7. Two-Stage or 'Smart' Airbags
8. Rollover Protection
9. Active Head Restraints
10. Post-Collision Assistance

Top 10 Safest Vehicle according Forbesauto.com:

1. Acura RL
2. Volvo S80
3. Honda Odyssey
4. Acura TL
5. Chrysler 300C/Dodge Charger
6. Lincoln Town Car
7. Buick Lucerne
8. Lexus ES 330
9. Lincoln LS
10. Honda Pilot

Source: Forbesauto.com

A car is a car is a car....race for the cheapest car!

$3000 is the objective. Today's average price of a 4 wheel passenger carrying machine is getting higher and higher. Today the trend has reverse just because the car manufacturers have discovered that there is a huge market potential by going low especially in market such as China, India and some developing countries in Asia, Africa, South America and Eastern European Bloc. Renault-Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn has plead to develop a $3000 car for the India market. This goal was also a dream of India's local giant...Tata. Tata's goal was more aggressive...sub $2500. But this trend will probably be achieve by the people that receive all our IT support calls and the people that makes all the products that Wal-mart sells. Yes...you are right, India and China. The reason is that there is a lot of innovation and breakthrough happening. Here is a list of cars which is competing for the lowest price on the road....click here for pictures.

1. GM Daewoo Matiz Mini/Chevrolet Spark
2. Chevrolet Aveo/Kalos
3. Hyundai Atos
4. Hyundai Getz
5. Suzuki Maruti 800
6. Suzuki Maruti Alto
7. Suzuki Maruti Swift
8. Tata Indica
9. Chery QQ3
10. Chery Flagcould
11. Geely HQS-RV
12. Geely Merrie Star
13. Fiat Palio
14. Fiat Uno
15. Dacia Logan
16. Dacia Logan MPV

Next Gen Honda Accord Coupe?

Saw this new posting at Autospies which claims to be the new 2008 Honda Accord Coupe. You can find the original posting at HowardForum. I have some pics of the concept that was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. Looks a little different. See these pictures for comparison. The softly disguise car has less WOW factor compare to the concept. Hmmm wishful thinking here...only we can have the Honda Accord Coupe concept design as the production with rear wheel drive and powered by a S2000 turbo charged engine F22C1 with a 8000+ rpm redline. That would blow a lot of cars off the road. I will keep dreaming.

Mecedes C-class 2008

Another significant design change and I think a very important model for Mercedes Benz, is their entry level C-class. This iteration for 2008 looks much more elegant and a little throw back to the 80s design with squarish front fascia with long and wide horizontal grills. Plus the sports edition had a big Benz star at the middle of the grill, much like the old 80s coupe. It comes in 2 flavors, one is a sports and the other is called "elegance". You can also choose the engine option that many times denotes the numeric after the classes alpha code. So it comes in C300 and C350. But the 350 is only available in combination of the sports flavor. The 3.0 liter comes with 231 hp at 6000 rpm and 221 lb-ft from 2700-5000 rpm. The 3.5 liter will be at 272 hp at 6000 rpm and 258 lb-ft at 2400-5000 rpm. (picture)

More updates will come soon.

BMW M3 2007

As much as I would like to ignore the new BMW M3 (picture), I could not. It is a beautiful machine that grab me by the throat and shake my head till I acknowledge it. With its humped hood and its aggressive styling, I could only dream of trying to hold down this beastly V8. Lexus and Mercedes tried with their F series and AMG but a lot of people do think this is the benchmark coupe, so as their BMW 3 series as the benchmark of sports sedan. The side sills is it trademark that prevents it from being muddle up with the 335 coupe. This M3 is one of the finest I have seen although I have my doubts when they first introduce their new generation of 3 series. Here are some amazing facts:

-4.0 V8 (derived from the current 5.0 V10 that powers the M5 and M6)
-0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds
-Engine is made of aluminum alloy with high silicon content
-Only the lights, doors and the glass are derived from the current 335i
-414 hp at a whopping 8300 rpm and peak torque 295 lb-ft at low 3900 rpm.
-88% of the torque is from 2400 rpm till all the way to redline.
-Transmission option are 6 speed manual or a double clutched automatic.
-Carbon fiber reinforced roof

Car of the World Series

Lexus, Audi and Mercedes was treated with the biggest award in the NY International Auto Show. Lexus LS460 (pictures) was awarded 'The World Car of the Year". I am not surprise since this luxury sedan has so much technological auto advancement put into it. Self Parking and 8 speed trasmission are one of the many innovation that is built into this super luxury sedan. Also available is the massaging back seat that resembles first class seat in an airliner. This will be available on the LS460L series. Congrats Lexus for bringing your sedan one step closer to perfection. Stay tuned for the hybrid LS600hl (pictures) version that has V8 hybrid synergy drive that produce V12 performance. It will have more than 450+ HP. Awesome.

Next on the list for "World Performance Car of the Year" is the Audi RS4 which I reviewed earlier last month. This will be in my Top 10 most wanted list.

Greenest car goes to.......Mercedes E320 Bluetec. It is a 3.0 liter turbocharged diesel powered E class that generates 208 HP and 388 Ib ft.

World Design Car of the Year goes to the redesign 2007 Audi TT. Not my choice but the competitions are quite weak. They are the Citroen C4 Picasso and Fiat Grande Punto. I would like to see the Evo X , Audi R8 or RS4 or even the new BMW M3 win this award next year. But until then, we have not seen all the cars out for next year. Until then...keep you finger cross and we will see what is in the pipe line for the car makers around the world.

Chevy Micro Machines...vote here

It is not too late Chevy. They are economical, cute and yet usable. Please bring them in soon and price them to move. This is a very welcome move because of the gas prices and the new environmental movement around the world. This is a very very good move for US Auto manufacturer to one up to this new trend. Thank you for listening. Vote your favorite Micro Machine here...Beat, Groove and Trax. More pictures here.

Evo X will rule...so order one now!

The fight between the Evos and the WRXers have been a heated one ever since they were unleashed out from the Land of the Rising Sun. But this year it will change very very soon....the favorite right now will favor the Evo. Ever since Mitsu gave us a teaser of the Prototype X......well it is more like a full frontal nudity flash to all the fans, we are convinced that the battle between the Evo and WRX will be over very very soon. Just one look and it will give you a chill. Evo X will not only live up to its name and its predecessor but I think it will bring it to the next level. Improvements will be significant in terms of engine, the turbo, brakes, 4WD S-AWC system, chassis...plus many more goodies. For the money, value and performance, you will not get another car that has super sports car written all over it and yet will comfortably fit 4 adults. Subaru...sorry....you truly suck. Evo X will be the weapon of my choice. Pre-order one from a UK dealer here. See more pictures and get brochure here.

Early Pictures of 2008 Impreza WRX

R&D has the best pictures of the new WRX. The design looks very much like all the other pictures from Automobilemag.com. It has a 5 door hatchback and sedan version. But the version that everyone is waiting for is the WRX STi version. According to R&D, this WRX is design as a creature comfort WRX. I remember the old version has average interior. The emphasis was more to the structure and the engine itself. This time around, the emphasis is interior space and design.

WRX STi used to my choice of weapon when compared to the Mitsu Evo IX. But this time around, I am saving my money for the Evo X. It is superior in many ways. I will give the benefit of the doubt to the WRX STi version because the spec is not out yet. All I can say is that 2008 WRX is chasing a whole different market. I am not sure which one but hope they will be successful. With their misstep in Tribeca and the weird front fascia (Alfa) that they wanted to adopt to all their vehicle.