Honda is reportedly considering moving production of the sub-compact Fit to the U.S. Company president Takanobu Ito said the move is a “highly likely possibility.”

The move makes good economic sense as the poor exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen means that profit margins on the Fit are extremely slim. Moving production to the U.S. would greatly increase those margins, meaning that Honda could significantly improve how much it makes in each unit sold, or offer the car at a lower price. (Or, more likely, a bit of both). As it stands, the Fit is already the most expensive sub-compact on the market, although in so many ways it has proven its value. But Honda is about to face a lot more competition with Ford set to launch the Fiesta and Mazda ready to launch the Mazda2.

Ito also commented that Honda is likely to move more of its production of mainstream models to the U.S., while keeping the build process of more technologically complex and expensive models, like hybirds and sports cars, based in Japan.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

Once again PlayStation and Polyphony Digital will present the Gran Turismo Awards at this year’s SEMA Show, where the Best of Show winner will have their vehicle immortalized in an upcoming Gran Turismo video game. Editors from numerous industry publications will choose the class winners in  five categories (Best Hot Rod; Best Japanese Import; Best European Import; Best Domestic Automobile; and Best Truck/SUV). Then Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi will pick the overall Best of Show car, which will be featured as a drivable vehicle in the racing simulator game Last year JR Rocha took the top sot for his wild Infiniti G37 (pictured above).

The winners will be announced in a ceremony on Wednesday, November 4th at Rain Nightclub in the Palms Casino Resort. Think you car has what it takes? Follow the link for details on how to send in your application.

[Source: SEMA]

As seemingly impossible as it sounds, Nissan is contemplating bringing its Land Glider concept to North America and badging it as an Infiniti. The half-car, half-motorcycle electric vehicle concept is set to debut tomorrow (October 21st) at the Tokyo Auto Show and is certainly seems like the sort of wild one-off creation that is used to inspire production models, rather than become one itself.

Then again, it wouldn’t be alone in the marketplace with Volkswagen already having announced plans to bring its two-seater, diesel-hybrid L1 to the streets. Perhaps it would be an ideal competitor to the Toyota iQ-based Aston Martin Cygnet.

Let’s just say we have our doubts, but Nissan is serious about being on the cusp of the green car revolution, having invested heavily in electric cars already with its Leaf EV, which is set to be the first mass-produced electric car on American roads.

GALLERY: Nissan Land Glider Concept

[Source: Autmotive News via Autoblog]

You probably haven’t heard of the Toyota Mark X and that’s not surprising considering it isn’t sold in North America. Its also a shame, however, as the largish car is based on the same platform as the Lexus GS, meaning it is rear-wheel drive – with an all-wheel drive option available.

It has a lot more in common with the Lexus than just which wheels put the power to the ground, however, as it comes with high-tech items like an adaptive variable suspension, variable ratio steering, VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) and even three driving modes (Sport, Snow and Eco) to let the driver choose his driving style.

Power comes from either a base 203-hp 2.5-liter V6 or an optional 315-hp 3.5-liter V6, both with six-speed automatic transmissions. Only the 2.5-liter models are available with AWD.

Toyota has no plans to bring the Mark X to North America, but it certainly would make for a compelling performance-oriented alternative to the Camry or Avalon. The new second-generation Mark X is set to launch tomorrow (October 21st) at the Tokyo Auto Show.

GALLERY: Toyota Mark X

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Each year the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) gives out accolades to vehicles in different classes, but none carry the quite the prestigious honor as the “Truck of Texas” title. For 2010 TAWA has awarded the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor as the “Truck of Texas,” making this the seventh year in a row that a Ford has won the top truck award.

“Winning the Truck of Texas is a distinct honor,” said Mark Fields, president, The Americas, Ford Motor Company. “Texans know their trucks, and this award is further proof of why the F-150 remains America’s number-one selling pickup. We built F-150 SVT Raptor for truck enthusiasts. And we’re gratified it’s gaining recognition for both its unequaled off-road performance and confidence-inspiring on-road demeanor.”

The F-150 SVT Raptor gets big fender flares, FOX Racing Shox with 11.2-inches of front suspension travel and 12.1-inches of rear suspension travel, as well as 35-inch BFGoodrich tires. A 5.4-liter V8 engine with 320-hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque is currently offered and Ford plans to make a 6.2-liter V8 with 400-hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque available.

But what really makes the Raptor so amazing is that as off-road capable as it is, you can actually use it for normal daily driving.

See our review of the F-150 SVT Raptor here:

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor First Drive

GALLERY: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Dodge has announced that for 2010 it is resurrecting the Plum Crazy paint color. The eye-catching shade of purple will be available on Challenger SRT and R/T Classic models, which will also get black dual wide side stripes or optional white stripes. All Plum Crazy R/T models will get Plum stitching on the seats, while SRT models will get a Plum seat stripe. The package can be had for $225 on the R/T and $500 on the SRT model.

In addition, for 2010 the R/T manual transmission models get the option of a Super Track Pack that delivers Goodyear 245/45/20 tires, an upgraded suspension, upgraded brakes and he ability to completely turn ESP off. This package can be had for just $400.

With the introduction of Plum Crazy Dodge has also ceased the limited run of the Detonator Yellow and B-5 Blue colors.

[Source: AllPar & MotorAuthority]

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Some video of the Toyobaru spots car lapping the Nürburgring in Germany has found its way on to YouTube. Considering the heavy use of camo used to cover the car up, there’s reason to believe this is the Subaru version of the small sports car, rather than the Toyota model. Toyota has already released numerous images of its car, called the FT-86 in concept form.

Either way, the car looks like a hoot to drive and should offer plenty of fun to a lot of people as the MSRP is expected to be in the low $20,000 range.

We expect to hear more about this car when Toyota officially unveils the FT-86 Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show this Wednesday, October 21st.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 Concept

Nissan is continuing to gauge interest in a new design for an upcoming compact crossover by showing the Qazana Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show. First unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last March, the Qazana may be a bit on the bizarre side but Nissan insists it will eventually lead to a pproduction crossover that will be built in the U.K. in the near future.

Created by the folks at Nissan’s European design studio, the Qazana is the next step after the Qashqai SUV. “When it comes to design, Nissan has developed a reputation for constantly delivering something different,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe. “The global success of Qashqai has proven that the car buying public is fed up with the conventional… but we are not prepared to sit on our laurels. Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle.”

The exterior of the crossover was created by mixing design elements from SUVs and sports cars, as well as from beach buggies and motorcycles. It has a tall stance like any SUV would, but it also features short front and rear overhangs and a low roof-line. As for the rear lights, they mimic a design found on the 370Z.

The notably SUV-like wheel arches work to make the car both masculine but also friendly, as they lend a bubbly and fun feel to the SUV. Those wheel arches are a carryover from the Qashqai design concept and also take inspiration from the Murano SUV.

When it finally does make its way into production the Qazana will be a smaller vehicle than the European Qashqai, which is already smaller than the North American Rogue crossover.

GALLERY: Nissan Qazana Concept

Kia has just revealed the first photos of the Amanti’s successor. Based on the KND-5 Concept, this new full-sized sedan will be called the K7 in Korean and sold as the Cadenza elsewhere. The new car gets a complete redesign with Kia’s new corporate front fascia and an overall look that is more luxurious than the imitation-Jaguar design of the old Amanti.

There is no official word on other details but it has been rumored that the Amanti-successor will be based on the rear-drive Hyundai Genesis platform. If that is the case, we can expect the 290-hp 3.8-liter V8 to be offered, with a slight chance that the 375-hp 4.6-liter V8 could make an appearance.

The car will officially debut at the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai international auto shows at the end of 2009 and is expected to hit North America later in 2010 as a 2011 model.

GALLERY: Kia Cadenza

The next iteration of the amazing Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution could be offered as a plug-in hybrid. Due out in 2013, the EVO XI model could use the all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid setup that will officially be unveiled on Wednesday October 21st at the Tokyo Auto Show, reports the U.K.’s AutoCar. For the show, however, Mitsubishi is displaying this new technology in a crossover vehicle called the PX-MiEV Concept.

The vehicle’s name combines the automakers “MiEV” nomenclature, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, with a new “PX” designation, which stands for Plug-in Hybrid Crossover.

As a full plug-in hybrid, the Concept PX-MiEV can operate using either the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both. On pure electric power it can travel up to 30 miles. Mitsubishi rates that crossover at an impressive 117.6 mpg!

In EV mode the vehicle uses just electric power for the short 30 mile distance. When the batteries are depleted, the gasoline engine then kicks in to recharge the batteries and power the electric motor (much like on the Chevy Volt). At higher speeds, the gasoline engine takes over completely. In addition, the PX-MiEV features the company’s S-AWC and E-AYC all-wheel drive systems, along with a new center differential electric motor that works to send power to the rear wheels. All these technologies are part of what Mitsubishi calls E-4WD, which uses electric rather than mechanical systems to optimize grip.

Currently Mitsubishi hasn’t made a decision about actually bringing a hybrid version of the EVO to market and recent repots have suggesed that development of the EVO XI has stalled completely.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Concept

[Source: AutoCar]