Contrary to popular reports (our own included) there will be at least one foreign automaker at the Tokyo Auto Show. Lotus has announced its attendance and the British sports car company will unveil what it calls the Exige Scura, a special edition vehicle along the lines of the Exige S 260.

With 260 PS (257hp) the Scura gets a pumped-up version of the supercharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder motor from the Exige S and is capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 152 mph. Other highlights include Ohlins two-way shocks, Eibach springs, launch control and Lotus’s traction control system.

What really sets this model apart, however, is the special Phantom Black paint and high gloss triple striped that run the length of the car. There’s also a carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber oil cooler intakes and side scoops and rear spoiler. The wheels also get a special matte-black coating. In total the car weighs 22 lbs less than the standard model.

“The Exige Scura is a stunning vehicle which offers an adrenaline fuelled experience and is a real head-turner,” said Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars. “Our Exige customers choose Lotus because we deliver thrilling performance and dynamic design and this special edition fits the bill on both counts.”

The Exige Scura will be available immediately following the car’s official unveiling at the Tokyo Auto Show on Wednesday and will be offered in Europe, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

GALLERY: Lotus Exige Scura

Official release after the jump:

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Ford is closing in on its Japanese rivals in the hybrid sales race. So far in 2009 the American automaker has posted a 73 percent gain in its hybrid sales with a total of 26,016 vehicles sold.  That number is roughly 4,000 short of Honda’s total hybrid sales at 29,958 units, but the percentage of gain should have the Japanese automakers worried. Honda, a distant second to segment leader Toyota, has managed only 8 percent growth so far this year.

Toyota’s hybrid sales this year in the U.S. total 144,351 units, although sales of the Prius are down 19.4 percent. The Pirus is still the top hybrid model, followed by Toyota’s Camry Hybrid, the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid and then the ford Fusion and Escape hybrids.

Much of Ford’s surge can be attributed to the Fusion Hybrid, which uses technology similar to Toyota’s to deliver 41/36 mpg (city/highway). This two-mode hybrid technology is more advanced than the setup Honda is currently using.

Honda isn’t about to give up it’s second place spot, however, and has announced that the Insight will get improvements in fuel-economy and ride quality. Ford, however, is planning it’s own attack, with the 2010 Murcury Milan Hybrid due out soon, which should give Ford a slight increase in its overall hybrid sales numbers.

[Source: The Independent and LeftLaneNews]

An Acura will run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. British Strakka Racing intends to compete with the car, in the Europe Le Mans Series, including at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, with an Acura ARX-01b prototype that it is currently in the process of buying from the Lowe’s Fernandez team. Fernandex racing, despite winning the LMP2 championship in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), has yet to secure a sponsor for the 2010 season and so it has decided to entertain the possibility of selling the car.

Strakka Racing has already made known plans to run the car and to hire on British racer Danny Watts, although no official deal has been announced.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Thanks to a quick thinking amateur spy photographer, we now have a single photo of what the upcoming 2011 Buick Regal will look like. Caught outside the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand raids, Michigan, the car was reportedly being photographed for future editorial or advertising images. A gentleman who goes by the name Nathan, snapped the pic and quickly posted it on Buick’s facebook page.

Last week Buick announced the Regal name would return to North America as a new entry-level Buick model that will slot in below the LaCrosse – which lists for $27,085. Currently sold in China and based on the Opel Insignia (which uses a slightly smaller version of the LaCrosse’s platform), Buick is expected to debut the Regal as a 2011 model. Two engines will be offered initially, including a 180-hp 2.4-liter four-culinder, as well as a more powerful 220-hp turbocharged 2.-0-liter four-cylinder. According to recent reports a sporty GS trim level may also be offered with a 280-hp V6, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, and a six-speed manual transmission.

[Source: Facebook]

Just a week after GM announced the return of the Buick Regal nameplate, reports suggest the General may be preparing to launch a high-powered GS trim level. All versions of the car would be based on the European Opel Insignia platform (shown above) but the GS trim model would get the LaCrosse’s 280-hp 3.6-liter V6, as well as Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels. It will be offered in both front-drive and all-wheel drive and there is a strong possibility it will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

Two other trim levels will also be offered, with the base model using GM’s 180-hp direct-injection 2.4-liter EcoTec engine, while a more powerful turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter EcoTec engine will be offered.

Buick is expected to deliver the Regal as a 2011 model with production starting soon.

[Source: GMInsideNews]

With Suzuki’s new mid-sized Kizashi sedan about ready to hit dealerships, the Japanese automaker has announced plans to build a V6 powered version of the car. Initially, the Kizashi will only be offered with a 185-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, but the 260hp GM-sourced 3.6-liter V6 motor will follow shortly thereafter.

Suzuki has big hopes that the Kizashi will help the brand penetrate the North American market, something it has never effectively been able to do before. As with all other mid-sized sedans, the V6 option isn’t about to be a popular choice amongst consumers, but it should make for some good marketing potential.

The V6 engine model will come exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Also expect a more aggressive exterior design as well as more premium interior equipment and 18-inch wheels. Suzuki engineers are currently testing the V6 model, with some impressive four-piston front brake calipers!

See the AutoGuide review of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi here:

2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Drive

GALLERY: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

[Source: Edmunds]

No Doubt you’ve never heard of General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI), but if you’re a lover of classic American muscle, or modern American muscle, you’re about to become more familiar with the company. The reason? GMCI has just announced that it has purchased the Yenko name and brand and has announced plans to bring it back from the dead – which is good timing considering the tremendous popularity of the new Camaro.

The Yenko name has become synonymous with performance ever since Don Yenko, owner of Yenko Chevrolet, first dropped a Corvette 427 cu.-in. V8 under the hood of a Camaro back in 1967.

“The muscle car era has made a huge comeback this year and we expect this trend to grow,” said company owner Jeff Leonard. “The Yenko name is very much a part of that magnificent history and we plan to resurge its magic and its historical significance. Through GMCI’s efforts, Don Yenko’s name will be kept alive with the highest degree of integrity and respect.”

Normally we might worry about someone buying a good name like the Yenko one and running it into the ground with scissor doors and neon lights, but Leonard seems to have the right approach and is a genuine enthusiast as well as a business man. He even owned an original ’68 Yenko Camaro.

We’ll have to wait and see what GMCI has planned, but we’re hoping for some nice ZR1 goodies!

Official release after the jump:

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Lotus is set to return to Formula 1 next year and with a dedicated group of followers and the media circus that surrounds any British F1 team, the company has released some of its plans and ambitions for the 2010 season, along with the first full-sized wind tunnel model.

Lotus F1 Racing Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne said in an interview-style statement that while the team as huge challenges ahead of it with such a short preparation time, it hopes to have a full vehicle ready for February testing.

As for the car, Gascoyne says the Lotus team is working with Fondtech for the aerodynamics, Xtrac for the gearbox and a deal with Cosworth has been arranged for the engine company to supply engines. Gascoyne also comments that the team is working with technical experts in Malaysia. In fact, the Malaysian connection is a big part of the Lotus team with financing coming from both the country’s private sector as well as through the Malaysian government. In return, Malaysia intends to use the team as a marketing expert to help promote the country on the world stage. In addition, Lotus has a long term plan to set up an engineering center at the country’s Sepang race circuit.

With a long and storied history in motorsports and Formula 1 there are a lot of expectations behind the Lotus team, but Gascoyne says they have to be realistic. “We are a new team and we are starting our development late,” he said, “so it will be an achievement just to get two cars on the Bahrain grid. I hope by the middle of the season we will have established ourselves as the best of the rookie teams and then continue to make forward progress for the rest of the year.”

As for the driver’s Lotus is entertaining several offers and no doubt trying to poach some experts from other teams. One of the leading candidates is rumored to be long-time Toyota driver Jarno Trulli.

Official release after the jump:

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American stunt driver and Subaru USA Rally America driver Ken Block (left) is close to getting the call to the big leagues. AutoSport is reporting that Block is close to a deal with Ford that would seem him driving in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the world’s premiere rally car racing series.

The deal will reportedly see Block keep his Monster Energy Drink sponsorship from his Subaru days as he drives for Ford with team mate Chris Atkinson – another former Subaru driver. With both Ford and Block on board, the WRC series, which is immensely popular overseas, finaly has a chance at real fame in the lucrative North American market.

WRC marketing expert Simon Long described Block, who’s two viral YouTube Gymkhana videos have received tens of millions of views, as “an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality.” He also went on to say that, “It wouldn’t get much better than this for the WRC going into North America.”

The deal is reported to go through next month and will see Block sign on with Ford for three seasons, starting next year.

[Source: AutoSport]

The official reveal of Toyota’s FT-86 Concept is just a few days away but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a better look at the company’s latest sports car right now. The folks at FT86Club have dug up a large selection of studio shots that show the concept in much greater detail.

For starters, the car has loads of carbon fiber goodies. There’s a carbon fiber rear diffuser, as well as carbon for the door handles, mirrors and on the wheels. Inside, there’s even a carbon fiber center stack, which houses a push-button ignition. You can be sure these more exotic trims items won’t make it to the production model, but we do expect the general design cues to carry through. Hopefully that includes the intricately sculpted hood that really helps give the car character.

Be sure to check out the dozens of new FT-86 photos in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 Concept Studio Shoot

Get more FT-86 News Here

[Source: FT86club]