After unveiling the FT-86 II Concept at the Geneva Auto Show at the start of the month, Toyota has just released an extensive selection of photos, and even a video, from a “behind the scenes” photo shoot with the car.

The photos give a better look at the rear-drive sports car, with the usually poor auto show lighting (combined with the fact that it was a black car on a white background) made getting decent pics in Geneva difficult.

No official details are yet available, but the car is expected to be powered by a 4-cylinder boxer engine making around 200-hp. The design of this second concept is also said to be much closer to the production version that will debut this Fall at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

See video of the behind the scenes photo shoot after the jump and get more FT-86 news and info at FR-SForum.com:

Continue Reading…

The latest hiccup deriving from Japan’s earthquake may cause global automotive production to fall by as much as 30 percent, as parts suppliers remain crippled by the quake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan.

“We could lose up to 5 million vehicles in a worst-case scenario,” said Michael Robinet of IHS, in an interview with Bloomberg. “This will affect income for the entire year if this continues for an extended period of time.” Robinet said that global production levels are currently off by 13 percent, and a projected disruption of 12 weeks could cause that number to more than double. Companies are currently searching for alternative parts sources, but analysts have highlighted the third week of April as a critical point at which production could drop dramatically.

Currently, Honda and Toyota have extended their plant shut-downs, while domestic automakers like GM have closed plants across the globe due to a shortage of parts.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Fiat’s 900cc TwinAir 2-cylinder turbocharged engine, currently available in the European market Fiat 500, has won critical acclaim for its performance and use of advanced technology, and the motor will soon be available in both the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Fiat Punto.

The TwinAir will superceed the current base engines in both cars, rated at 77 and 64 horsepower respectively, as it produces 85 horsepower. The TwinAir will also likely be more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and carbon emissions, with estimates ranging between a 10 and 15 percent gain in both categories. A start-stop system will also be employed.

The base engines will still remain available, but the TwinAir is expected to be a popular option, as it will allow buyers to dodge European C02 emissions taxes.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson will retire from Saab on May 19th, with the 59 year old executive leaving Saab during a tumultuous time. Saab Chairman Victor Muller will act as interim CEO as a search for a replacement gets underway.

Jonsson, who was reportedly planning to retire regardless of the situation, will assist with the personnel changes and be available to Saab until September 1st.  Jonsson, who worked for Saab for nearly 40 years, released a statement, that read”The last three years have of course been very demanding and forced me to focus on one thing only — my work. Now it is time for me to also spend some time on other things that had to stand back for my duties to Saab.  I am convinced that Saab is on the right track toward replacing the entire product portfolio by October 2012 — when the next generation 9-3 will be launched — as well as creating a stand-alone company with a financially sound business model.”

Saab sales were up 15 percent in 2010, and parent company Spyker expects the division to be profitable by 2012.

[Source: Automotive News]

Maserati‘s new GranTurismo MC Stradale might be using a nifty new single-clutch automated manual gearbox in its home market of Europe, but North America will get a ZF-built 8-speed automatic.

The ZF unit is a precursor to Maserati’s further use of the gearbox, and frankly, North American consumers of the brand will likely not notice the difference. The transmission will also be utilized across a new range of products which will include an SUV and a sedan to slot below the Quattroporte. Reports state that the cars will likely share parts with Chrysler vehicles, a common practice amongst premium brands owned by a conglomerate, but one that may not sit well with Maserati’s rarefied clientele. The next Maseratis will also follow the trend of turbocharging, which was a staple of the brand in earlier decades, and possibly a diesel engine for their Jeep Grand Cherokee-based SUV.

[Source: Car and Driver]

If you have been contemplating moving to Canada, this news might just be enough to push you across the border.

According to a report by Canada’s Minister of Transport, Chuck Strahl, under the NAFTA agreement, used vehicles from Mexico that can be modified to meet Canadian safety and emission requirements, would be allowed to be brought in.

That means, you could possibly bring in a used Fiat or Renault from Mexico into Canada, vehicles that weren’t previously available to our northern neighbor. So if the department for Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) are on your side, you could be driving around in a Fiat Barchetta or a Renault Avantime. That is a sweet thought.

Plus, Canada also has a law that allows its citizens to import any car into the country that is 15 years old, or older. So if you are visiting Canada, don’t be too surprised to see a Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R driving around, with a fully legal title. Might be worth the move for that reason alone.

[Source: Auto123]

The lines between reality and virtual reality are getting blurred, as proven by Lucas Ordonez. He went from racing cars in the virtual world of video games, to actually competing in an LMP2 racer provided by Signatech Nissan in the 12-hours of Sebring, and actually finishing 2nd in the race. The 25 year-old Spaniard will now head to France to compete in this years 24-hours of Le Mans. Not bad for someone who only used to race sitting on a sofa.

GT Academy’s American chapter is now also looking to find their next star, and are hoping to turn the process into a reality TV show. More than 52,000 contestants signed up for this competition, and the list dwindled down to just 32. These virtual racers then went on to compete in further tests in Orlando, Fl. but only half have advanced through. So now the ‘Sweet 16′ virtual racers will go to the Silverstone racetrack in U.K. to compete in the final competition. These new tests will test a person’s physical fitness and actual skill in a race car.

There will be only one winner, and we wish all of the contestants the very best.

Some would argue that common sense disappeared back in the 1980s. In fact it seems more and more laws are being introduced to save us from our own stupidity.

In Arizona, state lawmakers recently passed a bill that would prohibit children under the age of 18 from riding freely in the back of a pickup truck.

What makes this even more incredible is the fact that state law currently requires an Elk carcass to be firmly secured in the bed, but not children. The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Representative Matt Heinz went on the record as saying “a projectile 12-year-old poses just as much of a traffic safety risk as a projectile elk — not to mention that it’s your kid.”

The bill, if passed (and there’s a good chance it will according to the Arizona Daily Star) will require riders under 18 in the back of a bed to be belted and helmeted. Critics of the bill says it infringes on civil liberties and is just another example of the Nanny State interfering with our daily lives.

Perhaps, but what about the concept of personal responsibility for one’s actions? Apparently, these days, that’s as dead and buried as common sense.

[Source: Arizona Daily Star]

Rumors of a partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz surfaced quite some time ago, but according to a new report a deal between has been stuck between the two luxury marques – one that will benefit plans both firms have for their boutique luxury brands.

The terms of the tie-up will see Aston Martin get the GL platform from Mercedes on which to build its Lagonda SUV, which should be priced in the range of $250,000. Aston will also get access to new Mercedes engine technology, with the new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 a likely candidate for the Lagonda.

In return, Aston will develop the next-generation Maybach models, based off the upcoming Mercedes S-Class chassis. Mercedes is betting on a recovered economy and demand in China to help keep the Maybach brand economically viable. But that’s not all.

For its efforts Aston Martin will also be rewarded with access to the S-Class chassis to build a Rolls-Royce rivaling Lagonda sedan that would cost as much as $350,000. The British sports car maker may even use the chassis of the SLS to replace its current VH architecture, which is used for every model in Aston’s lineup.

The first fruits of this joint-venture will be on display at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, with Maybach set to show-off its new Aston Martin-built luxury saloon.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Kia is currently investigating a plan to bring a small two-seat roadster model to market to help set the tone for the brand. The car has even been called Kia’s MX-5 by company execs, including European CEO Paul Philpott.

According to Philpott 2011 and 2012 are all about setting a new foundation for the brand with solid volume models. Beyond that, he says the plan for 2013 and 2014 is to bring to market, “halo models that stretch the company forward.”

The aim is to solidify what the brand stands for, while setting it apart from parent-company Hyundai. Philpott intends to solidify the brand with a focus on youth.

Back in 2003 Kia showed-off the KCV III Concept (above), a wild-looking 4-seat roadster, a sign that the company has been looking at such a project for a very long time. Look for an all-new design for this new model, wearing Kia’s current corporate grille.

Additionally, Kia is reportedly planning a big change for the Soul, moving the car into a new space and giving it AWD. Such a change would likely position it against Nissan’s new Juke.

[Source: AutoExpress]