Kicking off the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda unveiled a stunning new concept car that will eventually head to production as the next generation Mazda6 family sedan. A shot at the bold styling direction of brands like Hyundai and Kia, Mazda’s new Kodo design language is certain to bring much needed attention to Mazda dealerships with the sort of styling one might normally associate with a premium European brand.

Mazda first debuted the new design language in the Shinari concept with the first production model to be inspired by it being the CX-5.

This new family sedan rides on an all-new SkyActiv platform that sheds plenty of weight from the current model, while power comes from a new SkyActiv-D diesel engine. Mazda has yet to announce specifics on the new diesel engine, but it is capable of 165-hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. Mazda has said it will sell a diesel model in the US but has not confirmed if it will be the next Mazda6.

Adding to the substance and style is some added innovation on the Takeri concept with a new i-ELOOP regenerative braking system that uses a capacitor instead of a battery to store electricity, allowing quick charging and use of energy. Mazda claims this new system, when combined with its i-stop start-stop system can deliver a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The all-new Mazda6 could arrive as early as the 2013 model year.

GALLERY: Mazda Takeri Concept

See video of the Takeri concept below:

Continue Reading…

Hyundai has been enjoying immense growth and success in the North American market over the last few years, having posted 21-percent growth in the first 10 months of 2011.  But now, Hyundai is only planning to increase production by 8-percent for the United States for 2012.

Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, stated that they expect Hyundai’s growth curve to slow down a little bit, but stated that “it’s a function of global capacity constraints.” Hyundai’s 2012 growth will mostly come from new product sales such as their Veloster coupe and the new 2012 Azera sedan.

We’re looking forward to the 2013 Hyundai Genesis to finally hit the showrooms, we’re going to go out on a limb here and say that it’ll sell really well.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to Advertising Age, a sister publication to Automotive News, Chevrolet‘s Cruze, Kia‘s Soul and Jeep‘s Wrangler are among America’s top 25 hottest products for 2011, alongside Dove soap, Arizona Tea, Goldfish crackers, Sharpie markers and the Forever 21 clothing chain.

There’s no doubting those three vehicles’ success, but we’d be willing to debate that they belong in America’s 25 hottest products. But nonetheless, the Cruze has sold more than 200,000 units as of October, which allowed it to surpass the Malibu as GM’s hottest selling model. Media spending by Chevrolet totaled more than $1.1 billion last year with a huge bulk of it towards marketing the Cruze’s 40-mpg fuel economy rating.

The good ‘ol Kia Soul has benefited from collaborating with stylish and hip hamsters, perfectly targeting younger buyers. Through October, Kia has racked up 405,095 in total sales, with over 85,000 of those being Souls. We’re not really sure if the Soul is a hot new product or if the hamsters are just that cool.

Lastly, Jeep’s Wrangler is Jeep’s best-selling vehicle with 101,820 vehicles sold through October. Their partnership with virtual Wranglers and the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 fans probably won’t hurt either. By bringing together live action and game footage, Jeep is clearly targeting a huge audience and perhaps a different market with their Wrangler. Jeep as a brand has had overall sales up 44-percent this year through October.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s definitely not as awesome as the Juke-R, but the Nissan Juke Nismo Concept is probably a more realistic variant of the Juke and gives the first glimpse into Nismo’s future. Featuring a lower, wider and tougher stance, the Juke Nismo Concept received an aerodynamic-enhancing body kit, more power from a tuned engine, a stiffer chassis, larger tires, sporty interior treatment and a Nismo-colored paint scheme.

The outside of the Juke Nismo Concept has been finished off in signature Nismo colors of pearl white with red highlights. But more significant is the body kit created by Nismo’s aerodynamics team that normally specializes in perfecting race cars. New parts include a front and rear bumper, wider fenders and side skirts – all of which have been refined to enhance the Juke’s aerodynamic performance. Minor changes on the grille pattern, tailgate spoiler and door mirrors have all been tweaked to benefit the Juke’s aerodynamics.

Nismo then outfitted the Juke with a set of 19-inch wheels and tires, while the suspension has been upgraded with stiffer and lower springs. Nismo did mention that the 1.6L turbocharged powerplant received some power upgrades but didn’t specify an actual figure. On the inside, Nismo redesigned the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob and door trims to provide a greater involvement while driving. Special leather-trimmed bucket seats have been added while the tachometer’s needle and dial are now illuminated in red.

AutoGuide.com will be sure to check out the Nismo Concept in person at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Check out two videos of the Nissan Juke Nismo Concept after the break.

GALLERY: Nissan Juke Nismo Concept

Continue Reading…

An alert reader spotted a lightly disguised Subaru BRZ on what appears to be a California freeway. Clad in only a tiny bit of camo, the spy photos don’t reveal much more than we’ve already seen, but are a neat look at the hotly anticipated Subaru sports car.

Aside from the shared RWD platform and 2.0L boxer engine, Subaru hasn’t announced official specs for the car. The BRZ will get its official reveal at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, though official pictures were released earlier.

Check out the gallery below as well as  SubaruBRZForum.com for more information.

Gallery: Subaru BRZ Spy Shots

As in the iconic VW Type 2, which was built in Germany from 1950 until 1979, when it was replaced the larger, angular T3/T25 (known as the Vanagon in our neck of the woods).

However, despite having been absent from Europe and North America for decades, T2 production has continued – it lasted in Mexico until 1996 and Brazil still makes them (in high roof T2c form).

In fact. VW do Brasil has just completed it’s 1.5 millionth example at the Anchieta assembly plant, with a ceremony to mark the occasion. The Bus was the first VW to be assembled in the country and thanks to its lengthy production run has become somewhat of a cultural icon in Brazil. It’s also essentially little changed since the 1970s, the biggest alteration coming in 2005 when the oil/air cooled engine was replaced by a modern water cooled 1.4-liter four cylinder unit, requiring modifications to the front of the Type 2 (namely the installation of a radiator assembly and grille opening).

In Brazil, the Bus accounts for approximately 3.3 percent of light commercial vehicle market and is offered in two configurations, Furgão (windowless cargo van) which sells for the equivalent of $26,348 and the standard nine passenger window Bus which retails for $24,142, making it attractively priced against newer, front-drive vans. It’s also been heavily exported over the years, primarily to other Latin American countries but some have made it as far as Africa and indeed in Europe. In fact, in the Netherlands you can officially buy a brand new Bus, outfitted as a modern day Westfalia camper, but with modifications and import fees the price is a lot more expensive than in Brazil, some 44,995 Euros (around $61,000).

Nonetheless, for classic VW fans and other nostalgia trippers, being able to have one new Bus rather than none at all is a bonus. However, some analysts predict that when Brazil mandates modern safety feature such as ABS and airbags in 2012, production of the venerable Bus will finally end. Too bad.

[Source: Left Lane News]

While the Chevrolet Volt has struggled a bit to get traction in the marketplace, Nissan‘s all-electric Leaf is well on pace to sell 10,000 units in the United States, meeting its initial sales targets.

60 percent of all Leafs sold are in California (no surprise there), but we’ll get a better regional breakdown sometime later this week. Globally, the Leaf will have sold about 20,000 units in a year. Check out our review here and you’ll see why the car’s been so successful – it’s a blast to drive (for the right kind of driver, that is).

Several years ago the prospect of seeing Chery cars on our shores appeared imminent, thanks to a deal signed between the Chinese automaker and entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin.

However the deal fell apart and further plans to market cars in the US, including fledgling deals with Chrysler during its dark Cerberus period have come to nought.

Now, Chery is eying the European market, attempting to market a compact sedan called the Qoros that’s the result of a joint venture with Israel Corp (the Middle Eastern nation’s largest holding company). The Qoros is said to be more upmarket than anything Chery currently produces at home  and both companies have ambitious plans, setting initial production targets of 150,000 units a year, with a new factory being constructed near Shanghai to produce the car.

In order to be sold in Europe, the Qoros will have to meet, among other things, NCAP safety standards; a goal has been set of achieving five-star crash status and former Mini design direct Gert Hildebrand has signed up to work on the project, while Austrian company Magna-Steyr is reported to be actively involved.

Whether  such ambitions plans will come to fruition remains to be seen, especially in lieu of Chery’s previous  failed attempts to infiltrate Western markets and past legal issues, ranging from trademark infringements to shady contract dealings. Nonetheless, if the Qoros does succeed, it just  might mark the start of a new era in the automotive business and renewed low price competition in the European marketplace.

[Source: Left Lane News]

At least in Japan. In Toyota‘s home market, the automaker announced that it will retail the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) for some 3.2 million Yen (equivalent to some $41,000 US) and has begun taking customer orders.

The sticker price is a bit more than Toyota originally envisaged, but in Japan, still undercuts the all-electric Nissan LEAF which sells for some 3.6 million yen.

Furthermore with Japanese government rebates, the price of the PHV drops to about 2.76 million yen (roughly $35,000). That’s less than projected European pricing for the car when it goes on sale (estimates place MSRP in Europe to be around the equivalent of some $37,000 US), though above projected Stateside pricing ($32,000).

The question is, at those levels, will the PHV achieve a similar level of success enjoyed by the regular Prius in the US? Difficult to say at this point, but  given the Prius’ somewhat celebrated status among the “green set”, greater flexibility  and lower price point than all-electric vehicles, there’s a distinct possibility. Any bets on the PHV winning Green Car of the Year next time out?

[Source: Left Lane News]

Typically we’ve been having to present official Wald Black Bison vehicles sporting Wald wheels and other Wald goods, hardly ever do we get to spot a full Wald Black Bison vehicle sporting someone else’s wheels. This time around, to show off Wald’s new Black Bison kit for the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, we decided to give the spotlight to Need 4 Speed Motorsports that put together this beauty.

In typical fashion, Wald’s Black Bison kit transforms the S63 AMG to a much sportier and more aggressive vehicle, while maintaining the class and style Mercedes is known for from the factory. Instead of outfitting the S63 AMG with a set of Wald wheels however, Need 4 Speed Motorsports turned to Vossen’s CV-1 wheels in a 21-inch sizing. To round it all off, Need 4 Speed also equipped the S63 with a lowering package and air suspension.

What do you guys think? Nice to see a full Wald Black Bison car sporting someone else’s wheels eh?

GALLERY: Wald Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Black Bison

[Source: GT Spirit]