Filed under: Sedan , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota 2010 Toyota Mark X - Click above for high-res image gallery Here in the U.S., if you want a rear-wheel drive sedan from Toyota, you'll have to buy a Lexus. That's not the case in Japan. There the motor buying public can opt for the Mark X, the second generation of which will be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. Based on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as our own Lexus GS, the new Mark X gets a redesigned exterior and interior, the latter of which also benefits from increased interior volume. Two engines will be available: a 2.5-liter V6 producing 203 horsepower and a new, larger 3.5-liter V6 reportedly producing a healthy 315 hp. Both models will come with a six-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, though only the 2.5-liter model is available with all-wheel-drive. It's pretty snazzy looking, no? Compared to the Toyota-branded large sedans we have to choose from here in North America (*cough - Avalon - cough*), we'd say the new Mark X is an exciting proposition indeed. Think of it as Toyota's answer to the Chrysler 300C or now-defunct Pontiac G8 , or even the FWD/AWD Taurus . But alas, the big T would rather you look to Lexus and buy a GS than they spend the time and money to offer the Mark X to Americans.

Filed under: Coupe , Tokyo Motor Show , Nissan , Motorcycle , Specialty , Alternative Fuel Nissan Land Glider Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Concept cars tend to push the boundaries of what is and isn't possible with a four-wheeled vehicle. Such is the case with the Nissan Land Glider -- a 47-inch cross between a motorcycle and a car, with an enclosed cabin, a glass canopy and passenger compartment that leans into turns for added stability -- going on display this week at the Tokyo Motor Show . Usually, such far-out-there concepts make the auto show circuit before being abandoned somewhere in the corner of a dark, dingy warehouse, but perhaps not this one. According to Automotive News , there are some inside the Japanese automaker that suggest the fully electric car could slot into the company's upmarket Infiniti lineup, possibly even making it to the United States. If that happens, the Land Glider may be a single-seater, as the concept's single rear passenger perch may not make it through safety testing. We'd be pretty surprised to see a production Infiniti Land Glider that keeps the concept's unique layout, but it certainly wouldn't be the only strange-looking eco-friendly automobile to hit the market. We'll see... Gallery: Nissan Land Glider Concept [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd] REPORT: Nissan Land Glider could come to the States as an Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Golf evolves the German hatchback Is the new VW Golf MkV1 enough to woo hatch-averse Americans out of their sedans and into something with an added helping of practicality? We trek over to its Wolfsburg birthplace to find out. Chrysler previews four Mopar SEMA concepts for on- and off-road mastery The performance-partsgasm at SEMA may be down on fuel this year because of the state of the economy, but that isn't stopping the Chrysler Group from unveiling four concepts based its most aftermarket friendly models. Mansory previews aggressive aftermarket program for Porsche Panamera Mansory isn't one to shy away from the controversial, so it's no surprise that they've turned their attention to Porsche's not-so-traditional Panamera. Other news of import Massa charges that Alonso knew about Piquet crash plan Men can't help but enjoy fast cars - it's that testosterone thing again Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO] Harley-Davidson kills off Buell , will sell stake in MV Agusta [w/VIDEO] Only one buyer has returned a GM vehicle under new 60-day guarantee; transaction prices up $8k Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 10.15.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Performance , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for image gallery We're eagerly awaiting our first live encounter with the Toyota FT-86 Concept next week at the Tokyo Motor Show . But before we endure the long flight over the Pacific, the crew at the freshly hosted FT-86 Club has scrounged up a bevy of live shots of Toyota's new coupe in the studio. The more we see, the more we like. And these detail images give us a clearer view of the subtle design elements that make the reborn Hachiroku so damn appealing. We're particularly partial to the straked vents aft of the front wheels that tie in with the rest of the coupe's triangular elements, and plenty of carbon fiber detailing on the door handles, side mirrors, wheels and rear diffuser doesn't hurt, either. The interior remains show-car wacky (the zippered slot for the DVD player is pure silliness, but we're digging it), but the overall aesthetic strikes us as eerily production ready -- save our favorite feature, the A-pillars bisected by a piece of glass to aid visibility while sliding sideways (similar to Volvo's 2001 SCC concept). Here's hoping the FT-86 makes it from the show stand to the sales floor unscathed and delivers the driving dynamics to finally bring Toyota back from the brink. Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept in the Studio [Source: FT-86Club ] Toyota FT-86 Concept gets shot in the studio originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Performance , Porsche , Middle East , Design/Style Porsche supercar design by Emil Baddal - Click above for high-res image gallery With the 911 looking largely the same for the past 46 years, the Cayenne looking the way that it does, and the new Panamera greeted with mixed reviews (at best), it should come as no surprise that there are others interested in taking a crack at designing the next Porsche. Especially since the next one down the wind tunnel could very well be a roadgoing supercar based on the RS Spyder prototype racer to succeed the Carrera GT... one of the best Porsche design in decades. What you see here is the vision of Iranian designer Emil Baddal, who appears to have blended some unmistakable Zuffenhausen DNA with a sort of Veyron-esque profile. Which isn't so far fetched when you consider that Porsche and Bugatti now fall under the same umbrella. Baddal hasn't issued any theoretical powertrain specifications to go with his design, so we'll just have to imagine them on our own. Have a look in the gallery, follow the link to Baddal's other designs, and let us know what you think in the comments section below. Gallery: Porsche supercar design by Emil Baddal [Source: Emil Baddal on Designerspace via CarScoop ] Porsche's next supercar, as envisioned by an Iranian designer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Hybrid , Performance , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Crossover , Honda , Mazda , Mitsubishi , Nissan , Toyota Click above to view video after the jump Although the Tokyo Motor Show is just a week and half away, Japan's largest automakers have already previewed their biggest debuts ( save one ) to their hometown media. So until we can lay eyes on the Toyota FT-86 "Concept," Honda CR-Z Hybrid "Concept" and Mitsubishi PX-MiEV 'ute, we'll have to make do with this brief video walk around. Shot by Motor Magazine out of Japan, the video after the jump also gives us another glimpse of the Mazda Kiyora concept originally shown in Paris, along with the Nissan Leaf EV we explored in detail back in August. Enjoy and expect full impressions from the floor in Tokyo later this month. Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept Gallery: 2009 Honda CR-Z Concept [Source: YouTube via Carscoop ] Continue reading VIDEO: Walk around of Toyota FT-86, Honda CR-Z ahead of Tokyo show VIDEO: Walk around of Toyota FT-86, Honda CR-Z ahead of Tokyo show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Tokyo Motor Show , Nissan , Motorcycle , Alternative Fuel Nissan Land Glider Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Nissan is pulling out all the zero emission stops at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show . In addition to the expected Leaf electric vehicle, the Japanese automaker will also be showing off a new concept called the Land Glider. Intended to be an urban runabout, the two-seat Land Glider is fully electric and is extremely narrow to ease congestion in dense city centers and make it easier to find suitable parking spots. Inside the cockpit, the Land Glider's pilot sits front and center behind a suitably futuristic instrument cluster and a steering wheel that looks like twin joysticks. According to Nissan, the steering operations are computer controlled through a drive-by-wire arrangement, so there doesn't seem to be a direct connection between the steering wheel and the car's four contact patches. Perhaps the most interesting bit Nissan pioneered with the Land Glider is the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle. While this isn't an entirely new concept, it's a first for Nissan and the technology seems to be very well implemented in the Land Glider, as you can see in the video after the jump . Gallery: Nissan Land Glider Concept Continue reading Tokyo 2009 Preview: Nissan unveils leaning Land Glider concept [w/VIDEO] Tokyo 2009 Preview: Nissan unveils leaning Land Glider concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Tokyo Motor Show , Hatchback , Suzuki , Motorcycle , Alternative Fuel In addition to the plug-in series hybrid version of the Swift subcompact hatchback that Suzuki will display at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show , the Japanese company will also be bringing along three separate concepts powered by fuel cells. First up is the SX4-FCV, which uses an 80 kW hydrogen fuel cell stack supplied by longtime partner GM paired with a Suzuki-designed hydrogen storage tank that compresses the gas at 10,000 psi. A lightweight capacitor reportedly takes the place of the more common battery pack and helps smooth out the flow of electrons to the 68 kW electric motor and aids in regenerative braking. Road testing is currently underway of the SX4-FCV in Japan. Next on the list is a version of Suzuki's popular Burgman scooter that's propelled by an electric motor that gets its power from a small hydrogen fuel cell from Intelligent Energy and the first 700-bar storage tank in the motorcycle world. The final fuel cell-powered concept from Suzuki is a personal mobility vehicle called the MIO that uses easily replaceable methanol fuel cell cartridges in lieu of batteries that should theoretically allow for unlimited range. Check out all three concepts in our gallery below and hit the jump for the press release. Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Suzuki Fuel Cell Concepts Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Suzuki previews three fuel cell concepts Tokyo 2009: Suzuki previews three fuel cell concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery Toyota's President Akio Toyoda has said the automaker is in desperate need of an excitement injection, and here's the first dose: the Toyota FT-86 Concept. Inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe of the '80s, the FT-86 concept was designed by the automaker's ED2 styling studio in France and bears a remarkable resemblance to the FT-HS concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show several years back. Since it's a "concept," Toyota hasn't divulged much about the FT-86 yet, but we do know it's powered by a Subaru-derived 2.0-liter boxer four sending power to the rear wheels. Toyota focused on keeping the weight down to improve handling and, according to one source, the platform is unique to the concept. The engine sits lower in the engine bay to aid aerodynamics while keeping the center of gravity in check, and the overall dimensions of Toyota's new 2+2 are 163.78 inches long and 69.29 inches wide, with a wheelbase of 101.18 inches. After the FT-86 bows in concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, the production model will be shown sometime next year with sales beginning sometime in late 2011 carrying a sticker price somewhere north of $20,000. Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Toyko 2009 Preview: Toyota FT-86 Concept brings back the Hachiroku Toyko 2009 Preview: Toyota FT-86 Concept brings back the Hachiroku originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Performance , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Hatchback , Subaru Subaru WRX STI Carbon - Click above for high-res image gallery Subaru has announced a new version of the WRX STI that will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show . We've looked at this one six ways 'til Sunday (maybe seven) and we still can't make sense of it. But, hear us out. One of the main knocks against the STI has long been that it's a little too porky. But, when you base a performance car on a plebeian chassis, that's the price you pay. Another knock is that the STI -- while potent -- is just not as hardcore as the Mitsubishi EVO , even though the EVO X is a little, well, less hardcore than the EVO IX. So obviously Subaru's going to address these concerns with a special, lightweight edition STI, right? Well... Meet the WRX STI Carbon. It has a carbon fiber roof.