Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept headlines TMC's Tokyo Auto Salon roster

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Racing

Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept - Click above for high-res image

SEMA may take the proverbial cake for the American tuner scene, but the Vegas expo isn't the only tuner show in the world. And with the Tokyo Auto Salon currently underway, Toyota has a wide variety of cars on display under various labels and divisions.

The vehicle you see above is the GRMN iQ Racing Concept. Lest you think the four letters indicate some kind of special nav system, it stands for Gazoo Racing tuned by MN - the same outfit that prepared the Nürburgring 24-winning Lexus LFA racer.

Little in the way of details were released along with the solitary image other than to say that it's based on a limited-edition model that's already sold out, and fitted with a roll cage and supercharger. It's one of seventeen vehicles prepared by the Toyota Motor Corporation and its subsidiaries for the show, including versions of the Prius, Vitz (aka Yaris), Auris, Corolla, Noah, FJ Cruiser, Ractis, Lexus CT and IS F and more, modified by Gazoo, Toyota Racing Development, G Sports and even the Fuji Speedway and a staff collective known as the Toyota Engineering Society. Read all about it in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept headlines TMC's Tokyo Auto Salon roster

Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept headlines TMC's Tokyo Auto Salon roster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/16/toyota-grmn-iq-racing-concept-headlines-tmcs-tokyo-auto-salon-r/

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On the refurbished Mercedes-Benz sports coupe

Mercedes-Benz cars exude the fusion of luxury design and functionality. It is no wonder the German car maker became the major sponsor for the Berlin-based Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which is held in four major cities around the world. The night before the famous runway show officially opens, the automaker?s latest offering?the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLC [...]

Source: http://mercedespartsblog.mbpartswarehouse.com/2008/01/30/on-the-refurbished-mercedes-benz-sports-coupe/

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Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept looks slick, is not a coupe

Filed under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Volkswagen

Let's get one thing straight: This is not a coupe. Not even close. But ever since BMW kicked off the bastardization of the word 'coupe' with its X6 crossover, automakers seem to think that any vehicle with a sloped roofline can be classified by this word that has always been - and should always be - reserved exclusively for two-door cars. That's a whole different rant, though. In the meantime, we'd like to introduce you to the Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept.

Debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Cross Coupe is the first vehicle to ride on Volkswagen's new modular transverse matrix architecture, and it previews the future of the automaker's crossover range. It may look large, but the Cross Coupe is actually smaller than the current Tiguan, closer in size to that of a Nissan Juke. It certainly isn't bad to look at, even with that big, grinning face. The compact shape is well-proportioned, though it appears that the chrome wheels were ripped right off a loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Cross Coupe is powered by a unique all-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain, with two electric motors (one for each axle) paired with a turbocharged gasoline engine. Volkswagen estimates that this powerplant will produce around 262 horsepower, but will be able to drive on pure electricity for about 25 miles. Running to 60 miles per hour will take around seven seconds.

Scroll through our high-res image gallery above to see the Volkswagen Cross (not-so) Coupe Concept live from the Tokyo Motor Show floor.

Continue reading Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept looks slick, is not a coupe

Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept looks slick, is not a coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/30/volkswagen-cross-coupe-concept-tokyo-2011/

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Recall: 210,000 Toyota Sienna vehicles—mislabeled vehicle load capacity

Toyota is recalling 210,000 Sienna vehicles from model year 2011 through 2012, for failing to comply with federal requirements that specify a vehicle capacity weight be displayed as the rated load for the combination of both cargo and occupants. Incorrect...

Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/12/recall-210000-toyota-sienna-vehiclesmislabeled-vehicle-load.html

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Jaguar Land Rover won't exhibit in Detroit

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Jaguar, Land Rover

Detroit Auto Show attendees hoping to gawk at the latest sheetmetal from British luxury stalwarts Jaguar and Land Rover will be disappointed to learn that the marques will not be displaying at Cobo Hall this January. Instead, the pair will concentrate on showing their wares at India's New Delhi Auto Expo, whose dates overlap that of the North American International Auto Show.

Stuart Schorr, JLR's Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, tells Autoblog:

Jaguar Land Rover recognizes the Detroit Show is a world class exhibition, but for 2012 we will not exhibit there. This decision was driven by the fact that since our newest concept vehicles were featured at the Frankfurt show and will be featured at the upcoming Los Angeles Show, we decided to show them next in the Delhi Show in January as part of our effort to build our brands in this growing market. Therefore, without anything new to show in Detroit this year, we felt it most efficient to not participate in the show.

The switch makes some sense, as not only is staging auto show displays a particularly costly and time-intensive endeavor, the change also reflects India's growing importance as a global automotive market. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jaguar Land Rover has been under Indian ownership since Tata Motors purchased the brands from the Ford Motor Company back in 2008.

It is not immediately clear if the brands will return for the 2013 NAIAS.

Jaguar Land Rover won't exhibit in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/02/jaguar-land-rover-wont-exhibit-in-detroit/

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Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission

Filed under: Technology, Nissan

Finally, A CVT That Doesn't Suck



Continuously variable transmissions have been the bane of our enthusiast existence since... well... forever. An endless, droning tone coupled with the dreaded "rubber band" effect has relegated the gearboxes to rolling appliances and miserable fuel misers - save for one particular sedan.

It's not just an improvement, this is the best driving CVT yet.

When Nissan debuted the new Maxima and revived the "Four-Door Sports Car" name, we wanted to love it. Then we saw one glaring omission on the spec sheet: a manual gearbox. Nissan wouldn't offer the Maxima with a stick, and to add insult to injury, the reborn 4DSC would only be available with a CVT. That bitter taste in the back of our throats - disappointment.

But then we drove it. And it wasn't THAT bad. The six faux ratios were a bit of a joke, but they worked, and everything from the seating position to the chassis tuning were better than nearly anything in the segment.

Last week I had the chance to sample the Maxima again, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Thirty hours after dropping off the Maxima at the airport I was behind the wheel of an Altima prototype with the automaker's all-new CVT. Nissan claims it boosts fuel economy another 10 percent while offering a dramatically refined driving experience. I can't speak to the new tranny's decreased fuel consumption, but I can say this: It's not just an improvement, this is the best driving CVT yet.

Continue reading Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission

Nissan shows us its new and improved Continuously Variable Transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/nissan-shows-us-its-new-and-improved-continuously-variable-trans/

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10 tips to survive Black Friday parking

The latest Consumer Reports holiday shopping poll finds that 44 percent of Americans will do all of their shopping at actual stores this holiday season. And that could make a traditional holiday headache?finding a parking spot at the local mall...

Source: http://news.consumerreports.org/money/2011/11/10-tips-to-survive-black-friday-parking.html

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