The 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon will begin right after the Detroit Auto Show in January and many automakers are releasing all kinds of information on their lineup for the show floor in Japan. For example, Mazda will be bringing plenty of specially customized MX-5 models, including the MX-5 NR-A Jinba Ittai and the MX-5 Black Tuned edition.
The Black Tuned Edition is based on the special edition MX-5 Sport Black model announced earlier this year, but going on sale in the spring of 2012. The model adopts black-based special features for both the interior and exterior, and offers a full range of exclusive specifications including BBS lightweight alloy wheels, Bilstein height adjustable dampers, a Brembo brake system (painted in gold for the front), and Recaro seats.
The list of standard equipment for the Mazda MX-5 Black Tuned Edition includes climate control air-conditioning, a premium Bose audio system, an integrated hands-free Bluetooth system, cruise control, and front fog lights.
Nissan has announced the special edition X-Trail Platinum for the British market. It will be limited to only 200 units and will be priced at £29,180 ($45,700 at the current exchange rates) for the manual and £30,560 ($47,900) for the automatic version. The car is now available for orders.
The new X-Trail Platinum Edition will be distinguished by protection and style for both front and rear, with the fitment of additional protection plates located below the bumpers. The SUV has also received numerous chrome protections on the side steps and the door protection mouldings.
For the interior, Nissan is offering leather upholstery and electrically-adjustable and heated front seats. Of course, the list of standard technologies has also been enriched; the models get a sophisticated new touch screen communication unit features satellite navigation, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, and a reversing camera, with the image transmitted onto a small screen incorporated into the rear view mirror.
The Nissan X-Trail Platinum Edition can be ordered with a 2.0dCi diesel engine and a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions.
It didn’t take long for the Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro to be transitioned into an actual production vehicle, did it?
Give some thanks to Audi because they’re about to release the Audi A1 Quattro, a special edition model that takes the A1’s already impressive looks and turns them into a design masterpiece.
Not only does the A1 Quattro look stunning - special props to the red handlebar ’wing’ lights - but it’s also got some serious ponies under its hood. It’s not in the level of what the 500-horsepower A1 Clubsport was capable of, but it certainly packs a meaner punch than a lot of factory-built A1 models out on the market these days.
Creative and evocative design matched to an impressive 2.0-liter TFSI powertrain and the use of Audi’s very own quattro all-wheel drive has turned the Audi A1 Quattro into a serious must-have. The only downside is that Audi will be limiting the release of the car to just 333 units with prices still to be announced. But we like it so much that even if we don’t know how much it’s going to cost, we’ll be saving up for a chance to get a piece of this super duper hot hatch.
Find out more about the Audi A1 Quattro after the jump
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Mazda is going full force at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, presenting a grand total of 10 vehicles at their home auto show. We’re not surprised that one of the vehicles they’re bringing to Tokyo is yet another special edition model of their iconic MX-5 Miata line.
Called the MX-5 NR-A ’Jinbai-Ittai’ - translate, Jinbai-Ittai means "horse and rider becoming one" - this special race-spec Miata is a lightweight, two-seater, open-top sports car that has been finished with unique exterior graphics to go with a grocery list of new equipment, including TAKAT four-point seat belts, new Bilstein dampers, Endless brake pads, and a new set of 16" alloy wheels from ENKEI that have been wrapped in Bridgestone tires.
Mazda has been tight-lipped on all the other modifications and enhancements given to the MX-5 NR-A ’Jimba Ittai’. Nevertheless, you can expect more details about this special edition, race-spec Miata to be released leading up to the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon before the event opens its doors this coming January.
Art Basel is considered the most prestigious art show in the country and with all the art cars we’ve been seeing around lately, it’s almost certain that we’d see one in the event.
Lo and behold, we did. And dear Lord, does it look awesome.
The art car, a 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster, was worked on by Champion Porsche in collaboration with world famous artist Miguel Paredes. The latter, born and raised in New York’s Upper West Side, is an urban realist that specializes in New York graffiti art.
Putting his skills to good use, Paredes designed a psychedelic Japanese-inspired visage on the 911 Speedster, replete with colorful tones, a geisha on the hood, and lots and lots of flowers. Flower power, indeed!
The Art Basel show brought together more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, showcasing more than 2,000 works from artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. While we can appreciate a good piece of art when we see one, the undoubted highlight of the art show was this impeccably crafted Porsche 911 Speedster art car.
To those that don’t know, the 911 Speedster is a limited edition 911 - only 356 have been made - that’s powered by a 3.8-liter flat six engine, producing an impressive 408 horsepower.
Now we know that model no.176 of the 356 models is the most colorful of the bunch.
