The wait is finally over! After long and drawn out wait, it has been officially confirmed: both the Toyota FT-86 and the Subaru BRZ will make their highly-anticipated world debuts at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. Both models will be displayed in final production form, although its best to point out that according to Toyota officials, the production version of the FT-86 won’t have anything in common with the concepts seen before.
Both models will be powered by a Subaru-derived flat-four engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. For the FT-86, Toyota has confirmed a total output of 200 HP, while output for the BRZ will be kept "under 300 HP." The two models will be almost identical, with subtle and individual changes being made to the wheel designs and to the front grille.
As for the Subaru version, a few things have also been confirmed: it won’t get a turbocharged or an all-wheel-drive version. Convertible versions has also been denied.
Both models will go on sale in mid-2012, with priced for Toyota model to start from about $20,000 and for Subaru from $25,000.
That seemingly souped up Lexus LS that has been spotted lapping the Nurburgring these past few weeks now has a name, as well as some juicy details, thanks to a spied spec sheet. The Lexus LS-F has now been christened the TMG Edition, giving props to the company’s motorsports division, Toyota Motorsport GmbH. It’s hyped up engine and scorching numbers will come to fruition when the vehicle debuts at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show in December.
According to the spied spec sheet, the Lexus LS-F TMG Edition will be powered by 5.0 L engine - quite possibly a higher displacement version of the LF-A’s V10 or a turbocharged version of the IS-F’s 5.0L V8. Whatever the engine, the LS-F will be pumping out 478 kW (650 PS, 641 HP) and 710 Nm of torque (523 lb-ft). Performance numbers are also listed as a 0-62 mph sprint of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).
So why an F version for the Lexus LS? Well, Lexus has been making some aggressive moves towards targeting the sportier models of its main competitors, competitors that have long mastered the combination of luxury and extreme performance - AKA BMW. This new Lexus LS-F TMG Edition looks like it could be a welcome player in the game.
UPDATE 09/22/2011: We were able to catch the new LS-F TMG Edition taking a few test laps! Check out the video by clicking on the image above.
Hit the jump to check out the full spied spec sheet.
Ever since it was revealed a few years ago, the Lexus LF-A has failed to gain the traction similar to some of its European contemporaries. Lexus looks to be aware of that conundrum and is set to do something about it with the upcoming release of a second special edition model of the Japanese supercar.
Following in the trail set by the LF-A Nurburgring Edition, Lexus may soon give birth to another special edition LF-A called the ’Tokyo Edition’. According to CAR Magazine, this particular LF-A will carry some unique features, including an unpainted carbon roof and a specially designed rear spoiler, among other things.
Everything will more than likely stay the same in terms of power, so expect the 4.8 liter V10 to deliver 560 HP at 9,000 RPM and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 RPM. This would mean a 0-60 mph sprint of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.
The Lexus LF-A Tokyo Edition is being prepared to make its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the latter part of the year. Once it hits the market, word has it that it will carry a price tag of about $430,000, over $50,000 more than the standard LF-A.
Further details are expected to be revealed leading up to the Tokyo Motor Show, which is scheduled to take place in December 2011.
Note: Photo is of the 2012 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Package
The FT-86, in either Toyota or Subaru forms needs no presentation. Everyone knows how this car will look like and for sure we won’t get any surprises from either of the two companies. And we will finally see the production version of the car. Both Toyota and Subaru will bring the production version of their sports car in December at the Tokyo Auto Show. The model will go on sale in 2012 and the Toyota version will be sold as a Scion FR-S on the US market.
While Toyota offered us all the design glimpse you might have needed with the launch of three different concept cars, Subaru has only revealed a a transparent concept detailing the car’s boxer engine, rear-drive architecture and suspension. And if you were hoping to see an all-wheel-drive version from Subaru, we have to bring you a sad news: Japanese sources familiar with the program say there are no plans for an AWD version.
On the other hand, a good news reveals plans for a convertible version and even a compact sedan to target the BMW 1-Series.
BMW will be taking a step further into the future with the unveiling of a new lightweight M concept car at this year’s Tokyo Auto Show. While there are still no official details on it, the first rumors suggest that the car will be "an engineering concept that will show the possibilities of how BMW M can progress in relation to a full lightweight concept in bodyshell and chassis in the future."
As most concepts go, this will just be an idea set out to get fans of BMW thinking of their options for the future and no more a production vehicle than the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept will ever be. Showing that futuristic edge will be an intense use of materials like aluminum, magnesium, thermo-plastic, and carbon fiber in key areas and a promise of great performance. It is believed that the concept will be something similar to the 2008 1-Series tii or even the M3 GTS-R. The M3 GTS-R was rumored to be a production mode, so maybe this will be a second concept for the same vehicle since that’s been quite a trend this year - here’s looking at you Toyota and Lotus.
Japanese tuning firm, Veilside, is no stranger to building new auto projects using their Japanese counterparts as their base model. This time around, the aftermarket company headed over to the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon to present their latest masterpiece, the 4509 GTR Supra.
Based on the fourth generation Toyota Supra that dominated the streets of the world back in the 90’s, the 4509 GTR certainly looks noting like its predecessor. The credit, for better or worse, certainly goes to Veilside for the sick as a high fever styling upgrades.
Though its not a completely original piece of work – we found a few traces on the car that makes it resemble a few of its European contemporaries – Veilside’s work on the Supra is nothing short of detail-oriented. And on top of the aesthetic improvements, Veilside also gave quite a performance package to boost up the monster under its hood. In the world of aftermarket lore, that’s about as good as you can get for a mid 90’s Toyota Supra, proving that no cars are too old for a quality modification.
Details on the Toyota Supra 4509 GTR by Veilside after the jump.
The second customized Lexus IS-F coming out of the Tokyo Auto Salon comes from TRD (Toyota Racing Department). Called the IS-F Club Performance Accessory, this new package gives the most powerful member of the IS family an even bolder appearance.
For the exterior, TRD added a carbon hood, front and rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser. TRD then went inside the car and gave it a carbon switch panel base, paddle shift, sports seats covered in orange leather, and a carbon engine cover.
Finally, to deliver an even more impressive driving experience, the Club Performance Accessory gets sports suspension and brakes, a titanium exhaust, magnesium forged wheels, and a mechanical LSD. There were no modifications done under the hood, but the IS-F is already powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine rated at 416 HP at 6,600 rpm and 371 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 5,200 rpm so who needs more than that, right?
One of the most impressive vehicles displayed at the Tokyo Auto Salon was the Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sports Racer (CCS-R), and if anyone thinks it looks a bit familiar then they would be right. Seen as a concept at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, the CCS-R is making its comeback in a more production ready form.
The Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sports Racer upgrades the standard sports car by changing all of its major components like the exterior, interior, and engine. It has been given the full on carbon fiber treatment and has also received a power boost to boot! Since no racer is complete without an additional racing overhaul, Lexus has made sure that the IS-F received all of the necessary components to keep the vehicle safely on the track, including a unique frame-less construction roll cage.
All in all, this version of the Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sports Racer hasn’t changed all that much from the concept that was shown last year, but we still can’t help but ogle it just as we did last year.
More details on the Lexus IS-F CCS-R after the jump.
The 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon is just around the corner and and we are just twitching with excitement for the vehicles being displayed at the event, especially the new Nissan GT-R. We already know that Axell Auto is tuning up the star of the show with their own little package, but now we hear that Nissan and Nismo have joined together to bring a customized GT-R sports coupe specially developed for circuit driving to Tokyo as well. This new model is going to be called the Nissan NISMO GT-R RC and will be able to compete in various production races held around the world. Sweet!
The NISMO GT-R RC is based on the Nissan GT-R and features a slick tire-compatible suspension, lightweight components, and special safety equipment and devices. Among the safety equipment added is an FIA-approved welded roll cage, a 120-liter ATL safety fuel tank, and air jacks.
Rolling into the 2011 Toyko Motor Show is an Infiniti luxury sedan that will surely create quite a stir. This is no ordinary Infiniti M. This vehicle has been done over by Japanese tuner, Impul, to create the new Impul 651S, a vehicle that boasts of an impressive aerodynamic package and some engine updates for the 37 and M25 versions.
Some of the changes are not overly obvious, but the result transforms this vehicle from an ordinary people pusher to a mean and low transporter. After all, that is usually the goal for these types of vehicles; transforming the ordinary to the aggressive and stylish.
The exterior package includes a new front bumper, front grille, side skirts, rear bumper, rear wing, and sports ducts to get that low, rough look. The car now sits on AURA SX-20 wheels and a new set of coil over springs. Bringing the gruff sound out of the engine is the new stainless steel exhaust system.
The EXTRA POWER KIT does exactly what it says it does; give the car some extra bang and responsiveness. The device consists of an IMPUL Hi Power Control Unit and big throttle valves. Needless to say, using premium gasoline for the EXTRA POWER KIT can bring out more power. Don’t worry if your Infiniti has already been equipped with an IMPUL Hi Power Control Unit, you can still boost the performance by adding the throttle valves.
