[Video] Lexus LFA Officially Unveiled in Tokyo

Following years of speculation, some extensive spy material and several leaks, Lexus has finally unveiled its very first supercar. A prototype of the two-seat LFA is now on display at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Official details reveal some stunning figures which give meat to recent videos. The sound heard on that video is partly because of equal-length exhaust manifolds mated to an equal-length dual exhaust system and routed through a multistage titanium main muffler. The LFA is indeed powered by a naturally aspirated V10 displacing 4.8 litre (4,805cc). Thanks to its aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy and titanium alloy construction it is actually lighter than a normal V8 engine.

Maximum power is an assuring 412kW (560hp) made at a screaming 8,700rpm while peak torque is 480Nm at 6,800rpm. Ninety percent of torque is available between 3,700rpm and 9,000rpm. It all goes to the rear wheels via a 6-speed ASG transmission featuring heavy-duty synchronizer rings and a newly developed gearshift actuator. A 0-100km/h time of 3.7 seconds is claimed while top speed is 325km/h (202mph).

The relatively low weight of 1480kg (3,263 lbs) was achieved through measures such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) cabin, said to be 100kg lighter than an equivalent aluminium one. Total vehicle length is 4.51m, width is 1.90m and height is a midget-sized 1.22m. It features a double wishbone front suspension and a multilink system at the rear. Brakes are carbon ceramic material to make stops as quickly as possible. The LFA gets 265/35ZR20 (95Y) front tyres and 305/30ZR20 (99Y) types at the back.

Aerodynamic elements include a flat underbody, a rear diffuser and a speed-controlled rear wing. The interior can be custom-tailored to suit buyers' needs while showing off a very high-tech instrumentation design.

Only 500 units will be sold worldwide between the start of production in December 2010 and when it ends in December 2012. A more race-focused model will be introduced in 2011. Suggested minimum prices are US$375,000 (€250,720). Prices in Japan will be ¥37.5 million a unit.

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2009 Honda Step WGN

Honda Japan has begun selling the all-new fourth-generation Step WGN and the Step WGN special-needs vehicle. Their siblings the Step WGN Spada and Step WGN Spada special-needs vehicle will debut on October 23. Although most probable, Honda makes no mention of the Step WGN appearing at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Step WGN is a multi-purpose vehicle with a flat low-floor and low centre of gravity. It will swallow up to eight passengers but still offer plenty of utility options. Length and height have been increased by 50mm and 45mm respectively for more room. Under-floor storage for third-row seats has been included alongside a whole array of other storage options. Some of the seats can be folded and flipped up to suit whatever occasion.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine said to make the Step WGN a class leader in fuel consumption figures. An average of 14.2 litres per 100km is returned under Japanese test specifications. Its mate can either be a CVT or a 5-speed automatic depending on the customer's needs. Both FWD and AWD are offered for the several models and packages.
Honda has designed it to be attractive with a sculpted front grille, large headlights and a roof that appears to slope rearward. The interior features things like 3D self-illuminated gauges for convenience.

Prices start at ¥2,088,000 (€15,897/ US$24,400) including consumption tax

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Honda Accord Interior Images for Controversial Crosstour Released

More photos and details on the upcoming Honda Accord Crosstour have been released, this time with images of the interior cabin.
Following a largely negative reaction to the Crosstour's design by car enthusiasts and critics alike, who have plainly called it ugly, Honda is trying to mitigate the damage by promoting the practicality of the vehicle. It refers to the Crosstour's design as a "sleek and aerodynamic shape that blends sporty, low-profile contours with versatile [crossover] functionality." But it's consumers who will have the ultimate say about its looks and what their judgement will be remains to be seen.

The Crosstour is the crossover variant of the Honda Accord and features a spacious cabin that seat 5 and also comes with what Honda calls a Hidden Removable Utility Box in the trunk - a storage box that fits 8-inches into the floor of the vehicle.
Powering the range-topping Accord variant will be Honda's 3.5 liter i-VTEC V-6 engine. The Crosstour will also be available as an all-wheel drive.

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Premier4509 Lamborghini LP640 SV design rendering

Japan-based tuners Premier4509 have introduced a new body part for Lamborghini owners. The Lamborghini LP640 SV front bumper is so "influenced" by that found on the LP670-4 SV, that it practically looks like a "replica".The two bumpers can easily be distinguished from one another, mainly at the nose. Premier4509's nose is squared off at the front, while the Lamborghini-produced bumper for the LP670 is cleaner and rounder. Both have a carbon fiber spoiler, but the tuner-version appears to stick out a bit further. The original front fascia on the LP640 includes a body colored front spoiler and panel separating the two intakes. The LP640 SV bumper can also be made to attach cleanly to the Murcielago. Premier4509 is still working on a rear bumper, which will be sold with the front bumper as a set. Only 300 units of the two parts will be produced.Premier4509 has offices in California, in addition to their Tskuba, Japan, headquarters. The company has also designed packages for Aston Martin, Bentley, and Ferrari vehicles, in addition to the Gallardo and Murcielago.

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New Suzuki Alto Concept Points to Production Model

Strangely enough, and even though the latest generation Suzuki Alto, which is also marketed in some regions including Europe as the Nissan Pixo with a different nose job, was introduced only last year at the 2008 Paris show, the Japanese firm has announced that it will display a near-production concept model of the next generation Alto at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show in late October.
The only reasonable explanation (since Suzuki did not bother to clear things up for us in its press release...) is that the production model of the "concept Alto" is destined for markets other than the ones that the current Alto is offered including of course Japan.

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Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line

For most enthusiasts, all-interest in the new Impreza WRX STI A-Line Carbon that will premiere at the Tokyo Show is probably lost upon reading the words "5-speed auto" but apparently Subaru figures that there's a crowd out there that's interested in a high-performance sport hatch with an automatic transmission. Bizarrely, the Legacy-sourced auto box in this model is combined with a carbon fiber roof that Subaru says helps reduce weight and lower the center of gravity for improved handling and performance. The two together don't make much sense, but whatev.
In addition, the special edition model's interior has been dressed in a suede fabric that covers most parts of the cabin including the dashboard top and the Recaro bucket seats.
The new Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line Carbon is scheduled to go on sale in the Japanese market sometime after the show.

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Honda CR-V facelift unveiled in Japan

Though we’ve already seen the new CR-V in full after the European and US offices released details and pix of the car earlier, our CR-V is very likely to have more in common with the Japanese version (for the real deal, gotta look at the ASEAN market versions) rather than the Euro or US cars.

The shots I found of the Japanese facelifted CR-V shows certain models with wood interiors – I must say it gives the SUV a completely different look and feel on the inside even though the basic design and shapes are just the same.

Look after the jump for galleries of the Japanese facelifted CR-V and the previously published album of the US version. Aren’t you glad we don’t get the outdated-looking USDM amber turn signals instead of our modern transparent signal indicators? Apparently the US DOT requires amber coloured reflectors at the front but somehow have no qualms about having red turn signals at the rear.

I’ve seen cars in the US where the manufacturer had to add an ugly orange sticker onto the body near the headlamps because they didn’t want to produce a different amber lense design, probably for cost cutting purposes.

GALLERY: Honda CR-V Facelift Japan Debut

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