Articles from ImportJap.com - Japanese car news, reviews, rants

The New Nissan Silvia?
2007-12-08 02:34:36
Well we’re back after an unexpected departure time, in time no less for news of a new Silvia. Will Nissan deliver a coupe, with huge tuning potential to the masses? Apparently yes. There’s a wait, with both the CEO of Nissan Carlos Ghosn and Nissan’s COO Toshiyuki Shiga, claiming a 2010 release with a price in the region 2,000,000~2,500,000 JPY. Not much else is known, past it might have a Renault engine (Please, please, God no.), will be based on a modified Z platform, and will be an FR Sports Coupe Right, it’s soapbox time. In relation to the artists impression above (We coloured it orange) -if this is what we’ve got to look forward to, then we have to say an emphatic “GTFO” to the Nissan/Renault stylists. The Silvia evokes memories of a light, capable, highly tunable and emotive, working man’s sports car. It can not be a rehash on the 350z, or staid G35 styling direction, themselves different cars in their own right. The Silvia nee ...

Nissan GT-R GT500!
2007-10-30 06:57:36
We keep hearing about the GT-R’s return to racing, but now the covers are off. Nihoncar have just posted fantastic pics of the new GT-R GT500 in a return to championship racing at Suzuka! Check it out right now! [Source: Nihoncar via Nissan] ...

Video: Nissan GT-R Does Nurburgring in 7:38!
2007-10-25 09:40:43
A crawl of the blogosphere brings this awesome video of the Nissan GT-R doing the Nurburgring in just 7:38, 2 seconds ahead of it’s 380KW German rival, the Porsche 911 Turbo. What a week it’s been for the new GT-R! What’s also cool about this, is theres an inside view! Check it out below. And while you’re doing so, compare that lap time to these: 7:38 - Nissan GT-R, 480PS/1720kg, 26,600 Meter Timging September 2007 7:40 - Porsche 997 Turbo 480PS/1565 kg Walter Röhrl 7:40 - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 626PS/1768 kg Klaus Ludwig (AutoBild 07/04) 7:40 - Bugatti Veyron 16/4, 1001PS/1888 kg (Wheels magazine Australia, 12/05) 7:41 - Manthey Porsche GT3 M410, 413 PS/1320 kg (160.868 km/h), Lucas Luhr (Autobild 07/04) 7:42 - Porsche 997 GT3, 415 PS/1440 kg, Walter Röhrl (Automobil 05/06) 7.42 - Corvette Z06 (Jan Magnussen)[2] 7:42 - Ford GT, 550 PS/1521 kg (as indicated by Octane magazine, 11/05) (news release, pictures) 7:43 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine ...

Nissan GT-R is Coming to Australia!
2007-10-24 09:34:48
Yes, for the first time, the Nissan GT-R will be sold directly into Australia! As confirmed on CarAdvice, Nissan Australia’s boss Shinya Hannya has said that all strings will be pulled to get the GT-R downunder before 2009 (We certainly hope so, but we’re looking for more like 2008, Mr Hannya!). No other information on localised specifications (if any are in the works) are currently available. (more…) ...

Tokyo Motorshow: Nissan GT-R
2007-10-24 09:17:59
The new Nissan GT-R’s finally landed at Tokyo! Here’s a run down of some final specifications: VR38VETT (3.8L Twin Turbo) dumping out 353KW (473HP, 480PS) and 588 Nm (433 lb-ft) 6 speed, Borg Warner six-plate dual-clutch transmission On sale December 6 2007 in Japan Brembo 6-piston brakes in front, 4-piston in rear Bilstein (DampTronic) suspension Black Edition is listed as 4WD - expected, and now confirmed. But perhaps the most amazing thing isn’t the release of this amazing new car, perhaps it’s a little tidbit given almost as an aside over at Autoblog. They claim “Mr. Ghosn committed to Nissan fielding GT-Rs in next year’s Super GT Championship” ! The GT-R is coming back to motorsports proper, and this means the Godzilla is well and truly back in the game. Also: Don’t forget to view Autoblog’s pics of the GT-R LIVE at Tokyo! Original Press Release: (mor ...

2008 Nissan GT-R Pictures Released!
2007-10-17 09:21:13
Just damn sexy, the Nissan GT-R Finally, after the heartache, tears, and edge of the seat anticipation, the Nissan GT-R pictures have hit the blogosphere like nothing else. Feast your eyes on Nissan’s latest foray into the Supercar market. Sporting the all new 3.8L twin turbo VR38VETT powerhouse, the new GT-R will whisk you from 0-100 in 3.5s or less, and do the quarter in a very healthy 11.7seconds. The Corvette and 911 now have some serious competition from Japan; and who knows what the Japanese tuning houses, or just enthusiasts, will extract from the new GT-R? But enough. There’s one reason you’re here. Enjoy and know happiness as only the GT-R can deliver. The 2008 Nissan GT-R ...

Video: 240z Ad with John Morton
2007-10-14 07:49:07
One of the greatest drivers ever, John Morton, advertises the Datsun 240z, a very potent car for it’s time. ...

Rumors: 2009 Acura TSX Type-S?
2007-10-12 22:47:23
According to LeftLane and the Acura TSX Community, there’s some speculation as to wether Acura is going to offer the TSX in a Type-S guise. Known as the Honda Accord in other markets, the TSX is a highly polished, front-wheel-driven, mid-size sedan powered by an i-VTEC 2.4L DOHC 4cylinder motor. The new 2009 model is expected to develop between 220-230HP, but rumours are abound of a new TSX Type-S producing anywhere from 260HP from a turbocharged i-VTEC motor. Coupled with Honda’s SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) and the possibility of a DSG gearbox or 6 speed, this could be a serious bit of kit. We’re taking this with a grain of salt. The Acura/Honda’s i-VTEC 4cyl is a considerably advanced peice of motor, and is known for technical wizardry in terms of it’s management system. Honda hasn’t produced a turbocharged car in quite some time, at least one with a wide adoption rate, let alone on a mainstream, popular model. Coupled with V-TEC techno ...

Video: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X Debut Video
2007-10-12 08:48:47
‘Nuff said. Perhaps the hottest EVO ever produced by Mitsubishi: [Source: RocketPunchAutoBlog] ...

New CR-X? The New Honda CR-Z Concept
2007-10-11 09:12:10
It looks like we can expect a new CR-X coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show. In fact, Winding Road says we can go the unusual step of saying this car will see production! Featuring a svelte, almost Volvo-esque front, curves that seem to evolve from the old CR-X, neat dual exhausts and 19’s, the possibly hybrid CR-Z would make a welcome addition to Honda’s line up. What do we want to see in this? 1.8L VTEC, or just the MUGEN RR’s powerplant RWD or if we’re really talking fantasy, AWD 6 speed manual 1100kg’s or less ...

Top 10 Toyota Supra Videos!
2007-10-10 07:02:29
We love the Toyota Supra, particularly the MKIV’s awesome curves and potent 2JZ-GTE forged twin turbocharged inline 6 cylinder. So we’d thought we’d celebrate by rounding up our top 10 favourite online videos of the Mark IV Supra in all it’s glorious RWD action. Turbo Dreams Video (more…) ...

2008 JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STi Pics!
2007-10-10 06:29:06
Finally, the 08 STi pics have been revealed by Subaru, and while we will always miss the STi of yesteryear, this new STi looks the goods. As we expected, it’s definitely more muscular and aggressive looking than the woeful base WRX. Still, the looks of the new Impreza take a lot of getting used to. Other features expected include: Dual AVCS DOHC 2.0L (1994cc) 16 valve Boxer Twin-scroll turbocharger 6-speed manual. Multi-mode, SI-DRIVE Drivers Control Center Differential (DCCD Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) Quad exhaust [Source: Autoblog] ...

IS-F Already on Sale in Japan!
2007-10-05 10:16:56
Well we couldn’t quite believe our eyes when we heard the IS-F is already up for sale over in Japan, despite not being available till Feb 2008 over in the States (and who knows when in Australia), and despite being rumored for release in Japan in December! The Ultra Hot Lexus L-FA Classically Lexus evokes images of stately, extremely well appointed saloons and sedans aimed at a market with plenty of cash and years. Lexus seems to be changing that by savagely reworking the IS250’s platform for, well, brutal speed. The IS-F now runs a very impressive direct-injected quad cam 5.0L V8 producing a colossal 311kW or 417HP, with a very healthy 372 lb-ft of torque, all harnessed with a claimed world first eight-speed direct sport shift transmission. Enough to power the (suprisingly heavy) 1693kg (3726 lb) sports sedan from 0-60 in about 4.9 seconds. The car goes on sale in Japan at a price of around 7.66 million yen. View more on our Squidoo Lens. [Source: Winding Road] ...

More on the Suzuki X-HEAD
2007-10-05 09:45:17
We don’t know what it is about this pick-up/truck/car/rescue-vehicle/lime chariot but we love it. Here’s some more cool pictures of the X-Head, expected at Tokyo Motor Show this year. [Source: Autoblog] ...

Nissan V36 Skyline Released!
2007-10-05 08:58:19
While we were having technical difficulties this week, Nissan released the V36 Skyline Coupe! Unfortunately, it’s not turbo, perhaps fully marking the severance between the Skyline and now standalone GT-R - a now completely different vehicle. Here’s the low down for those of you that hate reading a heap, but feel free to head over to the official release at Nissan: Engine VQ37VHR 3.7L V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) Power: 333HP Red-line at 7500RPM Models/Trim 370GT Type SP 370GT Type S 370GT Type P 370GT Drivetrain/Transmission/Suspension/Brakes Rear wheel drive 5 speed auto, 5 speed auto with paddle shift, and close ratio6 speed manual. Auto features ASC(adaptive shift control) Double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension Standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD) Brake Assist (BA) Intelligent Brake Assist (option) Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Speed-sensitive hydraulic power steering ...

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