RUMOR OF THE DAY: AE86 to make a come back?
Just like the undying rumor of a Honda CRX return every couple seasons, the Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno/AE86 has a similar cycle. This time coming from the Japanese magazine, Best Car. The "AE86" is slated for a Winter 2008 debut. Boasting a 120hp engine and under 2200lb weight, this car is set to be an affordable lightweight compact RWD car - the likes of what we haven't seen since the Miata debuted. Interesting note from the article is that the car would sport a RWD system from Heavy Fuji Industries a.k.a. Subaru. Anyone else see the Scion Fuse in the sketch? Hmmmm, I think I'll believe this when I see the car in showrooms. It's only a year away...
[Source: Best Car via Autoblog]
Where’d My Weekend Go?
Dang, it's already Sunday? Another weekend has come and gone and I'm barely getting into it. That's all good though since today is Sunday, the day of SpoCom. If you have nothing else to do this Sunday maybe you should check it out too. Not quite sure what it's all about since it's the inaugural event, but if it's like any other car show that has come across the Southland, then it shouldn't disappoint much. The biggest difference is the interaction with the top manufacturers of the industry, which is kind of neat. As a friend put it, "...the SEMA of California." Uhhh big words to live up to, we'll see how great it is.
Victorious Boxer a.k.a. Hajime no Ippo
The news came out a couple weeks ago on GoNintendo, and I remember seeing a video demonstration from E3 where the developer said they were working on the US version...but anyhow, Nintendo Power has confirmed that Victorious Boxer will be making it to US Wiis this coming fall. HOORAY!!! For all you Hajime no Ippo fans this is prolly the most definitive game out of all the ones that came out on the PS2. Get ready to pick up your remote and nunchuck and take Ippo to the Championships!!! This one I'm really excited about and a bit happy relieved that you can use the classic controller, instead of motion sensitive moves, to play the game.
Why Honda Hates the USA
So here is the Honda Civic Mugen Si Sedan:
The standard Si Sedan pumps out an impressive 197hp, while this Mugen Si Sedan is pumping out a whopping 197hp thanks to that sports tuned exhaust. You read that right, no power increase. Other than that, you get a bunch of tacked on body kit pieces and a nice little number plate to let you know that you're Si Sedan is special. I guess you can't forget the upgraded suspension parts, the wheels are pretty nice, which offer a better handling car than the Si. Not the greatest package, but even this diehard Honda-head will not line up for the car when it is released later on this year. The car I would line up for is this:
This is the Mugen Civic RR, which will go on sale in Japan on Sept. 13th. Mugen tacked on about 15hp on top of the base Civic Type R's 225hp to push out 240hp. The car is also 22 pounds lighter thanks to the carbon fiber hood, spoiler, bumper. Add an upgraded exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and recaro racing seats and what we have here is a nice little pocket rocket that is $10,000 more than the Mugen Si Sedan. Even with a bump in price, this is a car I would rather spend money on than what Honda of America came up with for a Mugen package.
Why oh why is Honda of America cashing in on the Mugen name? Just when you think they finally get the American enthusiasts, they go after the American riceboy. Honda, next time you slap the Mugen name on the car it better deliver cause this Si sedan is a let down to many of your supporters.
Honda History: S600
If you have nothing else to do while waiting around for today's SpoCom, maybe take a little read about the Honda S600, an inspiration for many Honda vehicles, most notablly, my beloved S2000. =) Click here for the article.
[Source: Motortrend via GrandJDM]
TAKE THE RED PILL!!!
This is the Toyota Blade, introduced in Japan as a bit more upscale Auris with more creature comfort features and a powerful engine. Well Toyota just upped the antee by throwing in a 3.5L V6 in the thing and calling it the "Blade Master." Yup, you heard me right...a freakin' V6 putting out about 280hp to the ground through the front-wheels. Kind of awesome I guess - not quite the looker but hey enough power to get you around and then some.
That's all nice and dandy, but why would that peak the interest of us Yanks? Well, consider the fact that Toyota has made it known a version of the Auris will debut in America in 2009, which will replace our beloved Matrix, which at one point was making waves in the aftermarket world...for like 5 minutes. This Matrix replacement's name? Blade. So there could be the possibility of getting a high-end model with a V6...or if anything, at least we know we could swap a 3.5L V6 in there.
[Source: NihonCar]
MTV’s Sunday Nite Punch!!!
So MTV's final season of "Pimp My Ride" is finally upon us. Do not fret though, as "Trick It Out," will more than feed that aftermarket modding need of yours. Judged by none other than RJ DeVera, two teams will compete to "trick out" a ride for bragging rights. Hmmm, this sounds like fun...LA will be filled with 2x the amount of overly stylized cars that belong nowhere near a street. And seriously, I could really do without the scripted, yet badly acted, dialogue between everyone - especially Pimp My Ride and any dating show produced on MTV.
Ehhhh...someone give me the play by play cause I think I'll spend my Sunday nights doing something else. Hit the split to read the presser direct from MTV!
Toyota Hybrid, FTW
A four-wheel energy regeneration and drive system has been adopted which includes in-wheel motors in the front wheels in addition to one 150 kW rear-axle mounted electric motor. Thanks to this energy regeneration system with three motors/generators, the vehicle can more efficiently recover a greater amount of energy during rapid deceleration and braking from high speeds.