Author Archives for Simon
Toyota FT-1
My experience meeting the Toyota FT-1- Industry News
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I was at the 2016 Osaka Auto Messe last week and saw a car that stopped me in my tracks. The lines of this car and the pure aggression left me mesmerized and speechless.
The car that had this effect on me you ask? The Toyota FT-1 Concept Car.
Imagined by Calty Design Research in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game environment, the FT-1 which stands for ‘Future Toyota” is the ultimate expression of coupe design building upon Toyota’s rich sport coupe heritage going back to the legendary 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and Scion FR-S.
The thing that really jumped out to me when I first laid eyes on this [...]
Mazda at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon
Mazda shows exciting new concepts at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon- Industry News
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On January 15 through 17, 2016, the Tokyo Auto Salon was held at the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba City, Japan. The Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the leading modified and custom car shows in the World. Started in 1983 as a way to promote custom car culture in Japan, auto manufacturers have been known to launch new vehicles at the show.
One vehicle that debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show but was also shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon was the Mazda RX-Vision. The center-piece of Mazda’s stand is a long and sleek coupe with an all-new rotary engine. Does this vehicle hint at a new flagship sports car?
The Mazda RX-Vision
The Mazda RX-Vision carries over the front-engine, rear-drive formula from the RX-7. However, it has a ‘next generation’ rotary engine called the 16X which uses a new rotary technology called SKYACTIVE-R. Mazda says that the new engine addresses the [...]
25-year old cars for the USA
9 Cars worth importing under the 25-year rule in 2016- Industry News
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It is January 2016 and a new assortment of amazing cars that were not ever sold in the United States are now eligible for importation under the Department of Transportation 25-year rule. The 25-year rule states that cars that are more than 25 years old are exempt from EPA and DOT requirements. This means that many great cars that were not previously available for sale in the United States can now be imported and driven legally on American roads. In this post, we will be looking at 9 cars worth importing under the 25-year rule in 2016.
Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo
The B10 BiTurbo (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpina_B10_Biturbo)is a high performance version of the BMW 5 Series E34. Starting in 1989, the B10 BiTurbo was based on the BMW 535i and received several upgrades by Alpina including engine, transmission, and suspension. The Alpina B10 Bi-Turbo was much faster than BMWs own M5.
At the time of its release, it [...]
Flash Bainite for Autos
Flash Bainite could revolutionize the Automotive industry- Industry News
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In the automotive industry, the search is always on for materials that are lighter, cheaper, stronger, and can last longer while maintaining its efficiency. In those terms, Flash Bainite could be revolutionary in what it has to offer.
Flash Bainite – The NumbersIn terms of strength, Flash Bainite is stronger than titanium weight wise. It is also ductile to a point where it can be pressed into shape without cracking. Flash Bainite is a material that is up to 30 to 50 percent lighter and also cheaper than steel.
Strength wise Flash Bainite is capable of providing 7 percent higher specific strength compared to martensitic steel. What this means is that any product that currently uses martensitic steel can be replaced with Flash Bainite and deliver exceptional results while lasting longer.
Initial data recorded by carrying out tests using the Flash Bainite showed that mass production and expenses can be reduced by up to [...]
Honda NSX launch delayed
The launch of the new Honda NSX has been delayed- Industry News
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The launch of the latest 550bhp hybrid Honda NSX has been postponed till 2016. The much awaited supercar features three electrical motors. It was originally supposed to be launched in the market year ending 2015. However, now there is news that the release might be delayed by six months.
The Honda NSX is sold in North America as Acura NSX and is a mid-engine, two-seater sports car by Honda. A company spokesman confirmed the news of the delay and said that it will also have an impact on the NSX in Europe. A change in the layout of the engine during the development phase has been announced as the reason for the delay.
Bulk production in Europe to be affected
The first-generation model of the car made its debut in the year 1989 (Chicago Auto Show) with the [...]
Mazda Roadster The Japanese ‘Car Of The Year’
Mazda Roadster Named The Japanese ‘Car Of The Year’ The latest Mazda Roadster from Mazda Motor Corp has won the title of the Japanese ‘Car of the Year’ for 2015-2016.- Industry News
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Mazda Roadster Named The Japanese ‘Car Of The Year’
The latest Mazda Roadster from Mazda Motor Corp has won the title of the Japanese ‘Car of the Year’ for 2015-2016. The 6th model for the new generation vehicle lineup, Mazda’s new Roadster, features the entire range of KODO-Soul of Motion designing and SkyActiv technology. Mazda Roadster is a lightweight open-top, rear-wheel drive, front engine sports vehicle created for the ultimate driving experience.
The two-seater got a lot of praise from the JAHFA judges for its high-end open-top sporty design as well as the modern SkyActiv technology. The judges also spoke about the extraordinary fuel efficiency and driving performance of the Mazda Roadster, owing to the lightweight frame of the vehicle. Even though the car is light in weight, it has a rigid body.
Successive wins [...]
Toyota to offer two batteries for Prius
Toyota will be offering two battery options for the upcoming Prius- Industry News
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If you’ve been following recent automotive updates, you would have probably heard by now that Toyota is getting ready to launch the all new hybrid Prius. However, this time buyers will get to choose between two battery packs.
The choices include the old-school nickel-metal hydride batteries and the latest lithium ion batteries.
The benefitsYou’re probably wondering what the key difference between the two is. Well, to start off, the lithium ion batteries weigh 35 pounds less and will be available only with the high-end variants of the Prius. It is because the higher end variants already weigh quite a bit due to the increase in mass, as a result of adding extra features. To make up for the weight gain and also, to improve fuel efficiency, Toyota has decided to use lithium ion batteries [...]
1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2
1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 in original immaculate condition- Not categorized
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I was out at a Porsche dealer showroom last week and he had this Ferrari in the back warehouse. It’s a customer’s on consignment for sale. Please contact us if you have a serious interest.
1973 Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, V12, 5 speed manual. It is indeed in immaculate and original condition and he has the original Ferrari warranty booklet from 1973. The Porsche dealer said he thinks the owner spent a bit of money on the engine after he bought it and certainly the pics show it to be in top notch condition. Despite not been started for a few months it did start and run with a bit of choke and when we started it again later to move it back into it’s place it started first time. The gearbox seems good, slips into gear nicely, reversed no problem. We have some video of the engine running should anyone be interested.
[...]Honda at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
Honda has taken center stage at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show with six world premieres- Industry News
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Honda has taken center stage at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show with six world premieres out of the 42 world debuts in the year’s hottest motor spectacle. To go along with the six world premieres, Honda also got the Japan debut done for Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V, NSX and the 6-speed manual transmission Civic Type R.
What caught the fancy of motor enthusiasts was the Honda Wander Stand Concept that can have two adults ride beside each other revolutionizing the way we will be driving in the near future. With the use of Omni Traction Drive System, narrow roads will be easy to maneuver. This is the better version and perhaps the beta version of future smart cars.
The NSX showed off Honda’s tireless pursuit in chasing and offering car lovers immense driving satisfaction. Boasting a V6 twin turbo engine, a 9-speed Dual-clutch [...]