Japanese Car News

[Pericles]

It should've been named Joke, not Juke!

Hey! I happen to be a big fan of the Juke. Overpriced, but I like it.

[iRage]

The Passo gets a facelift.

Okay, not much to go bonkers about. It is the same old econo-box that is used to be with better lights (for safety as Toyota claims it), slightly improved suspension for a better ride and engine improvement.

Apparently, the 1KR (1 litre vesion) engine along with the gasoline engine of the Lexus NX are the first to use Toyota's new loss reduction technology engines . The new engine technology is going to be introduced in to 15 models by 2015 and then progressively be introduced in the rest of the line up (so Toyota hints that it is not going to stick Hybrids in EVERYTHING like some fantasize about)

(in the same press release Toyota talks about not going the Turbo route like most other manufacturers for cars of this category and the Corolla...hmmm...)

[iRage]

Nissan reveals the next gen Murano. So far only 3.5ltr V6 has been announced (probably because they revealed a US version at the NY Motor show ?)

[Hoonigan]

Probably the same engine as the Maxima.

[iRage]

Toyota revives the LEVIN badge.....

So basically it is the US spec Corolla....not exactly what Levin lovers want to see !!! BLASPHEMY ! $#Q$# !!!! $#)(*$# !!!

[iRage]

Meanwhile in Japan Toyota released the facelifted Vitz

and now it has a VVT-iE engine...and as with the Passo facelift thermal efficiency technology apparently has increased fuel effieciency by 15% (in the 1300cc engine)

Lexus has finally confirmed the drive trains for their baby crossover Lexus-NX. It will come in 2.5 ltr Hybrid (NX300h) and 2.0 ltr Turbo (8AR-FT) variants. The press release states:

"2.0-liter turbo engine

The Lexus-developed direct-injection turbo engine features the world-first2 combination of a cylinder head with an integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold and a twin scroll turbocharger. This combination in addition to other new technologies such as a turbo-specific D-4ST fuel injection technology and continuous variable valve timing with expanded valve opening angles (VVT-iW) realizes both an excellent ride and environmental performance."

<http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/2039119>

[Magnum]

It should've been named Joke, not Juke!

Hey! I happen to be a big fan of the Juke. Overpriced, but I like it.

These 2 posts clearly shows why Nissan calls it a "Hate it or Love it" design

[Jaliya48]

These 2 posts clearly shows why Nissan calls it a "Hate it or Love it" design

LOL! I actually like the rear of the Juke, but overtake it and look at your rear-view mirror....O.o

Edited April 22, 2014 by Jaliya48

[Rumesh88]

To me that Juke in the picture is like Sunny Leone in a mal cheeththa (floral printed cloth, literally) swim suit.

[Hoonigan]

LOL! I actually like the rear of the Juke, but overtake it and look at your rear-view mirror....O.o

Something about those headlights is a huge turn off for me as well. And it's too small for what it is.

[Pericles]

Something about those headlights is a huge turn off for me as well. And it's too small for what it is.

I'll agree on the too small part. It is quite small inside. But I'm not a family man, so not much of an issue for me.

[VVTi]

The Juke is like a AK12 March on some bad supplements and a bad PT.

[Niranjan de Silva]

Well March AK12 has its pros and cons. I own one. Still thinking of going for a hybrid. Apparently one bugger in Japan clocked 300Km/h on a Prius .

[Hoonigan]

I'll agree on the too small part. It is quite small inside. But I'm not a family man, so not much of an issue for me.

But then it defeats the purpose of a crossover IMO. Why go for one if you get the same cabin space and less weight/bulk and better performance with a sedan? But like mentioned earlier, it's a love it or hate it type deal and there's a market for it for sure

[Komisiripala]

I'll take sunny leone in anything! Even a burqa! Hot daaaamn!

And niranjan I see what you did there...

Let's not entice him on to this thread and get it closed as well.

[Davy]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="VVTi" data-cid="260407" data-time="1398168864"><p>

The Juke is like a AK12 March on some bad supplements and a bad PT.</p></blockquote>

ROFL. Come to think of it, this is by far the best definition.

[Pericles]

But then it defeats the purpose of a crossover IMO. Why go for one if you get the same cabin space and less weight/bulk and better performance with a sedan? But like mentioned earlier, it's a love it or hate it type deal and there's a market for it for sure

Suspension and ground clearance, in theory. Need it to handle some rough roads in Nuwara Eliya.

But thats all practical reasons. And right now the pro-con balance is con, mostly thanks to price.

The looks is love/hate all right. Mom hates. I love. It has something. Its not run-of-the-mill and its not boring. Besides, I love all the Z car design cues.

[iRage]

The new Nissan NP300 Navara.

Not much details on the engines yet; only that it will have petrol and diesel variants...

It does look a lot more luxurious than the previous versions (granted the pics would have been from the top of the line model...).

It will supposedly start production in Thailand to be released as a 2015 model (seems to be some uncertainty on this...)

[Gummybr]

The new Nissan NP300 Navara.

Not much details on the engines yet; only that it will have petrol and diesel variants...

It does look a lot more luxurious than the previous versions (granted the pics would have been from the top of the line model...).

It will supposedly start production in Thailand to be released as a 2015 model (seems to be some uncertainty on this...)

Is it me or is it that all the new double cabs from Japan are looking quite similar in styling (Isuzu Rodeo, Mazda BT50, Ford Ranger)? Atleast the exterior.

Oh and I love there video of making tough cabs since 1930s which leads to this.

Edited June 14, 2014 by Gummybr

[iRage]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Gummybr" data-cid="262751" data-time="1402727941"><p>

Is it me or is it that all the new double cabs from Japan are looking quite similar in styling (Isuzu Rodeo, Mazda BT50, Ford Ranger)? Atleast the exterior.<br />

</blockquote>

well the ranger and bt50 are jointly developed and is pretty much the something (well for the most part)....

[iRage]

More pics and details of the 2015 Navara

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/06/all-new-2015-nissan-navara-frontier.html

The more I see it the more softer and plusher it looks...

Edited June 17, 2014 by iRage

[Magnum]

More pics and details of the 2015 Navara

http://www.carscoops.com/2014/06/all-new-2015-nissan-navara-frontier.html

The more I see it the more softer and plusher it looks...

Looks like they dont offer the V6 diesel anymore

[bagUrE]

Honda, Nissan, Mazda recall nearly 3 million vehicles for air bag flaw

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/honda--nissan--mazda-recall-nearly-3-million-vehicles-for-air-bag-flaw-225526844.html

[Gummybr]

Looks like they dont offer the V6 diesel anymore

They didn't have a V6 diesel Magnum, just a V6 Petrol.

[iRage]

First they retire the Evo and yesterday Mitsubishi put out a press release announcing a bunch of updates (winker mirrors, change of blue color, new bumper for EXCEED and Super EXCEED) along with one sentence that, rather casually mind you, says that 2014 will be the last year for the Galant Fortis RALLIART and from 2015 only the standard sedans will be available. Wonder if this means the Lancer EX RALLIART will also disappear (anyone seen/heard anything ?).

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_jp/products/2014/news/detail4795.html