Japanese Car News

[Dee Jay]

1 hour ago, GK_007 said:

Already a new Civic? The current gen still seems hot out of oven.

The 10th generation was launched in 2016 and the mid cycle face lift is also out now; so by 2021 it would be 5 years old in the market.. The new one (11th generation)  would be launched in 2022 as I read..

 

3 hours ago, iRage said:

I don't know...the back looks very Corolla/Audi/Giulia-ish though ?

Yeah, it seems like that.. Even the newly show cased BMW M3 and M4 has similar tail lights I guess..

Edited November 13, 2020 by Dee Jay

[Kavvz]

6 hours ago, iRage said:

Spyshots of the next gen Civic have been floating aournd for sometime....the back looks very Corolla/Audi/Giulia-ish though ?

 

 

I like it! Call me traditional, but the Darth Vader looking Civic was a bit too weird for me. This one looks alot better. It does look a bit European but in a good way: Digging what I can see so far! 

[iRage]

Happening RIGHT NOW ! 11.14AM Japan time...

Digital unveiling of the new Infinity QX55

https://global.nissannews.com/en/videos/video-8b140a650fe9701f0480741b3e217c41-the-online-reveal-of-the-all-new-infiniti-qx55-featuring-aloe-blacc?firstResultIndex=16&channelsConstraint=channel-NNG244

The new QX55 IS a pretty car....notice the Piano key rear tail lights...
Apparently will go on sale early 2021...wonder if this will actually be the Skyline Crossover for markets that does not have Infiniti...

(images are screen captures..so sorry for the poor quality)

 

...the new Civic digital reveal will take place at 9.45pm (it started at 8.00pm EST but there is a fortnight match and we will see the car only at 9.45). It is on Twitch...go to the channel HondaHead2Head.

Edited November 18, 2020 by iRage

[iRage]

Available Spring 2021 in the US ?
The reveal sucks on Twitch.......bunch of gamers who have no idea yanking around...No one to talk about the car...

 

but this Honda webpage has some nice pics...according to Honda Newsroom...there will be a fully digital dash (really ?) PLUS..a Type R variant AND a Si (so hopefully a SiR ?). No word about a hatch though...

https://honda.com/CivicReveal

https://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/2022-civic

https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/civics-got-game-all-new-2022-honda-civic-debuts-on-twitch

Edited November 18, 2020 by iRage

[Dee Jay]

 

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Dee Jay

[iRage]

I can't figure out why Honda could not air all the material they had lined up on their various channels AFTER the unveil...during the actual unveil itself. The official unveil which was on a fortnight channel sucked ! (I suppose it was a desperate attempt to reach out to younger people). then all these various tit bits started flowing in from their newsroo to instagram, facebook, etc...accounts...WTH ?

So far...only Toyota has done a few decent digital unveils out of the Japanese manufacturers. 

[fiat fan]

3 hours ago, iRage said:

Available Spring 2021 in the US ?
The reveal sucks on Twitch.......bunch of gamers who have no idea yanking around...No one to talk about the car...

 

but this Honda webpage has some nice pics...according to Honda Newsroom...there will be a fully digital dash (really ?) PLUS..a Type R variant AND a Si (so hopefully a SiR ?). No word about a hatch though...

https://honda.com/CivicReveal

https://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/2022-civic

https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/civics-got-game-all-new-2022-honda-civic-debuts-on-twitch

Much better looking than the current gen. Looks more like a Lexus or even a Euro.
 

IMHO Current car is over-designed and gaudy. 100% boy racer. Plus it’s expensive to maintain and having too many issues for what it is.

[iRage]

2 minutes ago, fiat fan said:

IMHO Current car is over-designed and gaudy. 100% boy racer. Plus it’s expensive to maintain and having too many issues for what it is.

Yes...the new one looks a lot more restrained and elegant compared to the current one. That statement by its self I believe might show how old we are as perhaps the current one was designed that way to appeal to the younger fanboys ?

We do not know what exactly will be packaged at the end of the day. It might very well end up being as expensive to maintain as the current one. Would be interesting to see if the 1L variant will be maintained.

Edited November 18, 2020 by iRage

[RWD]

Pretty certain I read somewhere that engine and gearbox from current models will be carried over which is the 1.0.,1.5 and the diesel. Hopefully they have fixed some of the issues such as the oil dilution problem from the 1.5 turbo and the AC going bust. 

Car looks good. Reminds me of an Audi A3 especially from the rear quarter panels. 

[Gummybr]

7 hours ago, iRage said:

Happening RIGHT NOW ! 11.14AM Japan time...

Digital unveiling of the new Infinity QX55

https://global.nissannews.com/en/videos/video-8b140a650fe9701f0480741b3e217c41-the-online-reveal-of-the-all-new-infiniti-qx55-featuring-aloe-blacc?firstResultIndex=16&channelsConstraint=channel-NNG244

The new QX55 IS a pretty car....notice the Piano key rear tail lights...
Apparently will go on sale early 2021...wonder if this will actually be the Skyline Crossover for markets that does not have Infiniti...

(images are screen captures..so sorry for the poor quality)

 

...the new Civic digital reveal will take place at 9.45pm (it started at 8.00pm EST but there is a fortnight match and we will see the car only at 9.45). It is on Twitch...go to the channel HondaHead2Head.

Looks nice this, yet there are few interior glitches. The whole styling harks back to the original SUV coupe the Infiniti FX35/45.

7 hours ago, iRage said:

Available Spring 2021 in the US ?
The reveal sucks on Twitch.......bunch of gamers who have no idea yanking around...No one to talk about the car...

 

but this Honda webpage has some nice pics...according to Honda Newsroom...there will be a fully digital dash (really ?) PLUS..a Type R variant AND a Si (so hopefully a SiR ?). No word about a hatch though...

https://honda.com/CivicReveal

https://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/2022-civic

https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/civics-got-game-all-new-2022-honda-civic-debuts-on-twitch

Looks good but the rear gives you a crossover kind of look doesn't it? The interior looks very minimalist, but all the Japanese tend to follow this standing center display which was shunned when the European models (Mercedes followed by BMW and Audi I think) came up with it.

[iRage]

Subaru BRZ reveal is happening in a few hours over here :

https://www.subaru.com/2022-brz

[Gummybr]

Today is a JDM day..... 

[iRage]

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by iRage

[iRage]

So...no information on availability will be available around October 2021, when a GT86 will be shown or pricing...Interestingly the Subaru landing page that the reveal was suppose to happen...crashed !!!

Edited November 18, 2020 by iRage

[iRage]

 

[speed8]

I personally think it's a lovely car. In this day and age, it's refreshing to see something like this announced... hopefully I'll get to drive it some day....

[iRage]

Nissan launched the 2nd gen Note earlier today. The car now comes with a updated version of Nissan's ProPilot which includes improved safety features. The car also has increased power (about 109hp ?) and torque (280Nm ?).

Its nothing to write home about....but what is more interesting is that Nissan claimed that they will be phasing out its pure gasoline powered cars from Japan and other select regions. Can't remember the exact dates but they did say that the first phase will see 60% of its sales in Japan and 50% of its sales in Europe being Hybrid or electric models.

[Gummybr]

1 hour ago, iRage said:

Nissan launched the 2nd gen Note earlier today. The car now comes with a updated version of Nissan's ProPilot which includes improved safety features. The car also has increased power (about 109hp ?) and torque (280Nm ?).

Its nothing to write home about....but what is more interesting is that Nissan claimed that they will be phasing out its pure gasoline powered cars from Japan and other select regions. Can't remember the exact dates but they did say that the first phase will see 60% of its sales in Japan and 50% of its sales in Europe being Hybrid or electric models.

Interesting, is it smaller than the outgoing model. The pictures seem to show a smaller vehicle.

Atleast its different inside out than the outgoing model.

[iRage]

2 hours ago, Gummybr said:

Interesting, is it smaller than the outgoing model. The pictures seem to show a smaller vehicle.

Atleast its different inside out than the outgoing model.

They say the overall length has been reduced by 55mm and the wheelbase has been reduced by 20mm..

[iRage]

Now the sadder news....yesterday Toyota confirmed that the 1VD Twin Turbo engine will stop production in March of 2021 with the retirement of the current 200 series Land Cruiser.

The 1VD, which is (was ?) Toyota's 1st v8 diesel first saw light in early 2007 in the 70 Series LC in single turbo format; and then around September of 2007 in the LC200 in a twin turbo format.

Earlier this year, Toyota did say that the 1VD might stay longer in the next gen LC in some markets as the new 3.3L V6 Twin Turbo is tuned for more challenging markets. With their latest announcement they have not said that this will neither be nor not be the case. This announcement came out of Toyota Australia so whilst there is a chance that this might apply only to Australia, the chances are pretty slim to non-existent...so it is safe to assume that the 1VD TT will be retired in March. The 1VD  itself might stay a little bit longer in the 70 series, but its days also are numbered considering the tightening regulations the vehicle has to face.

Edited November 25, 2020 by iRage

[Gummybr]

12 hours ago, iRage said:

They say the overall length has been reduced by 55mm and the wheelbase has been reduced by 20mm..

When everyone is making vehicles bigger they have gone the other way. Interesting, but where does it fit in the range considering the March is also there? Next question would be if it reduces the practicality. The old note was as big as a Fit I would say and very practical.

 

2 hours ago, iRage said:

Now the sadder news....yesterday Toyota confirmed that the 1VD Twin Turbo engine will stop production in March of 2021 with the retirement of the current 200 series Land Cruiser.

The 1VD, which is (was ?) Toyota's 1st v8 diesel first saw light in early 2007 in the 70 Series LC in single turbo format; and then around September of 2007 in the LC200 in a twin turbo format.

Earlier this year, Toyota did say that the 1VD might stay longer in the next gen LC in some markets as the new 3.3L V6 Twin Turbo is tuned for more challenging markets. With their latest announcement they have not said that this will neither be nor not be the case. This announcement came out of Toyota Australia so whilst there is a chance that this might apply only to Australia, the chances are pretty slim to non-existent...so it is safe to assume that the 1VD TT will be retired in March. The 1VD  itself might stay a little bit longer in the 70 series, but its days also are numbered considering the tightening regulations the vehicle has to face.

Sad news indeed (for the local mudalali types who wanted the "V8"), but then again in countries like Australia the 70 series will continue to have them. The issue with the CO2 emissions is that they need to cut down the engine sizes if they are to sell in other markets like Europe (same reason the Jimny will not be sold in UK anymore). Even the next C43AMG is supposed to come with hybrid 4cyl 2000cc engine.

[mazdaspeed]

Hi

The below news is form USA but pertaining  to Mazda  which is a Japanese Brand anyway.  Seeing some of the issues on the forum where many have with the newer models, the finding seems to be in line  but then again that's another kettle of fish

Source : https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mazda-consumer-reports-2020-auto-reliability-survey-74296414

Mazda No. 1 in Consumer Reports 2020 auto reliability survey

Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey

By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer

19 November 2020, 20:46

• 3 min read

 

 

The Associated Press

In this June 14, 2020, photograph, a Mazda company logo shines on the front of an unsold 2020...

DETROIT -- Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey.

Ford and its Lincoln luxury brand fell in the survey with Lincoln finishing last among 26 brands after introducing new SUVs. Electric car maker Tesla was second from the bottom with reliability troubles on three of its four models.

 

Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020.

The Japanese auto brand benefitted from being among the smallest and lacking capital to continually offer new multi-speed transmissions and infotainment gadgets, said Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing for the magazine and website.

“A lot of times new technology gives us trouble,” Fisher said. “They're a little bit conservative when it comes to new technology.”

Some Mazdas don't have touch screens, which often are a source of problems in the surveys, Fisher said. And the company still uses six-speed automatic transmissions while others have gone to more efficient but sometimes glitch-prone continuously variable or nine- and 10-speed transmissions, he said. Yet the company's cars and SUVs are still fun to drive, Fisher said.

After Mazda, Toyota, Lexus, Buick and Honda rounded out the top five brands. Following Lincoln and Tesla, Volkswagen, Mini and Ford were the five lowest-scoring brands.

Normally high-scoring Buick jumped two spots after canceling two unreliable cars, the Regal and Regal TourX, Fisher said.

Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. The redesigned Ford Escape also was subpar, the magazine said.

Ford's Lincoln luxury brand shares underpinnings with the Fords, so it dropped to last place after discontinuing two reliable sedans, the Continental and MKZ, Consumer Reports said.

 

Closely watched Tesla had problems with the newly introduced Model Y SUV, Fisher said, with many owners reporting issues with misaligned body panels and mismatched paint. One owner reported that hair was stuck in the paint, he said. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. “It's surprising with all the technology on Teslas, it's somewhat the basic issues they seem to struggle with,” Fisher said.

Dozens of new models came out last year, and that caused a reshuffling of the brands. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.

Many buyers check the magazine and website's rankings before making their purchases.

The 2020 rankings were released Thursday at an online meeting of the Automotive Press Association of Detroit.

 

[iRage]

3 hours ago, Gummybr said:

but then again in countries like Australia the 70 series will continue to have them

The 70 is popular in Australia and most of Africa....sadly things are clamping down in Australia for the vehicle....so it all depends on whether Toyota makes enough money out of a 1VD type engine in Africa alone. The issue with the70 is that it is starting to not eet safety regulations as well.

[iRage]

1 hour ago, mazdaspeed said:

Hi

The below news is form USA but pertaining  to Mazda  which is a Japanese Brand anyway.  Seeing some of the issues on the forum where many have with the newer models, the finding seems to be in line  but then again that's another kettle of fish

Source : https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/mazda-consumer-reports-2020-auto-reliability-survey-74296414

Mazda No. 1 in Consumer Reports 2020 auto reliability survey

Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports’ annual reliability survey

 

 

This survey year and year again has not been very sensible and is unfair towards most Europeans as well. They use all service calls made for the brands....when it comes all service calls...that also includes calls that a person might actually make to figure out how to set the radio channels on the new stereo. The thing is...Mazda has always been a reliable brand...the main differentiating factor ahs been accessibility to service centers.

[Gummybr]

3 minutes ago, iRage said:

The 70 is popular in Australia and most of Africa....sadly things are clamping down in Australia for the vehicle....so it all depends on whether Toyota makes enough money out of a 1VD type engine in Africa alone. The issue with the70 is that it is starting to not eet safety regulations as well.

Unless they turn it one of these. 

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/toyota-land-cruiser-79-turned-into-bullet-and-mine-defying-monster-151949.html

Then you can say to hell with safety.