Japanese Car News

[iRage]

19 hours ago, Gummybr said:

Is that a rebadged Suzuki? I know they have this rebadging game going in Japan for Kei cars. The Believe the Dayz / ekWagon were originals.

Uhh...no....it is based on the eK/Days platform. In fact it is slated to be the replacement (or variant or something) of the eK X Space.

THe rebadgings are mostly as follows : Suzuki with Mazda, Daihatsu with Toyota and Nissan with Mitsubishi.

[Gummybr]

On 4/9/2023 at 7:54 AM, iRage said:

Uhh...no....it is based on the eK/Days platform. In fact it is slated to be the replacement (or variant or something) of the eK X Space.

THe rebadgings are mostly as follows : Suzuki with Mazda, Daihatsu with Toyota and Nissan with Mitsubishi.

I have seen the Suzuki Every being rebadged as Nissan NV and Mitsubishi Mini Cab. What made me think was the front A Pillar which is very similar to that on the Suzuki Spacia.

[iRage]

4 hours ago, Gummybr said:

I have seen the Suzuki Every being rebadged as Nissan NV and Mitsubishi Mini Cab. What made me think was the front A Pillar which is very similar to that on the Suzuki Spacia.

They did that sometime ago for the NV100....they don't do it now (I don't think it did that well). 

[iRage]

The world has a new baby crossover ! Thank you Lexus 😕

Lexus LBX, i.e. Lexus Breakthrough X-over <according to Toyota's press release>.

Based on the GA-B platform, the LBX is the Yaris Cross' tech loaded lux'd up sibling (I believe it has a slight power bump).

As for looks...kind of like a Crown Crossover had a love child with a Mazda CX-30.

Interesting choice of rear suspension for a luxury car...a torsion beam (no...it was not good even on the A-class...it made the rear jittery...as it does on the Yaris Cross). The Yaris Cross has a torsion beam on its 2WD variant and double wish-bone setup on the AWD. I suppose Lexus will do the same if an AWD was introduced. <Why does Toyota do that ? Does it save that much money? Even the Corolla Touring has two different setups for the gasoline and Hybrid variants.

[iRage]

..and more from Toyota....Prius 24h LeMans Centennial GR Edition.

[iRage]

Totally loving the old school LC look. Even the interior (dashboard) looks rugged and old schoolish (has the old 70s series flare to it). Since the GX has always been a dressed up and softned down version of the Prado, one has to wonder what the Prado will look like (rumors in Japan is that there will be a soft looking version plus a version with a bit of a rugged look like in the RAV4 and that the squared off headlights will house rounded headlights as a homage to the old school LC70s..again..only rumors...)
For now the US market gets a 3.4L Twin Turbo V6 (349hp?) mated to a 10 speed AT and a Hybrid headed in the future. 
Manufacturers and the use of numbers in the car names...back in the day the numbers actually meant something. Now it just seems to be just a soul-less number used to keep the practice alive. 
 

Lexus also released the all new 7-seater TX (replacement for the horrendous 7 seater RX they had..with the TX Lexus claims that kids with legs can actually ist in the back and that the rear will not be wagging like a dog's tongue). The TX comes in three configurations;  a 249hp turbo charged 2.4L engine (TX350); twin motor setup with the same 2.4L turbo charged engine pushing 362hp (TX500 F Sport) or PHEV using a 3.5L V6 pushing 406hp (TX550+). but lets face it...the GX is more exciting..the TX is just another pavement princess crossover.

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by iRage

[Gummybr]

1 hour ago, iRage said:

 

 

 

That looks rugged although its a Lexus, will wait to see the Toyota version with the off road goodies.

[iRage]

***hmm...the pictures of the previous posts seem to have dissapeared...oh well***

A few days ago Mitsubishi Europe revealed the new Mitsubishi Colt, reviving the badge after a long time in many parts of the region. Well...it is simply a rebadged Renault Clio/Leticia. The Colt the other parts of the world have been having for the last few generations have been a segment smaller, so no idea if they will have the same Renault based car as the next gen Colt for the rest of the world as well.

[iRage]

Well...today's hot buzz was the reveal of the new Prado and the updated Land Cruiser 70.

First glimpse of the new Toyota LandCruiser Prado  and as bestcar web predicted, there are two different faces.

 

According to Toyota Japan's website there are 5 power trains (including Hybrid which is at present only confirmed for the US and Chinese markets). But Japan is only going to get the standard 1GD 2.8L diesel and 2TR 2.7L Petrol ??? WTH ? That Petrol engine sucked in the old one (there is no improvement in power or torque !).

 

In the US the circular light one is called the Land Cruiser 1958 (or something in the 50s) and the other one the standard Land Cruiser. They also get a Launch Edition which has the circular lights.

 

Called the Land Cruiser 250, it is uncertain if the PRADO name will be kept or not. Without the Prado name it is going to be confusing in a lot of markets where you get both the full sized Land Cruiser and the Prado. The fact that Toyota has been officially calling it Land Cruiser 300 could be a sign that the Prado name will be dropped and this be called the Land Cruiser 250.

The car will go to sale the first quarter of 2024.

 

[iRage]

Next big buss was the reveal of the updated Land Cruiser 70. Japan was especially excited because Toyota confirmed that the LC70 will be sold in Japan as a continuous/standard model in its JDM lineup (the 70 series was retired from Japan nearly 10 years ago and a limited edition was sold for 1 year for its 40th ? anniversary).

The JDM variant will get the 2.8L 1GD engine found in the current Prado with a 6AT. Export markets will retain some of the engines in updated form with both an AT and MT option. 

[iRage]

For me...the best part of the launch was this !! ❤️❤️❤️ 

[Gummybr]

1 hour ago, iRage said:

Seems like they kept that spot to fit a snorkel. Not digging the bonnet hump though.

[Gummybr]

1 hour ago, iRage said:

For me...the best part of the launch was this !! ❤️❤️❤️ 

Must admit they did a good job with the presentation. Specially when they talked how it all started.

[iRage]

1 hour ago, Gummybr said:

Seems like they kept that spot to fit a snorkel. Not digging the bonnet hump though.

Which spot are you talking about ? That black plastic vent like thing ?

That is the filler cap for AdBlue.

But yes..the height increase in the fenders might make it easier to run a snorkel (especially inside the engine bay as now you have more space on top of the engine.

[Gummybr]

14 hours ago, iRage said:

Which spot are you talking about ? That black plastic vent like thing ?

That is the filler cap for AdBlue.

But yes..the height increase in the fenders might make it easier to run a snorkel (especially inside the engine bay as now you have more space on top of the engine.

Oh... I genuinely thought it was a blanking for a snorkel. All the European cars have the ad blue tanks at the rear as it is used to clean the exhaust, any reason why they would place it near the engine? 

[iRage]

1 hour ago, Gummybr said:

Oh... I genuinely thought it was a blanking for a snorkel. All the European cars have the ad blue tanks at the rear as it is used to clean the exhaust, any reason why they would place it near the engine? 

I think it is because depending on the configuration of the truck the exhaust location would be different. So it probably is easier to have the AdBlue tank closer to the head-end ?

I don't know...I am just guessing here.

[Gummybr]

Nissan has introduced a Limited edition (only 1000) Nissan Skyline Nismo (ok it aint the GTR but a tuned version of the sedan) with 420hp, 550Nm of torque. It brings back the GT badge to the Skyline.

 

More info on features can be accessed here, including how aerodynamics work

https://www3.nissan.co.jp/vehicles/new/skyline/specifications/nismo.html

[iRage]

2 hours ago, Gummybr said:

It brings back the GT badge to the Skyline.

I am 99% certain this isn't the case. The Skyline's base grades at intro used to be ones like 350GT, 200GT-t, etc.. Then with the mid-cycle refresh and the introduction of the 400R the grades became GT, GT TypeS, GT TypeS P, etc...

Here is my gripe with Nissan and NISMO variants...

The VR30DTT engine is wonderful ! Nice, smooth, responsive, has plenty of grunt even in stock form. It actually puts the Toyota V6s to shame (and I love Toyota cars with the v6 engines). Let down...suspension and steering. The suspension recoil is a bit jello-ish. You go over a bump the car does a wierd bouncey motion to settle back in. Worst is the car is not shy about understeering. Even in sports mode it understeered/ The 400R made it a little better but not totally. Hopefully NISMO variant is better. The biggest let down is the steering. Steer-by-wire. No no no. The steering feels totally disconnected. The drive modes change the weight on the wheel but really doesn't do anything. Also, there is no linear feel to it at all. 

This leads to my gripe with Nissan and NISMO. They do not do anything to actually improve their cars. They just do some superficial tweaks, stick some body parts to it...and that is it. Then they beg and try to appeal to consumers' sense of nostalgia to sell them by bringing up loved badges like GT, 400R, etc...even their local TV commercials do exactly that.

Quite sad actually.

[RWD]

 

3 hours ago, Gummybr said:

Nissan has introduced a Limited edition (only 1000) Nissan Skyline Nismo (ok it aint the GTR but a tuned version of the sedan) with 420hp, 550Nm of torque. It brings back the GT badge to the Skyline.

 

More info on features can be accessed here, including how aerodynamics work

https://www3.nissan.co.jp/vehicles/new/skyline/specifications/nismo.html

After seeing this ad, I have fond memories of my old V35 250GT skyline which I owned for over 4 years in the mid 2000's. I recall some of the commercials were very similar and went on the whole nostalgic vibe of showing previous generations of the car. Was a very nice car to drive at the time. 

[Gummybr]

On 8/8/2023 at 10:58 AM, iRage said:

I am 99% certain this isn't the case. The Skyline's base grades at intro used to be ones like 350GT, 200GT-t, etc.. Then with the mid-cycle refresh and the introduction of the 400R the grades became GT, GT TypeS, GT TypeS P, etc...

 

Ah no I meant they are putting the GT badge (like on the original Prince Skyline) on a Skyline again.

Atleast they have made some effort to ad 15hp more and more torque + they say the engines are hand built like the GTR, they want it to be more of a Gran Tourer rather than an out and out performance model. The body styling which they claim to improve aero and the Recaro seats are a good addition. Being limited to 1000 units means that they are going to make money out of it with a hefty price tag. But I do believe they have tried a bit more than normal this time with few performance tweeks, dont know how much better the car is during day to day driving given the premium you pay.

 

[iRage]

18 hours ago, Gummybr said:

Ah no I meant they are putting the GT badge (like on the original Prince Skyline) on a Skyline again.

Aha !

18 hours ago, Gummybr said:

Atleast they have made some effort to ad 15hp more and more torque + they say the engines are hand built like the GTR

and like I said...those engines are beautiful. I believe the engine is as tunes for the Fairlady Nismo ?

Sadly, there isn't much buzz over here. There was a huge promo thing with teaser images stating that there will be a new car released on the 8th of August. People barely realized that this new model was the Skyline NISMO  Some publications even wrote that they will write about the new model as soon as it is launched later in the day after writing about the NISMO  

Last I checked most of the 900 NISMOs were allocated and 100 of the Nismo Limited lottery getting filled up quickly (compare that to the GR Corolla, Civic Type R, etc...got 5000+ lottery entries and orders within a day). No doubt they will sell them all.

Yes..they tried with the Skyline...and that is the thing...they always "try" (putting bits and pieces that actually make those subtle differences which other manufacturers do not get) but never actually do the heavy lifting to fix what really matters. E.g. The old Fairlady was a good car but was considered to be heavy. They could have done a lot more to make the new one lighter. Instead, they increased the weight, yes there is more power, but the thing is that doesn't change the fact that you are not going to feel the weight mid-corner (an issue with the GR Corolla too). But here is the thing...the Fairlady moves like a bat out of hell and looks a lot more elegant and refined than every other Japanese sports car on sale right now. Even with the Fairlady Z, that car should have a lot more buzz than what it currently has. Nissan simply does not give enough for the buzz to actually keep going and prove that any hype it gets is real.  Equally annoying is Toyota on the other end of the spectrum, they take a car stick a new color on to it and creates a whole lot of unnecessary hype and absolute fluff around it. 

Whenever Nissan does give us a completely new, modern product, people go crazy over it. The Leaf, Note, Sakura EV, the new X-Trail all have proved that. Sadly I feel it all boils down to money. Money which Nissan does not have.

But here is the thing...it is strongly believed that this is the end of the Skyline sedan  and that this is sort of the swan song version. Nissan has neither confirmed or denied this with only responding with them having exciting plans for the Skyline badge. On the other hand, the Inifnity Q50 is definitely getting scrapped from the US market we no replacement planned. Considering this is where most of the sedan's market was held, it is unlikely Nissan will manufacturer a sedan just for Japan (when Japanese seem to not like sedans anymore)

Edited August 10, 2023 by iRage

[iRage]

Mitsubishi Indonesia revealed Mitsubishi's latest mini crossover, the Mitsubishi XForce. The car is apparently designed and built in Indonesia.  After its Indonesian launch, the car is supposed to get introduced in other markets.

The car comes with a 1.5L engine mated to a CVT and is available only in FWD. Interestingly it comes with a drive selector for Wet, Gravel, Mud and Normal along with Active Yaw Control

[Gummybr]

Long time this thread has been quiet. Nissan just launched the all new (is it really) Nissan Patrol in the UAE. Its bigger more heavier, more powerful (yet smaller engines) and filled with tech, but the wheel base remains the same meaning same platform as before. They have of course added air suspension to it.

All New Nissan Patrol Y63

September 4, 2024

• Seventh generation Patrol pays homage to the nameplate’s illustrious legacy, while delivering on future-ready innovation
• Bold new design, powerful V6 twin-turbo engine, seamless infotainment and premium interior support superior driving experience

YOKOHAMA, Japan – In a celebration of heritage and innovation, Nissan today launched the all-new Nissan Patrol, marking a new chapter for the iconic nameplate. The seventh-generation model was unveiled by Makoto Uchida, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., at an exclusive event in Abu Dhabi that saw royals, VIPs, global Nissan executives, dealers, partners, media, customers and employees in attendance.

The all-new Patrol introduces several groundbreaking advancements – including a striking new design, a powerful V6 twin-turbo engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission and adaptive air suspension for enhanced all-terrain capability. Equipped with intuitive technologies including NissanConnect 2.0 powered by Google built-in, ProPILOT Assist, and Klipsch Premium Audio System, it delivers a superior driving experience, complemented by exceptional comfort.

Makoto Uchida said: “The all-new Patrol is a prime example of the exciting and empowering models we are delivering under our global business plan, The Arc. The seventh generation is a bold leap forward, blending unparalleled performance, cutting-edge technology and a commanding presence to redefine what an SUV can be. With its history of more than 70 years, the Patrol perfectly embodies our corporate purpose of ‘Driving innovation to enrich people's lives.’”

An Icon Built for Adventure

The All-New Nissan Patrol embodies a premium design aesthetic that elevates its unmissable road presence, delivering a captivating visual impact that bridges the brand's heritage with a forward-thinking vision. The All-New Patrol’s exterior styling enhances its distinctive silhouette to showcase an ‘unbreakable’ appearance reflective of its rugged capability.

Meticulously crafted, every aspect of the all-new Patrol exudes a sense of strength and durability. Nissan’s signature V-motion grille takes center stage, now wider and more integrated into the body, and flanked by enhanced Double C-shaped headlights featuring Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) technology to ensure optimal visibility. Complementing this is the Patrol’s rear façade, which echoes the front grille with a full-width light bar.

The Patrol's formidable stance is accentuated by available 22-inch alloy wheels, which not only enhance its road presence, but also provide high ground clearance for superior off-road performance.

The All-New Nissan Patrol is available in seven striking exterior colors, each developed to enhance its dynamic appearance. The addition of four vibrant two-tone options to the exterior color palette supports increased personalization, enabling drivers to express their unique style.

Nissan's commitment to thoughtful design is evident with the introduction of a Puddle Lamp, which auto-activates individual lighting elements as the occupants approach the vehicle with the key fob or unlock the doors. The lamp illuminates a motif featuring the iconic Nissan Patrol silhouette and the text “Since 1951” signifying the SUV’s production history. This feature is a nod to the Japanese principle of omotenashi, or thoughtful hospitality, ensuring that every interaction with the Patrol feels special and welcoming.

Power. Performance. Precision.

The seventh-generation Nissan Patrol is Nissan’s most powerful Patrol to date – setting new standards in performance with an exhilarating blend of response, refinement and efficiency.

A new 3.5-liter V6 twin turbo engine has been introduced, delivering an impressive 425HP and 700Nm of torque. This marks a momentous shift from the Patrol’s outgoing V8 engine – achieving a 7% increase in power and a 25% boost in torque, along with enhanced fuel efficiency.

The new V6 twin turbo engine features a high heat-resistant turbocharger and scavenge oil pump ensuring consistent lubrication on slopes and inclines, delivering reliable performance across all terrains.

Available also is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine option, producing 316HP and 386Nm of torque.

Power is transferred to the road via a 9-speed automatic transmission further elevating the driving experience, whether navigating city streets or conquering rugged terrains.

Dynamic suspension leverages e-damper technology that automatically adjusts the damper settings according to the driving conditions, for a more controlled and comfortable on-board experience.

The All-New Patrol features adaptive air suspension system available as standard – allowing for adjustable ride height, effortless on-road cruising and off-road performance. In addition to improved aerodynamic efficiency, it also facilitates easy passenger entry and exit, as well as convenient loading and unloading of gear.

Drivers can select six distinct drive modes– standard, sand, rock, mud/rut, eco and sport. The All-New Patrol also introduces a 4WD transfer mode interlock system, a first for Nissan, allowing drivers to seamlessly switch between modes and tackle challenging landscapes with ease.

Expertly Crafted for Premium Comfort

The All-New Nissan Patrol elevates the driving experience with its meticulously crafted interior that harmonizes premium comfort with cutting-edge technology. From the moment they enter the cabin, drivers and passengers will be immersed in an atmosphere of refined sophistication that enhances both relaxation and convenience.

The refreshed interior features exquisitely quilted leather seats that offer a new level of indulgence, with detailing inspired by the traditional Japanese wood craft, Kumiko. On selected trims the seats feature massage functionality and eight-way adjustment, striking a perfect balance of cushioning and ergonomic support to deliver exceptional comfort.

The All-New Patrol boasts an expansive cabin with a standard panoramic sunroof that invites natural light when desired.

An advanced infotainment system, anchored by a striking 28.6-inch horizontal Monolith display, features twin 14.3-inch displays that provide a comprehensive view of navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information. Rear-seat passengers are also catered for with optional dual 12.8-inch screens, supporting entertainment on the go, via Miracast, HDMI or USB inputs.

Complementing the visual experience is a 64-color ambient lighting system with customizable live backgrounds to match any mood, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

The All-New Nissan Patrol introduces an exceptional audio experience with its 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio system. Featured in select trims, this system delivers an immersive and crystal-clear soundscape that integrates seamlessly into the Patrol’s interior, thanks to precision-engineered components developed by Nissan and Klipsch engineers. DynamicAudioReveal™ technology ensures consistent clarity and depth by adjusting audio equalization based on environmental conditions, while DJX® 3D Surround envelops occupants in a rich, concert-like sound experience.

Complementing this sensory sophistication, the All-New Patrol offers available Biometric Cooling technology. When activated, a built-in infrared sensor detects the body temperature of front passenger seat and second row occupants, and automatically adjusts air flow settings to provide an intuitive cooling experience.

Further enhancing the cabin’s appeal is its class-leading roominess, particularly in the second and third rows, making it ideal for families and larger groups. The innovative EZ flex seats facilitate easier access to the third row without removing a child seat, while the 3rd-row power fold and return function offers flexible storage solutions with a touch on the Monolith screen to adapt seamlessly to varying needs.

Practicality is taken to the next level with an increase in cargo space, now offering up to 30% more room compared to previous models, as well as a combined 9-liter storage across the glove and console box. The thoughtfully engineered cabin benefits from an all-new frame with improved dynamic torsional rigidity for decreased vehicle vibration, damping acoustic glass for noise isolation, as well as elevated materials contributing to a quieter, more serene driving experience.

Intelligent Safety and Next-Gen Connectivity

The All-New Nissan Patrol introduces NissanConnect 2.0 with Google Built-In, an advanced technology suite that seamlessly integrates navigation, security, and entertainment into a unified platform. Available in the UAE and KSA and soon to roll out across other GCC markets, this is the first Nissan vehicle in the region to feature Google Built-In, which makes a near-seamless interaction between a customer's digital life and their vehicle.

Nissan’s ProPILOT technology makes its regional debut in the All-New Nissan Patrol, supporting drivers with a blend of adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. The system leverages navigation data to adjust vehicle speed for curves and interchanges.

The Patrol transforms situational awareness with Panorama View, featuring ‘Ultra-Wide View’ and ‘Invisible Hood View’, with Invisible-to-Visible technology projecting real-time images of obstacles and navigation cues onto the infotainment display. The Ultra-Wide View expands the field of vision to 170 degrees, while the innovative Invisible Hood provides a clear view of the area directly beneath the vehicle for safer driving both off-road and in narrow spaces.

The Patrol is also equipped with a 3D Around View Monitor which offers a comprehensive 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings, further enhancing driver awareness. Additional driver assistance features include an Intelligent Rear View Mirror and Rear Zoom View that enhance rear visibility, as well as Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, which alert drivers to potential collisions and apply brakes when needed to mitigate impact.

All-round safety is also assured with a comprehensive safety package featuring seven airbags and, for the very first time, knee airbags specifically designed to enhance the driver’s safety.

The All-New Nissan Patrol sets a new benchmark with its powerful engine, advanced technologies, and luxurious comfort. Engineered to deliver exceptional performance and refined driving experiences, it embodies Nissan’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

The All-New Nissan Patrol will be available at Nissan’s partner network across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region starting from November 1, 2024.

In the USA they launched the Nissan Armada and for me the Pro4X version looks nice.

What do you think? Will it eat into the Land Cruiser sales in the middle east and the Australia?

[iRage]

4 hours ago, Gummybr said:

What do you think? Will it eat into the Land Cruiser sales in the middle east and the Australia?

I think things will be the same for the most part. Those who are in the LC camp will stay in the LC camp and those in the Patrol camp will stay with the Patrol.

On one hand it will keep its existing share of the crowd wanting these things as a cruiser, large family wagon for light towing. In fact, this might be the more preferred option if they were getting tired of the old Y62 and was waiting to see if they wanted the Patrol or switch over to a LC. It is a bit lighter than the Land Cruiser and has more power when spec'd with the 3.5L TT V6. Also, tech like ProPilot would be quite favorable for these types of people. The tech factors would naturally move some of the brand/model's non-loyalists from the LC300 to the Patrol.

However, I do believe that the LC300, especially in the GR trim, might be more attractive to serious overlanders and dune runners and convince model loyalists to stick with it. Especially if the Y63 still uses a modified platform of the Y62 (which was a bit bulky especially compared to the TNGA platform of the LC300).

As for hardcore off-roaders...they will still stick with the LC70 and Y61 (which sadly will end production in late 2025). After which the LC250 and LC300 might be better choices depending on what the after-market offroading accessories would look like for the Y63.

Having said that, if it is re-introduced in the Japanese market it can be a game changer for Japan. At present the only option for such a vehicle is the LC300, LC250 and the Lexus LX. All of which have long waiting lists and Toyota is literally p***ing off the customers. SO if this was introduced a lot of the potential LC buyers will definitely jump ship (who would want to wait 3 to 4 years for a car ?). However, Japan is a tough market that requires frequent tech innovation if market interest is to be maintained. Without it the Japanese would be happy to just hold on to their existing car or go down the rope or completely left field and get in to something that meet their basic needs (after all in Japan these cars are nothing more than a road cruiser which can easily be accomplished by many other types of cars)

 

Edited September 5, 2024 by iRage