Unlike most cities, Japan’s capital city plays host to two major automotive exhibitions: the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon. While these terms may be interchangeable when it comes to European expos, in Tokyo, they connote two different shows altogether. The first is the Motor Show, where new concepts and production models are unveiled by the world’s automakers. The Auto Salon is more of a tuner expo along the lines of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. So after Subaru made its long-anticipated splash at the Tokyo Motor Show with its new BRZ, now it’s heading to the Salon with some modified versions.

First up is a version of the BRZ Concept STI, packing some prototype carbon-fiber components, suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes and more. Subaru has also teamed up again with aftermarket tuner Prova (which shares its name with the traditional license plates carried by prototypes in italy) for a BRZ Black Edition. And you can bet there will be a handful or two of other tuners eager to show what they can do with the new rear-drive sports coupe, as well.

Subaru itself will also be showcasing an upgraded Impreza called the G4 STI with all manner of performance enhancements, and will, at long last, announce its return to a number of different motorsport disciplines. The Super GT300-spec BRZ, which we already know about, will be displayed alongside the Legacy-based racer it replaces. But there will also be a WRX STI that’s slated to be fielded at the Nürburgring 24, and Subaru will also be announcing its return to professional rally competition, though not the World Rally Championship series it left years ago, it will contest the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the Mazda2 needs anything, it’s a little more pep in its step. Mazda has moved to address that ail with the SEMA 2011 Turbo2 Concept. Boasting a direct-injection 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the small hatch is crammed with 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Those are the kinds of figures that are sure to slather a grin across your face, especially given that Mazda has managed to trim the concept’s weight down to a skinny 2,300 pounds. Mazda also reminds us that this vehicle wears the company’s largest forced-induction four-cylinder engine in its smallest vehicle platform. Zoom-Zoom indeed.

The Turbo2 Concept rocks a set of Brembo brakes to bring the whole party to a stop in a hurry, and the suspension has received its fair share of attention as well. HR coilovers, Corksport sway bars front and rear and Yokohama rubber all help keep the tiny hatch glued to the track. In fact, if this is all looking rather serious for a showcar, that’s because it is – this car was built by the folks at Autobarn for use in One Lap of America with blessings from the Japanese automaker, though it has since been the recipient of a splashy new look.

So, will we see a version of it production? There’s always a chance that Mazda will give the world a Mazdaspeed2 to chew on. In the meantime, if you can’t wait and want this exact car, Autoblog reader Pete L. notes that it’s for sale by the Autobarn folks, though it’s a costly little number: ,999. Eek.

Mazda Turbo2 Concept promises forced-induction frolicking originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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History lesson, folks. Those of you familiar with the classic Jensen Interceptor from the 1960s and 1970s can completely skip this introductory paragraph. For the rest of you, the Interceptor was a two-door GT Coupe (or convertible or hatchback) built by Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1976 in the UK. Powered by a Chrysler V8 ranging from 383 to 440 cubic inches (some even equipped with the famous Six Pack trio of two-barrel carburetors, and a handful of FF models included all-wheel drive), the Interceptor married a muscular drivetrain with bespoke, hand-built coachwork.

Suffice it to say, like many British enthusiasts, we have a very soft spot in our hearts for the original Jensen Interceptor, so when we heard that CPP, the company that already bought Bowler and is trying to acquire Spyker’s sports car arm and Zagato, was working on a revival, our interest was piqued. The company is being contracted by Healey Sports Cars of Switzerland (another classic British marque), which apparently holds the rights to the Jensen name.

CPP says the car will be developed in Coventry and built at a new production facility on Browns Lane starting in 2014. There’s no word on what will power the revived Jensen, but anything short of Chryser’s 392 Hemi that powers the latest SRT8 models would be a bit of a disappointment. CPP promises to show the car off by late 2012, which is still a far way off, so here’s hoping everything moves forward smoothly. Check out the rather fetching official renderings in our gallery and the press release after the break.

CPP promises modern Jensen Interceptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What you see above is a teaser sketch of new car, called Hemera, from a new London-based luxury automobile company, called Eterniti Motors. The full concept will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few weeks, and don’t worry – up until this writing, we had never heard of any of this before, either.

Call us skeptical on the car and company’s viability, but we’ll have to wait until we see this thing in person to assess its chances.

Aside from this sketch, Eterniti Motors has not released a single detail about its Hemera concept. We can see that it’s a high-riding five-door and its sleek proportions and aggressive front fascia speak to an aura of sportiness. Kinda.

Until we can figure out what exactly is going on here, give us your best guess in the Comments, and follow the jump for Eterniti’s official press release (all three sentences of it), as well as a teaser video for the Hemera.

Continue reading Mystery car company Eterniti promises Hemera luxury crossover in Frankfurt [w/video]

Mystery car company Eterniti promises Hemera luxury crossover in Frankfurt [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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