• tokyo auto show

    Down on the Street...in Tokyo: The Chevy MW Is The Opel Agila

    As we continue to clean out our CompactFlash cards, we've found another piece of metal from the Tokyo streets. Here's the perfect example of a city car produced by the General that they just don't build or sell over in this here part of the globe. This five-door 'merican Revolution is the Chevy MW, and it's a re-badged Vauxhall Agila which is a re-badged Opel Agila which in turn is a re-badged Suzuki Wagon R. As a Suzuki, the MW was first built in Japan, but now in all forms is built at GM's Gliwice, Poland plant. Speaking of the Opelized version, did we mention the second-generation 2008 Opel Agila was unveiled in Frankfurt earlier this year? Oh wait, we've found some shots of the reveal of that one on our many CF cards as well. The newest model of the Agila will be powered by either one of two gas engines — a three cylinder 1.0-liter 65 HP model and a four cylinder 1.2-liter engine rated at 86 HP — and a diesel 1.3-liter four cylinder engine rated at 75 HP. Will the new 2008 Agila have as many re-branded options as the earlier models? You betcha. The General's already planning for the new Agila to be sold by Suzuki as the Splash. Ah, the sweet smell of platform prostitution and brand whoring. Don't you just love the global automotive industry?

    Feature

    9:45 AM on Mon Nov 5 2007
    By Ray Wert
    1,201 views, 6 comments

    Latest by rondeimer: how long until we see this thing as a saturn on our shores? more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: The Mitsuoka Orochi Is Still The Ugliest "Super Car" Ever

    As we get ready for next week's LA Auto Show, we're working on cleaning our SEMA and Tokyo Motor Show pictures off our camera. The first ones from Tokyo we need to get rid of — for fear we'll break our shiny black DSLR due to accidentally dropping it while retching — are our newest shots of the Orochi, a mid-engined "super car" from the folks at Mitsuoka. While it's certainly exotic-looking (and by exotic, we mean "fugly") Mitsuoka's contention of "super car" status is probably more wishful thinking than reality, as the Orochi's powered by a 3MZ-FE V6 mated to a five-speed auto tranny. If it sounds familiar, it should — it's the same six-cylinder found in Toyota's 5th gen Camry, Solara and Highlander. The Orochi weighs just under 3,500 lbs, so that not-so-huge powerplant gives Mitsuoka's "new hotness" a mere 230 HP — about 10 horses less than a 2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. It's hard to call something a "super car" when it's got less horses under the hood than an LH-platformed Mopar. Still, if you drive one of these limited-edition $91,000 cars, you'll certainly be noticed. Of course, you'll probably be laughed at too.

    [Mitsuoka Orochi]
    Feature

    9:15 AM on Mon Nov 5 2007
    By Ray Wert
    65,019 views, 57 comments

    Latest by Naturally Exasperated?: i just wet my pants.....but i'll be kind and say its......er.....different! yeah thats it, different! more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: The Fine Ladies of Tokyo

    We only go to auto shows like Tokyo for the cars and the rush of journalism. Occasionally our lenses accidentally catch the turntable ladies who are only meant to accentuate the product. It is a surprisingly frequent accident, so we will spare you the extended set. Enjoy the images in the gallery if you can.
    Feature

    1:30 PM on Fri Oct 26 2007
    By bwojdyla
    6,177 views, 24 comments

    Latest by SwapMeat: @BingleBangleBungle: Agreed, next time can at least one Fleshbot photog cover the Tokyo show? Coincidentally, I believe that DOTS Citroen more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: Mitsubishi Concept ZT

    The betting odds say the Mitsubishi Concept ZT shown here at the Tokyo Auto Show this week will be the next Mitsubishi Gallant. And with a high-po 2.2-liter diesel and some new looks, we're guessing Mitsubishi can't be thinking their doing too much wrong with this here concept-cum-prototype. Full press release from the tri-diamond brand below the jump.
    More »
    Feature

    9:45 AM on Fri Oct 26 2007
    By Ray Wert
    3,063 views, 25 comments

    Latest by smokyburnout: i said it when this concept first came out... it would make a killer mercury. more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: Custom Toyota Corolla Rumion/Scion xB by Kanji

    It's a color some call orange flake — a deep tangerine overlaid with metallic sparkles. Others call it Hysterical Blindness Chrome, though when applied to the JDM version of the new Scion xB, it looks rather fetching indeed. Japan's Kanto Auto Works decked out this model with all manner of SEMA-grade orangeness, and a folding roof of its own design. Understated it's not. And no, mom, those are Japanese maple leaves embossed on the side.
    Feature

    9:01 AM on Fri Oct 26 2007
    By Mike Spinelli
    3,450 views, 17 comments

    Latest by SRekauqh: @arbnpx: LS1 mated with a 6-speed tremec rated 29mpg on the highway (stories of people getting over 30 do exist). Scion xB more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan Intima Concept

    We're about to be in the midst of the neo-classical phase of automobile design, led by Japanese automakers like Mazda, Toyota and, with its new Intima concept, Nissan. That means we'll be seeing a surge of panel surfaces that appear to have been carved by wind over centuries, rather than by short-sleeved guys in horn-rimmed glasses over a working week. Nonetheless, we're most likely looking at what US buyers will get as Infiniti's new S-Class competitor. The concept is powered by a diesel V6, which could hearken a European face-down in the near future. More »
    Feature

    6:33 AM on Fri Oct 26 2007
    By Mike Spinelli
    2,614 views, 24 comments

    Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: Pretty soon both front fenders will be nothing but lens. more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: Alonso and Hamilton Helmets -- BFF!

    The smart money's not on Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton spending another season together in the McLaren stable. But though neither won the F1 championship, and Alonso's probably flying the coop, their crazy, controversial and thoroughly enjoyable season was immortalized at the Arai helmet display at the Tokyo show, as their signed helmets sat side by side.
    Feature

    4:30 PM on Thu Oct 25 2007
    By Mike Spinelli
    853 views, 1 comment

    Latest by Bowler Hat: They should construct some sort of contraption that butts the two things together repeatedly. more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Swoopy Human Powered Taxi Catches Attention, Advertises

    Here's a fine idea, take the tried and true bicycle taxi and update it with such luxurious amenities as a roof, brake lights, and... what's this? GPS?! Once you've made those upgrades, give it snazzy bodywork with some nice flat adspace and pump up your profit margin! It almost made us want to be slowly chauffeured through town like a minor island dictator reviewing our subjects, but then we realized the subway is way faster and cheaper and runs with flawless reliability..
    Feature

    3:15 PM on Thu Oct 25 2007
    By bwojdyla
    825 views, 5 comments

    Latest by Mojonaut: Yeah the Dublin ones are great at getting in the way of the rest of the traffic. I'd feel kind more »

  • tokyo auto show

    Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu Open Future Concept 1 Roadster

    Although it debuted in Frankfurt, Daihatsu featured its Open Future Concept, or OFC-1, in Tokyo. The mini roadster concept's powered by a turbocharged, 658cc three-cylinder engine the incorporates stop-start technology to increase fuel efficiency, the company says, to 69 mpg. Putting power to the ground is a seven-speed CVT that can be shifted via paddles. The OFC-1 also sports 17-inch wheels and the retractable hardtop was created by a race of unicorns who happen to be really good at mechanical engineering.
    Feature

    2:30 PM on Thu Oct 25 2007
    By Mike Spinelli
    1,143 views, 13 comments

    Latest by TokyoMarc: This is basically an updated Daihatsu Copen with some cool added technology. Which is fine by me -- the Copen more »