Tokyo Motor Show auto news

Rumormill: Front-wheel drive, hybrid Honda S2000 "replacement" coming in 2012

The latest reports out of Japan could spell bad news for Honda S2000 enthusiasts the world over. According the Best Car, the rear-wheel drive roadster's replacement will likely ditch Honda's high-revving F20C in favor of the second-generation hybrid drivetrain slated to be fitted to the Accord, and further, the gasoline-electric mill will be driving the front wheels.

Although we've been hearing rumors about the S2000's successor for a few years, Honda hasn't provided any indication about if and where the new model is headed. Best Car contends that the new convertible - likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top - will slot in above the all-new Honda CR-Z due to debut in production form at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. If that's the case, we suspect the next S2000 will be marketed as more of a boulevard cruiser than a back-road bomber, and that could mean that it might be sold as an Acura if it arrives in the States at all. If it does land here badged as a Honda, might we suggest calling it Del Sol instead?

BREAKING: Honda confirms production of CR-Z, Fit Hybrid in 2010

Honda has confirmed what's been suspected for some time: the Honda CR-Z is coming next year and the Fit Hybrid will be released in late 2010.

The brief press release (below the fold) touts the two hybrids as the latest expansion of the automaker's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, along with its focus on highly efficient, lightweight and compact conveyances.

The CR-Z, a sporty hybrid inspired by the CRX and unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, will go on sale in Japan this February, with the Fit Hybrid hitting shores across the Pacific later next year. Honda hasn't explicitly announced whether the two models will be available in the States, but we'd expect a formal announcement when the production CR-Z and Fit Hybrid debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this October.

Gallery: Honda CR-Z Concept

Continue reading BREAKING: Honda confirms production of CR-Z, Fit Hybrid in 2010

Rumormill: Mazda RX-7 concept headed to Tokyo Motor Show?

Ever since Mazda revived its Wankel rotary program in 2004 with the RX-8, the internet rumormill has constantly been abuzz with reports of a proper two-door RX-7 variant. The latest such rumor comes by way of Japanese magazine Best Car (via JDM-centric website 7Tune.com), which indicates the new sportscar has a 55% chance of making an appearance at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show in October.

We understand that Mazda's continual development of its rotary engine technology is likely to bring a displacement boost from 1.3- to 1.6-liters for the next RX model - whatever and whenever that may be - along with the seemingly contradictory qualities of more power, cleaner emissions and lower fuel consumption.

Naturally, Best Car provides a rendering of the supposed RX-7 to go along with the speculation of an October debut. Drawing inspiration from the expressive styling language from Mazda's recent concept cars along with a hearty dose of the happy-go-lucky expression of the current Mazda3. We'll see if there's any truth to this report in, oh, about three months.

Second That Emotion: Toyobaru re-confirmed for Tokyo Motor Show?

Assuming the Toyobaru does show up, it will supposedly sit alongside the production Lexus LF-A and the hybrid 2011 Toyota Supra concept. Now if we could just make sure there's a new NSX there...

REPORT: Toyota's hybrid Supra successor on track for 2011

With all the rumors and anticipation surrounding Toyota's joint venture with Subaru to produce a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe, the automaker's Supra successor has been put on the news cycle's back-burner. However, according to a report by Best Car, development has continued in earnest since the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car Concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 and a prototype will supposedly begin making the rounds later this year.

Although the FT-HS was originally due to arrive in 2009, the Toyobaru's parallel development and market conditions have pushed back the introduction of a Supra-successor until 2011. When it hits, expect two versions to be available: a traditional gas-powered model, likely fitted with a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid "Sports" variant packing the GS450h's 2GR-VSE 3.5-liter V6 mated to the JDM Crown Hybrid's electric drive system and cranking out around 400 hp to the rear wheels. If Best Car's report is to be believed, we could see the next iteration of the FT-HS concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this November, with the production model debuting sometime in 2010 before its on-sale date the following year.

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

REPORT: Next Nissan Fuga to debut in Tokyo, foretells Infiniti M's future

The JDM Nissan Fuga is due for a comprehensive overhaul, and according to a report by Japan's Holiday Auto, we can expect to see the redesigned sedan at this fall's Tokyo Motor Show.

The sketches above were inspired by a recent batch of spy shots and as expected, the Fuga - which serves as the basis for the Infiniti M in the States - will undergo a thorough exterior makeover, taking cues from the Essence concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The headlamps will continue to be stretched further over the fenders, while the taillights and bumper will be more smoothly integrated into the bulbous rump. We're hoping the most interesting element of the Essence - the curved, creased and indented C-pillar - will make a successful transition from concept to production. Expect the Fuga to go on sale in Japan early next year, with the fully-redesigned Infiniti M to debut soon thereafter.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 6.17.09

	Review: 2010 Lincoln MKZ makes a name for itself in the middle With a range of options and available all-wheel drive, the Lincoln MKZ offers a lot of the contest features expect in an entry-level luxury whip. But is it still just a tarted up Zephyr? We find out.		2010 Ford Taurus SHO configurator comes online, many new pics The launch of the Taurus SHO is right around the corner, so Ford let loose a host of new images and launched its configurator for its hottest new midsizer in years.
	Ferrari California receives 500 HP attitude adjustment at the hands of Edo Competition If any tuner can coax a bit more machismo out of the Ferrari California, it's tuner Edo Competition. And that's exactly what the German firm has done with its 500 hp tin-top.	Other news of import 2009 NISMO 370Z officially priced from $39,130 2011 Audi R8 Spyder will launch with V10 only, next A8 not coming to Frankfurt Chrysler to restart seven North American plants by end of month 2010 Corvette ZR1 gets upgrades, price bump Chrysler PT Cruiser gets unlikely stay of execution thanks to Fiat tie-up

Rumormill: More Toyobaru scuttlebutt comes to the surface

REPORT: More foreign automakers skipping Tokyo Motor Show as tally swells to 22

As of Thursday, Porsche and Maserati are the latest two brands to pull out of the biennial Tokyo Motor Show. That brings the tally to 22 foreign brands sitting out the Japanese showcase, leaving Hyundai, Ferrari, and Lotus to duel for import honors. Said a show spokesman, "It is unprecedented to see such a large number of carmakers not coming to the motor show. It's disappointing."

And even though Japan's 14 domestic makers are expected to show in force, the country's four largest truck makers have said they won't be coming. At least one report has said there will be half as many cars this year as there were two years ago. As with the other brands that have decided to pass on this year's show, Porsche and Maserati cited the cost of attendance.

Rumormill: 2012 Honda Civic details circulate

According to an article in Mag-X (via Temple of VTEC), Honda is hard at work wrapping up the design for the next-gen Civic that's expected to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model. As is customary from Honda, the Japanese, European and North American markets are all expected to get their own unique versions of the popular Civic, with Americans getting their preferred sedan and coupe bodystyles and the other countries each receiving differing takes on the hatchback theme.

As you would expect, there will be a hybrid version of the 2012 Civic, and it's again slated to get a 1.5-liter gasoline-powered engine mated to Honda's Integrated Motor Assist technology. This powerplant will reportedly be shared with the upcoming CR-Z hybrid hatchback where it will be available with either an automatic CVT transmission or six-speed manual.

Hopefully, we'll see how accurate all of this is when the Tokyo Motor Show rolls into town this October, where a production prototype of the 2011 CR-Z is expected to be shown. Thanks for the tip, Jason!