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Filed under: Spy Photos , Sports/GTs , Japan , Mazda "We've just introduced a special edition of the RX-8" was the response from a Mazda rep when asked when we might get a new RX-7. Not the answer to the question, but we understand that it's all hush-hush when it comes to whatever might be in store on the 2-door, rear wheel drive, not-an-MX-5 tip. A new RX-7 (FE?) will debut within the next three years according to Autocar, and it will be the first production car to carry the design themes presented in Mazda's latest series of concept cars ( Nagare , Ryuga , Hakaze , Taiki ). The RX-8 will be freed up to evolve into more of a GT if the 7 comes to be. Autocar has had its digital image wizards whip up what they think the car might look like. We hope not, as it looks like what might happen if a Corvette stopped short in front of a Testarossa. In other words, it looks like 1988. Joining the new "flow"-ing exterior lines will be a thoroughly revised rotary engine...
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Filed under: Economy , China , Euro , Japan , Hatchbacks , Toyota A version of Toyota's iQ concept , originally shown in Frankfurt, is rumored to begin production sometime next year and according to a couple of sources cited by Automotive News , power will come courtesy of Yamaha. The two Japanese firms are currently collaborating on a new 1.0-liter engine based on one of Yamaha's motorcycle powerplants, although output and fuel economy numbers have yet to be disclosed. Toyota is expected to produce around 100,000 units, with Europe receiving approximately 80,000 vehicles when sales begin in 2009. Although there's no word on U.S. distribution, the iQ-inspired micro-car may find its way into emerging markets in India and China where low-cost transportation is becoming a booming business. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Podcasts , Euro , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Chrysler , Ford , Pontiac , Subaru , Volkswagen , Misc. Auto Shows , UAW/Unions , Australia , FPV We lead off Autoblog Podcast #79 with the most important news of the week. Seriously, this rocked the car world. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are returning to the Fast and Furious franchise for F+F IV . w00t! Moving on to more important news (like anything at all), we touch on the then impending and since finished Chrysler strike . See who was right, since the 'cast was recorded Tuesday, and the strike didn't launch until Wednesday. There's been lots of auto show action, and Tokyo caught our attention this week. The Impreza STi debuted, along with a bunch of other weird concepts from Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. One that caught our eye was the Honda CR-Z . Is it an Insight replacement, a new CRX, or both? Sydney's also having an auto show, and the VW Touareg R50 showed up there, packing a house-pulling 600+ foot pounds of...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Minivans/MPVs , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show click above image for 17 more pics of the Daihatsu Mud Master-C Concept var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/motorsport/Daihatsu_Mud_Master_C_Like_a_Dakar_support_truck_just_pocket_sized'; The Mud Master-C Concept from Daihatsu looks like a Dakar rally van that's been left in the wash too long. It's a true truck with a body-on-frame design, though. It's generous ride height and copious degrees of approach and departure angles mean that the Mud Master-C can actually go places while leaving an eency-weency footprint in its wake. Daihatsu says that there are three gullwing doors on the concept, though they're really hatches, one on each side and one on the back. The truly neat thing about the Mud Master-C Concept is that it's configurable. For instance, the mountain bike support model developed with professional cyclist Raita Suzuki (shown at right) is configured to carry a pair of bikes, but the concept can also be configured...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrids/Alternative , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/design/Toyota_RiN_concept_wants_you_to_relax_be_healthy'; Designers have lofty goals for their concepts, and the Toyota RiN is no different. With a massive greenhouse, seats that keep your spine in its proper position, an oxygen-level conditioner and humidifier, plus a meter that gauges your mood through the steering wheel and then displays a color based on your psychological state, Toyota thinks it can make better, happier motorists, that are more aware of nature and the society that infuses it. Hyperbolize much? Other interesting features include the leaf-shaped gas and brake, glass that makes the world outside seem brighter and sliding doors with glass that wraps underneath the floor providing a view of the road below. Plus, you can motor along (supposedly) knowing that when your headlights are on, you won't blind any pedestrians or oncoming motorists because the light...
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