R&T Japanese Sports Cars Sneak Preview

Prepare for an onslaught from the Land of the Rising Horsepower. Plus: Web-exclusive video of the Mazda Kabura and the Lexus LF-A.

By Sam Mitani Photos by Barry Hathaway

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

In case you haven't noticed, sports cars are hot items once again. And we found out that Japan has a few things up its sleeve that will rock your world. Our team of spies has dug deep to uncover all that's brewing in the Land of the Rising Sun. As a special bonus, there's an exclusive preview of what Nissan's GT-R will be like in R&T's first virtual road test.

Mazda Kabura
Is this the next RX-7?
"Kabura." In Japanese, it means the first arrow released signaling the start of battle. At the North American International Auto Show, Mazda unveiled a new concept called the Kabura, a front-engine, rear-drive compact sports car, powered by the MX-5's MZ inline-4 and featuring a unique 3+1 seating layout.

When looking at the Kabura, the first thing that comes to mind is the RX-7. When we asked Mazda executives if the Kabura is a design study of the next RX-7, their answer was a nervous "No." Was the trickle of sweat forming on their foreheads an indication we were too close? Not to sound like Oliver Stone here, but I sense a conspiracy.

It's no secret that Mazda wants to bring back the RX-7, but it needs a positive business case to make this a reality. With RX-8 sales not meeting expectations, Mazda is in need of an image boost in the sports-car department (the MX-5 by itself just won't cut it). In the U.S., there's still a solid base of RX-7 fans thousands attend the Sevenstock event held at Mazda R&D headquarters each year. So, it makes perfect sense to test the waters now with a new sports-car concept that could become the basis for the next RX-7.



<TABLE cellPadding=5 width=260 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD class=caption>
Franz von Holzhausen, Director of Design for Mazda North American.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>If there is a formula for a future RX-7, we can expect a car unlike the last-generation model, a pure sports car with perhaps too heavy an emphasis on performance. That car was both expensive and virtually unusable for the masses as an everyday driver. Instead we'll see a product that has the general character of the first-generation RX-7 an affordable sports car with every-day creature comforts, such as luggage space and a pleasant ride that will appeal to a broader range of people.
Call it a hunch, but I believe Mazda has tried to mislead all of us by putting the MX-5's inline-4 under the Kabura's hood. Because the car is built on essentially the same platform as the RX-8 (and the MX-5), there is no reason why a rotary engine won't fit here. Another curve Mazda threw us is the 3+1 seating arrangement. It's interesting to be sure, but chances of Mazda introducing something so radical after the lukewarm response to the RX-8's "four-door sports car" theme are minimal at best.

The press release about the Kabura is filled with hints of it being an RX-7 (although Mazda was very careful not to mention "RX-7"). But perhaps the biggest hint could be in the name "Kabura" itself. When Mazda joined the world's sports-car battle with the Cosmo Sport in the late 1960s, it did so with the rotary engine; therefore, figuratively, Mazda's "kabura" is the rotary engine. Mazda seems to be getting ready to release that arrow again, the only question now is when. Sources say we could see a new RX-7 as early as 2008.



<TABLE cellPadding=10 width=605><TBODY><TR><TD class=caption align=right></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Lexus LF-A (GT 450/500)
Japan's first true exotic?
Although the show car pictured on our cover isn't a runner, there is a version that actually runs and goes really fast. According to reports in Japanese car magazines, the GT 450 (LF-A) lapped the recently redesigned Fuji International Speedway like a true super exotic. Visually, the test car that ran that day was slightly different from the show car you see on our cover. It had a metal roof rather than a glass one, BBS forged-alloy wheels and small cameras mounted in the side mirrors. This undoubtedly means the Lexus coupe is not yet in its final state; there are a few more changes to come, most likely to the front and rear ends.

Mechanically, we know the future Lexus 2-seater will be powered by a 500-bhp V-10. Whether the displacement will be 4.5 liters or 5.0 liters remains to be seen (the engine displacement will likely decide if Lexus will call the car GT 450 or GT 500). A display-only model of the engine revealed that the cylinder banks are angled at 72 degrees. It's also the first dry-sump engine in Toyota's history. Redline is said to be above 9000 rpm, so we're talking about an engine that puts out power like a Formula 1 car. It'll come mated to a transaxle with at least six speeds.

One of our stealthy ninjas actually heard the thing revving, and said the engine and exhaust sounded eerily similar to an F1 engine. "There was no sense of friction when the thing was revving up or down."

In fact, a Toyota board member was overheard saying that the car's official launch will coincide with the company's first win in F1; therefore, the final production model must be ready to be revealed when that historic event occurs. Within Toyota, that date is expected around the summer of 2007. Does Toyota have something up its sleeve at that time in F1? Or does the company want to steal some thunder from Nissan's GT-R launch?

Also, we've seen spy shots of a convertible version of the LF-A running at a remote test track, so expect an open-air GT 450 to make an appearance soon after the coupe. Price of the Toyota super GT is expected to fall somewhere between $100,000 and $150,000.

<TABLE cellPadding=10 width=605><TBODY><TR><TD class=caption align=right></TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption align=right></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution & Subaru Impreza WRX STI
The rivalry continues.



<TABLE cellPadding=5 width=260 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD class=caption>
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Subaru Impreza WRX STI</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Mitsubishi surprised us (and probably Subaru as well) with the unveiling of the Concept X, which is what the next-generation Lancer Evolution (the tenth variant) is going to look like. It isn't customary for Mitsubishi to reveal a design study of its most prized model so early in the game. According to Mitsu designers, 90 percent of the Concept X's styling will make it to production. And it will be more than just looks that will differentiate the X from the Evo IX. First of all, there's a new turbocharged inline-4 engine in the works that could produce as much as 320 bhp. There's also a new awd system called S-AWC, which includes ACD (Active Center Differential), super AYC (Active Yaw Control), and active suspension and steering to maximize traction and cornering grip on all kinds of driving surfaces. The only thing that worries us is the price that all this hardware might command. Let's hope Mitsu can keep the car's sticker near its current level.
Subaru has just finished giving the Impreza WRX a facelift, so it's still too early for them to present a next-generation design study. But that hasn't kept the company's engineers from continually tweaking the product. Their latest work is the Impreza WRX STI S204. Last year, Subaru introduced the WRX STI S203 as a way of celebrating the company's success in the World Rally Championship. All 555 made were spoken for in a matter of days. The S204 is simply an extension of the S203, only with the new nose. Subaru was able to squeeze slightly more torque from the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 (our STI comes with the 2.5-liter) from 311 lb.-ft. to 318. Horsepower remains the same at 320 bhp at 6400 rpm. Only 600 S204s will be built, at about $50,000, and will be marketed in Japan only.

Mitsuoka Orochi
A lightweight sports car with a funny face.

Okay, so it may not win any beauty contests, but this odd-looking contraption is a real sports car, and a pretty serious one at that. The Orochi made its first appearance about four years ago as purely a show car, but in 2003, Mitsuoka Motors announced plans to manufacture the car. Now comes word that the Orochi will go on sale this July. Despite (or maybe because of) its looks, the Orochi gained favorable response at numerous auto shows.

Mitsuoka is a privately-owned car manufacturer, whose lineup includes several odd-looking sedans available in Japan only. The Orochi will initially be sold as a Japan-only model, but the company has expressed the desire to market it worldwide.

In taking a look at the Orochi's data sheet, we noticed classic sports-car specs: mid-engine layout, rear-wheel drive and a lightweight body. Most of the car is original, including its tube-frame chassis manufactured at Mitsuoka's headquarters in Japan. Only the engine a 3.3-liter V-6 and 5-speed automatic transmission were supplied by Toyota. Output will be about 230 bhp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque.

It doesn't sound like much at first, but the car tips the scales at around 2800 lb., giving it an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Toyota Supra
Mission: Knock the 350Z off its pedestal.

Rumors of a new Supra from Toyota have been circulating for months, and every piece of information we've come across further validates these rumors. With the Lexus GT 450 serving as the company's halo sports car, Toyota would benefit by having a sports car that's a bit more affordable. With two performance machines in its stable, Toyota would no longer be viewed as simply a producer of reliable and green transportation appliances. And, if what we're discovering about the future Toyota 2-seater is true, then the Supra is poised to displace the Nissan 350Z as Japan's most popular sports car.

There will be both coupe and convertible versions of the car, probably introduced at the same time. The convertible is reported to have a folding hard top and is intended to be more of a boutique car than a serious sports car. The coupe, however, will be just that, equipped with a 5.0-liter V-8 producing 450 bhp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque! This engine will not be available in the open-air model because of rigidity issues. It is said that when Toyota started development of the Supra, it was only in convertible hardtop form with a 4.3-liter V-8. Later in the process, Toyota opted to go with a more powerful engine. But with the additional power came extra loads that the convertible couldn't stand, so the company was forced to create a fixed-roof version of the car.

We expect the V-8 Supra to be priced about $50,000. The more affordable Supra (around $40,000) will come with a 3.5-liter V-6, the same powerplant used in the Lexus IS 350 and GS 350, but tuned to produce more power. We're hearing 350 bhp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Supra's suspension is one befitting that of a true sports car: upper and lower A-arms up front and a multilink setup at the rear. No doubt the tuning of the shocks and springs will be different in the V-8 and V-6 models, but expect both versions to be relatively firm.

If everything we're hearing is true, Toyota will have a car that'll eclipse the performance of the Nissan 350Z, Mazda RX-8 and Honda S2000. The V-8 Supra may even give the Nissan GT-R a run for its money. Look for the Supra to make its appearance in October of 2007.

Acura NSX
Resurrection ensured.

"We are now focused on the development of a new model to succeed the NSX for a new era. We would like to debut a new super sports car equipped with a V-10 in three to four years. Please look forward to seeing the NSX successor."

Other than those remarks uttered by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui last year, nothing has been heard from Honda about its future sports car plans. Here's what we were able to dig up: There is indeed a newV-10 engine in the works at Honda, but we also uncovered information on a V-8 project. And, although we previously reported that the next NSX will have its engine mounted amidships, there's a big possibility of it coming in as a front-engine/all-wheel-drive sports car.

The displacement of Honda's V-10 will be about 5.0 liters, with output around 450 to 500 bhp. Honda's aim is to outperform Nissan's GT-R and Lexus' GT 450. But the buzz that Honda is also working on the development of a V-8 raises the possibility of the future NSX (it may be called something else) being available with two engine options. Our sources tell us that the future 8-cylinder will have 4.5 liters of displacement with an output of around 350 to 400 bhp. This way, Honda can go after the Nissan GT-R with the V-8-powered car, while taking on the Lexus GT 450 with the V-10-powered one. The future NSX will likely use Honda's trick SH-AWD awd system currently found in the Acura RL.

We expect the top-of-the-line Honda 2-seater to be priced around $100,000 while the base model will carry a sticker of about $70,000. This preliminary image of the NSX is our best guess right now as to what the car may look like. The on-sale date is scheduled for 2008.

Lexus IS 500
An M3 killer in the midst.

A 2-door Lexus IS, badly camouflaged as a 4-door, was spotted lapping the Nrburgring late last year. Upon closer examination, we also noticed a large rear spoiler and quad stainless-steel exhaust tips. When we asked the folks at Toyota about the car, the answer was, "No comment."

Since then, we've been able to deduce that this 2-door IS is being created to go straight up against the BMW M3. And because the M3 switches to V-8 power soon, it's only natural for the world's most profitable car company to also cram a V-8 into its machine. But we hear that Toyota intends to do more than just keep pace with the M3; according to our sources, the Nagoya-based company plans to equip the IS coupe with a 5.0-liter V-8, the one it's currently developing for the Supra. If that is the case, we can expect output somewhere near 400 bhp detuned slightly from the Supra's version, but more than enough to put the M3 away in a straight line. Naturally, the name of the car would then become "IS 500."

The overall suspension would stay the same double wishbones with high-mount upper arms up front, and a multilink setup at rear. Let's hope that Toyota has enough sense to equip the car with a manual transmission or "real" semi-automatic. The car's 0-60-mph times should be near 5.0 seconds.

The IS 500 could make an appearance as soon as late this year. If so, expect it to be priced between $50,000 and $60,000.

Honda XGA
A new type of sports car.

The internal name given to the S2000's replacement is XGA. We had thought all along that the XGA would be a 4-door sports car showcasing Honda's SH-AWD system used in the RL and its advanced hybrid technology (remember the Dual Note concept car?). Well, now we're hearing the company is leaning toward producing a coupe based on the RL platform, but equipping it with either the V-8 or V-10 for the NSX replacement.

Honda will surely equip the luxury coupe with its SH-AWD system, creating a car that would match up with the likes of the Nissan GT-R. If the XGA and the next NSX make it to production as we foresee, it would mean that all of Honda's sporty cars would be awd. Could Honda be trying to redefine the classic sports-car formula, and change the way we think about sports cars and awd? It's a definite possibility because Honda has expressed that much confidence in the capabilities of its SH-AWD.

The XGA will be front engine and look quite different from the RL, and it may go head-to-head with the GT-R. A hint of its styling may be seen in the Sports4 Concept shown at the Tokyo Motor Show.

While it's still too early to tell when this car will be available, we're sure that Honda is hard at work to reestablish its image as one of the world's leading sports-car makers. It shouldn't be long after the end of the S2000's run that we'll start seeing exciting new stuff from this technology-driven company.

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Virtual Test: Nissan (Infiniti) GT-R
Want to know what the GT-R will be like to drive? Here's a virtual sampling.

The security surrounding the GT-R is serious even Nissan's global design chief, Shiro Nakamura, needs a special pass to enter the GT-R development center in Atsugi. Getting rock-solid information on the GT-R is a virtual impossibility, with our gang of spies all shrugging their shoulders when asked about the car.

The exterior styling of the car was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show last October; but we don't want to wait until 2007 to know how it will drive, even if it's just a slight sampling of its potential. So we thought of doing something really different: a virtual road test.

The software for virtual driving programs today is so complex and advanced that they're being extensively used in Formula 1. Drivers and engineers go "virtual racing" to learn racetracks, as well as to get an idea on suspension and engine settings. In the home entertainment world, virtual driving games have sold millions of copies worldwide. The real-life nature of these games is such that some people have actually learned to drive on them. The game that started it all was Gran Turismo, a creation of Kazunori Yamauchi, the force behind four generations of Gran Turismo. I asked Kazunori, who was chosen "man of the year" by a major British car magazine last year, if he could create a virtual ready-to-drive GT-R if we supplied him with enough specifications.

"If you could supply me with all the information that's needed, it is very possible," he said.

Although none of the specs are official, we gave him our best guesses (see spec box), created from the information we gathered. In addition, we mapped out possible gear ratios and even factored in tire grip. Despite hearing rumors of a 7-speed semi-automatic gearbox in the next GT-R, we went with a more conventional 6-speed unit. Then we took our make-believe car to the drag strip and measured its acceleration. After that it was off to the banked oval for a top-speed run. Kazunori graciously sat in as test driver.

It took a few runs to get the best time, but what we got was impressive. The GT-R flew to 60 mph in 3.9 sec., and ran the quarter mile in 12.3 sec. at 116.8 mph. The car's top speed: 190 mph.

"The car gets off the line really well, thanks to the awd system. And you can tell by the way it accelerates that this is a turbochargedV-6, not a big V-8. There's essentially no lag, but the engine does come on in the mid- to high-rpm range. The car's drag coefficient is good, but because of its wide front end, there's more drag here than with a pure sports car. Because of this, the GT-R takes some time to get up to its top speed," he said.

After that, I wanted to see how the thing cornered. I asked if he could lap a track familiar to us, Laguna Seca.

It took exactly three laps for Kazunori to record a flawless run: 1:39.98. He commented that the car was easy to control, and it didn't make you pay for small mistakes: "It oversteers more than a regular awd car. You could credit that to Nissan's ATTESA awd system, which is more rear-biased than most other awd systems. In fact, around a racetrack, the GT-R feels like a rear-wheel-drive car. You can even drift the thing. You'll find understeer through the tight stuff, but the overall balance is really nice."

In comparison, we had Kazunori lap a Nissan 350Z and a 450-bhp Aston Martin DB9. The 350Z recorded a lap time of 1:46.98. The DB9, whose suspension was much softer than that of the GT-R, recorded a 1:42.51.

If what we learned about the GT-R on Gran Turismo is a true indication of what's to come, then the actual production model, due to hit showrooms in late 2007 for about $70,000, is going to be one heck of a performance car. I can't wait to drive the real thing.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
source:http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=3346&page_number=1

Giddy giddy giddy! Now I really need to increase my client base.

Damn! Here comes Japan!

There is two video clips at the link. The first one is for the Mazda Kabura and the other is for the Lexus LF-A.

I like the japanese sportscar revival.. that lexus is butt ugly though

FBI14 said:

I dont see lexus having 2 400+HP Sports cars in their line up at the same time with the IS 500 and the LF/A. Unless their trying to make up for toyotas lack of sports cars for the past several years

Click to expand...

that is an easy answer. BMW M6 and M3.

damn I want that GT-R.