2009 Tokyo Motor Show
From an enthusiast's point of view, perusing the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show was about as exciting as shopping for a new washer and dryer. Sure, there were lots of new technology floating about, but instead of hp and zero-to-sixty times, it was all about mpg and zero emissions, equating to a future crop of cars less about fun times. But amongst all the dark, green-colored muck, a few OEs understood that not all consumers want their cars to have the soul of an appliance.
The Shogun of AWD, Subaru introduced the STI Carbon and Exiga 2.0GT, tuned by STI. No overly ambitious eco-technology masked as marketing statements here, just plain ol' turbocharged goodness, wrapped with a healthy dose of sportiness. And if that wasn't counter-establishment enough, Subaru proudly displayed the Legacy B4 GT300 racecar and Hybrid Tourer concept-bless their flat hearts. In a not-so-shocking revelation, Lexus debuted the long-overdue LFA, along with the very shocking news of its near-$400k sticker price. Lexus' more practical brother showed the eagerly anticipated Hachi-Roku heir with the FT-86, and Honda the CR-X's offspring: the CR-Z.
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Lexus LFA: Rocking a 4.8L V-10 that redlines at an astounding 9,000 rpm and puts out 560 p
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Subaru Legacy B4 GT300: Fresh from its late debut in the 2009 Super GT season, the AWD 2.0
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Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon: Based on the JDM-spec A-Line, an automatic STI, the aptly n
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Subaru Exiga 2.0GT, tuned by STI: Utilizing a turbocharged 2.0L flat-four motor, aggressiv
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Subaru Hybrid Tourer: This crossover SUV-looking concept comes powered with a turbocharged
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Honda CR-Z: This sporty six-speed two-seater pays homage to the CR-X of yesteryear, only i
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Honda Skydeck: Hybrid powertrain and funky styling make this the perfect minivan of the fu
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Mazda Kiyora 32 KM/L: Direct-injected and ultra efficient, the 1.3L SKY-G gasoline engine
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Honda EV-N: A throwback to the CVCC, this civic-minded plug-in electric vehicle seats four
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Nissan Land Glider: At about 44 inches wide, the 1+1 tandem seat Land Glider is driven by
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Rays RE30 Eco Drive: Made for hybrid OE wheel replacements, the lightweight forged Rays RE
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Japanese Classic Car Show
For the fifth time in as many years, the Japanese Classic Car Show recently took to the grassy knolls of Irvine, CA's Hidden Valley park for one of the largest gatherings of pre-'86-model Japanese autos, and proved itself as a show where anything goes. Showroom-stock restored rides shared ground with swapped and flared utilitarian roadsters and drift machines; owners of 86hp, three-cylinder vintage Hondas mingled with those of 1UZ-swapped Corollas; and twin-turbocharged, 2.6L fuel-injected 240Zs could be found next to their RHD, carbureted, L28-powered brethren. Awards were handed out in too many categories to count, but our picks were Robert Gallagher who traveled the farthest to the show from Mechanicsburg, PA, Frenchy Dehoux's Oldest in Show 1958 Crown 3RC, and Mark Still for his ladder-frame, V-8-swapped, flared and generally ratted-out '75 Corolla. That last one won no awards-we just think it's badass that it was driven to the show, wooden firewall and all!
www.japaneseclassiccarshow.com
Travis Pastrana Is Gonna Do What?!
As if attempting-and landing-the world's first freestyle motocross double backflip in competition as the entire world watched, winning nine X Games gold medals and jumping out of a plane without a parachute weren't thrill enough for Adrenaline-Junky-of-the-Century Travis Pastrana, he's got a new challenge: breaking the 171-foot record for the world's longest car jump. And he's planning to do it by driving his Subaru STI rally car (Sept. '09 2NR) off Long Beach, CA's Pine Street Pier, landing onto a barge floating in the Pacific Ocean, on New Year's Eve, live on ESPN/ESPN HD. Come hang out with us at Shoreline Village if you're in town, or tune in to Red Bull: New Year, No Limits on December 31st for live coverage, beginning at 11 p.m. PST. Use those wings, homie!
www.redbullnewyearnolimits.com