Tag: jdm

Report: Next Lexus RX previewed with JDM Toyota Harrier?

Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

Next-Generation Toyota Harrier/Lexus RX front three-quarter

Japanese site CarWatch has revealed images of the next-generation Toyota Harrier, known to US and European buyers as the Lexus RX. The new model features a considerably more aggressive fascia in keeping with some of the latest Lexus design trends, while the back features a pair of wide, wraparound taillights.

The profile features a revised greenhouse, with a rather complex rear window treatment, while a subtle character line connects the front and rear taillights. According to the badging, the model shown features a hybrid powertrain, although there’s little information on which engine is being used. We’d wager it’s an evolution of the same 3.5-liter V6 hybrid found in the current RX450h.

This early look doesn’t have a great deal of other info, and there are no images of the interior. We’re not yet clear on how closely the North American RX will adhere to the Harrier seen here, but historically the two models have been quite close. That said, we’d expect a more prominent ‘spindle’ grille on the Lexus version than the baleen strainer on the vehicle shown here.

A page on Toyota’s Japanese website says the new Harrier/RX will receive a winter 2013 debut. That makes for a difficult determination of what auto show the new CUV will arrive at. Both the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show and 2013 Tokyo Motor Show (not to be confused with the Tokyo Auto Salon) take place at the end of November, but neither is technically a winter show.

Next Lexus RX previewed with JDM Toyota Harrier? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Japan, Videos

JDM Legends

JDM Legends brings vintage Japan to the U.S. – Click above to watch video after the jump

Trey Cobb, the founder of Cobb Tuning, has a love for vintage Japanese automobiles. In 2009, Cobb and fellow Japanese car junkie Eric Bizek decided to build a company around that love affair and JDM Legends was born. Based in Utah, JDM Legends imports, restores, services and sells classic Japanese cars.

The team has already brought a 1973 Toyota Celica, 1970 Datsun 510 and a handful of early Nissan Skyline models back to life. More cars are planned for the future and two of the Skylines are currently being offered for sale.

JDM Legends had someone stop by with a video camera and capture the cars currently in the garage. Though the film is a bit slow, the cars look particularly stunning in high-definition. Hop the jump to watch the clip.

[Source: JDM Legends via Vimeo]

Continue reading Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota reveals new JDM Vitz – that’s Yaris to you, fellah

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

2012 Toyota Vitz Yaris

2012 Toyota Vitz/Yaris – Click above for image gallery

Never heard of the Toyota Vitz? It’s one of the auto giant’s biggest sellers in the Japanese Domestic Market, accounting for over 1.4 million units since its introductory model in 1999. But the compact hatchback isn’t exclusive to Japan: in export markets, it’s known to us as the Yaris, and Toyota’s sold more than 3.5 million of them around the world. And now it has introduced the third generation.

Abandoning the cartoonish styling of its predecessor, the new Vitz/Yaris is considerably sharper in the design department. It’s also more fuel efficient and less polluting to the environment. And while overall dimensions remain compact, the interior has grown in capacity for added comfort and utility, utilizing a new type of glass to filter out 99 percent of UV radiation.

The Vitz is offered domestically with a range of engines and trim levels – from 1.0- to 1.5-liter engines, with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with CVTs, manu-matics and stick shifts, a start-stop system and even upscale Jewela and RS trims – though the North American Yaris will undoubtedly constrict the choices some. Follow the jump for additional details and click the thumbnails below for a closer look.

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Vitz/Yaris

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota reveals new JDM Vitz – that’s Yaris to you, fellah

Toyota reveals new JDM Vitz – that’s Yaris to you, fellah originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru teases JDM-only Impreza WRX STI tS with carbon fiber roof

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Japan, Subaru

Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS

Our Japanese may be a bit rusty, but our eyes work just fine. So it was hard to miss this teaser image for an upcoming version of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI tS sporting a carbon fiber roof. When we click to the English-language portion of the site the image and information disappears, so we don’t know what else to make of this STI tS and its lighter chapeau.

For the non-Subaru aficionados reading along, tS stands for “Tuned by STI” and we last saw the crew at Subaru Tecnica International apply wrenches to the Legacy. The resulting Legacy B4 2.5GT tS had us drooling and we expect the WRX STI tS to have a similar affect on our salivary glands.

[Source: Subaru]

Subaru teases JDM-only Impreza WRX STI tS with carbon fiber roof originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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