A recent report out of Japan had Toyota preparing to cut domestic vehicle production by up to 20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010. Why? Sales of hybrids and other fuel efficient vehicles are expected to drop following the expiration of tax incentives on those vehicles. Now comes word that Toyota has eliminated 600 jobs at its Japanese plants in preparation for the production slow down.

Toyota has not veered from its traditional policy of not laying off regular employees. The latest cuts are coming from the ranks of the temporary contract workers that it employs for terms of less than three years. At the end of its last fiscal year, Toyota had 2,400 contract workers in Japan. Contract employees are occasionally promoted to full-time status, but that seems rather unlikely in this case given the production cuts.

[Source:Autoblog]

Word coming from Japan’s Nikkei business daily (as reported by Reuters) indicates that Honda has finally decided to discontinue the slow selling Acura RL and its Japanese market counterpart, the Honda Legend.

Ostensibly the flagship of Acura’s brand here in North America, the RL has been a slow-seller for quite some time, upstaged in part by the company’s less-expensive, higher-volume TL sedan. For some years now, the TL has offered more space, similar tech and even more power (in the Type S model), making the RL a particularly tough sell for dealers. Through the first half of this year, only 872 RLs have been sold in the United States.

Another production change reported by the Nikke that would only affect the Japanese market is the discontinuation of conventional gasoline versions of the Civic. If accurate, that would mean that from now until at least until the next-generation Civic arrives in the Fall of 2011, Honda will only sell the Civic hybrid in its home market.

In addition, the JDM Elysion minivan is also apparently set to get the axe.

Autoblog reached out to Honda for comment on the Nikkei story, and spokesman Chuck Schifsky would only say that the automaker does not comment on future product plans, noting that no official announcement has been made about the fate of the RL/Legend, the JDM Civic or the Elysion. Top tip, Joaquin!

[Source:Autoblog]

Subaru sees a demand for 1.3- and 1.5-liter cars in Japan at the same time as it sees a void in its lineup of vehicles with that displacement. To plug that hole, Subaru is turning to Toyota for a supply of its Ractis subcompact, a five-door, five-seater that offers both of the relevant engine sizes and comes in two-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Toyota will ship roughly 10,000 models to Subaru every year, to begin once the Ractis, on sale since 2005, comes in for thorough revision. It’s the first time Toyota has agreed to supply a Japanese carmaker with finished products, perhaps aided in this case by the fact that Toyota owns 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru’s parent company.

[Source:Autoblog]

After only three years of production (in its current form), the Japanese market Honda Civic Type R will take its final bow at the end of August. Here in America, we’ve always lusted after Honda’s Type R products (though we’ve always been very pleased with our own market’s Civic Si), but we can’t help but feel saddened by the loss of a true performance icon.

What’s to love, you ask? For starters, the Civic Type R is fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, able to produce around 225 horsepower at a screaming 8,000 rpm, and when you consider that the whole package weighs less than 2,800 pounds, it’s makes for a relatively quick Civic. Couple that mill to one of the best six-speed manual gearboxes on the planet and you’ve got a recipe for success. What’s more, Civic Type Rs are fitted with 18-inch wheels on Bridgestone Potenza performance tires and four-piston Brembo brakes – the equipment you need for a serious track day pocket rocket.

There’s no word if another Civic Type R is in the works, especially with Honda’s larger focus on hybrid cars taking up most of the research and development money. Still, we are indeed mourning the loss of this mean machine and are hugging our Civic Sis here in the U.S. for comfort. Hit the jump for Honda’s official press release.

Honda to Complete Production of 4-Door Civic Type R

TOKYO, Japan, April 19, 2010 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced it will discontinue production of the 4-door Civic Type R at the end of August, 2010. A purist’s sports car featuring precisely tuned vehicle dynamics, the Civic Type R creates a unity between car and driver for exceptional driving pleasure. The first-generation model launched in 1997 and was produced at Suzuka Factory. The second-generation model following in 2001, was produced at Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing Ltd.* For the current, third-generation Civic Type R that was released in 2007, the production has returned to Suzuka Factory.

Type R models are specially tuned to take full advantage of the potential of the base model and provide a racing car-like driving feel. First offered on the NSX in 1992, the Type R range was added to the Integra in 1995 and to the Civic in 1997.

* Established in 1985 in Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.

[Source:Autoblog]

Japanese tuning enthusiasts (and racing sim fanatics everywhere) have come to know Tommy Kaira as one of the best in the business. The Japanese outfit works its magic on Skylines, Imprezas and more, and has now released a tuning package for the current Nissan GT-R.

Called the Silver Wolf, this GT-R sees its engine left intact, but gets treated to a full body kit, plus new rolling stock, brakes, exhaust and suspension components. The carbon fiber widebody package gives Godzilla a serious attitude adjustment, while the functional components – if Tommy Kaira’s previous offerings are anything to go by – promise to squeeze that extra bit of performance out of this Japanese icon. Click the thumbnails below for a closer look.

[Source:Autoblog]

Following in a line of successfully hotter Impreza variants, Subaru has announced the all-new “R205″ version of its latest hatch, and in keeping with tradition, it won’t be coming to the States.

As it’s done in the past with other “Road Sport” Imprezas, Subaru has raided the Spec C parts bin and fitted all the good kit to the Impreza STI R205, including six-pot (front) and four-pot (rear) upgraded brakes with slotted rotors and cast 18-inch aluminum wheels shod in specially designed Potenza RE070 (245/40R18) tires. Inverted strut and coil springs soak up the bumps in front, with similarly STI-tuned dampers and coils out back, while a front strut tower bar and lower arm stiffening brace help keep the front wheels planted and the steering speaking to the driver.

Naturally, engine mods are part of the package, and with a retuned ECU, new exhaust and turbo, the R205 cranks out 316 horsepower and 319 pound-feet of torque.

A few plaques, a bespoke black front grille, new front and rear diffusers and a black spoiler set the R205 apart from run of the mill JDM Imprezas, and if you’re fortunate enough to live in the Land of the Rising Sun, it can all be had for 4,510,000 yen (just under $49k). But act quick, Subaru only plans to produce 400 examples when the S205 goes on sale today. Hit the jump for the press release.

PRESS RELEASE

STI to introduce the Subaru Impreza “R205″

Tokyo, January 7, 2010 – Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI)* is pleased to announce the launch of the Subaru Impreza “R205″, a special performance version. The model will go on sale today through Subaru dealerships in Japan.

Based on the Impreza WRX STI, the R205 enhanced the sheer driving performance it shares with former special performance models, such as the “S203″ and the “S204″, developed by STI. The R205 is the top performance model of the WRX STI. It features new and exclusive equipment and makes full use of specially designed features and performance parts of the “WRX STI spec C” model, the sporty performance model launched 2009. The “R” of R205 stands for “Road Sport”.

Most efforts focused on refining handling performance by adopting STI tuned dampers, coil springs, flexible type strut tower bar, flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension, and Bridgestone’s specially designed RE070 tyres. Thus the R205 ideally balances agile driving and confident driveability by enhancing a linear steering response and excellent road-holding capability. This is exactly the distinctive ride quality that STI is pursuing as its vehicle development theme, “strength and nimbleness” driving. The R205 offers enhanced total driving control not only in city driving on the road or winding road but also in sporty driving at the circuit.

In addition, STI carried out verification tests of selected performance parts of the R205 through the participation of the 2009 Nurburgring 24-hour race with an Impreza WRX STI. Making full use of this precious race-track experience at Nurburgring - in which any road condition is condensed - STI successfully completed the model in order to offer sheer excitement and unique driving feeling as a distinctive “Road Sport Model”.

The R205 delivers an increased 235kW (320PS) of maximum output, and 431N.m (44.0kg.m) by adopting the exclusively designed turbocharger with ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing, specially tuned ECU (Engine Control Unit), and the sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust. SI-DRIVE (SUBARU Intelligent Drive) is also available to neatly suit driving style in any driving situation at driver’s command.

The front under spoiler, newly developed rear under spoiler, and the black rear spoiler improve aerodynamics. Exclusively designed 18-inch alloy wheels, specially colored front grille and side STI garnish accentuate its uniqueness.

Subaru Impreza R205
Major equipment of Subaru Impreza R205

Mechanism:

* STI tuned inverted strut and coil springs for front suspension
* STI tuned damper and coil springs for rear suspension
* “Brembo” 6-pot brake caliper with STI silver logo and 18-inch grooved rotors for front brake
* “Brembo” 4-pot brake caliper with STI silver logo and 18-inch grooved rotors for rear brake
* STI designed 18-inch cast aluminum wheels
* Bridgestone specially designed “POTENZA RE070″ (245/40R18) tyres
* STI designed flexible type front strut tower bar
* STI designed flexible type lower arm stiffener of front suspension
* R205 ECU (Engine Control Unit)
* R205 exhaust pipe
* R205 twin scroll turbocharger with flexible type ball bearings for the turbine axle bearing
* R205 sport muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust
* R205 front stabilizer

Interior:

* R205 side sill plate
* R205 serial number plate

Exterior:

* R205 front grille (black)
* STI designed front under spoiler
* STI designed side STI garnish (black metallic)
* STI designed rear under spoiler
* STI designed rear spoiler (black)
* R205 badges on front grille and rear gate

Others:

* The planed production is limited to 400 units
* MSRP; 4,510,000 JP Yen (without tax)

Major specifications:
Engine type; Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine
Displacement; 1,994 cc
Transmission; 6 speed manual transmission
Maximum output; 235kW (320PS)/6,400 rpm
Maximum torque; 431Nm (44.0kg.m)/4,000 rpm -Overall length X width X height; 4,415 X 1,795 X 1,465 mm

[Source:Autoblog]

The Honda NSX might be gone, but it’s set to live on as the HSV-10 GT in Japan’s SuperGT championship.

Although we don’t have an official release or specs yet, we do have the image above and some preliminary details on the HSV-10 GT or Velocity Sports Honda. Built to the 2010 GT500 regulations, the new front/mid-engine racer from Honda is packing a 500+ hp, 3.4-liter V8 and sending power through the same Ricardo sequential manual gearbox fitted to the 2010 SuperGT cars from Nissan and Toyota. Underneath all that glorious carbon fiber is the same chassis Honda’s been working on (originally as an NSX replacement) for the last two years. The SuperGT season opener is scheduled for March 20 and 21 of 2010, but we expect more details and a host of high-res images to hit soon. Stay tuned…

[Source: LeBlogAuto]

[Source:Autoblog]

Nissan’s plans to revive the 240SX (Silvia in JDM parlance) has almost become a running joke, right up there with the fake moon landing and Tom Cruise’s heterosexuality. But still, this old chestnut carries forth, with a new report from Insideline’s editor in Japan who says the coupe’s revival is due to hit the market sometime in 2011 or 2012.

Details, per usual, are both scarce and obvious. The next-generation Silvia will supposedly be built atop Nissan’s popular FM platform (370Z, Infiniti G, etc.), come in a 2+2 seating configuration and tip the scales around 2,800 pounds. Naturally, as the S15’s successor, it will be a front-engine, rear-drive setup, and is rumored to be packing a turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four putting out around 200 horsepower. A naturally aspirated variant will also be available to keep the cost of entry low, but the turbo’d model is obviously the pick of the litter and should deliver a 0-60 time of between six and seven seconds.

IL’s man in Japan points to the Nissan Foria concept (shown above) as the stylistic inspiration, but notes that the coupe would only be “loosely based” on the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show concept. Judging by Nissan’s recent design endeavors, we doubt the Foria — or as previously rumored, the Urge concept — will be a heavy influence on this supposed Silvia revival.

Although we’re all for more budget-oriented FR sports cars, the popularity of the Toyota FT-86 is sure to be a factor in Nissan’s decision to bring the 240SX back to life. That, coupled with the unknown demand for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe (Hyundai doesn’t break out Genesis Sedan from Coupe sales in its monthly reports) makes the proposition of a new 2+2 from Nissan even more hazy. So until we hear something solid from Ghosn and Company, we’ll resume our normal respiration routine.

[Source:Autoblog]

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show has come and gone, and despite rumors leading up to the event, Nissan never unveiled a SpecM version of the GT-R. However, a new report from Japan says that work continues on the softened, marginally up-market super coupe, although there’s no word when we’ll finally see it.

According to InsideLine’s correspondent from Japan, the R35 version of the Nissan GT-R SpecM will dispatch Godzilla’s standard hard-riding suspension with a more road-friendly setup that won’t affect the twin-turbo’d AWD monster’s prodigious grip. Early reports indicate that a few interior modifications will bring the GT-R up to par with its more luxurious, European competition, including new interior color combinations and optional aluminum or wood grain trim. However, no amount of interior tweaks will make the price premium for the SpecM go down any easier — IL reports that the SpecM will be sold for around 18,000,000 yen (the equivalent of over $200k), or 2,250,000 yen more than the already cost prohibitive (and more lust-worthy) SpecV.

[Source:Autoblog]

In news that will only shock those that haven’t been paying attention, Toyota has reportedly confirmed that if the market demands it, there will be a convertible version of the new FT-86. Though Toyota still hasn’t settled on a name for the upcoming budget rear-drive sports car, the announcement of a drop-top option lends a bit more credence to the rumor that the Celica nameplate might be brought back from the dead.

Now, the notion of a convertible Celica really shouldn’t shock anyone. However, what should shock you (at least a little) is the possibility of convertible Subaru. Because, besides a few one-offs and at least one was-never-going-to-see-the-light-of-day concept, Subaru has never built a convertible. And of course, this means that the very real possibility of an all-wheel drive, 300+ horsepower, 300+ lb-ft. of torque, six-speed manual Subaru roadster exists. Where do we sign up? Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Auto Telegraaf via Motor Authority]