HONDA NSX: THE FIRST TIME

You never forget your first time.

Since my first drive in a Honda NSX 15 years ago I’ve driven maybe half a dozen others: earlier 3.0-litre cars; the raw, empty, fabulous NSX-R; the post-2002 cars that lost the pop-up lights.

But that week in an early 3.2, black with the manual ‘box and the targa-top, will remain one of my seminal motoring experiences.

I remember every detail.

I remember the excitement every time I walked up to it, keys in hand, knowing this thing was mine to get into and drive. I remember the proper supercar looks; the pop-up lamps, the waist-high roofline, the wedgy, cab-forward stance and that lovely line where the tail sinks under the subtle spoiler.
But it didn’t scare like a supercar: Honda forgot to make it a pain in the ass to drive in town, or snappy and unpredictable at the limit or in the wet like other mid-engined supercars of the era, and particularly Ferraris.
Instead the visibility was great and the drivetrain about as challenging to drive smoothly as a Civic’s at town speeds.

It wouldn’t make you look stupid trying to park or nurse it through traffic. But when you were alone on an empty road: oh, dear Lord, it was just electrifying as it howled towards that 8000rpm redline, every gearchange snapping home with machined, oiled precision despite the forces at work, and your brain a little freer to enjoy it all because you knew that the car was working with you, and that if you made a slight misjudgement and had to back off mid-bend it wouldn’t throw you off.

And even though this wasn’t my car, there was a satisfaction in knowing that unlike its rivals, there was probably no limit to the number of times you could nail that redline: it felt as reliable and unburstable as a Civic too, and you never feared a shower of sparks from the back end and a pricey engine rebuild. Which makes a used one all the more appealing.
[via influx.co.uk]

November 5, 2014 0

2018 Nissan IDx: What’s 510 in Roman Numerals?

A small, rear-drive coupe making 25 Cars Worth Waiting For, 2015–2018? No way.

We believe that the world will always need affordable rear-drive excellence, and—shockingly, considering the efficiency-minded, regulation-restricted, and somewhat homogenized state of the industry—so do today’s automakers. The 10Best-winning Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins, unleashed for 2013, prove the staying power of the concept, and both Chevy and Kia have dipped a toe in the drip pan with their respective Code 130R and GT4 Stinger show cars. Now Nissan seems ready to party, too, having energized last fall’s Tokyo auto show with the surprise debut of two versions of the IDx concept.

Here’s the most important thing about the IDx: Nissan wants to build it. What could derail the entire project is that Nissan currently lacks an obvious platform for this car. Some adapted version of the Z-car’s bones could work, although that architecture would potentially bring too much mass to the IDx.

What the IDx is intended to do is get young adults to stop Snapchatting and start caring about and buying cars. (Or, at least, Snapchat about cars.) To capture youth—not just the demographic, but also its essence—the IDx concept draws some inspiration from a model more likely to be remembered by those kids’ elders: the classic Datsun 510 of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Fans of the 510, a sort of Japanese BMW 2002, will squeal at the upright three-box design and proportions and the wheels—as well as the NISMO version painted to resemble historic BRE 510 racers. Modern driveline tech, such as direct injection, places the car in the present. Nissan says the idea is more homage than retro, but the tie to the past is double-knotted by an Easter egg in the car’s name: DX is 510 in Roman numerals.

A U.S.-spec IDx likely would be powered by the naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four from the Sentra, as well as a 1.6 turbo four in a NISMO spinoff. Transmissions would include a CVT—this is a Nissan, after all—as well as, we hope, manual ’boxes across the range, including performance variants. Yes, that’s variants, plural. Nissan currently applies its hi-po badge in two strata, with NISMO models mostly getting mild upgrades (stickers!) and NISMO RS cars receiving more holistic go-fast makeovers. If the Juke can get an RS version, we see no reason why the IDx wouldn’t, couldn’t, or shouldn’t.

More formal and square-jawed than the Scibaru twins, the IDx is akin to the BMW 2-series coupe, only a lot cheaper. If Nissan gives it the green light, figure on the IDx arriving in 2017 and starting in the low- to mid-$20,000 range. If Nissan really wants to peddle something excellent, it will hawk the IDx in a whole mess of body styles that parallel the 510’s, which was available not only as a coupe, but also as a sedan and a wagon.

October 16, 2014 0

Classic Formula 1 Engines & sounds

Several examples of Toyota, Honda, Renault, BMW, Ferrari and Cosworth engines.

Watch this amazing compilation of F1 engines on dyno shooting flames:

October 12, 2014 0

YOSHIMURA SUZUKI KATANA

Katana: yes, it means blade.

The sort of blade a Samurai warrior uses.

Could there be a better name for a weapon of such brute delicacy? We don’t think so.

There’s a zennish conundrum at the heart of the Suzuki Katana – especially this one, which was raced in the AMA champs by legendary racer David Aldana, for equally legendary Superbike pioneer ‘Pops’ Yoshimura.

The styling is a little awkward – especially on the stock version of the bike (below) – but there’s something off kilter, yet elegant about it too.

The awkwardness probably comes from the design being outsourced to Target Design – a German agency that was commissioned to revamp Suzuki’s aesthetic at the end of the 1970s. At the time there were the predictable purist sneers.

The Katana always felt a little left field – but now, with minds opening up the world over to fusions of all colour and creed –

– it is looking better than ever.

October 12, 2014 0

Honda Delivers First Specs For 2015 Civic Type R With Reveal Of New Concept: Live Photos

Honda isn’t ready to show us the production version of its latest Civic Type R just yet, so at the 2014 Paris Auto Show, it’s time for a new concept. This time, however, the concept’s impending arrival coincides with the release of the first specs for the car, which is scheduled for launch on the European market in 2015.

Power will come from a new direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at “more than” 276 horsepower. We hear the final figure may be around 320 hp, which makes sense since prototypes for the new Civic Type R have been benchmarked against the 355-hp Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.

The engine will also feature Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing technology and a 7,000-rpm redline. Drive will be to the front wheels only, and Honda has confirmed that a six-speed manual will be the only transmission. The development team is said to have selected this option to maximize driving enjoyment, though whether this will limit the car’s appeal remains to be seen.

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Honda Civic Type R Concept

“The manual transmission allows the drivers to select the gear they want, for example, down from fifth to third when approaching a corner,” Honda engineer Suehiro Hasshi explains. “The concept of the new Civic Type R is to be the complete driver’s car so this was the best option.”

The new Civic Type R will also be the first Honda to feature an +R mode; activated by a button next to the steering wheel, +R mode adjusts engine torque-mapping, the steering and suspension dampers for maximum performance. The dampers, by the way, will feature four levels of adjustment, from supple to race car-like firm.

“The +R button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, to set pulses racing,” Hasshi says. “The difference in character is immense.”

Another new feature of the car will be its Steer Axis system, designed to reduce torque steer. Recall that the new Civic Type R will be a front-driver, so, in order to deliver power to the wheels without disrupting the steering, the car’s front suspension system includes an additional mechanical system involving two kingpin-like supports.

No performance specs have been released yet, but Honda promises the Civic Type R will be faster than any Type R car launched in the past, including the NSX Type R (known as the NSX-R) sold exclusively in Japan the early ’90s.

As for the latest concept, apart from a new shade of blue and some decals, its looks are almost unchanged from that of the original red concept shown at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, suggesting it’s likely to give an accurate impression of the production model. That production model will roll off the line at Honda’s Swindon plant in the U.K. and sales in Europe start next year. Sadly, as the car is based on the version of the Honda Civic we don’t get in the U.S., a local launch isn’t planned.

October 3, 2014 0

2015 Yamaha XJR1300 And XJR1300 Racer Announced For Intermot

In a time where air-cooled icons like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW‘s boxer engine and the Ducati Monster have all embraced the radiator, it’s a bit surprising to know Yamaha is still offering the XJR1300 in Europe. Featuring the world’s largest-displacement air-cooled Inline-Four engine in production, the XJR1300 lives on in 2015 with a new custom-inspired look and a cafe racer variant.

The 2015 XJR1300 was inspired by a custom from builder Keino called “Rhapsody in Blue” as part of Yamaha’s Yard Built program. Yamaha incorporated custom design elements into the XJR1300, much like it did for the Star Bolt.

The slim 3.8-gallon fuel tank accentuates the XJR1300′s fuel-injected 1251cc I-4. Carrying an extra 111cc over its obvious competitor, the Honda CB1100, the XJR1300 is powered by a fuel-injected 1251cc I-4 claiming 96.4 hp at 8000 rpm and 80.0 ft-lb. at 6000 rpm. A matte black 4-2-1 exhaust pipe flows from the front of the cylinders to the muffler which extends below the XJR’s new stubby tail.

The chassis is comprised of a steel double cradle frame. The XJR1300 uses a telescopic fork with diamond-like carbon-coated inner tubes offering 5.1-inches of travel and Ohlins dual rear shocks with 4.7-inches of give.

Custom elements include the racing plate-style aluminum side covers with mesh inserts, tapered aluminum handlebars, compact headlight and stitched seat.
The XJR1300 Racer is a based on the Yard Built custom by Deus Ex Machina called “Eau Rouge“. The special edition model is a cafe racer variant made with parts from Yamaha’s parts and accessories catalog.

The Racer adds a carbon fiber fairing, a short carbon front fender and clip-on handlebars to deliver a ’70s-inspired cafe racer look. Other additions include an aluminum front fender stay and a carbon cover for the passenger seat.

Both the XJR1300 and the Racer variant will be available in three color choices: Power Blue, Matt Grey and Midnight Black. Yamaha will officially present the 2015 XJR1300 at the Intermot show in Cologne before delivering it to European showrooms in December.

There’s no word of any plans for a U.S. release. The 2014 XJR1300 was only available in Europe and there’s little sign of that changing for 2015. But with Honda’s CB1100 striking the right chords with customers, the Tuning Fork company may decide to bring the XJR1300 over.

[Source: Yamaha]

October 1, 2014 0

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A small, rear-drive coupe making 25 Cars Worth Waiting For, 2015–2018? No way.

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