NSX To Make 2010 Comeback
Since production of the NSX ceased in 2005, the question on every Honda fan's lips has been: "When is the next one coming along?"
Development mules have been spotted circling Germany's Nurburgring circuit and it's no small secret that Honda is keen to bring back the NSX, but as to when we can expect it to show up at our local dealership, Honda America President Tetsuo Iwamura says that the next-gen performance flagship is only a couple of years away.
"We are developing it without any delay, so most probably we will have it in the period we already promised," he says. Elaborating further, Iwamura says the NSX would arrive in 2010.
Honda CEO Takeo Fukui also confirms that an F1-derived V-10 will power the new NSX, and also dispelled rumours that the supercar would be a hybrid. Fukui also says the new NSX will be marketed globally as an Acura.Honda Motor Co
Mystery GT-R Hinting At Group N Version?
A few days after last January's Nismo Festival at Fuji International Speedway, a rather suspicious-looking R35 GT-R was seen lurking around pit lane with enough modifications on it to send the Internet rumour mill into a frenzy of speculation.
Aside from the red towhook sprouting from the hood, there's a fully integrated rollcage, lowered suspension, Volk TE37s, an air-jack recharging port and a race-style refuelling aperture. The black bar that runs across the snout of ordinary R35s is conspicuously absent too, presumably to allow more airflow over the intercoolers and radiator.
Support crew were seen wearing Nissan apparel, so it's most likely an official Nissan project. But for what? Likely theories put this car as being a development mule for a race-ready Group N variant of the R35, while it could also be destined for Japan's "Super Taikyu" production touring car series. What are the chances of it being a V-Spec or other road-legal version? Pretty slim, it's just too hard core.
www.Gtr-World.Net Performance
Castrol Top Shop Challenge
Ever wanted to see which motor could be built to put out the most power? Lucky for us, Castrol wants to find out too. This year we're going head-to-head with our sister publications Super Street, Import Tuner, Modified, Sport Compact Car, eurotuner and even Lowrider to see who can make the most crank horsepower and torque. Since every magazine focuses on different motors, we decided to measure this contest by horsepower per liter. This way when the Lowrider guys show up with a 7L LS7 motor, things will be on a level playing field. Now to complicate things a little there's a displacement multiplier for using turbos. (Yeah, it seems a little biased to us too.) We're not going to let that get in the way though, since we hit up our friends at SP Engineering, one of the premier tuners of the venerable Toyota Supra 2JZGTE 3.0L twin- turbo powerplant, to become Castrol's Top Shop. We're looking to go over 1,000 hp with this motor on 100 octane so make sure you follow the build in the magazine as well ask check out our progress at www.SyntecTopShop.com (site to launch in April).
Mazda North American Operation
Furai Concept Channels Spirit Of 787B
It's not often that a manufacturer produces a concept car that can actually perform but when Mazda brought their latest Furai Concept to the Detroit Auto Show in January, they made sure it wasn't just another show pony.
Built to showcase Mazda's commitment to motorsport-as well as the latest iteration of their "Flow" design philosophy-the Furai is built upon a modified Courage C65 chassis and sports a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 20B triple-rotor engine. Tuned to run on E100 ethanol, the 20B generates a sizable 450 hp to push the Furai's lightweight frame.
Speaking of the frame, those scalloped curves and dramatic vents aren't just strikingly beautiful, they're also specifically designed to provide optimal ventilation to cool the engine and brakes, as well as supply ample air to the high-revving powerplant.
It really looks like the goods with its subtle gray-on-silver scheme, and the number "55" on the car is also a tip of the hat to Mazda's other mid-engined rotary race car-the LeMans-conquering 787B.