Japanese Car Guide

In a recent press release, Honda has announced that its 2009 Fit will make its first North American appearance at the 2008 New York Auto Show slated next month.

The car is powered by a 1.3L or an optional 1.5L engine, has a choice of either front or all-wheel drive, and has spacious interior and other standard features, all in a compact, fuel-efficient and affordable package.

Honda has yet to release pricing for the 2009 Fit. However, in Japan where it has been launched last October, prices range from Y1.14 million ($9,800) to Y1.7 million ($14,600).

Honda’s Dick Colliver announced proudly that “the all-new Honda Fit will reconfirm that small can, in fact, be big.” Enough said.

The green concept is the trend today and the international automotive industry is one among the many that have heeded the call. Japanese car manufacturers, for instance, have already started producing cars that run on hydrogen, which many experts believe will be the fuel of the future.

Mazda, one of Japan’s car producers, has its own green car in RX-8. It is powered by a hydrogen rotary engine (HRE) and operates in a bi-fuel capacity, meaning it can shift to gasoline in just a touch of a button. Currently, there are only eight RX-8s.

The CarConnection.com reports that as part of its global advertising campaign and despite of its limited resources, Mazda is working to develop a sustainable car technology that will facilitate the production of more green car vehicles such as electric and gasoline-electric hybrid kinds.

Well, I just thought this is something worth sharing. Did you know that the new Subaru boxer diesel for Legacy and Outback models is set to be unveiled at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show slated next month? Yes, that’s true. This was according to a press release by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles.

The Subaru boxer diesel is a 2.0L engine that can produce up to 110kW (150 PS)/3600 rpm and has a maximum torque output of 350Nm/1800 rpm. To maximize fuel efficiency and ensure fun driving, the Legacy and Outback will have electric power steering.

I am sure this long-awaited super engine will impress a lot of people because of its high driving performance standards. For more information, you may visit Subaru.com.

The advancement of Japanese technology is unstoppable as of the moment. It’s as if every minute, they produce a new breed of technology. In the competition aspect of car making, they have had many cars that won contests, like the European Car of the Year. Concept-wise, the Japanese are said to innovative. They have many robots that cater the different needs of the people (elderly and the like).

If innovation is the key issue here, then nothing beats “i-unit” by Toyota. Toyota claimed that the vehicle was made not to be used like the usual car (travel great distances), but for mobility purposes. However advanced it may be, still, many critique the said vehicle.

Photo taken from http://www.space.com

The 2008 Infiniti EX35 officially hits the US market yesterday, according to an Infiniti press release. Mark Igo, Infiniti vice president and general manager, is proud to announce that the availability of EX35 in the US is �just in time for that last-minute holiday shopping.�

The EX35 is powered by a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. It has a classy design and interior flexibility.

It can be noted that the EX concept exterior includes many signature Infiniti features such as the double-arch grille, distinctive LED taillights and large L-shaped headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), among others.

The 2008 EX has four models — EX35 RWD (rear-wheel drive), EX35 RWD Journey, EX35 AWD (all-wheel drive) and EX35 AWD Journey. Prices start at $31,300 for the EX RWD and $34,850 for the EX RWD Journey. Europe will have to wait as the Infiniti EX series is reported to be available there in mid-2008.

The Inifiniti brand was first introduced in the United States in 1989.

For more information, visit Infiniti website.

Honda Fit

Honda cars have always been at the limelight for decades now due to their high performance, durability and affordability. Recently, Honda has added another feather to its cap when it bagged five spots in the 2008 rankings of American magazine U.S. News and World Report for the best cars and trucks.

Here is the complete list of winners courtesy of WorldCarFans.com:

Best Economy Car: Honda Fit
Best Midsize Car: Honda Accord
Best Upscale Small Car: Volkswagen GTI
Best Upscale Midsize Car: BMW 3-Series
Best Luxury Car: BMW 5-Series
Best Compact SUV: Honda CR-V
Best Midsize SUV: Honda Pilot
Best Large SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe
Best Luxury Midsize SUV: Lexus RX 350
Best Full Size Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Best Affordable Sports Car: Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Mazda Speed3 (three-way tie)

Honda got five citations while German cars got two. Two American cars made it on the list and the two others that tied with Honda for the best affordable sports car category were from Mazda, also a Japanese brand.

The cars and trucks were ranked according to different factors such as safety, reliability, comfort and design features, among others. The U.S. News and World Report gathered the opinions of respected automotive journalists to determine the best cars and trucks for 2008. And they had Honda in mind most of the time, which only affirms Honda�s growing presence in the international automotive industry today.

Congratulations to the people behind Honda for a job well done.

I stumbled upon the news that the 2008 Mazda6 is now the leader in the mid-size sedan segment. I�d like to believe that. The 2008 Mazda6�s unparalleled performance, refinement and practicality are what earned it big sales success in the United States.

It was reported that the range-topping 3.0-liter V6 engine is responsible for its strong performance. Imagine, it can produce 212 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) and 197 lb-ft torque (at 5,000 rpm). It is the only sedan with a six-speed automatic transmission that enhances performance, drivability, smoothness and gas mileage.

This new addition to the sedan family has a new standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), 17-inch alloy wheels (i Sport models), security alarm system (Sport VE and Touring) BOSE� stereo system and two exterior colors (Volcanic Red and Silver Metallic). What more can you ask for?

Nissan Murano, it’s a twin metamorphosis of the mid-size crossover SUV by Nissan last December 2002 and was launched at 2003. it was the first of its kind by Nissan. It beat the Pathfinder as Nissan’s top-of-the-line SUV until the launch of the Armada in 2004. It was authored by the American branch in La Jolla, California. It was inspired by the Nissan FF-L Platform used by Maxima’s sixth generation and the Altima’s third. The Murano is the first and last version released by Nissan.

By 2006, the Murano leveled in-between the Xterra and Pathfinder, which champed over the Murano in size since 2005, wherein it immediately soared by becaming Nissan’s best-selling SUV, finally beating the Pathfinder off the top of the charts.

Car maintenance has always been a problem by motorists such as myself. Not that I don�t want to spend much on car maintenance, it�s just that sometimes I rely on the weather forecast more than my car manual. Which should not really be the case.

Here are three important tips that can help keep your car running for a longer time:

� During winter, keep more gas in the tank so less air gets rid of ice that could get to fuel lines

� Instead of burn-outs in the morning, drive gently, do some slow stops and the brakes will heat up in no time

� Always follow your car manual�s recommended oil change interval

Happy driving!

The “Japanese lifestyle” is a term used by some medical doctors that refers to the way the Japanese prepare their meals—less frying, more soups and raw fish.

But the definition of Japanese lifestyle nowadays has changed a bit and included cars in it. And the Honda FCX Clarity sure is a part of that healthy revolution.

It mainly runs on hydrogen fuel cells, so emissions of the said car are not toxic. However, the car has been made available only to the Southern California market since fuel stations that load hydrogen fuel are abundant in the said state (car manufacturing is also limited). The car too is a little bit expensive for the middle class market, but Honda promised that by 2018, they have the right technology to mass produce the said car.

Photo taken from http://autocult.com.au