Tokyo Auto Show is weird and cool

Tokyo is a pretty surreal place, decidedly different from every other place in the world. So, it’s only fitting that the annual Tokyo Auto Show is usually a concept-heavy showcase of automotive technology, from the innovative to the extreme. This year’s show, kicking off next week, will be no different.

Take the Honda Puyo, for example. The bubble-shaped, fuel-cell car uses a “gel body” that feels soft to touch and, according to Honda, is designed to evoke a “feeling of happiness” from its occupants and passerby. Seriously, someone needs to take the time and test the drinking water in Japan for hallucinogens. Instead of working of this, perhaps the Honda engineers should have spent more time getting the rumored successor to the NSX ready for the show. Originally slated to make its debut in Tokyo, it’s looking more likely that the NSX successor will be conspicuously missing. To make matters worse, the V-10 powered Lexus supercar, also rumored to be debuting at this year’s show, won’t be present either. Instead, showgoers will gawk at the LF-A concept, which we’ve seen plenty of already.

At least, Nissan held up its end of the bargain. The third head, of the three-headed Japanese automotive monster, will descend upon Tokyo with the V-6 twin-turbo, four-wheel drive GT-R coupe – the company’s hereditary replacement to the legendary Skyline. Also, on a lesser scale, Subaru will debut the next-generation WRX STI, which will arrive in 5-door hatchback form incidentally, and rival Mitsubishi will trot out its much-anticipated Evo X (ten).

Barring any last minute surprises, the pre-show disappearing act of the Honda/Acura and Lexus supercars is a huge disappointment. But, just like every year around this time, the Tokyo Auto Show definitely bears watching – especially given the fact that it’s the most eccentric and experimental auto show in the world, just like the city that hosts it.

McLaren planning a successor to the legendary F1?

Long-time collaborators McLaren and Mercedes recently parted ways, partially stemming from the relatively sup-par sales and performance of the joint Mercedes SLR McLaren supercar project. But apparently, that fall-out isn’t stopping either company from moving ahead on the development of two brand new supercars. According to rumors coming out of Europe, Mercedes will begin work on a successor to the SLR with new partner HWA (a company made up of former AMG division heads), while McLaren is pretty far along on the development of the successor to the legendary McLaren F1.

There are bits and pieces of news on the so-called McLaren F2 streaming out from a variety of sources, including a 7-page article in the latest issue of the UK-based CAR magazine. Apparently, the F2 can trace its origins back to the relatively cheaper, at least compared to the $1 million F1, P8 sports car that the company was building along with Mercedes – this project was separate from the development of the SLR. Given the current fall-out between the two companies and issues with the P8 car’s engineering, that specific project was scrapped.

But, from those origins came what is now being called the P11, which is the supposed code-name for the successor to the McLaren F1. The P11 will get its power from a highly sophisticated V-8, the development of which will rely heavily on McLaren’s current F1 technology, just as the original V-12 powered F1 was originally based on Formula One cars of its era. The McLaren F2, it is also rumored, will be mid-engine rear-wheel drive, two-seat coupe with a full carbon fiber monocoque body frame.

McLaren is planning to best the industry leading acceleration and top-speed numbers (0-62 in 2.5 seconds and top speed of 253 mph) established by the Bugatti Veyron, which would be truly astounding indeed. The McLaren F2 could arrive as early as 2010.

Start saving now!

Think "supercars" and what pops into your mind? McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or Pagani? Those marquee names are about to get some serious competition on top of the mount Olympus of sports cars from the unlikeliest of competitors. Think Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Chevy. Each of these "bargain brands" will unveil some of the most potent and meanest supercars around, which should immediately send the European exotics scrambling for answers.

NSX vs. LF-A

The rivalry between Toyota and Honda -- and their luxury brands Lexus and Acura, respectively -- has been steaming as of late, but with the arrival of two new high-powered racers coming from each camp for the 2010 model year that anomocity is about to boil over. Consider how similar the LF-A from Lexus will be to the NSX from Honda in raw numbers. Both will be front-engine. The Lexus will be real-wheel drive, while the Honda will be clearly rear-biased super handling all-wheel drive. Lexus promises a high-tech V-10 producing somewhere north of 500 horsepower. Honda promises a high-tech V-10 with power ranging from 500-550 horsepower. Both cars will top out with a max speed of more than 200 mph, and both will come with sophisticated six-speed transmissions. The major difference is that Honda seems to have a singular vision to create a performance-focused machine, while the Lexus supercar will do its best to hold form by delivering some really sophisticted luxury features. Expect both cars to bow in at a price point slightly on the rich side of $100,000. The automobile equivalent of the Hatfields and McCoys are about to go at it!

SS vs. GT-R

Another major battle is brewing just south of the $100,000 price range between America and Japan, the likes of which not seen since World War II. Chevy will bow the Corvette SS at some point during the 2009 model year cycle, while the spiritual successor to the legendary Skyline, the Nissan GT-R, will arrive around that same time frame. Conceptually, these two cars are very different, but if you've got $90,000 burning a hole in your back pocket then either car could make your dreams come true. Both cars will pack enough punch to make the Porsche 911 (perhaps not the Turbo, but certainly the 4S model) consider throwing in the proverbial towel. Rumors have the new Corvette producing a red hot 650 horsepower via a standard V-8 "vette" engine with a stapped on supercharger. Better yet, the SS will use more carbon-fiber body panels than the current Corvette Z06, which should produce some "unbelievable for the price" acceleration times. The new Nissan GT-R, or R36, will use Nissan's FM platform, which is shared by everything from the Infiniti G35 to the FX35 SUV. The car will have a front-mid engine chassis and will feature a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. The GT-R should pump out somewhere in the vicinity of 450 horsepower and exhibit handling characteristics in line with previous cars in its "skyline" family tree.

The first Honda S2000 Club Racer review is in

Daniel Pund at Inside Line posted the first test-drive review of the new 2008 Honda S2000 CR. We were very curious about this “new” S2000, one that may signal the end of the Honda roadster’s legendary 8-year run. Would shedding 100 pounds off the stock car and tweaking the double-wishbone suspension further produce better performance numbers?

Unfortunately, the Inside Line test-drive doesn’t include any raw comparison data in terms of acceleration or track times (hopefully that will come with future reviews), but it sounds as though the so-called “Club Racer” doesn’t bring anything more to the table than standard performance enhancements that are relatively easily matched in the aftermarket. So, perhaps the predicted $3-$4 thousand price premium over the standard S2000 isn’t quite justified.

That aside, it’s interesting that Honda’s R&D Chief Shigeru Uehara admits effectively maxing out the 2.2 liter 4-cylinder S2000 engine power-wise. Given drivability and emissions restrictions, there is simply no more power to be had without forced induction (which goes against all conventions of Honda’s line of S-roadsters).

Built at the same Tochigi, Japan-based plant that produces the NSX, S2000s don’t go through an automated assembly line like just about every other Honda, or most commercial cars for that matter – they’re built at individual work stations by separate teams. The attention to detail clearly shows, as the car features an ultra-tight chassis, rigid drive-train, perfect 50/50 weight distribution and one of the slickest shifters on the planet in the close-ratio 6-speed manual. It will be sad to see the S2000 go, when that does happen. But, we'll keep a close eye on its possible successor.