Front and rear camera drive recorder and safety radar as a set model exclusively for the Suzuki Jimny








































“Good taste!”” Many Favor Changing the Name of the New Subaru “”Crosstrek””? Some say it is more familiar than “”XV
Subaru to Rename the Crosstrek: What Do You Think?
Subaru has announced the world premiere of its new SUV, the Crosstrek, in September 2022.
This new Crosstrek is the successor to the company’s XV. The name “”Crosstrek,”” which was previously used overseas, will be used globally, and the Japanese version will also be renamed.
Is it wilder than the XV? Check out the interior and exterior of the new Crosstrek in these photos!
We conducted a survey to find out what users think about the new Crosstrek.
Crosstrek”” is a combination of crossover and trekking
Crosstrek”” is the name of the car used overseas. What do you think about the unification of this car name in Japan instead of the conventional XV? 67.5% of the respondents answered “”Yes,”” 12.5% answered “”No,”” and 20.0% answered “”Don’t care either way.
Respondents commented, “”I think the name ‘Crosstrek’ is cool,”” “”Whether it’s Impreza or Crosstrek, it has a nice sound. I think it has a good sense of coined words.”” Many respondents had a favorable impression of the car name Crosstrek.
In addition to comments such as “”I think it is more familiar than alphabet car names,”” and “”Crosstrek is easier to remember, so I prefer this one,”” there were also comments such as “”It is a natural trend considering that other manufacturers are also unifying their car names in their global strategies. It would have been better if they had done it earlier.
Crosstrek is a coined word combining the words “”crossover”” and “”trekking,”” and is said to express the desire for people to be able to go anywhere from urban to outdoor and enjoy activities as casually as trekking.
Originally, the XV was positioned as the entry model of the Subaru SUV lineup, and its moderate size and stylish design have made it popular among casual city drivers and female users.
The name change to Crosstrek in the new model will make it even friendlier and more like a partner.
On the other hand, respondents who preferred XV said, “”I guess it’s a matter of familiarity. Personally, I liked the name XV,”” and “”XV was so well known in Japan that I don’t think it would be a good idea to change it now.
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While Subaru has changed from a symbolic car name using only letters of the alphabet to a coined word, Mazda has globally unified its car names using letters and numbers.
For example, “”Demio”” is “”Mazda2,”” “”Axela”” is “”Mazda3,”” and “”Atenza”” is “”Mazda6,”” and so on.
Furthermore, the SUV series has adopted vehicle names such as “”CX-3,”” “”CX-30,”” “”MX-30,”” “”CX-5,”” “”CX-8,”” and “”CX-60.
While most of the car names are in accordance with the law, the two-seater convertible “”Roadster”” will not be unified with the overseas name “”MX-5″” because the name is very familiar in Japan.”
It’s hard to believe, but 25 years have passed since the debut of some iconic Japanese sports sedans in 1998. Back then, the general belief was that a car’s lifespan was around 10 years or 100,000 km, but the roads today still echo with the purr of engines from two and a half decades ago. Among these timeless machines, three stand out – the “Altezza,” the “Skyline,” and the “Lancer Evo 5.” However, these legends now face the threat of fading away, potentially being relegated to overseas garages. Let’s delve into these cars’ histories and understand why they deserve to be saved from extinction.
The Toyota Altezza: A Modest Powerhouse
Toyota’s “Altezza” roared onto the scene in October 1998. Despite its relatively compact size – measuring 4400 mm in length and 1720 mm in width – the Altezza turned heads with its rear-wheel-drive layout, European-inspired styling, and upscale “chronograph” meters. Under the hood, the Altezza offered a range of power units, including the spirited inline 4-cylinder “3S-GE” engine and the smooth inline 6-cylinder “1G-FE” engine. This amalgamation of power and refinement created an appealing front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) sedan package, tailor-made for mature enthusiasts.
As time progressed, the Altezza’s legacy evolved. A wagon variant known as the “Altezza Jita” was introduced, manual transmission options became available across all sedan grades, and the “L Edition” took shape as the luxury-oriented “Lexus IS” brand for North America. This evolution culminated in the transformation of the Altezza into the Lexus IS, a nameplate that continues to thrive today.
The Nissan Skyline R34: Fearless Performance
Nissan’s historic “Skyline” lineage, which dates back to 1957, reached its 10th generation pinnacle with the introduction of the “R34 Skyline” in May 1998. The R34 was conceived as the embodiment of a genuine sports sedan and coupe, encompassing bold design and unwavering dedication to core performance attributes: acceleration, handling, and braking.
Powered by the NEO straight-six inline six-cylinder engine, the R34 Skyline took different forms, including the high-performance variants like the turbocharged 25GT-X TURBO and 25GT TURBO, which boasted a maximum output of 280 hp from the RB25DET engine. The following year, the ultimate “Skyline GT-R (BNR34 model)” took the stage, further cementing the R34’s legacy.
Though the R34 Skyline bowed out to make way for the 11th-generation Skyline (V35 model) in 2001, its impact remains indelible in the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V: Rally-Bred Dominance
Mitsubishi’s “Lancer Evolution” series, conceived to dominate the World Rally Championship (WRC), hit its stride in 1992 with the inaugural Lancer Evo 1. Fast forward to January 1998, and the fifth-generation Lancer Evolution V (“Lancer Evo 5”) roared onto the stage, building on the foundation set by its predecessors.
Sporting a wider stance and improved handling stability, the Evo 5 was armed with the “4G63” 2-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, delivering impressive torque and agility. Just a year later, in January 1999, the Evo 5 was succeeded by the more advanced “Lancer Evolution VI” (“Lancer Evo 6”), marking yet another milestone in the Evolution series’ evolution.
In recent years, a wave of nostalgia has gripped the automotive world, with the 1980s and 1990s producing neo-classic Japanese sports cars that are gaining popularity worldwide. In the United States, the “25-year rule” has granted a lifeline to these classics, allowing right-hand drive cars to be registered as “classic cars” after a quarter-century of existence.
Enthusiasts and collectors alike are taking notice. Japanese sports cars that once roared exclusively in their homeland are now finding homes abroad. To secure your own piece of automotive history, it’s advisable to act sooner rather than later, as the used car market for these revered models is bound to soar. Let’s rally together to save these legends from fading into the past, ensuring that their engines continue to roar for generations to come.
“Nissan’s New XTRAIL SUV Debuts in Europe! In addition to e-POWER, a new hybrid version “”not available in Japan”” is also available
New Mild Hybrid + 1.5-liter VC Turbo not yet available in Japan
On September 6, 2022, Nissan’s European division unveiled the all-new, fourth-generation Extrale in Europe.
In addition to the electrified “”e-POWER”” model, a mild hybrid version, not yet introduced in Japan, will be newly available.
“”Hey, it’s different from Japan!”” when you look at it in detail View 47 photos of the new Nissan Extrale European specifications.
The new 4th generation Nissan XTRAIL, unveiled in Europe on September 6, 2022
The all-new XTRAIL inherits the DNA of its predecessors, which have lasted for more than 20 years and three generations, and further evolves its powerful design, flexible utility, and advanced four-wheel drive system.
Like the new Qashqai (not yet introduced in Japan), which will go on sale in Europe first, the new model was developed based on the CMF-C platform by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to enhance rigidity and reduce weight.
The combination of muscular, modern styling and premium-quality interior is similar to the Japanese version launched in Japan in July 2022.
For the powertrain, the newly developed second-generation e-POWER combined with a 1.5-liter variable compression ratio VC Turbo engine will be introduced in Europe as well.
The e-POWER will be available in 2WD and 4WD, with the 4WD model featuring the e-4ORCE electric drive four-wheel control technology.
The e-POWER model has a maximum output of 213ps (157kW) and maximum torque of 330Nm at the front and 195Nm at the rear, and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7 seconds (e-4ORCE).
In addition to the e-POWER model, a new basic 2WD version with a 1.5-liter VC turbo and 12V mild hybrid is also available, which is a major difference from the new Japanese version of the XTRAIL.
The 1.5-liter VC Turbo, combined with the Extronic CVT, delivers maximum output of 163ps (120kW) and maximum torque of 300Nm, while the 12V lithium-ion battery assists start-up acceleration with a motor that produces approximately 6Nm of torque.
As for advanced functions, a navigation link function has been added to the “”Pro Pilot”” driving assist technology for single-lane expressway driving.
As for collision safety features, a “”center airbag”” that deploys from the left and right sides of the front seats to prevent occupants from coming into contact with each other in the event of a side collision has been adopted for the first time, and supports the functions of the driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags.
In addition to the 2-row, 5-seat version, the new European version of the XTRAIL is also available in a 3-row, 7-seat version, just like the previous model. This is the only 7-seat version of the electric SUV in the segment in Europe.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)”
“The “”Gundam-like bZ4X”” and the “”Japanese-style Ariya”” are two new SUVs with different designs, and people have different tastes! What do people like about the new SUVs?
Three New SUVs, What’s Your Preferred Design?
In 2022, there was big news for domestic SUVs. That is the introduction of new SUV-type EVs from Toyota and Subaru.
In March of the same year, Nissan’s SUV-type EV “”Ariya”” began to be delivered to customers, and the three vehicles are now competing on the same playing field.
In this context, how do users compare the three vehicles? In this issue, we will focus on the design.
[Image] There are all kinds of face preferences! Which face do you like? Japanese style or novelty… See the new SUV designs in action!
Can’t you say “”Gundam look””? Is the design of the new bZ4X novel? What are the repercussions of each?
On April 12, 2022, Toyota will successively unveil the new bZ4X and the new Soltera on April 14 of the same month, which will go on sale on May 12 (the new bZ4X will only be available in the Subs KINTO).
The new bZ4X/new Solterra were jointly developed by the two companies and are dedicated EV models that are packed with their respective know-how.
On social networking sites, there are many comments of anticipation for these two vehicles, such as “”bZ4X looks promising if it has this kind of performance in an SUV,”” and “”I like the design of Solterra a lot, I want one! I want it!”” and “”I like the design of Solterra, I want it!
The Nissan “”Ariya”” is a model that makes use of Nissan’s know-how cultivated with the “”LEAF”” and other models.
In Japan, Nissan announced the “”Ariya limited,”” a special limited edition model exclusively for the Japanese market, on June 4, 2021, and started taking pre-orders on the same day.
As of April 2021, in addition to the limited version, orders for the regular version are also being accepted.
So, what are people saying about the design of these three cars?
Some of the comments on social networking sites are: “”bZ4X looks like a Toyota car, which is a good point for users,”” “”I prefer the design of Sortera,”” “”I still like the design and texture of Ariya,”” “”Ariya has an elegant Japanese design, while bZ4X looks like a Gundam and has a futuristic feel,”” “”Ariya has a more modern look. It is interesting to see such completely different design philosophies even from the same Japanese automaker.
The exterior of the new bZ4X is characterized by the expression of BEV’s uniqueness, with aerodynamic items woven into the corners that differ from the center emphasis theme symbolizing the radiator used in conventional cars, and a bumper shape that is thin at the top and bottom.
The exterior of the new Solterra features a front face with a hexagonal motif. Other features include a body with a horizontal axis running through it and dynamic fenders that protrude from the inside, giving it a powerful SUV-like appearance.
The Ariya, on the other hand, is characterized by the Kumiko, a traditional Japanese geometric pattern expressed three-dimensionally on the shield, and the large L-shaped sequential blinkers on the front part show its presence.
In addition, the interior of the bZ4X has been the subject of many comments on social networking sites, with some saying, “”I like the simplicity of the bZ4X’s interior,”” others saying, “”The interior of the Soltera was cool, like a spaceship,”” and still others saying, “”The Arya is the best in terms of interior design.
In response to the users’ reaction to the Ariya, which can already be seen in person at special exhibits and Nissan Galleries (Ginza and Yokohama) throughout Japan, a Nissan dealership had the following to say.
The exterior of the Ariya’s design has been well received, but we have been particularly impressed with the quality of the interior.
In particular, the door panels, the foot lighting, and the electrostatic switches on the instrument panel give the impression of high quality and advanced design.
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On the other hand, the new bZ4X and the new Solterra have not had as many opportunities to be seen by the general public as the Ariya at this time, but as more exhibition events are held in the future, the response is expected to grow.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2024.08.31(Mitsubishi) by RAI STAR On August 1, 2024, Mitsubishi Motors shared some thrilling news: a new version of their popular SUV, the Outlander PHEV, will be available this fall! They even gave us a sneak peek with some beautiful pictures of the inside and outside of the vehicle. A History of…
Suzuki “Jimny 5-door Customized Version” also unveiled for the first time in the world! Notice the chrome and black decorations! What features does it have?
What are the custom specifications of the quietly placed Jimmy 5-door…?
On January 12, 2023, Maruti Suzuki India held the world premiere of the new Jimny 5-door at AUTO EXPO 2023 in India.
At the event, the “Kinetic Yellow” image color was the focus of attention, but there was also a model customized with accessory parts quietly on display at the event.
This is rare! See a Customized Jimny 5-door! Piano Black Decorations are Cool!
The new Suzuki Jimny 5-door made its world premiere in India! What are the custom specifications that were quietly displayed?
The Suzuki Jimny 5-door has already become a hot topic in Japan as well as in India, where it was unveiled for the first time in the world.
On January 13, 2023, Suzuki’s Australian subsidiary has just announced the introduction of the model, raising expectations for the further expansion of the Jimny world.
There are several things to be expected with the Australian launch.
The first is the conversion to pickup trucks.
As is well known, agriculture is a key industry in Australia, and trucks are the national vehicle. A vehicle converted from a Jimny into a pickup truck is already on the market with Suzuki’s official approval.
Based on a 5-door vehicle with a longer frame, a single cab would make a very practical cargo bed.
The second is the availability of custom parts.
Australia is the birthplace of Overland and the country where a wide variety of 4WD parts conceived in the Outback drive were created.
Considering that numerous products have already been released for the Jimny, parts tailored for 5-door vehicles will soon be developed as well.
Speaking of customization for 5-door cars, the vehicle on display at AUTO EXPO 2023 is also worthy of attention.
This vehicle was displayed next to the yellow Jimny 5-door that made a spectacular appearance on stage, and it clearly had an aura of being different from the standard model.
The first thing that catches the eye is the front bumper.
The first thing that catches the eye is the front bumper. A skid plate-like part is attached to the lower part, and if you look closely, you can see a carbon weave-like pattern engraved on it.
Two metal-like decorative parts are attached vertically above it, giving it the appearance of an over-rider.
The combination with the normal glossy grille gives it a luxurious and heavy-duty look that has not been seen on previous Jimny models.
Striped-plate-like plastic parts attached to the front and rear corners of the body also amplify the rugged look.
These stripe-plate body guards are familiar from the old Land Rover Defender, and have existed in Japan since the 1980s. The square form of the Jimny has an excellent affinity with it.
Turning to the side, you will notice a large decal of the car name.
The decals sold in Japan are not in great demand by users, but there may be a market for this type of decal on 5-door cars with wide body sides.
The bottom of the door is covered by a burly door sill guard.
This part has a double structure, with one plate as a base and another plate as a guard.
The inner plate has a design reminiscent of a G-Shock, which also gives it a heavy-duty look.
An interesting feature is the door visors, which are rarely seen in Japan these days.
The design of the front and rear visors are interlocked, and the rear visor is slightly smaller to create a sporty image.
It can be said to appeal only to India, where the smoking rate is still high, but it may be useful for ventilation when staying in a car in Japan as well.
Tire covers combining piano black and chrome are another new option for the Jimny.
This type of cover is familiar from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. This is not because of the nickname “Little G,” which is familiar overseas, but it is a custom part that fits surprisingly well.
The roof was fitted with a general-purpose carrier, but a roof rack or roof tent would have enhanced the off-road 4WD image of the vehicle.
This demo car suggests that Suzuki is aiming for a current-generation “Defender”-like customization with factory-installed options.
The Jimny 5-door will not be available in Japan for a long time yet, and it is unclear if any of these optional parts will be available, but all of them have a great chance of being released.
It seems certain that the catalog lineup, including outdoor options, will increase significantly.