DM 2012 Subaru Impreza G4 Sedan PHOTO GALLERY

The first pictures and details of the Japanese domestic market [JDM] 2012 Subaru Impreza have emerged online thanks to a set of brochure shots that were leaked before the official presentation on November 30.

As most of you probably expected, the JDM model is a carbon copy of the North American version of the new Impreza, which goes on sale in the States next month. In Japan, the hatchback model will carry the Sport designation while the sedan will be called G4.

However, in addition to Subaru's new 2.0-liter boxer engine, which in JDM-spec delivers 150HP and 196Nm, the domestic market Impreza will also be offered with a smaller displacement 1.6-liter unit producing 115HP and 148Nm. Both powerplants will be available with 2WD and 4WD layouts.

Hat tip to Tai!

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Mazda MX-5, Miata

The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is the best-selling two-seater sports car in the world. Now in its third generation, Mazda’s roadster has seen its fair share of special editions since it was first launched in 1989. The latest variant to hit the streets is the Black Tuned edition, which was launched today in Japan.

Based on the retractable hardtop model, the new special edition is offered with the 2.0-liter engine matched to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission.

Bespoke exterior features include the Brilliant Black-colored retractable hard top and exterior mirrors and the Gun Metallic 17-inch allow wheels. Buyers have a choice of three body colors, two of which (Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica) are exclusive to the Black Tuned edition.

Inside, the most noticeable changes include the black leather upholstery with contrasting sand-color stitching on the seats and the steering wheel plus the piano black decorative trim on the dashboard.

A similar special edition of the MX-5 was launched in the UK earlier this year.

Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino vehicles. Volkswagen Group which sold 4.13 million units worldwide.

March 11 earthquake and Tsunami hit Japan causing multiple problems to the country's automotive industry. Toyota, the world’s largest carmaker, saw its production drop by 23% to 3.37 million units for the first half of the year - and includes sales of Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino vehicles.

As a result, the Japanese company lost the title of the world’s largest automaker that it held since 2008 to General Motors, which saw its sales rise by 8.9% to 4.536 million units for the first six months of 2011. For the time being, second place goes to the Volkswagen Group which sold 4.13 million units worldwide.

Toyota has announced that its factories already operate at 90% of their capacity since June and expects production to fully recover by November. Moreover, it will produce an additional 350,000 units from October until next March to make up for the lost ground.

However, analysts like Carnorama’s Takeshi Miyao, don't believe that Toyota can recuperate quickly: “Even if it recovers production it will take another few more months for sales to recover too, as it takes time to deliver the cars to the dealers. Therefore, Toyota may even trail VW in the full year as well”.

Via Autonews [Sub. Req.]

Nissan Rebadges Mazda5 Photos

After preparing its customers with an announcement in January, Nissan today went ahead and introduced a re-badged version of the Mazda5 MPV (called Premacy in its home market) in the form of the new Lafesta Highway Star. The compact minivan is supplied to Nissan by Mazda on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis, and will be sold exclusively in Japan.

The transformation of the Mazda5 into the Lafesta Highway Star was a rather straightforward process accomplished by adding Nissan’s logos inside and out, restyling the front end that gains a new hood, lights and bumpers, smoothing out the Mazda’s swoopy profile lines and adding a chrome strip between the tail lamps.

The 7-seater model is offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine coupled to an automatic transmission with five-speeds in the front-wheel drive model and four-speeds in the all-wheel drive versions.

In Japan, prices for the new Lafesta Highway Star range from 1,991,850 Yen to 2,483,250 Yen (US$24,650 to $30,700) with Nissan aiming to sell around 1,200 units per month.

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Mazda 2012 Demio with new SKYACTIV-G 1.3-Liter Engine Photos

Mazda has just released a refreshed version of its Demio sub-compact car in its home market of Japan. The big news for the 2012MY Demio, which we know here as the Mazda2, is the introduction of the brand new “13-SKYACTIV” model grade equipped with a suite of fuel-saving technologies most important of which is the “SKYACTIV-G 1.3” 1.3-liter direct-injection gasoline engine.

The four-cylinder powerplant features a record high compression ratio of 14.0:1 and puts out 84-horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 112 Nm (82.6 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. It is coupled to a standard Continuously Variable Transmission and according to the Japanese norms, it’s fuel economy is rated at 30km/lt (equal to 3.33 lt/100 km or 70.6 mpg US).

The Demio 13-SKYACTIV comes equipped with an improved i-stop (start and stop) system and unique to this model aero-parts such as an engine under cover and a rear roof spoiler to control airflow above and below the body. Other bespoke features include a blue metallic engine cover, blue headlight rings and an exclusive rear badge.

On the more gimmicky side, Mazda developed a system named i-DM that monitors the movement of the steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, as well as the vehicle speed, to inform the driver about his skills through a gauge and colored lights on the dashboard. “The score from each trip is used to calculate a driving skill level, from Stage 1 to Stage 3. By progressing through the stages, drivers can feel that their driving skills are improving,” says Mazda.

Regardless of grade, all 2012 Demios feature increased body rigidity, retuned dampers, and improved bush characteristics for the rear trailing arm mounts, plus a new five-point grille and redesigned seats.

Mazda began taking pre-orders today for the facelifted Demio with first deliveries scheduled for June 30, 2011 Prices in Japan range from 1,149,000 yen to 1,621,750 yen (~US$14,400 to $20,300).

Hat tip to Leopaul D.!

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