Nother CarGuy

Fans of Japanese performance will know the name Nismo as Nissan’s in-house tuning and racing division. It’s offered enhanced versions of the GT-R, 370Z, Juke, Micra/March, Versa/Note, and a handful of others. And now it’s adding the all-electric Leaf to its stable. Following a smattering of concepts over the years, Nissan has now revealed the production Leaf Nismo that’s soon to go on sale – in Japan, at least. And while it doesn’t encompass any powertrain enhancements to speak of, it does offer an array of visual and handling upgrades. Not the least of them is an ECU recalibrated for better acceleration response. It also features a retuned suspension with 18-inch alloys with grippier tires, reworked electric power-steering system, and aerodynamic enhancements to offer increased downforce without compromising the Leaf’s slippery drag coefficient. Other upgrades include new bumpers (front and rear), a new grille, LED daytime running lights, and a smattering of Nismo em...

It's only been a couple of years since Mazda rolled out the latest ND-generation MX-5 Miata, so we'd expect it to stick around for a while before it'll need replacement. That won't stop the Japanese automaker from rolling out incremental updates, though, like it has today at the Tokyo Motor Show, where it was easily overshadowed by the unveilings of the Kai and Vision Coupe concepts. For 2018, Mazda is adjusting the exterior color choices. The soft-top version is also being offered with a special package including a dark red fabric roof, Nappa leather, and black BBS alloys. Meanwhile the Retractable Fastback version gains an optional contrasting black hardtop. Mazda's also added more sound insulation, more readable gauges, and heated cloth seats. Features like stop/start and brake energy recuperation are also now part of the update across the range, and there are adaptive LED headlamps available, too. At present, these updates are being rolled...

Subaru has decided to give enthusiasts from its home country a track-ready variant of the WRX STI, dubbed the S208 Special Edition. Seemingly taking some inspiration from the brand’s STI Type RA NBR Special, the limited-edition variant will be restricted to just 450 units throughout the country. Power for the model comes thanks to an uprated 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder which now delivers 324 hp, a 28 hp increase over other STI models. Additionally, Subaru has fitted adjustable Bilstein dampers, active torque vectoring for the rear wheels, and a faster steering rack. Visually, the S208 Special Edition immediately stands out thanks to 19-inch wheels, a small rear spoiler and a prominent front splitter. The car can be painted in World Rally Blue Pearl and Crystal White Pearl but if customers want something special, they can opt for Cool Grey Khaki with the NBR Challenge Package and also receive a larger rear wing and carbon roof. Carscoops

Lamborghini has celebrated its 50th anniversary in Japan by staging the Asian debut of the Aventador S Roadster in the country and introducing a new limited edition model. Called the "Aventador S Roadster 50th Anniversary Japan," the special edition will pay tribute to the five natural elements of Japanese culture including earth, wind, fire, sky, and water. Production will be limited to five units and each one is billed as a one-off model as it draws inspiration from one of the aforementioned elements. The water version was displayed during Lamborghini Day in Tokyo and features a unique paint job that required ten people and 170 hours of labor to complete. The end result is pretty impressive as the black and blue combination blends perfectly with the exposed carbon fiber accents on the windscreen frame and hard top. The unique styling continues in the cabin as designers installed Nero Ade black leather and Nero Cosmus black Alcantara upholstery. The black o...

Toyota has taken the Century into its third generation by unveiling the new model ahead of its public premiere scheduled for the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Still limited to the Japanese market, the flagship saloon carries an evolved styling, albeit on a larger scale, as it's now 5,335mm (210in) long, 1,930mm (76in) wide, and 1,505mm (59.2in) tall, with a 3,090mm (121.6in) wheelbase. Despite the classic look, the 2018 Toyota Century is equipped with the brand's latest technologies. The list is long, and it has yet to be fully detailed, but it does count adaptive projector LED headlights, specially tuned suspension, which, in combination with the newly developed tires increase the ride comfort and reduce road vibration, active noise control system, and the Safety Sense P driver assistance equipment. Having a larger footprint means that its interior is roomier than ever, and it comes with plenty of gadgets, including two individual rear seats, which can be controlled...

If there's one thing that Subaru fans can't seem to get enough of, it's more potent versions of the WRX STI. And that's just what the Japanese automaker has in store for the Tokyo Motor Show this year. Called the S208, the upgraded STI builds upon the previous S207 launched in 2015. As to how, exactly, Subaru has unfortunately only given us bits and pieces, but they look promising so far. The manufacturer says the S208 will feature a carbon-fiber roof and an as-yet unspecified power boost, to the benefit of both handling and acceleration. That sounds a lot to us like the Type RA recently introduced in America to celebrate the Nürburgring record run. That model packs a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer four upgraded to 310 horsepower (instead of 305). Considering that the previous S207 boasted 328 hp, we'd expect the S208 to pack even more. Whatever's under the hood, Subaru will only offer 450 examples, exclusively in Japan. As with the BRZ STI Sport ...

Mazda has introduced the new CX-8 in Japan. Set to become the brand's domestic flagship crossover, the model adopts a stylish KODO design which was created to "look both timeless and edgy" so it will "continue to excite owners even after many years." The entry-level model comes nicely equipped with LED headlights and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The range-topping variant goes even further as it boasts LED fog lights, bright roof rails, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Overall, the CX-8 measures 4,900mm (192.9 inches) long, 1,840mm (72.4 inches) wide, and 1,730mm (68.1 inches) tall. This means the model is about 165mm (6.5 inches) shorter and 130mm (5.1 inches) narrower than the CX-9 which isn't offered in Japan. The interior features a three-spoke steering wheel, metallic trim, and an infotainment system with a seven-inch display. The model also has three rows of seats which offer seating for up to seven people. In terms of storage, the boot holds 2...