It was in the mid 90s that I started really getting into JDM tuning. Back then this was my favorite car, the DOME Project/Mugen NSX JGTC Car. Looking back 10 years, I can say that this is still my favorite JGTC car. Its hard for me to put my finger on why its my favorite. Of course there's nostalgia (I got to see this car run at Fuji Speedway during my first trip to Japan). But perhaps it's that in future years JGTC cars became even more advanced and even further away from the street cars they are based on. This NSX still had a bit more of a connection to the street legal NSX to me, so I could relate more to just how bad ass they made it. Plus I still like the color combo and graphics on it, I think it still looks great 10 years later.
For comparison’s sake, I’ve also put up a photo of a later NSX which would be my second favorite JGTC car (I always liked the NSX the best of the GT cars). Someday soon I’ll dig up and post more photos of old JGTC cars, they had some really cool ones back then that people have forgotten about (AE86, Silvia, McLaren F1, Diablo, etc). And if my memory serves me right, I recall even seeing a Chevy Cavalier JGTC Car (they sold it as a Toyota Cavalier in Japan). Its been a while... someday I'll dig up the old pictures perhaps. But for now, enjoy my favorite JGTC car of all time. More pics after the jump.
Continue reading "From Back In The Day - 10 Years Later The Project DOME/Mugen JGTC NSX" »
New York was a blast, but I still feel pretty wiped out. Good thing I have a couple of days at home before I head to Detroit for the start of the DUB tour. Anyway, here's the news:
- Looks like Honda finally going to bring Acura into the UK. Since Infiniti and Lexus have been there for years, you have to wonder why the company was dragging their feet. Hey, better late than never. Auto Express
- The strike at American Axle is still underway, and while the management is asking employees to accept benefit and pay cuts of up to 50%—yup, 50%—the just gave the head honcho a million dollar raise. Classy. Auto Observer
- BMW just won the 2008 World Green Car award, but like so many other killer rides, it won't be available in the US. What's the deal guys? Wired
- There are still two years to go until 2010, but it looks like automotive folks are already starting to talk about "Car of the Decade." I have to admit, the fact that the Porsche's Cayenne is being floated caught me by surprise. The New York Times
Despite cries of unfairness from both camps, our TSX-vs-Maxima Showroom Showdown was one of the closest yet, with the Maxima pulling ahead by only a scant 3 votes. In true CarDomain fashion, you picked the Maxima's burlier performance over the TSX's luxier extras—and only two of you opted for "neither."
Continue reading "2009 Maxima More Popular By a Hair" »
A couple of really nice 2009 rides were revealed today at NYIAS. Both Nissan's Maxima and Acura's TSX feature controversial styling and "Four-Door Sports Car" performance. The Maxima will have a V6 pushing 290 hp, and a CVT automatic with optional paddle shifters. The TSZ has about 90 fewer horses, but its 2.4L VTEC will still be packing some serious punch, especially with the optional 6-speed manual. So which would you choose? TSX or Maxima?
All of the games in the Gran Turismo series have been super popular, and from the looks of this trailer, the fifth installment should be a total blast. One big complaint die-hard fans have had with the series—the lack of damage modeling—has been fixed, and graphics look so good, it almost makes you wonder why you can't smell any exhaust. Of course, there's a laundry list of different cars available to flog—check out some of the superstars starring in the preview below. The prologue—which doesn't have all the features the full version will contain—will be released on April 28th, with the complete game to follow in the next 12 months. Get more details over at Winding Road.
Remember slot cars? I've been obsessed since I was a little kid, and I think it's time to pick up a new track. Hey, I can't spend all my money at the bar. Here's the news:
- The idea of hydrogen-powered vehicles seems pretty promising. But a pilot program to run busses in Santa Clara off the future-fuel has been pretty disappointing. And by disappointing, I mean, really, really expensive. Auto Observer
- Memorial services have been arranged for famed hot rod builder Boyd Coddinigton. If you're in SoCal, you can swing by his shop and pay your respects. Hopefully, the garage will continue to produce beautiful cars. Godspeed Boyd! AutoWeek
- Honda is recalling more than a quarter million TLs. Turns out excessive heat in the engine compartment can cause a power steering hose to fail, leak fluid on to the catalytic converter and start a fire. I thought Lambos and Ferrari's were the only cars supposed go up in flames. Detroit News
- The automotive press has a big, fat crush on Chevy's new Malibu, and rightly so. But is the hybrid option worth it? Some reviewers don't think so. Washington Post
After hating on domestics for years, Consumer Reports just ranked the Cadillac CTS above the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300 while testing upscale sports sedans for the March issue. The Caddy placed third overall in the class, just below the Infiniti G35 and Acura TL. And that's not all--Consumer Reports even ranked the new Chevrolet Malibu among the best family sedans, giving the V6 Malibu an 'Excellent' overall score. Whoa! You can read the full story at Yahoo news.
Oh, and D's CTS (below) looks pretty damn sweet with 22s.
Here's a shocker: Toyota and Honda scored the two top spots in brand perception in a recent Consumer Reports survey. Jeez, I wonder how that happened. Now, you know how I feel about Consumer Reports. Somehow, though, Ford and Chevy scored the number three and four spots. But here's the funny part: Acura got the lowest score of any manufacturer! Go figure.
By David
GRM Editorial Director
Shopping for a car is always fun--especially when it's someone else's money. My brother has the itch for a new car, and considering that both of his current cars have more than 100,000 miles on them I just can't blame him. He was down for Thanksgiving, and we spent a good amount of time surfing the ads online.
The original list included the Lexus IS300, E46-chassis BMW and Acura TSX. It then kind of morphed into a race between a new Civic sedan or the Mazda3 once we realized that the two later cars actually have more interior space. The fact the Mazda3 comes in a wagon is also appealing, since it could serve as a small truck. (By the way, I once drove one all over Hawaii and dug the heck out of it--even on winding roads.) Either way, he's keeping his Miata, so he'll still have something sporty to drive. Any other cars he should check out?
Since its introduction in 2003, the TSX has served as Acura's entry-level luxury sedan and has competed against the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class. Although a solid entrant into the segment, the car has been criticized for its front-wheel drive layout and lack of power. But it looks as though Acura is trying to quell some of the past complaints with the 2009 TSX.
Spy photographers have spotted the next-generation Acura TSX out testing. Taking design cues from the 2005 SPORTS 4 concept car, the new TSX has a more aggressive look than the current car. Power for the base TSX is expected to come from a 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder--rated in the 220-230 horsepower range--driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.
Also look for Acura to offer a Type-S model of the TSX. Power is said to come from the turbocharged engine found in the Acura RDX--tuned to 260 horsepower--and will be connected to a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch gearbox similar to Audi's DSG. But unlike the base TSX, the Type-S is expected to use Honda's Super Handling All Wheel Drive.
The U.S.-spec TSX also gives us a hint of what to expect from the European Accord when it debuts next year. As with the current models, the U.S. TSX and European Accord are essentially the same vehicle with small design changes. The European Accord is slated to receive a diesel power option, something Acura could offer in U.S. bound TSX.
The TSX should start production by the end of 2008. More photos at Left Lane News.
