Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Tokyo motor shows: past, present and future

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 20 August 2009 09:30 As bets in this topsy-turvy, unpredictable industry go, it’s a banker: of all the motor shows on the global calendar, the Tokyo exhibit is always the barmiest. Although the Chinese shows are rising in importance – and amusement value –  there’s something peculiarly bonkers about the biannual Japanese bash held in downtown Tokyo. So strange is the exhibition at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City to westerners, that you don’t bat an eyelid at talking cars, vehicles with feelings, or cars designed for dogs.

Mini Paceman breaks cover before Paris debut

The Mini Paceman will become the seventh vehicle in Mini's lineup when it debuts at the Paris auto show later this month. It rides on the same platform as the Mini Countryman, but has a roof that slopes to the rear like the Range Rover Evoque. As is the case with the rest of the Mini lineup, a standard model and an up-powered S version will be offered.

Lexus GS gets Supercharged for SEMA 2012

A Lexus GS350 has been titivated and Supercharged by VIP Auto Salon ahead of a reeval at the 2012 SEMA Show. Last year – at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas – Lexus introduced us to the sporty side of the new GS with the debut of the GS F-Sport, a titivated GS with more aggressive looks and a more sporty character  But this year we’re getting something with a bit more oomph – a Lexus GS350 F-Sport with a nice meaty supercharger bolted on. We don’t actually get the GS350 in the UK – we have the choice of the GS250 with a 2.5 litre V6 or the GS450 V6 hybrid – but on the other side of the Pond they get the V6 we get in the 450h but without the hybrid gubbins, which offers 300 horses, and that’s the GS model VIP Auto Salon have given new life to.