Clutch Pressure Plate-aisin Wd Express 151 51016 034 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.

Jaguar: from granddad's XJ to my XJS

A love of Jaguars from childhood is a common theme among the Jaguarati and I am no different. My grandfather owned Jaguars for 50 years, each one bought from new and a treasured possession. I was incredibly impressed by these beautiful beasts, where only the crunch of gravel heralded his arrival, nothing as common as an engine note.

AMG Action! Mercedes eyes new naturally aspirated V8

Mercedes-Benz has selected the twin turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine to power the recently unveiled S63 AMG, CL63 AMG and CLS63 AMG, with ratings between 525 hp and 577 hp. But it's going to be a different story for the successor to the SLK55 AMG set to be revealed at next year's Frankfurt motor show. Sources within the Stuttgart headquarters suggest the new performance roadster is earmarked to receive a yet-to-be revealed naturally aspirated version of Mercedes-Benz's new 5.5-liter V8.