Celebrating Steve Aoki's Birthday with Tire Smoke &
Cake!
Nitto The made the bold move to reach out to a new
generation of fist pumping music fans. They combined forces with DJ and producer
Steve Aoki to throw one kick ass party in Los Angeles, CA. We dressed up in our
neon shirts and dancing shoes (Only San7 did.-NH) to check out the sold out
show, which also happened to be Aoki's 35th b-day. Pure madness is all we have
to report! Nitto's partnership with Aoki didn't just entail the party; they
brought him to SEMA where I received a chocolatey surprise during the press
conference. Also, on the morning of the concert, Nitto organized private
drifting lessons for the DJ with Formula D driver, Matt Powers in his S14.
Nitto tells us they're not done supporting Aoki and the electronic dance music
scene yet so stay tuned for future events and get your glow sticks ready.
S14 Silvia
Honda's Scion Fighter?
Designers flashed back to 1967 for inspiration, on nonaa•s
iazest 'MSME the nox, out SME the box' creation. The N-One, the third wave of
Honda's N-spec mini vehicles to hit the streets of Tokyo reaches back to the
N360 for its retro look. Honda's spiffy mighty mite would do well in the two box
world of the Scion xB, Kia Soul and Nissan Cube or the micro realm against the
Scion iQ or Fiat 500; the N-One is a full three inches shorter than the Fiat.
If it ever got released here that is. The N-One went on sale late in 2012 in
Japan only and with a starting price of $14,000 for the base and $16,000 for
the up-level premium; the pricing is right but it may be too small and its
right hand drive only configuration also hurts the cause. What really hurts is
Mugen has already fiddled with the micro machine (see smaller inset pics)
adding a full body kit, larger wheels, big brakes, a lowered sport suspension
and a dual exhaust to the mix. We want one.
Scion iQ Concept
Supra Talk Getting 'More Official'
We have been on top of 'The Supra Resurrection' like a lion
on the back of a wounded gazelle. Our teeth are getting closer to the jugular
as we are hearing 'more official' comments about the when and how the Supra
will return to the tuning scene. When we last left off the Supra was a
400-horse hybrid with a CVT and a $60,000 price tag. Recent reports by Asia One
indicate Toyota has a three-headed sports car attack in the works with the
FR-S/ GT86 sandwiched between the Supra and a more entry-level, MR2 revival
type of vehicle. Asia One quoted chief engineer Tetsuya Tada saying, "The
president (Akio Toyoda) has asked me to make a successor to the Supra as soon
as possible." That's pretty concrete in our eyes. A five-year timeline is
being kicked around.
We have been on
top of 'The Supra Resurrection' like a lion on the back of a wounded gazelle.
Civic Gets Mid-Stream Redesign
We love it when an automaker responds to the media and
customers. In this case it's Honda refreshing the Civic a scant 18 months after
a full redesign because of comments on styling and interior shortcomings. The
strange thing is the Civic is killing it in the sales department so kudos to
Honda for doing the right thing. The braver more angular styling of the 2013
Civic sedan's front end includes a new open-mouth lower bumper with a
horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille, anchored
by new integrated fog lights on tipper trines. The grille is flanked by new
clear-lens corner lights to provide a more premium look. The 2013 Civic's more
sculpted front-end flows into a new, more deeply faceted hood, complemented by
a collection of sharp new wheel designs. Now if we can only get Honda to bring
over those 'forbidden fruit' JDM whips...all with Mugen editions.
2013 Honda Civic
Si Sedan Front Left View
This Dart Hits Bull's-Eye
The Dodge Dart's design hits on all cylinders and the Carbon
Fire SEMA car shows the sedan's sinister side. This is a fashion statement car
as all mechanicals are more or less stock which is fine, the tuning industry
will gladly take the baton and up the ante on the Dart's 1.4-liter Multi-Air
four. The Carbon Fire features a prototype spoiler and hood forged in carbon fiber,
a tricked out front fascia and 19-inch rollers. Dressed up brake calipers,
tinted lighting, and a Katzkin enhanced interior round out the package. We
don't mind the look and are interested in see the tuning potential of the sleek
Dart.
The Dodge Dart's
design hits on all cylinders and the Carbon Fire SEMA car shows the sedan's
sinister side.
Mazda speed takes the Miata Enduro Style
The Super25 is a follow up or evolution of the Super20 Miata
Mazda displayed at the 2011 SEMA Show. The Super25 is conceptualized as an
endurance racer, its #55 call sign a direct reference to the number the 24
Hours Of Le Mans winning Mazda wore in 1991. The car can light up the night
thanks to its four-lamp auxiliary lighting fixture that features a pair of PIAA
40-Series halogens and a pair of PIAA Super White Driving lamps. A set of 17-inch
Volk Racing TE37s wrapped with 225/45ZR-17 tires provide the contact patch.
Inside it's all business with a lone Sparco Evo seat, Sparco R323 tiller and
Sparco harness system dominating the landscape.
The Super25 is a
follow up or evolution of the Super20 Miata Mazda displayed at the 2011 SEMA
Show.
