Like Some Cat from Japan: Honda’s N-TRUCK/N-CAMP Is a Goldmine of Tiny Recreation

We enjoy miniature things. We really like things we can not have. Offered the bent of this publication, you’d be excused for pondering that our existing obsession is a 1/3-scale Ferrari FXX K with a functional KERS technique built from a coffee can, some rebar, and a wall wart. But it is not. Our present dork-frenzy is attributable to the incredible Japan CampingCar Show and one of its stars, the Honda N-TRUCK/N-CAMP.

Positive, yesterday, we have been all about Toyota’s fabulous new Alphard and Vellfire twins. Some saw fit to front on our adore of the avant-garde wheeled boxes. Thankfully, we’re automotive polyamorists, so our love of the Alphard/Vellfire burns undiminished in the presence of our new sweetheart. Jalopnik’s Jason Torchinsky—an idiosyncratic man if ever there was an idiosyncratic man—hipped us to the existence of this wondrous show of vehicular recreation, and we share his ardor for the N-Box–derived mini-pickup and its attendant trailer.

Hunting for all the planet like a Ford Centurion fifth-wheel hauler that motored directly into the path of some secret shrink ray out at White Sands, the N-TRUCK tows with a conventional hitch, leaving its minuscule bed totally free to carry a handful of bento boxes and a Shiba Inu. The trailer itself is wonderfully and stylishly appointed, with a zazzy green velour chair that we’d happily have in our living room.

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Sadly, the roughing-it-in-absurd-style duo is merely a notion, a figment of Honda’s florid imagination. 1-off or not, it is just about perfect—the only change we’d make would be to make sure there was space to bring along a Grom.

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Like Some Cat from Japan: Honda’s N-TRUCK/N-CAMP Is a Goldmine of Tiny Recreation

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

The soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 wins Good Design’;s Gold Award in Japan

After just recently winning Car Of The Year Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the all-new Mazda2 received the Good Design Award’;s Good Design Gold Award (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’;s Award), sponsored by public interest incorporated foundation, Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Following the Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 the soon to be launched in South Africa, all-new Mazda2 is the 4th in Mazda’;s line-up of new-generation products which feature the full range of SKYACTIV technology* and KODO-Soul of Motion design.

Aspiring to create a new-generation subcompact that would shatter people’;s preconceived notions about this class of vehicle, Mazda packed all the new technology and design ideas that have defined the automaker’;s new-generation models into the compact body of the Mazda2. KODO design has been evolved to give the model a sense of life and an undeniable presence that belies the vehicle’;s compact size. With the interior, Mazda designers aimed to set a new global benchmark for the segment. Every element, from spatial composition and forms, through to colour coordination and textures, was drastically transformed to realize a feeling of quality that exceeds the class.

The Japan Institute of Design Promotion said about the Mazda2, “Mazda has taken all of the KODO design from the last few years and condensed it into this compact body. The tense undulations of the body surfaces remind one of a wild animal in pursuit of prey, and every line expresses a sense of speed. The exterior is so dynamic it is hard to believe this form was achieved on a small city car. Not only does the quality feel of the interior exceed the standards of the class, the natural driving position made possible by moving the front wheels forward means you never feel like you are driving a small car. Along with the SKYACTIV clean diesel engine this model lets you enjoy the most fundamental pleasure of the automobile-moving your own hands and feet to get where you want to go-with all 5 senses.”

Established in 1957, the Good Design Award is Japan’;s only comprehensive program for the evaluation and commendation of design. In 2014, a total of 1,258 designs were awarded the Good Design Award, among which the highest scoring 100 were named to the Good Design Best 100. The Good Design Gold Award is awarded to the most outstanding designs among the Good Design Best 100.

For more information about the Japan Institute of Design Promotion’;s Good Design Award:

http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en

“Mazda Southern Africa is inspired and enthusiastic about launching this now multi award winning all-new Mazda2 in South Africa early 2015.” Says David Hughes – MD of Mazda South Africa

*SKYACTIV is the umbrella term for Mazda’;s range of next-generation technologies-including gasoline and diesel engines, transmissions, body and chassis – developed under Mazda’;s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom vision to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

All-New Mazda2 Wins Good Design Gold Award 2014 In Japan

30 Years New: Toyota Japan to Sell Brand-New Land Cruiser Series 70—for A single Year

Here’s the tragedy of the Land Cruiser Series 70: It was never sold in the United States. The toughest and most rugged of the whole Land Cruiser lineup is an icon in Australia and South Africa, exactly where they’ve been on sale constantly for 30 years. And for 20 of those years, you could walk into a Japanese Toyota dealer and plunk down a pile of yen for a Series 70 pickup or SUV.

Related: The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X is freakishly capable

Even though the Series 70 soldiered on in other markets, for 10 years, Japanese enthusiasts begged the business to bring back the stalwart truck. For the Land Cruiser’s 30th anniversary, Toyota is going to. There’s a single catch and one silver lining. The catch is that they’ll only be sold for a year in Japan, and then it is off into the sunset, once again, for the 70. The silver lining is that, at existing exchange prices and excluding taxes, they’ll be the equivalent of $ 34,650 U.S. dollars, which seems like a steal. I can’t think about an SUV this large selling for significantly less than $ 50K in the U.S., ancient and bare-bones or not.

Related: A history of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser

Very good news for Japan, and the very same negative news as the past 30 years for Americans. Meanwhile, in Australia, they don’t know what all the fuss is about, because the variants of the Series 70 they get make the boring quad-cab pickup and regular SUV versions in Japan look like 4WD Camrys. In Australia, they offer snorkel-equipped 70s in a single cab pickup and a troop-carrying version that seats up to 11 people. And while the Japanese 30th Anniversary Edition tends to make do with the normal corporate 4-liter 1GR-FE V-6 identified in most of the company’s trucks, the Australian models get the stump-pulling 1VD-FTV turbo-diesel V-8 with 583 lb-ft of torque.

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With a structure dating back to 1984, we’ll in no way see a brand new LHD Series 70 sold right here. But keep in mind, the 25-year rule means importing RHD versions from abroad is a true possibility.

Related: Papercraft Land Cruisers place Dakar on your desk

This story originally appeared on roadandtrack.com

30 Years New: Toyota Japan to Sell Brand-New Land Cruiser Series 70—for A single Year

Far more Juice for Japan: Subaru Begins WRX S4 and STI Type S Sales

Subaru loves to save particular issues for the residence market. The 22B STI from 1998 may well be the most notable instance amongst casual Subie heads, but it is hardly the only a single. And now Nihon-boxer devotees have a pair of new Impreza-derived machines to lust soon after: the WRX S4 and the WRX STI Variety S.

The STI Sort S is not markedly distinct from the vehicle you can trot down to your neighborhood Subie shop and acquire. It gives away a pony or so of our model’s 305 horsepower although bumping the torque up 21 lb-ft to 311. If torqueliness is subsequent to godliness in your garage, this is the Subaru you will no doubt be drooling more than.

To us, however, the WRX S4 is the a lot more interesting of the pair. The name reeks of cheek. “Why, yes, enthusiasts of turbocharged AWD German vehicles with a storied rally heritage, we’re going to pluck a single of your treasured alphanumerics and stick it on our turbocharged AWD vehicle with a storied rally heritage.” Beyond the blatant pilfer from Audi, the S4 takes Subaru’s new FA engine to energy levels near the beloved old EJ that’s nevertheless doing duty in the STI. Fuji Heavy Industries has managed to wring 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft from the new engine.

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The added-zoot Rex is denoted by a good little decklid spoiler, revised ducts in the front fascia, as properly as special side sills, a fancy increase gauge, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The S4 is also the first WRX to acquire Subaru’s EyeSight collison-avoidance technique. It all sounds fairly snappy, but there’s a downside, and it’s a fairly unfortunate one. It is accessible only with Subaru’s Sport Lineartronic transmission, which is Subaru code for CVT. That is one way to hold it from stepping on the STI, we suppose.

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Far more Juice for Japan: Subaru Begins WRX S4 and STI Type S Sales