JAPANESE SUPERCARS

PAYBACK TIME

You've seen these cars before. But the real stuff is set to appear at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year, conforming Japan's intention of matching the West's finest

Acura ASCC : WHAT IS IT: The replacement for the mid-engine NSX that may carry both the Acura and Honda badges as before.

THE TARGET: BMW M6, plus the image-rich Aston Martin Vanquish and Ferrari 612 - at less than half their prices.

THE VITALS: Initially penned with a mid-engine layout as seen in the 2003 HSC Concept, the new NSX is set to get a 5.5-litre V10 engine up front as confirmed from the ASCC (Advanced Sports Car Concept) to supersede the old V6 unit.

Honda will make it an easy supercar to drive by installing an upgraded version of SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive) as used in today's Legend executive saloon with a rear-wheel drive bias. Expect to see either manual or dual-clutch gearbox options.

Like the old NSX, this successor is most likely to get an all-aluminium monocoque body for lighter weight which is crucial in handling and fuel economy terms. What's also possible is a strict two-seat configuration of yore.

Nissan PROTO GT-R

WHAT IS IT: The replacement for the top-line Skyline that has spanned 10 generations and will purely be called GT-R.

THE TARGET: BMW M3 for its money, plus new Honda NSX and BMW M6 for all of their usable real-world performance.

THE VITALS: The VQ-series V6 should be increased to 3.8 litres from 3.5 and hooked up to turbos to help power exceed 400hp, replacing the last GT-R's famed RB-series inline-six twin-turbo engine. Such a blown V6 was already previewed in a 350Z Fairlady Concept shown at Goodwood Festival of Speed in Britain last year.

All-wheel-drive like before is a cert for the GT-R which will be built from the FM platform used extensively in high-end Nissans and Infinitis, while there will be a new four-wheel-steering to make handling even sharper. Dual-clutch transmission with seven forward ratios is rumoured.

The basis of the GT-R will come from the new Skyline Coupe' (Infiniti G35) due at the New York Auto Show this April, but will be a much more sophisticated car overall in engineering terms, faster and meaner looking than its lesser brethren. Keep your fingers crossed for a possible Infiniti version that could even get a souped-up V8.

Toyota FT-HS

WHAT IS IT: The replacement for the Supra whose production ended more than a decade ago; purpose: to serve as Toyota's new flagship.

THE TARGET: Lost opportunities taken by the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8 on its home turf, as well as BMW M3 and Z4M Coupe'.

THE VITALS: Like Nissan, Toyota will replace the J-coded inline-six engine with a 3.5-litre motor as used in Lexus models that could develop some 300hp. The FT-HS concept's hybrid version - utilised in the Lexus GS450h - could also be carried over into the Supra assault with 400hp.

Since Toyota is cash-rich, Lexus will get its own supercar in the guise of the much-shown LF-A which, however, runs a mightier 5.0-litre V10 with more than 500hp between its rear wheels. The LF-A will share many commonalities with the Supra, like wedgy lines and laid-back profile.

Unlike Honda and Nissan, Toyota may stick to a conventional automatic, but with eight ratios and quick-shifting response complimentary with advances in software technology.

Bangkok Post
Friday February 02, 2007