Tokyo's stillborn supercar battle
by Damon Lavrinc on Oct 4th 2007 at 3:29PM 
Winding Road's Japan correspondent, Peter Nunn, has dashed any hopes of the Tokyo Motor Show bubbling over with Nipponese supercars. Sure, we'll get to see the rebirth of Godzilla in the form of the R35 GT-R, plus the unveilings of the new Evo X and STI certainly aren't going to suck. But the knockdown, drag-out brawl between Japan's Big Three (Honda, Nissan and Toyota) is going to be distinctly one-sided.
Initial speculation was that Lexus might be showing off a production version of its LF-A supercar, but the lull in spy shots, partnered with no form of official notification from Toyota leads Nunn to believe that unless there's a last minute surprise on press day, the LF-A will be kept under wraps until sometime next year.
As for Acura, the lukewarm (okay, downright frigid) reception the Advanced Sports Car Concept got in Detroit lead many to speculate that after the prototype was sent back to the LA studio's drawing board, it might make a triumphant return in Tokyo. As it turns out, the combination of internal design haggling and the delay of Acura's launch in Japan means that there's no podium for the new AWD, V10-powered rocket to reside.
Despite all that, we're perfectly content with the GT-R stealing the show. After this long of a wait, it'll deserve every bit of attention it gets.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sean 3:49PM (10/04/2007)
I think even though its been in development for a long time, Lexus would rather get the car perfect instead of rushing it to the market, which is a good thing.
As for Honda, Soichiro must be turning in his grave becuase of the lack of focus at Honda. They really need to get their act together and go back to their roots. Honda used to be one of the most illustrious motor sport companies a while back. but if you tell some people that now, they would think your on crack.
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zamafir 4:42PM (10/04/2007)
yes... yes... that and certain new comers such as the R8 that set the bar of what is to expected from cars in this demographic considerably higher then they were... and i was under impression toyota was building the supercar and branding it a lexus and not that lexus has their own design wing as Audi does with quattro gbh..
Devin 4:07PM (10/04/2007)
I guess I'm a part of the few % that like the Acura. I much prefer it over the LF-A, and about as much as the "getting somewhat boring" GT-R. Toyota can spend as much time and money as they want on the LF-A, but in the end, it probably won't make much money, especially since it will be competing with established enthusiast oriented brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi (R8), Porsche, Mercedes (SLR), and in all reality (even though some refuse to admit it) the Corvette and Viper (which will be selling for between 30-60% of the price of the LF-A.
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stefan 4:39PM (10/04/2007)
@Robot
What are you smoking, the new GTR has nothing to do with the G35. And failed are you crazy the GTR kicked the 911 turbo's ass and is going after the carerra GT.
Please go and educate your self about the new GTR because i never heard such stupid comments in my life.
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zamafir 4:46PM (10/04/2007)
Kindly refer us to any literature on any blog or car magazine or from Nissan indicating a portly 500hp coupe is intended to compete not with the $100,000 bracket of 911s, R8s, AMV8s, et-al; but rather the significantly more expensive $440,000 Carrera GT/ Lambo LM640 demographic?
While your assertion that this car is no G35/36/37 in disguise is correct, it is not targeting the Carrera GT. Even common sense would indicate such with the $350,000+ price discrepancy, added weight, lack of power, et-al. The GT-R will rock, yes, but it's no lemans racer for the street. Be reasonable when critiquing someone who's not.
John R 6:11PM (10/04/2007)
@zamafir
I think Stefan was refering to the article (link below).
I love the new GT-R and I'm glad it's capable of the unofficial 'Ring time it posted.
If it can beat the carrera gt, great. If it can't, I won't be dissapointed. It's already shaping up to be a great auto
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/25/but-wait-theres-more-nissan-gt-r-at-the-ring-gunning-for-th/
Maestro1 7:59PM (10/04/2007)
Given that there are so many tuners out there who tweak supercars to their own liking, I really don't think it matters much whether it beats the Carrera GT or not. Its worth the price and that's important. If it matches/beats its direct competition, even better.
Ricky 5:09PM (10/04/2007)
You must think the G35 also has a 3.8 liter twin turbo motor outputting >450hp. You must also be blind because I do not see "altezza" anywhere on the new GT-R. There is a reason the GT-R has such a huge following, it blows away its competition on the ring. I'm glad it won't end up in the hands of people like you.
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Ricky 5:18PM (10/04/2007)
Honda needs to take the discontinued NSX, and reinvent it. The NSX was truly ahead of its time even up until the end of its run. The concept was simple, lightweight sports car that was powerful enough and could rip up the bends. It seems to me that the "next-gen" offerings from Japan are going to be far from that original design. All these future offerings include a FR/AWD layout with a huge engine up front leaving them little room for 50/50 weight distribution and a less centric driving position. Give me a mid-engine production car with a rear bias awd system and a dual clutch transmission already! Oh wait... there is one. The AUDI R8 and t3h w1nn4r
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Dustin 5:32PM (10/04/2007)
Every review I read about the Acura concept was positive when it was unveiled, yet every new article mentioning its delay and redesign claims it had a terrible reception. Talk about following trends... everyone says the same BS.
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Dustin 5:36PM (10/04/2007)
Oh and Toyota wants the launch of the LF-A to coincide with their first F1 win, so really it may never come to market...
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Derek Kreindler 5:56PM (10/04/2007)
In 2004/2005 they apparently had an LF-A ready to go should Toyota pull off a win...that thing must be collecting some serious dust.
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Robot 5:58PM (10/04/2007)
Just like i said the GTR's design is very weaksauce compared to the competition....Look at the LFA, it's out of this world. now the Acura, i think Honda realized that their design is also weak that's why they went back to the drawing board. Now look at the GTR...WTF...i am seeing a godamn glorified G35 coupee > failure> NISSAN they should have put more extra effort on the design side, but they failed......They got the performance side of the car thou...but design is very important.
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Harrison 6:20PM (10/04/2007)
G35 my foot, find me a G35 that looks like that, has ATTESA-ETS AWD, and 450hp and then we'll talk.
Lexus is wasting its time with the IS-F when they should be worrying about the LF-A.
John R 6:22PM (10/04/2007)
Dude...did you get beat by a Sentra at a stop light or something? I'm sensing some hidden anger.
As for the design of the GT-R. It's good. It's an evolution from the R34. It's almost like you never seen what the previous iterations of the GT-R looked liked. It's always been 2+2 coupe, hence the GT (Grand Touring) in GT-R. Not a $160k+ 2 seater supercar.
ironpony42 7:06PM (10/04/2007)
Toyota just needs to step up with a Supra successor. The Supra moniker has a long and loved history, and it shouldn't be tossed in the scrap heap of nameplate heaven. Build a new Supra with I-6 twin turbo power plant, with a 6 speed and RWD. Then hang a new nose and tail lights on it, stick in the V8 with a flappy paddle box, and call it a Lexus. How hard was that?
To me, both these "uber-sleek" concepts from Acura and Lexus lack soul. Soul goes a long way to making a car desirable. These don't evoke emotion, or passion. They're cold, sterile, and bland.
I love the new GT-R, and I've generally never really cared much for Nissans. But even to Non-Nissan fans, one can tell it's going to be one special ride. Props to Nissan for getting it done, and done right.
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MKIV 7:28PM (10/04/2007)
@ Ricky
You may want to rethink about your comment "it blows away its competition on the ring"
I've driven the R32, 33 and 34 and they are noting to brag about. They are too heavy to go around corners and under steer like crazy.
The car is great in a straight line since it has AWD but it's no corner carver.
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JC 9:01PM (10/04/2007)
Robot = Troll
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Grain 9:38PM (10/04/2007)
clueless moron
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Grain 9:38PM (10/04/2007)
@MKIV......are you insane? "They are too heavy to go around corners and under steer like crazy.
The car is great in a straight line since it has AWD but it's no corner carver." Ahahah, tell me what your on, because I need some of it too. I doubt you have driven any GTR with an amazingly ignorant statement like that. The GTR is world known to be a super sharp cornering machine, ALL OF THEM!
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