Autoblog

JDM Retrofuturism: Mitsuoka launches updated New Viewt

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST

Mitsuoka Viewt -- Click above for high-res image gallery

You know that unique thing that Mitsuoka does? If not, see for yourself. And here's another example of it: the new Viewt. Originally introduced in 1993, the Viewt is a Nissan Micra underneath what kind of resembles a Jaguar MkII shell. The latest version of the Viewt underwent some slight changes to ensure compliance with Japanese safety regulations, such as integrating the bumpers into the front end panels.

We consider it a testament to Mitsuoka's designs that a shrunken, ill-proportioned Jaguar clone that sits on a Nissan microcar isn't the strangest thing the company has done. To see more of it, check out the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: Mitsuoka New Viewt

[Source: Mitsuoka]

JDM Retrofuturism: Mitsuoka launches updated New Viewt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mitsuoka to offer unique rental cars in Japan, also plans to sell in China

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, China, Japan, Beijing Motor Show

Mitsuoka Orochi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsuoka, the Japanese car company whose mission seems to be hoarding all the ugly in the entire world and using it to design automobiles, will expand into Japan's rental car market and offer its luxury range in China. Japanese drivers will be able to rent the Orochi for ¥25,000 ($279 US) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., or for three whole days for ¥45,000 ($501 US). They can also sport the Himiko for ¥20,000 ($223 US) for those nine hours, or ¥36,000 ($401 US) for 72 hours.

The sea monster-faced Orochi will also spearhead Mitsuoka's charge into China. The company plans to display the car at next year's Beijing Auto Show, and to open dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. We know the Chinese have occasionally fascinating taste in car design, but we can't wait to see how they receive the Orochi. Mitsuoka wants to move 35 units in its first year, and as if its looks weren't queer enough, the car is expected to cost 50% more in China than it does in Japan, where it will already set you back ¥9,345,000 ($87,287 USD). Any takers?

Gallery: Mitsuoka Orochi

[Source: Antara News]

REPORT: Mitsuoka to offer unique rental cars in Japan, also plans to sell in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501

Alex Nunez — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Japan, Videos, Humor

Ninja vs. BuBu - Follow the jump to watch video

No need to belabor this - you really just need to watch. The three-wheeled hero car is a BuBu 501 by Mitsuoka, and yes, it's being chased and attacked by a group of ninja. On roller skates. Doing stunts. (Don't miss the absurd roller disco-style maneuver that has one ninja pull another through his legs for no discernible reason whatsoever.)

Even if you've seen this vintage Japanese footage before, you're going to want to revisit it, so follow the jump and let the awesome wash over you.

[Source: YouTube via Twitter]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501

VIDEO: Ridiculous vintage JDM action! Roller-skating ninja vs. Bubu 501 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shanghai 2009: Geely GE goes for baroque. Again.

Chris Paukert — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Rolls-Royce, Specialty, Shanghai Motor Show

Geely Excellence Limousine - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Asian consumers loves them some baroque styling. How else to explain the popularity of gaudy, over-the-top couture in the continent's major city centers? Indeed, how else to explain the existence of cars like the Mitsuoka Galue S50 and Galue 204? Proving that the love affair is still very much still alive is this, the Geely Excellence (GE) Limousine.

Despite the obvious aping of traditional Rolls-Royce styling cues (square-rigged waterfall grille, Spirit of ~~Imitation~~ Ecstasy hood ornament, wool carpets, etc.) there is some innovation here, in the form of the rear seat "throne," a kingly perch that forms the literal centerpoint of the car's unorthodox 1+2 seating arrangement.

In any case, the 17.5-foot Goliath is widely expected to be the first offering from Geely's new sub-brand, YingLun, or ENGLON (a melding of "England" and "London), but for the moment, the Chinese automaker is stopping short of confirming production.

Gallery: Geely GE Limo

Gallery: Geely GE

Photos copyright (C) 2009 IceBin / Weblogs, Inc

[Source: Autoblog China]

Shanghai 2009: Geely GE goes for baroque. Again. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsuoka tries to ape Morgan, succeeds

Alex Nunez — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Japan

Click above for a gallery of the Mitsuoka Himiko

It's ridiculous, but we love Mitsuoka. The company is best known for transforming existing cars into wannabe classic British-style rides, as well as its Orochi sports car, which is what happens after a Camry gets drunk and has a torrid one-night stand with a sea monster. The latest Mitsuoka effort, however, is an instant classic. It's called the Himiko, and it wants desperately to be a Morgan. Appropriately, the source material for this fake British sports car is a Mazda MX-5, itself an homage to the classic British roadsters of old. Thus, how bad can it really be? And look, you can even get it with the retractable hardtop! It's as endearing as it is nutty. Like we said at the top. We love Mitsuoka.

UPDATE: 20 more photos added to the gallery.

Gallery: Mitsuoka Himiko

[Source: Autofiends]

Mitsuoka tries to ape Morgan, succeeds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsuoka Galue S50 Limousine plops onto the scene

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Japan, Humor

Click above for gallery with more images, if you dare

Mitsuoka, that tiny Japanese manufacturer who makes the wonderfully wacky Orochi sea monster, has introduced its latest automotive mash-up, just in time to give us a Halloween fright. It is a derivative of the company's Galue III (the return of the shapeshifter) and is known as the Galue Limousine S50. This shouldn't be confused with the company's Galue 204 Toyota Corolla rebody, or the Galue Convertible, which is based on the Ford Mustang. Instead, this limo is based on the Infiniti M, but incorporates styling touches from such classic designs as the '94 Cadillac Fleetwood, the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Apple iPhone. While that might not sound too offensive, trust us, it is.

Remember the classic Beetles with the R-R grilles? Imagine that on a new Infiniti M35. And out back, that gracefully curved rear has been amended with Caddy taillight protrusions. Where once stood a B-pillar, we now have a foot-wide panel that houses an oversized iPhone-like glass panel. Like the retro-classic Excaliburs of the '70s and '80s, Mitsuoka apparently feels people will like modern running gear hidden beneath "classic" British looks. Priced between 8,016,750 yen (68,600 euros at the exchange) for the 223-hp 250LX to 9,345,000 (80,000 euros) for the 313-hp 350LX 4WD, we think that's a lot of coin for a Frankencar like this. Heck, you could probably find a used Continental GT for about the same. You could even rebadge it as a Hyundai if it makes you feel better.

Gallery: Mitsuoka Galue S50 Limousine

[Source: Mitsuoka via Autblog Spanish]

Mitsuoka Galue S50 Limousine plops onto the scene originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wacky or Tacky? Mitsuoka introduces the Galue 204

Alex Nunez — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan

Click image for hi-res gallery

Mitsuoka, in addition to building the sea creature-like Orochi sports car, is best known for its quirky "regular" models, which are simply rebodied vehicles that are usually made to look like British classics. Today, the boutique automaker unveiled the Galue 204, which is based on the current Toyota Corolla Axio (sedan). Mechanically, all the Corolla Axio options are available -- 1.5 or 1.8L engines, optional 4WD, etc. Visually, you get an "Old Luxury" face (watch out for marauding Audi R8s) and a rear that looks lifted right off a late-model Cadillac Fleetwood. It makes for an amusing automotive mash-up, and ultimately, a suitably eccentric novelty vehicle. This is one Corolla that certainly can't be accused of looking boring.

[Source: Mitsuoka]

Gallery: Mitsuoka Galue 204

Wacky or Tacky? Mitsuoka introduces the Galue 204 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Send it to the Galue factory: Mitsuoka's 'Stang/Rolls hybrid

Alex Nunez — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Japan

Click image to enlarge

You can probably build a drinking game around the art of discerning from what cars Japanese automaker Mitsuoka grabs styling elements in its insanely-rebodied lineup. One of its newest additions is the shockingly ugly, Ford Mustang-based Galue convertible (The Galue II sedan is based on a Nissan. You can do that when you're just grafting on new front and rear ends.) In one fell swoop, Mitsuoka takes the 'Stang and renders it into a spectacle reminiscent of "contemporary classics" like the Excalibur.

The front end apes any number of Rolls-Royces, while the rear gets the look of the last-generation Cadillac Eldorado. There are train wrecks on wheels, and then there's this. And it ain't cheap, either. According to Carscoop, the asking price for this puppy is the equivalent of $65,000 USD for the Mustang GT-based car, and well over $50K for a V6 model. Yes, we know all about how the conversion rate between here and Japan isn't direct when it comes to cars because of differences in the marketplaces, etc. The point is, this would be just as crazy at half the price. Some of the Mitsuoka creations are fun, to be sure. This poor pony, however, might need to be taken behind the barn and put out of its misery.

[Source: Mitsuoka via Carscoop]

Gallery: Mitsuoka Galue Convertible

Send it to the Galue factory: Mitsuoka's 'Stang/Rolls hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced

Alex Nunez — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan

Japanese automaker Mitsuoka has revealed the production version of it's unique-looking mid-engined Orochi sports car, along with the car's production plans, pricing, and specifications. The Orochi, named for an eight-headed serpent out of Japanese folklore, first appeared as a 2001 concept car, and from the looks of things, the production vehicle stays very true to the concept. The Orochi was introduced at a press conference that opened with a Kabuki show (above right), during which a white example of the sports car was driven onstage.

In the past, we've seen the Orochi referred to as a supercar, but while it looks as (if not more) exotic as just about any limited-production vehicle on the planet, it lacks the performance credentials (on paper, at least) to put it in supercar territory. In fact, the powertrain will be familiar to many. The 3.3L V6 mounted aft of the passenger compartment is Toyota's well-known 3MZ-FE, which sees duty in the Camry, Solara, Sienna, Highlander, and Lexus RX (hybrid and standard versions). It makes around 230 horsepower and is connected to a Toyota 5-speed automatic. The decision was made to place efficiency and ease of use ahead of high performance.

Speaking of performance, no numbers were released along with the technical specifications, but don't expect anything earth-shattering. The car's average power, combined with a weight of approximately 3,400 pounds (around 100 less than a Solara), is not a recipe for big-time track numbers. In Japan, though, exclusivity seems to trump all, and that's a commodity the Orichi has in abundance. So what if it has just 230 horsepower? In Japan, arriving anywhere in one of these will bestow instant superstar status upon the driver.

400 Orochis will be built over the next four years, each costing ¥10,500,000 (around $89,000 USD). Orders can be placed beginning today with the first deliveries taking place in January 2007.

(Photos, tech specs after the jump)

[Source: Carview (translated)]

Continue reading Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced

Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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