Displaying Items By Tag: Travel

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and News Editor Joel Stocksdale. They kick things off discussing a whole raft of big car debuts this week that would have undoubtedly been part of the L.A. Auto Show if it happened this year. Some of those big reveals include the new Honda Civic, Subaru BRZ and Jeep Wrangler 392. They follow that with some other news highlights and end with green crossover-themed "Spend My Money" segment.

Subaru revealed the 2022 BRZ early Wednesday morning with a 228-horsepower, naturally aspirated boxer engine and a curb weight under 2,900 pounds, even with its optional automatic transmission. 

On paper, the 2022 BRZ appears to carry on in the spirit of its predecessor. While it does get an additional 23 hp and 28 pound-feet of torque thanks to its new 2.4-liter horizontally opposed engine, just about everything else on the 2022 BRZ's spec sheet appears to pick up right where the 2020 model left off. 

Toyota has been for years one of the biggest OEM supporters of SEMA, the aftermarket advocacy group and show organizer. The SEMA Show has been canceled this year (because 2020) but that doesn't mean the parade of wildly customized cars has ceased. Instead, it's moved to an online format called SEMA 360, giving companies a chance to show off the project cars they've spent all year building.

These days, a customized Toyota is much more likely to be a lifted truck than a slammed Celica or MR2. Capitalizing on the popularity of overlanding, or living out of a self-sustained off-roader, Toyota has created a supercharged Tacoma capable of 370 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque.

Aimyon has revealed the live footage for "Harunohi" as well as the off-shot movie from her live DVD & Blu-ray 'AIMYON TOUR 2019 -SIXTH SENSE STORY- IN YOKOHAMA ARENA' to drop on July 8. 

The Sony Xperia 1 II is due to hit many more regions across Europe and Asia from next week. If you're interested in finding out some of the design decision behind the device then it's worth checking out a comprehensive interview with the development team conducted by Engadget Japan.

Nissan is launching an all-new version of the Kicks crossover in Thailand that features the brand's e-Power series hybrid setup. And while that powertrain setup is unlikely to make it to the states, the subcompact utility's new styling cues probably herald what's in store for the model that first debuted here in 2018 as a replacement for the polarizing Juke.

Let's focus on e-Power first anyway, because it's interesting technology, even if it's been around for a while. In the Kicks, it's comprised of a 1.2-liter, 12-valve three-cylinder engine that sends power to the electric-drive system; essentially, it's an EV you can't plug in that generates power for the battery from gasoline. There's also a 1.57 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, and electric motor, generator and inverter, which offer up a maximum 95 kW (127 horsepower) of power and 191 pound-feet of torque. The system allows the ability to route power to the electric motor from both the battery and the engine when it's needed, like climbing a hill or passing on the freeway.

Naoto Inti Raymi has revealed the live footage for his song "Mirai e" via YouTube. 

This is extracted from Naoto's upcoming live DVD / Blu-ray to be released on June 17. The work features footage from the finale of his 2019 tour in Kagoshima.

One of the biggest obstacles automakers face with electric and hybrid vehicles is battery longevity and battery disposal. If EVs are truly the next wave, there must be a solution to sustainably using the materials in batteries and safely. Both Volkswagen and Nissan have previously detailed reuse and recycling programs, and Honda Europe is the latest to announce an eco-friendly plan.

Honda Europe is expanding on a partnership with waste management company Société Nouvelle d'Affinage des Métaux (SNAM) that originally sprouted in 2013. SNAM previously assessed the traceability of end-of-life batteries and made sure they were properly disposed of. In the new arrangement, SNAM will analyze batteries for what are known as "second-life" uses.

Koda Kumi has revealed the trailer for her remix album "re(MIX)", which was released on March 11.

This album is a remix of Koda's album "re(CORD)" that she released in November. It features remixes by shadw, KATFYR, KAZBONGO, Adolfo De La Torre Casmartino, iamSHUM, Toki, Kiyoshi Sugo, MATZ?BUNNY, and DJ Shimamura. 

Ariyasu Momoka has revealed the PV for her new song "Nijimu Namida."

"Nijimu Namida" will be released on March 4 as Ariyasu's first digital single after her comeback. The PV was shot in black-and-white in just one cut.