There’s been a small bug update for Car Calculator V2.2, now available in the Downloads section.

If you downloaded it recently, please re-download and discard the old copy!

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Steve Penney has just released a new version of Car Calculator, which includes a couple of interesting fixes and an all new offset calculator. Absolutely necessary for you import lovers !

Grab it over at the Downloads section.

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It’s been a long time since we last posted at IJ. After the hacking and shock removal from Google we’ve decided to take the site in another, more modern, direction.

In the intervening months we’ve been hard at work to make that happen, and are happy to announce that IJ V2 is nearing completion. We won’t release any details at this time, but we’re sure you’ll love it!

Stay tuned!

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We’ve been continuously hacked, and in a turn of bad luck completely removed from Google for having spam inserted yesterday before any of us could remove it and fix it. 8 hours grace since insertion, and with no warning of removal is a harsh call, Google, very harsh. How a major search engine can punish us without warning, due to the actions of malicious web users is unbelievable, hardly fair and not warranted, but these are the breaks.

In light of this, we are moving from Wordpress to Drupal, throwing up a new theme and getting a good makeover. The update will take a few weeks to do, but we’ll be back. If there’s anything your particularly want to see on the site, feel free to send us a suggestion!

In the meantime we’ll continue to post if we’re able.

To all loyal and new visitors, thankyou for your continued patronage!

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I had a thought wondering if there was ever a V12 JDM car produced for road-going use, and after some discussion with Van of GrandJDM, he pointed me to the 1997 Toyota Century Limousine - the only Japanese FR V12 powered car.

Being the inquisitive sort, I decided to take a look at this immense beast in some detail, and discovered yet another JDM car with a tonne of history and character.

About the Century

Named in homage to the 100 year anniversary of Japan becoming an open, trading country, the iconic Toyota Century began production in 1967, built by under contract by Toyota by Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. One of the largest JDM cars of its type, the first generation of the car surprisingly remained essentially the same for the following 30 years till the second generation in 1997.

Almost all Toyota Century’s are painted black, and all are FR layout based, luxury full size 4 door sedans with 3 or 4 speed automatic transmissions. The first generation (1967-1997) Toyota Century was based on the Toyota Crown, and so the 1967 model carried an upgraded version of the Toyota 3V 2.6L v8, bored to 3.0L. Following years would see upgrades to the 3V till its retirement in favor of the 3.4 L 4V-U V8 (1973), and 4.0 L 5V-EU V8 (1982).

It wasn’t till the second generation Century in 1997, that the car would receive the V12. The most expensive luxury car in the Japanese market received the 206KW (276HP) 1GZ-FE V12, a considerable power jump from the outgoing 5V-EU’s 140KW (187HP) and also received a new 6 speed automatic transmission. It received a bevy of other features such as, electrically closing and opening doors, and massaging rear seats, but stylistically the interior and exterior remained almost identical to the 1967 model that started the namesake.

The Century is a very low volume car, and while not strictly handmade, the car is scrutinized as if it was handmade, and hence the quality is extremely high. Considered a tasteful and conservative sign of wealth and success, the car does away with a flashy show of chrome, gold and platinum (often leather is discarded for quality cloth) to reflect complete conservatism and hence traditional Japanese restraint and manners.

Made to order, the Century is also a car of choice for the Japanese Imperial family who ride in one of five specially customized of the Century aptly named the Century Royal.

Technical Specifications

1st Generation (1967- 1997)

Chassis Codes:

• VG20 (3.0L 3V)
• VG30 (3.4L 4V-U)
• VG40 (4.0L 5V-EU)
• VG45 (4.0L 5V-EU)

Engines : (Note the ‘V’ is not an indication of valve number)

• 3.0 L 3V (1967)
• 3.4 L 4V-U (1973)
• 4.0L 5V-EU (1982)
• All engines: EFI 16-valve OHV V8. Standard unleaded petrol.
• Consumption: 16.3L/100kms combined.

Transmissions:

• 3 speed automatic (Floor shift, unknown designation)
• 4 speed automatic (1973, Floor shift, unknown designation)

Suspension (1982):

• Front: McPherson strut shaped spring system
• Rear: Lateral rod attaching 4 link spring system

Dimensions:

• Width: 74.4 in (1890 mm)
• Height: 57.1 in (1450 mm)
• Length: 201.6 in (5120 mm)
• Wheelbase: 112.2 in (2860 mm)
• Curb Weight: 3885 lb (1760 kg)

Other Features:

• Dual air conditioner
• ABS
• Power front and rear seats
• Optional leather

Second Generation (1997- Present)

Chassis Code:

• GZG50

Engine:

• 5.0 L 1GZ-FE V12, VVT-i, EFI 48-valve DOHC. Regular unleaded.
• Power: 276HP/206KW @ 5300RPM
• Peak Torque: 355 ft?lbf (481 N?m) @ 4000RPM
• Consumption: 13.8L/100kms combined

Transmission

• 4 speed automatic (ECT-i)
• 6 speed automatic (ECT-i)

Suspension

• Front and rear double wishbone type air spring

Dimensions:

• Width: 74.4 in (1890 mm)
• Height: 58.1 in (1475 mm)
• Length: 207.5 in (5270 mm)
• Wheelbase: 119.1 in (3025 mm)
• Curb Weight: 4393 lb (1990 kg)

Other Features:

• Rear fog lamp
• ABS
• TCS (Traction Control)
• Optional leather
• Dual air conditioner
• Central locking
• Power windows
• Telescopic, tilting steering wheel
• Power front and rear seats, with massage function on the rear
• In-car navigation
• Driver, passenger side airbags.
• Power steering
• Self opening and closing doors with contact latch close

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Suzuki has piqued interest ever since the unveiling of the Kizashi concept back in 2007. After all, it’s not often we see a large car concept from the carmaker, known for it’s rally and motorbike heritage and a history of compact (and very competent) small cars.

The new Kizashi follows some of the flowing lines we were shown with the Kizashi 2 concept, while clearly showing a refinement from the concept to an almost production appearance. Gone are the dazzling paint jobs, 4WD ride height, crossover sports wagon styling, and headlights. Instead version 3 of the Kizashi rides on 21 inch, 9 spoke chrome wheels, sports a new, sharper headlight design, wider split grille, a more muscular front end, and 350z style rear haunches becoming almost a 4 door sports car.

Along with the stunning stylistic update come some juicy details. The new Kizashi will carry a 300HP version of the GM’s new DOHC 24-valve 3.6L V6, come with Suzuki’s advanced i-AWD system mated to a paddle-shifted 6 speed automatic transmission and will comfortably seat 5 persons.

It’s one of the most solid close-to-production concepts we’ve seen and Suzuki claims we will see production of the Kizashi in some form in 2010, with construction planned to be at Suzuki’s new Sagara plant in Japan. Here’s to seeing Suzuki build this, and since we’re wishing, we might as well throw in a wish for the X-HEAD too.

Kizashi 3 Concept:

[Show as slideshow]

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To all interstate and local Adelaide Japanese car lovers, a new event is on the horizon! Here’s the low down, straight from the horses mouth:

What is All Japan Day?

Sick and tired of car shows that spend so much time promoting themselves that they’ve forgotten all about the cars?

So was the All Japan Day organising committee! We decided to band together and create a simple event that ‘got back to basics’ and allowed entrants and spectators to do what they love doing best - just admire and talk about the sensational cars on display. By keeping it simple, we’ve also kept the costs down, which has benefited both entrants and spectators.

We are very excited about our inaugural event on 27 April 2008 and we hope its success will encourage suitable entrants from interstate (maybe even overseas? Mazda please send us a 787B racer!) in future years.

So, come and enjoy us for a relaxing day out and be dazzled by some of Australia’s finest Japanese automobiles.

So for those of you in Adelaide who love Japanese cars, head over to the All Japan Day website to learn about becoming an entrant and spectator.

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Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors of the year has been MT’s revelations that high level Nissan honcho’s are considering producing a four door version of the Nissan R35 GT-R.The car would apparently carry the original equipment on the standard GT-R, the 480-HP V6 VR38DETT, FSG-style 6-speed auto clutch gearbox, and AWD. However, considerable revisions to the car body structure in order to fit any decent seats in the rear would mean the car would be considerably more expensive, and of course, heavier than it’s already heavy brother.

What does this do to the GT-R namesake? Does it dilute the sports coupe into another high powered family car? It all depends on how much of a purist you are, and how good your knowledge of the GT-R is. The first GT-R - the 1969 PGC10 (later the KPGC10 coupe) Skyline GT-R (known as the “Hakosuka”) - was originally a four door car, not to mention the Autech and Nismo limited edition 4 door R33 Skyline GT-R’s of the 90’s.

That said, the GT-R is so named to distance itself from the old Skyline moniker. As Nissan’s premier flagship model, perhaps the 4door is better suited to Nissan’s premium Infiniti brand.

Bring on the Infiniti M38TT. Yeah, we just made that up.

[Source: Motortrend]

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