Mazda’s adding a new clean diesel to the ever popular Mazda 6 family sedan. The new CRTD is based on the standard 2.0L petrol, but only gains 6 kg despite turbocharging and a bevy of improvements. The 136KW(185HP), 400nm motor promises to be an exercise in torque steer for the light sedan, but owners will be smiling with an impressive fuel economy of 5.6L/100kms.  The new CRTD will be sent first to Europe, and it remains to be seen if motor will arrive in Australia.

Mazda Develops new Clean Diesel Engine with Improved Output and Environmental Performance

As a result, the new catalyst mechanism reduces the amount of fuel required to burn off the particulates (soot). This improves the overall fuel economy, and results in lower CO2 emissions and cleaner exhaust gases.

[Source: Mazda]

Popularity: 3% [?]

Rumors have been flying about a new performance oriented Toyota sports car hitting the performance scene for a considerable time now, from an AE86 revival to a new Supra, but perhaps no one expected news that these shadowy rumors would coalesce into the forgotten Celica GT-4.

The last model Celica. Will we see styling cues from this?

But perhaps even more surprising is the rumor that the car will be engineered to a large degree by Subaru. In November Toyota confirmed rumours of a new sports car and Celica replacement, with the sports car being a collaboration between Subaru and Toyota, and now it seems the car is the performance model of the Celica line. However, the new car will not come with a Toyota bred turbo four in the tradition of the (somewhat) underpowered motor of the old model - instead it’s going to be carrying a Subaru Boxer turbo, most recently seen in the all grown up Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

The new model is said to come in two distinct performance variants. First, the base ‘GT’, packing a front engined, RWD drivetrain and naturally aspirated 2.0L 4 cylinder Boxer (most likely from the Impreza RX), designed to slide in under the $20,000 bracket. Secondly the full fat GT-4, which carries the new JDM STi’s 224KW (300HP) Boxer turbo and AWD system standard, with Motor Trend claiming the engine will be closer to the cars firewall in order to facilitate the installation of in-wheel electric motors to help with traction.

The GT and GT-4 will be built in in coupe and three-door hatch variants, but no five door variants because of Toyota and Subaru not wanting to compete in the Impreza’s arena, which is rather tongue in cheek considering this new car will inevitably be seen as either a Impreza in Toyota clothing, or as direct competition by tuners. This begs the question then; will the new GT-4 be a real contender in the hotly contested price for performance bracket? Will the Toyota be lighter, faster, and more capable than the new STi? Would Subaru shoot themselves in the foot, and does it matter considering Toyota’s widening stake in Subaru?

Does this mean Subaru will become more and more the performance arm of Toyota? Time will tell, but we certainly hope not.

Popularity: 50% [?]

It turns out that Mitsubishi Europe has quietly released details on the Ralliart Lancer.

Mitsubishi doesn�t state whether the Ralliart will be based on the 4door Lancer or the upcoming 5door hatch, however Carscoop states the USDM Ralliart will be based on 4 door lancer sedan, whereas Europe will get the 5 door hatch. Since Australia classically gets the closest equivalent on the JDM, we can expect to see the 4 door on our roads.

The Ralliart is expected to run a detuned 177KW, 240PS version of the EVO X 2.0L, dual valve VVT turbo 4 cylinder. Coupled to this is the magnificent 6-speed Twin Clutch SST transmission, and AWD with Active Centre Differential and Active Yaw Control.

The final form of the Ralliart in Australia is unknown, but given the competition between Subaru and Mitsubishi in this segment we can expect the Ralliart to slot firmly into position against the standard Subaru Impreza WRX - leaving the Evo X to tackle the WRX STi.

Being somewhat given to fantasy here at IJ, we’d love to see that Sportback concept reproduced in full for the hatchback. Given the standard new Lancer is being hailed as a runaway success for Mitsu, a return of the Ralliart Lancer is sure to be nothing less than a added cream in Mitsu’s profits in an age of high demand for fast, small, fuel efficient cars.

[Source: Carscoop]

Popularity: 80% [?]

The way it should have been? We’ll leave that decision up to you and the ever vocal purists. But nothing can take away from the pure awesomeness of the Skyline GT-R’s donk in that slick, black 300zx body.

Popularity: 45% [?]

We love the Toyota Supra, particularly the MKIV’s awesome curves and potent 2JZ-GTE forged twin turbocharged inline 6 cylinder. So we’d thought we’d celebrate by rounding up our top 10 favourite online videos of the Mark IV Supra in all it’s glorious RWD action.

Turbo Dreams Video

Popularity: 30% [?]