Tag Archives: pintsized

Motorsport

Lexus Will Reportedly Borrow The GR Corolla’s Engine, But Not For A Sports Car

The Lexus LBX is a small crossover that aims to offer a luxurious alternative to the Toyota Yaris Cross. The Toyota Yaris Cross is essentially a raised version of the Yaris supermini, available as a Gazoo Racing model with a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine. This same engine is used in the GR Corolla, where it produces more power. According to a new report, Lexus might use the high-performance “G16E” engine for the LBX.

As reported by Japan’s Mag-X, the LBX would be the first non-Toyota model to be equipped with this small yet powerful engine, capable of producing up to 295 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) in the GR Corolla Morizo Edition. In the GR Yaris, the engine’s output varies by region, but even the lowest figures are a healthy 257 hp and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm). Similar to the two hot hatches, a GR-powered LBX would feature all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.


Motorsport

Daihatsu Vision Copen Unveiled with Rear-Wheel Drive and Larger Engine

The Daihatsu Copen, a popular small car available in Japan, has always been one of the most desired but hard-to-obtain vehicles. The second-generation model was launched in 2014 and has since given rise to various versions, including a fixed-roof coupe, a GR Sport model, and a retro-styled Cero. However, the upcoming Vision concept, set to debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show later this month, might look like a Copen, but it is a significantly different car.

First and foremost, the Vision concept is much larger than the regular production model. The standard Copen is classified as a kei car, meaning it must adhere to specific size regulations. While the regular model measures only 133.7 inches in length and 58.1 inches in width, the Vision concept boasts dimensions of 151 inches in length and 66.7 inches in width. Additionally, it is slightly lower at 49.8 inches (compared to 50.4 inches) and has a significantly longer wheelbase of 95 inches, compared to the kei car’s 87.8 inches.


Motorsport

McMurtry Spéirling Pure Revealed: Tiny 1,000-HP Electric Hypercar, Giant Price

The McMurtry Spéirling is a small electric hypercar that made headlines last year by breaking the Goodwood Hill Climb record. It completed the course in just 39.08 seconds with former F1 driver Max Chilton at the wheel, surpassing the previous record set by Romain Dumas in the VW ID.R by 0.8 seconds. The one-seater vehicle also impressed with its acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a blistering 1.4 seconds.

Now, in June 2023, McMurtry Automotive has announced that the Spéirling will go into production. However, only 100 units will be produced, making it a very limited edition. The company plans to reveal a validation prototype next month at the Goodwood FoS, with pre-production prototypes expected to follow in 2024. Customer deliveries are set to begin in 2025.

Now, let’s talk about the price. The Spéirling Pure comes with a hefty price tag of £820,000 before taxes. For those using different currencies, that’s approximately $1.04 million or €954,000 according to current exchange rates.