Not to be outdone by their sales competitor, Hyundai has also decided to dive head-first into a U.S. drifting program and future Time Attack participation. Unknown to the public, Hyundai marketing executives and product planners have been quietly attending local drift competitions, polling youth and talking to local tuner shops. 2nr readers may not have paid much attention to the Hyundai Genesis concept car that debuted in April, because it looked like a Lexus sedan, but there are BIG plans for the new rear-wheel-drive platform (code-named BH) that underpins Genesis-namely, a modified platform with a shortened wheelbase to be used for a new coupe to replace the outgoing Tiburon. The Pininfarina-designed Tiburon was pleasant to look at, but a big 2.7L V6 that only put out 172 hp failed to inspire buyers who would rather shell out the same money for an Acura RSX. The ‘08 replacement is rumored to be a formidable opponent to the upcoming ‘08 Nissan 350Z, with similar overall dimensions. Powertrain specifics for the Tiburon replacement are still in question, with rumors abound that the V8 from Genesis could find its way under the hood of this (approximately) 3,200-lb coupe. There are also rumblings of a turbocharged V6, as Hyundai (through its partnership with Chrysler and Mitsubishi) uses many of the same parts found in the 2.0L four-cylinder “world engine” found in the Caliber and Lancer.

Mitsubishi has commissioned two California tuning shops to build two converted rear-wheel-drive vehicles to begin its tentative foray in drifting. The two Lancer Evolutions being built were last seen in the The Fast and The Furious 3: Tokyo Drift, and have very mild modifications since they were only movie-ready. The vehicles will compete in NOPI Drift and debut at a yet to be announced Formula D event. The success of the two-car team is contingent on Mitsubishi’s future commitment to a full-fledged effort in drifting with a new Lancer Evolution X.

Word out of Japan is that Nissan will be bringing over the JDM Cube to the United States for 2009 as a Scion competitor. The current generation Cube (which obviously looks exactly like it sounds) is powered by the same 1.5L HR engine found in the subcompact Tiida (known as Versa in the states) and has a four-wheel-drive option. The next generation model, which will likely come in late 2008 for the ‘09 model year, will use the Versa’s current MR18DE with CVT. In Nissan-speak, that translates to a 1.8L inline four mated to a continuously variable transmission. Current horsepower is rated at 122.

Lexus Lf-A Spotted Testing AT nurburgringRumored V10 Engine Goes Head to Head With 2009 Acura NSXFollowing in the grand tradition of luxury automakers, the time has come for Lexus, the top selling luxury import brand in America, to debut its very own supercar. The LF-A, which first debuted at the Detroit Auto Show two years ago, brings a much-needed sports car into the product lineup. Spy videos have recently emerged on the internet of the vehicle testing at Nurburgring, and those in the know say that a well-tuned ear can easily distinguish the difference between a V8 and a V10 engine and there’s no doubt, that’s a V10 under the hood. It makes perfect sense, especially since Acura announced in January that their NSX replacement supercar would feature a V10 engine.

Source: Import Tuner

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