It’s no GT-R, but Nissan reports that its X-Trail fuel-cell vehicle has done a few circles around the Nurburgring  with a best lap time of 11:58.  In comparison, the Nissan GT-R went around in 7:29. It’s not bad considering the thing’s not really meant to be raced around a track. Nissan is the first automaker crazy enough to take a Fuel-Cell vehicle around the famous racetrack. What’s even more ridiculous is that Frank Eickholt, the X-Trail FCV’s driver, says he could have shaved off “thirty to fourty seconds.”

Slow sales of Honda’s Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan have led Honda to announce it’s ready to shed some production of its two largest vehicles in favor of more Civic compacts. The cuts will wipe out Pilot and Odyssey 10,000 units total at Honda’s Lincoln assembly plant but will leave employees on the payroll. Instead of building cars, Honda plans on using the downtime to train employees and perform maintenance. Keeping employees? That’s commendable.

The cut, slated to take place from August up through October, comes when large truck inventories are getting high. Honda currently has a 78-day supply of Odysseys and 99-day supply of Pilots. Someone really messed up the production forecast because Honda has insisted on having a 45 to 60-day supply

Honda’s Ridgeline production will be moved from Alliston, Ontario to Lincoln, making room for an increase Civic output.

Subaru will use the British Auto Show to introduce three versions of it’s Impreza. Two of the cars are ready for production but the third, also the most powerful, will have to wait. All three models are being styled and engineered by Prodrive.

The WRX-S (in blue) gets 20 additional ponies - a total of 255 - and a simultaneous improvement in performance: dropping the 0-60 time from 6.1 to 5.5. The WRX-S is seperated from its lower sibling by a STI styling package (front grille, lip spoiler, rear wing, diffuser and side skirts) and 18×7.5 anthracite GT1 wheels fitted on 225/40 tires. The WRX-S might infact be the model that was leaked last week.

Up next, the Impreza WRX STI 330S (in silver/gray) packs the same Prodrive Performance package but includes a modified ECU and upgraded exhaust plus 90mm stainless steel exhaust tips. The ponies on this baby goes up from 298hp to 325, resulting in a 0-60 time of just 4.4 seconds. Asthetically the car gets five spoke 18×8.5 inch wheels on 245/40 tires. Inside you’ll get Recaro front seats, sat-nav and push-button start.

Subaru will also show the WRX STI 380S, but only as a concept. The officiandos are not ruling out the possibility of a production run just yet and refuse to release any hard details (or even pictures). What we do know though is that Prodrive has rebuilt the engine and modified the exhaust and ECU to pump out 375hp. The suspension and body kit have been upgraded too with a fitting set of gold or silver BBS wheels.

Expect to see the cars on North American shores next year. The full press release follows. [See more→]

Top Gear Magazine has been having its share of fun with the new Nissan GT-R, but the fun and games ended abruptly when the GT-R driver’s braking caused a collision with an Audi R8. The GT-R, which is the same car the Stig drove around on the Top Gear test track is also the only officially imported GT-R in the UK (Brought in by Nissan for the press). The car was quickly repaired and put back on the show road where it later appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Honda’s OSM roadster on display at the 2008 British Motor Show might prove to be a bit more than just a “design study”. It’s more likely a litmus test for Honda’s future design language. Depending on how well the OSM, or Open Study Model, is received Honda might incorporate it into the next generation of Honda styling.

The small two sear convertible looks like something that would be fun to driven even today, but it somehow reminds me of the Honda Beat. Because the OSM is “just” a design study, there are no specific powertrain details available, but Honda insists it uses a nippy little low emissions engine. While Honda officially says nothing about the car’s future (if there is one) I have a feeling the econo/sport roadster will have no problem selling. While I doubt it’s a replacement for the S2000 (too small), it could very well be the next generation Honda Beat. [See more→]

Mark your calendars! The 41st Tokyo Motor Show will be open from October 23 - November 8. Just make sure it’s next year’s calendar though because the bicentennial show is 459 days away. It might seem like a very long time, but the Japanese Automobile Manufacturer’s Association which manages the massive show has already started working with car makers to plan key scheduling and display technicalities. The rumor makers are already out in full force with one British dealer saying Audi plans to launch the new A1 in Japan. I’m not saying it’s not true, but it’s too early on at this stage to do anything but wonder why the motor show put balloon car on their banner. Hovercrafts are one thing, but balloon cars? Is Tokyo trying to tell us something? [41st Tokyo Motor Show]

I have problems going speculation crazy with spy shots. The reason is simple, and I hope you understand: it’s hard to comment on spy shots when there’s a big piece of plastic tarp in the way. I mean, do you really need to read about a car having angular angles and curvy curves?

Let me demonstrate what I mean with these shots of the Suzuki Kizashi (recently taken by AutoFiends in California). Yeah, it’s the Suzuki Kizashi. Yeah, we’ve seen it before. And yeah, it looks nothing like the original concept. There really isn’t much to say. We’ve already been told the car, which arrives on North American roads in 2010, will feature a 300 hp, 3.5-liter V6, i-AWD system and a paddle-shifted 6-speed auto. All I can add is a little prayer that the car ends up looking more like the concept and less like a Jetta. I’ll post updated details when I get them, but until then I’ll keep things sweet and simple. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

The Acura TL is an attention whore. It hasn’t even made it to the big leagues yet (meaning it has yet to be released) and, like Kim Kardasian, it manages to show its ugly face (and big butt) everywhere (like here and here). We’ve even seen it naked. But in an odd twist, Acura is now showing us less. Yeah, you read right… they’re showing us less. Go figure. The latest TL shots feature a blanked out badge and towel-covered cockpit. Why even bother, Acura? I’m not bitter though because these shots still serve a purpose. What purpose? Well they’re the clearest real-life shots yet. Which is a good thing. I’ve posted the intimate shots below. Don’t feel dirty for wanting to look, I’m sure Acura wouldn’t mind. [See more→]