Tag Archives: Japan
Tochigi Police In Japan Gets A Nissan GT-R
It is not enough that there is literally zero crime rate in Tokyo, one of the megacities of the world. It is not enough that Japan has an exotic cuisine that serves live animals on a bed of ice. It is not enough that it has a street full of cosplayers and that grade school students there literally create robots out of boxes. How can Japan get any cooler? For the police in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, it’s getting a rather special car—a Nissan GT-R, specifically.
The highway patrol unit of the administrative region north of Tokyo now has a Nissan GT-R complete with police livery and regalia, flashing lights, and everything else needed to help the GT-R run after fugitives.
The car was donated by a local businessman. It will be used to run after traffic offenders like speeding motorists and tailgaters. Coincidentally, the car doesn’t have to journey far from its facility to the destination point. The factory where Nissan manufactures the R35 GT-R since 2007 is only down the road from the police station.
The coupe hasn’t been used to chase any traffic offenders just yet. It has mostly been used to pose for cameras and to do PR stuff for the law enforcement.
If you think this is the first time that a performance car has been transformed into a police car, you clearly don’t know Japan or Nissan, for that matter. In the past, Nissan has turned its Skyline into a patrol car for Tokyo, so if you’re ever in the vicinity of the megacity, try and look for the R34 Skyline GT-R in all its glory. It has been so popular, in fact, that people keep uploading videos of its sighting on YouTube.
In a true megacity like Tokyo, it’s not a surprise to see performance cars being driven on its vast road network. That’s certainly very different for other Asian countries, whose cities like Beijing and Manila suffer from extreme traffic situations.
4 Key Details About the Ferrari 812 Superfast
The Ferrari 812 Superfast makes its way in Japan. (Photo Source: The Sun)
The Ferrari 812 Superfast was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show last March. The name “Ferrari” alone is enough to command respect and convince us that the car is bound to be amazing. The automaker also didn’t go around the bush in naming the replacement of the F12 Berlinetta, so it simply called its new creation the “Superfast”.
Recently, the Ferrari 812 Superfast was once again showcased in Japan. The car definitely didn’t fail our expectations. Here we examine the five key details that define the Ferrari 812 Superfast:
1. Engine
The Ferrari 812 Superfast houses a mighty 6.5-liter V12 engine. The unit produces 789 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque. The numbers push the car from zero to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. Then its max speed goes up to 211 mph.
Currently, the Superfast is considered by its maker as the fastest and most powerful Ferrari. Most of the major changes in the vehicle went to its engine as its maker wanted to set the benchmark for V12 performance in the car. The handling of the auto is improved by its EPS (Electric Power Steering), which a first in a Ferrari car.
2. Exterior
The Ferrari 812 Superfast carries many styling elements found in the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. However, the very noticeable cosmetic updates from the Superfast include the mesh in the front bumper and lighting system.
3. Interior
The cabin of the Superfast again follows the minimalistic design of its predecessor. For those who wish to boost the look and functions of the car can avail of the Ferrari Personalisation Programme. The add-ons include an upgraded telemetry system, high-end audio system with 12 speakers and 1,280 Watt amplifier with Quantum Logic.
4. Price
According to The Sun, Ferrari 812 Superfast has a starting price of £240,000. Interested buyers can already purchase the car.
Special Edition Mercedes G-Class and CLA Released in Japan
Mercedes-Benz Japan just launched special editions of the Mercedes-AMG G-Class and the Mercedes-Benz CLA. The new G-Class version commemorates AMG’s 50th anniversary while the new CLA variants pay homage to the Star Wars Day.
Mercedes-AMG G63 50th Anniversary Edition
The special edition Mercedes G63 comes in Mauritius Blue metallic paint with black bumpers, fenders, roof, thin horizontal body strips, mirror caps and 20-inch AMG wheels. The interior of the sport utility vehicle is covered in black Designo leather with diamond trim. In addition to the all-black scheme, its surfaces also come in two-tone themes which combine black with mocha brown, saddle brown and porcelain white highlights.
Only 50 units of the vehicle will be made and it will be exclusive to buyers in Japan. Each model costs 22.2 million yen, including taxes, which is around $194,604.
Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 Star Wars Edition
May 4 is considered to be Star Wars day by fans of the film franchise. As a tribute to the most popular space saga of all-time, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 Star Wars Edition was released.
Only 120 units of the special CLA will be produced and it is available in two themes. One is finished in Calcite White, which represents the Stormtroopers of the film. The other is in Night Black as a nod to the main villain, Darth Vader.
The Stormtrooper-based car offers a two-tone exterior that combines the white finish with black mirror caps, window sills, side skirts and front lip. The surfaces of the auto is covered in black leather with complementing white and gray stripes plus silver stitching. The ambient lighting of the vehicle produces a blue hue.
The Darth Vader-inspired version of the CLA comes in a sinister all-black finish. The interior mirror the dark exterior surface of the car too. To put emphasis on the evil character of the Sith lord, the leather is combined with red stitching and scarlet ambient lighting.
Photos
Check out the images of the Mercedes-AMG G63 50th Anniversary Edition and the Mercedes-Benz CLA 180 Star Wars Edition in the gallery below:
3 Things To Know About The 2017 Toyota 86 Solar Orange Limited
Once again, Toyota released a special edition of its popular 86 model. And although it still didn’t turn the car into a full-blown performance car, it tinkered with enough technical and mechanical features to make the driving experience better for owners.
In many ways, it is similar to the 86 Yellow Limited and the 86 Style CB, though the Solar Orange Limited is still different in many aspects—the Creamsicle paint finish and the High Performance package, for example, are both exclusive to this edition.
1. It is Only Available in Japan
Sadly, much like Toyota’s other 86 limited editions, the 2017 Toyota 86 Solar Orange Limited will only be released in Japan, and will unlikely land on US shores. Not only does the Solar Orange paint job is making us frustrated in many ways, but this 86’s improved braking and sharper handling make the envy for Japanese cars shoot up to the roof.
2. It Sells for Less Than $30,000
Toyota has yet to announce how many of these 86 Solar Orange Limited they are planning to build. They said, though, that prices will start at 3,251,880 yen ($29,400) for the manual transmission model and 3,318,840 yen ($30,000) for the automatic transmission model. Those who want to place their orders only have from January 31 to March 10, 2017 to do so. After the order book has been closed, Toyota will stop production to ensure the exclusivity of the edition.
3. It is Compatible with the High Performance Package
Toyota is also releasing a High Performance package, which is compatible with standard 86 models. The package includes a new set of Brembo brakes with red calipers and new shocks from Sachs. These are then paired with the special set of 17-inch thin-spoked wheels found on the 86. For those who want the Solar Orange Limited with High Performance package, you need to shell out an addition of $2,200.
Video: Japanese Police Gets The Nissan 370Z
There seems to be a pervading trend now among the governments of first-world nations: use sports car as the official livery of the country’s police force.
Just recently, Nissan handed over three of its 370Z to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to show they are supporting the men and women in service of Tokyo, Japan.
The cars are all decked out in black-and-white regalia, complete with flashing lights and all the livery worthy of a police car. If one looks at the cars closely, they can also notice the Nissan badge at the front was replaced by the Tokyo police force’s shield.
Especially prepared by Nismo using the 370Z Nismo as donor, these three new police cars for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department will use Nissan’s familiar 3.7-liter V6 engine, based on a report. For these particular cars, the engine can deliver 350 horsepower.
Nissan provided the cars after the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department called on Japanese automakers to provide them with an “iconic car” that will help represent the department’s commitment to road safety in the city (and even in surrounding areas).
This was a similar strategy used by the UAE government, particularly Dubai, although things are quite different in that oil-rich country. For the Dubai Police Department, nothing short of the priciest sports cars can speak out against the deluge of high performance engines parading around the city every single day.
Exotic cars such as the Bugatti Veyron and the Porsche 918 Spyder make up the Dubai Police Department’s fleet.
Such a call from Japan (and even from Dubai) followed an announcement by Italy’s Carabinieri earlier this month that it has a handful of Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglios in its fleet.
Can you just imagine having a Bugatti for a police car? The Nissan 370Z is not in any way cheap, but the Bugatti, Porsche and Alfa Romeo are on totally different platforms.