2010 Honda CR-V Facelift: New Sporty Modulo Outfit and Mugen Accessories for JDM Model

With the market launch of the mildly refreshed 2010 CR-V in Japan (see the European version here and the U.S. model here), Honda's own Modulo brand as well as the firm's in-house tuner Mugen introduced a new line up of interior, exterior, handling and numerous cosmetic parts for the compact SUV.

These range from a full aero kit with new front and rear bumpers, different grille treatment, side skirts and a roof spoiler plus a more subtle kit with aluminum skidplates from Modulo to 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport exhaust and a tire pressure monitoring system from Mugen.

Toyota iQ gets Tuned by Gazoo Racing, Production Limited to 100 Units

Gazoo Racing, which had prepared the two Lexus LF-A race cars for this year's 24 hours of Nurburgring, has joined forces with Toyota to develop a sporty edition of the iQ minicar. Available exclusively in Japan in a limited run of just 100 units, the Toyota iQ Gazoo Racing MN is based on the JDM front-wheel drive iQ 130G.

While the 1.3-liter engine remains stock, Gazoo replaced the JDM model's CVT with a 6-speed manual gearbox and upgraded the brakes and chassis with a stiffer sport suspension that lowers the mini's ride height by 30 mm while the car also gets a sport exhaust system.

The special edition iQ rides on blacked out 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefier sport tires while there's also a new bodykit with front and rear aprons as well as side skirts and a roof spoiler plus optional racing decals. Interior mods include newly styled gauges, aluminum pedals and sport seats.

The iQ GR MN is available for order now in Japan with first deliveries expected in November.

While the sporty iQ won't be making it outside Japan, according to recent reports, Toyota's premium city car could go on sale in the States under the Scion brand in the fall 2010.

2010 Lexus LS Facelift and New Sporty "Version SZ" Revealed in Leaked Brochure

Pictures of the updated 2010 Lexus LS sedan made their way on the internet after a Japanese brochure was leaked ahead of the car's launch that will most probably take place at the Tokyo motorshow this fall. The brochure pictures show that the 2010 model year LS has received a bit of a spit and polish, with subtle styling tweaks inside and out while the Lexus also added a new sportier trim to the range called "Version SZ".

So what's new for the Japanese firm's flagship sedan model? Well, on the outside changes include the newly designed front and rear bumpers, revised headlights, tail lamps and front fog lights and a different grille while plus new alloy wheel designs and mirror housings with integrated turning signals.

Inside, from what we can tell, the LS gains a spanking new instrument cluster that incorporates a night vision system right in the middle of the speedometer.

Finally, at least in Japan, the 2010 LS will be available in a new sportier trim level called "Version SZ". We're not aware of any mechanical or chassis upgrades (we wouldn't bet on it though), but the sedan does get a mild aero kit, a different front grille and beefier alloy wheels.

Source: Power Weblog , Via: Autoblog & Lexus Enthusiast