If you’ve been driving a Honda Civic sedan wishing you had the Coupe’s front bumper, you wont have to pray much longer. Honda’s facelifted 2009 Honda Civic now has the three scoop bumper and I’m certain many people will opt to replace their current bumper with the new version. Where the old version looked like a buck-toothed bull dozer, the sedan’s new bumper looks much curvier and is easier on the eyes. Aside from the new bumper and minor grille update, there are no dramatic changes in the new 2009 Civic model year.

Inside the cabin, Honda is still offering the same optional DVD-based satellite navigation system that we saw on the 2007 Civic Hybrid model, but has added Bluetooth hands-free capabilities to the system. Oddly enough the Honda navigation still offers that weird PCMCIA card slot that allows the use of a digital memory card and PC Card adapter to store MP3- and WMA-formatted music.

Honda has also added a new LX-S trim level, which is a sport-styled LX model, and a DX-VP trim level that sits just above the DX trim level and adds air conditioning and an audio system, which inadvertently brings to focus the fact that Honda even offers a radio-free Civic DX in the first place.

The powertrains are carried on from 2008. [adapted from cNet]

The world’s number one awesome automaker from the land of the rising sun has decided to use brawns over brains for its Toyota Genuine Motor Oil Media Launch. The new, relaunched oil, is touted to ease engine friction, lubricates engine internals, clean deposits, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts. Intermolesting! The oil is available in two flavors, petroleum-based and synthetic, each guaranteed to make your Toyota last longer than it’ll already last. If you’re a sucker for boobies, you’ll rush out and grab yourself a jug… maybe both. Maybe not.  [PT]

As previously reported, the Moscow Auto Show was going to be home to Lexus’ mini-announcement about the all-wheel drive version of its LS460. Russia has traditionally had a long running love affair with Mercedes’ S-Class and BMW’s 7-Series but Lexus is hoping the AWD LS with an eight-speed automatic will fit the bill for Russian oligarchs and their motorcades.

The LS460 AWD gets the same four-wheel drive system and eight-speeder transmission from the LS600H and comes packed with a Torsen rear LSD and a decent 380 HP, 4.6-litre V-8 as standard. It might not help make a quick getaway, but the AWD will make a dramatic difference in Russia’s extreme weather.

Mazda has dropped a Russian tuned Kesselman CX-7 in Moscow and the definitive details are nowhere to be found - in English atleast. All we know is that the car, which looks like the Matrix, is unworthy of model accompaniments. They do have a young lad for good measure. I guess that’s how they roll in Russia - sans Dimitrova and avec Vlad. Aside from the Fast & Furious styling, the Kesselman Mazda CX-7 gets an upgraded intercooler, ultra-low stance suspension, jagged body kit, and a stripped interior with a six-point roll-cage. I’ll post the details when a translated version hits the web.

[Kesselman Motorsport via AutoBlog]

Special Feature: New Honda City Edition
It might not mean much in North America, but the car spotted in India and China is indeed the next generation Honda City. The confirmation came via a Flickr photo account which has the new City fully uncovered - both inside and outside. It is currently unknown where the photos come from, but I’m suspecting they’re from Thailand. The photos have since been taken down, hinting that the photos were inside job.

As expected, the Honda City’s interior is very different from the Honda Jazz on which it is based. The changes are rumored to make the City cheaper to cast and manufacture for the developing markets where is is most popular.

Exclusive Spy-Shots! Full Exterior and Interior photos are now online
First captured in India and then announced for launch in Thailand, the Honda City has now been spotted in China. The new Honda City is rumored to launch in Thailand as early as next month and will come in three variants: S model, V Model and SV model. Other countries like China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan can expect the car sometime in 2009. >JCB Archive: Full Honda City Preview Details

The City currently competes very well head-to-head with Toyota Vios, despite the Vios being a next generation model, so Honda can be pretty confidence that it will compete well because of the new (and more) sporty look. The sub-compact market section makes up 43% of the sedan market or 47,795 units in the first half of 2008. Considering the size of the market, it is surprising that there are still only three main competitors; Honda City, Toyota Vios and Chevrolet Aveo. The Thai motor industry is made interesting by these compact cars in the market, and of course, Honda is the main contributor to this. Honda sent its Jazz in the beginning of the year and now it’s sending the latest 3rd generation City into the market. At this moment Honda is training their employees and dealers about the new City. This 3rd generation City is different from the previous model in that it doesn’t use the same body design as the Jazz. Although it’s harder to tell from the recent face-lifted model, the initial City shared very similar exterior proportions to the Jazz. This time the City will only share the same chassis and basic structure, along with engine technology. The engine is the same 1.5 ltr i-VTEC with electronic drive-by-wire. Honda is confident that the City will do really well, not only because the engine is good, but also thanks to the safety features on offer.

City Model Line-up The Thai City will share the engine and transmissions from the Jazz, the engine being the i-VTEC 120hp unit, while the transmission options will range from the 5-speed manual on the base S model, to the 5-speed automatic transmission complete with steering-wheel paddle shift on the top spec SV. The vast majority will be sold with the standard 5-speed auto. The base model S and mid-range V spec will be available with a beige interior, while the top-spec SV model will be set apart with black trim. The V will come in two versions, the V AT, and the V AT(SRS), with the SRS version being the first model that safety-conscious buyers will be able to consider, as the first that comes with dual airbags. The SV has airbags as standard. The City will have a new “Advanced Audio” system with 4 speakers, but only on the V and SV models. The SV will also have fog lights, indicator lights on the wing mirrors, paddle shift manual mode automatic transmission, etc.

Pricing In Thailand, the new 2009 City will be priced just below the Jazz. This should be easier for Honda to achieve now that the Jazz has gone up by $300 across the range. Although pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, we can expect it to be in the $15,500 to $19,500 range.

Styling No surprises in any of these details. The small sedan market is pretty predictable these days. The surprise will probably come from the styling of the new City. The previous model was very awkward looking, and basically it was just a Jazz with a boot. Spy images of the new City would suggest that Honda is making the City much more of an individual, separating the design from the Jazz this time around.

The first photos AutoCar India has been paramount in breaking the news of the new Honda City. Their widely renderings (below) have also proven to be a spot on forecast of the actual Honda City. The whole team deserves a round of applause.

Specifications

Honda city 2008 S model: * beige tone interior * Remote Control Key with Immobilizer * 3rd rear brake indicator * 15 inch wheel with wheels cover * Sterio 2 din mp3 playing enable * Front Dual speaker

Honda City 2008 V model * beige tone interior * Remote Control Key with Immobilizer * 3rd rear brake indicator * 15 inch Alloy wheel * Advanced Audio system Sterio 2 din mp3 playing enable * Dual speaker of front and rear * chromium door handle * Driver seat low-high adjustment enable * Luggage under of rear passenger seat * ABS,EBD,BA * Dual airbag SRS (V AS only)

Honda City 2008 SV model * Black sporty looking tone interior * Remote Control Key with Immobilizer * 3rd rear brake indicator * 16 inch Alloy wheel * Fox lamp in the front and rear bumper * chromium exhaust pipe * Turn light indicator of side mirror * Switch steering * Paddle Shift * Rear seater can be folded 60:40 enable * Incline forward rear back seat * Front armrest * Map lighting * Advanced Audio system Sterio 2 din mp3 playing enable * Dual speaker of front and rear * chromium door handle * Driver seat low-high adjustment enable * Luggage under of rear passenger seat * ABS,EBD,BA * Dual airbag SRS (V AS only)

[BKKAutos]

As if Mitsubishi didnt have enough special editions in their line up, they’ve decided to announce a new, higher specification second generation L200 Raging Bull Edition. The car gets satelite navigation, cruise control, a 420-watt sound system and a chrome rear bar with integrated steps. The line, which has so far been offered only in Aztec Red, is now also available in Cosmos Black and Graphite Grey. The “special edition” is oddly cheaper than the regular model - Mitsubishi offers a £3,000 discount on the automatic derivative and £2,200 on the manual with prices set for both versions at £16,939.

[CarScoop]

Lexus will use the Moscow International Auto Show to unveil an all-wheel-drive version of their LS460 flagship luxury sedan. The Lexus AWD system on the LS460 is the same as found on the LS600h. It includes a Torsen LSD integrated into the rear drive shaft that powers up using the 381 HP, 4.6-liter V8 on a eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Lexus, in normal driving situations, will get a 40/60 torque split between the front-and-rear. It can get as much as 70% to the rear when required.

Russia is shaping up to be a serious launching pad for car makers. Mitsubishi will debut their redesigned Pajero Sport crossover concept and BMW has decided to launch the redesigned 7-series too. The Moscow market has always had a taste for expensive cars and the car makers are only recently tapping into the world’s fastest growing automotive market.

[Gizmodo] Does one reach for a camera or a can of RAID when the Lexus Nuaero concept pulls into the driveway? Sure Jon Rådbrink’s design looks incredibly cool, fast and futuristic; but then again I’ve also spent the last few minutes looking over my shoulder to see if Sigourney Weaver was about to burst from the wall in a load lifter to do battle with it in my office. As it turns out, there’s a lot more to this design than just looks, and Rådbrink believes the car’s “low weight and large presence” will be the way premium cars could be manufactured in the future. Oh, and it’s loaded with tech, too.

To drive this catamaran-inspired luxury car, the driver would use a drive-by-wire steering pad and a completely customizable multi-point touch screen. Rådbrink contends that our hands are far more accurate for driving than our feet, so he’s eliminated pedals. Everything is controlled via the steering wheel. “Since the car is powered by electrical motors [found in each of the four wheels],” Rådbrink says, “there is no transmission and you break intuitively by pushing the steering wheel away from your body.”

The kicker is that this 14.5-ft. car is designed with lightweight materials meant to increase mileage and efficiency. How light is light? Try roughly the same weight as the diminutive SMART fortwo. “I believe that this design paradox of low weight and large presence could be the way we’ll define premium in the future,” Rådbrink said. Just don’t forget the futuristic airbags if this ever makes it into production.

Infiniti released a side profile shot of the car today as part of its Pebble Beach Concours festivities. The retractable hardtop four-seater maintains the original Coupe’s sleek lines but packs a three-piece top that folds neatly into the trunk. While there’s only one photo - for now- I’ve got to say it looks nice. Some people have said it looks like the bastard child of the Lexus SC430 and Pontiac G6, and I agree. They rear bulges are very GR-esque. But ofcourse, I’ll reserve my final judgement until there are more photos. I just hope Infiniti made the front and rear distinctive enough to differentiate the converitble from the coupe.

The car, which gets power from a 3.7L V6 that pumps out 320 HP, is inevitably going to be compared to the throne of convertibles, BMW’s 335i. So lucrative is the convertible business that even Lexus is planning to launch a drop top version of their IS Sedan. The Infiniti G37 Convertible is set to formally debut in sunny Los Angeles in November.

Related:

1. Infiniti G37 Convertible is confirmed, coming to LA
2. Tweaked Infiniti G37 comes to Europe
3. Not for North America - Nissan Skyline