My Top 10 ICE-powered JDM Executive Midsize FF Sedans

The third-generation Mazda 6 will go down in history as the last JDM D-Segment front-wheel-drive saloon to be powered by internal combustion and with production ending this April, this race is now sadly extinct due to the never-ending rise of crossovers and SUVs.

The third-generation Mazda 6 is the last JDM FF
executive midsize saloon to be powered by internal combustion

As this species is set to be extinct in the springtime, it's time for me to jot down my top 10 JDM executive midsize front-wheel-drive sedans powered by internal combustion.

10) Sixth-generation Toyota Camry - At the end of 1996, the Camry Gracia was launched in sedan and estate variants. The Gracia is the luxury alternative to the Camry and it served as the replacement for both the Camry Prominent and the US-built Scepter. With the fifth-generation Camry's production ending in the summer of 1998, the Camry Gracia took its place and it was known as the sixth-generation Camry when it was facelifted in 1999. This is the last Camry to have a V6 engine offered in the Japanese market. A year later, Daihatsu sold the Toyota Camry as the Altis.

9) Suzuki Kizashi - Originally meant to be a US-exclusive model, the Suzuki Kizashi went on sale in Japan in the fall of 2009. With styling inspired by the three concepts, the Kizashi is powered by a 2.4L petrol engine producing 188PS while mated to a CVT with Manual Mode. The Kizashi is the last Suzuki sedan offered in Japan and production ended in 2015.

8) Seventh-generation Honda Accord - Launched in 2002, the seventh-generation Honda Accord features a sleeker design compared to its predecessor as well as improved dynamics. It was the first to feature Honda's Internavi Premium Club service, providing drivers the fastest route to their target destination. Powering the seventh-generation Accord is a choice of a 2.0L and 2.4L mated to a 5-speed AT. The Euro-R variant is powered by a 220PS 2.0L engine mated only with a 6-speed MT. This generation marked the last time to feature the Euro-R grade. The seventh-generation Accord was exported in Europe, in the US as the Acura TSX, and in Oceania as the Honda Accord Euro.

7) Nissan Cefiro A32 - Launched in 1994, the Nissan Cefiro A32 eschews its predecessor's FR layout in favor of a stable FF layout with comfortable driving in mind. Powering the Cefiro A32 is a choice of three VQ V6 petrol engines from 2.0L, 2.5L, to 3.5L. All are mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 4-speed AT.

6) Eighth-generation Mitsubishi Galant - Launched in late summer 1996, the eighth and final generation Mitsubishi Galant is no doubt one of the best-looking executive midsize saloons at that time with the sporty 4WD VR-4 variant the most aggressive-looking. It even spawned an Aspire twin two years later. The eighth-generation Galant is the first production car to be powered by a Gasoline Direct Injection engine for improved performance and fuel economy. It won the 1996 Japan Car of the Year award.

5) Sixth-generation Honda Accord - Launched in September 1997, the sixth-generation Honda Accord incorporates the Honda DNA through this D-segment executive midsize saloon, hence the car's slogan. Joining alongside the sixth-generation Accord is its Torneo twin and both of them are powered by a choice of 1.8L and 2.0L VTEC engines. In 2000, both the sixth-generation Accord and the Torneo received a minor change and gained the sporty Euro R variant powered by a 2.2L VTEC engine mated exclusively with a 5-speed MT.

4) Honda Inspire CP3 - Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the CP3 Honda Inspire is powered by a J35A 3.5L i-VTEC PGM+FI V6 engine that produces a power output of 280PS and 342NM of torque. This engine comes with Variable Cylinder Management that shuts half of its cylinders. Coupled with the 5-speed AT, it has a fuel economy of 9.9km/L based on Japan’s 10-15 Mode standards. 9.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Production ended in 2012, making it the last pure V6-powered Honda saloon ever made.

3) MAZDA6 (GJ) - Launched in 2012, the third-generation Mazda6, formerly known as the Atenza, is the first Mazda saloon to be powered by the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT, a first for a JDM Mazda in the SKYACTIV era. In addition, the Mazda6 is powered by a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. The Mazda6 was facelifted twice with the recent one in 2019 when Mazda decided to drop the Atenza naming in favor of the Mazda6 naming.

2) Nissan Teana J32 - Launched in 2008, the second-generation Nissan Teana is powered by a choice of a 2.5L and a 3.5L V6 engine mated to an XTRONIC CVT. Carrying over from the first-generation model, the Teana J32 comes with a signature front ottoman seat on the passenger side.

1) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7, and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

It's a sad day in the world of motoring as there will be no more internal combustion-powered front-wheel-drive JDM executive midsize saloons on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you want an executive midsize FF JDM saloon, you'll be going to make do with the hybrid ones. Actually, there are only two; the Lexus ES and the upcoming Honda Accord e:HEV.

Domo arigato, ICE JDM FF executive midsize sedans. They have served their purposes and now they're officially extinct because of SUVs. Although they're gone, they'll be never forgotten. 

Winners of the Top Gear Awards 2023

The January 2024 issue of BBC's Top Gear Magazine unveiled this year's TG Awards winners, the first time since the Top Gear TV series went dark "for the unforeseeable future" following Freddie Flintoff's on-set accident late last year.

Winners of the Top Gear Awards 2023
Image: BBC

The Top Gear Awards features questionable but unique titles, which is nonsense to some, to be given to the cars as featured by Top Gear. Unlike most automotive awards, the folks from Top Gear went to a more unscripted approach to determine which is the best car of the year. And now, the winners...

Disruptor of the Year: Tesla Cybertruck

Manufacturer of the Year: Lamborghini

Bargain of the Year: Dacia Spring

Luxury Car of the Year: Rolls-Royce Spectre

Hypercar of the Year: GMA T.50

All The Car You'll Ever Need: BMW M3 Touring

Design of the Year: Toyota Land Cruiser 250

Track Car of the Year: Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992)

GT of the Year: Aston Martin DB12

Family Car of the Year: Kia EV9

Car We're Most Looking Forward to Driving in 2024: Ford Mustang GTD

Performance Car of the Year: Honda Civic Type R (FL5)

Innovation of the Year: Koenigsegg CC850 Engage Shift System

Eco Warrior of the Year: Volvo EX30

Lifetime Achievement Award: Adrian Newey

Retro Hero of the Year: Tamiya Wild One Max

Car of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

URL: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/2023-topgearcom-awards/revealed-winners-2023-topgearcom-awards

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Top Gear Awards!

At the 2023-24 Seattle International Auto Show

The Seattle International Auto Show returns for its 2023 outing at the Lumen Field Event Center from the 16th to the 19th of November, 2023. The ideal pre-Thanksgiving treat for Washingtonians.

As expected, this year's car show wasn't in full force at least but it managed to showcase some newest vehicles such as the all-new Toyota Prius, the all-new Hyundai Kona, the all-new Honda Accord, the Lexus RZ, the all-new Ford Mustang, and others. There's also a beach-themed car meet provided by the members of AVANTS as well.

Anyway, here are some of the pics that I got during my visit to the car show.

For the full set: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.845349020927842&type=3

Vlog:

I hope you've enjoyed another edition of the Seattle International Auto Show, the ideal pre-Thanksgiving treat for car-loving Washingtonians out there. Expect bigger things for next year.

Driving Music Vol. 122

The Driving Music segment is making a comeback today because it's officially Undas Day and everybody's gearing up to travel to the nearest cemetery to pay respects to the departed relatives and friends. With heavy traffic mostly expected, it's time to jot down the latest batch of Driving Music to listen to while getting stuck in an Undas-related traffic jam.

1) Amandoti by Gianna Nannini - from the Alfa Romeo Tonale commercial

2) Live in the Moment by WEARETHEGOOD & Scootie Wop - from the Toyota Crown "CrownxDiscovery" commercial

3) Deorc Decuple by Formantx - from the Renault Japan Megane RS commercial

4) Binary Heavens by Formantx - from the Renault Japan Megane RS commercial

5) Like a Rock by Bob Seger from a Chevy Trucks commercial

6) Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet - from a Volkswagen USA commercial

7) Hey Soul Sister by Train - from a Chevrolet commercial

8) Lights Out (feat. Alioth) by Taska Black - from the Kia K5 DL3 facelift commercial

9) Fabulous by Sonny Oh! - from the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV commercial

10) Oh L'amour by Erasure - from the Renault Clio V facelift commercial

11) Informer by Snow - from the Skoda Fabia commercial

Driving Music from Leopaul's Blog is the segment that solves every car enthusiast's questions about the title of the song of car commercials...with the risk of MATCHED THIRD PARTY CONTENT on their status. It's your jam. Drive to the Music You Love.

At the 2023 Pacific Northwest Historics...

Every Independence Day weekend in the US Northwest, Washingtonians gathered around at the Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA to attend the Pacific Northwest Historics.

Ran from the 30th of June to the 2nd of July, 2023, the 2023 version of the Pacific Northwest Historics celebrates the 120th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, meaning they're paying tribute to all things Mustang. They've even brought in Steve Saleen as their special guest star.

Because Saleen, the company behind tuned Mustangs, was present at the event, Washingtonians got the chance to witness the S1, a sportscar that is yet to be available, as well as its GT4 equivalent.

That really is a milestone worth remembering and I managed to snap some pics for us to enjoy.

Album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=LeopaulsBlog&set=a.748374287291983

Video log:

The Grand Tour presents Eurocrash

Last year, Clarkson, Hammond, and May explored the Scandinavian winter wonderland in three 4WD saloons. Now, they're doing something unconventional as the recent Grand Tour adventure pulled a road trip like no other.

The Grand Tour presents Eurocrash

HOLD IT! Be sure to watch the entire adventure on Prime Video before coming back, okay? Come back here when you're done watching the latest Grand Tour adventure.

My Top 10 Iconic Le Mans Legends

This weekend, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and with 62 cars from different classes gathering around in this centennial milestone as well as special guest stars, rest assured that the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is going to be historical indeed.

As the whole world is bracing for the centennial running of the legendary endurance race that pushes carmakers over the limit in the name of speed and survival, it's time for me to jot down my top ten iconic Le Mans legends.

10) GR010 - Following the success of their LMP1-class TS050, which propelled Toyota Gazoo Racing to three straight overall titles at Le Mans, Toyota created this competitor to the new Hypercar class, which replaced the LMP1 class after the 2020 season. Complying with Hypercar regulations, the GR010 is powered by a 3.5L V6 twin-turbo engine mated to an electric motor that powers the front wheels, making it a 4WD machine where the petrol engine powers the rear wheels while the electric motor takes care of the front, a drastic change compared to its LMP1 predecessor. Toyota defended its Le Mans success in the new Hypercar class with the #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing car emerging as the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for two years, making it its fifth win in a row.

9) Toyota TS050 - In the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, being the only manufacturer-backed LMP1 racer competing in its class, the #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050, piloted by Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, Formula E driver Sebastien Buemi, and Kazuki Nakajima, made a historic victory at Le Mans, marking the second time a Japanese carmaker won Le Mans since the legendary Mazda 787B and the first time a Japanese driver became part of the Le Mans-winning team. In 2019 and 2020, with the latter being the final year for the LMP1 era, Toyota emerged victorious in Le Mans.

8) Jaguar XJR-9 - Built in collaboration between Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing, Jaguar's Group C competitor is powered by two V12 engines; a 7.0L for the WSPC and a 6.0L for IMSA GTP class. Both produce 760PS of power and 828Nm of torque, while mated to a 5-speed March/TWR manual gearbox, making the XJR-9 capable of hitting a 245mph top speed. A Silk Cut-sponsored Jaguar XJR-9 won the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans with Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, and Andy Wallace behind the wheel.

7) Peugeot 905 - The V10-powered Peugeot 905 cemented the French carmaker to the list of Le Mans winners when it won the legendary endurance race twice in 1992 and 1993.

6) Audi R18 TDi - The Audi R18 TDi is known as the only diesel-powered racing machine that conquered Le Mans three times from 2012 to 2014. Not only that, it has dominated two WEC championship titles from 2012 to 2013. Such achievement proves that diesel is king until dieselgate came and most carmakers are ditching diesel-powered engines for good.

5) 919 Hybrid  - In 2014, Porsche returned to LMP1 endurance racing with their 919 Hybrid and although it didn't fare well in its first run, which led to its 3rd place finish at the constructor's championship at the 2014 WEC season, it came back with a much fighting chance and because of such will power, it managed to win not just Le Mans but also three WEC seasons on the trot from 2015 to 2017. Porsche has left the LMP1 racing program after their three-win streak with the 919, only to make a comeback in the Hypercar class with the 963 racing machine.

4) Sauber-Mercedes C9 - As part of the Sauber-Mercedes partnership, this Group C prototype was introduced in 1987 and its first success can be traced back to the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the #63 C9 driven by Jochen Mass, Manual Reuter, and Stanley Dickens, achieved a win. During qualifying for Le Mans, the C9, with its Mercedes-Benz M119 HL 90º 5.0L Turbo V8 engine with two KKK turbos, achieved a top speed of 248.0 mph (400 km/h) at the Mulsanne Straight of Le Mans.

3) 917K - The Porsche 917K is known as the short-tail version of the legendary 917, a sports prototype race car, and it gave Porsche their first overall wins at Le Mans for two straight years since 1970. Thanks to such success, it even gained a starring role in the Le Mans movie starring Steve McQueen.

2) 787B - Built as an improved version of the 787, it features the same R26B 4-rotor Wankel engine as its predecessor which produces up to 690HP of power. Aside from that, it features carbon-fiber bodywork which resulted in a light, rigid body structure and other improvements. In the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, Mazda sent two 787B machines with the race-winning #55 car driven by Bertrand Gachot, Johnny Herbert, and Volker Weider. The 787B not only became the first Japanese-manufactured race car to win Le Mans, but it's also the first-and-only rotary-powered race car to win the said endurance race.

1) GT40 Mk. II - Ford's trial-and-error process of creating a racing machine that can crush Ferrari in Le Mans is nothing more of an act of revenge from the Blue Oval following Ferrari's rejection to become part of the Ford empire. Armed with the 7.0L V8 engine producing 485HP of power and mated to a 4-speed gearbox, the GT40 Mk.II from Ford delivered a stunning podium sweep at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, more than enough to crush Ferrari into it. Such achievement has been profiled in the biopic movie Ford vs. Ferrari.

In this centennial running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will it be a milestone for Toyota Gazoo as it's seeking a three-peat in the Hypercar class? Will the return of Ferrari in Le Mans crush Toyota's dreams for a three-peat? Find out as this legendary endurance race unfolds this Saturday, June 10th. Don't miss it!

A visit to the Karrera Showroom

If you're a car addict and if you're on the streets of Alabang, there's a cafe made for speedo boys like you. Do you want to guess what is the cafe you would like to stop by and relax in? Here's your answer.

This is the Karrera Showroom, a cafe made by car addicts, for car addicts. It's located at Bloc 10 in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines.

Step inside the Karrera Showroom and you'll be greeted by the car-themed aesthetics this cafe delivers. From paintings of sports cars to racing memorabilia, this cafe has everything speedo boys would like to see.

Checking the menu, the Karrera Showroom offers various meals that can satisfy car addicts' appetites such as sweets, wings, pasta, fries, and the Karrera pizza. There are no soft drinks offered in the cafe. They're serving water, alcoholic beverages, and Red Bull. Yep, they had Red Bull in normal and sugar-free variants.

In random intervals, the Karrera Showroom is allowing its guests to have a crack at sim racing. Also, big-timers can reserve the whole area for private events such as birthdays and press conferences, and in the case of Formula One races, the Karrera Showroom is open late at night to allow visitors to watch F1 races.

Because this is a car-themed cafe, Karrera features random vehicles on display and they treat these machines like special guest stars. One such example is the Mercedes 190E touring car.

Come to think of it, should the folks from Gran Turismo visit this place, are they going to use this space for their scapes? If so, that would be great to have the Karrera Showroom represented to the world of Gran Turismo as one of the scapes. The boys can't wait to display their in-game rides to the Karrera space.

A cafe made by car addicts, for car addicts. This is what the Karrera Showroom is all about and if you're one of them, consider yourself welcome to the only car-themed cafe in Mega Manila.

It's a dream come true for me to visit the famous Karrera Showroom and I would like to visit this place again in the future.

Video Log:

__________________________________

KARRERA SHOWROOM

360 Corporate Woods Ave, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines

Opens Monday from 9:00 AM to 11PM, Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 AM to 11PM

Driving Music Vol. 121

 

In case you missed it, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII. In case you really missed it, the Super Bowl LVII is jam-packed with Game Day ads, and car manufacturers are joining the bandwagon.

Anyway, with the Super Bowl well and truly over, would you like some fresh batch of car commercial songs from the Big Game?

1) Electric Boogie by Shaggy and Marcia Griffiths - from the Jeep 4xe Game Day ad

2) Future by Soolja - from the Nissan USA Game Day ad

3) Pink Soldiers (Squid Game OST) - from the GM x Netflix Game Day ad

4) Stranger Things theme - from the GM x Netflix Game Day ad

Driving Music from Leopaul's Blog is the segment that solves every car enthusiast's questions about the title of the song of car commercials...with the risk of MATCHED THIRD PARTY CONTENT on their status. It's your jam. Drive to the Music You Love.

My top five favorite Ken Block moments

Speedo boys worldwide were shocked in sadness over the recent passing of everybody's favorite Hoonigan hero, Ken Block. Block will be forever remembered for his tire-slaying adventures that set the internet on fire, literally.

Electrikhana

As a tribute to the legendary Head Hoonigan In Charge, here are some of my top five favorite Ken Block moments that burnt the internet like rubber.

5) Gymkhana Five - The summer of 2012 saw Ken Block in his specially-modified Ford Fiesta rally car tackling through the streets of San Francisco in his "ultimate urban playground." Packed with jumps, elevation changes, switchback streets, and numerous obstacles, Gymkhana Five is a real thriller only Ken Block can dominate, especially on the West Coast.

4) Gymkhana - The year 2008 is the year that started it all. Ken Block took the wheel of a specially-modified Subaru Impreza WRX STi GDB-F on a deserted airfield for an advertisement for DC Shoes. No CGIs, no sped-up footage. Just Ken Block doing Ken Block things. The original Gymkhana will be forever remembered as the video that transformed the world of motoring itself. It's the video that give birth to Hoonigan and spawned copycat stunt drivers recreating his antics.

3) Electrikhana - As the world braces toward the new normal, electrification is inevitable. For Ken Block and Audi, they've adapted to the new normal by creating a specially-made electric monster machine capable of slaying tires while running on electricity. The car? The Hoonigan Audi S1 Hoonitron. The venue? Las Vegas. Block puts his Hoonitron to incredible use in last year's Electrikhana video, which is sadly his last tire-slaying adventure before his recent death. It's sad that this is the last Hoonigan monster Block tamed before he died but he had a blast burning rubber in an electric monster machine.

2) Climbkhana - In Ken Block's Climbkhana video, we saw Ken Block taking on the legendary Pikes Peak Hillclimb in his specially-developed 1965 Ford Mustang Hoonicorn RTR V2, smoking his 1,400hp monster through 14,000ft of a monstrous mountain. Who says easier said than done? Block conquered the Peak like child's play.

1) Gymkhana Ten - Ken Block's final Gymkhana outing will be forever remembered as the biggest and the best sendoff for the HHIC before passing the baton to the newest Gymkhana hero, Travis Pastrana. It also signals the final Gymkhana adventure for the partnership between Ken Block and Ford as well. In his final Gymkhana outing, five specially-modified Ford vehicles from the Hoonicorn to the Hoonitruck took on a globe-trotting tire-slaying madness from Sweden to Texas that made this tenth Gymkhana video the peak.

To watch some classic Hoonigan videos, including Gymkhana: https://www.hoonigan.com/pages/watch

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Head Hoonigan In Charge. You will be incredibly missed.

Driving Music Vol. 120

Hooray, it's Christmas break, meaning you have until the second Sunday of the New Year to enjoy traveling to your heart's content; either solo, with friends, or with family. 

As you're setting up your Christmas travel plans in the hopes that you're not ended up in a dire snow-way-home situation, enjoy my latest batch of Driving Music to listen to while getting ready for your Christmas break road trip.

1) Nothing Elses Matters by Scala & Koacny Brothers - from the Renault Austral commercial

2) Ruined Heart by Bing Austria & The Flippin' Soul Stompers - from the heydealer commercial

3) Inside Looking Out by The Animals - from the heydealer zero commercial

4) Energy (feat. Nadeem Din-Gabisi) by Sampa the Great - from the heydealer commercial

5) Johnny and Mary (feat. Rover) by EEkoz - from the Renault Korea XM3 E-TECH Hybrid commercial

6) Leviathan by Newspeak - from the Honda Fit e:HEV commercial

7) infinite (feat. sorane & meiyo) by MAISONdes - from the Toyota Corolla commercial

8) Teddybears by Cobrastyle feat. Mad Cobra - from the Volvo XC40 Recharge commercial

Driving Music from Leopaul's Blog is the segment that solves every car enthusiast's questions about the title of the song of car commercials...with the risk of MATCHED THIRD PARTY CONTENT on their status. It's your jam. Drive to the Music You Love.

25 years of motoring electrification

On this day, 25 years ago, the first-generation Toyota Prius went on sale in Japan, signaling the genesis of the electrification of vehicles. Because the Toyota Prius is no doubt the most influential vehicle in the history of the automobile, let's take a quick civics lesson on the rise of electrification.

2023 Toyota Prius

The Genesis - It was late December 1997 when Toyota Motor Corporation introduced the world the Prius, the first-ever hybrid electric car on the road. Known as the more practical solution to automobile-produced pollution, a hybrid car like the Prius combines two or more power sources and the first Prius combines a 1 .5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor that generates more torque than the engine itself.

On normal driving, power from the gas engine is split through a special CVT gearbox. Some runs to the wheels and some are used to recharge the batteries. The generator usually runs the electric motor for additional power to the wheels while the batteries supplement the generator during hard acceleration. As it decelerates or brakes, the electric motor functions as a generator to recharge the batteries.

Thanks to the Prius, more and more vehicles have adopted the same hybrid powerplant as the Prius, even minivans like the Estima and SUVs like the Harrier and because of that, most car companies wanted to copy Toyota's hybrid powerplant to their new cars for the pursuit of reducing emissions to their vehicles. To date, over 20.30 million Toyota hybrids, including Lexus hybrids, have been sold globally.

The Electric Car - A year before the advent of the Toyota Prius, the United States of America is the first to introduce the world to an electric car known as the EV1 by General Motors. Available only for lease from 1996 to 1999, the first EV1 is powered by a three-phase AC induction motor and a 16.5-kWh Delphi lead-acid battery. Then, three years later, the last EV1 is powered by 18.7-kWh Panasonic lead-acid batteries and later upgraded with 26.4-kWh nickel-metal-hydride batteries. 

It was the first car to be sold under the General Motors emblem, sparking confusion among consumers, and in 2003, General Motors ended leases of their two-seater EV, sparking a chain of events that lead to the documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car. 

However, the electric car has been revived thanks to companies like Tesla and Nissan and since then, The Revenge of the Electric Car has come to fruition as almost all car companies are joining the electric car bandwagon.

The PHEV - Car companies wanted to combine the best of both worlds by combining the capabilities of a hybrid car and an electric car and the result is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV. A PHEV allows owners to recharge the batteries using the car itself or at home via a charger like they do with an electric car. Simple as that. Toyota became the first to introduce the plug-in hybrid to the world with the Prius PHV in 2012.

The key difference is that the battery of a PHEV is smaller than a pure electric car and powers the wheels at slow speeds or for a limited range. With the battery range taken care of, the hybrid powertrain allows the car to keep going.

The Cheating EV - The advent of the Chevrolet Volt introduced a new kind of eco-car known as an extended-range electric vehicle. Much to the disdain of electric car purists, cars like the Volt feature a plug-in battery pack and electric motor as well as an internal combustion engine. It's different from a PHEV as the electric motor always drives the wheels, with the internal combustion engine serving as a generator to recharge the battery when it is depleted. The ideal thing about cars like Volt is that you can do two things; refuel with petrol and recharge the batteries, the best of both worlds.

It's not just the Volt that has this kind of clever powertrain but also BMW with their i3 when the top-spec comes with a small petrol engine that serves as a backup when the battery runs dry.

In late 2016, Nissan wanted to make hybrids behave like full EVs thanks to its e-POWER drivetrain. First introduced in the Note E12, e-POWER is a rather unique hybrid powertrain in which the wheels are completely powered by the electric motor, and the petrol engine simply charges the batteries. The way how electricity is made is what differs it from an electric vehicle or conventional hybrid and with e-Power, the petrol engine and the wheels are not connected similar to an electric car as the power is sourced from the petrol engine, allowing it to run without having to charge the battery from an external source. The Note E13, launched at the end of 2020, featured an evolution of the said powertrain.

Fuel Cell - Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles are by far the most unsung of the eco cars because there's little to be known about this powerplant. Unlike most hybrid powerplants, it uses hydrogen to produce electricity which then powers the wheels of the vehicle, and because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the world (because there's no gas lighter than that), the only tailpipe emission is water. And, no recharging is needed because it will keep generating power as long as it is fed with hydrogen.

Many car companies are studying the feasibility of hydrogen-powered cars but Toyota perfected it with the MIRAI in 2014.

How to make hybrids more engaging - Some drivers criticized the hybrids for not being as engaging as other cars and a handful of car companies responded their words by doing the impossible for hybrids; either putting powerful engines, engaging gearboxes that work better than the hybrid-derived CVT, or both. 

For example, Honda tried to make a hybrid car more engaging when it launched the first Insight in the year 2000. They were the first to put a manual gearbox in the hybrid and then in 2010, they've done it again with the CR-Z. Later, Honda experimented with adding double-clutch gearboxes on hybrids like the Fit, the Grace, and the Vezel, and the result is better fuel economy and a more engaging driving feel unless we bother about reports on Honda recalling such cars a couple of years ago. Still, it's pretty much impressive that the Koreans copied Honda's hybrid DCT sorcery to hybrid cars like the Hyundai iONIQ and Kia Niro.

Nissan, on the other hand, put a seven-speed AT on hybrid models like the Fuga and the Skyline and the result is a hybrid that balances performance and fuel efficiency at the same pace.

As for engines, car companies like BMW, Porsche, and Volvo dumped turbocharged engines on their hybrids to give them more oomph than your basic hybrids.

Experimenting with different fuel sources - Few companies trying to go beyond gasoline by experimenting with different fuel sources for their hybrids. For instance, Hyundai and Kia made a hybrid that runs on liquefied petroleum and it was based on the Avante HD and the Forte. Sadly, they never really made the cut. Then, Peugeot experimented with making a diesel hybrid on a 3008 crossover and the 508 RXH as well as Land Rover with their Range Rover Hybrid. Again, they never really made the cut.

Hybrids in motorsports - Even motorsports are catching up with the trend of hybrids, more importantly at the World Endurance Championship and Formula 1. Hybrids played a pivotal role in LMP1s since the Audi R18 corked numerous wins before Porsche returns with the 919, the car that became the three-time Le Mans champion before it bids farewell to this sport until 2023 with their new Hypercar-class contender, the 963. In Formula 1, they've even gone nuts with the kinetic energy recovery system, which recovers the car's energy during braking.

The rise of eco sportscars - The advent of the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and the Ferrari LaFerrari sparked a new revolution in the eco-car race, using hybrid technology to unleash bare naked speed. It's not just them, but also Honda with their second-generation NSX with their Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain, V6 turbo engine in the middle, and a double-clutch gearbox, capable of winning the hearts of car enthusiasts many. As for electric sportscars, well, with the Tesla Roadster pioneering the gig, there are a handful of carmakers creating electric supercars such as the Rimac Nevara and the Chinese-made NIO EP9.

...and there you have it. 25 years of electrification in the motoring world. Without the Toyota Prius, the world of motoring would become the dirtiest thing to come from planet Earth and looks like we have to give the Japanese a huge thanks.

Top Gear S33E04

In the final episode of Top Gear Season 33...

Top Gear S33E04

The penultimate episode of the season saw the producers giving Paddy McGuinness the most difficult challenge; nurturing rookie drivers to earn a spot in professional motor racing in just eight weeks. Training a street-smart driver to a certified professional driver is an arduous task and there's a lot of drama involved in the process with Paddy around.

With Paddy busy with his arduous task, Chris Harris and Freddie Flintoff are at the Top Gear Test Track, showcasing and debating the world's best hot hatches in history.

That concludes Season 33 of Top Gear.

The Top Six V6-powered Hondas

The last NSX Type S has rolled off the PMC assembly line in Ohio, signaling the end of the era of V6-powered Hondas. It's sad to see another piece of Honda's history go but hey, times are tough. With Honda focusing on its electrification ambitions, the best engines from Honda, especially the speedo-boy-favorite VTEC ones, are going away for good. Still, the V6-powered Hondas are by far the rarest breeds you can find on Japanese soil. 

2023 Honda NSX Type S

With the age of V6-powered Hondas well and truly over, here are the top six V6-powered Hondas, as listed by me.

6) Honda MDX - Launched in 2003, the Honda MDX is a seven-seater crossover SUV imported from North America, where it was sold as the Acura MDX. Powering this imported Honda crossover is a 3.5L VTEC engine that produces 265PS of power and 348Nm of torque while mated to a 5-speed AT. Sales of the MDX in Japan ended at the end of 2005.

5) Honda Lagreat - Launched in 1999, the Lagreat is a minivan imported from the United States, where it was sold as the second-generation Odyssey, which has nothing in common with the Japan-spec second-generation Odyssey. Meant to be the successor to the Odyseey Prestige, the Largeat is powered only by a 3.5L V6 engine. Production of the Lagreat ended at the end of 2005.

4) Honda Elysion - Launched in 2004, the Elysion is meant to be Honda's answer to the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand. At launch, the Elysion is powered only by a 2.4L i-VTEC engine but when it got facelifted in 2007, it received an ultra-luxurious Elysion Prestige variant featuring a different design and a more powerful 3.5L V6 engine available only on this variant. Production ended in 2013.

3) Honda Legend KC2 - The final-generation Honda Legend flagship sedan, launched in Japan in early 2015, became a hybrid luxury sedan powered by the 3.5L V6 engine with the NSX-derived Sport Hybrid SH-AWD drivetrain with three electric motors, mated to a 7-speed DCT. It received a minor change in 2018 with the Acura Precision-styled nose, and then in 2021, before it got discontinued, it received a Honda Sensing Elite variant which is limited to 100 cars. It features hands-free active lane change assist, active lane change, and Traffic Jam Pilot, and enables Level 3 autonomous driving, which was approved by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

2) Inspire CP3 - The final-generation Honda Inspire was unveiled in Japan at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and went on sale shortly in Japan and then the rest of the globe as the Accord. The Inspire CP3 features a 3.5L V6 i-VTEC engine with the world's first Variable Cylinder Management, which allows the engine to be automatically set to either 3, 4, or 6 cylinders, depending on the driver's driving tastes. With production ended in 2012, it became the last pure V6 petrol-powered Honda ever made.

1) NSX NC1 - The second-generation NSX became a hybrid supercar that shares nothing in common with the first-generation NSX. With styling inspired by the 2012 concept car, the second-generation NSX is powered by a 3.5L V6 Turbo engine coupled with three electric motors and a Li-ion battery, generating an overall power output of 581PS and mated to a 9-speed DCT built exclusively for the NSX. Performance aside, the new NSX  features a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD drivetrain with instant acceleration and direct yaw control as well as multi-material body construction to make it lighter and more rigid unlike any other. Aerodynamics aside, the new NSX's total airflow management allows this car to be more stable at high speeds and it has the lowest center of gravity. With Honda ending production of the NSX after half a decade, they've unveiled its most powerful version, the NSX Type S. Limited to 350 units worldwide, the final edition's 3.5L V6 turbo Sport Hybrid SH-AWD setup has been tuned to produce 608PS of power and 667Nm of torque.

It's a sad moment for Honda fanatics because of the new normal but rests assured that the four-cylinder VTEC engines are the kings in Honda history because speedo boys love to mess around with it, the V6-powered Hondas will be longly remembered for such rarity and power, especially the NSX NC1.

The story of the V6-powered Hondas is now done for good but it will never be forgotten.