Agreed, Japan is ahead of everyone, including the Germans. The Germans have good innovations (Xenon lights, stability control, safety systems, etc.) and the Japanese copy 'em and do 'em better.

I do have to admit though, the magazine was right on one thing, Pontiac has always been too heavy on the cladding on some of their models. I'm glad to see that gone. (Remember, just my opinion!)

Japan and Europe may have all that high tech stuff, but here in North America, we use what works. A pushrod design engine such as ours is a proven working technology, and is effective on many applications. Why change something that works so well, and something that can make a ton of power, more than enough power for the daily driver? The critics want what is cutting edge. They like complicated things and neat little gadgets that costs too much. American cars don't do that. It'* too bad too, cause most American cars will last just as long as any foreign car.

Im pretty sure motortrend is owned by ford...

Thats exactly why i don't like japanese cars. They just copy what the rest of the world does, they don't do their own research. They steal everyone elses ideas and make it better. I mean all'* fair in business war. But still, its sorta underhanded.

Wheezy?! Thats offensive! They are just envyous of the whine!

put it this way why do J-spec motor put out more hp than the american model?? looking at a different aspect the machine i run i a Mori Seiki(japan) and many other in this shop are for japan so i thing its a battle you cant win and they pay there workers less and more sweat shops for producing mass quanties of a product so its a battle you cant win

Basically, it'* just that imports are "in style", while American cars are considered dinosaurs. They gotts keep the people buying the most cars happy. The news stand magazines are not written for true enthusiasts, they are written to make money. Insulting the money makers would cost them readership, so they "have to" go with the flow....

Higher compression and higher octane gas, try to run a JDM on 87 for a year and see what happen.
Take into consideration that we have all sorts of laws here that prevent certain vehicles on the road. Our emission laws make Japan'* look like they were written down on a napkin in a bar.
I agree with what Sol said, the critics want to see what'* glamourous, top of the line and "cool". You can compare a Geo Metro to any over priced imported sports car, and the review will be in favor of the sports car, but the fact is the Geo is a hell of a lot more sensible and practical.

And engine speed, hp = 2*pi*rpm*T Higher reving engines have a higher hp because rpms grow faster than torque drops

They are just mad because the bonneville is the only car that can come with an airpump