Rendering shows Subaru FT-86 and new Impreza STI

The rendering above, which has been published by a Japanese magazine, shows the upcoming Subaru FT-86 on the left and the new Impreza STI on the right. Although this is just a rendering and the design of both cars appears to be a little dramatic, it provides an indication of the possible future design language of Subaru could look like. I think Subaru has to do a lot of work in terms of design, in order its cars to have a clear identity.

New Nissan Tiida (Versa) caught during testing

The new Nissan Tiida (Versa) was caught during testing in China and you can see some design elements of it, despite the camouflage. The new model, which has the Sunny logo on it, is going to be equipped with a 1.8L engine, but it's too early to know the spec for each market yet. Anyway, from what is visible, the new model will be miles better than the current one.

SKYACTIV technology: What the future holds for Mazda

Mazda has released details about its next-gen powertrain technologies with the name SKYACTIV, including completely new engines, transmissions, bodyshells and platforms that will be launched in 2011. 

Since Mazda claims that SKYACTIV technologies will be launched next year,  the first model to benefit will be the new Demio/2 which goes on sale in the first half of 2011. Thereafter, we can expect that the next models coming with the new technologies will be the new MX-5 (earlier post) and 6 (Atenza). 

SKYACTIV-G petrol engine

• Fuel consumption levels that until now have been the reserve of hybrid powertrains 
• Compression ratio of 14.0:1, the highest compression ratio ever used in a production petrol engine anywhere in the world 
• 15 percent drop in fuel consumption and 15 percent increase in torque output

SKYACTIV-D diesel engine

• Compression ratio at 14.0:1, the lowest ever employed for a diesel engine 
• 20 percent drop in fuel consumption 
• Two-phase turbocharger delivering smooth and linear responses from low to high engine speeds and increasing low and high-end torque up to the rev limit of 5,200 rpm

SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission

• It combines the advantages of a conventional automatic transmission, a continuously-variable transmission and a double-clutch transmission
• Direct driving feel that is comparable to a manual transmission  
• Improved fuel economy of up to 7 percent compared to a current, conventional torque-converter automatic transmission

SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission

• Lightweight and compact manual transmission contributing to lowering fuel consumption 
• Compact size allowing efficient vehicle packaging

SKYACTIV-Body & SKYACTIV-Chassis

• Newly-developed, high-strength bodyshell being 8 percent lighter and 30 percent stiffer 
• Outstanding crash safety with an excellent foundation for agile handling attributes 
• Use of high-tensile steels and optimised bonding materials 
• Newly-developed suspension that is 14 percent lighter than the current suspension

In further phases, efficiency improving technologies, such as regenerative brake systems and hybrid power systems, will be successively introduced.