Subaru Impreza Concept video

What’s under the bonnet of the Gran Turismo 5 Signature Edition?

Honda NSX alive...? Or is it a ghost from the past.. which is anyway dead?

I have to admit that I have started being disappointed from Honda... NSX replacement cancelled, no F1 team (just at the time they had a winning car ready) and only words about hybrids... and again more boring hybrids. But wait!!!!!!

Now, this is shocking. New NSX alive???????

According to Motor Trend, it lives although in a different form. According to a source, Honda never gave up its plans, even though the V10 NSX concept came at the wrong time. So, the project was redefined, this time with a more market-friendly approach, which means giving it the latest hybrid tech.

The technology to power Honda new sports car "can be driven with either a clutch and an engine only, the engine and motor only, or the motor only," and a manual gearbox will be also available!

The car will be based on a modified Accord platform, and power will come from either a 2.4-liter R4 or a 3.5-liter V6 engine, with the latter considered the sure favorite. In Japan, a patent application that specifies a "V6 powertrain developing upwards of 400 horsepower" has been uncovered. Expect Honda to fit the rear-drive-based SH-AWD setup that enabled the test mule to lap the Nürburgring in 7 minutes, 37 seconds two years ago.

If it gets the green light for production, expect to see it in showrooms as early as 2014. 

[Source: Motor Trend]

Mitsubishi to launch plug-in hybrid SUV in 2013

Do you remember the Mitsubishi PX MiEV Concept? It was presented at 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and I found it a nice looking concept. So, what new now about it? Actually, according to Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi's global electric vehicle business, a plug-in hybrid SUV will be launched in 2013. The car will be similar to the concept.

The PX MiEV Concept was powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine mated to a hybrid system with two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Mitsubishi hasn't named its plug-in hybrid SUV, but it will carry the "MiEV" (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) moniker, Nakamura said. 

Now, just a question... what's the point in having cars like RAV4 EV and PX MiEV? I really think that "eco" technologies should be available in mass produced cars, but a big SUV with a limited mile range on the EV mode is destined for commuting, isn't it? So, people still want SUVs in order to move in big cities... and therefore, the marketing guys came up with this brilliant idea! Bring out a relatively green big SUV (after all, the tag "green" is the important bit), which in fact is not necessarily a green car... The fundamental element for a green car is weight reduction and if weight is low, then the 30-mile range of an SUV on EV mode can easily become 100-miles...

[Source: Automotive News]

Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept & Sprinter Trueno AE86 diecast models

I cannot resist ordering new scale models... and this time I ordered a couple of 1/43 ones which should look nice next to each other! 

• Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 Carbon Bonnet Takumi Fujiwara by Fujimi (フジミ)
• Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon by Kid Box (キッドボックス)

A spiced up Toyota iQ!

Toyota can be exciting...?! Check this iQ out!!! This is a supercharged racing concept parked outside Toyota Europe's HQ.

[Source: Scott Brownlee - Head of PR and social media for Toyota and Lexus in the UK]

Toyota officially outlines eco-car plans & battery research progress

Following the post about Toyota's "eco" future lineup, the company has now officially announced details of its plans for “eco-car” development and launches (confirming what has already been posted), as well as the progress in next-generation secondary-battery research.

1. Hybrid Vehicles: TMC plans to introduce 11 models by the end of 2012, consisting of all-new models and redesigned models.  Of the planned new models, one is a compact with fuel efficiency in excess of 40 km/L under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle.

2. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: By early 2012, TMC plans to begin sales of a “Prius”-based PHV, mainly in Japan, the United States and Europe.  Sales are targeted at more than 50,000 units annually, and the price for Japan is expected to be in the 3-million-yen range.

3. Electric Vehicles: In 2012, in addition to the U.S. market, an iQ-based EV will also be introduced in Japan and Europe.
• Launch preparations call for road trials in Japan, U.S., and Europe starting in 2011.
• Launch in China is also being considered, with road trials planned for 2011.

Separately, the “RAV4 EV” concept, which was developed jointly with Tesla Motors, will be on display until November 28 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, United States.

Toyota launches Ractis (Verso-S) in Japan

Toyota has launched today the new Ractis (ラクティス), aka Verso-S, in Japan. The car made its debut a few months ago at the Paris Motor Show and basically, it's a mini-MPV based on the upcoming Vitz/Yaris. Interior space is claimed to be on par with that of rivaling C-segment cars.
 

The base model is powered by the 1.3 L 1NR-FE engine, while it is available also with the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE engine. The latter one is also available with 4WD. In terms of transmissions, both engine are couple to a CVT gearbox, called Super CVT-i. Prices start from 1,445,000 ¥ (1.3 L - Grade X) and go up to 1,848,000 ¥ (1.5 L 4WD - Grade G).

The Ractis will be on display on all Toyota dealers nationwide from November 27.