Some new scale model pre-orders placed!

Further to my latest pre-order for an Advantage GT-R Concept scale model (earlier post), I have placed three new ones today. Note that the photos of the Civic Type R model are from moke-up, so the real thing will much more detailed. Hopefully, I should get all of them by the end of March.

• Honda Civic Type R 1999 EK9 (Championship White) by Interallied (インターアライド)
• Lexus IS-F 2008 (Black) by Kyosho
• Toyota Crown Athlete 2008 (White) by Kyosho

Nissan Leaf's rear aerodynamic design

Since fuel efficiency, range in the case of EVs, plays a very important role nowadays, it is self understanding that among top priorities when designing a new car is aerodynamics.Inoue Makoto, chief designer of Nissan's Global Design Product Division, gives Leaf's rear design as an example.

The air flows coming from the roof, side and under the floor had to be separated. For that reason, the taillights have a a more convex shape in order to act as spoilers. Also, the lack of an exhaust sysem has enabled a much better design, aerodynamically, which would not be possible in the case of a car equipped with an internal combustion engine. 

Even the design of the antenna has been carefully considered in order to limit the generated wind noise. Therefore, the antenna has a pentagon shape with a round tip. Another important area was the edge of the rear bumper, in order to have a clear separation of flow.

[Source: Response]

Dimensions and prices of new Suzuki Solio!

Further to the fuel efficiency of the new Suzuki Solio (earlier post), dimensions and prices of it were also revealed ahead of its official debut. 

Exterior dimensions:

3,710 mm x 1,620 mm x 1,765 mm (length x width x height)

Prices:

1.2 G FF 1,280,000 ¥
1.2 X FF 1,380,000 ¥
1.2 S FF 1,500,000 ¥ 
1.2 G 4WD 1,458,500 ¥ 
1.2 X 4WD 1,558,500 ¥ 
1.2 S 4WD 1,678,500 ¥

[Source: 頑張れ！三菱自動車 応援ブログと株日記]

New Suzuki Solio to achieve 22.5 km/L fuel efficiency

The new Suzuki Solio, due to be introduced on December 24 (earlier posts), will be powered by a 1.2L engine and when matted to a CVT gearbox, it will achieve a fuel efficiency of 22.5 km/L under the 10-15 test cycle.This figure is not as good as the 26.5 km/L of the upcoming new Vitz (earlier post), but it's not bad at all...

[Source: Response]

Free Wi-Fi in Tokyo cabs

If you live in Tokyo, you can access Wi-Fi freely when using a cab. Docomo, in collaboration with the large taxi consortium Tokyo Musen, is installing free access Wifi hotspots in 820 taxis around the Japanese capital. What’s more, 100 of those 820 cars will carry PSP Go for in-flight (er, in-traffic) entertainment!!!

[Source: docomo via 7Tune]

Spy shots of next-gen Nissan Tiida / Versa hatchback

The new Nissan Sunny for the Chinese market, caught several times, has been considered as the new Tiida, but somehow, I am not convinced that this will be the new Tiida (aka Versa). Hm, now it's time for spy shots of the hatchback version and as you will notice, the interior is clearly different. I reckon that this is the actual Tiida replacement...

Nissan and Mitsubishi dealer alliance for mutual use of fast chargers

Nissan and Mitsubishi EV dealers across Japan have agreed for mutual use of the quick chargers. I reckon that this is a smart move and it will encourage people to buy an EV...

[Source: GAZOO.com]

Nissan Leaf's power system among '10 Best Engines' for 2011

Ward has announced yesterday that Nissan Leaf's power system is included on its prestigious '10 Best Engines' list for 2011. As you can imagine, it is the first time that a power system which doesn't have an engine is included. 

The Leaf features a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery manufactured at the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) operation in Zama, Japan, which is a joint-venture of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and NEC Corporation. Both motor and inverter have been developed by Nissan, and the power system generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The power is transferred to the wheels through a single-speed reduction gear.

Toyota Prius sells more than 300,000 units in Japan in 2010

The last-gen Toyota Prius has proved to be very successful in Japan, as sales have passed the 300,000 unit mark in 2010 (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)! The Prius is the best-selling model in Japan for the past year and a half.