Sneak peek at orange LFA going to Detroit Auto Show!!!

If you are planning to visit the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, which opens in a few days, then you will be able to see live this amazing orange LFA!!!

[Source: Lexus USA]

Toyota Prius surpasses Corolla's sales record in Japan

Almost one month ago, it was reported that the last-gen Toyota Prius has sold more than 300,000 units in Japan (earlier post) and now that 2010 is over, the final number is 315,000 units (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)!!!

[Source: SankeiBiz; Source of photo: Fukuoka Toyota]

Live photos of SKYACTIV components

Back in October 2010, Mazda released details about its next-gen powertrain technologies, called SKYACTIV (earlier post). Although nothing new has been published, I came across with some live photos showing the new SKYACTIV components, or at least some of them, which I found interesting.

[Source: Response]

Suzuki to introduce more fuel-efficient engine for its JDM minicars - MR Wagon first to use it

Nikkei reported that Suzuki will introduce an all-new engine for its minicars in Japan for the first time in roughly 16 years. The new 0.66 L engine is expected to have a fuel efficiency of 27 km/L, which is 20% less than the current engine, when combined with a Stop/Start system.

This would enable Suzuki minicars to achieve a fuel economy comparable to that offered by Daihatsu’s new Move (related posts), which hit the market last month. Suzuki plans to invest a total of 20 billion yen [US$246 million] over three years to retool its Sagara factory in Shizuoka Prefecture to make the new engine.

All future versions of the company’s minicars, including the Wagon R and the Alto, will eventually be powered by the engine. The first to feature it will be the new MR Wagon, slated for launch this month.

[Source: Nikkei via Green Car Congress]