Honda readies small open top sports car

This is not a new rumour and Japanese Best Car magazine has revealed another rendering of Honda's upcoming open top sports car. It seems that the new sports car won't be a Kei car, but instead, it will be based on the CR-Z. Also, Honda is also about to reveal an updated CR-Z.

Photos of production Honda N leaked

Last year, it was reported that during 2012, Honda would reveal the production version of the EV-N concept (earlier post). Well, it seems that Honda is ready to launch it and those leaked photos are from the Japanese brochure! Most likely, the name of this little Honda will be N-One.

Source: 頑張れ

Honda & Daihatsu ready roadster Kei cars!

As I have reported in the past, not only Daihatsu is working on a Copen successor, but Honda also plans to introduce a Beat successor (earlier post)! Those renderings of the new Beat and Copen come from Japanese Best Car magazine and I would really love to see those in Europe... although there is no chance to see the new Copen in Europe (earlier post).

Latest rendering of Daihatsu Copen successor

The next-gen Copen is a car that won't make it to Europe, but it's still a car that I really look forward seeing it. In the past, it was reported (earlier post) that the new model will be launched in 2014, although Best Car seems to claim that it's going to be during 2013. In any case, on the front cover you can see the latest rendering of it!

Latest rendering of upcoming Honda Beat

Honda readies a Beat successor (earlier post) and on the front cover of the latest Best Car issue there is a rendering of it. I think it was about time for Japanese manufacturers to start again producing those lovely Kei cars. I hope this time they will bring them also in Europe...

Nissan launches new Moco in Japan

Nissan has launched today in Japan the new Moco (モコ). If it looks familiar to you, then it's because this is a rebadged Suzuki MR Wagon (earlier post).

Rendering of future Honda Beat!

According to BC, Honda is also working on a Beat successor, which is likely going to share bits and pieces with the new N (earlier post).

Honda N coming next year

Honda presented back in 2009 the EV-N concept and it seems that this cute little car is heading for production next year. Initially, the petrol version will be launched in March next year, and then the EV version will follow 6 months later. According to this rendering by BC, the production model will look very similar to the concept. Now, I really want one of these...

Next-gen Daihatsu Copen coming in 2014!

Following the scoop on the next-gen Copen (earlier post), now it's time for some more info. It was a long time since Daihatsu displayed the OCF-1 concept and the possibility of a Copen successor was under consideration, but it seems that Daihatsu decided that it will not stop it, as it is boosting its image in the small car segment. The new Copen will make its debut in March 2014, according to Mag-X, and it will use the same platform with the Move.

The new two-cylinder engine will feature direct injection, along with a turbocharger, and it is expected to produce 64 ps and 10.1 kgm of torque. Of course, the problem of vibration with two-cylinder engines is something that Daihatsu engineers are confident that can solve with modern material technology.

Rendering of Daihatsu e:S

This is Mag-X's impression of the upcoming Daihatsu e:S (earlier post). No surprises really since the actual production model is expected to look very close to the prototype.

[Source: Makoto Garage Illustration]

Honda readies 2.0L NA CR-Z and Beat successor!

The latest issue of BC has some interesting news regarding the upcoming Honda models, and it seems that a 2.0L NA CR-Z is coming soon, as well as a Beat successor!!!

Soon I will be able to provide you with more info... so stay tuned!

Scoop on new Daihatsu Copen!

The new issue of Mag-X magazine is coming out and this is a scoop on the new Daihatsu Copen! It is reported that a new 2-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection will be fitted. It's a shame that we will never have the change getting it in Europe...

New Suzuki MR Wagon officially launched

Suzuki has officially launched the new MR Wagon, targeting young buyers. The new model adopts a newly developed platform and a lot of work has been done in terms of packaging in order to offer a roomy interior. Power comes from the new R06A engine (earlier post), which is coupled to a CVT gearbox and 2WD models achieve a fuel efficiency of 25.5 km/L.

Three different trim levels are available (G, X and T) and all of them are available as either FF or 4WD. G and X models get a naturally aspired version of the new engine delivering 54 hp, while the T models get a turbocharged version with a power output of 64 hp. Monthly sales target is 3,000 vehicles and prices start from 1,131,900 ¥.

• G:1,131,900 ¥ (FF) /1,249,500 ¥ (4WD)
• X:1,215,900 ¥ (FF) /1,333,500 ¥ (4WD)
• T:1,393,350 ¥ (FF) /1,510,950 ¥ (4WD)

New Suzuki MR Wagon shown at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

The new Suzuki MR Wagon (earlier post), which will be officially launched on January 20, was shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

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]

Exterior of new Suzuki MR Wagon revealed

The exterior design of the new Suzuki MR Wagon (earlier post) has been revealed ahead of its debut, which will take place on January 20. The new MR Wagon will have a fuel efficiency of 25.5 km/L and not 26.5 as previously reported.

New Suzuki MR Wagon to achieve fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/L

The new Suzuki MR Wagon will not continue the rounded design of the current model, but it will adopt a box-shaped exterior design instead and it is expected to be launched on 20 January.

Suzuki has revealed that it will have a fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/L under the 10-15 test cycle (Daihatsu's new Move achieves 27.0 km/L and Toyota's new Vitz 26.5 km/L), which will come equipped with a CVT gearbox and a stop/start system. 

[Source: Response]

Daihatsu cuts cost of stop/start system by 70%

Daihatsu has managed to reduced the cost of its stop/start system by 70%. The new system is installed in the new Move (earlier post), called "eco IDLE", and its mass has been reduced as well from about 10kg to 4kg.

"In order to achieve the reduction in cost and mass, the number of parts had to be reduced. The old system, as used as in the Mira, consisted of a battery, starter, dedicated ECU (electronic control unit), hydraulic brake holding system, electric hydraulic pump for its CVT, electric double layer capacitor that prevents the instantaneous drop of voltage at start-up and so forth.

The new one, uses the same battery and starter, but Daihatsu eliminated the electric hydraulic pump, replaced the capacitor with a DC-DC converter integrated with the ECU, embedded the hydraulic brake holding system in the ABS (antilock brake system) in place of a dedicated solenoid valve.

Lighter & cheaper small car coming from Daihatsu in 2011

Daihatsu's president Koichi Ina told reporters, during the release of the new Move in Tokyo (earlier post), that Daihatsu will bring a new small car to the market by the end of next year with a fuel economy of 30 km/L and a tag price below 1,000,000 ¥. The new car will be based on the concept e:S exhibited at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

[Source: Response]

Daihatsu reveals new Move & Move Custom in Japan

Daihatsu has revealed today the 5th generation of Move (earlier post) in Japan, available as Move and Move Custom. The Move used to be available in Europe as well, but unfortunately, due to low sales it's not anymore...

Since fuel efficiency is very crucial for every new model, the new Move comes with an "eco IDLE" system, thus achieving a fuel economy of 27.0 km/L. The 4WD version achieves 22.5 km/L. Of course, compared to the previous generation, there is improved comfort with an interior length of 2075 mm, a new dashboard and better soundproofing. Safety has also been enhanced with the use of side airbags, an SRS curtain system, VSC, a lane departure warning system and a radar cruise control system.