マイブログ リスト

2011年1月24日

Mitsubishi to launch 8 new EVs and PHVs by 2015

Mitsubishi plans to launch 8 new EVs and Plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015 (earlier post). This was revealed during the presentation of the mid-term business plan. Sales of a hybrid model will start in 2013.

Mitsubishi will stop making cars designed for specific regions including Europe and North America and concentrate management resources on world-strategy cars such as compact cars and SUVs, for which demand is expected to grow in emerging nations.

In terms of the global small car (earlier post), Mitsubishi forecasts that it will manage to increase sales in emerging markets by 280,000 units in 2013 (global sales target of 1.37 million units). According to a Japanese source, Mitsubishi has set a target, regarding the fuel efficiency of the new model, of 30.0 km/L. A concept previewing the new small car will revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.


[Source: Tech-On!]

Honda Civic Type R: EK9 vs EP3 vs FD2 vs FN2

Below is a nice technical comparison between all the generations of the Honda Civic Type R!

 EK9 vs EP3
Release Year1995/092000/09
Year end2000/092005/09
Type the reference year1999/122004/04



TypeGF-EK9ABA-EP3
Car NameCivicCivic
GradeType RType R
Riding capacity44
Price¥ 219.8 万円¥ 233.1 万円



Takeshi Tamotsu × width × height4185 × 1695 × 1360mm4135 × 1695 × 1430mm
Interior length × width × height1695 × 1390 × 1115mm1805 × 1455 × 1175mm
Front / rear1480mm/1480mm1470mm/1470mm
Wheelbase2620mm2570mm
Turning circle5.4m5.7m
Vehicle weight1070kg1190kg



Drive systemFFFF
Transmission5MT6MT
Tire SizeF:195/55R15 R:195/55R15F:205/45R17 R:205/45R17



Engine TypeB16BK20A
Emissions and type1595cc 直4 DOHC1998cc 直4 DOHC
Diameter × stroke81mm × 77.4mm86mm x 86mm
Compression ratio10.811.5
Intake SystemNANA
Maximum power output185ps (136kW) / 8200rpm215ps (158kW) / 8000rpm
Maximum torque16.3kg ・ m (159.7N ・ m) / 7500rpm20.6kg ・ m (201.9N ・ m) / 7000rpm
The use of fuelHigh-octane gasolineHigh-octane gasoline
10.15 mileage13.6km / L12.4km / L

FD2 vs FN2
Release Year2005/09
Year end2010/08Drive current (December 2010)
Type the reference year2008/092010/10



TypeABA-FD2ABA-FN2
Car NameCivicCivic
GradeType RType R Euro
Riding capacity54
Price¥ 283.5 万円¥ 300.0 万円



Takeshi Tamotsu × width × height4540 × 1770 × 1430mm4270 × 1785 × 1445mm
Interior length × width × height1900 × 1470 × 1170mm2230 × 1445 × 1195mm
Front / rear1505mm/1515mm1505mm/1530mm
Wheelbase2700mm2635mm
Turning circle5.9m5.6m
Vehicle weight1270kg1320kg



Drive systemFFFF
Transmission6MT6MT
Tire SizeF:225/40R18 R:225/40R18F:225/40R18 R:225/40R18



Engine TypeK20AK20A
Emissions and type1998cc 直4 DOHC1998cc 直4 DOHC
Diameter × stroke86mm x 86mm86mm x 86mm
Compression ratio11.711.0
Intake SystemNANA
Maximum power output225ps (165kW) / 8000rpm201ps (148kW) / 7800rpm
Maximum torque21.9kg ・ m (214.6N ・ m) / 6100rpm19.7kg ・ m (193.1N ・ m) / 5600rpm
The use of fuelHigh-octane gasolineHigh-octane gasoline
10.15 mileage11.0km / L11.6km / L
JC08 fuel economy
10.8km / L

Mazda to lease new EV in spring 2012

Mazda announced today that it is independently developing an EV with plans to commence leasing in Japan in spring 2012. The new EV, based on its Demio subcompact, is expected to have a driving range of 200 kilometers and will be leased mainly to local government bodies and fleet customers.

2011年1月23日

All new Subaru Impreza coming at end of 2011

Similarly to what Mag-X claims (earlier post), BC has published an article stating that the new Subaru Impreza will be launched at the end of this year (most likely in December).

The new-gen boxer engines will be fitted, e.g. FB20, which will enable the new Impreza to achieve a much better fuel efficiency (11.5 km/L). In terms of dimensions, it will be bigger with the most noticeable difference being the width, which will increase to 1,820mm.

New Honda CR-V coming this autumn

The current-gen CR-V was introduced in 2007 and following a cycle of almost 4 years, the new model will be introduced in October this year. BC's article mentions that a 2.4L engine, delivering 170 PS, will be used for the JDM version, achieving a fuel efficiency of 12.0 km/L (10.15 mode).

In terms of styling, the specific rendering suggests that the new CR-V will have a coupe-like roofline, similar to the BMW X6. Now, this can't be good...

Lexus readies new IS - hybrid version to achieve 25.0 km/L!

The all new Lexus IS is coming in September, ready to compete with the new BMW 3 series. As you can easily guess, there is going to be a hybrid version as well, which will be fitted with the 2.5 L V6 engine, and it will achieve a fuel efficiency of 25.0 km/L under the 10.15 mode!

As with the current gen mode, a convertible version will be available but this time it will get also the "F" treatment!!! It will be a bit challenging in terms of naming though... IS C-F perhaps?!

New Toyota Corolla coming in June 2011

The current model is struggling and Toyota plans to bring out a much sharper Corolla, which of course will be better in terms of fuel efficiency. Again, as in the case of the new Auris, the use of a 1.5 L turbocharged petrol engine is very likely and also, a hybrid version will be added. The platform of the new Corolla will be used for the new compact SUV (earlier post).

BC claims that the new model will be revealed, in Japan, in June 2011 with the hybrid version coming a few months later. 

If the rendering is accurate, then I really look forward for the new Corolla. Otherwise, I won't be suprised since I have been used to the "Corolla = boring to death" practice.

New Toyota Auris to get turbo engines - spicy TRD version to compete with Golf GT

Toyota is preparing the next Auris and plans to follow VW's example by downsizing its engines. According to BC, the use of a 1.5 L turbocharged engine is very likely. The hybrid version will use a Li-Ion battery and the new model will be slightly longer, by 15 mm. However, the best part is... that TRD will bring out a spicy version in order to compete with VW's Golf GT!!! The new Auris is expected to be launched, in Japan, in May 2011.

Hmm, Auris to become an exciting car??? Fingers crossed...