Improved Honda Insight comes in Europe

When the Insight was under development, expectations were high and I was really considering it as my next car. I was really excited about it and I had downloaded all the spy shots, renderings and possible info I could find at the time. When I visited my local Honda dealer though, I was hugely disappointed, up to the point that I didn't even had a test drive.

And I am not the only one disappointed from the final result. How many have you seen on the streets? Hm, that's exactly my point… Honda got the message and tried to improve the car a little bit with suspension changes in order to improve the ride and comfort. Changes include adjustment of the recoil rate of the springs, change of the rear camber angles, alteration of the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjustments of the mounts.

Some minor changes can be found also in the interior with new colours and some plastics being improved. Also, two new exterior colours have been added, Dynamic Blue Pearl and Carnelian Red Pearl.

Are those changes enough? I am afraid not…

Toyota teases with more Vitz / Yaris images

OK, we have seen the actual car, we know that it will be introduced on December 22 in Japan, how much it will cost (earlier post) and the fact that it is going to be Japan's most fuel efficient car (earlier post). Back in October, Toyota launched a flash microsite with some teasing images (earlier post) and now, more have been added. If you want to visit the microsite, just click here.

Honda CR-Z to get turbocharged engine

According to British Autocar, Honda is going to provide the CR-Z, as well as a number of other models, with an all-new turbocharged R4 engine. The new engine, under development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre, is also planned  for the Jazz, Civic and Accord, forming an integral part of Honda's downsizing program. 

The engine, which will feature Honda’s VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, is likely to come with two power outputs. A standard 160 hp and a highly tuned 200 hp version, with the latter one replacing the 2.0L VTEC engine in the Civic Type R.  A CR-Z Type R is also likely to hit the markets late next year.

[Source: Autocar]

Nissan Leaf: Video showing production stages

How does Nissan's Leaf drive...?

I have read many articles about the Nissan Leaf and its launch in Japan, and one thing is certain. The Japanese are very serious about EVs and Nissan wants to be a market leader. It is planned that 5,000 quick chargers will be installed across Japan by 2020! But the big question in my mind is how it actually drives...

According to Reuters, so far, the feedback has been good. On recent test drives, drivers were impressed with the instant engine torque and acceleration of a car with a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

In Saitama, a city just north of Tokyo, residents who had won an online lottery to test-drive the Leaf also gave it a thumbs-up.

"I knew it was going to be quiet because I'd been in other EVs before," said Kazuhiro Futamura, a 36-year-old businessman. "But the acceleration, steering and response, it was linear, if you know what I mean. I thought that was quite impressive," added Futamura, who had also ridden in BMW's experimental Mini E and Mitsubishi's i-MiEV.

Racing driver Seiji Ara said it was obvious the engineers had paid close attention to the ease and precision of how the car handles. "The car does exactly what you tell it to do," said Ara, who races on a Nissan-backed team. "It's a difficult area to master, but also very important," he added.



[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan Leaf: Demo of smartphone access

New Nissan Sunny (Tiida / Versa?) to come with XTronic CVT

The new Nissan Sunny for the Chinese market has been caught several times and even photos of the production vehicle have been leaked (earlier post). Now, whether the new Tiida / Versa for USDM, JDM and EUDM will be the same car remains unclear in my opinion (earlier post).

Anyway, the Chinese Sunny will be powered by a 1.8L engine and Nissan's XTronic CVT gearbox will be available as well, as Nissan presented in China, the new generation of intelligent XTronic CVT and production will start in April 2011. According to the plan, the Chinese factory will be capable of producing 24 million units/year. The new Sunny will come also with a a Stop & Start system.

[Source: auto.163.com]

Next Subaru Impreza WRX STi tS to get carbon fibre roof

FHI is working with Toray (東レ) for developing a roof made out of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), which will be used in the Subaru Impreza WRX STi tS. The CFRP roof will be 20% lighter than the steel one, and it will also improve the structural performance of the car. A lighter roof will enable also lowering the centre of gravity. The cost of using CFRP is high, but a special moulding method by Toray will enable to reduce the investment cost.

[Source: Tech-On!]