Subaru shows carbon fibre roof of Impreza WRX STi tS

Back on December 3 (earlier post), it was revealed that the upcoming Impreza WRX STI tS will feature a carbon fibre roof, which has been developed with Toray (東レ).  Subaru has now revealed a teaser image and the only new info is... that the tS version will be only available in Japan (as with the Forester tS STi).

20 years of Lexus in the UK: 1990 LS 400 meets 2010 LS 600h

Scoop: Next-gen Toyota Camry

The next-gen Toyota Camry will be available only as a hybrid in Japan (earlier post) and it is expected to be launched in July 2011. According to early info, the next-gen Camry will share its platform with the Toyota Avensis, although it is not clear whether it will use the platform of the current-gen Avensis, or the platform of the new Camry will used in the next-gen Avensis. I reckon that the latter scenario is more likely.

[Source: Mag-X via CarSensor]

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]