日本自動車デザインコーナー「Japanese Car Design Corner」

2011年3月11日

New Toyota Harrier coming in 2013

A lot of new models are expected to be launched in 2013 and among them is the new Toyota Harrier (ハリアー), the basis of Lexus' RX. The new model, with the internal code 520A, is expected to be introduced in October 2013.

The second photo shows Toyota's upcoming SUVs, including the new compact SUV (earlier post) and the new RAV4 (earlier post).

Facelifted Honda Insight coming in June 2011

Back in December, it was reported that the facelifted Honda Insight will be launched in 2011 (earlier post), while a completely new model is expected to be introduced in February 2013 (earlier post). Mag-X has now published this photo showing the facelifted Insight, which shows also the name "Insight Prestige".

Scoop on new JDM Honda Odyssey (Part 2)

As already posted, the latest Mag-X issue has an impression of the new JDM Honda Odyssey on the front cover (earlier post), shown at the top, while the second photo is another impression published. According to the article, the new model is expected to be launched in June 2013 and power will come from a 4-cylinder 2.4L engine. It's still unknown whether a hybrid version will be added or not, but I would take it for granted.

Scoop on Infiniti's mighty sports car!!! (Part 2)

The latest batch of Japanese magazines arrived on Wednesday and I would like to apologize for the lack of posts during the last week.

So, the latest BC issue has some info on Infiniti's mighty sports car (earlier post). As already reported, a hybrid powertrain will be fitted capable of producing a total of 600 ps, yet achieving a fuel efficiency of 12.5 km/L!

2011年3月4日

Toyota to equip Prius+ with Li-Ion battery hybrid system

The Prius V (earlier post) was presented at Detroit and it featured 5-seats and the nickel-metal battery hybrid system of the standard Prius. The Prius V was also presented at the Geneva this week, but its name was changed to Prius+, while it featured three rows of seats (with a total capacity of seven passengers) and it was equipped with a Li-Ion battery hybrid system.

So, now the big question is what will be Toyota's approach for the Japanese Domestic Market. A Nikkei story via Reuters informs us that both versions will be available there. The article contains the first pricing predictions we’ve seen for the newest Toyota. While the least expensive current Prius in Japan is the Prius “L” with a base price of ¥ 2,050,000, they expect the 5-passenger Prius wagon with NiMH batteries to start at ¥ 2,350,000 and the 7-passenger Prius wagon with Li-ion batteries to start at ¥ 3,000,000.

An official English-language Press Release from Toyota Japan also notes that the Prius wagon will go on sale there in late April 2011, ahead of the late summer 2011 U.S. release of Prius V and the “first half of 2012″ on-sale date for Prius+ in Europe.

[Source: Kaizen Factor]

2011年3月2日

Mitsubishi Evo is dead...

The Evo is a legend and soon it will be history. According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand (... I am not so sure about that). According to a past report, Mitsubishi will be bring a green diesel sports sedan to the market in 2013.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market again," he said.

[Source: Autoblog; Source of photo: Best Car]