Toyota Celica (ST165 & ST185) scale models by HPI

Today, those two beautiful scale models arrived!!! Both are made by HPI and they are in 1/43 scale. The red model is a Celica GT-Four GR.A (ST165), while the second model is a Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185).

More photos after the jump!

LFA in action - V10 engine at work!!!

Next Mitsubishi Colt not coming in Europe!

The new Colt is expected to be launched in March 2012 and it going to be built in Thailand. Targeted fuel efficiency is 27.0 km/L. What is surprising though is the fact that the successor of the Colt will not be sold in Europe!

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 Year	1995/09	2000/09
Year end	2000/09	2005/09
Type the reference year	1999/12	2004/04
Type	GF-EK9	ABA-EP3
Car Name	Civic	Civic
Grade	Type R	Type R
Riding capacity	4	4
Price	¥ 219.8 万円	¥ 233.1 万円
Takeshi Tamotsu × width × height	4185 × 1695 × 1360mm	4135 × 1695 × 1430mm
Interior length × width × height	1695 × 1390 × 1115mm	1805 × 1455 × 1175mm
Front / rear	1480mm/1480mm	1470mm/1470mm
Wheelbase	2620mm	2570mm
Turning circle	5.4m	5.7m
Vehicle weight	1070kg	1190kg
Drive system	FF	FF
Transmission	5MT	6MT
Tire Size	F:195/55R15　R:195/55R15	F:205/45R17　R:205/45R17
Engine Type	B16B	K20A
Emissions and type	1595cc　直4　DOHC	1998cc　直4　DOHC
Diameter × stroke	81mm × 77.4mm	86mm x 86mm
Compression ratio	10.8	11.5
Intake System	NA	NA
Maximum power output	185ps (136kW) / 8200rpm	215ps (158kW) / 8000rpm
Maximum torque	16.3kg ・ m (159.7N ・ m) / 7500rpm	20.6kg ・ m (201.9N ・ m) / 7000rpm
The use of fuel	High-octane gasoline	High-octane gasoline
10.15 mileage	13.6km / L	12.4km / L

FD2 vs FN2

Release Year	2005/09	←
Year end	2010/08	Drive current (December 2010)
Type the reference year	2008/09	2010/10
Type	ABA-FD2	ABA-FN2
Car Name	Civic	Civic
Grade	Type R	Type R Euro
Riding capacity	5	4
Price	¥ 283.5 万円	¥ 300.0 万円
Takeshi Tamotsu × width × height	4540 × 1770 × 1430mm	4270 × 1785 × 1445mm
Interior length × width × height	1900 × 1470 × 1170mm	2230 × 1445 × 1195mm
Front / rear	1505mm/1515mm	1505mm/1530mm
Wheelbase	2700mm	2635mm
Turning circle	5.9m	5.6m
Vehicle weight	1270kg	1320kg
Drive system	FF	FF
Transmission	6MT	6MT
Tire Size	F:225/40R18　R:225/40R18	F:225/40R18　R:225/40R18
Engine Type	K20A	K20A
Emissions and type	1998cc　直4　DOHC	1998cc　直4　DOHC
Diameter × stroke	86mm x 86mm	86mm x 86mm
Compression ratio	11.7	11.0
Intake System	NA	NA
Maximum power output	225ps (165kW) / 8000rpm	201ps (148kW) / 7800rpm
Maximum torque	21.9kg ・ m (214.6N ・ m) / 6100rpm	19.7kg ・ m (193.1N ・ m) / 5600rpm
The use of fuel	High-octane gasoline	High-octane gasoline
10.15 mileage	11.0km / L	11.6km / L
JC08 fuel economy		10.8km / L

[Source: greeco car channel]

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.

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...

Next RAV4 to replace JDM Vanguard - hybrid version on the cards

SUV sales in the States are dropping and the current RAV4 hasn't been left unaffected. Fuel efficiency is one of the most important factors nowadays, as the price of the petrol has been significantly increased worldwide, and therefore, Toyota plans to bring out a lot of hybrids (earlier post). Therefore, Toyota plans to replace the 3.5 L V6 engine of the current model with a hybrid version equipped with a 2.5 L petrol engine.

Currently, the are two versions of the RAV4 in Japan, as a longer version called Vanguard ヴァンガード is being sold as well, but this is about to change since the new model will be offered only in one. The length of the next-gen RAV4 is going to be 4,500 mm, which between the length of the current RAV4 and Vanguard. According to Mag-X, the next-gen RAV4 will make its debut in October 2012.

Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A: Debut at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, sales start in April 2012

President of Fuji Heavy Industries Mori Ikuo, has already confirmed that the Scoobi version will be revealed at the end of 2011 (earlier post), and rumors have suggested that both versions (detailed post) will make their debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Well, it seems that Mag-X claims the same and according to the report, sales are expected to start in April 2012!

Next Toyota Crown coming next year

The next-gen Toyota Crown (クラウン) is under development and from I could make out of the Japanese text (Mag-X), Toyota is working on a hybrid system for its FR sedan model featuring two clutches. Toyota aims to reduce the price of the hybrid version by ¥ 1,000,000 (the current model costs ¥ 5,400,000), making the hybrid version the leading one in the Crown family.

Of course, the hybrid version will not only have an advanced version of the THS (current system shown above), but also the current V6 engine found in the hybrid will be dropped and a 2.5 L straight four will be used. The new Crown, which will use the new platform of the next-gen Lexus GS, will be launched in September 2012.

Development of new Lexus GS back on track

The development of the new Lexus GS had been frozen last year and thus, the original target of hitting the markets in August this year has been postponed. Toyota was affected by the reliability issues of the Prius (including brakes, engine valve springs etc) and therefore, priority was given in the resolution of the quality problems.

It seems though that Lexus has started again developing the new GS, which is now heading for a launch in August 2012. The new car will be rear wheel drive and according to Mag-X, it will ride on a new platform. In terms of styling, initial reports suggest that the four-lamp design will continue to be present, although there are some concerns as to whether  buyers will get tired of the same theme over three generations.

Lexus wants the new GS to be sporty and to be able to compete with the premium German models, which means that a lot of work has to be done in the interior. Also, there is going to be a new interface for all the electronic toys inside.
 

The new GS will not grow anymore, measuring 4,830 x 1,840 x 1,450 (mm), and the base model is likely to be powered by a 2.5 L V6 engine.