Murano CrossCabriolet: Just some thoughts...

To be honest, I don't like SUVs and neither cabriolets, but somehow I do like the Murano CrossCabriolet (earlier post). For sure, it takes some balls to bring a car like that in production and although it's a niche market, I really hope that it will be successful. Sadly, this model won't really come in Europe and thus, I will never be able to see it in person...

For sure at the LA Auto Show, out of all Japanese manufacturers, Nissan had the best presense. A wicked prototype, the world's first AWD crossover convertible, my favourite sports car on sale at the moment, best coverage via Twitter... what else can someone ask...?!

Nissan has a great lineup in Japan and the US, while in Europe it's a different case. It tries to penetrate the market by discovering new segments, which is not a bad thing, but some of its "standard" models are rather disappointing (e.g. current Tiida and new Micra).

Honda refreshes Life in Japan

Honda Life (ライフ), Honda's Wagon R competitor, gets some minor changes for 2011. The most noticeable change is the front mask, while another change is the design of the headlight projectors for better visibility. All versions will now come with a wiper at the back.

The same changes apply for the Diva version, which now comes standard with sports seats and turn signal mirrors.

Of course, new exterior colours and interior trims have been added.

Pricing of new 2011 Vitz / Yaris in Japan (新型ヴィッツ価格情報)

Those are the prices of the new Toyota Vitz, going on sale in December in Japan.

1.0 F M-Package 105.8万円 *
1.0 F 111.8万円
1.3 F 128.8万円
1.3 F SMART STOP Package 134.8万円

1.3 U 149.8万円
1.5 U 159.8万円

1.0 Jewela 125.8万円
1.3 Jewela 135.8万円

1.5 RS C-Package 159.8万円
1.5 RS CVT 178.8万円
1.5 RS 5MT 171.8万円

* 万円 means million in Japanese

[Source: LoVitz]

Nissan Fairlady Z (300ZX) concept for sale on eBay

A Nissan Fairlady Z Z32 (aka 300ZX) - one of nicest Japanese sports cars in my opinion - convertible is not big news, however one with a folding hardtop is! The production cabriolet version went on sale in 1993, along with the T-top and standard versions, but before this, in 1991 Nissan produced a concept version that was shown at a number of auto shows. The concept featured a power-folding, retractable hardtop.

The concept was built  with American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) and it is now for sale on eBay, with a Buy-It-Now price of $62,000. Power is provided by the standard 3.0L V6, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The car has only 8,202 miles on the clock. According to the seller's listing, the original build cost was in excess of $800,000.

And just some history... Nissan utilized the Cray-II supercomputer to completely design the 300ZX with a form of CAD software. This made the 300ZX one of the first production cars to be developed in a CAD program!

Infiniti M35h (Fuga Hybrid) with standard VSP tech in Europe

The Infiniti M35h (earlier post), aka Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan - 日産フーガ ハイブリッド, will become the world's first hybrid to feature an audible pedestrian warning system as standard when it goes on sale in six months’ time in Europe. 

"The new Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system – is computer controlled and links an in-car sound synthesiser with a speaker built in to the front bumper. It automatically works from start-up to 30 km/h, cutting back in at 25 km/h as the vehicle slows.

Instead of just a single tone, a range of high-low sounds at different volume levels was chosen after an extensive research programme to find the most effective, but least intrusive, noise. The team developing the system in Infiniti’s parent group worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists studying areas from pedestrian behavioural patterns to noise pollution.
The result is a sine-wave sound that extends from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz. It is a range readily audible to all age groups while avoiding a sound range (around 1,000Hz) that would add unnecessary noise to the environment.

... and a couple more LFA shots

[Source: Twitter]

Lexus LFA at LA Auto Show

The colour is not my cup of tea, but it still remains a masterpiece. Oh, with an amazing sound as well...!!!

Toyota's "eco" future lineup

Toyota plans to introduce eleven (11) new hybrid models (one is the next-gen Camry - earlier post) by the end of 2012, consisting of all-new models and redesigned models.

By early 2012, Toyota plans to begin sales of a "Prius"-based PHV (mainly in Japan, USA & Europe.) Sales targeted at more than 50,000 per annum.

In 2012, in addition to the U.S. market, an iQ-based EV will also be introduced in Japan and Europe (earlier post).

Toyota, please don't mesh up with the FT-86....

[Source: Scott Brownlee - Head of PR and social media for Toyota and Lexus in the UK]