A spiced up Toyota iQ!

Toyota can be exciting...?! Check this iQ out!!! This is a supercharged racing concept parked outside Toyota Europe's HQ.

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

Toyota officially outlines eco-car plans & battery research progress

Following the post about Toyota's "eco" future lineup, the company has now officially announced details of its plans for “eco-car” development and launches (confirming what has already been posted), as well as the progress in next-generation secondary-battery research.

1. Hybrid Vehicles: TMC plans to introduce 11 models by the end of 2012, consisting of all-new models and redesigned models.  Of the planned new models, one is a compact with fuel efficiency in excess of 40 km/L under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle.

2. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: By early 2012, TMC plans to begin sales of a “Prius”-based PHV, mainly in Japan, the United States and Europe.  Sales are targeted at more than 50,000 units annually, and the price for Japan is expected to be in the 3-million-yen range.

3. Electric Vehicles: In 2012, in addition to the U.S. market, an iQ-based EV will also be introduced in Japan and Europe.
• Launch preparations call for road trials in Japan, U.S., and Europe starting in 2011.
• Launch in China is also being considered, with road trials planned for 2011.

Separately, the “RAV4 EV” concept, which was developed jointly with Tesla Motors, will be on display until November 28 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, United States.

Toyota launches Ractis (Verso-S) in Japan

Toyota has launched today the new Ractis (ラクティス), aka Verso-S, in Japan. The car made its debut a few months ago at the Paris Motor Show and basically, it's a mini-MPV based on the upcoming Vitz/Yaris. Interior space is claimed to be on par with that of rivaling C-segment cars.
 

The base model is powered by the 1.3 L 1NR-FE engine, while it is available also with the 1.5 L 1NZ-FE engine. The latter one is also available with 4WD. In terms of transmissions, both engine are couple to a CVT gearbox, called Super CVT-i. Prices start from 1,445,000 ¥ (1.3 L - Grade X) and go up to 1,848,000 ¥ (1.5 L 4WD - Grade G).

The Ractis will be on display on all Toyota dealers nationwide from November 27.

Ferrari 599 HGTE vs Lexus LFA

Japan's ultra-tiny home

... today's post is not about cars, but it's still a very interesting one!

Nissan Leaf: Less demo cars due to strong demand

Nissan's US dealers will each give up one of their Leaf demo cars as the factory tries to satisfy initial demand for the car. Initially, dealers were promised two demo Leafs, but now they will get just one. This move translates in as many as 1,000 extra Leafs going to consumers.

Only 20,000 Leafs will arrive in the US in the first year, due to the limited production volume. Nissan is investing $1.6 billion to construct another lithium-ion battery plant in Smyrna, Tenn., where it will also assemble the Leaf, but that supply will not come on line until late in 2012.

The USDM Leaf will be launched in December.

[Source: Automotive News]

Revised Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer comes in Europe

• Fresh, modern styling for longer, wider, taller Legacy Sports Tourer (wider by 50mm, taller by 65mm and longer by 55mm)
• Updated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Several technical refinements and enhanced environmentally-friendly features for Boxer diesel engine
• Completely reviewed and re-engineered bodyshell
• All-new ‘Cradle Mount System’ adopted where the engine and transmission are mounted on a sub-frame to reduce NVH
• Revised MacPherson strut front suspension design
• New ‘short height’ compact double-wishbone rear suspension
• New electronic parking brake and hill-hold function
• More room inside high-quality cabin (e.g. legroom for rear-seat passengers increases by 99mm, aided by an 80mm increase in wheelbase), and up to 1,726-litres of luggage space
• New Multi-Information Display (MID) positioned on centre stack’s upper surface 
• Recently awarded 5-Star Euro NCAP crash safety rating 
• Available from December 2010, retailing at €41,995

Get ready for Toyota / Subaru FT-86 related cracking post...!!!

One thing that I really enjoy is searching for info... and one car that I really look forward hitting the markets is the Toyota / Subaru FT-86. I just hope that I will be financially sound in order to buy it...

Anyway, I have found some interesting shots from a a number of Japanese magazines, so stay tuned for the post... it's coming soon ;-)