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 ;-)

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.