Toyota Prius sells more than 300,000 units in Japan in 2010

The last-gen Toyota Prius has proved to be very successful in Japan, as sales have passed the 300,000 unit mark in 2010 (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)! The Prius is the best-selling model in Japan for the past year and a half.

Google launches Chrome OS

Scion TC appears at ADMS as Toyota Zelas

Toyota presented unexpectedly the Zelas sports coupe at 2010 Abu Dhabi International Motor Show. The car is essentially a rebadged Scion TC and it is powered by a 2.5L engine producing 176 hp. Don't expect great thrills as power goes to the front wheels and the engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. With prices starting from $24,450, it seems like a good value and it is aimed at youngsters.

[Source: Car Middle East]

Improved Honda Insight comes in Europe

When the Insight was under development, expectations were high and I was really considering it as my next car. I was really excited about it and I had downloaded all the spy shots, renderings and possible info I could find at the time. When I visited my local Honda dealer though, I was hugely disappointed, up to the point that I didn't even had a test drive.

And I am not the only one disappointed from the final result. How many have you seen on the streets? Hm, that's exactly my point… Honda got the message and tried to improve the car a little bit with suspension changes in order to improve the ride and comfort. Changes include adjustment of the recoil rate of the springs, change of the rear camber angles, alteration of the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjustments of the mounts.

Some minor changes can be found also in the interior with new colours and some plastics being improved. Also, two new exterior colours have been added, Dynamic Blue Pearl and Carnelian Red Pearl.

Are those changes enough? I am afraid not…

Toyota teases with more Vitz / Yaris images

OK, we have seen the actual car, we know that it will be introduced on December 22 in Japan, how much it will cost (earlier post) and the fact that it is going to be Japan's most fuel efficient car (earlier post). Back in October, Toyota launched a flash microsite with some teasing images (earlier post) and now, more have been added. If you want to visit the microsite, just click here.

Honda CR-Z to get turbocharged engine

According to British Autocar, Honda is going to provide the CR-Z, as well as a number of other models, with an all-new turbocharged R4 engine. The new engine, under development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre, is also planned  for the Jazz, Civic and Accord, forming an integral part of Honda's downsizing program. 

The engine, which will feature Honda’s VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, is likely to come with two power outputs. A standard 160 hp and a highly tuned 200 hp version, with the latter one replacing the 2.0L VTEC engine in the Civic Type R.  A CR-Z Type R is also likely to hit the markets late next year.

[Source: Autocar]

Nissan Leaf: Video showing production stages

How does Nissan's Leaf drive...?

I have read many articles about the Nissan Leaf and its launch in Japan, and one thing is certain. The Japanese are very serious about EVs and Nissan wants to be a market leader. It is planned that 5,000 quick chargers will be installed across Japan by 2020! But the big question in my mind is how it actually drives...

According to Reuters, so far, the feedback has been good. On recent test drives, drivers were impressed with the instant engine torque and acceleration of a car with a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

In Saitama, a city just north of Tokyo, residents who had won an online lottery to test-drive the Leaf also gave it a thumbs-up.

"I knew it was going to be quiet because I'd been in other EVs before," said Kazuhiro Futamura, a 36-year-old businessman. "But the acceleration, steering and response, it was linear, if you know what I mean. I thought that was quite impressive," added Futamura, who had also ridden in BMW's experimental Mini E and Mitsubishi's i-MiEV.

Racing driver Seiji Ara said it was obvious the engineers had paid close attention to the ease and precision of how the car handles. "The car does exactly what you tell it to do," said Ara, who races on a Nissan-backed team. "It's a difficult area to master, but also very important," he added.



[Source: Automotive News]