Nissan and Mitsubishi dealer alliance for mutual use of fast chargers

Nissan and Mitsubishi EV dealers across Japan have agreed for mutual use of the quick chargers. I reckon that this is a smart move and it will encourage people to buy an EV...

[Source: GAZOO.com]

Nissan Leaf's power system among '10 Best Engines' for 2011

Ward has announced yesterday that Nissan Leaf's power system is included on its prestigious '10 Best Engines' list for 2011. As you can imagine, it is the first time that a power system which doesn't have an engine is included. 

The Leaf features a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery manufactured at the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) operation in Zama, Japan, which is a joint-venture of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and NEC Corporation. Both motor and inverter have been developed by Nissan, and the power system generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. The power is transferred to the wheels through a single-speed reduction gear.

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]