Daihatsu reveals new Move & Move Custom in Japan

Daihatsu has revealed today the 5th generation of Move (earlier post) in Japan, available as Move and Move Custom. The Move used to be available in Europe as well, but unfortunately, due to low sales it's not anymore...

Since fuel efficiency is very crucial for every new model, the new Move comes with an "eco IDLE" system, thus achieving a fuel economy of 27.0 km/L. The 4WD version achieves 22.5 km/L. Of course, compared to the previous generation, there is improved comfort with an interior length of 2075 mm, a new dashboard and better soundproofing. Safety has also been enhanced with the use of side airbags, an SRS curtain system, VSC, a lane departure warning system and a radar cruise control system.

Mazda MX-5, RX-8 and 787B scale models

Three new Mazda models were added yesterday to my diecast collection. The Mazda 787B is the only Japanese car that has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race ever!

• Mazda MX-5 tuned by MAZDASPEED (Red Metallic) by AUTOart
• Mazda RX-8 tuned by MAZDASPEED (Red Metallic) by AUTOart
• Mazda 787B (Dark Silver) by HPI

Some more renderings of next-gen Honda Civic (2HC)

We have seen some very clear spy shots (earlier post), so there are no surprises... unfortunately. Those renderings seem very realistic, but I wish the real thing would be different. I still think that the current model (FD) looks much better.

Official trailer: Revenge of the Electric Car

Lego Aygo Crazy...!!!

[Source: Toyoddity]

Largest public EV trial in UK with i-MiEVs completed - some facts

EVs... are not anymore the type of car living in our fiction, you know - in the distant future, cars will be electric, they won't have wheels etc - they are here and it won't take so much time until we see them on a regular basis. The Leaf has won the 2011 Car of the Year award in Europe and although Toyota and Honda still hold back from this electric "race", people will soon have a variety of models to choose from.

The limited range and the lack of infrastructure in most countries are limiting factors and it will take time until everyone is able to choose between a "normal" car and EV, but now that the largest public EV trial in UK has ended, at last some real-world data is available. Below are some interesting facts from the press release.

The first stage of the Government-supported UK-wide project to trial low emission vehicles started with the 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) in Birmingham. The vehicles were handed over to independent drivers in Centenary Square, on 12th December 2009.

Infiniti EV sedan coming in 2013

Infiniti is already working on a compact model (earlier post) and also, on an EV sedan. The latter is sceduled to go on sale in 2013. 

According to managing director Shiro Nakamura, the sketch shown above is a very good indication of what to expect to see on the streets. The final design is going to be decided in the middle of 2011.

[Source: Response]

Mitsubishi reveals sketches of new small global car

Mitsubishi has revealed those official sketches of its upcoming small global car, which is going to be produced in a new facotry in Thailand. The new model will be sold in emerging markets, as well as Japan, but it is not known whether it will make to Europe. Expect to see it at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

[Source: Autocar]