Real-time info of EV chargers in Osaka to be delivered to navi systems

Osaka Prefecture (大阪府) announced that real-time information from the fast chargers will be able to be delivered to EV's navigation system. This system will enable the efficient operation of the 50 Nissan Leafs which are planned to be used as taxis and for car sharing. Among the information to be provided will be the location of the fast chargers, condition of use, condition of state (full or empty) and availability time. Also, reservation of chargers will be possible via the phone. The system has been developed by Unisys.

The charger infrastructure network in Osaka consists at the moment of 17 fast chargers with two 200V chargers. Forty more 200V chargers, where the telecommunication facility will be installed, are scheduled to be set up in the near future.

[Source: Response]

Lexus LFA scale model coming from AUTOart

LFA fans will be glad to know that at last, a scale model is coming soon from AUTOart. It is going to be in 1/18 scale and available in four colours: yellow, whitest white, red and mat black.

Pre-orders are available in Japanese online shops and the release date is end of February 2011. I am really tempted ordering one, but I will rather wait for the Kyosho one...

New Toyota Vitz's front-door glass cuts UV by approximately 99%

Toyota announced today that it will begin using - as a world's first - car front-door glass that reduces ultraviolet (UV) penetration by approximately 99%. The new glass will be used in the new "Vitz" scheduled for launch at the end of this year.

Windshields, which use laminated glass, can be given approximately 99% UV-reduction performance by inserting a UV-blocking film between two sheets of glass in the laminating process. Car-door windows, on the other hand, generally use single-piece tempered glass that is often imbued with a UV-absorbing material to achieve approximately 89% UV protection. Getting the UV-reduction performance of door-window glass closer to 100% requires the use of UV absorption technologies. Thus, the interior side of the door-window glass to be used in the new Vitz has been surfaced with a high-performance UV-absorbing film to achieve approximately 99% UV-reduction performance.

Rendering of next-gen USDM Honda Civic Coupe

Honda has already released an official teaser sketch of the concept (earlier post) to be displayed at Detroit in January, and now, TOV (Temple of VTEC) member blackstripe77 has come up with this great rendering. Well, not far off from the teaser actually, but as I have stated in the past, I am not very optimistic about the styling of the production version. I wish I am wrong...

Brazil may get upcoming Honda Brio

According to a report by SankeiBiz, Honda's president, Takanobu Ito, has stated that Honda is studying the introduction of the upcoming Brio (earlier post) in Brazil.

The new small car is going to be launched in India and Thailand next year, but since the market in Brazil is rapidly expanding and Honda's share has remained to around 4%, Honda wants to penetrate better to the market. New vehicle sales in 2009 increased by 11.9% reaching 3.2 million cars.

Auto Express renders Subaru's FT-86 version (216A)

British Auto Express has published an article about the upcoming 216A. Well, I think I have managed to cover everything in my detailed post, but in any case, this is the summary of what Auto Express claims to be the case:

• Modified Legacy's platform to be used 
• 2.0 L boxer engine delivering 200 hp
• Fuel economy of 40 mph by using Toyota's expertise
• Rear wheel drive only
• More powerful turbo version with 300 hp very likely
• Six speed manual gearbox for both versions 
• Price tag of ￡25,000 for base version

The particular rendering doesn't seem to me very realistic and in terms of styling, I prefer BC's rendering way better... 

[Sources: Auto Express, ft86club]

Video: Honda CR-Z becomes KR-Z!!!

Lexus at Harrods

First it was Aston with the Cygnet debut at Harrods in Knightsbridge and now, it is Lexus' turn to showcase its models. From now until 15 January, the four-window Lexus display will give the chance to shoppers not only to enjoy a close-up view of the new CT 200h and RX 450h, but also to experience the latest Mark Levinson audio technology, as featured in a number of Lexus models.

Anyone wanting to arrange a test drive, or to place an order will be able to do so inside the store, with a Lexus team on hand to provide further information and immediately forward customer details to the appropriate Lexus centre via iPads.