Nissan to fill LEAF orders by summer 2011

As it is already known, Nissan struggles to fill LEAF orders and therefore, even dealers are getting less demo cars. But things may not be so bad (relatively speaking...) since, in an article published by Mercury News, Nissan's spokesman Tim Gallagher indicated that Nissan tries to fill all the order by the end of summer.

Hm, imagine when you will get yours if you place in order now...

Stop/Start system's battery life is...

The adoption of a Stop/Start system is a good way in reducing the fuel consumption of a car, especially when spending a lot of time in traffic, and although it's not something new as a concept, there are a lot of design challenges. Apart from reducing the number of parts and thus the cost, as Daihatsu has done (earlier post), the durability of the system is another important factor. For example, a system like that requires a battery capable of a high number of charge/discharge cycles. So, as I was reading an article about Vitz' system (earlier post) on Response's website, I came across with an interesting fact. Toyota claims that the life of the battery used in the new Vitz is 15 years / 200,000 km.

Production of GT-R Spec V to end in summer 2011

According to reports coming from Japan, the GT-R Spec V production will end in summer 2011. The successor is rumored to be lighter and with a lower price tag of around 12,000,000 ¥.

Lexus' L-Select customisation program

I have spent a couple of hours by now trying to find a photo showing the Lexus LX's “glass fake” photo luminescent material (earlier post), but with no luck. I have tried Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese websites… but nothing.

However, on Lexus' Japanese website, I came across with the L-Select customisation program for LS, available in Japan, and I have posted some photos. I have to admit that I really do like such stuff! Similar programs are available by other premium manufacturers, such as Audi (exclusive), BMW (Individual) and MB (designo). 

More photos after the jump!

Lexus LX 570 to feature “glass fake” photo luminescent material

 

I just came across with an article on CAR ME's website about the upgrades for the Lexus LX 570 in UAE, and what really caught my attention was the “glass fake” photo luminescent material available in conjunction with a new exterior colour called ‘Starlight Black’! The article refers to this material as ‘the sparkles of  sparkles of a star filled night sky through a new “glass fake” photo luminescent material'.

I did a quick search on the net, but no photos at all. I visited also the Lexus US website, where the LX is also available, but again nothing... I won't give up though. It sounds like a bargain version of RR's "Starlight Headlining”... available as an option on the Phantom Coupé, which is basically over 1,600 fibre-optic lights being hand-set into the headlining! Cost? $12,100... Ouch!

Other changes for 2011 include a new new soft semi aniline leather dyed in saddle tan tone and matched with a black tonality. The two-tone effect is continued on the dash and door panels.

[Sources: CAR Middle East, Drive Arabia]

Honda RA273... pure simple beauty!!!

Honda's F1 car over the period 1966-7, the RA273, didn't prove to be a very successful one - 9 races, 0 wins, 0 poles, 1 fastest lap - but it definitely looks the part!!!

The engine was re-designed from the RA272's 1,500cc V12 to a brand new 3,000cc V12 due to the change of regulations before the 1966 season. The new engine was designed by Shoichiro Irimajiri.

This story brings to my mind the famous quote: Success represents the 1% of your work which results from the 99% that is called failure. 'Soichiro Honda'

[Sources: Wikipedia, Flickr]

MODELLISTA body kits for new Toyota Vitz

Following the previous post showing some MODELLISTA options for the new Vitz (aka Yaris), here are some more images showing the body kits. In total, there are three different packages, MODELLISTA for RS (モデリスタバージョン for RS); MODELLISTA I (モデリスタバージョンI) and MODELLISTA II (モデリスタバージョンII). You can visit the official webpage by clicking here.

Nissan Leaf's aerodynamic design

Following the post about the Nissan Leaf's rear aerodynamic design, here is an interesting photo showing the underfloor design at the front.