Toyota to launch sedan version of new Vitz called Vios

Toyota will launch a sedan version of the new Vitz (aka Yaris), which will be called Vios (ヴィオス). No more info are available at the moment.

Toyota to start selling home EV chargers in 2012

According to Nikkei, Toyota will start selling home EV chargers for EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012. Group firms Toyota Home and Toyota Industries Corp. will jointly develop the charger and will market it under the Toyota Home brand, through the sales channels of Toyota Home and its affiliate, Misawa Homes Co., according to the report.

The companies will produce two charger types, with one designed to extend from the exterior wall of a home and the other made for installation in a garage. The chargers will be compatible with non-Toyota cars, and will be priced between several tens of thousands of yen to 200,000 yen, including installation costs.

In 2012, Toyota expects to sell a total of 50,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in Japan, the US and Europe, in addition to several thousand electric cars. It expects its sales of home battery chargers to reach 20,000 to 30,000 units during this period. The Japanese government wants 2 million regular EV battery chargers and 5,000 high-speed chargers to be installed across the nation by 2020.

[Source: Nikkei via Green Car Congress]

All-new spicy Lexus LS coming in 2013!!!

Lexus seems to be very busy developing its new lineup, since the LS will be also replaced with a new model in 2013. The current model is a really good car, but it lacks character in my opinion. Well, this may be about to change judging by this rendering. So, BC claims that the all-new LS 600h, which will continue to be the top of the line version, will be powered by a 5.0L V8 engine delivering 400 ps and 55.0 kgm of torque. Oh, then we've got the electric motor! Fuel efficiency should be around 15.0 km/L, which doesn't seem a lot at first glance, but we are talking about a big car.

All-new Lexus IS-F coming in 2012

Following the post regarding the all-new Lexus IS (earlier post), now it's time for some info about the new IS-F, which is expected to be launched in April 2012, according to Japanese Best Car (Super Scoop Special issue). Power should come from a 5.0L V8 engine with a power output of 423 ps and 51.5 kgm of torque. Now if that's true, then we are talking about some serious fun! Just for the record, BC claims now that the same engine will power the all-new GS-F (earlier post), but in this case, power will be up to 465 ps.

Rear view of Subaru 216A (FT-86) STi rendering!

OK, we have seen the specific rendering by BC several times (earlier post), but this is the first time I came across with a rear view!

Latest Honda NSX successor rendering!

We know that development of the NSX successor is back on track (earlier post), but this doesn't really mean that the new NSX will have the same philosophy as the old one did. Anyway, the latest BC's speculations have been published a while back (earlier post) and now, it's time for a new rendering!

BC claims that power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine plus the under-development hybrid system designed for mid-large size vehicles. Total power output should be around 500 PS and it will still be able to achieve a fuel efficiency of 20.0 km/L (10.15 mode). Expect it to be launched in 2013 - 2014.

More shots of Mazda MX-5 successor rendering

Almost one week ago, I published a post about the MX-5 successor (earlier post) due in 2012, and now I managed to take some better shots of the same rendering published by BC.

Lexus to launch IS 350C F Sport Special Edition in the States

Lexus announced the launch of the 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition, which will arrive at the dealerships in the US later this month. Only 175 will be built and as you can easily understand, those special IS 350Cs will feature F Sport equipment, as well as interior badging and red stitching. The retail price is $55,120 and the special equipment includes the following:

• 19-inch forged alloy wheels with dark graphite finish and Michelin Pilot Sport 225/35ZR19 tires in the front and 255/35ZR19 tires in the rear;
• Shock set developed in cooperation with Bilstein;
• Lowering springs that reduce the ride height approximately one-inch in the front and rear resulting in a more aggressive appearance and lower center of gravity;
• Sway bar set that helps reduce body roll and provide flatter cornering;
• Bi-Xenon High Intensity Headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights