Update on info posted about next-gen Toyota Auris GT

Almost one month ago, it was reported that the next-gen Toyota Auris is expected to be launched in May this year. Well, it seems that Best Car has some more info now, as the launch date mentioned is May 2012!

The spicy version, probably badged as GT, is still on the cards but this time, BC claims that power will come from a 1.8L turbocharged engine instead of the 1.5L turbocharged one claimed before. The 1.8L engine should deliver 204 ps and 25.5 kgm of torque, while the estimated fuel efficiency is 13.0 km/L. Prices are expected to range between ¥ 2,700, 000 and ¥ 2,800,000.

Next-gen Toyota Camry coming in October

In early December, Mag-X reported (earlier post) that the next-gen Toyota Camry will be available as hybrid, at least in Japan, and a launch date in July 2011 was mentioned.

Now it's time for the latest info as published by Japanese Best Car, which confirms that it will be available as a hybrid only. Power will come from a 2.4L petrol engine with a power output of 150 ps and 19.1 kgm of torque. Those figures don't include the output of the electric motor. The fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) is expected to be 20.0 km/L and the launch date claimed is October 2011. The new Camry will measure 4,830 x 1,820 x 1,480 mm (length x width x height). Prices will range between ¥ 2,700,00 and ¥ 3,000,000.

Toyota working on low budget FR sports car!!!

According to the BC Super Scoop Special issue, Toyota is working on a low budget FR sports car, which will compete with Mazda's new MX-5! It is not the first time I come across with this info, but now there are at least some number claimed...

So, BC claims that the new car should make its debut in 2013 and it will cost around ¥ 1,500,000. The engine will displace 1.5L delivering 105 ps and 14.4 kgm of torque. Power will be transmitted via a manual gearbox to the rear wheels and it should manage a fuel efficiency of 16.0 km/L. Total length is claimed to be 3,570 mm. Hmm, not impressed yet? Well, the total weight should be around 900 kg!!!

Latest rumours about new Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Suzuki Swift Sport, according to the latest rumours coming from Japan, will be powered by a 1.6L engine producing 125 ps and 15.1 kgm of torque. This is lower than the previous report, which suggested that it will get 135 ps. In terms of fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, it is expected to achieve 18.0 km/L. The new Swift Sport should be launched in October 2011 and it is expected to cost around ¥ 1,700,000.

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.