New Nissan Tiida coming in October

The Tiida (aka Versa) successor will be launched this year, and according to BC it will be launched in October. As already reported, there is going to be a spicy version (GT?) powered by the 1.6L turbocharged engine (MR16DET), and it will be launched one year later.

Update on info posted about next-gen Toyota Corolla

Almost one month ago, similarly to the next-gen Auris, it was reported that the next-gen Corolla will make its debut in June 2011. This info was claimed by BC, which now has changed the date and according to the latest report, it should be launched in February 2012.

The hybrid version will be powered by the usual 1.8L engine and the fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, should be 30.0 km/L. In terms of dimensions, the new Corolla is expected to measure 4,430 x 1,695 x 1,450 mm (length x width x height). Prices for the hybrid version, in Japan, should range between ¥ 1,900,000 and ¥ 2,200,00.

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]