日本自動車デザインコーナー「Japanese Car Design Corner」

2011年3月1日

First photo of Suzuki Swift S-Concept from Geneva

[Source: Twitter (@manablog)]

Toyota reveals Yaris HSD Concept at Geneva - on sale during second half of 2012

Toyota’s goal is to offer full hybrid power in all its models in Europe as early as possible in the 2020s, a programme which began in 2010 with launch of Auris HSD in the C-segment. Yaris HSD (earlier post) will bring Hybrid Synergy Drive to the supermini B-segment, which accounts for the largest share of the European new car market.

The powertrain design has to be tailored for installation within Yaris’s compact and extremely efficient packaging, without compromising its quality and performance, or detracting from the passenger accommodation and loadspace. Success in this task is essential to meet the growing demand for urban-friendly family vehicles, in which space and the benefits of hybrid performance are prime requirements.

The production model which will follow the Yaris HSD concept will be launched throughout Europe during the second half of 2012. Cars will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France’s Valenciennes plant.

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept revealed at Geneva!

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept (earlier post) has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and it re-imagines the compact luxury car for a discerning new generation of younger buyers.

"Etherea is about a new type of luxury," said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit.

"It is for younger buyers who do not want a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car. It is for people who want a car that defines who they are, not who their parents were."

More photos after the jump!

Toyota FT-86 II Concept: Official press release

World premiere of sports concept car at Geneva motor show
Design and engineering pay homage to great Toyota sports cars of the past
Strongest indication yet of how new Toyota production model will look
Designed and engineered for excellent power-to-weight ratio and balance
Compact, lightweight powertrain features boxer petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission
Front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration
New model, jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, to be launched in 2012

The new FT-86 II Concept makes its world debut at the Geneva motor show, giving the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota’s next sports car. It marks a return to the passion for driving that has inspired great Toyota cars of the past, starting with the legendary 2000 GT in the 1960s.

With its long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin, the FT-86 II pays homage to Toyota’s sports car history and is an entirely driver-oriented concept. It was created at Toyota’s European design studio ED2, where its styling was dubbed ‘functional beauty’: its bold, sweeping form has been generated purely according to the constraints of function and aerodynamics.

The low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell is stretched tight over the engineering hard points, with the muscular bodywork rendered as compact as possible. The concept measures 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and 1,270mm high, with a long, 2,570mm wheelbase.

Live photos of Toyota FT-86 II Concept from Geneva (mega gallery)!!!

More photos after the jump!

Mazda Minagi Concept officially revealed at Geneva

Mazda has presented the Minagi Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and this is a clear indication of how the new CX-5 will look like. This is going to be one of the first models to be equipped with the SKYACTIV powertrains and of course, the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language is evident. The Shinari Concept is also on display.