Honda launches Brio in Thailand

Honda launched today the new Brio in Thailand, a small city car designed for the emerging Asian markets. The production version looks very familiar as minor changes have been applied to the concept version. Power comes from a 1.2L i-VTEC engine with a total power output of 90 hp, while the average fuel consumption is 5.0 L/100km. In terms of transmissions, a CVT one will be also available. Prices will start in Thailand from €9,400.

Latest rendering of Subaru 216A (FT-86)!!!

Following the 2011 Geneva Motor Show where Subaru displayed the Boxer Sports Car Architecture (earlier post), now it's time for the latest rendering which has been published by Japanese Best Car magazine.

Best Car continues to claim that the naturally aspired 2.0L Boxer engine will deliver 200 ps (@ 7,200 rpm) and 21.0 kgm of torque at 4,600 rpm. Prices are expected to range between ¥ 2,300,000 and ¥ 2,600,000.

First live photo of all-new Nissan Tiida (Versa)!

This is the first live photo of the new Nissan Tiida (earlier post), aka Versa, coming from China!

New Toyota Harrier coming in 2013

A lot of new models are expected to be launched in 2013 and among them is the new Toyota Harrier (ハリアー), the basis of Lexus' RX. The new model, with the internal code 520A, is expected to be introduced in October 2013.

The second photo shows Toyota's upcoming SUVs, including the new compact SUV (earlier post) and the new RAV4 (earlier post).

Facelifted Honda Insight coming in June 2011

Back in December, it was reported that the facelifted Honda Insight will be launched in 2011 (earlier post), while a completely new model is expected to be introduced in February 2013 (earlier post). Mag-X has now published this photo showing the facelifted Insight, which shows also the name "Insight Prestige".

Scoop on new JDM Honda Odyssey (Part 2)

As already posted, the latest Mag-X issue has an impression of the new JDM Honda Odyssey on the front cover (earlier post), shown at the top, while the second photo is another impression published. According to the article, the new model is expected to be launched in June 2013 and power will come from a 4-cylinder 2.4L engine. It's still unknown whether a hybrid version will be added or not, but I would take it for granted.

Scoop on Infiniti's mighty sports car!!! (Part 2)

The latest batch of Japanese magazines arrived on Wednesday and I would like to apologize for the lack of posts during the last week. 

So, the latest BC issue has some info on Infiniti's mighty sports car (earlier post). As already reported, a hybrid powertrain will be fitted capable of producing a total of 600 ps, yet achieving a fuel efficiency of 12.5 km/L!

Toyota to equip Prius+ with Li-Ion battery hybrid system

The Prius V (earlier post) was presented at Detroit and it featured 5-seats and the nickel-metal battery hybrid system of the standard Prius. The Prius V was also presented at the Geneva this week, but its name was changed to Prius+, while it featured three rows of seats (with a total capacity of seven passengers) and it was equipped with a Li-Ion battery hybrid system.

So, now the big question is what will be Toyota's approach for the Japanese Domestic Market.  A Nikkei story via Reuters informs us that both versions will be available there. The article contains the first pricing predictions we’ve seen for the newest Toyota. While the least expensive current Prius in Japan is the Prius “L” with a base price of ¥ 2,050,000, they expect the 5-passenger Prius wagon with NiMH batteries to start at ¥ 2,350,000 and the 7-passenger Prius wagon with Li-ion batteries to start at ¥ 3,000,000.

An official English-language Press Release from Toyota Japan also notes that the Prius wagon will go on sale there in late April 2011, ahead of the late summer 2011 U.S. release of Prius V and the “first half of 2012″ on-sale date for Prius+ in Europe.

[Source: Kaizen Factor]