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]

Mitsubishi Evo is dead...

The Evo is a legend and soon it will be history. According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand (... I am not so sure about that). According to a past report, Mitsubishi will be bring a green diesel sports sedan to the market in 2013.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market again," he said.

[Source: Autoblog; Source of photo: Best Car]

Live photos of Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package from Geneva

Some beautiful live shots of the LFA Nürburgring Package (earlier post) from Geneva.

More photos after the jump!

More photos of Suzuki Swift S-Concept

Video: Toyota FT-86 II Concept in GT style action

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!