Scion TC appears at ADMS as Toyota Zelas

Toyota presented unexpectedly the Zelas sports coupe at 2010 Abu Dhabi International Motor Show. The car is essentially a rebadged Scion TC and it is powered by a 2.5L engine producing 176 hp. Don't expect great thrills as power goes to the front wheels and the engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. With prices starting from $24,450, it seems like a good value and it is aimed at youngsters.

[Source: Car Middle East]

Improved Honda Insight comes in Europe

When the Insight was under development, expectations were high and I was really considering it as my next car. I was really excited about it and I had downloaded all the spy shots, renderings and possible info I could find at the time. When I visited my local Honda dealer though, I was hugely disappointed, up to the point that I didn't even had a test drive.

And I am not the only one disappointed from the final result. How many have you seen on the streets? Hm, that's exactly my point… Honda got the message and tried to improve the car a little bit with suspension changes in order to improve the ride and comfort. Changes include adjustment of the recoil rate of the springs, change of the rear camber angles, alteration of the V-shape rear suspension brace and adjustments of the mounts.

Some minor changes can be found also in the interior with new colours and some plastics being improved. Also, two new exterior colours have been added, Dynamic Blue Pearl and Carnelian Red Pearl.

Are those changes enough? I am afraid not…

Toyota teases with more Vitz / Yaris images

OK, we have seen the actual car, we know that it will be introduced on December 22 in Japan, how much it will cost (earlier post) and the fact that it is going to be Japan's most fuel efficient car (earlier post). Back in October, Toyota launched a flash microsite with some teasing images (earlier post) and now, more have been added. If you want to visit the microsite, just click here.

Honda CR-Z to get turbocharged engine

According to British Autocar, Honda is going to provide the CR-Z, as well as a number of other models, with an all-new turbocharged R4 engine. The new engine, under development at Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre, is also planned  for the Jazz, Civic and Accord, forming an integral part of Honda's downsizing program. 

The engine, which will feature Honda’s VTEC-i fully variable camshaft timing system, is likely to come with two power outputs. A standard 160 hp and a highly tuned 200 hp version, with the latter one replacing the 2.0L VTEC engine in the Civic Type R.  A CR-Z Type R is also likely to hit the markets late next year.

[Source: Autocar]

Nissan Leaf: Video showing production stages

How does Nissan's Leaf drive...?

I have read many articles about the Nissan Leaf and its launch in Japan, and one thing is certain. The Japanese are very serious about EVs and Nissan wants to be a market leader. It is planned that 5,000 quick chargers will be installed across Japan by 2020! But the big question in my mind is how it actually drives...

According to Reuters, so far, the feedback has been good. On recent test drives, drivers were impressed with the instant engine torque and acceleration of a car with a maximum speed of 145 km/h.

In Saitama, a city just north of Tokyo, residents who had won an online lottery to test-drive the Leaf also gave it a thumbs-up.

"I knew it was going to be quiet because I'd been in other EVs before," said Kazuhiro Futamura, a 36-year-old businessman. "But the acceleration, steering and response, it was linear, if you know what I mean. I thought that was quite impressive," added Futamura, who had also ridden in BMW's experimental Mini E and Mitsubishi's i-MiEV.

Racing driver Seiji Ara said it was obvious the engineers had paid close attention to the ease and precision of how the car handles. "The car does exactly what you tell it to do," said Ara, who races on a Nissan-backed team. "It's a difficult area to master, but also very important," he added.



[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan Leaf: Demo of smartphone access

New Nissan Sunny (Tiida / Versa?) to come with XTronic CVT

The new Nissan Sunny for the Chinese market has been caught several times and even photos of the production vehicle have been leaked (earlier post). Now, whether the new Tiida / Versa for USDM, JDM and EUDM will be the same car remains unclear in my opinion (earlier post).

Anyway, the Chinese Sunny will be powered by a 1.8L engine and Nissan's XTronic CVT gearbox will be available as well, as Nissan presented in China, the new generation of intelligent XTronic CVT and production will start in April 2011. According to the plan, the Chinese factory will be capable of producing 24 million units/year. The new Sunny will come also with a a Stop & Start system.

[Source: auto.163.com]

Next Subaru Impreza WRX STi tS to get carbon fibre roof

FHI is working with Toray (東レ) for developing a roof made out of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), which will be used in the Subaru Impreza WRX STi tS. The CFRP roof will be 20% lighter than the steel one, and it will also improve the structural performance of the car. A lighter roof will enable also lowering the centre of gravity. The cost of using CFRP is high, but a special moulding method by Toray will enable to reduce the investment cost.

[Source: Tech-On!]

Nissan introduces Leaf in Japan

Nissan announced today the launch of Leaf, which goes on sale December 20th in Japan. It will be followed by the United States, also in December, and in select European markets in early 2011. Release in other global markets is set for 2012.
 

The Leaf, on JC08 mode, achieves a driving range of 200 km. Prices start from 3,764,250 ¥, including the consumption tax. Since customers in Japan are eligible to receive up to 780,000 ¥ through government EV incentives for fiscal year 2010, the consumer's net price starts from 2,984,250 ¥. 

To help ensure comfortable, convenient and safe use of the new EV, Nissan offers a "Nissan zero-emission Support Program" for individual customers. The program which includes EV-IT communication charge, maintenance support such as regular inspections and the first car safety inspection, charging at Nissan dealers, discount service for Nissan Rentacar and emergency support in case of trouble - at the monthly rate of 1,500 ¥. For corporate customers, Nissan provides "Nissan EV Fleet Maintenance Service."

Nissan dealers nationwide also provide "one-stop service" - from vehicle purchase to arranging for the preparation of a charging environment for detached houses. In addition, 200-volt normal charging is available at about 2,200 Nissan dealers nationwide. About 200 of these dealers are equipped with quick chargers that can charge the battery up to 80% of its full capacity in about 30 minutes. At least one quick-charge unit is available within a 40-kilometer radius throughout the country for the convenience of Leaf drivers.

Be aware Germans, mighty Lexus GS-F on its way!

An "F" version of Lexus' GS model is on the works and according to R&T, the GS-F will come with a 5.0L V8 engine (a V10 engine has been speculated in the past) producing 465 hp! It is estimated that it will hit 100 km/h in less than 4.5 sec. The mighty Lexus should therefore be able to challenge the Germans, BMW's M5 and MB E63 AMG.

But performance doesn't come only from a powerful engine, low weight is also crucial. Thus, Lexus aims to achieve a weight of around 1700 kg by incorporating aluminium and carbon fibre parts. The GS-F won't hit the markets any time soon, but it could make its appearance as early as 2012.

[Source: Road&Track]

New 2011 Toyota Vitz / Yaris to get Japan's best fuel efficiency

Toyota announced today that the JDM version of the redesigned Vitz (aka Yaris), which will be equipped with a 1.3L petrol engine and a Stop & Start system, will achieve Japan's best fuel efficiency.

The new Vitz, scheduled for launch in Japan at the end of this year, will have a fuel efficiency of 26.5 km/L under the 10-15 test cycle of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), thus exceeding by more than 25% the mandatory level required under the 2010 national standards.  Also, under MLIT's newer JC08 test cycle, the vehicle will have a fuel efficiency of 21.8 km/L.

Aston Martin One-77 unveiled in Japan!!!

One car that I really admire is the One-77 and it has landed in Japan!!! You can check out the posts by Atlantic Cars Limited below.

• アトランティックカーズのアストンマーティンブログ: Aston Martin One-77

• アトランティックカーズのアストンマーティンブログ: お披露目 

Some info on Aston's One-77 can be found also by clicking on this link

Lexus LFA Challenge video!!!

Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 diecast model arrived

My Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 model (earlier post) just arrived today! It should look nice next to the FT-86 G Sports Concept model... when that arrives.

Takayanagi Miluira: An electric Morgan made in Japan...

Today, Takayanagi revealed a micro EV (I have no idea how to describe it really) called Miluira (ミルイラ). The car has been developed in Hamamatsu and it could be used for renting it to tourists. In rural areas, where many petrol stations have closed and the bus service cost is high, a micro EV could be a good alternative.

The frame is made out of aluminium tubes and uses double-wishbone suspension. It is hand made of course, and the estimated sales price is 6,300,000 ¥. It's definitely one the weirdest "cars" I have ever seen...

[Source: Response]

Lexus LFA using JSR adhesive for CFRP

Lexus LFA's chassis and bodywork are constructed using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), supplied by Toho Tenax, and bonding is achieved by using JSR's polyurethane adhesive. Despite the high cost, CFRP not only enables the car to have a much lower weight, but also provides high strength and rigidity. As a result, there is a very positive impact on the car's crash safety performance.

JSR's polyurethane adhesive has been selected for bonding due to its fatigue and impact resistance characteristics, as well as its peeling off adhesive power. Since the material can be selected to suit the application, ranging from soft to very hard, it contributes to design flexibility. This bonding method allows stress distribution and therefore, it provides high structural strength and improved durability.

[Source: Response]

MY11 NissanGT-R 0-100 km/h time is... unbelievable and official!

This is not so fresh news, if you have watched the video, although now it's official. Testing took place November 12th with a GT-R Pure edition. The car had all the standard equipment, including the factory fitted tires and wheels. So, if you haven't watched the video yet, 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds flat!!!