Even more live photos of Civic sedan concept...

[Source: Autoblog]

Even more live photos of Civic coupe concept...

[Source: Autoblog]

Toyota Prius Plug-in to go just 13 miles on battery power alone...

I was watching the press conference (via live streaming) and what really caught my intention was that the new Prius Plug-in, which will use a Li-Ion battery, will get only 13 miles in EV mode at speeds up to 60 mph! Hmm, does it really worth paying more for the plug-in version for just 13 miles???

Anyway, it will go on sale during the first half of 2012 in 14 East/West coast states (national rollout within a year after the initial launch).

More photos of new Civic concepts presented at Detroit!

As usual, besides the live ones, here we are with the official photos.

Honda, pleeeeease bring the coupe in Europe...!!!

More photos after the jump!

New Toyota Prius C Concept

OK, following the first live photos (earlier post), here we go with the official ones.

Toyota promises that it will be the most fuel-efficient hybrid without a plug and will be the most "value-oriented hybrid" in the US.

More photos after the jump!

Official images of new Toyota Prius V

The new Prius V will feature the new Entune multimedia system and as I mentioned in my earlier post, it will be available with a lightweight resin moon roof with retractable sunshades, boasting a 40% reduction in weight compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size.

More photos after the jump!

Honda Civic coupe and sedan concepts finally presented at Detroit!!!

Finally the waiting is over. Those are the new USDM Civics! Honda just presented two concepts, a coupe and a sedan!!!  They are expected to go on sale in the US in April and those concepts presented at the Detroit Auto Show are pretty much what will go into production... ok, minus the fancy bits and pieces.

Three powertrains will be available, as with the current-gen model: gas, natural gas, and hybrid.

The design of both cars is just an evolution, but the Civic coupe looks really good, better than the current one IMO!!!

[Source: Twitter]

Prius C Concept reveiled at Detroit

... now Toyota gets more exciting. This a concept of the upcoming new member of the Prius family, which will go into production in the first half of 2012. 

[Source: Twitter (highmileage)]

First live photo from Prius V's unveiling at Detroit!

So, this is the first live photo from the unveiling of the new Prius V at Detroit! Oh, and V stands for Versatility...

Not really surprised in terms of styling. Same bits with the "normal" Prius and almost the same footprint. Interesting facts: seating for five; 40 mpg combined fuel consumption; it will come with a standard lightweight resin sunroof.

[Source: Twitter (highmileage)]

Mitsubishi's Solio variant to be called Delica D:2

As already reported, the new Suzuki Solio will be also available by Mitsubishi, with Suzuki supplying Mitsubishi with around 800 units per month. The Mitsubishi variant will be called Delica D:2 (デリカ Ｄ：2) and it is expected to be launched in spring 2011.

[Source: わたくしごと]

A sexy NSX...!!!

I have came across with a lot of tuned NSXs, but I have to admit that this particular one, from Japan, really looks the part!

[Source: Farm of Minds]

Fuel efficiency of new Honda Fit Shuttle

Those shots of the upcoming Fit Shuttle (earlier post) are from BC's latest issue and according the article, the fuel efficiency of the hybrid version will be 30.0 km/L, while the 1.5 L petrol version will achieve 20.0 km/L.

[Source: Bebop Beat]

Leaked brochure images show new Honda Fit Shuttle

Those leaked brochure images show the new Honda Fit wagon (earlier post), which will be called Fit Shuttle (フィットシャトル). As reported in the past, a hybrid version (1.3 L + IMA) will be also available.

Largest 7-star Lexus Center opened in Kuwait

The Lexus Center in Kuwait is a 33,000 sq meter ultimate luxury facility and of course, the largest Lexus dealership in the world! Oh, and it's got 7-stars!!!

Next Honda Fit to use more imported components in order to be more competitively priced

The new Honda Fit (aka Jazz) will be presented in 2013 (earlier post) and according to a report by Nikkan, the percentage of imported parts used in the domestic models will be increased from 17% to around 40%. This will enable a reduction of 15% in the price of the new Fit, and will enable Honda to save in total around 70 - 80 billion yen.

This is an example of manufacturer's attempt to lower their prices. In China and India, the use of components from local suppliers is nearly 100%.

Some more shots of orange LFA going to Detroit Auto Show

OK, so those are some more shots of the orange-ish LFA (earlier post), which will be presented at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: Lexus USA via KaizenFactor]

Prius vs... Sheep!

Hmm, that's the Prius ad by Toyota's Israeli arm! Apparently, the Prius is less harmful than a sheep when comparing the "emissions" of both...

[Source: Copyranter via Autoblog]

Nissan Serena's A-pillar design

Not really rocket science, but in any case I think it's a neat feature. The A-pillar design of the Nissan Serena not only features triangular windows for better visibility, but also the trim on the rear side is different between the left and right side. As you can easily understand, this is in order to provide maximum visibility from the driver's side.

[Source: Response]

‪2011 Lexus IS: Behind the scenes of "Music Track"‬ ad

‪2011 Lexus IS: "Music Track"‬ ad

A glimpse of upcoming Prius V, Fit Wagon & facelifted Fairlady Z (370Z)

New BC issue will be out soon and the front cover shows three upcoming models: The new Prius V to be unveiled at Detroit this month, the upcoming Fit Wagon (earlier post) and what appears to be the facelifted Nissan Fairlady Z (aka 370Z)!

Check out my blog soon, as some very interesting material is underway straight from Japan!!!

Honda CR-Z and Jazz Hybrid video review by CAR

Sneak peek at orange LFA going to Detroit Auto Show!!!

If you are planning to visit the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, which opens in a few days, then you will be able to see live this amazing orange LFA!!!

[Source: Lexus USA]

Toyota Prius surpasses Corolla's sales record in Japan

Almost one month ago, it was reported that the last-gen Toyota Prius has sold more than 300,000 units in Japan (earlier post) and now that 2010 is over, the final number is 315,000 units (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)!!!

[Source: SankeiBiz; Source of photo: Fukuoka Toyota]

Live photos of SKYACTIV components

Back in October 2010, Mazda released details about its next-gen powertrain technologies, called SKYACTIV (earlier post). Although nothing new has been published, I came across with some live photos showing the new SKYACTIV components, or at least some of them, which I found interesting.

[Source: Response]

Suzuki to introduce more fuel-efficient engine for its JDM minicars - MR Wagon first to use it

Nikkei reported that Suzuki will introduce an all-new engine for its minicars in Japan for the first time in roughly 16 years. The new 0.66 L engine is expected to have a fuel efficiency of 27 km/L, which is 20% less than the current engine, when combined with a Stop/Start system.

This would enable Suzuki minicars to achieve a fuel economy comparable to that offered by Daihatsu’s new Move (related posts), which hit the market last month. Suzuki plans to invest a total of 20 billion yen [US$246 million] over three years to retool its Sagara factory in Shizuoka Prefecture to make the new engine.

All future versions of the company’s minicars, including the Wagon R and the Alto, will eventually be powered by the engine. The first to feature it will be the new MR Wagon, slated for launch this month.

[Source: Nikkei via Green Car Congress]

Japan pushing adoption of fuel cell vehicles by 2015

Japanese automakers may be investing a lot in EVs, but this doesn't mean that they have given up on fuel cell tech. According to a report published by The Nikkei, the Japanese government will launch a public-private initiative aimed at applying hydrogen used in oil refining to power fuel cell vehicles.

It states that with Japan moving towards the adoption of fuel cell vehicles by 2015, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry wants to secure a steady supply of high purity hydrogen - the hydrogen used in fuel cells is 99.99% pure, while the hydrogen that is used by oil distributors is about 90% pure.

Now technology will be developed to extract the high purity hydrogen with the aim of creating a new source of income. The undertaking will cost around 500,000,000 ¥ over a three-year period from fiscal 2011 onwards with the ministry to pay around half these costs.

[Source: Nikkei via TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk]

Yet another shot of BC's 2011 Nissan Tiida rendering

This is not a new rendering, but it's another shot from the latest issue of Best Car magazine. The new Tiida successor will make its debut in 2011 and the top version, probably badged as GT, will be powered by the 1.6 L turbocharged MR16DET engine (earlier post). The weight is expected to be around 1,100 kg and thus performance shouldn't be bad at all.

Already, some prototypes have been caught during testing and some shots revealing the interior have already been posted (earlier post).

[Source: IMP-X's blog]