Next-gen Toyota Camry coming in October

In early December, Mag-X reported (earlier post) that the next-gen Toyota Camry will be available as hybrid, at least in Japan, and a launch date in July 2011 was mentioned.

Now it's time for the latest info as published by Japanese Best Car, which confirms that it will be available as a hybrid only. Power will come from a 2.4L petrol engine with a power output of 150 ps and 19.1 kgm of torque. Those figures don't include the output of the electric motor. The fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) is expected to be 20.0 km/L and the launch date claimed is October 2011. The new Camry will measure 4,830 x 1,820 x 1,480 mm (length x width x height). Prices will range between ¥ 2,700,00 and ¥ 3,000,000.

Toyota working on low budget FR sports car!!!

According to the BC Super Scoop Special issue, Toyota is working on a low budget FR sports car, which will compete with Mazda's new MX-5! It is not the first time I come across with this info, but now there are at least some number claimed...

So, BC claims that the new car should make its debut in 2013 and it will cost around ¥ 1,500,000. The engine will displace 1.5L delivering 105 ps and 14.4 kgm of torque. Power will be transmitted via a manual gearbox to the rear wheels and it should manage a fuel efficiency of 16.0 km/L. Total length is claimed to be 3,570 mm. Hmm, not impressed yet? Well, the total weight should be around 900 kg!!!

Latest rumours about new Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Suzuki Swift Sport, according to the latest rumours coming from Japan, will be powered by a 1.6L engine producing 125 ps and 15.1 kgm of torque. This is lower than the previous report, which suggested that it will get 135 ps. In terms of fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, it is expected to achieve 18.0 km/L. The new Swift Sport should be launched in October 2011 and it is expected to cost around ¥ 1,700,000.

Toyota to launch sedan version of new Vitz called Vios

Toyota will launch a sedan version of the new Vitz (aka Yaris), which will be called Vios (ヴィオス). No more info are available at the moment.

Toyota to start selling home EV chargers in 2012

According to Nikkei, Toyota will start selling home EV chargers for EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012. Group firms Toyota Home and Toyota Industries Corp. will jointly develop the charger and will market it under the Toyota Home brand, through the sales channels of Toyota Home and its affiliate, Misawa Homes Co., according to the report.

The companies will produce two charger types, with one designed to extend from the exterior wall of a home and the other made for installation in a garage. The chargers will be compatible with non-Toyota cars, and will be priced between several tens of thousands of yen to 200,000 yen, including installation costs.

In 2012, Toyota expects to sell a total of 50,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in Japan, the US and Europe, in addition to several thousand electric cars. It expects its sales of home battery chargers to reach 20,000 to 30,000 units during this period. The Japanese government wants 2 million regular EV battery chargers and 5,000 high-speed chargers to be installed across the nation by 2020.

[Source: Nikkei via Green Car Congress]

All-new spicy Lexus LS coming in 2013!!!

Lexus seems to be very busy developing its new lineup, since the LS will be also replaced with a new model in 2013. The current model is a really good car, but it lacks character in my opinion. Well, this may be about to change judging by this rendering. So, BC claims that the all-new LS 600h, which will continue to be the top of the line version, will be powered by a 5.0L V8 engine delivering 400 ps and 55.0 kgm of torque. Oh, then we've got the electric motor! Fuel efficiency should be around 15.0 km/L, which doesn't seem a lot at first glance, but we are talking about a big car.

All-new Lexus IS-F coming in 2012

Following the post regarding the all-new Lexus IS (earlier post), now it's time for some info about the new IS-F, which is expected to be launched in April 2012, according to Japanese Best Car (Super Scoop Special issue). Power should come from a 5.0L V8 engine with a power output of 423 ps and 51.5 kgm of torque. Now if that's true, then we are talking about some serious fun! Just for the record, BC claims now that the same engine will power the all-new GS-F (earlier post), but in this case, power will be up to 465 ps.

Rear view of Subaru 216A (FT-86) STi rendering!

OK, we have seen the specific rendering by BC several times (earlier post), but this is the first time I came across with a rear view!

Latest Honda NSX successor rendering!

We know that development of the NSX successor is back on track (earlier post), but this doesn't really mean that the new NSX will have the same philosophy as the old one did. Anyway, the latest BC's speculations have been published a while back (earlier post) and now, it's time for a new rendering!

BC claims that power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine plus the under-development hybrid system designed for mid-large size vehicles. Total power output should be around 500 PS and it will still be able to achieve a fuel efficiency of 20.0 km/L (10.15 mode). Expect it to be launched in 2013 - 2014.

More shots of Mazda MX-5 successor rendering

Almost one week ago, I published a post about the MX-5 successor (earlier post) due in 2012, and now I managed to take some better shots of the same rendering published by BC.

Lexus to launch IS 350C F Sport Special Edition in the States

Lexus announced the launch of the 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition, which will arrive at the dealerships in the US later this month. Only 175 will be built and as you can easily understand, those special IS 350Cs will feature F Sport equipment, as well as interior badging and red stitching. The retail price is $55,120 and the special equipment includes the following:

• 19-inch forged alloy wheels with dark graphite finish and Michelin Pilot Sport 225/35ZR19 tires in the front and 255/35ZR19 tires in the rear;
• Shock set developed in cooperation with Bilstein;
• Lowering springs that reduce the ride height approximately one-inch in the front and rear resulting in a more aggressive appearance and lower center of gravity;
• Sway bar set that helps reduce body roll and provide flatter cornering;
• Bi-Xenon High Intensity Headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights

Best Car Super Scoop Special issue arrived!!!

The BC Super Scoop Special issue has just arrived from Japan, so stay tuned for a lot of news!!!

New Honda Civic (USDM) officially revealed

The 9th-gen USDM Honda Civic has been revealed and I am afraid there are no pleasant surprises... Honda claims that the new-gen Civic shares practically nothing with the previous model!

The petrol version will be powered by a 1.8L i-VTEC engine, with a power output of 140 hp, while the hybrid version will be powered by a 1.5L engine coupled to a CVT gearbox. An Li-Ion battery will be used for the first time in a Honda vehicle and the total power output is 110 hp. The sporty Si model will get a new 2.4L engine with 200 hp.
 

More photos after the jump!

First live photos of Nissan ESFLOW

Nissan will unveil the ESFLOW Concept (earlier post) at the Geneva Motor Show and those are the first live photos of it.

Another impression of next-gen Lexus GS...

OK, we have seen Mag-X's and BC's impressions and now it's time for Japanese Motor Magazine! Hmm, this impression looks much better to me...

... and BC's impression of next-gen Lexus GS-F!

Last report regarding the hot GS-F suggested that power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine coupled to an electric motor (earlier post) and it should hit the market in August this year. This is earlier than expected, but considering than a new GS is underway, it makes sense. To be honest though, I am not convinced about the electric motor bit at all...

Anyway, following BC's impression of the next-gen GS (earlier post), here is an impression of the next-gen GS-F!

BC's impression of next-gen Lexus GS

It wasn't a long time since the last report regarding the next-gen Lexus GS (earlier post), and now there is another one in the latest BC issue. This time, the scanner didn't do a good job and thus the OCR didn't work, but from what I could make out of the text, BC claims that power will come from a 2.5L V6 petrol engine (4GR-FSE) and the model will be badged as GS 250. This engine will deliver 215 PS and 26.5 kgm of torque, while the fuel efficiency should be 12.5 km/L. A hybrid version will also be available, probably badged as GS 450h.

Well, although there is nothing new compared to the previous report, what really surprised me is BC's impression in terms of styling, since the rendering looks like a grown up CT (something like Audi's practice...). Also, BC seems to believe that Lexus will abandon the four-lamp design.

Revised Toyota Alphard coming in August

Toyota is planning to launch the revised Alphard, a model competing with Nissan's Elgrand, later this year in order to refresh it and improve its fuel efficiency. The hybrid version will be powered by a 2.4L petrol engine (2AZ-FXE) delivering 150 PS plus an electric motor. The total power output will be 190 PS and maximum torque 19.4 kgm. The fuel efficiency will be improved, and it is estimated to be, under the 10.15 mode, 21.0 km/L. The next-gen Alphard is expected to be launched in 2013.

Video: Lexus LFA launch control (0-260 km/h)

Nissan launches new Moco in Japan

Nissan has launched today in Japan the new Moco (モコ). If it looks familiar to you, then it's because this is a rebadged Suzuki MR Wagon (earlier post).

Toyota FT-86 II Concept breaks cover (Part 3)

Following the post published yesterday containing some magazine scans and info regarding the FT-86 II Concept from the latest BC issue (3.10), those are some additional shots from my BC copy which arrived today.

More photos after the jump!

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept previews new compact model

We knew that Infiniti will reveal a concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show previewing its new compact model (earlier post) and rumours suggested also that it will be powered by a Mercedes engine (earlier post). Well, now Infiniti released the first images showing the actual concept car, named ETHEREA, and I have to admit that it looks awesome!!! If you take a close look at the images, you will notice also that it carries the "hybrid" badge.

The really nice thing about ETHEREA is the fact that it's a total fresh approach. Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.

At 4.4m it is highly compact but at the same time it is space efficient and practical thanks to a new mechanical layout and innovative access arrangements. Among its surprises are high-tech new interpretations of traditional Japanese materials and finishes, and several design cues set to make their mark on future production models – including the highly distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Essence concept.

Now, did I mention that I am really excited about ETHEREA?!

Minor facelift for Toyota Geo Mark X

Toyota announced today some minor changes for the JDM Geo Mark X, including a new front grill design, new aluminium wheels and new trim and upholstery options for the interior. The Aerial grade provides improved sporty feel and there is a choice between six exterior colours. The monthly sales target is 1,000 units. For more info about prices and the new grades available, please check out the official press release.

More photos after the jump!

Aston Cygnet launch events in London, Paris & Milan

Those are some photos from Aston Martin's launch events that took place in London, Paris and Milan. 

More photos after the jump!

Toyota FT-86 II Concept breaks cover (Part 2) plus more info

The latest BC magazine (3.10 issue) has the photo of the FT-86 II Concept on the front cover  (earlier post) and as you can imagine, I was really anxious to read what's inside! OK, I am not really convinced that the image is how exactly the real concept will look like when it will be shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but as the time approaches for the launch of the production version, more accurate info will start to be revealed.

So, BC claims that the FT-86 II Concept is a clear indication of the direction of the final design (hmm, no surprises there) and the final product won't have so many fancy bits as the concepts did. The production version, as mentioned several times in the past, will be presented at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Sales will start in May 2012 and power will come from Subaru's new FB20 engine. The target in terms of fuel efficiency is 14.8 km/L and the power output is estimated to be 200 PS at 7,200 rpm. Maximum torque claimed by BC is 21.0 kgm at 4,600 rpm. Power will be transmitted to the rear wheel via a 6-speed manual gearbox and the FT-86 will be able to reach 100 km/h, from a standstill, in 7.7 seconds.

In terms of dimensions, length is expected to be 4,160 mm (with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm), width 1,760 mm and height 1,260 mm. The weight will not exceed 1,300 kg (did it get a bit of weight compared to what was speculated in the past?)

Prices will be around ¥ 2,300,000 for the basic trim level and ¥ 2,500,000 for the higher-spec model. G's version is very likely to be introduced at a later date. 

[Source of mag scans: ft86club - Chokonen888]

Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY. Android is ready to play!

First photos of Mugen Fit Shuttle

The Fit Shuttle will be launched next month and already the first photos showing the Mugen bits and pieces have leaked. The Mugen Fit Shuttle is expected to be officially revealed one month later.

[Source: 頑張れ！ 三菱自動車 応援ブログと株日記]

More speculation about MX-5 successor

Mazda is a company that I admire and I really look forward for the new MX-5 to come. The MX-5 successor (earlier post), according to the latest report coming from Japan, will be powered by a 1.5L SKYACTIV G engine with a power output of 150 PS and maximum torque of 16.0 kgm. An estimated fuel efficiency of 20.0 km/L (!) is claimed. In terms of how big is going to be, total length is expected to be 3,990 mm, width 1,695 mm and height 1,245 mm. The wheelbase should be 2,330 mm. The new MX-5 is expected to be launched in August 2012.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]