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]

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!

Toyota FT-86 II Concept: Official press release

• World premiere of sports concept car at Geneva motor show
• Design and engineering pay homage to great Toyota sports cars of the past
• Strongest indication yet of how new Toyota production model will look
• Designed and engineered for excellent power-to-weight ratio and balance
• Compact, lightweight powertrain features boxer petrol engine and six-speed manual transmission
• Front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration
• New model, jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, to be launched in 2012

The new FT-86 II Concept makes its world debut at the Geneva motor show, giving the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota’s next sports car. It marks a return to the passion for driving that has inspired great Toyota cars of the past, starting with the legendary 2000 GT in the 1960s.

With its long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin, the FT-86 II pays homage to Toyota’s sports car history and is an entirely driver-oriented concept. It was created at Toyota’s European design studio ED2, where its styling was dubbed ‘functional beauty’: its bold, sweeping form has been generated purely according to the constraints of function and aerodynamics.

The low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell is stretched tight over the engineering hard points, with the muscular bodywork rendered as compact as possible. The concept measures 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and 1,270mm high, with a long, 2,570mm wheelbase.

Live photos of Toyota FT-86 II Concept from Geneva (mega gallery)!!!

More photos after the jump!

Mazda Minagi Concept officially revealed at Geneva

Mazda has presented the Minagi Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and this is a clear indication of how the new CX-5 will look like. This is going to be one of the first models to be equipped with the SKYACTIV powertrains and of course, the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language is evident. The Shinari Concept is also on display.

First official photo of Toyota FT-86 II Concept!!!

Here it is!!! I really do want one!

Latest rendering of upcoming Nissan Tiida

This is the latest rendering of the Tiida successor (earlier post) as published in the latest Mag-X issue. Expect it to be launched in October.

Toyota FT-86 II Concept live photos (semi-covered) from Geneva!!!

Those are the first live photos of the FT-86 II Concept, which is still semi-covered... but it's just a matter of hours until we see how it really looks like!!!

More photos after the jump!