Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanubo Ito confirmed in an interview with German magazine Auto Motor Sport that the Japanese manufacturer is working on a new sporty roadster based on the EV-STER Concept, that was revealed at Tokyo Motor Show just a few weeks ago. The EV-STER concept, as the name suggest, is an all-electric roadster, powered by a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery delivering 78 hp with 160 km/h (100 mph) of top speed a maximum range of approximately 160 km (100 miles). However, Mr. Ito also hinted that the model might eventually use a more traditional petrol powertrain too, a move that will probably lead to a change of name as well. Honda is really concerned about reducing its CO2 emission level on the long-term, and cars like this will help reaching that goal.

View the full Honda EV-STER Concept photo gallery

....

2 comments

For the first time in the 32-years long history of this prestigious award, an electric vehicle has won it: zero emission model Nissan LEAF was crowned yesterday ‘Car of the Year Japan’ at the Tokyo Motor Show. This is yet another outstanding achievement for the model, which also won the 2011 European Car of the Year Award in November 2011 and the 2011 World Car of the Year.

Nissan LEAF (backronim for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) is a five-door hatchback electric car that hit the worldwide market in January 2011 and boasts optimally-placed lithium-ion batteries, a high-performance electric motor and advanced control technologies such as a dedicated on-board IT system that can be accessed by remote control via mobile phones.

Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn commented: “We have sold 20,000 Nissan LEAFs and also delivered on our promise of affordable, zero-emission mobility on a global scale. This award is as much a win for Nissan as it is for our customers. All these accolades show that zero-emission vehicles can clearly be competitive alternatives to conventional ones.” There can be no denial that this car has already secured its place in automotive history.

via | Auto-Media.Info

....

0 comments

A new 3-minute long official video starring the new Subaru BRZ have surfaced on the internet. This high quality footage provides us with an extensive overlook of the model, showing us many significant video of both the interior and the exterior of the brand new front-engine rear-wheel-drive coupe from the Japanese manufacturer that has been unveiled just a few hours ago at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The model uses an extremely low centre of gravity which, jointly with its rather light weight, makes it a pretty enjoyable and precise driving experience. The car is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer unit (delivering 200 hp with 205 Nm of peak torque) with D4-S direct injection mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. As previously reported, the car has been developed on the same platform that generated the recent Toyota GT 86 and the upcoming Scion FR-S, sharing chassis and engine with its two twin sisters.

View the full Subaru BRZ photo gallery

....

0 comments

Even though the undisputed stars of the booth are the new BRZ and Advanced Tourer Concept, Subaru also introduced the new Impreza at the Tokyo Motor Show showcasing the two most significant models of the new range: the Impreza G4 and the Impreza Sport. The former is the model that is going to sit at the top of the sedan range, whereas the latter will have the same role for the hatchback line. To celebrate the unveiling, Subaru has released a comprehensive photo gallery that you can access clicking on the link below.

Both Impreza G4 and Sport will be powered by the recent 2.0-litre 4 cylinder boxer unit producing 154 hp at 6,200 rpm, while a 1.6-litre engine will also be made available. Both engines will boast a good fuel consumption and will be coupled to the latest version of Subaru’s continuously variable transmission. The two aforementioned models are hardly recognizable from the ‘regular’ versions, although they will come with a different front grille and a set of 17″ alloys. The new range is expected to appear in Europe in mid-2012.

View the full Subaru Impreza Sport and G4 photo gallery

....

0 comments

Audi presents the A1 Samurai Blue at the Tokyo Motor Show. This special version of Audi A1 is an unique piece and the money raised with its sale will go to charity. This flashy one-off uses the official colors of the Japanese national football team, whose players are nicknamed Blue Samurai (hence the name). The blue, red and white theme is clearly visible both outside and inside the car, where also the official mascot of the team can be spotted here and there: seats, carmats, central console and air inlets in the cabin (and then some..) all uses the three-tone theme. Exclusive red 18″ wheels complete the outlook of the model.

Audi A1 Samurai Blue is powered by a 1.4-litre TFSI engine developing 122 hp and 200 Nm of maximum torque. This unit pushes the car from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8,9 seconds and provides it with a top speed of 203 km/h (126 mph). A Limited Edition of Audi A1 inspired by the Samurai Blue is rumored to be in the works, and might go on sale next year.

View the full Audi A1 Samurai Blue photo gallery

....

0 comments

Subaru introduces the Advanced Tourer Concept at the 2011 Tokyo motor Show. The model is basically an evolution of the previous Hybrid Tourer Concept, presented in 2009, which laid the foundations for the design style currently adopted by the Japanese carmaker.

Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept was developed as a new-generation sports wagon providing both superior driving performance and utility. It features an innovative exterior design not found in conventional wagon model which uses a quite impactful and massive front grille and a dynamic but sleek look that is quite reminiscent of some modern-day coupe model. Headlights uses LED technology exclusively and features many details made of carbon fibre, such as the rear diffuser.

The Advanced Tourer Concept is equipped with an horizontally-opposed 1.6-litre 4 cylinder boxer engine with direct fuel injection and a not better specified electric unit, whose power will be transferred to all four wheels through Subaru’s Lineatronic continuously variable transmission. As for the interior, a large monitor is built into the steering wheel allowing access to maps, television and internet services. Textures such as wood and metal are incorporated into the inside layout to produce ample ambiance, while a roof entirely made of glass adds to the spacious feel.

....

0 comments

The third generation of Mazda-6 is anticipated by the Takeri Concept, a model we already talked about a while ago that represents the evolution of the previous Shinari and Minagi, adopting the same Kodo design theme that was firstly introduced by those two concept cars. The Concept is currently on display at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Takeri is equipped with the new Skyactiv-D clean diesel engine, Mazda’s i-stop idling stop system and the unique ‘i-ELOOP’ regenerative braking system. The breakthrough Skyactiv Technology was firstly introduced on the Mazda CX-5 and consists of Skyactiv-D new-generation highly efficient clean diesel which, in combination with the 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and i-stop idling stop system, delivers refined performance that overturns the traditional unexciting diesel image, along with superior fuel efficiency.

Mazda Takeri Concept measures 4.85 meters in lenght, 1.87 meters in width and 1.43 meters in height, with a wheel base of 2.83 meters. The model can accommodate up to 4 people (driver included), each one with his own single seat. Other highlights include 20″ wheels fitted with 245/40 R20 tyres, MacPherson-type suspension at the front and multilink at the back and braking system with ventilated discs at all four corners. The interior is characterized by leather upholstery, metal finishing and a quite original screen for its infotainment system. The new Mazda6 is expected to surface in 2012, making its first appearance at the next Paris Motor Show (29 September to 14 October 2012), while the Takeri concept should show up at the Geneva Motor Show (8-12 March 2012).

....

0 comments

The long-awaited Subaru BRZ is about to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, prompting the Japanese carmaker to release more official pictures and technical details of the new model. The car will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine with D4-S direct injection delivering 200 hp with 205 Nm of peak torque. The BRZ weights only 1220 kg and boost an extremely low center of gravity, features that will allow for a super precise and exciting drive, bringing to the table a quicker and more accurate steering response as well as better grip. However, the car still allows for 2+2 seating and a trunk with sufficient space, meaning that the BRZ can be a sport car as well as a reliable companion for long tours.

The power generated by the front-mounted engine will be transmitted to the rear axle through either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The latter also has a “S mode” for better shifting response and “M mode” for optional shifting. Besides, thanks to paddle shifters and down-shifting blipping control, the BRZ can respond faithfully to the driver’s inputs. The car uses lightweight and highly rigid aluminum wheels fitted with 215/45R17 tyres.

View the full Subaru BRZ photo gallery

....

0 comments

The new Honda CR-V will officially enter the Japanese market on December, the 2nd. To celebrate the event, Honda releases a full official photo gallery of the model, which is just slightly different from the versions that will be marketed in Europe and North America. The new generation of the CR-V was firstly introduced at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and will be on display at the imminent Tokyo Motor Show as well.

In comparison to the CR-V model we saw in California, this version features a shiny black outline of the front grille and a different shape of the air-intake on the bumper, which should be the same design that will be adopted by the Europen model. In Japan the new CR-V will be available with two 4-cylider petrol engines: a 2.0-litre unit delivering 150 hp (with average fuel consumption of 6,9 l/100 km) and a 2.4 producing 190 hp that will come with the four-wheel drive configuration only (with average fuel consumption of 8,6 l/100 km). The European version will be officially introduced at the Paris Motor Show next year.

View the full Honda CR-V Japanese version photo gallery

....

2 comments

In the wake of the outstanding response of the public to its extreme Juke-R project, Nissan Motor Co. introduces a spiced up version of the Juke tuned up by its sports division Nismo, called Juke Nismo Concept. The car has been officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, and clearly comes across as a premium sports version of the successful SUV.

The model uses a pearl white livery with red and black inserts enhanced by Nismo’s specifically designed bodykit, which comprises redesigned front and rear bumpers, larger arch wheels and side skirts. The front grill has a different pattern, while the rear spoiler received two side elements that improve its dynamic behavior, same reason for which the wing mirror shells have been modified too. Besides, the Juke Nismo Concept is equipped with 19″ alloys, has a lowered right height and stiffer suspension setting.

The car is powered by an upgraded and more performing version of the standard turbocharged 1.6-litre direct injection gasoline engine, although Nismo did not reveal what they did to this unit. No performance figure are available at the moment either. The interior of this Concept car is also quite different from the standard Juke as elements such as steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob and door trims have been redisigned to have them more suitable to the sporty approach of the car. Chief Product Specialist for Nissan Juke Chiaki Sumi said that if the feedback to the Juke Nismo Concept will be good enough, it might actually hit production and go on sale in the future.

via | Auto-Media.info
video | NissanNewsRoom

....

0 comments

Toyota is about to unveil at the imminent Tokyo Motor Show an original concept car called Fun-Vii, which the Japanese carmaker doesn’t hesitate to describe as a ‘Smartphone on four wheels’.

Actually, this definition is not too far from the truth as the bodywork of this car is basically a giant touchscreen, something that can be said about most of its interior as well. Toyota says that the both the livery and the interior finishing of the car can be changed “with the same ease downloading an app” on your mobile phone. Moreover, the Fun-Vii can potentially get connected to surrounding vehicles and buildings, and some of its functions (i.e. air conditioning) can be controlled from remote by a device that can even be just a smartphone.

We will be waiting for more information about this interesting concept that could actually anticipate how future cars might be like in a fully connected society.

View the full Toyota Fun-Vii Concept photo gallery

....

0 comments

In view of its official unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show, an official promo video starring the new Toyota GT 86 driving around the hills of an undisclosed location has surfaced on the internet.

The footage gives us the chance to admire many interior and exterior details of the final version of this car (previously known as FT-86), which is expected to hit the showrooms worldwide in the first half of 2012. To know more about its technical highlights, you can check out the post we published about GT 86’s official unveiling just a few hours ago.

Video | Automobilism0

....

0 comments