Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo Motor Show, Automotive News, Latest car models, Worldwide Auto News
Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda, Electric
Honda 3R-C Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Honda's bringing a concept car to the Geneva Motor Show that you would more expect to see in the design student gallery section - or Tron Legacy - than on a major automaker's platform. The 3R-C concept is a three-wheeled, battery-powered single-seater. We're going to assume the seating position in the rendering is a slight error of scale or that there's something more complex going on, otherwise, we don't know how the driver would see above the controls. At first we were confused about the driving position, but a belatedly complete set of press photos explains that the headrest-looking thing is actually a backrest...
It will be joined by the EV-N concept that is debuting in Europe for the first time, but that cute little number was initially shown at the Tokyo Motor Show. Follow the jump to read about both electric offerings, and check them out in the galleries of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Honda 3R-C Concept
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept
[Source: Honda]
Continue reading Geneva Preview: Honda 3R-C Concept is a funny little thing
Geneva Preview: Honda 3R-C Concept is a funny little thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda, UK, Rumormill
2011 Honda CR-Z - Click above for high-res image gallery
The rumormongers at AutoExpress are at it again, donning their speculative fedoras and suggesting that a 200-horsepower Honda CR-Z Type-R is on the way. But if you were hoping for a K20 swap to ditch the hybrid setup, you're in for a disappointment.
In stock form, the production CR-Z unveiled in Detroit makes due with a 102 hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder mated to an electric motor good for an additional 20 ponies. If AE is to be believed, Honda and its internal tuning partner, Mugen, plans to up the output of the stock four-pot to approximately 150 hp. Since the CR-Z was designed from the onset to be a hybrid, apparently Honda just can't swap in the 2.0-liter engine from the Euro-Civic and call it a day. Instead, a beefed-up electric motor will be fitted - reportedly good for another 50 hp - and bringing total output up to 200 hp.
Naturally, the transformation won't just be under the hood. A reworked suspension, upgraded brakes and a smattering of body mods will be included in the package, along with an additional driving mode (bringing the total to four), "Sport Plus" which will reportedly modify throttle response, steering, the start-stop system and the electric motor assist.
If the Type-R comes to fruition, expect it to debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, with the production version arriving sometime in 2012.
Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z
[Source: AutoExpress]
Rumormill: Honda CR-Z Type-R in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda
2009 Honda SkyDeck Concept - click above for high-res image gallery
With apologies to Get Shorty and the 1995 Oldsmobile Sillhouette, the Honda Odyssey may well be the Cadillac of minivans. Honda's big, luxurious people hauler has been the hottest-selling minivan in the U.S. over the past two years, besting Chrysler and Toyota for the minivan sales title. With the success of the Odyssey over the past couple of years, it's almost hard to believe that Honda is already looking forward to a redesign, but the present model has been on the market since 2005 with only nominal tweaking, and there's a bold new Sienna to contend with from its crosstown rivals, too.
To that end, Honda has announced that they will unveil a new concept version of the Honda Odyssey at next month's Chicago Auto Show, showing what the engineering-focused company's fourth-generation minivan will look like. Honda promises that the next Odyssey "will further enhance its hallmark qualities of innovation, quality, safety and fun-to-drive character, while increasing its overall efficiency."
We may have already seen the first indication of what the next Odyssey will look like in the SkyDeck concept (above) from the Tokyo Motor Show last October. The six-seat MPV was all pimped out with a pie-in-the-sky interior, Lamborghini-style front doors and what is fast becoming standard-issue for concept vehicles, a hybrid drivetrain. Strip down the concept-ness and we're thinking the SkyDeck would make a very attractive Odyssey. However, we expect the Chicago showcar to significantly more toned-down than the JDM concept, and it will likely be a 'concept' in name only. Hit the jump to read Honda's very brief press release.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda Skydeck concept
[Source: Honda]
Continue reading Honda bringing Odyssey minivan concept to Chicago Auto Show
Honda bringing Odyssey minivan concept to Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Budget, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi
Yesterday, we reported that Mitsubishi is bringing its small, B-segment Colt to our shores. And that's true, mostly. What we've learned between now and then is that Mitsu isn't bringing over the current Colt, but rather the replacement for the current Colt, i.e. the next Colt. In fact, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. President Osamu Masuko said as much during last month's Tokyo Motor Show. Here's what he told Automotive News:
"Mitsubishi will follow that with a global small car in 2012. That car will be smaller than the Colt, which is sold in Japan and Europe, and will have a 1.0- to 1.3-liter gasoline engine. A plug-in hybrid version and all-electric version of the global small car are scheduled for 2013. Mitsubishi is studying which of those would best suit the United States.
The scoop, then, is that this new global small car will be called Colt. As opposed to say, Havasu.[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
UPDATE: U.S. bound Mitsubishi Colt will be an all-new global small car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Toyota
Toyota FT-86 Concept - click above for high-res image gallery
While most sports car fans everywhere are waiting with bated breath for the new Toyota FT-86 to arrive from the Land of the Rising Sun, some of us are a little bit more excited about the car's Subaru cousin. Why is that, especially considering that the FT-86 appears to be kinda just what the doctor ordered (rear-wheel drive, 200 horsepower, light, cheap)? Well, for one thing, Subarus are all-wheel drive. And while rear-wheel driven sports cars definitely have their charms (earlier rumors even suggested that Fuji Heavy (i.e. Subaru) was even caving and going rear-drive with its version of the Toyobaru), there's really little in life as fun as blasting down a gravel road at a seemingly unsafe clip while kicking up mountainous clouds of dust. Plus, you know, rain and all that.
Then there's the engine. Our pals at Inside Line are reporting that the Subaru iteration of the FT-86 will have more power - 250 hp according to them. Using Jeremy Clarkson-style logic, 250 hp is better than 200 hp. Because it's more. IL claims that the Toyobaru will use a version of the just-developed-for-the-FT-86 flat-four 2.0-liter engine - supposedly naturally aspirated like in the FT-86.
But here's the thing - the smallest engine Subaru offers American consumers these days is a 2.5-liter boxer. And that motor, turbo-tuned for WRX duty, makes 265 hp (though we've driven it and we'd wager it kicks out a bit more than that). Why would Subaru put a smaller, weaker engine into a $30,000 coupe ($30,000 according to the IL article) than the motor they stick in the $25,000 WRX? Exactly -we don't think they would.
Inside Line also says the Subaru version will be larger than the Toyota car because of a "stretched platform." We're not sure if that means longer or wider - or both - but we'd err on the side of longer, as in more backseat room. What we're looking at then, is a big-ish, AWD coupe with a lot of power. Can you say 2011 SVX? We knew you could.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept
[Source: Inside Line]
Rumormill: Subaru version of Toyota FT-86 to be bigger, get substantially more power, AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Podcasts, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Buick, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
It's Episode #150 of the Autoblog Podcast, and we raided the crypt to give you your buck-and-a-half's worth. Former podcast staples John Neff and Chris Paukert have been unearthed and join Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, and Dan Roth for this milestone occasion.
A review of the Tokyo Motor Show starts things off, and then we drill down to talk more specifically about both ends of Toyota's sports spectrum: the Lexus LFA and the Toyota FT-86 concepts. Other Tokyo standouts like the Honda CR-Z and Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept weave into the conversation before we turn to the next-generation Honda Civic, rumored to be lighter and smaller. From there, things devolve entirely before this week's big crew wraps it up.
We'll hit your questions again next time around, keep them rolling in to Podcast at Autoblog dot com. We appreciate you filling our survey with data, and remember, if you get lonely, there's always Joystiq and Engadget. Thanks for listening! You can also leave us a message at our new Google Voice number 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Who knows... we might even play it on the podcast!
Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition
Autoblog Podcast #150 - Tokyo Motor Show Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Tokyo Motor Show, Scion, Toyota
Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Although the Toyota FT-86, freshly unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, is billed strictly as a concept car, we're fully expecting the rear-wheel-drive coupe to foreshadow a new production car from Toyota. The question on everyone's lips, then, is what Toyota will call the final version when it hits the market.
Some reports are indicating that Toyota will revive the Celica nameplate, a name which still carries a certain following among Japanese sportscar fans even though it hasn't been used in four years. Other reports are suggest that when the production FT-86 reaches American shores, it will act as a replacement for the current Scion tC. Both the models, in their last iterations, were front-drive models, but that may not be a factor in determining the vehicle's name.
So which is true? Only time will tell, but both reports could ultimately prove accurate. Even if Toyota does decide to badge the FT-86 a Scion, the youth-oriented brand is only active in the North American market, meaning that the Japanese automaker will still need another name for use in its domestic market and others overseas. Which name would appeal to you more? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept in the Studio
[Sources: Autocar and The Detroit Bureau]
Toyota Celica or Scion tC? Toyota reportedly deliberating over production FT-86 nameplate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Minivan/Van, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda
2009 Honda Freed - Click above for high-res image gallery
Here in Tokyo, we were hanging around with some American Honda Motor Co. officials when they got their first up-close look at the Freed. The Freed is a compact minivan/MPV based on Honda's Fit architecture. For reference, the six-seat, three-row Freed is about 15 inches shorter than a Mazda5 and about 4 inches longer than a U.S.-spec Fit.
Freed's third row seats fold up against the sides of its body, leaving a completely flat load floor. At least two U.S. Honda PR people checking out the model loved the idea of offering it Stateside, although they'd be inclined to see two changes. Because of the micro-van's short length, they would drop the third row and move the second row back for more legroom. Additionally, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (the same one used in the U.S. Fit) would also likely be replaced by something a bit larger for the our market - possibly a 1.8-liter or even a 2.0-liter.
The Freed is a certainly an attractive package and could make a good competitor in the burgeoning small MPV segment against the likes of the Mazda5 and the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando and Ford C-Max. What do you think? Have your say in the poll we're running after the jump. Honda's looking for feedback and would like to hear from you.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda Freed
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]
Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Should Honda bring the Freed MPV to America?
Tokyo 2009: Should Honda bring the Freed MPV to America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Diesel
Mazda Sky D and Sky G engines -- Click above for high-res image gallery
The Mazda Sky D diesel and Sky G gasoline engines are meant to bring "everlasting blue sky" to oversee "sustainable Zoom-Zoom." Both utilize low-friction engine blocks, direct injection and piezo-electric injectors. The Sky G is fitted with a "highly functional variable valve timing mechanism," and the Sky D gets a 2-stage turbocharger besides.
Together with technologies such as the Sky Drive 6-speed transmission, i-stop, regenerative braking and lighter vehicles, these lumps will form the core of Mazda's goal of a 30% increase in fuel economy in the coming years. You can read more about them after the jump, and check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky D engine
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky G engine
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping
Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric
Toyota FT-EV II concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Toyota has revealed its latest plug-in electric concept car here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The FT-EV II is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit earlier this year but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back - limiting the already small rear seat behind it.
The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front, which conspire with the very thin-shell seats to offer decent room inside. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would seem to make sense for Toyota to do a custom design such as this.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Classics, Tokyo Motor Show
Historic cars of Tokyo -- Click above for high-res image gallery
We were frankly astounded that the prospect of a gutted Tokyo Motor Show didn't get any maker, save one, to trot out some of their historical home runs. Even if they didn't want to go in for a nostalgia-fest, a few brands could have at least peppered the show with some of Japan's seminal machinery. After all, if you're not going to give us anything really new and exciting, you could at least let us have some fun with the past.
But no. The only historic machine at an automaker's booth was a vintage Suzuki Alto near the new Alto Concept. Otherwise, nada. The other vintage machinery - a 1917 Mitsubishi A, a Toyota GT HYBD (a Sports 800 gas-turbine hybrid), and a Honda Accord CVCC - were in the "motor lounge" seating area. A big, fat raspberry is all we have to say to that. So for your viewing pleasure, feast your eyes on the historic cars of the Tokyo Motor Show in the high-res gallery below. All four of them.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: The Historics
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Where's the history? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota
Thirty years of the Japan Car of the Year - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the past 30 years, Japan has declared a car of the year, an award given to newly released or redesigned vehicles released from November 1st of the previous year to October 1st of the current year. More than 60 jurors composed of Japanese journalists receive an allocation of votes, and the car with the most votes comes away with the crown.
This year the Toyota Prius narrowly edged out the Honda Insight, continuing the recent trend of environmentally-friendly winners. Other notable winners included the new Volkswagen Golf, which was named the Import Car of the Year, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which was declared to have the Most Advanced Technology. The Nissan Fairlady Z won the category of Most Fun, and finally the Subaru Legacy took top honors for Best Value.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the award, the Tokyo Motor Show also organized a display of past winners, starting with the Mazda Familia 3-door Hatch Back in 1980-1981 and finishing with last year's winner, the Toyota IQ. We've included the winners from every year (some cars on display won alternate categories, like the Toyota Supra from 1993-1994) in the high-res gallery below.
Gallery: Thirty Years of the Japan Car of the Year
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Toyota Prius claims Japan Car of the Year title originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Tokyo Motor Show, Honda, Motorcycle, Electric
Honda EV-Cub Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
You meet the greenest people on a Honda. Well, maybe not quite yet... but the World's Largest Motorcycle Manufacturer has signaled its intent to usher in a new era of electrically-powered two-wheelers, and a modern-day Cub seems like an excellent way to do just that.
Honda is showing a conceptual electric Cub as we speak at the Tokyo Motor Show, but strangely isn't letting out very much information about the machine. We know there's an electric motor powering each wheel and some kind of battery pack sitting in between somewhere in the frame rails, but that's about it.
Regardless of how little we know about the EV-Cub, it's a concept we wholeheartedly approve of. We're big fans of the original gas-powered 50cc model, which has been known to return well over 200 miles per gallon in daily use, and a thoroughly modern drivetrain seems like a fitting way to inject some new life into the old Cub. See our high-res image gallery of live shots below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-Cub
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Honda rolls out the EV-Cub, we pray for a production model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Tokyo Motor Show
The beautiful women of Tokyo 2009 - Click above for a high-res image gallery
As far as cars went, the Frankfurt Motor Show was the proverbial glut of riches, and the Tokyo Motor Show proved that you can't live life at the top all the time. Tokyo did, however, still provide plenty of aesthetic beauty, much of which had nothing to do with the automobiles. We won't call it a consolation prize, but it's certainly not something we're upset about.
Have a look at what arguably might have been the finest aspects of the Tokyo Motor Show in the gallery below - and the woman with the stuffed car on her head (it is still Tokyo, after all...). (*Translation: "The beautiful women of Makuhari Messe").
Gallery: The beautiful women of Tokyo 2009
Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
Tokyo 2009: Makuhari Messe no Jyosei ha Bijin desu* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Japan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda
Jim Kenzie of the Toronto Star tries out the U3-X - Click above for high-res image gallery
If there is one thing humans love, it's personal mobility. After all, what other species regularly harness other creatures for the sole purpose of getting around. The auto industry is all about personal mobility. Since the dawn of the car in the late 19th century, it has been adopted world-wide as one of the preferred means of getting around.
Mobility, of course, is about a lot more than just driving. Just moving around is important and when people find themselves unable to move or having difficulty, it plays havoc with the psyche. A number of automakers are researching ways to expand mobility beyond the automobile and the result is projects like the GM Puma and Toyota Winglet. Honda, too, is studying the problem and while we were in Japan for the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda took us to their R&D center to check out a few recent projects, including the quirky U3-X (shown above). Read on for a first hand account of what we saw and sat on.
Gallery: Honda mobility devices
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices
Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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