Nissan Juke R to pace Dubai 24-hour race

Filed under Concept Cars, Nissan, Others 22-12-2011

The Dubai Autodrome will play host to a very special guest for the 2012 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai race.

In addition to the scads of GT3-spec BMW Z4s, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGs, Ferrari 458 Italias and Porsche 911s, the pace car running in front of them will be none other than the Nissan Juke R.
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Lexus releases official LF-LC image

Filed under Concept Cars, Coupes, Lexus, Others 22-12-2011

Thanks to the folks at Road & Track, we got our first glimpse at the Detroit-bound Lexus LF-LC concept yesterday, and to follow suit, Lexus has released its first official image showing the new two-plus-two in all its glory. We don’t know much about the new coupe, except that the design was “crafted from a clean sheet of paper,” and that “the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine.”
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Toyota confirms NS4 plug-in hybrid concept and production Prius C for Detroit

Filed under Concept Cars, hybrid, Others, Toyota 21-12-2011

Toyota is bringing a new concept to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The company calls its NS4 showcar an “advanced” plug-in hybrid, though it hasn’t shared any more information beyond the vehicle’s name. While we can’t say for certain, odds are the concept will give us a glimpse of what the company has planned for future hybrid design instead of boasting any tangible next-generation technology. As you may recall, Toyota and BMW recently partnered up to create a new lithium-ion battery pack, so it may be some time before we see the tech debut, even in a concept vehicle.

Toyota has also made it clear the company will bring along the Prius C, which will make its North American debut at the Detroit show (see gallery below). The Prius C rides on a platform about the same size as the Yaris, but comes packing a hybrid drivetrain. Word has it the vehicle will come with Prius-besting EPA fuel economy figures, too. Hit the jump for the brief press release, and stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the Detroit show. Read More »


MR2 lives on with Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II

Filed under Concept Cars, Convertibles, hybrid, Others 02-12-2011

With everyone predictably swarming over the Toyobaru Twins here at the Tokyo Motor Show, one bit of performance geekery has been largely overlooked.

Toyota brought out the second iteration of its MR-S/MR2-based GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept, with an all-new look, more carbon fiber and a reworked hybrid powertrain. The standard 2ZZ four-cylinder (or lesser 1ZZ in the States) has been swapped out for a 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidships and outputting 247 horsepower. While that’s not much juice from a big V6, the addition of an electric motor powering the front wheels brings overall output up to just under 300 hp, allowing the 3,300-pound roadster to run to 60 mph in the mid-five-second range. Read More »


Toyota Aqua concepts hint at Prius C possibilities

Filed under Concept Cars, hatchback, Others, Toyota 02-12-2011

Toyota unveiled a handful of production and concept Aqua models at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. As you may recall, the Aqua will serve as the Prius C here in the United States when it lands at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012. The Yaris-sized hatchback will come equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, though Toyota hasn’t said what we can expect in terms of total output. We do know that the vehicle’s svelte curb weight and smaller engine will likely translate into Prius-besting fuel economy numbers, so buyers can look forward to over 50 mpg in the city.
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Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV II is the 2013 Outlander in mild disguise

Filed under Concept Cars, hybrid, Mitsubishi, Others 01-12-2011

If Mitsubishi is serious about its electrification efforts, it has to offer more than the pint-sized all-electric i in the States. That’s where the Concept PX-MiEV II comes in.

What you’re looking at is the plug-in hybrid version of the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, something Mitsubishi confirms is set to go on sale sometime in 2012.
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Daihatsu D-X portends a less endearing Copen successor

Filed under Concept Cars, Convertibles, Others 01-12-2011

We’ve always had a soft spot for the Daihatsu Copen. Granted, it always struck us as an overly effeminate Audi TT, but that’s not a particularly bad thing. But after nearly a decade of production, Daihatsu has to move on, so across the way from the “Ultimate Edition” Copen at the Tokyo Motor Show is this, the Daihatsu DX concept.
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