Toyota to Launch '86' Sports Car in April

Toyota Motor Corp announced Feb 2, 2012, that it will release the "86" FR (front-engine rear-wheel-drive) sports car April 6, 2012.

The price of the vehicle ranges from ¥1.99 million to 3.05 million (approx US$26,126-40,042). Toyota realized a low-priced model by removing an air conditioner, etc on the assumption that users will make improvements to the vehicle for racing.

The 86 was developed based on Toyota President Akio Toyoda's view, "'Sports' will never disappear in the automobile market." The company aims to sell 1,000 units of the vehicle per month.

The price of the low-priced model, "RC" (six-speed manual transmission), is ¥1.99 million. And the middle-priced model, "G," is priced at ¥2.41 million (six-speed manual transmission) or 2.48 million (six-speed automatic transmission).

"They are highly customizable," said Tetsuya Tada, who led the development of the 86 at Toyota as a chief engineer.

To make it easy for users to make improvements to the vehicle, Toyota provided information about the vehicle to even parts makers that do not have capital ties with Toyota when the 86 was still under development so that many parts will be released at the same time as the release of the vehicle.

The high-priced model, "GT," is equipped with 17-inch wheels and priced at ¥2.79 million (six-speed manual transmission) or 2.87 million (six-speed automatic transmission). And the highest-priced model, "GT 'Limited,'" uses genuine leather, etc for its interior and is priced at ¥2.97 million (six-speed manual transmission) or 3.05 million (six-speed automatic transmission).

This time, Toyota announced that it will start a service to send the information that is about the status of the vehicle and used for the "CAN" automotive LAN to a smartphone so that the user can check the information on the phone. The information includes about 30 kinds of data including vehicle speed, location information, engine speed, steering angle, brake pedal stroke, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, yaw rate and operation information of ABS and VDC (vehicle dynamics control).

This is Toyota's first attempt to make this much information available to users, the company said.

This function is realized by inserting a separately-sold data logger into a USB socket inside the glove compartment and transmitting data to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

"We want to offer an SDK for obtaining vehicle information in the future so that many software developers can create applications," Toyota said.

The data logger is scheduled to be released in the middle of 2012. Also, the vehicle information can be used for Gran Turismo, game software developed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) Inc, and the movement of the vehicle can be simulated in the game.

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser Base
MSRP: $68,920
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 4X4
Fuel Type: Gas
Curb Weight: 5,765 lbs.

Review

With an MSRP that starts right around $65K, it almost goes without saying that the 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser is packed to the gills with exciting features and topnotch engineering. Its 5.7-liter V8 engine provides ample amounts of power, while its 6-speed automatic transmission glides along with ease. Full-time four-wheel drive allows the Land Cruiser to segue seamlessly from off-roads to city streets. Throw in the fact that its interior is sumptuously appointed and boasts plenty of high-tech gadgetry, and it's plain to see that Toyota has a winner on its hands.

MSRP: $65,970

Engine: 5.7L V8

Drivetrain: AWD

Transmission: Automatic

Fuel Type: Gas

Toyota Revamps Lexus GS, Improves Fuel Efficiency of HEV Model

Toyota Motor Corp announced Jan 26, 2012, that it has fully remodeled the "Lexus GS" sedan.

All gasoline-engine models of the new Lexus GS come with a V-6 engine. And Toyota released the gasoline-engine "GS350" (displacement: 3.5L) and "GS250" (displacement: 2.5L) Jan 26, 2012, and will release the "GS450h" hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in March 19, 2012.

The price of the new Lexus GS starts from ¥5.1 million (approx US$66,815). Toyota aims to sell 5,000 units per month in the global market (more than 2,500 in North America and 600 in Japan). The new GS is manufactured at the Tahara Plant in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.Engine
The GS450h HEV features a fuel efficiency about 40% higher than that of the former model. It is 18.2km/L (approx 42.8mpg) under the JC08 test mode and 20.5km/L (approx 48.2mpg) under Japan's 10-15 mode test cycle. It is equipped with the "D-4S" system, which uses the "2GR-FXE" 3.5L engine and is capable of both direct fuel injection and port injection.

he D-4S was developed based on a system that Toyota developed in 2005. This time, the company improved the injection pressure of an injector for direct injection, reduced the diameter of its nozzle and changed the shape of injected fuel from a two-forked shape to the shape of a fan. As a result, air and fuel can be mixed well, making it easy to combust fuel.

In addition to the use of direct fuel injection, the shape of the combustion chamber and the cooling system were improved so that the generation of knocking can be prevented and compression ratio can be improved from 11.8 to 13.0.

Furthermore, Toyota employed the Atkinson cycle, which closes the inlet valve at a later timing to improve the heat efficiency of the engine. The maximum heat efficiency in the operating range is about 38%, which is 2% higher than that of the former model. The maximum output and maximum torque of the engine are 217kW/6,000rpm and 356N·m/4,500rpm, respectively.

SSC Moves Forward Without Shelby Name

Shelby SuperCars is somewhat freed from its marketing shackles now as it has reached a settlement with Carroll Shelby Licensing. The company will adopt a new name - SSC - sans the Shelby part. This is because the founder of Shelby SuperCars, Jerod Shelby, shares the name but no relationship with the racing legend.
"After several months of successfully launching our new corporate name and solidifying further International brand awareness for SSC at the Dubai International Motor Show and Top Marques in Macau, it was the right time to officially announce our name change," says Jerod Shelby, Founder and Lead Designer.

"We have always wanted to focus on the pride associated with being an American built supercar and the timing is right," Shelby stated. "We have previously launched the Tuatara in both Shanghai and Pebble Beach and these two events in Dubai and Macau ensure the appropriate branding we are hoping to achieve for our company worldwide."

BMW does something more useful with that map data

The new ActiveHybrid 3 series will feature a system that can predict the best time to charge its batteries. Since the navigation map data includes hill profiles, and the car knows the direction you’re headed this means fuel efficiency.
Say you’re about to go uphill for a while and then descend back down hill. Your car will let you use more of your battery instead of precious fossil fuel while climbing knowing it can recharge on the way down. Pretty sweet eh?
ActiveHybrid 3 will go on sale this fall. Expect to get about 37mpg on the highway before navigation

Acura NSX Concept

The Acura NSX Concept has just unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. The NSX Hybrid Concept is powered by Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) technology, a direct-injection, mid-mounted V-6 engine, and dual-clutch transmission. The all-wheel drive system can deliver instant negative or positive torque to the front wheels when rounding corners.

Mazda to Display new crossover SUV Mazda CX-5 at Tokyo Auto Salon 2012

Mazda will showcase a lineup of 10 vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 with NAPAC. Mazda will be featuring its new crossover SUV Mazda CX-5, which is scheduled to be launched into the Japanese market in the 2012 spring. At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Mazda will display two units of Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUVs.

The Mazda CX-5 adopts the full range of Mazda’s breakthrough SkyActiv technology to improve the vehicle’s environmental and driving performance. In addition, customized models based on special editions of Mazda Demio, Mazda Axela, Mazda Premacy and Mazda Roadster will be showcased in line with Mazda’s theme, Environmental Technology, Pushing the Boundaries of the Emotion of Motion.

Mazda will also present its SkyActiv engines and transmission and hold a talk show at the Mazda stand featuring engineers who were involved in the SkyActiv technology development. At the event space outside the venue, a demonstration run by the rotary-engine powered Mazda 787B racing machine is also scheduled. The 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon will be held at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba prefecture from January 13 to 15, 2011.

Suzuki to Release Electric Scooter With Replaceable Battery

Suzuki Motor Corp announced Dec 9, 2011, that it will release the "e-Let's" electric scooter (motorized bicycle) equipped with a detachable battery Jan 9, 2012, in Japan.

The e-Let's was developed based on the "Let's 4 Basket," a scooter (motorized bicycle) that has a 49cc engine. Suzuki removed the engine, transmission and muffler from the Let's 4 Basket and added a regenerative in-wheel motor and a lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable battery to it.

Natural ride

As for the first aim, Suzuki developed an electronically-controlled throttle for a comfortable ride. It realized a natural operation by forming an angle detecting structure consisting of a large gear and a small gear on the throttle grip and adjusting the strength of the grip's return spring.

The throttle valve signals are sent to the EV controller located under the seat, and the value of motor torque is sent from the controller to the inverter located under the footrest.

The weight of the e-Let's (72kg excluding the charger) is 2kg lower than that of the Let's 4 Basket, and the e-Let's is as handy as the Let's 4 Basket. Also, because the e-Let's was developed based on the existing scooter, it is easy to provide options and parts for the e-Let's.

Challenge to drive range

As for the second aim, Suzuki employed the detachable battery and made a space for an extra battery. The Li-ion rechargeable battery, inverter, motor and charger are manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co Ltd. The rated output and maximum torque of the motor are 0.58kW and 15N·m, respectively. And the capacity of the battery is 716Wh.

The battery and charger are normally stored under the seat, but it is possible to replace the charger with an extra battery. The e-Let's can travel about 30km (at a speed of 30km/h or 18.6mph) with one battery. So, with two batteries, its drive range is 60km.

The battery can be fully charged in four hours with AC100V power supply. Currently, it is not possible to charge the battery when the battery and the charger are mounted in the scooter. To charge the battery, both of them have to be removed from the scooter.

The price of the e-Let's is ¥312,000 (approx US$4,005), which is exactly twice as high as the price of the gasoline-powered Let's 4 Basket. When it comes with an extra battery, its price is ¥396,900. Suzuki aims to sell 1,000 units of the new scooter per year.

Bridgestone Air-Free Concept Tyres

Bridgestone has developed the Air-Free Concept, a tire technology that uses a thermoplastic resin as it’s support structure instead of air.

“Because there’s no air in these tires, there’s no worry about punctures. Also, there’s no need to check the pressure in them, so they’re easy to maintain, too.”

“A feature of these tires is, they have spokes with a special curve, arranged in an interlacing fashion. This enables them to flex effectively without twisting, and behave just like ordinary tires, without producing a horizontal force.”

The spoke material is a reusable thermoplastic resin, meaning that the tires can be easily recycled, making them environmentally friendly.

“In an electric cart, the load on each wheel is about 50 kg. We’ve checked that these tires can amply support three times that load.”

“Regarding specific applications, we’d like to start with small-scale uses, such as personal mobility, and gradually move up to standard vehicles.”

The spokes, with their special curve, have a functional beauty. So Bridgestone expects that these tires will be used with the spokes revealed.

Honda Prototypes Electric Pickup Based on Acty Truck

Honda Motor Co Ltd prototyped an electric pickup truck by replacing the engine and other components of its Acty Truck with a motor and a battery.

The release date of the truck, "Acty EV," has not been decided yet. The company announced the truck at 2011 Honda Meeting, which took place Dec 5, 2011.

The dimensions of the truck are 3,395 (L) x 1,475 (W) x 1,745 (H), and its mass (about 900kg) is about 100kg larger than that of the Acty Truck. Its rear wheels are driven by a motor that is located in the rear part of the truck and has a maximum output power of 30kW. Its maximum speed is 100km/h.

A lithium-ion rechargeable battery with a capacity of 10kWh is located under the luggage space. The cells used for the battery are made by Toshiba Corp. They are the same cells that will be used for a compact electric vehicle being developed by Honda.

Honda started to develop the electric pickup truck after the Tohoku Earthquake.

"We considered that pickup trucks equipped with batteries will be useful (at the time of disaster)," the company said. "The energy infrastructure that came back first after the disaster was electricity infrastructure. Also, high-capacity batteries will be helpful in the case of power outage. And trucks are suited for carrying luggage."

Honda's New HEV Separately Controls Rear Wheels With 2 Motors

Honda Motor Co Ltd prototyped a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that has an engine and a motor in the front part and two motors in the rear part.

The company aims to realize a performance equivalent to that of a V-eight engine and a fuel efficiency equivalent to that of an in-line four-cylinder engine at the same time. The HEV was prototyped based on the North American model of the "Accord."

The release date of the HEV has not been decided yet. The vehicle was announced at 2011 Honda Meeting, which took place Dec 5, 2011.

The HEV's hybrid system, which is transversely mounted in the front part of the vehicle, connects the engine and the motors via a seven-speed DCT (dual clutch transmission) being developed by Honda. On the rear side, two motors having the same output power are placed at the center of the axle and connected to the right and left tires, respectively.

When the HEV starts moving or runs at a low speed, it is driven by the rear motors. When a large drive force is required, the front motor is used in addition to the two rear motors. And when a larger force is required, the engine is used as well.

As for the motor control, Honda realized the function of the "SH-AWD," which was developed by the company in 2004 and changes the drive force allocation for the two rear wheels in accordance with running conditions, by using the two rear motors. Therefore, the company calls the new hybrid system "Electric-powered SH-AWD."

For example, when the HEV is turning to the right, the drive forces of (1) the motor for the right rear wheel, (2) the motor for the left rear wheel and (3) the motor for the front wheels are directed backward, forward and forward, respectively, so that the yaw moment of the vehicle is controlled and it becomes easy to turn to the right.

Furthermore, it is possible to charge the battery with the electricity regenerated by directing the drive force of the motor for the right rear wheel backward. In the case of the existing SH-AWD, the force of the engine is transmitted to the rear side by using a propeller shaft, and the drive force allocation for the two rear wheels is changed with an allocation device.

The HEV is equipped with a 3.5L direct-fuel-injection V-six gasoline engine. The output power of the front motor is 30kW or higher, and each of the two rear motors has an output power of 20kW or higher. There is a clutch between the two motors. The cells used for its lithium-ion rechargeable battery are made by Blue Energy Co Ltd, and their capacity has not been disclosed yet.