Toyota has revised the Aygo for the UK market

Aygo is a success story in miniature. Since launch in 2005 this small but perfectly formed Toyota has amassed more than 100,000 sales a year across Europe, its combination of low cost of ownership, contemporary styling and fun-to-drive character making it a top performer in the expanding A-segment.

Now the factors that have made Aygo a winner have been further sharpened to make it an even stronger proposition. The result is the new 2009 Aygo, on sale now.

The revised Aygo range includes two new feature models, Aygo Blue and Aygo Black, with exclusive equipment specifications, plus the established Aygo and Aygo+, in three and five-door body styles. All are powered by the Engine of the Year class-winning 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol unit, with five-speed manual or MultiMode transmission.
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Tokyo Motor Show: Mazda RE-Amemiya Genki 7

RE-Amemiya is a well-known name in Mazda circuits. The company was founded in 1974 by Isami Amemiya and has since been almost exclusively with the tune of rotary engines involved. The knowledge that we now have five years to build has been applied to this concept, the Genki 7.

Although you would expect that a new concept car is a new (read: RX-8) is nothing less true. The ideal base for a high-performance concept of an RX-7 seems to be. Although the RX-8 certainly more practical in terms of looks and not lagging behind, the RX-7 has always been a sports car. The model was simply positioned higher and more speed made. Perhaps the explanation for the conversion choice.


Unfortunately, there are no specifications known. May notify the site of RE-Amemiya more news about the Genki-7, tucked away somewhere deep behind all strange links. My Japanese is not very flexible at the moment. It is expected that the line of the Genki-7 within a short number of records to his name it.

A nice detail is that Amemiya on most project cars' headlights of other brands assembled. A good example is the video to see. In the video, the lights on a Porsche clearly off, the headlights on the Genki are more difficult to place. Find a picture where these lights on the original model / brand are mounted and receive a bit timeless autoblog-fame!
via autoblog.nl

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Honda Announces End of Production for the S2000

The Honda S2000 is officially dead. In a brief statement released today, Honda said 2009 will be the final model year for its high-performance roadster. No reason was given for the termination, but Honda did mention that the program was originally conceived as a limited-edition tribute to the company's 50th anniversary.
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GM, Ford and Chrysler say sayonara, Tokyo

There were some notable absences at this year's Detroit auto show, including Nissan, Suzuki and Ferrari. Now comes word that all three major U.S. automakers are pulling out of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

It's the latest sign that a bad economy and crashing sales are disrupting the industry on an international scale. Word of the three U.S. car companies’ withdrawal from Tokyo prompted speculation that the show might be canceled. But a spokesman for the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Assn. told reporters Wednesday that the show would continue.
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Mazda2 and Mazda6 Tamura Special Edition Models Announced for UK

Mazda has decided to kick off the New Year by introducing a new Tamura Special Edition package that will be available on hatchbacks versions of the Mazda2 and Mazda6 in the UK.


Mazda6 Tamura's are based off the 2.0 5dr TS model and feature a sport styling package that also consists of new front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and a rear spoiler. Other exterior changes include privacy glass, clear rear light bezels, and special 18-inch wheels. Power comes from a 2.0-liter engine that cranks out 147PS this allows the car to run from 0-62 mph in a leisurely 10.2 seconds. The price of admission is £16,695 or just £306 more than the TS.


The Mazda2 1.3 Tamura special edition can be ordered in either three-door or five-door guise and is based off the TS2 trim level. A sport styling package that includes new front and rear bumpers, a two-bar grille, side skirts and rear spoiler is the model's biggest change but the company also threw in unique 16-inch dark grey wheels which help to make the special edition standout.


Under the hood is a 1.3-liter petrol engine that produces 86PS, it is connected to a five-speed manual and this combination allows the model to achieve 54.3mpg in the combined cycle. Prices start at £10,275 for the three-door and £10,775 for the five-door effectively making the styling package a £397 option.
via:World Car Fans



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Detroit Auto Show: Subaru Legacy Concept Promo Video

Subaru has released a promotional video showing the Legacy concept car unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It shows very much what the next Legacy is going to look like. During the running of the video the vehicle's exterior is unpacked from a number of angles using clever cinematography.


The interior, though not on the video, is highlighted by dash features like touch screens and cameras. Legroom has been vastly improved as well.


The Legacy concept is fitted with a 3.6-litre boxer engine that drives all four wheels thanks to Subaru's patented AWD system. Its appearance is enhanced by LED headlights, a bold fascia and bolder lines. The car is painted in a high gloss Ultimate Silver paint colour. Subaru has gone more upmarket with the Legacy and ditched a lot of the traditional Japanese lines in favour of cleaner, more European design cues.






via:World Car Fans



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Video: 2009 Toyota FT-EV Concept

The new FT-EV concept shares its platform with the new iQ urban vehicle that was launched last year at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Toyota says that the four-passenger FT-EV Concept imagines an urban minicar that can travel up to 50 miles on a single charge. Now, we’re pretty certain that the new urban commuter will be a BEV version of the Toyota iQ when it hits markets in 2012.
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2009 Nissan GT-R called the Zele R35 GT-R Complete Edition

Unveiled today at the 2009 Tokyo AutoSalon, the production car is based on a prototype shown off at SEMA last year. Using carbon fibre for the body and titanium for the exhaust, the tuner has shaved weight from the car in almost every conceivable place.


Japanese tuners Zele International have released details of their modified 2009 Nissan GT-R called the Zele R35 GT-R Complete Edition. The carbon fibre menace has been tweeked out with an aero kit, bumpers, front and rear spoilers, and side skirts. The air ducts, grille, and side mirrors have also been revisited. Carbon fibre is also used for a roof.


But front and center is the engine tuning, which sees output increase to 550hp. Inside, Recaro seats covered in Alcantara have replaced the stock seats. The car itself sits on new 20-inch black alloys, which contain a large set of brake pads. An upgraded suspension is also included.


Only eight Zele R35 GT-R Complete Edition vehicles will be released. Pricing begins at 18,880,000 yen ($208,000). This is 3,130,000 yen ($34,500) more expensive than Nissan's GT-R SpecV. Delivery of the Zele R35 will begin in March.


And if you do not want the bright orange colour choice, Zele says that is no problem. The company offers to create and mix any metallic or pearl colour their customers desire.
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Gorgeous cars and models in Tokyo Auto Salon

A model poses next to Mazda Motor Corp's new Mazda Axela at Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo, January 9, 2009. The annual auto show, which showcases custom cars, will be held until Sunday


Models pose next to Smart Fortwo Cabrio mhd, a customized vehicle, displayed at Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo January 9, 2009.


A member of staff polishes the Toyota Motor Co.'s custom vehicle iQ x Verbal at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, east of Tokyo January 9, 2009.
Xinhua

Mitsubishi to supply i Miev EV to Peugeot starting in 2010

The i MiEV system is based on the concept of a plug-in electric vehicle that's powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Mitsubishi's own version, said to have a range of about 160km (100 miles) when fully charged, will debut in Japan this summer.


As part of its Step Up 2010 plan, Mitsubishi Motors is going to be supplying electric-powered vehicles to the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group from as early as 2010. The cars will be based on Mitsubishi's i MiEV (In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) passenger car product line. As many as 10,000 units a year could find their way into the PSA lot by 2011.


PSA wants to move quickly on the electric vehicle deal since the French government is giving subsidies of up to €5,000 and tax breaks to people who purchase electric cars. The deal would be on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis. Speculated pricing for the i MiEV in Japan is about 2 million Yen (€16,000).

Meanwhile Japanese rival Nissan is busy developing its own electric cars alongside France's second-biggest, the Renault SA Group.
via:World Car Fans



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Honda Cancels All Sportscars Development Projects - including S2000 Successor

Honda has put an end to the next generation Honda S2000 in a restructuring plan meant to flex the company's green muscle while bringing them back to basics. A halt to the S2000 will no doubt leave many fans of the roadster disappointed.


Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has made company objectives clear: 500,000 hybrids built by 2012, including the Honda Insight and the 80mpg Honda Jazz. It is too bad they could not figure out a way to keep the Honda S2000 in the fold. Hopefully, they will take another look at the project when the economy recovers.


The plan was first announced in an end-of-the-year speech by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui. In that speech, he directly addressed the need to cut projects like the Honda NSX (Acura NSX, in America), as the need to be sustainable outweighed the demand for sports cars. The new direction was a result of the rapidly declining economy, and sudden -yet massive- fluctuations in oil pricing. Fukui believes products that larger audiences want, and are capable of paying for, will insulate the company from any more exposure to a global economic crisis.
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2009 Scion xB RS 6.0 announced with pricing

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 7, 2009 -- Scion announced today that its first limited-production vehicle for 2009, the xB Release Series 6.0 (xB R.S. 6.0), will be available at dealer showrooms in February.

Only 2,500 units of the xB RS 6.0 will be built. The xB RS 6.0 model will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1,743 over the base price of the xB. The base MSRP for the standard xB with a manual transmission is $15,750, while the standard xB with an automatic transmission model carries a MSRP of $16,700. The available Absolutely Red spoiler has a MSRP of $320, not including installation.
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Nissan GT-R Spec V revealed

Nissan wishes to let Godzilla roar one more time with the internet reveal of the new Nissan GT-R Spec V edition. You have seen the spy shots and you have seen the spy videos across the web but now you can see the modified Godzilla GT-R in this recently released photo.

What makes this Spec V Nissan GT-R so special? Well for one under the hood there is a new high gear boost control device made specifically for the Spec V which "momentarily increases boost of the engine's twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy."
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Eliica 8-wheeler EV Pursues Speed Record and Production

The thought that the Eliica pulls off like a pregnant snail because of its size would be a gross underestimation. Considering that each of the 8 wheels contains an electric motor that produces 60kW (80hp), you begin to understand how the Eliica is capable of 0 - 60mph time of under 4 seconds, a top speed of 250mph (402km/h) and a range of 200 miles (321 km). However, no details on its cornering ability were forthcoming.


Could one say an eight-wheel car is twice the car any normal one is? A team of Japanese engineers seems to think so. Dr.


Hiroshi Shimizu and his team have built this monster of a four-door called Eliica which runs on lithium-ion batteries.


Shimizu-san initially developed the car in 2003. Two examples of the four-seater Eliica currently exist as the team attempts to get sponsorship to build more.


That may happen as the Japanese government's interest in electric vehicles grows. If and when that happens, 200 units will be made for a price of around USD $255,000.
via:World Car Fans



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Branew_ Nissan 370Z Tuning Package

At the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon that runs from January 9 to 11, Japanese tuning firm Branew will launch a complete performance package for the freshly revealed Nissan 370Z.


Branew's tasty exterior kit that will also be available in carbon-fiber, consists of a front spoiler, side steps, rear spoiler and a rear wing. The sport coupe's looks are complemented by a set of multispoke alloys that will be offered in various sizes.


Performance-wise, Branew has developed a new sports exhaust system and reprogrammed the 3.7-liter V6's ECU. In terms of handling, the Japanese tuner has upgraded the 370Z's brake system and added a new sport suspension kit. Further details will be released with the car's debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January.
Source: carscoop

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2009 Honda Insight Leaked Brochure Includes Sporty Modulo Version

2009 Honda Insight Hybrid Sedan The brochure that was uploaded on the Honda enthusiast site called Temple of Vtec also reveals a picture of the Insight Modulo. For those wondering, Modulo is the name Honda gives to jazzed-up versions of factory-designed cars. The accessorized Insight pictured above features a sporty bodykit with a front spoiler that incorporates an extra set of (fog?) lights, side skirts, a rear apron and larger alloy wheels. Finally, we also learn from the leaked brochure that the JDM Insight will be offered in three trim levels, G, L and LS.


Despite Honda's attempts to keep a tight lid on any information concerning the new Insight hybrid sedan, a set of scans from the official Japanese market model (JDM) brochure have been leaked online, two weeks before the car's worldwide premiere at the Detroit auto show on January 11. Honda had released a three-quarter front shot of the production version but the brochure scans give us our first glimpse of the 2009 Insight's more conservatively styled rear-end along with the hybrid's interior which remains for the most part unchanged compared to the Paris Show Insight Concept.


Another site called 'Insightman' posted a more detailed article with plenty of data sourced from an unnamed Japanese car magazine that supposedly gathered the information from a product preview meeting for Honda dealers in Japan. We've included the 'spec-sheet' of the JDM Insight below, but since it's unofficial info from an unnamed source, we wouldn't take it too seriously.


As for the information that Honda has verified up until now, the production Insight will be equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain developed from the one found in the Civic IMA, combining an electric motor with a small displacement petrol engine and a CVT gearbox. The Insight will go on sale worldwide in the spring of 2009 with U.S. prices said to start from around $18,000 to $19,000.

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