Autoblog

Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept hints at future SUV design

Zach Bowman — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, SUV, Tokyo Motor Show, Volkswagen

Volkswagen will unveil a new CUV concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show this week. The Cross Coupe concept is the first vehicle, concept or otherwise, that we've seen ride on the company's new modular transverse matrix architecture. More importantly, it may give us an indication of what to expect from the next generation of Volkswagen SUVs.

The Cross Coupe is smaller than the current Tiguan and offers a unique all-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain with two electric motors (one for each axle) and a direct-injection, turbocharged gasoline engine. The system has a maximum output of 262 horsepower with the engine and one electric motor sharing propulsion duties up front, and a second 114-horsepower electric motor powering the rear axle when driving conditions require all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen managed to fold the vehicle's lithium-ion battery pack into the transmission tunnel where the driveshaft would typically reside. This design allows for a low center of gravity and plenty of interior space, as well. VW says Cross Coupe weighs in at 3,854 pounds with a full tank of fuel. Even with all of that heft, it can travel up to 25 miles on pure electric power while dashing to 60 miles per hour in around seven seconds.

Follow the jump for the full press release and stay tuned for our coverage of the Cross Coupe's live debut tomorrow at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Continue reading Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept hints at future SUV design

Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept hints at future SUV design originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota Fun-Vii is rolling, customizable weirdness

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric

The Tokyo Motor Show wackiness has officially begun, and the first far-out concept comes courtesy of Toyota and the Fun-Vii.

Forget custom paint jobs and vinyl graphics, the Fun-Vii lets you change the exterior design "with the same ease as downloading an application," allowing drivers to display everything from custom messages to flashy graphics through some manner of magical exterior display technology.

The same goes for the interior, which Toyota claims can be customized to suit the mood of the driver, with a variety of themes and an augmented reality function taking place of the traditional navigation system.

Less far-out is the incorporation of a "navigation concierge" that provides up-to-the-second driving and multimedia information through a virtual assistant. And naturally, the Fun-Vii interfaces with both your smartphone and other road users, adding both a safety and social element to the driving experience.

We'll be getting an eye-full of the Fun-Vii on Wednesday, but in the meantime, get the minimal details in the press release below the fold.

Continue reading Toyota Fun-Vii is rolling, customizable weirdness

Toyota Fun-Vii is rolling, customizable weirdness originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi to preview next TT at Tokyo Motor Show?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Audi, Luxury

When the first Audi TT hit the market in 1998, its design was nothing short of revolutionary. The current model (pictured above in RS form), while dynamically superior, has been mainstreamed a bit, going with a more evolutionary approach. But now, rumor has it that Audi is preparing to launch an all-new third-generation model at the rapidly approaching Tokyo Motor Show, and our interests our piqued.

Little in the way of details is known as to the direction Audi is preparing to take with the new TT, but sources expect it to go slightly upmarket in order to make room for a smaller, less costly R4 mid-engined sportscar. The TT, however, is expected to retain its front-engine, all-wheel-drive layout. Stylistically, we'd expect the new TT to adopt some of the design cues laid down by recently concept cars like the Quattro from last year.

Audi, for its part, is staying mum on the subject, announcing the five-door A1 Sportback as its major debut for the Japanese expo. Whether a new TT - be it in concept form or production-ready - will join it remains to be seen.

Audi to preview next TT at Tokyo Motor Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Prius C revealed among Toyota lineup for Tokyo Motor Show [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric

We've heard the argument before: Why get a big hybrid when a small hatchback can, in real-world conditions, post similar fuel economy figures. And to them, Toyota answers with the new Prius C.

Smaller than the existing Prius, the Prius C will launch at the rapidly approaching Tokyo Motor Show and makes its U.S. debut shortly after at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The nimble Prius C is about the size of a Yaris but packs a hybrid drivetrain, coupling an as-yet undisclosed "high-output" electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. Destined to be called the Aqua in the Japanese Domestic Market, the hybrid hatchback also boasts a low center of gravity for better handling and luggage space. Compared to the standard Prius, the lower weight and smaller, less powerful engine in the Prius c will result in better-than-Prius fuel economy. Toyota says it will achieve over 50 miles per gallon in the city, the highest city fuel economy for any non-plug-in vehicle.

Of course the Prius C isn't the only debut Toyota has in store for Tokyo, as the production FT-86 - also boasting a low center of gravity thanks to a Subaru-sourced boxer engine mounted low in the frame - is set to bow at the Japanese expo as well. But Toyota isn't stopping there. It also has three environmentally-friendly concepts in store as well.

The rather sleek FCV-R previews a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle that's targeted for a 2015 market launch. The FT-EV III previews the upcoming electric version of the iQ with a short-range battery-powered drivetrain. Finally Toyota is keeping its lips tightly sealed on the details of the Fun-Vii, a third concept car that hopefully has more to it than displaying flowers alongside its flank.

We'll have to wait until the show opens to find out more, but for now you can follow the jump for the full press release from Toyota and scope out the high-resolution images for a closer look at what TMC has got in store.

Continue reading Prius C revealed among Toyota lineup for Tokyo Motor Show [w/video]

Prius C revealed among Toyota lineup for Tokyo Motor Show [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mitsubishi rolls out new Mirage alongside Concept PX-MiEV II for Tokyo

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hybrid, Tokyo Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

With the Tokyo Motor Show coming up around the bend, Japan's automakers are preparing to roll out their best. And Mitsubishi isn't about to sit idly by.

The Tri-Diamond automaker has two major world debuts planned for its home-market expo: one production vehicle and one concept. The former sees the return of the Mirage nameplate - most prominently used in the 1980s - in place of the Colt with a new entry-level model. The basic five-door hatchback packs an economical 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with stop/start and a continuously variable transmission that will hit the Thai market first when it launches in March 2012.

Joining the new Mirage on the Mitsubishi stage will be the Concept PX-MiEV II, a plug-in hybrid crossover that joins the i-MiEV electric car and the Minicab-MiEV light-duty commercial vehicle in the company's expanding portfolio of electric vehicles. A 2.0-liter four-banger is coupled to a pair of 60-kilowatt electric motors to drive all four wheels through the Lancer Evo's S-AWC traction system to deliver comparable power to a 3.0-liter V6 while offering improved emissions and fuel consumption figures.

In addition to the usual battery-only and internal combustion generator modes, the PX-MiEV II also enables outdoorsy types to run portable appliances off the vehicle's battery packs. There's plenty more to digest in the press release, so hit the jump to check it out, and scope out both the Mirage and the Concept PX-MiEV II in the pair of galleries for a closer look.

Continue reading Mitsubishi rolls out new Mirage alongside Concept PX-MiEV II for Tokyo

Mitsubishi rolls out new Mirage alongside Concept PX-MiEV II for Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Wagon, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Design/Style

Many of us were big fans of the visuals of the previous-generation Subaru Legacy. While it was a little long-in-the-tooth by the time its replacement rolled around, it was a pretty slick little number. The current Legacy may be more advanced than the model it replaced, but we've never warmed to its look the way we did with the fourth generation model. That's why we're encouraged by these preview images of this new concept.

At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Subaru will unveil the Advanced Tourer Concept seen here, together with its much-anticipated new BRZ coupe. We're hoping this is a glimpse at the next-gen Legacy wagon, as the Advanced Tourer Concept packs much more aggressive, muscular styling than the current model (we're also hoping that Subaru brings back the wagon bodystyle to North America). It's also possible that it will be a standalone model outside of the Legacy range.

The interior has been done up in all manner of luxury features, from lashings of leather and brushed aluminum trim to the panoramic glass sunroof and, intriguingly, an infotainment screen mounted right on the steering wheel.

There's also a new crash avoidance system based on two cameras mounted to the rearview mirror, but the bigger technological feature is the new in-house hybrid drivetrain that couples an electric motor to a 1.6-liter turbo boxer four to deliver the same output as a 2.0- or 2.5-liter but with better fuel consumption, driving all four wheels through a CVT. Like what you see? Check it out in the high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo

Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to bow in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mazda Takeri concept to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Noah Joseph — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Diesel

With the Mazda6 sedan on its last legs, the Zoom-Zoom automaker is rolling into its home exhibition at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with the Takeri concept you see here.

The midsize sedan concept adopts Mazda's latest Kodo design language in a conventional three-box shape that could provide a preview of what to expect from the next 6. The show car packs the company's SkyActiv-D diesel engine (a 2.2-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder with a lowered compression ratio for a 20% improvement in efficiency over a conventional oil-burner) with stop-start engine management and regenerative braking - a new feature for Mazda.

The Takeri show car will be officially unveiled (along with the CX-5 and Shinari concept that make their Japanese debuts) when the doors open at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center on November 30. In the meantime you can check out the images in our high-res gallery and read the full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Mazda Takeri concept to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Mazda Takeri concept to debut at Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM, Chrysler reportedly bail on Tokyo Motor Show

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Detroit automakers have never had much success in Japan's closed automotive market. That was no doubt a major contributing factor to the Detroit Three's decision to skip the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009, and at least two of the three apparently won't be back in 2011.

AutoWeek reports that General Motors and Chrysler have announced they will skip Tokyo later this year. Ford hasn't yet officially announced if it plans to participate in the event, and a company spokesperson reportedly told AW that the automaker hasn't "decided where the motor show sits in our priorities." The move makes sense considering weak sales in the country. GM sells only about 2,000 vehicles per year in The Land of the Rising Sun, while Ford reportedly sold 3,047 units in 2010.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association claims that most European automakers, including the German luxury makes, will participate in the event.

[Source: AutoWeek]

GM, Chrysler reportedly bail on Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Tokyo Motor Show downsizes again, moving back into city

Zach Bowman — Wed, 26 May 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Tokyo Motor Show, Earnings/Financials

According to The New York Times, the 42nd installment of the Tokyo Motor Show will continue to shrink next year. Organizers have decided to move the shindig to a new, smaller convention center that is closer to downtown Tokyo. The show hasn't actually been staged in downtown Tokyo in some 24 years. For 2011, the event will also run for just 10 days instead of the traditional 14, and the date has been moved from October to December. The changes have come after last year's event where multiple big-name automakers skipped Tokyo in favor of other higher profile auto shows.

Not too long ago, the Tokyo Motor Show was the largest automotive event in Asia, but it has since been eclipsed by the likes of China's Beijing Motor Show and Shanghai Motor Show events which alternate years. With high-end marks like Ferrari and BMW rushing to the wealth of new money in the People's Republic, odds are the Tokyo show won't recover anytime soon.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Tokyo Motor Show]

Report: Tokyo Motor Show downsizes again, moving back into city originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments