Toyota Releases new Auris 2010 model range

On sale throughout Europe from early spring, the new Auris 2010 model range will make its European debut at this year's Geneva motor show.

Building on a solid reputation for roominess, comfort, practicality and reliability, the Auris 2010 combines marked improvements in exterior style, perceived interior quality and ergonomics with a wide choice of clean engine technologies and a more refined driving experience.


The Toyota Auris 2010 engine range features a choice of three petrol and three diesel units offering the performance- and economy-enhancing benefits of Toyota Optimal Drive. Complemented by the Auris HSD's full hybrid technology, this unique line-up will offer customers the most comprehensive range of powertrains in the C segment.
Source: Toyota

Honda Begins Operation of New Solar Hydrogen Station

Honda today began operation of a next generation solar hydrogen station prototype at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., intended for ultimate use as a home refueling appliance capable of an overnight refill of fuel cell electric vehicles.

Designed as a single, integrated unit to fit in the user's garage, Honda's next generation Solar Hydrogen Station has a reduced size, while producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting for a fuel cell electric vehicle.

The previous solar hydrogen station system required both an electrolyser and a separate compressor unit to create high pressure hydrogen. The compressor was the largest and most expensive component and reduced system efficiency. By creating a new high differential pressure electrolyser, Honda engineers were able to eliminate the compressor entirely - a world first for a home use system. This innovation also allows the size of other key components to be reduced, making the new station the world's most compact system, while improving efficiency by more than 25% (value calculated based on simulations) compared to the solar hydrogen station system it replaces.

Compatible with a "Smart Grid" energy system, the Honda Solar Hydrogen Station would enable users to refill their vehicle overnight without the requirement of hydrogen storage, which would lower CO2 emissions by using less expensive off-peak electrical power. During daytime peak power times, the Solar Hydrogen Station can export renewable electricity to the grid, providing a cost benefit to the customer, while remaining energy neutral.

Designed for simple, user-friendly operation, the intuitive system layout enables the user to easily lift and remove the fuel hose, with no hose coiling when the hose is returned to the dispenser unit.


Engineered for an 8-hour, slow fill for overnight refilling of a fuel cell electric vehicle, the home-use Solar Hydrogen Station would replenish enough hydrogen for typical daily driving distance, meeting the commuting requirements of many drivers. As with the previous generation system, the hydrogen purity from the new station meets the highest SAE (J2719) and ISO (14687) specifications.

Installed at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, the new Solar Hydrogen Station will employ the same 48-panel, 6.0kW solar array that powered the previous system. The array utilises thin film solar cells composed of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS) produced by Honda Soltec Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda that was established for the mass production and sales of solar cells capable of efficient renewable electricity generation. Honda's unique solar cells reduce the amount of CO2 generated during production as compared to conventional solar cells.

Designed to support the needs of the future owners of fuel cell electric vehicles, the Honda Solar Hydrogen Station was also designed to complement a public network of fast fill hydrogen stations. The Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle is capable of fast fill and offers driving range of 460 kilometres based on the European Driving Cycle. With fast fill public stations providing 5-minute fueling time for longer trips, and the opportunity of convenient nighttime slow filling at home using a solar station with a Smart Grid connection, the Honda FCX Clarity can cover a wide range of driving demands from the daily commute to weekend trips.

A key strategy in creating a solar hydrogen station for home-use was to create a new lifestyle with convenient, clean, energy-efficient and sustainable home refueling, by addressing the need for refueling infrastructure that can advance the wider use of fuel cell electric vehicles by consumers.

The combination of a fuel cell electric vehicle and the solar hydrogen station could help lead to the establishment of a hydrogen society based on renewable energy, resulting in a major reduction of CO2 emissions and greater energy sustainability.


Honda began operation of its first Solar Hydrogen Station at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas in 2001:

2001	3-unit system with hydrogen storage begins operation.
2003	New 2-unit system with an original Honda electrolyser and a new solar array utilizing prototype Honda CIGS solar cells offers improved system efficiency.
2008	Solar array fitted with mass production CIGS cells from Honda Soltec Co., reducing the size of the array by 20% and further improving photo voltaic (PV) energy efficiency.
2010	New single-unit station begins operation, improving to world’s best system efficiency – increasing the efficiency by more than 25% (value calculated based on simulations) compared to the previous solar hydrogen station system, for a world’s highest system efficiency.

via:world car fans

2010 Geneva Debut: Pininfarina Teases Alfa Romeo Spider Concept Sketch

Pininfarina at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the first official image of the concept car

A 2-seater spider on Alfa Romeo basis, which will be unveiled on March 2nd at the Pininfarina stand, thus starting the celebrations for the 80th anniversary

Turin January 29th, 2010 - Pininfarina discloses the first official image of its new concept car, world debut on March 2nd at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Pininfarina new concept is meant to be part of the tradition of successful spiders born from the relationship with Alfa Romeo, among the most significant and long-lasting ones in the automobile history, and interprets the innovative vision of an antique theme strongly present in the Pininfarina roots, the 2-seater spider.

An iconic object that, binding with an ideal thread the past and the future of Pininfarina, starts the celebrations for its 80th anniversary, representing at the same time an homage to the Alfa Romeo 100th birthday.
via:world car fans

MINI JCW Dressed for the Challenge

More performance. More customisation. More MINI. Introducing the new and exclusive race-inspired MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition – bringing the MINI John Cooper Works even closer to the track.

In recognition of the pure pedigree that underpins MINI, the release of the MINI John Cooper Challenge Edition draws John Cooper Works even closer to the MINI CHALLENGE race car, both in its appearance and performance.


The MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition is powered by the same powerplant as the MINI CHALLENGE race cars; delivering 155kW from a twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Developing a maximum of 260 Nm of torque (280 Nm torque available during Overboost) the MINI John Cooper works propels from 0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds.


Exclusive to the Australian market, the John Cooper Works Challenge Edition includes the following features over the already highly optioned MINI John Cooper Works model: John Cooper Works aerodynamics package consisting of front, rear and side aprons, John Cooper Works Carbon spoiler, John Cooper Works Aluminium cross brace, John Cooper Works Alcantara and Carbon steering wheel, John Cooper Works Carbon gearshift knob with Alcantara shroud, John Cooper Works Carbon handbrake lever with Alcantara surround and unique Challenge Edition badging.


The Challenge Edition is available with all new MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop, Clubman or Cabrio models. Representing over $7,000 worth of value, the Challenge Edition is available for a strictly limited time as a $2,500 option.


A testament to the strength and success of the MINI Challenge race series, last year the sales of MINI John Cooper Works reach unprecedented heights, accounting for 26 percent of MINI Cooper S Hardtop sales and 10 per cent of the entire model range.

The 2010 MINI Challenge season kicks off in March with the categories debut at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.
More Photos

New marketing campaign for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG released

"Is it still a car?": The campaign for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Stuttgart - Pure fascination and high tech at the very highest level: with the new SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz is completely redefining the speed, driving dynamics and design of the super sports car. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Constructed primarily from aluminium, it tips the scales at just 1620 kilograms, which equates to 2.84 kilograms per hp - an absolute peak value in the super sports car segment, guaranteeing driving dynamics in a class of their own. With its gullwing doors, long bonnet and an instrument panel which is reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit, it embodies a powerful and passionate sportiness, coupled with exceptional elegance. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is an invitation to "take off" with all of the senses. This desire for a completely new driving sensation is also a highlight of the integrated marketing campaign which was launched at the vehicle's world premiere in September at the International Motor Show (IAA), and is gradually building up to its market introduction in the first quarter of 2010.

The marketing mix comprises all possible communication channels, with online activities in particular playing a key role. "It is immediately obvious that that this is the ultimate and most exciting sports car of all time", says Anders Sundt Jensen, Head of Brand Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The campaign is concentrating precisely on those elements which account for the excitement and passion of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: the unique design and the perfect high-performance technology. The underlying theme, "Is it still a car?", runs through all communication activities and channels."


Print advertising and TV spot

The design of the entire campaign is puristic, and features imagery which is both progressive and mildly mystical, but at the same time extremely dynamic. As such print advertising for example, which is being initiated from February 2010, depicts a red Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG striking a powerful pose on grey asphalt against a black backdrop. The visual motif is supported by a brief, meaningful message, such as "Oh Lord ..." or "A cockpit. An engine. Two wings. Is it still a car?", for example. The adverts will appear in daily newspapers and magazines.

The TV advert with Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion and MERCEDES GP PETRONAS driver, tells the story of an unusual experiment: The SLS AMG demonstrates its technical highlights from preparation and test phases to the realisation. The advert will make its debut appearance on 30 January 2010 on all major television channels with a 60-second roadblock, after which it will continue to run as a 45-second spot until the end of March.


Webspecial and social media activities

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has already had a presence on the Internet since its world premiere at the International Motor Show with a webspecial at www.mercedes-benz.com/sls-amg , which will now be extended further with the addition of an interactive guided tour of the AMG development plant. In addition, three editions of an online magazine will provide extensive information on the performance ("Milliseconds"), the lightweight construction ("Milligrams") and the design ("Millimetres") of the SLS AMG.

The vehicle is also to be found on a variety of social media platforms. For example, Mercedes-Benz has launched a reporter blog at www.sls-amg-reporter.de, where car enthusiast Matthew K. is posting reports, pictures and video clips of his travels as an SLS AMG reporter as he follows the global launch of the new gullwing. In addition to the reporter blog, Matthew K. is active on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/slsamg ) and Facebook, while fans of the Stuttgart automobile brand will also find that an official fan page on the world premiere of the vehicle has been set up within the Facebook social media community at www.facebook.com/MercedesBenz .

From the start of February 2010, enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy a new iPhone application called "SLS AMG", which has been designed to give players a taste of the new super sports car via 360° gameplay featuring the iPhone's innovative "accelerometer" technology. Furthermore, players will have access to several modes: they can either opt to play alone, or demonstrate their driving skills in races against other players from all over the world. The free application will be available for all iPhone models.

On top of all this, the campaign also comprises a variety of additional measures - from trade and dialogue marketing activities, right through to exclusive customer events. A particular highlight of the integrated communication is the new key visual for the international fashion activities of Mercedes-Benz, which was used for the first time during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in January 2010. British fashion photographer Nick Knight, together with designer Gareth Pugh, has captured the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and top model Julia Stegner in some spectacular shots.


Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in the new video game, Gran Turismo® 5

The gull-wing is not only expected to cause a stir on the roads with its breathtaking performance. The SLS AMG is also featured in the latest version of the PlayStation® 3 (PS3TM) game Gran Turismo® 5, scheduled for release in 2010. In this new video game, gaming fans and car enthusiasts alike will be able to enjoy an interactive driving experience first hand at the wheel of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in full HD quality thanks to extremely realistic rendering. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz gets to share a special honour: the super sports car will also grace the cover of Gran Turismo® 5 as the first vehicle from a German manufacturer in the history of the game series.
via:world car fans

2010 Chicago Auto Show: Honda Odyssey Concept To Debut

Honda revealed word on Wednesday that it will be showing us a concept version of what should be the 2011 Honda Odyssey at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show on February 10.

The 2012 Odyssey is expected to get a version of Honda's 3.7-liter V6 and a new six-speed automatic transmission. Also rumored is a possible hybrid variant.

The Odyssey is produced in Lincoln, Ala. The last major revision was for the 2005 model year. Look for the concept to gravitate toward production for 2011.



via:carscoop

Mazda Anniversary Editions of Axela and Biante in Japan

The Mazda Axela 90th Anniversary Special Edition is based on the four Axela grades that come with i-stop. It will be the first Mazda in the Japanese market with the exclusive exterior body color, Gunmetal Blue Mica. The Mazda Biante i-stop Smart Edition, also launched to celebrate Mazda’s 90th birthday, is based on the 20CS model grade. Its features include i-stop, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Mazda’s Advanced Keyless Entry System.

Main features of the Mazda Axela 90th Anniversary Special Edition

Mazda Axela 90th Anniversary Special Edition (Sport 20S)
Base models
Mazda Axela Sport 20C and 20S grades, Mazda Axela Sedan 20C and 20E (FWD) grades (all grades equipped with i-stop)
Special features
Special exterior body color, Gunmetal Blue Mica (new to models for the Japanese market)


Main features of the Mazda Biante i-stop Smart Edition

Mazda Biante 90th Anniversary Special Edition ‘i-stop Smart Edition’
Base model
Mazda Biante 20CS (FWD model)
Special features
i-stop
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system
Dual power sliding doors
Advanced keyless entry and start system (with answer-back function and automatic rear liftgate)


Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices of the 90th Anniversary special edition models

- A separate recycling fee is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above. (Sport 20C: 13,190 yen, 20S: 13,740 yen, Sedan 20C: 12,670 yen, 20E: 13,220 yen)
- DISI: Direct Injection Spark Ignition

Mazda Biante 90th Anniversary Special Edition ‘i-stop Smart Edition’

- A separate recycling fee of 14,590 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above.

- The exterior body color range consists of six colors. If the special body color Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).