Mazda regenerative braking system

Mazda has developed a vehicle regenerative braking system that reduces fuel consumption by 10% and will showcase their new i-ELOOP system in the TAKERI concept car, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. The TAKERI concept is the next-generation mid-sized saloon that also features a range of SKYACTIV Technology and the Japanese company’s “KODO-Soul of Motion” design theme.

A regenerative braking system uses an electric motor or alternator to generate electricity as the vehicle decelerates, which then recovers a proportion of the vehicle’s kinetic energy, to power climate control systems, audio and numerous other electrical components. The capacitor in the i-ELOOP system can also store large volumes of generated energy as well.

In stop-start driving conditions, Mazda is estimating the new i-ELOOP system (working in conjunction with Mazda’s “i-stop” idling stop technology) will cut fuel consumption by 10%. The name i-ELOOP stands for “Intelligent Energy Loop” and the first Mazda vehicle in the UK market to feature the full range of SKYACTIV technologies will be the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV, which should be launched in the spring of 2012.

Nissan Juke Nismo Concept

Nissan unveiled the Nissan Juke Nismo Concept at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show and gave an idea of how a premium sports version of their highly popular compact crossover might look. The Nissan Juke Nismo is lower, wider and has a tougher stance than the standard Juke and certainly looks like a performance car.

The car is finished signature Nismo colours of pearl white with red highlights and wears a body kit created by the Nismo aerodynamic specialists, who have already honed their skills on perfecting racecars. New parts on the Juke Nismo include a revised bumper front and rear, wider fenders and sill side skirts.

The grille style has also been changed and the tailgate spoiler has been modified with the addition of side elements to control airflow more efficiently, plus stylish 19-inch alloy wheels finish off the car outside. The chassis has been lowered and stiffened and power comes from a 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine, which has also been uprated for more power and performance.

Inside the Juke Nismo Concept has special leather-trimmed buck seats, a red dial and needle has been added on the tachometer and all the other components such as the steering wheel, pedals, gear shift knob, gauges and door trims have also been completely re-designed.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe SUV

Volkswagen has revealed their new Cross Coupe SUV concept at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show and this all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid shows how a crossover, a four-door coupe and an SUV might look. This is also the first Volkswagen to showcase a new stage in Volkswagen engineering design with Volkswagen’s new “modular transverse matrix” (MQB).

The concept is longer than a Golf at 4,345 mm, but shorter than a Tiguan. The width is 1,868 mm and the height is 1,523mm and places this new concept in the popular A-segment class. It also promises good off-road credentials with a 24.2 degrees front angle approach and at the rear, 32.5 degrees and also has good off-road clearance.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe SUV

The four-seat Cross Coupe has a distinctive, Volkswagen design and is powered  by two electric motors (one front and one rear) and a TSI direct injection turbo petrol engine. With 265PS on tap the Cross Coupe reaches 0-62mph in just 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 125mph, plus it can travel 40 miles on pure electric power.

Toyota GT 86

Toyota will unveil the eagerly waited Toyota GT 86 four-seater sports car at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show with a return to its sporting roots. The Toyota GT 86 has a 197bhp Subaru horizontally opposed, front mounted, 1,998cc petrol engine, coupled with Toyota’s D-4S injection technology, powering the rear wheels of the car.

It has MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear and rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, with ventilated disc brakes fore and aft. The car comes with either a six-speed slick manual transmission or six-speed automatic with paddle shift operation on the steering wheel and is an entirely driver-focussed, compact sports car.

Toyota GT 86

The lower grille has a “scorpion” look giving the GT 86 a powerful appearance and the rear spoiler, twin exhausts and the “86″ piston logo all convey the power of this new sports car. Inside the steering wheel is trimmed in buckskin for best performance and grip and the instrument cluster is arranged around a large tachometer.

The driver-focus of the cockpit is further enhanced by carbon-effect trim, all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation style rocker switches and lightweight aluminium pedals. The Toyota GT 86 should go on sale in June next year when full details on pricing, vehicle specifications and accessory options will be released.

BMW ActiveHybrid 5

BMW is taking the next-generation BMW ActiveHybrid technology, new four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo and a six cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW BluePerformance technology, to the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show in December.

The star of the BMW stand is the world premiere of the new BMW ActiveHybrid 5 (sedan) saloon which offers a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine coupled to an electric drive system, eight-speed automatic gearbox and a lithium-ion battery. The new BMW ActiveHybrid 5 also comes with a new intelligent energy management system that works in tandem with the navigation system, to prepare how the car performs and drives in advance of upcoming road conditions.

BMW 1 Series Sport Line

The next generation four-cylinder petrol engines will be on show in the new BMW 1 Series and BMW X1 xDrive20i, with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology on display in the new BMW 6 Series Coupe. The advanced diesel technology will be showcased in the BMW X5 xDrive35d with its BluePerformance diesel package and AdBlue system combining a sporty, commanding appearance with its powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine.

Small Sports EV Concept

Honda is planning to unveil three new car concepts, three motorcyle concepts and one power product concept at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, which takes place at Tokyo Big Sight between the 3rd and the 11th December 2011.

The three car concepts are as follows;

1. Small Sports EV Concept -  next-generation EV sports model.
2. AC-X - next-generation plug-in hybrid offering comfortable urban and long distance motoring.
3. Micro Commuter Concept - A micro-sized electric city car, featuring a HONDA MOTOR COMPO (two-wheel EV) slotted inside the vehicle.

In addition Honda will also show off the “N Concept”, a new mini type of vehicle plus the latest production models of the Accord, Insight, Jazz and CR-Z.

PIVO 3

Nissan is showcasing the PIVO 3, its eight EV concept, at the forthcoming 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, which is the next concept after the PIVO 1 and PIVO 2. The Nissan LEAF is their compact hatchback but the PIVO 3 is an ultra-compact city commuter and Nissan is targeting singles and couples who like living in and enjoying an urban lifestyle.

This car has loads of innovative features and with its Automated Valet Parking (AVP), parks itself in specially-equipped parking lots, recharges itself or sells its extra power to the grid. When you have finished your shopping or visit, just call the PIVO 3 and summon it your location using a smartphone!

The car is remarkably compact at 3 metres in length, sits 3 people in a 1+2 layout and can perform a u-turn in a road that is only 4 metres wide, with a zero turn gap. Its electric power and by-wire control technology offers much more freedom in the layout of the car and downsizing (or elimination) of many mechanical parts.

Outside the PIVO 3 has bold styling with extended front bumpers, long body lines and has a narrow track width. Inside the car has side-view monitors instead of mirrors, using Nissan’s Around View Monitor system. The carefully stitched leather and silver-hued trim combine in a “snow white” and “EV blue” colour scheme to offer a high quality ambience.

The award is in recognition of the technical advances that Toyota has made with the third generation Prius, which delivers more power with even better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, from its full hybrid powertrain.

i MiEV at Tokyo

The all-electric car, the Mitsubishi i MiEV, has won the Japanese Car of the Year “Most Advanced Technology” award at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car was praised for its high-performance lithium battery technology and for achieving early mass production.

The car was available in Japan from July of this year, with all 1,400 units already sold and 900 additional orders already placed for 2010. European production is due for October 2010 and Mitsubishi car leasing prices on this new all-electric car will be available shortly after.

Caterham Superlight R300

Caterham Cars will be one of just three European manufacturers who will be exhibiting at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. Japan has always been fascinated with innovative British design and Caterham has been selling their cars there since the 1970s.

They will exhibit three of their newest cars, the Superlight R300 EU4, the world premiere of the CSR 175 EU4 and the Roadsport EU4. All three have passed Japan’s stringent import regulations and the company is hoping to sell even more cars in 2010.