BMW will recall 2,231 vehicles sold in Korea for manufacturing defects that could cause overheating and fire in cooling pumps. Subject to the recall are Mini Cooper S models manufactured between March 1, 2007 and Jan. 18 of last year in its British plant.
The stunning Honda NSX Concept will make its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Highlighting the design and technology direction for Honda’s next generation supercar, the NSX Concept features a V6 mid-mounted engine and will employ a range of new technologies including the innovative Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) hybrid system. It is expected to go on sale within the next three years.
Nissan has revealed the first details of a head-turning hatchback concept which previews the company’s next generation compact car, a mainstream B-segment contender to be sold alongside the Micra city car and innovative JUKE B-segment crossover. Called INVITATION, the dynamic concept – which will be unveiled at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show (8-18 March) – shows some of the innovation and excitement promised for the new model, which is due to be launched in Europe from 2013. Combining advanced engine technology, Nissan’s acclaimed lightweight platform and an aerodynamically efficient body mean INVITATION achieves class-leading levels of fuel efficiency and emissions. Nissan is aiming for an ultra-low CO2 emission target of under 100g/km for the best model and with all versions eligible to wear Nissan’s Pure Drive badge.
Suzuki will establish a joint venture company, SMILE FC System Corporation (SMILE FC), for developing and manufacturing fuel cell system with Intelligent Energy Holdings PLC (IEH) of UK, a company which retains an affiliate company, Intelligent Energy Ltd. (IE) that develops the fuel cell system. Suzuki and IE have been developing fuel cell vehicles such as by exhibiting co-developed motorcycles equipped with air-cooled fuel cell system at the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, and earning Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) in March 2011 for Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter, the world’s first fuel cell vehicle to earn it.
Honda lost a lawsuit in a Los Angeles court Wednesday filed by Heather Peters, an American woman who said her hybrid did not get the fuel efficiency stated in its advertisements. The plaintiff, Heather Peters, said in the suit that while Honda claimed in advertisements that her car could achieve 21 km per liter, it managed less than 13 once the battery deteriorated. The Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Honda to pay $9,867 (about ¥750,000) in damages to Heather Peters, who sued for $10,000.The Los Angeles Superior Court verdict may have much larger implications for Honda as other Civic Hybrid owners may follow her example and sue Honda directly instead of opting to join a pending class-action lawsuit based on the same complaints.
Honda announced the key features of its 2012 motorsports program, including its motorsports strategy and initiatives for expanding the popularity of motorsports. For Honda, motorsports activities are the symbol of the company’s challenging spirit. Honda has aimed for the world’s top level from the days of its founding, taking on challenges in a variety of racing categories. With the know-how and challenging spirit cultivated through its motorsports activities, Honda will continue to expand our activities that meet customers’ expectations that bring more joy and excitement in the year 2012.
Toyota will launch the “86″ compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, which was exhibited at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 as a production prototype, on April 6 throughout Japan. The 86 was developed as a unique rear-wheel-drive vehicle, with intuitive handling, that embodies the essence of driving enjoyment and features the world’s first3 horizontally opposed D-4S (direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine, superior version) engine installed front mid-ship. Adoption of a package consisting of the world’s only 4 horizontally opposed engine coupled to an ultra-low-center-of-gravity (460 mm) rear-wheel-drive system offers fun driving at a level unprecedented in earlier sports cars.
At the 2012 International Motor Show in Geneva, Suzuki will exhibit a range of models with its latest technologies. These models are a clear statement towards a new phase of motorization, from the Japanese manufacturer who is an expert of compact car development. At the Geneva Motor Show 2012, Suzuki will premier G70- New vision for a compact car with minimized weight and elaborated aerodynamics. Suzuki G70 is just 730kg thanks to a clear focus on minimizing weight, and it has a drag coefficient at least 10% lower than that of current Suzuki A-segment models, thanks to uncompromising efforts to heighten aerodynamic performance. As a result, its CO2 emissions is as low as 70g/km (measured in the New European Driving Cycle) with a petrol engine. This model was exhibited as REGINA in Tokyo Motor Show 2011.
Yamaha Motor today announced the release of the Mio J 115cc automatic transmission commuter model to be launched on the Indonesian market in early February 2012. The Yamaha Mio J 115cc automatic transmission commuter model achieves 30% greater fuel economy compared to the previous model. The new Yamaha Mio J mounts a newly designed 115cc engine with fuel injection provided by the YMJET-FI system that helps achieve class-leading levels of fuel economy and cost performance. In addition, the design motif has been renewed with an S-line running through the body with styling that brings compactness, storage capacity and comfort together into one package.
Nissan began providing location information of Nissan LEAF in a tourism campaign for Japanese professional baseball spring training camp in 2012, Camploo – okinawa! Campaign 2012, organized by JTB Okinawa from today. With an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) system designed specifically for EV, Nissan LEAF owners are connected 24-7 to the services being provided by the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center an information control center, and the onboard Telematics Communication Unit (TCU). With the tour participants’ agreement, the vehicle location information is obtained through a constant connection between the vehicle and NISSAN CARWINGS DATA CENTER.
