Toyota’s Fun-Vii Concept In Action [Photos And Video]

Toyota‘s Fun-Vii Concept debuted at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show featuring some very cool, futuristic technology. They dubbed the concept car as a smartphone on wheels, bragging about its exterior body that can be manipulated as a digital display.

But those that weren’t fortunate enough to be over in Tokyo when Toyota debuted the concept is now in for a treat. As much fun as it is trying to describe in words what Toyota aims to do with the Fun-Vii, it’s just a ton easier to show it in action through a video. In less than five minutes, Toyota shows off its smartphone integration, augmented-reality gaming, a holographic digital assistant and its vehicle-to-vehicle networking system in the video clip.
Toyota also touches on their future of electrified powertrains with wireless charging and autonomous driving mode. It might seem to be something out of a Tron movie, but we’re definitely excited to see how Toyota will pursue these concepts in future vehicles.
Check out the video after the break.

New Suzuki Teasers May Hint at Jimny / Samurai 4x4 Concept

After more than 13 years in production, Suzuki may be ready to begin work on a successor to the third generation of the Jimny 4x4 that was first introduced at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. While we remain short on details, Maruti Suzuki, which is a subsidiary of the Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer, published a set of teaser photos on its website that hint at a concept model for a small 4x4 to be revealed at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi, India, next month.
If that's the case, then it shouldn't be long before the concept gives its way to a much needed replacement for the aging Jimny.
The Jimny's predecessor was the Samurai, a small but capable off-roader that was offered in the United States from 1985 to 1995.

SUZUKI MARUTI CONCEPT

CURRENT SUZUKI JIMNY EU-SPEC

Juke Nismo Concept gets its Video Debut, Nissan Says it may Enter Production

Nissan has big plans for its in-house motorsports and performance arm, Nismo, as the Japanese company announced earlier today that it wants to use the sub-brand's expertise to create a variety of sports cars based on the company's mainstream models on a larger scale. We're going to get a taste of what this means for Nissan with the presentation of the Juke Nismo concept at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. 
 
Along with the first details and pictures that we shared with you on Monday, the Japanese company also published two videos that explain the idea behind the creation of the Juke Nismo while also offerings us a better look at the car.
In the video, Shoichi Miyatani, president of Nismo, also confirms that if the feedback for the modified Nissan Juke Nismo is good it could spawn a production version in the very near future 

VIDEO

Honda EV-STER Concept to Spawn a Production Model

It looks like the retro-styled N Concept 4 city car won't be the only Honda study displayed at this month's Tokyo Motor Show that will end up going into production as the Japanese carmaker's CEO Takanobu Ito told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport that the open-top EV-STER has also received the green light. The Honda boss revealed that the battery-powered, rear-wheel drive roadster could arrive in the market as early as 2012, adding that the company may also introduce more conventional version with a classic gasoline engine, without offering any more details.
However, it's only reasonable to assume that the gasoline model would be a hybrid matching an internal combustion engine with an electric motor.
At 3,570mm (140.5-in.) long, 1,500mm (59.0-in.) wide and 1,100mm (43.3-in.) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,325mm (92.5-in.), the tiny concept is marginally larger than Honda's 1990s mid-engined kei car, the Beat.
In conceptual form, the two-seater features an electric motor that draws energy from a 10kWh lithium-ion battery and powers the rear wheels. Honda said that the EV-STER could complete the zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5 seconds flat and reach a maximum speed of 160km/h (100mph).
The Japanese automaker also claims a driving range of around 160 kilometers (100 miles) and a charging time of under 3 hours using a 200V source and in less than 6 hours with a 100V source.

VIDEO

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