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Honda CR-Z Concept

Honda debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe, at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. While the vehicle displayed at the show is a global concept with a rear seat, the production version that will be introduced to North America in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid that provides a personal driving experience for North American customers.

"The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand," said Erik Berkman, vice president of Automobile Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Beyond great styling and features, CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested a small car or a hybrid vehicle."

CR-Z will join the Insight and Civic Hybrid in the Honda hybrid lineup, each offering distinct benefits. Civic Hybrid, launched in 2003, was Honda’s first mainstream model to feature hybrid power. The 2010 Insight, introduced in March 2009, ushered in a new era of affordability for a hybrid family sedan. The CR-Z will break new ground as a sporty, hybrid coupe with unique value.

The production version of the Honda CR-Z will make its North American debut at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Images : Honda CR-Z Concept makes the world debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Images : Honda CR-Z Concept

[Source : HONDA]

SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT

TOKYO : October 21, 2009 - Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced the major highlights on the theme of ‘Take a Moment to Free Your Mind” at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009.

SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT (Concept car)

Concept

Subaru has condensed its DNA, developed over many years around the Subaru’s core technology of “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine”, into the integration of a luxurious and high-quality cabin atmosphere and an eye-catching sculpted body. The concept car features Subaru’s latest evolutions in handling agility, riding comfort and superior safety performance. It proposes Subaru’s vision of a future grand touring car that excels in environmental friendliness thanks to Subaru’s unique hybrid system.

Design and packaging

Exterior
Subaru imagined wings with a feeling of freedom and confidence for driving far and wide in any environment. A luxurious and comfortable cabin, and advanced driving performance are contained within a sculpted aerodynamic form. The design features a combination of bright, open glass areas with a solid, reliable body.

Interior

The original point of the ideal grand touring car is its interior design, featuring four independent and comfortably positioned seats. Passengers are enclosed within an atmosphere that provides a surpassing feeling of openness and stress-free reassurance, through the further pursuit of a human-centered philosophy, the essence of Subaru car design, and the incorporation of functions that are friendly to passengers.
The top of the dashboard is movable up and down to provide an optimal driving environment for the driver according to driving conditions.
A flat floor in the rear seat was achieved even with the implementation of AWD, for improved use and movement inside the cabin.
Specialized shielding is incorporated in the windshield to reduce eyestrain on the driver.
New leather covering developed with superior breathability and a ventilation function is used in the seats for improved comfort and texture.

Mechanisms

In addition to refinements to Subaru’s core technology such as Symmetrical AWD and Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine, further enhancements were made for improved environmental friendliness, driving performance and high safety performance by offering a next-generation power unit system and advanced safety technologies.

Next-generation power unit system

2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine
The Horizontally-Opposed turbo gasoline engine, with a reputation for powerful acceleration, is combined with a direct fuel-injection system for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, and improved torque and response in practical range. This evolution in Subaru turbo technology excels in both environmental friendliness and engine performance.

Lineartronic (CVT)

Lineartronic, Subaru’s new generation automatic transmission, achieves further improvements in both fuel efficiency and driving performance by reinforcing parts for use with the high-power output of a turbo engine.

Hybrid system

To further enhance the appeal of the Symmetrical AWD system, this unique hybrid two-motor system features a power/drive motor in the front and a drive motor in the rear.
At start-up and extremely low speeds when fuel efficiency is low, such as when driving the car into a garage, the rear motor is used primarily to allow driving without utilizing the power of the engine.
During normal driving, the front engine is primarily used. The direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline mated with the Symmetrical AWD offers a whole new, Subaru driving experience.
During acceleration, the rear motor assists the driving power of the engine to achieve advanced driving performance.
Further, when accelerating uphill, the front motor, which is normally used as a power generator, assists to drive the front axle for improved performance.
The implementation of a non-idling function that stops the engine when the car comes to a halt reduces unnecessary fuel consumption.
The use of a high-performance lithium battery is based on experience and know-how achieved with the Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle, launched this summer. This includes the use of a precise energy management system and regenerative brake controls, for improvements in excellent fuel efficiency.

SUBARU HYBRID TOURER CONCEPT : Major specifications

Length x Width x Height: 4,630 x 1,890 x 1,420mm
Engine type: 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine
Max output of Motor: 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear)
Transmission type: Lineartronic
Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motors assist
Battery type: Lithium-ion battery

EyeSight + (plus)

Subaru has integrated its unique driving assist system, EyeSight, with vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology. EyeSight includes an assist collision prevention support system that uses its unique stereo camera technology to recognize a wide range of driving environments. This next-generation driver assistance system provides improved safety and peace-of-mind for passengers, and represents a major evolution in collision detection performance.

The advanced environment recognition performance of EyeSight, using a stereo camera and a specialized 3D image processing engine, excels at pre-collision safety through the recognition of both pedestrians and cyclists as well.
Wide-ranging driving conditions that cannot be covered by a stereo camera alone are acquired through vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology, which is then synchronized with EyeSight for a further evolution in preventative safety. Specifically, this system continuously detects vehicles that move into and out of blind spots, and advises the driver on appropriate driving maneuvers.

EyeSight Functions

Cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function
Pre-collision braking control
AT mis-starting prevention control
Lane departure warning system
Wander warning
Leading vehicle motion notification function

Subaru Plug-in Stella

Plug-in STELLA feat. BEAMS (Display model)

The Subaru Plug-in STELLA featuring BEAMS, developed based on the Subaru Plug-in STELLA launched this summer, offers a playful design by BEAMS, renowned specialty store, that enhances the joy of using an electric vehicle.
The Subaru Plug-in STELLA electric vehicle (EV) combines the EV system with a compact and light body, for convenience in business use and advanced energy efficiency for daily commuting.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon

IMPREZA WRX STI CARBON (Display model)

Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line model with 5 speed automatic transmission that offers distinctive driving performance to a wider range of customers, the Subaru Impreza WRX CARBON features the use of carbon material in the roof to achieve both a significant weight reduction and a lower center of gravity. In addition, the suede fabric used in the interior enhances driving excitement and pride of ownership.

Subaru Exiga 2.0 GT STI

EXIGA 2.0GT tuned by STI

SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL inc. (STI), which manages Subaru motor sports activities, offers its latest proposal for a new seven-seater sports concept based on the multi-passenger Subaru EXIGA 2.0GT turbo model. The finely-tuned body and chassis elements ensure responsive and sporty handling for all drivers. In addition, the basic black sporty interior has a luxurious texture.
This model integrates distinctive driving performance proposed by STI with the EXIGA’s touring seven-seater concept, and is a proposal for new value in the minivan market.

Lineartronic (CVT) cutaway model

Lineartronic (CVT) cutaway model (Technology exhibit)

Lineartronic is a new generation transmission of Subaru first made available in the all-new Legacy and Outback. Lineartronic is the first longitudinally mounted chain-type CVT system for AWD production vehicles, combining the advanced transmission efficiency and infinite variability between the highest and lowest available ratios, helping to keep the engine operating in its most efficient range, with smooth acceleration, quick shift response, and superior fuel efficiency.
EyeSight featured in EXIGA 2.0GT EyeSight model (Technology exhibit)

Subaru’s advanced technology places the highest priority on safety in any environment. The EyeSight advanced safety device is a driver assistance system that excels at pre-collision safety through the use of a stereo camera and a 3D image processing engine that detect both pedestrians and cyclists as well. This system includes functions that rely solely upon the stereo camera, such as pre-collision braking and AT mis-starting prevention control, as well as functions that reduce driving load, such as cruise control with all vehicle speed range tracking function.

Video : Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept