New Peugeot 508 at Paris Auto Show

Peugeot has decided to adopt a more elegant design its high-end model 508, leaving the nose and strange old Peugeot with a new design language more attractive. Volkswagen Passat Racing B7 and Kia Optima, which showed before, the 508 sedan is the first time that Peugeot attractive.

For consumers in Europe, the new 508 will be available next spring. Your choice of eight diesel engines are definitely strong, five units of diesel and three petrol options, while in 2012, Peugeot will launch a diesel-electric hybrid version using the same technology as the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover. Information for the powertrain and performance, see our previous article here.

What body styles go, there is a sedan and wagon. The new 508 is one of the best-looking mid-size car segment, it's really a shame that we can not something like the United States.

By Phil Alex

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Toyota Presents its First Minicar in Japan, the New Daihatsu-Based Pixi Space

Toyota has decided to enter Japan's popular minicar, or as it's locally known, "kei" car segment with the new Pixi Space, which is supplied by the firm's Daihatsu subsidiary under a minivehicle OEM agreement reached in September 2010.

The Pixis Space is offered in two distinct flavors the base model in "L" and "X" trims, and a sportier looking variant available as the "Custom X", "Custom G" and "Custom RS".

With the exception of the Custom RS that is powered by a more powerful 660c turbocharged engine, the rest of the lineup is offered with a naturally aspirated 660cc gasoline unit. All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.

Pricing for the Pixi Space starts at 1.12 million yen (US$14,700) for the base model and tops out at 1.611 million yen (US$21,145) for the Custom RS with AWD.

Up until now, Toyota was the only mainstream domestic player in the Japanese market to not be directly represented in the category leaving the "kei" cars to Daihatsu.

Under Japanese regulations, to belong in the "kei" car segment, a vehicle be must be powered by an engine with a displacement of less than 660cc (0.66-liters) and measure up to 3.4 meters (133.8-in.) long, 1.48 meters (58.3-in.) wide and 2 meters (78.7-in.) tall.

The advantages of owning a Kei car include lower taxes and insurance rates while they are also exempt from local requirements to verify that adequate parking is available for the vehicle.

 

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Rumors: New Lexus LFA Special coming to Tokyo Show while Toyota is Working on a Supra Successor

After losing ground globally to its main competitors, Toyota is on the offensive again. Not only are its plants starting to operate near their maximum capacity, it has also formulated a new strategy to recover as quickly as possible.

However, bread-and-butter models are not the only vehicles the Japanese automaker has in store for us. According to CAR Magazine, Lexus will launch a Tokyo Motor Show Edition of its LFA supercar at its home motor show in autumn.

This edition of the LFA, the second after the Nürburgring special, will sport an unpainted carbon roof and rear spoiler and will cost around €40,000 (US$54,500) more than the “normal” production model.

Meanwhile, the proposed open-top version of the Lexus LFA will not make it past the drawing board due to the current global economic climate.

Coming a little down to earth, Toyota is readying a successor to the Supra coupe of the ‘90s. Although the company has officially denied such a project even exists, the same sources insist that an unsanctioned RWD sports car is currently under development.

Toyota, which has abandoned the sports car segment for quite some time to focus on hybrids, is also said to be working on a front-wheel drive performance car that is expected to be a GTI-rivaling version of the CT200h hatchback.

Perhaps the biggest news, however, is that Japan’s number one car maker is contemplating moving away from naturally-aspirated, high-revving engines and follow the downsizing trend, adopting turbocharged units for its sports models.

 

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MINI Releases New Photos of Coupe Ahead of Frankfurt

The two-seater Coupe is the latest addition to MINI's growing range of models. We've already seen and detailed the pint-sized coupe model but today the British company updated its gallery with a fresh batch of photos.

According to MINI, its first-ever coupe model that will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show is not just revitalizing the brand’s racing history but also provides the firm with a contender in the sports car segment.

The MINI Coupe will be offered with the most powerful engines in the brand’s line-up. The base version is the 122HP MINI Cooper, followed by the 143HP C and the 184HP Cooper S, while at the top of the range sits the 211HP MINI John Cooper Works.

 

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