Daihatsu's Funky Little D-X Roadster

For this season's Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu introduced along a modern new idea for a multi-purposes kei car line known as the D-X ("d-cross").

While the car found at the Western brand's unit is a two-seater roadster, Daihatsu says that its can be quickly altered into different kinds of designs by changing or including elements on its resin-based shape.

Among other shape variations, the D-X can be developed into a shooting-break-like hatchback with a tough top, a two-door cross-over and a light and portable weekend-racer.

As you can see in the images, Daihatsu's roadster style is incredibly sleek and stylish gauging just 3,395mm long, 1,475mm in size and 1,275mm in level, with a wheelbase of 2,230mm.

Power for the D-X comes good manners of Daihatsu's 0.66-liter two-cylinder engine with direct-injection and turbocharging technological innovation, with the Western car maker saying that it "strikes a stability between the joy of generating and fuel-efficiency."

PHOTO GALLERY

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Volvo to downsize engines in 2013; ponders diesel for U.S.

Engine downsizing is considered an effective method for reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency and that’s precisely why many automakers have developed smaller mills to replace older, larger motors. Kia,Volkswagen, Fiat, Audi and many others already announced their intentions to introduce downsized enginesin upcoming models. We can now add Volvo to the ranks of automakers developing new low-displacement powerplants.

According to Autocar, Volvo plans to introduce downsized gas- and diesel-fueled engines across its model range beginning in 2013. The automaker is also eying the addition of clean diesels that displace less than two liters – including a 1.6-liter engine that puts out 113 horsepower – and is even discussing the possibility of importing oil burners here to the States. Volvo’s Chief Executive Officer, Stefan Jacoby, tells Autocar that the company is “taking a deep look at whether it will introduce the diesels to the U.S.,” though nothing has been decided yet.

What do you think – would bringing over a range of diesels help improve Volvo’s fortunes in the States?

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More details on Honda’s hotter CR-Z come to the fore

To hear Autocar tell it, Honda has confirmed that it’s working on a faster version of its disappointing CR-Zhybrid. Having suffered the slings and arrows of enthusiast who thought they were getting another CRX, Honda has said they will have a quicker version of the car out when the next-generation IMA hybrid system arrives.

They’re keeping mum about what engine the augmented CR-Z will rock, but speculation is that the new model will put down about 160 hp between its gas and electric powerplants. Honda R&D chief Tomohiko Kawanabe says the company is leaning away from a turbo engine because a naturally aspirated set up will work better with the hybrid drive.

Kawanabe also indicates Honda won’t let the power increase take away from the current car’s fuel efficiency and C02 production numbers, so expect most of the new power to come from an improved electric motor.

The as-yet unnamed sportier CR-Z is still at least a year away, which makes sense, as the new hybrid system isn’t expected on our shores until 2012, when it’s due in the new Civic. Watch for updates as details emerge.

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