Honda Micro Commuter

The 2013 Honda Micro Commuter prototype has been unveiled in Tokyo, symbolising the beginning of a new phase in the Japanese manufacturer’s electric vehicle development.

The second-generation prototype trades many of the futuristic elements of the original Micro Commuter concept from 2011′s Tokyo motor show, replacing them with a more practical, user-friendly design intended to be suitable for use on public roads.

Honda plans to begin testing the pint-sized Micro Commuter in Japan next year, establishing the potential of the short-range EV in a number of different environments and conditions, with a view to launching a new zero-emission production car suitable for Japan and Europe in the coming years.

At 2500mm long, 1250mm wide and 1445mm tall, the Honda Micro Commuter is 195mm shorter, 309mm narrower and 97mm lower than the Smart Fortwo.

A lithium-ion battery positioned under the floor spins a 15kW electric motor, which propels the sub-400kg Micro Commuter to its 80km/h top speed.

Honda says the prototype has a range of approximately 60km and can be recharged in less than three hours.

The Honda Micro Commuter features a McLaren F1-style central driving position, and can be arranged to accommodate either two children or one adult passenger in the rear.

Connecting an iPad or similar tablet device to the dashboard gives the driver access to all of the vehicle’s internal functions, including instruments and meters, audio, navigation and reversing camera display.

Solar cells on the roof recharge the tablet’s battery, and Honda says it is investigating the potential to harness solar energy to enhance the Micro Commuter’s driving performance.

Honda believes low-range EVs like the Micro Commuter have the potential to revolutionise personal transportation for a number of road users, including families with small children, senior citizens, home delivery services and car-share users.

When Supercar get Superclash

TOKYO: (Malay translation) Memandu dengan laju dikatakan penyebab beberapa buah kereta mewah bernilai AS$4 juta (RM12.54 juta) musnah dalam satu kemalangan jalan raya di sini, semalam.

Lapan Ferrari dan sebuah Lamborghini serta sebuah Toyota Prius adalah antara kenderaan yang terlibat dalam kemalangan itu. 

Menurut beberapa saksi, ia berlaku apabila satu daripada kenderaan yang dipandu laju, tergelincir di atas permukaan jalan yang licin.

Rakaman televisyen menunjukkan beberapa buah Ferrari, remuk kebanyakannya berwarna merah dan serpihan kenderaan berada di atas jalan sepanjang 400 meter di lebuh raya Chugoku, jalan utama ke selatan Honshu. 

Sekumpulan 20 kereta mewah bergerak dalam konvoi semalam di atas lebuh raya yang basah apabila kereta Ferrari yang menjadi ketua konvoi itu tergelincir ke arah pagar jalan, kata polis.

Pemandu yang di belakang, terus menekan brek tetapi sudah terlewat.

“Saya tidak pernah lihat kejadian begini. 

“Jarang kereta Ferrari bergerak dalam satu konvoi besar,” kata peronda lebuh raya, Leftenan Eiichiro Kamitani.

Kamitani berkata, lima lelaki dan lima wanita, cedera ringan akibat kemalangan itu.

 “Mungkin mereka memandu secara berpasangan,” katanya. 

“Kemalangan ini mungkin disebabkan memandu dengan laju tetapi kami masih menyiasat punca sebenar,” tambahnya lagi.

Toyota Prius dan sebuah lagi Toyota turut terlibat dalam kemalangan yang menyebabkan 14 kereta remuk teruk tetapi dipercayai bukan ahli konvoi itu. 

Tiga lagi kenderaan yang terlibat dalam kemalangan itu adalah kenderaan jenis Mercedes-Benz.

Menurut seorang saksi, “Mereka memandu selaju 140 hingga160 kilometer sejam. Salah satu daripada kereta itu berpusing dan menyebabkan kemalangan.”

Had laju di lebuh raya itu 80 kilometer sejam.

Satu daripada kereta Ferrari yang remuk adalah jenis F430 Scuderia, yang boleh mencapai kelajuan 320 kilometer sejam.

Honda EV-STER

Two-seater electric concept points towards a small sports car for the future.

HONDA’S rediscovered appetite for sports cars was confirmed when it pulled the wraps off its EV-STER concept at the Tokyo show. And insiders at the company claim that it is a spiritual successor to the firm’s much loved Beat.

The electric rear-wheel-drive two seater convertible makes use of lightweight materials to strip weight right down and deliver strong performance. Combined with its dimunitive dimensions – it’s only 3,570mm long– the low weight helps it to a claimed range of 160km (99 miles) on a single charge, and it can dispatch 0-60mph in five seconds.

A 10kWh lithium-ion battery with a maximum output of 58kW (79bhp) provides the power. Charging time from a 240V source would be under three hours. Unveiling the EV-STER, Honda boss Takanobu Ito said it was designed to “maximise the joy of driving”.

Toyota Fun-Vii

TOKYO - (Malay translation) Presiden syarikat Toyota Motor Corp, Akio Toyoda memperkenalkan kereta konsep futuristik yang memiliki bentuk menyerupai sebuah telefon pintar gergasi dalam satu majlis di sini semalam.

Dinamakan Fun-Vii, beliau menggelarkan kereta konsep tersebut sebagai "sebuah telefon pintar bertayar empat".

Kereta itu berfungsi seperti sebuah komputer peribadi dengan pemandunya boleh berhubung dengan orang lain dengan mengetuk panel pintu kereta tersebut.

Pintu kenderaan itu dilengkapi skrin besar dengan fungsi sentuh yang beroperasi seperti sebuah telefon pintar.

"Sebuah kereta perlu mempunyai daya tarikan," kata Toyoda.

Beliau turut memperkenalkan sebuah skuter yang boleh ditunggang sambil berdiri yang dinamakan Winglet pada majlis berkenaan.

Mazda 6 Takeri

Mazda has pulled the wraps from the car that’s set to replace the popular 6 in only 18 months’ time.

The four-door saloon concept will make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in December, and is called the Takeri.

We understands that hatchback and estate versions are also under development, but details remain scarce. However, Mazda has confirmed that the car follows its Kodo design philosophy, and features the new SkyActive-D 2.2-litre diesel engine that will debut in the CX-5 SUV in March.

The 173bhp 2.2-litre engine is all new, and will return around 60mpg. Revving smoothly to 5,500rpm, it can generate up to 400Nm of torque and promises strong in-gear acceleration.

As with the Minagi concept that previewed the CX-5, the Takeri is believed to be a close representation of the upcoming 6, and has been penned by chief designer Akira Tamatani.

By the time the newcomer reaches production, drivers can expect it to be lighter and tougher than the car it replaces, thanks to the use of lightweight, high-tensile steels. And Mazda’s SkyActive technologies should ensure it’s also better to drive.

The SkyActive approach sees every component reduced in weight, with special attention paid to the aerodynamics.

Mazda claims that this helps to save fuel, and also improves the handling. Sleeker, more attractive looks are another benefit.

The new 6 will also feature the company’s latest regenerative braking system, which will incorporate stop-start engine technology. In addition, it uses novel capacitors, which store electrical energy and use it to power the vehicle’s electrical equipment, including air-conditioning and headlights.

Toilet bowl cycle

16/10/2011 TOKYO - (Malay translation) Sebuah motosikal di Jepun menggunakan najis manusia sebagai sumber kuasa.

Ia yang dinamakan Motosikal Tandas Neo, dibina oleh firma tandas, Toto, dalam usaha membantu mengurangkan asap karbon dioksida sebanyak 50 peratus dalam tempoh enam tahun.

Dilengkapi tandas modifikasi dan makmal bergerak untuk memproses najis, kenderaan beroda tiga itu boleh bergerak selaju 80 kilometer (km) sejam.

Jika semua itu tidak cukup canggih, motosikal berkenaan juga boleh bercakap dan menulis mesej di udara dengan menggunakan sistem pengimejan cahaya.

Ia kini dipandu uji dalam sesi jelajah sejauh 960km di Jepun dan dijadualkan tiba di Tokyo pada 2 November ini. 

Pada awal tahun ini, seorang lelaki melakukan perjalanan sejauh 20,000km mengelilingi Australia dengan menaiki sebuah motosikal berkuasa lemak ikan dan jejari kentang.