Simona Alina
Filed in: Honda | 2007 | concept cars | Tokyo Motor Show

Honda will unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show, the PUYO Concept, a fuel cell vehicle which was designed based on out-of-box thinking to provide fun for both the vehicle owner and people around them as well.

"PUYO" is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the sensation of touching the vehicle’s soft body. It is meant to convey a warm, friendly impression.

The PUYO represents a new idea in mobility that brings together ‘clean’, ‘safe’ and ‘fun’ functionality in an environmentally responsible, people-friendly minimalist design featuring an ultra-high efficiency, small frame and fuel cell technology to please both users and onlookers alike.

Exterior design

The development theme for the PUYO exterior was to create a cornerless, ‘Seamless Soft Box’ form that is kind to both people and the environment. The goal was to create a personable design with the feel of an adorable pet, while taking advantage of the maximum spaciousness of the box-shaped design. The PUYO’s ‘gel body’ features soft materials to promote greater real-world safety. Moreover, the body has been made luminescent to guide people into the proper operating position and notify them of the vehicle’s condition, facilitating a more intimate relationship between people and their cars.

Interior design

Developed to have a ‘Silky Feel’, the PUYO’s interior is designed to provide a refreshing, people-friendly space imbued with a feeling of transparency. Features such as an instrument panel monitor, controls that take advantage of the elastic qualities of cloth to rise up when the vehicle starts up, luminous fluid meter displays, and a joystick for intuitive operation are all designed to gently support occupants’ senses and sensibilities.

Source: Internal

Source: www.topspeed.com

Toyota Corolla Rumion Launched (JA)

New compact hatchback

No, this is not the Scion xB but it is its sibling, the new Toyota Corolla Rumion. The boxy car will join the Corolla ranks in Japan starting today. Toyota is hoping to sell 3,500 units per month with prices starting at yen 1,680,000 (just over EURO 10,000 or USD 14,300) ranging all the way up to yen 2,310,000 (just under EURO 14,000 or USD 21,000).

The simple, box-like styling (Toyota calls the stylign theme 'relax in style') creates a unique yet simple interior space with a very specific exterior presence. The scion xB is in its second generation in the States and is returning 'home' to win the hearts of the Japanese. The high beltline is meant to give the occupants a feeling of being surrounded by comfort.

The Corolla Rumion is powered by either a 1.5-liter VVT-i engine or 1.8-liter Dual VVT-I (Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine. The 1.5 liter engine emits 143 g/km of CO2 (20% under Japanese regulations) and the 1.8 liter emits 151g/km of CO2 (beating national standards by 10%). You can expect all the usual safety features like SRS airbags, WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) front seats, an advanced GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) collision-safety body, Eco Driving Indicator lights, Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) and Smart Entry & Start System among others.

Press Release

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today the nationwide launch in Japan of the "Corolla Rumion", a new compact hatchback.

The Corolla Rumion, designed under the theme of "Relax in Style", maintains the basic performance for which the Corolla name is known, while adopting a new appeal that resonates with drivers who value individuality and youthfulness.

The Corolla Rumion features simple, box-like styling that expresses familiarity and composure while creating a unique presence. A new compact vehicle with a roomy interior that envelops passengers in comfort, the Corolla Rumion offers a relaxing, smooth and pleasant ride to all occupants. Designed for individualized use, it is suitable for a wide variety of lifestyles.

The boxy silhouette formed from vertical and horizontal lines and unique yet simple interior and exterior designs emphasizes individuality. The roomy interior, designed for numerous applications, has a high beltline to create a feeling of being surrounded by comfort. In addition, the 1.5-liter and 1.8-liter engines and rigid body provide outstanding cruising performance and environmental and safety performance at the top levels of its class.

• Monthly Sales Targets in Japan: 3,500 units
• Assembly Plant: Iwate Plant, Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices

(Prices in Hokkaido and Okinawa differ; unit: yen)

Engine Transmission Powertrain Grade Price1(including
consumption tax)

1NZ-FE
(1.5 liter)

Super CVT-i2 Front-engine,
front-wheel drive X 1,680,000 2ZR-FE
(1.8 liter)   G 1,780,000   Aero Tourer 1,910,000 Front-engine,
front-wheel drive   S 1,950,000   Aero Tourer 2,100,000 Four-wheel drive   S 2,160,000   Aero Tourer 2,310,000

1. Prices listed do not include recycling fees.
2. Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent

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Source: www.worldcarfans.com

Spied Ford Fiesta True to Verve

The next-generation Ford Fiesta has been snapped again by our spy photographers, this time undergoing testing at Ford's Cologne-based Development Centre on the lonely roads surrounding Germany's Nurburgring. Despite wearing heavily-applied bodygear and faux panels, its bulky physique does however reveal the Mark VIII Fiesta's affinity to September's Verve Concept, premiered at the Frankfurt Show.

Based around Ford's increasingly prominent European-flavoured 'kinetic' design approach, the next Fiesta will incorporate many of the Verve's aesthetic delights from its elongated 'feline' lights, to its swept profile and poised rear hatch, however the camouflage exposes just as many subtle modifications since concept form.

At the front, the Fiesta adopts the Verve's stylish grille shape, although loses the detailing as seen on the concept car. A honeycomb mesh is favoured over the Verve's sleek, horizontally-aligned chrome lower grille slats. 'Feline' lights stretch up the car's side front panel while the A-pillar appears to flow raised onto the bonnet towards the front end - producing a more alluring hood panel, much like the Verve.

Departing the previous-generation's box-design, the new Fiesta is a combination of curves and sharp lines, remaining dynamically faithful to its concept car. The raked roofline culminates in the addition of a rear tailgate spoiler with third-light, although the camouflaged monstrosity of a spoiler is vastly different to the subtle version which will sit atop the production car. The rear lamps are transplanted from the stand to the showroom floor in all but the concept car's red tint, traversing up the beltline rather than a vertical alignment as on the current model.

A line-up largely identical to that of the present range's will be on offer, with petrol engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.6-litres. Two TDCi diesel powertrains will also be available, while the addition of a 1.6-litre TDCi Fiesta ECOnetic model will further enhance Ford's green range.

Market entry into the States is likely, with a version of this five-door version being re-packaged to adhere to Ford's American model range and US crash safety regulations. However, modifications are expected to be kept minimal to retain its European charm, changes for the US market being contained to the front fascia and specification.

Stay tuned for more information on the next Fiesta ahead of its Spring release.

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Source: www.worldcarfans.com