It’s unclear what exactly it is that Aston Martin is trying to achieve but it’s very possible that this whole mini car business is a gimmick for the supercar producer to appease increasingly stringent emission standards in Europe with a token grocery getter. It’s also entirely possible that the Cygnet city car’s a serious effort by Aston Martin to move away from supercars. But I doubt that.

In any event, the retrofitted Cygnet at a cost of $32,000, will be a very expensive city car. With that sort of price tag you can expect the wing emblems to mean a refined interior with the same high quality materials seen in the rest of Aston Martin’s range.

TOYOTA PRESS RELEASE

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it will offer new versions of the iQ—a four-seater, ultra-compact with outstanding cruising and environmental performance and air of sophistication borne of unique styling—to cater to car buyers seeking a means for personal expression.

CONTINUED: In Japan, TMC will launch in November through its Netz dealer channel a limited-edition1 iQ customized under GAZOO Racing2 for a sporty touch, with suspension and handling characteristics that take to an even-higher level the iQ’s agility and cruising stability. Other versions planned for the Japanese market include those tailored on both the inside and out for female and young drivers.

Overseas, TMC will supply a uniquely styled iQ-based vehicle called the “Cygnet” to Aston Martin of the United Kingdom through Belgium-based Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA. Aston Martin plans to sell the Cygnet, designed for people who value premium quality and individuality, in Europe. This undertaking is the result of Aston Martin and TMC sharing a corporate philosophy that emphasizes manufacturing cars of the highest quality that are equipped with innovative technologies.

The cited report says Volkswagen is looking to take up a 10% stake in Suzuki to collaborate on future models and improve Volkswagen’s sales figures in India. Suzuki in return can benefit from the deal by gaining access to Volkswagen’s many fuel saving technologies. The rumor of such a deal has had a positive reaction from investors with Suzuki’s shares rising 7.7% before eventually settling at 5.5% at $22.88 USD (2,195 Japanese Yen)

Taking a look we can say that protruding bumpers, front grille and optics look out of place. The reworked Prado seems to be ripped straight from Toyota’s European range with hints from the Avensis sedan and much bigger Land Cruiser. Inside, the sound equipment and instrumentation are updated along with other unspecified gadgets.

More information about the 2010 Toyota Prado is likely to be released in the coming days. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for updates.

The 600PS petrol/electric hybrid coupe with rear-wheel drive is essentially a design study that will never see production. It’ll perform for the first time in public at Goodwood’s hill climb and will be joined by the first right-hand-drive Infiniti G37 Convertible at Goodwood’s FoS-TECH pavilion.

INFINITI PRESS RELEASE

The Infiniti Essence concept car, shown for the first time four months ago in Geneva, will conclude its pan-European tour at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. But Essence isn’t the only Infiniti to be making its UK debut. The luxury automotive brand from Japan will also be giving visitors to the Festival a sneak preview of the new G37 Convertible which goes on sale in the UK this September. Unlike Essence, unfortunately.

The Essence concept was created as a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it is an inspiring exploration into the brand’s future … one that includes launching in the UK. The dramatic design, technology and performance statement is a 600PS petrol/electric hybrid coupe with rear-wheel drive. It will be on display in Goodwood’s FoS-TECH pavilion and also on the famous Goodwood Hillclimb where it will perform in public for the first time.

Joining Essence on the Hillclimb – and later in the Sunday Times Supercar paddock – will be the V6 powered G37 Convertible in right-hand drive form, the first example ever produced. The car’s appearance at Goodwood will be particularly momentous for the two British Infiniti engineers who will drive it as they have worked on the Infiniti Europe project since it started. Offered in a choice of two comprehensively equipped models, both featuring a metal three-piece folding roof, the 320PS G37 Convertible has been designed without compromise to look as beautiful with the top up as it does down. Which is hopefully the position where it will stay for the entirety of the weekend.

The present day Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has been around for the better part of a 7 years and, as popular as it may be, a redesign has definately been in order.

The curved body contours are acceptable (maybe too bloated) but the overall lack of quality design risks upsetting many diehard Prado fans. Whether you like it or not, what you see is most likely what Toyota plans on launching in the next few months.

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2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Renders

The Mark X might be an unfamiliar midsize to most, but that’ll change in October when Toyota introduces the next generation RWD sedan as its latest “world car”. World car is Japanese car jargon that usually means Europe and the US.

There were rumors about the Mark X receiving a turbo model but 7Tune has dimissed that news. Dont count on a manual transmission either - it’s not happening. Instead, the new Mark X will get a “2.5L and 3.5L V6 engines will be available with the 3.5L replacing the smaller 3.0L V6 in the current car”.

Other specifications and pricing details aren’t available but it shouldn’t be too long before we hear more about the Mark X.

The LS-SZ with a full body kit treatment, powder coated black grille, Brembo brakes, and BBS rims is set to start at $94,000. There’s no word on what’s going to power Lexus’ super sedan. There’s also no word on whether or not the car will come State side.

The magazine claims the car will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

A new Stop & Start system reduces fuel-consumption and means the leanest iQ³, the manual six-speed, gets 49 MPG (U.S.), and the Multi-drive CVT transmission rings in with 46 MPG (U.S.).

Prices start at £11,495 ($18,773 USD) for the manual model and £12,495 ($20,407 USD) Multi-drive automatic. The Toyota iQ³ will be offered with four accessory packs including iStyle, iUrban, iSports and iConnect. Other optional include leather seating and satellite navigation.
TOYOTA PRESS RELEASE

CLEVERER THAN EVER: INTRODUCING THE NEW TOYOTA iQ3

* New iQ3 (iQ cubed) powered by 98bhp 1.33 Dual VVT-i engine with Toyota Optimal Drive
* Toyota Stop & Start system increases fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions
* Class-leading fuel economy and emissions - 58.9mpg and 113g/km (six-speed manual)
* Also available with Multidrive CVT transmission - 55.4mpg and 120g/km
* Exclusive iQ3 equipment features, including 16-inch dual five-spoke alloy wheels and chrome door mirror housings
* On sale now, price £11,495 (manual) and £12,495 (Multidrive)
* Four accessory packs available - iStyle, iUrban, iSports and iConnect
* Optional Leather seat trim and Satellite Navigation

Toyota’s iQ range is extended for the first time since launch with the introduction to the line-up of a 1.33-litre engine. The highly efficient lightweight unit, already successfully deployed in Auris, Yaris and Urban Cruiser is offered exclusively in the new iQ3 model.

Benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technology for a class-leading combination of power, fuel economy and low emissions, it uses Dual VVT-i control of both intake and exhaust valves to deliver strong torque at low to medium engine speeds and achieve maximum efficiency.

The headline figures broadcast the exceptional customer benefits in terms of running costs. With manual transmission, iQ3 returns an official 58.9mpg in combined cycle driving, and 113g/km of CO2 - Band B for road tax (£35 annual charge) - both of which are best-in-class figures. Equipped with Toyota’s new Multidrive CVT system, fuel economy is just as good, while emissions rise slightly to 120g/km, but remain within Band B.

This achievement is not at the expense of performance. The engine develops a maximum 98bhp at 6,000rpm and peak torque of 125Nm at 4,400rpm. Nought to 62mph can be achieved in 11.8 seconds (11.6 with Multidrive) and top speed is 106mph. This underlines the fact that iQ is more than just a city runabout, giving a strong, stable and enjoyable drive at motorway speeds.

Matched to a compact, lightweight six-speed manual gearbox, the engine features Toyota’s Stop & Start system. This automatically cuts the engine when the car comes to a stop and the gear shift is moved to neutral; when a gear is selected, the engine restarts quickly (in just 0.4 seconds) and seamlessly, thanks to the use of a permanently engaged gear mechanism. In urban driving - iQ’s natural environment - Stop & Start can yield fuel consumption savings of up to 15 per cent.

iQ3 is also available with Multidrive, Toyota’s new stepless CVT (continuously variable transmission).

One of the key elements of the 1.33-litre engine is its piston design. Smaller and lighter than on the previous 1.3 unit, they are designed with a smaller contact area and use carbon ceramide, an advanced material more commonly used in Formula One engineering, to reduce friction.

iQ3 carries forward the premium specification of iQ2 but with some additional, exclusive features: the door mirrors have chrome-finished housings and the car rides on larger, 16-inch dual five-spoke alloy wheels. The choice of six paint finishes includes Decuma Grey metallic, which is also exclusive to iQ3.

The standard equipment features include automatic headlights and wipers, climate control, electric folding and heated door mirrors, Smart Entry and Start, auto-dimming rear view mirror, six-speaker sound system, front fog lights and a leather trimmed steering wheel. Nine airbags are fitted, including the world’s first rear window airbag, and the active safety package includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC).

iQ3 is on sale now. On-the-road prices are £11,495 for the six-speed manual version and £12,495 with Multidrive.

iQ Accessory Packs and Options

Four themed accessory packs have been assembled for iQ, giving owners an easy way to give their car that something extra.

* iStyle (£295) adds chrome surrounds to the front fog lights, chrome side sills, a chrome strip on the tailgate and aluminium scuff plates.
* iUrban (£345) provides rear parking sensors, a reversible rubber/velour boot liner (for use when the rear seats are folded flat) and carpet mats.
* iSports (£495) focuses on style with a neat roof spoiler, deep rear skirt and inverted delta-shape chrome exhaust tailpipe finisher.
* iConnect (£375) keeps you in touch on the move with Bluetooth, plus the neat detachable Glovebag to store documents and small personal items.

With such a high standard specification on iQ3, there are just two extra-cost options: leather seat upholstery (£690) and a fully integrated satellite navigation system with Bluetooth and iPod integration (£930).

American Honda Motors’ Vice President John Mendel has told Bloomberg News “I dont think we’ll get to 90,000. At 50,000 to 60,000, we will be just fine.” We can’t blame lower gasoline prices… but we can blame the economic recession and stiff competition from the veteran Toyota Prius.

Meanwhile, back in Japan, the Insight has become the top selling car with 10,481 units sold in April. The Insight’s sales took a hit in the month of May when Toyota launched its new Prius. In May Honda sold 8,859 Insights and Toyota sold 10,915 Priuses.

Bloomberg.com: Honda Motor Co.’s Insight hybrid may fall 33 percent short of its U.S. sales goal as cheap fuel, the economic slump and competition from Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius undermine demand for the model.

First-year sales of Honda’s gasoline-electric Insight, which debuted at U.S. dealerships in late March, may be 50,000 to 60,000 units, said John Mendel, U.S. executive vice president for Japan’s second-largest carmaker. “I don’t think we’ll get to 90,000,” he said in a June 11 interview at Honda’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California.

Gasoline prices in the U.S. have fallen 35 percent over the past year, eroding demand for fuel-efficient cars, even as the overall market has plunged 37 percent due to the recession. Toyota, Japan’s largest automaker, plans to cut the base price of its new Prius by $1,000 to compete with Insight.

“Sales of hybrids have a strong correlation to gasoline prices, especially in the U.S., and Toyota’s Prius has had more customers in the past, so it’s a tough competition for Honda,” said Koji Endo, an analyst at Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Ltd.

Lower-than-expected hybrid demand in the U.S. contrasts with sales of the car in Japan, where fuel prices are 78 percent higher than in the U.S. The Insight was Japan’s top-selling car in April, before being overtaken by the Prius last month.

Honda’s American depositary receipts fell 86 cents, or 3 percent, to $28 at 4:15 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading, the biggest drop since May 13. Honda slid 1.6 percent to 2,795 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Fuel Prices

Retail prices for gasoline in Japan are $4.69 a gallon, the Tokyo-based Oil Information Center said on its Web site on June 10. By comparison, U.S. consumers paid an average of $2.67 for a gallon of gasoline on June 14, 35 percent less than a year ago, according to motorist group AAA.

The Insight, rated by the U.S. as getting 41 miles per gallon in city and highway driving, is priced from $19,800 to $23,100. By comparison, Toyota’s 2010 Prius, which averages 50 mpg, sells for $22,000 to $31,770.

Hybrid sales in the U.S. fell 38 percent through May to 100,337 units, based on data compiled by Bloomberg News. Slack demand for fuel-saving models led General Motors Corp. to announce June 11 that it’s discontinuing the hybrid version of its Malibu sedan.

Toyota aims to sell 180,000 units of its new Prius in the car’s first 12 months, matching the model’s U.S. volume record reached in 2007. Prius sales this year through May fell 46 percent.

Demand for the Insight should pick up later in the year as the recession eases and fuel prices increase, said Mendel, speaking after Honda marked its 50th anniversary of operations in the U.S.

U.S. dealer inventory of Japan-built Insights is “good” given market conditions and sales may be as high as 4,000 units in June, up from 2,780 and 2,096 the past two months, he said.

Well, it’s back on again and should make yet another auto show appearance in its finalized form at this year’s Tokyo auto show in October. The attached rendering is based on both the recent Nurburgring prototype and additional details from an inside source at Holiday Auto, a prominent Japanese car magazine.

Our own insider also adds that of the 500 units destined for production, 350 of them will be left-hand drive. All LF-As will get 6-piston calipers with carbon ceramic brake rotors, titanium mufflers, run flat Bridgestone tires and a six-speed automatic sequential gearbox.

Let the comparisons to the Nissan GT-R begin.