Nissan Leaf: Affordable All-Electric Hatch Goes on Sale in 2010, 45 High-Res Photos

Unveiled today at Nissan's Japanese headquarters in Yokohama, the zero-emissions Nissan Leaf is a dedicated, mass production electric-vehicle that is slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Slightly larger than the Tiida, the medium-sized five-door hatchback is based on a unique platform and it is equipped with a fully electric drivetrain that consists of a 107HP electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged through any home outlet providing a driving range of more than 160km (100 miles).

Nissan said that it expects the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle something that points towards a €20,000 range in Europe and close to $30,000 in the USA.

While the Leaf's styling won't be winning any beauty contests, what it will do is give prospective buyers a sense of uniqueness without breaking the norm. That's more evident with the interior design that has an almost concept-feeling to it. For the record, the Leaf is not a prototype study as what you see, is 99-percent what you'll get when the Leaf hits showrooms in late 2010.

"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've created," said Masato INOUE, Nissan Product Chief Designer. "The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility."

An interesting detail concerns the headlights which have been designed to split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, in order to reduce wind noise and drag. According to Nissan, the lights provide yet one more benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional lamps.

At 4,445mm (175-in.) long, 1,770mm wide (69.7-in.) with a height of 1,550mm (61-in.) and a wheelbase of 2,700mm (106.3-in.), the Leaf is larger than your usual C-segment hatch. For example, the VW Golf is 4,199mm long (165-in.), 1,779mm wide (70-in.) with a height of 1,479mm (58.2-in.) and a wheelbase of 2,578mm (101.5-in.).

But whereas conventional hatchbacks like the Golf use internal combustion engines, the front-wheel drive Leaf is equipped with a fully electric drivetrain. Power is provided by an electric motor that delivers 80kW or 107-horsepower and 280Nm (206 lb-ft) of torque while energy is drawn from a combination regenerative braking system and a lithium-ion battery pack positioned underneath the cabin floor to save space.

The Leaf's batteries can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a quick charger while a full charge at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours. The socket for the Leaf's charging plug is hidden underneath a flap with the firm's logo on the bonnet.

In theory, the idea sounds right, but we can help but wonder how buyers that live in large cities and do not own a garage will be able to charge the car's battery - let alone if the batteries are depleted away from home. Nissan said that it is addressing this problem with the development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public and private investment with its Zero-emission mobility programmes.

The Japanese automaker said that it has formed partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local governments in Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 30 partnerships worldwide.

Nissan claims that the Leaf will have a driving range in excess of 160 km or 100 miles while the hatchback will be able to achieve a top speed of over 90mph or 140 km/h.

The Leaf will also come equipped with an advanced IT system that will be connected to a global data centre, providing support, information, and entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day.

Nissan will build the Leaf at its Oppama plant, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the firm's Smyrna plant in Tennessee, USA. The EV's lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other sites around the world.

Mazda Celebrates MX-5's 20th Anniversary with Special Edition Model

The world's most successful open-top sports car with more than 860,000 sales spread over three generation models, the MX-5, also known in other markets as the Miata or simply Roadster, is celebrating its 20th birthday this year and to commemorate the event, Mazda has introduced a special edition version of the car for the Japanese market.

The Roadster 20th Anniversary is available either in RS guise with a traditional soft-top and a six-speed manual transmission or as a VS RHT with a retractable hardtop and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The special edition models come in a Crystal White Pearl Mica finish which is used for the first time on the Mazda Roadster. Special equipment includes unique red and black RECARO bucket sport seats, '20th Anniversary' badges on the fenders, clear front fog lights., 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres and a glass rear window for the soft-top model plus heated seats with five temperature settings.

A front strut tower bar and 17-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/45R17 84W tyres complete the changes. Prices in Japan are set at 2,860,000 yen ($29,900 or €21,100) for the soft-top version and 3,110,000 yen ($32,500 or €23,000) for the RHT model.

And for those living outside Japan, no need to worry as Mazda is planning to launch special edition versions of the MX-5 / Miata in other markets as well.

Supercharged Audi S5 Cabriolet Available for Order in the UK

Audi has opened the UK order books for the range-topping model of its new A5 Cabriolet, the S5. Prices start from £42,245 OTR with first deliveries expected to arrive in October. The rag-top S5 Cabriolet is powered by the same supercharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that's found under the hood of the latest S4 Sedan and Avant models. It produces an output of 333 HP and 440 Nm of torque from 2,500-4,850 rpm.

Equipped with Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive system, the S5 is offered exclusively with a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch sports transmission. According to the German automaker, the 3.0 TSI powers the S5 Cabriolet to 62mph (100km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph or 250 km/h.

Toyota Announces Minor Changes for 2010 Avalon, Yaris, RAV4, Highlander and Tacoma

Along with the 2010 FJ Cruiser that gains a more powerful V6 engine, Toyota has also announced minor upgrades for its 2010MY Avalon full-size sedan, Yaris subcompact hatch, Highlander mid-size SUV, RAV4 compact SUV and the Tacoma pickup truck. With the exception of the Highlander that's expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in September, the rest of the 2010 model year range will go on sale across the States in early August.

Beginning with the RAV4, the 2010 model receives minor styling enhancements that include chrome-accented interior appointments on the limited model. The MSRP remains unchanged for 2010 RAV4 with prices ranging from $21,500 for the base four-cylinder 2WD model to $27,810 for the 4WD Limited V6.

Toyota's flagship sedan, the Avalon gets rear-passenger auto up/down windows and a new exterior color, Sandy Beach Metallic. The base MSRP for the 2010 Avalon ranges from $27,945 for the XL to $35,285 for the Limited, which translates to an increase of $100, or 0.3 to 0.4 percent over the 2009 model year.

For 2010, the Yaris receives standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) that add $150 to the model's prices that range from $12,355 for the three-door model with manual transmission, to $13,915 for the four-door sedan with an automatic transmission.

The only updates for the 2010 Highlander concern an available backup monitor on the multi-informational display for the Base grade V6, and a power tilt/slide moonroof for the Base grade four-cylinder model. The MSRP for the gas and hybrid models remains unchanged except for the Highlander Sport, which gets a stainless-steel exhaust tip that increases the price by $50. The base MSRP for the 2010 Highlander ranges from $25,705 for the base four-cylinder 2WD to $41,020 for the Limited 4WD hybrid model.

As for the Tacoma pick-up truck, the 2010MY brings an enhancement to the front cup-holder functionality and, well that's about it. Prices carry over unchanged from the 2009MY ranging from $15,170 for the Regular Cab with a five-speed manual transmission to $27,075 for the V6 4x4 Double Cab Long Bed with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Buyers should note that all MSRPs mentioned above do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $750 for passenger cars and $800 for light trucks.

* Tacoma Aside, All other Vehicles Shown in the Photos are 2009MY

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class by Carlsson with Performance and Styling Enhancements

The Carlsson crew is constantly striving to develop new tuning packages for every single model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. This time the German tuning house has launched a comprehensive package comprising of styling and mechanical upgrades for the GL-Class range. Starting off with the design kit, Carlsson has developed a full body kit that consists of a kitschy chrome grille (we could certainly do without that), bonnet add-ons, a front apron with integrated LED daytime running lights, side skirts and a new rear skirt attachment that houses the two oval stainless steel tailpipes.

The aerodynamic kit is priced at a hefty €8,499 (excl. VAT) while an extra €4,189 (again without VAT) will get you a set of 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 295/35 R22 high-performance Dunlop tyres.

To match the SUVs looks, Carlsson has developed performance enhancements for both petrol and diesel variants of the GL-Class. More specifically, the CK50 kit (€3,192 excl. VAT) for the GL 500 nudges the V8 petrol's output from 388HP to 435HP and torque from 530 to 600 Nm.

Carlsson also increases the performance of the diesel models, with the GL 420 CDI producing 354 HP instead of 306HP (€1,299 excl. VAT) and the CL 320 CDI 269 HP, up from 224 HP (€1,499 excl. VAT).

To top things off, the tuner has developed the C-Tronic SUSPENSION system that lowers the SUV's ride height by up to 30 mm while the control unit also recognizes the road characteristics and continually adjusts the remaining spring travel. The system that is for the GL-Class models with AIRMATIC-suspension costs €1,099 without VAT.

Via: Worldcarfans

Citroen C3 Picasso 90th Anniversary: Limited Edition Model with Extra Features

Citroen has launched a special edition version of its new C3 Picasso MPV in the UK to celebrate the brand's 90th anniversary. Available in one of Citroen's signature colors aka white, red or black, the C3 Picasso 90th Anniversary model is based on the Exclusive trim level and is powered by a 1.6-liter HDi turbo diesel with an output of 110-horsepower.

Aside from features such as automatic air-conditioning, automatic headlamps and wipers and 16-inch alloy wheels, the limited edition also boasts free extra equipment like the MyWay color satellite navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity and part-leather upholstery while the '90 Years' Commemorative badge on the centre console completes the looks. The French automaker claims that the special C3 is equipped with over £1,000 of free options.

Prices for the special edition C3 Picasso start at £15,595 (the same as the 1.6HDi 110hp Exclusive) with production limited to 150 units.