Feast your eyes on the Theta II GDI.

Launched on Tuesday, the Theta II will be gracing the hood of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata, in turn, is expected to hit the US market as a 2011 model. If the Sonata does make it to the US, it will be the first of its kind: a mid-sized sedan with a direct-injection engine.

The 4-cylinder Theta II can work up as much as 200 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai claims that the engine is more fuel-efficient than its non-direct injection 4-cylinder counterparts.

And here’s a bit of good news. Hyundai says that its direct-injection technology will eventually reach its other models.

Glad to see more carmakers jump on the green bandwagon.

Source: Left Lane News

Did you know that Mazda vehicles become 80 lbs. heavier with each model update? Well, Mazda’s planning to get rid of all that excess weight.

The Japanese carmaker plans to shed its models of at least 220 pounds each. Mazda North America’s senior VP for product planning Robert Davis says that the excess weight is mostly due to added safety equipment and larger wheels.

The weight drop can improve Mazda vehicles’ fuel economy. This could help Mazda in terms of keeping with the 2016 CAFE standards.

Davis also says that new Mazda models may be shorter in order to reduce weight.

Source: AutomobileMag

With 4.4 million cars rolling out of its factories since January this year, Volkswagen-Porsche managed to edge Toyota out of the top spot in terms of production.

Volkswagen-Porsche’s success can be contributed to several factors. In July, nearly a quarter of the group’s global sales came from a range of VW models made specifically for the Chinese market. China lowered sales taxes on cars, effectively boosting demand for this vehicles. The group also benefited from cash-for-clunkers programs in Germany and Britain.

According to IHS Global Insight, though, Toyota may have indirectly had a hand in VW-Porsche’s vicory. Producing just 4 million cars this year, the Japanese auto make decided to halve its output during the first quarter of 2009.

“That extremely hard brake has been keeping Toyota behind Volkswagen by quite a margin. Due to government incentiveas, Volkswagen was not forced to decelerate so hard,” said Christoph Stürmer, director at IHS Global Insight.

Source: Guardian

Who’s worried about the 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards? Definitely not Honda, Toyota, Nissan, or Subaru.

The new standards, part of a nationwide fuel economy program proposed by President Barack Obama, cover model years 2012 to 2016. The program requires auto makes to offer a fleet-wide fuel economy of 35.5 mpg.

While 35.5 mpg seems to be quite a leap from the current industry standard of 25 mpg, Japanese automakers aren’t even breaking a sweat. By 2016, Toyota plans for hybrids to take 30% of sales. The make’s also researching battery technology that’s better than lithium-ion products.

Honda claims that modifying its current hybrid technology will help it get past the new CAFE standards. Aside from that, the make’s developing ways to make its cars lighter and more aerodynamic.

Subaru’s feeling confident, too. “I think we can meet the rules by improving our current drivetrain technology,” said Subaru President Ikuo Mori. “But if the rules become more stringent, it will be very difficult to do so with the internal combustion engine.”

Source: Automobile Mag, Wikipedia

The 2010 Sai was set to make its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, but Toyota jumped the gun and unveiled the Sai a little ahead of schedule.

2010 Toyota Sai

The 2010 Sai is based on the Lexus HS 250H, and is a gasoline-electric hybrid. Built like a larger Prius, the Sai features an interior that’s 60% made of ecological plastic. The car also carries the Toyota Hybrid System II, powered by a 2.4-liter engine coupled with an electric motor and a reduction gear. Exhaust gases are used to heat the engine, resulting in quicker engine start-ups.

The 2010 Sai’s standard safety features include steering-assisted vehicle stability control and a rpe-crash safety system. The latter warns the driver when it detects collision risks. The driver can also keep track of the Sai’s real-time fuel efficiency through an Eco Driving Indicator. The Sai’s interior center cluster also features the Remote Touch System, providing the driver touch-screen control of the navigation screen.

Source: 4wheels News

Looks like Honda’s got it going good.

Contrary to reports previously made by the Nikkei, Honda may post a $660 million profit for the first half of its current fiscal year. Nikkei’s forecast had been that Honda would suffer from a $10 billion loss.

The Asian make’s profits, according to Nikkei, is partly due to Honda’s cost-cutting efforts, and partly due to Honda’s higher-than-expected sales. Honda’s motorcycles have also been in demand in India.

Source: Reuters

To reach its target of one million annual vehicle sales, Nissan is looking to release the Nissan Micra to the US market.

Nissan Micra

The subcompact Micra will most likely be equipped with a 3-cylinder engine, and offers 50% better fuek economy. The make also plans to include a 4-door sedan, a 5-door hatch, and an MPV in the line, which will be Nissan’s smallest US offering.

Source: Jalopnik

Here’s another concept car to look forward to in Tokyo this October: the Mazda Kiyora Concept.

Mazda Kiyora Concept

According to Mazda, the Kiyora is equipped with a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder powerhouse, and is 220 pounds lighter than the 3-door Mazda 2. Transmission is automatic and 6-speed, called the Sky-Drive. The Sky-Drive, also making a debut at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, poses improved fuel economy.

Source: Inside Line

Made by Japanese architect Scu Fujimoto, this acrylic Lexus almost looks unreal.

You can even see its interior - the seats, engine, and suspension system are all visible through the exterior. The sculpture was made from sanded and polished acrylic boards.

Acrylic Lexus LFA

Can you imagine many heads you’d turn if you drove something like this down the street?

Source: Jalopnik

Nissan’s latest concept car, the Land Glider, is set to make its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. Even before things begin at Tokyo, though, Nissan has revealed a few details about its motorcycle-ish concept car.

The Land Glider is equipped with two electric motors and a lithium-polymer battery pack that allows the Glider a 100-mile range. The minicar’s active suspension system helps the car lean into corners more, improving cornering stability.

The Land Glider also carries a crash avoidance technology that allows the car to change direction with contact.

Pretty cool, eh?

Source: AutomobileMag