Premier Auto Ltd., closely known as PAL in India needs to stage a return after a gap of many years with its Rio. PAL intends to presentation the Rio tomorrow i.e on October 28 but what is still confusing is that no one precisely knows the category to which the Rio belongs. Some experts are even dubbing it as the Terra not Rio and they do not have a reason to explain that. It is individual hoped that the Rio will target the small SUV segment which only finds the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy as a part of it but Maruti never bothered to update it so that leaves Rio as the only 'hopeful' member.

There is also a chance that the Rio may fall between the small and the mini hatchback category which is somewhere between the Hyundai Santro and the Tata Indica.

As far as the engine is concerned, the Rio will come with a Peugeot TUD5 diesel engine which renders a power output between58 bhp and 65 bhp. The numbers are sad but given the weight of the car, they are good enough.

PAL is not manufacturing the Rio in India, indeed, it will only do the assembling job of the completely knocked down kit. The only major investment for PAL would be to manufacture the engine.


The Rio may surface as a 2WD commuter that will have a 4WD shift in difficult situations. The base model of the Rio will cost 5 akh rupees whereas the top model with ABS and airbags will touch 7 lakh rupees.

PAL will find it difficult to make a mark for itself as there are number of International players who now exist in the Indian market compared to the time PAL first sold its Padmini in India.

The Honda CR-Z may just turn out to be the wonderful of this year's Tokyo Motor Show (apart from the Lexus LF-A, that is). Sort of a spiritual successor to the CRX of years past, the CR-Z promises to be light (enough), and sporty (enough) that gear heads will probably take to it quite well. Add to it the fact that the CR-Z sports a hybrid drive train, and Honda's little ride could be the harbinger of cleaner, greener, affordable sports cars of the future.

Now comes word that Mugen, Honda's semi-in-house tuning firms is eyeing the CR-Z as a model that might just get the factory tuner treatment.

So the chances for the upcoming CR-Z being embraced by the gearhead set seem to be pretty good. If you ignore the hybrid drivetrain for a moment, the car has "import enthusiast crowd approved" stamped all over it. Plus, it looks shiny and new, so the thing should be a hit. By this point, that's to be expected, but if the word from the Tokyo show turns out to be true, the 2011 Honda CR-Z could potentially be one of the first hybrid cars to get the tuner treatment by an automaker's official performance arm.

Mugen European vice president Hiroki Toyoda said that the CR-Z's electric motor part of the car's hybrid powertrain could act like a low-pressure turbo by boosting performance at low engine speeds. The Mugen European VP mentioned this while speaking with reporters at last week's 2009 Tokyo Motor Show,

Not only did he mention using the electric motor for performance gains, but he also said that Mugen is looking into developing a range of handling upgrades for the CR-Z. Nice, more speed AND better handling. I like where this is going.

A few years ago, if you were to mention the word "hybrid" to a gearhead, they probably wouldn't have though much about it, in performance terms.

* You'll love its bags of performance
* Not as radical as expected, though
* On sale now from £21,995




When Renault first unveiled the all-new Megane Renaultsport, its sleek coupe lines and high-class interior did more than just hint at a radical departure from the blunt-rumped, hit-'em-first-ask-questions-later hot hatch it was designed to replace.

More stylish than brutish
As it turns out, those visual clues were absolutely spot-on. More refined, more comfortable and a whole lot less bawdy, it seems Renault has eschewed a fight with sledgehammer competitors such as the Ford Focus RS in favour of a dust-up with fashionistas from the Volkswagen Scirocco and Alfa Romeo Brera camp.

With its handsome lines, subtle bodykit and butch big alloy wheels, the Megane certainly looks swish enough to ruffle the feathers of those pretty-boy rivals, and with 247bhp on tap from the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine it also has the power to blow them into the weeds.

Dignified under pressure
Unlike some tyre-torturing front-wheel-drive sports models, the Renaultsport's power arrives in a smooth, linear fashion and is so well controlled by a trick front suspension arrangement that absolutely nothing gets wasted.

Even when you're mercilessly flogging the engine for all its worth away from the mark, there's little protest from the front wheels. Instead, they simply dig in and go, firing the car to 62mph in just 6.1sec and scorching on to a top speed of 156mph.

The car also feels effortlessly at ease even when you're tearing its heart out down a favourite stretch of twisty road.

Renault has an almost signature approach to chassis for its sportiest models, which are notable for their short-travel, smoothly reacting springs and dampers, and phenomenal levels of grip. As a result, the Renaultsport positively bristles with feel and balanced precision.

Plump for the Cup version, with stiffer springs and limited slip differential, and the results are even more dramatic on the twisty stuff, but the trade-off is a rather bouncy ride over rougher surfaces.

The Toyota Prius is a modern car when it was launched in Europe at the circle of the 21st century. It is a genuine fusion vehicle that combined a 1.5 liter engine with an electric motor.
The Prius became an instant hit with persons keen to show the world that "green" issues played a big part in their lives - and of course the combination of technologies, with the engine helping to charge the battery, meant no leads and plugs were required.

The latest mark three version of Toyota's "green machine" has moved its environmental credentials up a notch or two since 2000 - and that's seen CO2 emissions drop from the first model's 120g/km to a free-road-tax-level 89g/km in the all-new Prius, thanks to the Japanese firm's next generation Hybrid Synergy Drive.


A new, lightweight 1.8-litre petrol engine replaces the 1.5-litre of the previous generation Prius. Total system power output has been increased to 134bhp, yet fuel consumption has been further reduced to 72.4mpg, and combined with that low CO2 figure, Toyota says the Prius is unmatched in the economy stakes by any other family car on the market.

Prices range from £18,390 to £21,230 and the extra performance means the newcomer is a far more relaxed motorway cruiser - and if you do need to get somewhere quickly then the refined Prius will happily cruise quietly in the fast lane.


The car's auto-only transmission is supplemented by three "on-demand" drive modes which the driver can select to increase efficiency, performance and fuel economy.

From start-up and at speeds less than 44mph, Prius automatically operates in EV mode, using electric motor power alone. The petrol engine is only introduced under hard acceleration to boost system power. The driver can also use a switch to activate EV mode manually, meaning Prius owners can drive around town with minimal noise, zero CO2 and no emissions, and at speeds of up to 31mph, for up to 1.24 miles, according to the level of battery charge.

Toyota principal Akio Toyoda did his best to liven up measures, but even the presentation of a production version of the $375,000 Lexus LFA super car couldn't help this year's Tokyo Motor Show capture the excitement of recent years. Toyoda helped develop the Lexus LFA and when he unveiled it at the show's opening day on October 21, he said he hoped visitors to the biennial event "can leave feeling that automobiles are exciting and will want to come again."

On Day One, while, there be visibly fewer attendees than in 2007 when the Nissan GT-R, another very fast car, was the star. Indeed, while Toyota also unveiled the exciting FT-86, an affordable sports car due for release in 2011, and other automakers showed off a host intriguing hybrids and electric vehicles, the absence all major international carmakers-and even two Japanese truck makers, Hino and Isuzu-confirmed long-held fears that Tokyo's motor show is no longer the most important in Asia. After all, automakers from over twenty countries braved the recession to attend the Shanghai auto mover show in April. In Tokyo, only three foreign automakers-Group Lotus and Caterham Cars from Britain and Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen from Germany-could be bothered to show up.

But what of the LFA, which will go on sale in 2010? A long time in the making, it certainly has some dazzling performance stats, including a top speed of 202mph and 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds. Clearly, this is no ordinary Lexus. For all that, I'm slightly baffled by the price (I repeat: $375,000) and the decision to limit sales to 500. In his speech on the floor of the show, Toyoda talked about the need for automobile to serve as dreams and aspirations. Well, the high price and limited availabilty certainly sees to that. Of course, the LFA, alongside the great looking FT-86 sports car concept, will give Lexus and Toyota's brands a much-need sporty boost. The difference of course is that the FT-86, which goes on sale in 2011 is likely to cost closer to $20,000 and should sell in thousands. Indeed, given that Toyota will lose money again this year, it would also be interest to know more about the economics of the LFA. The price tag is high, but then so is the cost of developing super-fast sports cars. And by limiting sales to 500, one wonders how much Toyota will lose on every sale.

Once the premier auto show in Asia, the Tokyo event this year has been dramatically reduced in size. Many of the major American and European automakers are skipping it. But Japanese automakers are continuing to support the show with important introductions of new models. Here is one of a series of reports about each manufacturer.

CHIBA, Japan - It has been a while since Toyota, which has killed its sports coupes like the Supra, Celica and MR2, has had anything in its lineup to rev up enthusiasts. But the company is taking the first steps toward remedying that situation, starting with the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

With the introduction of the FT-86 concept at Tokyo, Toyota is sending a message that it cares again about selling some sizzle. A production version – will it be called a Celica? – is likely to go on sale next year.

The FT-86's nomenclature actually pays homage to the famed AE86 – a rear-wheel drive sport compact from the 1980s that achieved cult status among the Japanese 'drifting' community.

"It's a Celica-sized vehicle," said Mike Michels, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. "The same kind of thing – a rear-wheel-drive sports car."

The body, designed in Europe at Toyota's ED2 studio, takes styling cues from the FT-HS hybrid sports car concept unveiled at the 2007 Detroit auto show. But the FT-86 is no hybrid. It's an unapologetic gas-burner.

The FT-86 is the result of a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, which is providing a 2-liter flat-4-cylinder boxer engine from the Impreza, riding on a chassis from the Legacy. This has been modified so that power is sent only to the rear wheels, as opposed to all four.

The concept already stirred up a little press earlier this month when Tetsuya Tada, the car's cheeky chief engineer, suggested its color had been inspired by a monkey's rump.

Besides the FT-86, Toyota's Tokyo display will also include the latest iteration of the upcoming Prius plug-in hybrid, which is scheduled for fleet sales late this year, and the minisized electric concept FT-EV II.


The bubble-shaped FT-EV II is a battery-powered spin-off of the iQ minicar sold in Europe and Japan. It has drive-by-wire joystick steering and sliding doors and makes extensive use of solar panels. Something similar was shown at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show.

Lexus will also unveil a two-seat supercar concept, which though not specifically confirmed, was likely to be the near-production version of its long-awaited LF-A V-10. The engine was said to make from 500 to 600 horsepower. Toyota's new president, Akio Toyoda, a dedicated racing fan, has been testing the LF-A at Germany's Nurburgring track – at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.

The LF-A, in production form, would be company's most expensive offering ever – well into six figures.

Audi revealed to the world the Electric R4 Roadster at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, well now they have offered a rendering preview of the production model. According to Auto Express, Audi is expected to launch a gasoline version of the vehicle; this will offer Audi fans a smaller cheaper alternative to the awesome R8.

While at the Motor Show, Audi showed the crowd the new powertrain that will power the zero emissions R4 Roadster, so has not taken long for Audi to offer more details. The R4 electric vehicle will go up against the Tesla Roadster.

Audi will not be alone in the production of the new car; they will be getting help from Porsche, part of the VW Group. The R4 is expected to share the same chassis as the next-generation Boxster and Cayman, meaning that the R4 will have a bit of racing pedigree.

The Audi R4 will be powered by e-tron's electric powertrain, which consists of four electric motors; these receive their power from a lithium-ion battery pack. This system will be enough to produce 300bhp, a 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of around 140mph. For full details, visit Auto Express

The FT-EV II by Toyota is planned for urban driving, through four seats neatly fitted into a compact body. Its world presentation will provide a glimpse into the future of when electric vehicles will be commonly used with transportation that reflects user requirements, types of energy used and local energy supply infrastructures. With a battery range of 50 miles and top speed of over 60mph, the FT-EV II provides smooth acceleration thanks to the motor control technology.

An extra window lower the front windscreen for added forward visibility and transparent LED units for rear lamp clusters give the vehicle moving all round vision and, as a result, improved safety too. All functions (accelerator, brakes and steering) are controlled with a joystick creating larger areas for legroom and with electric sliding doors, even parking can be more compact and efficient. The excitement is sure to be mounting for the revelation of this compact wonder.

Nissan's offering to the Motor Show includes the electric vehicle concepts Leaf (set for launch in 2010) and Land Glider, the new compact sport crossover Qazana and the new mini MPV Roox (set for launch in Japan later this year).

There was a time in history when the electric vehicles ruled. They were the only cars on road and the ones that ran on petroleum and were just starting to make their mark were considered a bit of a joke. Then, came men like Henry Ford and they pretty much changed the entire landscape. Soon the Electric Vehicle was put to rest and companies like Detroit Electric had to close down just a couple of decades in to the business of selling electric cars. But now all that is about to change again as the electric vehicle is all set to make its grand comeback.

It is no surprise that the Ev's are ready to once again take over the roads in the decade to come as fossil fuel is becoming costlier and scarcer with each passing day. To add to this is the tons of carbon emissions that are being added to the climate and causing global warming. The Japanese automaker, Nissan, has confirmed that it plans to sell electric vehicles in the US by the year 2010. The move is largely motivated by stringent emissions legislation in California, lending an added impetus to existing research efforts into alternative energy sources. The same technology will be used by partner Renault, whose cars will hit the roads in Europe by 2012.


Do not get too carried away by the picture at the top though as it is not an exact model that would hit the road but an approximate model. I suppose Nissan could stun as all by making a car that is far more stunning and a lot more efficient than any of the EV's in the past. This is not just great news for the planet, but also for all those who love to drive around in those EVs.

Volkswagen unveiled two green cars at last month's Frankfurt Auto mover. The L1 (right) is a two-seat hybrid concept that could get about around 240 mpg with a turbo diesel engine and electric motor. The E-Up!, an electric car that can go about 80 miles per charge, is scheduled to go into volume production in 2013.


CO2 targets
Fiat and Peugeot hit a voluntary European Union target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for 2008, a recent report by Transport & Environment says. Both carmakers were below the goal average of 140 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. All of the European car industry must average 130 grams kilometer by 2015 or face fines.

On Wednesday, Giles Taylor, Jaguar's chief exterior designer of the new XJ sedan, visited Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He brought along an example of the car. This was the first glimpse of the car on the East Coast, after its unveiling in London in July.

It will not be in showrooms until next spring.

Mr. Taylor and the XJ are making an unusual tour of automobile design schools that began at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and includes Parsons The New School for Design in New York and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

At Pratt, Mr. Taylor talked about the car inside the school's gymnasium near folded basketball goals on a tarp protecting the wooden floor underneath. Mr. Taylor pointed out themes and details of the car to students.

"We tried to keep the basic architecture of the car very pure," he explained. He noted the restraint in details, accent and badging and showed how some features subtly carry the eye downward, to "plant the car."

The test, he said, is how much you can leave out and still keep the essence of a design. He pointed out the simple shape of the steeply angled rear of the XJ.

The Halloween candy is unmoving fresh, but the people at Neiman Marcus are gearing up for Christmas. And one of the stars of this year's Christmas book from the upscale dealer is the redesigned Jaguar XJ sedan.

When wishing for a flat-screen television or Coach Purse just isn't dreaming big sufficient, there's the Jag XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus version. Jaguar will build only 50 copies of the car.

Want one for you or someone special on your list? Be ready to dial fast on Oct. 16, which Neiman Marcus begins taking reservations. (The number is (866) 524-6963 and the phones open at noon Eastern.) You'll need $105,000 to get one off the shelf.

The car comes with the supercharged 5.0-liter V8, rated at 470 hp, and a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. In the trunk is a five-piece of matching Jaguar luggage in navy blue leather.

The only color option is Celestial Black metallic paint, with the interior trimmed in navy and ivory leather and Zebra no matte wood accents. There's also a plaque to remind you that you're driving one of 50 Neiman Marcus cars.

This is the third time a Jaguar has been on the Neiman Marcus wish list. The others were a 1968 XKE Grand Touring Coupe and a 1997 XK8 Convertible.

Not since Tesla electrified the auto mover world with its lean green supercars has an all-electric vehicle gotten pulses pounding this quickly. Germany-based auto manufacturer E-Wolf recently unveiled images and specs of their new e2, a 537 horsepower plug-in sports car that boasts slick Italian styling and a 0-60 speed of under 4 seconds.

Even though supercars tend to be ridiculously fast and ludicrously expensive, the trend towards high performance plug-ins proves that electric vehicles can more than keep up with their gas guzzling counterparts.



Upping the ante in this field, E-Wolf's e2 will be propelled by four in-wheel 134 horsepower electric motors that produce a total of 536 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive gives the vehicle plenty of traction to stay on the road, which is handy when cruising at the vehicle's top speed of 155 mph. E-Wolf claims that the vehicle will have a 187-mile range on a full battery and will be capable of charging completely in 30 minutes thanks to an innovative flat cell Li-Tec battery.

Kai Schonenberg, Marketing Manager at e-WOLF has stated "Our aim is to offer a 2-seater extreme sports car in 2011: the e-WOLF e-2 . . . It will achieve dynamic vehicle performance that is sure to be very impressive . . . Here at e-WOLF, we can certainly envisage our e-2 participating in a 24-hour race in the next few years." The first prototype of the vehicle will launch in 2011, with full production to start soon thereafter.

When it roared onto the scene just a couple of years ago, the Teryx 750 FI 4x4's smooth and powerful V-twin engine and sport-tuned wide-body chassis launched it immediately to the front of the Recreational Utility Vehicle moving pack. For 2009, the Teryx got digital fuel injection and a host of other upgrades-and now for 2010, the evolution of this incredibly adaptable vehicle continues: An aggressive new front end with a hinged, forward-tilting hood offers front suspension and cooling system access and eases maintenance. Upgrades to the mighty V-twin's cooling system enhance long-term reliability, and an even sturdier tilting bed out back provides extra durability. In addition, a host of detail improvements for more efficient production and vehicle longevity are designed to do what Kawasaki has always done: keep the performance high while keeping the bottom line low.

Power, is of course, at the heart of the matter when it comes to a performance machine like the Teryx, and when it comes to power no other RUV can touch this one's 749cc 90-degree 8-valve V-twin: Not only is this engine plenty powerful, its 90-degree configuration gives it perfect primary balance, for unmatched smoothness at any rpm-and a great exhaust note that sets the Teryx apart from lesser RUVs.

2010, upgrades to the engine's cooling system add even more reliability: The radiators cooling fan (which switches on automatically when needed) is now larger and moves a greater volume of air, while a larger-diameter hose allows greater coolant flow, to help keep the engine cool when the going gets slow and rough. Also, the coolant catch tank has been moved to the front of the machine, where it's easily accessible under the very cool new tilt front end. While you're under there, it's easier to inspect and clean the Teryx's gas-charged preload-adjustable shocks and dual, long A-arm front suspension setup.

The Teryx's advanced digital fuel-injection system already included functions for automatic altitude compensation, automatic idle adjustment and easy, choke-free starting via a sophisticated array of sensors for inlet air pressure, throttle position, crankshaft position, rpm, water temperature and a vehicle down sensor. For 2010, another function has been added: An ignition cut-out will not allow the Teryx to be ridden away when the parking brake is engaged. That new braking system protection complements the Teryx's CVT Belt Protection System, which, among other good things, automatically retards ignition timing if the system detects engine operation at high rpm for more than two seconds while the rear wheels are motionless (i.e., the belt is slipping), and warns the rider via a flashing belt warning lamp on the dash.

All that electronically enhanced performance is perfectly packaged within an advanced chassis that's narrow enough to navigate most trails (and fit in a standard pickup bed), yet wide enough to offer a roomy cab and an excellent ride. The wide-track design frame uses large-diameter, thin-walled tubing to combine tremendous rigidity with light weight. The upper frame adds roll-over protection, and there's enough room inside to fit two full-sized adults in a comfortable but supportive pair of bucket seats with retractable three-point seat belts.

Once comfortably strapped in, the rider can choose 2WD or 4WD with the flip of a switch, and Kawasaki's super-efficient continuously variable transmission takes it from there, to practically anywhere you feel like going. A cockpit-adjustable variable front differential control even lets you fine-tune front-end traction.

Long-travel four-wheel independent suspension, adjustable Kayaba gas-charged shocks at all four corners, a rear stabilizer bar and mid-ship engine placement all work together to tame tough trails, with a high-performance long A-arm double-wishbone suspension design that reduces camber changes for sharp steering at all times. When it's time to slow down, dual discs up front and a high-tech sealed oil-bath braking unit out back get the job done with power to spare, while Kawasaki Engine Braking Control uses clever electronics to assist with engine braking on steep downhills. Specially designed 26-inch Maxxis tires designed for the Teryx's characteristics are the final ingredient in its amazingly potent handling package.

A large selection of authentic Kawasaki Accessories are available through Kawasaki dealers for the 2010 Teryx 750 FI 4x4. As with all off-highway vehicle recreation, Kawasaki encourages RUV drivers to drive responsibly and to respect the environment.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles and recreation utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,475 independent retailers, with an additional 8,000 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,300 people in the United States, with 400 of them located at KMC's Irvine , California headquarters.

Kawasaki's tagline, "Let the good times roll.™", is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand has become synonymous with powerful, stylish motorcycles for over four decades. Information about Kawasaki's complete line of recreational products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.

Along with a limited edition Exige S 260 model for 2010, Lotus has made upgrades to the Exige S 240 this year. Much of the car remains the same, although changes have been made to the bodywork to improve the cars aerodynamic efficiency.

A new front bumper features a larger main air intake to channel more air to the radiator, while side vents feed air to two oil coolers, with horizontal vanes to stabilize airflow. A new composite front splitter now wraps around the entire front end of the Exige to reduce drag around the tires. Finally, one of the most notable changes for 2010 is the new rear spoiler, which has been adapted from the Exige GT3 concept car that was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2007. This new wing is 7.1-inches wider and is mounted 1.8-inches higher and 2.4-inches further back, reducing drag while keeping the previous spoiler's downforce rating of 93 lbs at 100 mph.

A new option pack for 2010 is the Track Package, with adjustable Ohlins shocks and remote oil reservoirs for both the front and rear.

Otherwise, the Exige S 240 remains mostly unchanged (which is hardly a bad thing). The car weighs 2,077 lbs and is powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota-sourced four-cylinder engine making 240hp at 8000 rm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 5500 rpm, enabling a sprint to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. All the while, the Exige S 240 boasts a fuel economy rating of 20/26 mpg (city/highway).

The starting price for the 2010 Exige s 240 remains unchanged at $65,690, with sales starting in both the U.S. and Canada this Fall.

Introducing the New 2010 Lotus Exige S240:

The exciting new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 enters the United States and Canadian markets in the fall of 2009 with new front styling, a new rear wing and the same rare combination of exceptional performance and high efficiency.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation as the choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track.

The 2010 Exige S240 introduces a few key enhancements to update the appearance and improve aerodynamic performance.

A restyled front end and new larger, low drag rear wing, not only reduces drag, but also gives a more muscular stance enhancing the lightweight shrink-wrapped look of the whole car.

The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake to help funnel more air through the radiator to improve the efficiency of the engine. Ahead of the front wheels, on either side of the central aperture, two additional intakes feed airflow to the twin oil coolers. Horizontal vanes bisect these oil cooler air-intakes to stabilize the airflow and further increase the cooling efficiency.

Mounted below the three new air intakes, is a new aerodynamic splitter for the 2010 Exige S240. Made from a lightweight composite, the splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole front end and chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tires to reduce drag.

The composite rear wing is based on the design from the Exige GT3 road car concept shown at the Geneva Motorshow in 2007. Compared to the 2009 Lotus Exige's tailgate mounted wing it is 7.1 inches wider and mounted 1.8 inches higher and 2.4 inches further back. The new rear wing is mounted to the rear body-shell clam via end plates which not only increases the stiffness of the whole structure but also ensures that as much of the airflow as possible passes over the rear wing. This careful airflow management increases stability, reduces drag and, most importantly, maintains the impressive downforce figure of 93 pounds at 100 mph.

The light weight Exige S240 has one of the highest specific power outputs of any globally emissions certified car at 133 hp per liter and is a perfect demonstration of Colin Chapman's philosophy of performance through light weight and of Lotus' relentless pursuit of efficiency. The same technology that makes a light weight car a high performer also makes it efficient. How many cars available on the market today can rocket from 0 - 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, continue on up to a top speed of 150 mph and yet return an EPA rated 26 mpg in highway driving?"

Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also beautifully designed as Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design, explains, "For 2010 we have taken the already visually extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have integrated to the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The functional rear wing is race-inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter give a more hard-edged and aggressive look. Overall, the Exige appears more planted and gives the illusion that both the front and rear of the car are wider than they really are, yet without losing its agile and sleek character."

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said, "The changes we have made to the 2010 Exige are quite subtle when taken individually, but taken as a complete package they make significant improvements to aerodynamics and the overall look of the car. The Exige is a classic fit-for-purpose performance machine. The design tweaks we have made have reduced the drag by cleaning up the airflow around the front and rear of the car while retaining the impressive balanced downforce figures. The end result is an exciting high performance driving experience."

The heart of Exige S 240

The roof integrated air intake scoop feeds air through the air-to-air intercooled and supercharged 1.8 liter Lotus-tuned and Toyota-sourced 2ZZ-GE engine with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) to provide 240hp at 8,000 rpm and 170 ft.-lbs. of torque at 5,500. Weighing just 2,077 pounds, the Exige S240 sprints to 60 mph in a blistering 4.1 seconds and the 100 mph barrier sails by in approximately 10 seconds. Despite its supercar-like acceleration and 150 mph top speed, fuel economy is a rather un-supercar-like 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway thanks, in part, to the aluminum six-speed manual gearbox and proprietary Lotus T4e Engine Control System which includes variable rpm cam switching.

Lotus Launch Control and Lotus Traction Control:

Passing along lessons learned on the track with the Exige GT3 racing program, Lotus Sport has contributed another important technology - variable launch control combined with variable traction control.

The launch control allows the driver to determine the number of revs they wish to use during a standing start. Having programmed that limit, the driver then holds their foot down fully on the throttle pedal and sidesteps the clutch pedal for a very quick departure from the line. The clutch damper cushions the severity of the clutch to transmission engagement to minimize the stresses to the drivetrain. The launch control also keeps wheel-spin at bay until 6 mph, after which the traction control assumes its duties.

As with launch control, the driver can adjust the amount of traction control desired from the driver's seat, altering it on the move to suit the characteristics of particular corners. The amount of traction control can be varied in over 30 increments from 0 to 7 percent tire slip, or completely off. The information center within the instrument cluster displays what degree of traction control you have currently dialled in.

Chassis, Suspension and Braking:
At the Exige's core is a revolutionary chassis comprised of extruded and sheet aluminum and constructed with aerospace epoxy bonding techniques, the first of its kind in the world. The chassis weighs a mere 150 pounds, which enables the U.S. spec Exige to tip the scales at an incredibly svelte 2,077 pounds including standard air conditioning, ABS, power windows, dual airbags, audio system and other amenities that make driving the Exige a pleasure. Despite meeting Lotus founder Colin Chapman's mandate of extremely light weight, the Exige's structure is tough enough to meet all U.S. government crash standards. The suspension tuning and effectiveness in any car is only as good as the 'bracket' it's all attached to. The epoxy-bonded extruded and sheet aluminum chassis structure of the Exige has high torsional rigidity providing a strong base that enables very precise tuning of the dampers and springs to strike the perfect balance between exceptional handling capabilities and grip while still providing a comfortable ride.

The 2010 Exige S240 will continue to have a fully independent suspension with unequal length wishbones, Eibach springs and one-way adjustable Bilstein gas dampers along with an adjustable front anti-roll bar to allow customers to tailor the handling characteristics of the car to their own requirements.

New for 2010, the optional Track Package will include adjustable Ohlins dampers with threaded spring perches and remote oil reservoirs front and rear.
The brake system includes large diameter 308 mm cross-drilled and ventilated front and 282 mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs with AP Racing 4-piston front and Brembo single-piston rear calipers. The Lotus track-tuned, servo-assisted, four-channel ABS system enhances braking performance and minimizes stopping distance without taking over from the skill of the driver.


The restyled front end includes a larger, more angular air intake to help funnel more air through the radiator to improve the efficiency of the engine. Ahead of the front wheels, on either side of the central aperture, two additional intakes feed airflow to the twin oil coolers. Horizontal vanes bisect these oil cooler air-intakes to stabilize the airflow and further increase the cooling efficiency.

Mounted below the three new air intakes, is a new aerodynamic splitter for the 2010 Exige S240. Made from a lightweight composite, the splitter is now extended to wrap around the whole front end and chiseled side lips are raised to deflect air around the tires to reduce drag.

The composite rear wing is based on the design from the Exige GT3 road car concept shown at the Geneva Motorshow in 2007. Compared to the 2009 Lotus Exige's tailgate mounted wing it is 7.1 inches wider and mounted 1.8 inches higher and 2.4 inches further back. The new rear wing is mounted to the rear body-shell clam via end plates which not only increases the stiffness of the whole structure but also ensures that as much of the airflow as possible passes over the rear wing. This careful airflow management increases stability, reduces drag and, most importantly, maintains the impressive downforce figure of 93 pounds at 100 mph.

The light weight Exige S240 has one of the highest specific power outputs of any globally emissions certified car at 133 hp per liter and is a perfect demonstration of Colin Chapman's philosophy of performance through light weight and of Lotus' relentless pursuit of efficiency. The same technology that makes a light weight car a high performer also makes it efficient. How many cars available on the market today can rocket from 0 – 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, continue on up to a top speed of 150 mph and yet return an EPA rated 26 mpg in highway driving?"

Like all Lotus cars, the functional components of the car are also beautifully designed as Russell Carr, Chief of Lotus Design, explains, "For 2010 we have taken the already visually extreme Exige and given it even more visual drama. The changes we have integrated to the front and rear of the Exige signal an even clearer and purposeful intent. The functional rear wing is race-inspired, the new angular air intakes and full width splitter give a more hard-edged and aggressive look. Overall, the Exige appears more planted and gives the illusion that both the front and rear of the car are wider than they really are, yet without losing its agile and sleek character."

Roger Becker, Director of Vehicle Engineering said, "The changes we have made to the 2010 Exige are quite subtle when taken individually, but taken as a complete package they make significant improvements to aerodynamics and the overall look of the car. The Exige is a classic fit-for-purpose performance machine. The design tweaks we have made have reduced the drag by cleaning up the airflow around the front and rear of the car while retaining the impressive balanced downforce figures. The end result is an exciting high performance driving experience."

Honda is hinting at the world's first hybrid sports car through a petrol-electric hot produce that harks back to the CRX of the 1980s.

Honda's CRX is active and kicking as the CR-Z petrol-electric hybrid model car that will be unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo motor show.
Pundits had estimated Honda to show a full production model of the two-door CR-Z at the Tokyo motor show, but in its place the company has developed another concept version of the car, which will go on sale in Japan in early 2010.

The petrol-electric CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to Honda's "integrated motor assist" electric motor system.

It will also be the first hybrid to use a six-speed manual transmission. All Honda's hybrids, and those of its rival Toyota, use automatic or continuously variable transmissions.

CR-Z stands for Compact Renaissance Zero, but it is also a logical successor to the popular CRX hatchback, which ceased production in the early 1990s.


Elsewhere on its stand, Honda has a hybrid concept mini-van with dramatic scissor doors.


The car's hybrid system components are housed in the car's centre tunnel rather than behind the rear seats or under the floor, which means there is more cabin space in for second and third-row passengers.