Stretchy neck distinguishes Kassou concept car

Don’t raise your eyebrows! Kassou looks freakishly different but that has contributed to it winning 2nd place in professional category, Car Design News Contest 2008. Kassou means ‘glide’ in Japanese and the reason why British designer Nicholas Lee Dunderdale named his concept as such is easy to see. Running on three wheels, this concept car incorporates several novelties in its form. The fact that the sitting consists of a single bench (much like a motorcycle) or that it has rear splitting doors are not as amusing as the fact that Kassou has a flexible rubber neck! You heard right, Kassou has a cockpit that can be extended or contracted for more headroom or just to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The designer also envisages a little ‘side-car’ that can be attached via car’s lower section, which otherwise holds in luggage and other stuff. The vehicle is rendered beautifully and looks remarkable. Pity it won’t render easily to actual realization. Check out some more images after jump.

Designs for the Crowded Globe

The world of Japanese car design set against the backdrop of Japan's unique culture is explored in a sophisticated new exhibition at the Science Museum, from 29 November 2008.

Japan Car, an exploration of the car as a "mobile cell", has been conceived by two world class names from outside the world of automobile: Kenya Hara, the man responsible for much of the success of Muji, and Shigeru Ban, the distinguished Japanese architect currently designing a new satellite gallery in Metz for Paris' Pompidou Centre.



The exhibition, sponsored by seven Japanese car manufactures, shows how Japanese car design reflects the 'soil and the spirit of Japan', shown through concept cars and special home market models. Japan Car explores three themes while examining the future of mobility in cities. Japan, being both highly innovative and densely populated, can be seen as the driving force behind transport solutions for twenty-first century cities.

The exhibition will explore:
Size - small yet sophisticated vehicles and special kei cars, which are both compact and technologically advanced
Environment - climate-conscious hybrids intended to reduce carbon and other emissions
Moving urban cells - the future of transport as integrated systems rather than individual vehicles

As an exhibition of cars, alongside Japanese bonsai, art and design, Japan Car will display 14 unusual cars from the past decade and conceptual models, including the Nissan PIVO2 and Toyota i-REAL. When entering the exhibition, visitors will be greeted by an intriguing display of small model cars juxtaposed against live bonsai trees, the model cars taking the place of the natural stones which the Japanese often use to accompany bonsai trees. A specially commissioned painting by Akira Yamaguchi will conclude Japan Car. Yamaguchi's work uses traditional Japanese painting techniques to convey his vision of the future of mobility.

"Japan Car is a new look at Japanese car design by two innovative thinkers - the graphic designer Kenya Hara and the architect Shigeru Ban," said Andrew Nahum, the Science Museum's Principal Curator of Technology. "The Science Museum is delighted to be working with these international figures to present the British public with an entirely new and original exhibition. The exhibition will allow many people to see for the first time unique cars that are special to Japan. These cars intrigue us and prompt us to ask whether this is a glimpse of the future of road transport."

"The Japan Car exhibition has been created to give a clear and comprehensive view of the characteristics and circumstances behind Japanese cars today," added Kenya Hara, curator of the exhibiton. "Although the history of cars in Japan began with an attempt to emulate the West's automotive technology and culture, the context of Japanese lifestyles and Japan's particular route to industrial development has given Japan's cars their own unique characteristics and individuality."

Mitsubishi Motors Japan Plans To Launch 6 Green Car Models By 2015

Mitsubishi Motors Japan has officially planned, that it will launch 6 green car models by the year 2015. The models will be plug-in hybrids and complete electric cars, as the company told the media. Mitsubishi said that by the fiscal year 2015 they will have at least 6 green vehicles being produced at their plants, for their next generation customers.

One of the first green cars is scheduled to launch in the year 2011 itself, making an official debut of their future plans. The company has been giving stress to design, manufacture and produce green or electric vehicles for the future, and this was seen with the i-MiEV electric car, the first electric car of the company to be produced commercially.

Mitsubishi targets to sell 1.31 million green vehicles in the global market by the fiscal year 2013, which may not seem impossible. Mitsubishi has a reputation of producing quality vehicles around the world, similar to Toyota and Honda, as a result the company wont need to apply force in its marketing strategy. As per the financial forecast of 2013, the company expects to have a turnover of ¥2.5 trillion out of which ¥90 billion will be operational profit for Mitsubishi.

Nissan Nuvu: Future Car Using Solar Powered

In the Paris Motor Show on this year, NISSAN showcase the future of their car is the Nissan Nuvu. Car passenger capacity of 3 (2 +1) is the electric car easy to use and easy to find parking places because the length this car only 3 meters).

As the City Car, Nuvu using solar energy (solar powered) as a source of energy by putting solar panels on the top and some materials used can also be recycled.

Nuvu planned to begin in 2010 will be manufactured in Japan and United States and in year 2012 will be sold to the world.

Nissan Townpod

In the future, our working and living lifestyle will evolve with the opportunities afforded by the digital age. A new generation of entrepreneur will be born, these new professionals prefer to work for themselves from their own homes. The lines between business and social lives are no longer existed, so their transportation must follow.

Nissan Townpod combines casual and business in one stylish and futuristic vehicle. Townpod provides a simple platform for any kind of users, be they a musician with their kit, or an architect carrying drawings to a client, or an interior designer, this vehicle can adapt the interior according to the user’s needs.

While Nissan Townpod has been created with the world’s entrepreneurs in mind, its appeal is likely to go beyond this expanding demographic to new families building their first home or retirees turning a hobby into a business. In other words, anybody who appreciates the customizable utility of its van-like abilities coupled with a chic and stylish cockpit designed with the future and not just today, in mind.

Wireless Charging System For Electric And Hybrid Cars

Charging an electric or a hybrid car is all set to become as easy as parking it in a garage or a parking lot. Delphi Automotive and WiTricity Corp are working in collaboration to develop a wireless car charging system which juices a car as it lay embedded in a paved parking spot or sits on a garage floor. The WiTricity’s wireless system can efficiently transfer over 3300 watts of power to fully charge an electric vehicle.

Futuristic Automobile: Mitsubishi i MIEV soon to vroom on the roads of Iceland

Mitsubishi’s zero-emission “i MIEV” launch in Iceland might help the country achieve its target of being fossil-fuel free in the coming years. Iceland has been trying real hard to convert to sustainable energy. Currently, most of the country’s electric power needs are met by hydroelectric and geothermal sources.

Iceland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation regarding acquisition of a fleet of its zero-emissions i MIEV electric vehicle. The electric car is said to have a traveling range of 100 miles on a solitary charge, so it ought to be more than enough to equip the nation with a convenient and green vehicle. (The i MIEV has gone through testing in Japan and did well, and will be available there next year.) If any small European country can pull off EV’s with domestic energy it would probably be Iceland.

The Dark Side:
Just release the car worldwide and I will stop complaining! I have no other qualms about the potential of this beau.

The future of motoring is green

Organised by two of Japan's most respected visual gurus (architect Shigeru Ban and Muji's chief designer Kenya Hara), Japan Car, the new showcase at London's Science Museum, may be looking at current car production but it also offers a glimpse of the future.

 And when it comes to motoring, the future's most definitely green.

Japan's Kei car regulations deal with overcrowding issues, offering tax breaks on a distinct category of mini-vehicles with engines of up to 660cc.

Now the country's best-selling class of automobile, the Kei car has inspired manufacturers to come up with their own brand of tiny sophistication, a leap forward in fuel efficiency. At its extreme, that's seen in the one-person Toyota i-Real, an armchair on wheels.

.Another forward-thinking aspect of Japanese design, driven by the country's problems with air and water pollution as well as its lack of oil reserves, is the pursuit of alternative energy.

Japan Car features hybrid vehicles; the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, an electric car that can run for 160km after charging simply by plugging into a domestic power supply; and a hydrogen-powered car that is now available on lease for use alongside solar-powered hydrogen refuelling stations (the Honda FCX Clarity, which only produces water).

While some exhibits are prototypes, more than half are already on Japan's roads – so we may have more choice than the Prius any day now.

2012 Nissan Tiida and Review

released a new car is the Nissan Tiida is so impressive. With new innovations to make this car has attracted many buyers. Nissan Tiida unveiled at 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. As some of you already know, the Versa is sold in many markets around the world under the name Tiida Office. Nissan says that, having been introduced to China, the Tiida will be launched in approximately 130 countries around the world in 2014. Chinese version on the market subcompact model will be manufactured at Dongfeng Nissan’s Huadu plant in Guangzhou, with domestic sales to begin in May 2011.

Automotive Tuning & Crazy Car Mods – Tokyo Auto Salon

For many car lovers the ultimate dream is to make a pilgrimage to Chiba – near Tokyo, Japan to attend the annual Tokyo Auto Salon. This show is held for last 23 years and provides the Japanese car fans with all the latest in Japanese automotive tuning. The show takes place at the Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center) in the month of January. Whether it’s auto manufacturers displays, featured vehicles, or the infamous Japanese Race Queens you’re after, Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the best opportunity to soothe your eyes.
Unlike the Tokyo Motor Show is an environmentally conscious event catered towards about hybrids and understated styling, the annual Tokyo Auto Salon is an rebellious, nonconformist event catered for car lovers who love power and over-the-top cosmetic surgery. This 3-day show, which attracts around 250,000 fans each year, is a journey into the lunatic extremes of what is possible in the world of tuners and customizers.
And car loves who visit this event also take pride to display their crazy mods. So you should not miss having a look at the parking lot too. You can see more pictures of crazy car mods here.
Three more months for the next Tokyo Auto Salon event. If you are willing to visit Japan in January to buy any used vehicle, I can organize a tour for you to attend the Tokyo Auto Salon event too.

Weird Concept cars from Japan

The car above has got to be the strangest looking concept car I’ve ever seen. Usually concept cars will be overly sporty or invoke thoughts of raw power. It seems that for Japanese car makers, concept cars this year all invoke cartoonlike feelings.
The car above is being shown at the Tokyo auto show by Honda and is called PUYO. The name is meant to give the user feelings of softness. And the car is literally soft! The entire outer body of the car is made from a soft gel like substance. So it really is soft.
For more pics check out the article at Jalopnick: Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Honda PUYO Concept Car Has No Edges, Begs To Be Fondled
Not to be outdone, Nissan also has a cartoon car. They call theirs the Pivo 2. Check out this video of the car in action.

The Coolest Little Cars I’ve Ever Seen

One my first impressions in Japan was on the highway from Narita airport to the Hotel Pacific in Tokyo. Dog-tired, I looked out my window and to my right was a little blue car that looked very familiar — a Volkswagen R32. Whaaaaaaat…! That really boosted my excitement level. Immediately I looked around the road to see what other cars were familiar — not many, to say the least.
Hmmm…that one looks sort of like a Scion xB. Hmmm…is that a Mini-Cooper? Nope. Just a tiny car.
One thing many of the cars had in common: size. These were some of the cutest, tiniest cars I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Most looked like some variation of a Scion xA or xB, or a Smart Car — the body type being either very squarish with a low front hood, or very round and stocky. Others resembled passenger vans that had been shrunken down and compressed from the sides. Some looked very similar to the Mini-Cooper. But all in all, many were very, very compact with very small tires. Some of these cars made my Scion xA look like an SUV!
Here are some pictures:

Japanese car tuning

Just to remeber you I copy here Wikipedia definition for car tuning:

Car tuning is both an industry and a popular hobby, in which a car is modified in order to improve its performance and handling. Car tuning is related to auto racing, but most performance cars never compete. Rather they are built for display at motor shows and club meetings, or just for the pleasure of owning and driving such a vehicle. Another major part of tuning a car is the body work. This includes changing front, side and rear bumpers, adding spoilers, alloy wheels window tinting, neon lights, sound systems, seats and just about everything else that you can change in a car. More about tuning definition on Wikipedia

The strange science of Japanese car design

The wacky world of Japanese car design is coming to the Science Museum.

The “Japan Car” exhibition, which begins on November 29, is an exploration of the car as “a mobile cell”. It aims to show how Japanese car design reflects “the soil and the spirit of Japan” through special home market models and concept cars.

Among the vehicles exhibited will be the Nissan Cube, Daihatsu Tanto and Toyota i-REAL.

Andrew Nahum, the Science Museum’s principal curator of Technology, said: “'Japan Car’ is a new look at Japanese car design by two innovative thinkers – the graphic designer Kenya Hara and the architect Shigeru Ban.

"The Science Museum is delighted to be working with these international figures to present the British public with an entirely new and original exhibition.

"It will allow many people to see for the first time unique cars that are special to Japan. These cars intrigue us and prompt us to ask whether this is a glimpse of the future of road transport.”

The exhibition continues until next April. For more information, go to www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.