You don't really understand how massive the shaft of the torque tube is until you see an Aisin employee's hand atop it.

[Lexus Configurator via Carscoop]

Mazda Kiyora – The Eco-Friendly City Car
Mazda Kiyora is a small, friendly concept car designed to meet the needs of young urbanites and indicates the direction Mazda could take with a car this size in the future – especially in terms of technology. It features components that are being developed at Mazda for use in the near future – like a next-generation 1.3-litre DISI* engine, a new automatic transmission, and a rigid and lightweight bodyshell for very high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Kiyora's design supports these technologies with aesthetic features that are expressive of the water theme yet highly functional.

There were a few years around the turn of the millennium when a wild spectrum of appliance manufacturers were inspired by the translucent, colored plastics used by Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive for the original iMac. The future, as evidenced by a casual glimpse at household appliances, was about to turn bondi blue.

This did not happen, of course, mainly because Ive has since abandoned color and began to lead his team to create monochrome computers, like the latest iteration of his iMac, announced yesterday.

But Apple’s aesthetics creep through and define modern industrial design. Observe this info-display made by Toyota for last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show to advertise their new Prius: it is as close to an iPhone as you can get without actually manufacturing a handheld computing device with a multitouch screen.

I wouldn’t be surprised if our Ray Wert, currently prowling the Tokyo Motor Show, came across something very similar. Or perhaps a rapid-prototyped press freebie aping Apple’s new mouse. (Nope! Bupkiss. —Ed.)

And here's what the new Lexus flagship super car looks like with its clothes on — in case you need any reminding.

Here's some vital stats on the Subie super-racer:

Vehicle Length: 4,730 mm
Vehicle Width: 1,920 mm
Vehicle Height: 1,210 mm
Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Tires: 280-710R18
Engine: 2.0-liter Horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder DOHC turbo gasoline engine
Displacement: 1,994cc
Transmission: 6-speed sequential
Drive: AWD (of course!)
Suspension (front/rear): Double wish-bone suspension

While Lexus showed off the LFA here in Tokyo, they wouldn't let journalists hop inside and they certainly weren't letting journalists do some hot laps. So, seeing the tach and speedo in a display case was the best we could manage.

And to be clear, it's not entirely all-digital. There's still a non-digital cowl over the speedo and tach, but all the data is digitally displayed and customizable — but it's not like Range Rover's all-digital LCD screen. But the level of clarity and lightning-fast speed in which it moves is fairly astonishing. Click next to see more.

The coolest part is how it turns red when you hit the redline. Very trick display.

889speedshop will be adding their well-known touch to the Lexus LFA 889, making the already exclusive supercar even more-so. With a planned production run of just five cars, the LFA 889 will include the addition of an even lighter carbon-fiber hood and fender skins with an additional duct just ahead of the door. The front fascia has been revised for a more aggressive appearance and higher flow ducting for the front brakes. Out back a carbon fiber splitter will be added and the variable spoiler will be replaced with a fixed carbon fiber unit. Wheels will be also be quite exotic, featuring hollow core spokes beneath the even blacker finish.

Tuning will be kept subtle, with a freer-flowing titanium exhaust system and intake and a light ECU reprogram good for a planned 20 HP bump. Most importantly is the cost, which is expected to add $65,000 to the LFA's $400,000 price tag.

If you believed any of this you're not gullible, you've just been conditioned to expect this kind of thing from shops that love putting out renders of cars before they get them.

However, if you get your hands on an LFA and have an extra $65,000 sitting around, our graphics team can probably make this happen in real life and not just in their awesome renders.

Press Release:

When walking is a struggle, you need a leg up. And that's literally what Honda's prototype Stride Management Assist device is designed to provide. A motor helps lift each leg at the thigh as it moves forward and backward. This helps lengthen the user's stride, making it easier to cover
longer distances at a greater speed.

A lightweight, simple design with a belt worn around the hips and thighs was created to reduce the wearer's load and to fit different body shapes. More than 130 patents have been applied for pertaining to the walking assist devices, which are currently being tested in real-world conditions to evaluate their effectiveness. As a company that values mobility, Honda began research into a walking device in 1999. The cumulative study of human walking, along with research and development of technologies conducted for Honda's advanced humanoid robot, ASIMO, made these developments possible.

The Leaf EV is the company's attempt to build and produce, on a large-scale, an electric car that can travel more than 100 miles on a charge and get the electric equivalent of 376 MPGe. After mostly missing the hybrid boat, Nissan has moved ahead on battery technology and plans to accept 20,000 reservations for the vehicle in the U.S. alone next year.

Details:
The world's first EV designed for large-scale volume production
• High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the "joy of driving" to another dimension.
• A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
• Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
• Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.

This car is currently available in RHD drive mode only, purely for the Japanese market, but it provides an interesting alternative to the Elise in the world of featherweight sports cars.

Jeez, get your minds out of the gutters kids!

This is the second version of the Honda CRZ concept, but it's well on the way to being an actual production car which we'll see debuted at the 2010 Detoit Auto Show. The preternaturally lovable two-seater will be making a return by the fall of 2010 and hopefully make us remember why loved old Hondas so long ago. The CRZ is planned as another dedicated hybrid from Honda, but this time it'll get the twist of a six speed manual transmission. We're be particularly interested to see how that whole system will shake out when it goes from concept to production.

Honda CR-Z Concept 2009 Makes World Debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

Honda today debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe, at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. While the vehicle displayed at the show is a global concept with a rear seat, the production version that will be introduced to North America in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid that provides a personal driving experience for North American customers.

"The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand," said Erik Berkman, vice president of Automobile Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Beyond great styling and features, CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested a small car or a hybrid vehicle."

CR-Z will join the Insight and Civic Hybrid in the Honda hybrid lineup, each offering distinct benefits. Civic Hybrid, launched in 2003, was Honda's first mainstream model to feature hybrid power. The 2010 Insight, introduced in March 2009, ushered in a new era of affordability for a hybrid family sedan. The CR-Z will break new ground as a sporty, hybrid coupe with unique value.

The production version of the Honda CR-Z will make its world debut at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

No video game, no matter how good, should smack around cars like this. It's just a waste.

So, warning: The commercial below — of a 1969 Corvette Stingray and a 1988 Lamborghini Countach swapping paint on the track — contains footage that may be unsuitable for small children and, you know, anyone who loves cars. Viewer discretion is advised.

Too bad it'll never built, Carlos! Hah!