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.

What's that? You can't imagine a Toyota that might consider offering a fun, affordable, two door with a modicum of sportiness and some seriously interesting style? Might we introduce you to the Toyota FT-86 concept — the first Toyota (barring the epic Lexus LFA) we've been genuinely excited about since the... um... Supra? Wow, that took entirely too long.

This picture is from the 2003 show, any guesses as to what all those vehicles in the background are?

Photo Credit: TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images

A Legacy In The Front Three-Quarters
The original Toyota AE86 is a legend, offering the fun of RWD in an extremely light-and-tossable platform. Despite having econo-car dimensions, the AE86 was able to incorporate a sports car look with its long, sloping hood and a line carrying itself through the A-pillar. Click through to see how this element transformed into the final concept.

Toyota's Design Evolves In Profile
The RWD is teased in the Hofmeister Kink, which goes through quite the metamorphosis before ending up with a look that combines the wild integrated kink of the first sketch and concept with the practical C-pillar on the original coupe and three-door.

A Sexy Swoop In Back
The new swoopy design language on the FT-86 has less to do with the AE-86 and more to do with where Toyota is going as a company. The two-box design coming to a point at the rear evolves from the LF-A Roadster concept to something more dramatic on the sketch and concept before ending up with a design incorporating the same rotary look into the trunkline.

Looking To The Future Up Front
Toyota has lacked a distinctive front fascia for years, with little similarity between a Camry, Corolla and Avalon, to give just one example. Though you don't quite see the emergence of one in these drawings, it's clear with the introduction of the 2010 4Runner that Toyota is attempted, at least, to create a more aggressive look with the use of a trapezoidal shape.

Conclusion
The FT-86 in name and purpose is the heir to the AE86 legacy but is far more important to the brand. Though still a concept, this near-production vehicle is perhaps Toyota's best answer to Aiko Toyoda's complaint that the company has become distant from its customers.

The Toyota FT-86 concept is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality, at the least a 2.0 liter, four cylinder boxer engine dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission, and get this — no hybrid system. Saints be praised.

Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase. It's also the first car to wear Toyota's new swoopy styling with some gusto. Dare we say it, we actually like the look of it. It's... exciting, we're so confused here. The interior is obviously all show-car glam and may serve as direction, but we'll be shocked if there are many zippers on the production car's dash.

We're men enough to admit that combined with the recently unveiled 2010 Toyota 4Runner, we're about to shed a tear over what looks to be the return of the old, fun AE86 sports coupe-building Toyota.

We'll let this story continue in Rust-MyEnemy's own words:
I have literally just returned from a week in Tokyo, having missed out on a whole bunch of jalopnik style meaty goodness. While out there I rather fell for the the Japanese Domestic Market world o'cars, and this prompted me to bung in your general direction this particuar magical gem.
Spotted between Giza and Tokyo Station, in a side street,a Nissan Gloria Station Wagon, complete with "colonial oak (or somesuch)" vinyl cladding.
My knowledge of Japanese DM cars of the era is... sketchy. All I do know is that the Gloria was the upmarket version of the Cedric (well, it had to be with a name as posh as Gloria), and that they were panhard layoutted conventional sedans and wagons, with myriad engine combinations.
These ranged from a 2.0 lpg or gas engine, through to a 3.0 twin cam. There was no way I am aware of to determine what engine was fitted to this example.
The condition of this car made me wonder how it was still on the road, with JDM pollution and roadworthiness regulations being some of the most stringent in the world. It is obviously a workhorse, but one that has been loved. It proudly wears a large dent in the drivers' door, and a set of lace seat covers clearly from a Toyota Mark II.
I can only make a guess to the age of this car, but would suggest it to be from '84-87, as this was when the next facelift I believe took place.
Later in that same day, and tragically out of photographic range, I spotted what appeared to be a heavily rice'd version of the same model. In iridescent purple, with "big ole rims", it made a very suspiciously forced-induction-esque noise, and was definitely a vee-six.
Makes me think that a VG30DETT conversion is not unheard of among these machines.
I know you are probably succumbing under sheer bulk of DOTS stuff, but the woodiness of this beastie just had to be shared.

As for the rest of you who have sent DOTSBE photos in but haven't seen them yet: They shall be posted!

But that's one of only 30 new technologies the QarmaQ incorporates, many of which Hyundai hopes they'll be able to incorporate into new models between 2008 and 2014. According to Hyundai, the QarmaQ is lighter, stronger and more economical than any current production CUV in its class. We also have to say it looks not too terrible on the eyes either — which is why we thought it was so nice, we've brought it to ya twice. Plus, we felt the need to drop a "Death Race 2000" joke and a Shibuya joke in one post.