Detroit Auto Show Honda Urban SUV Concept【Video】

Honda has revealed its Urban SUV concept at the North American International Auto Show.

Hondas new SUV is part of a segment of smaller vehicles that are becoming more readily available in the U.S. market with higher-end features such as heated seats and navigation, noted IHS Automotive analyst Rebecca Lindland. Other upcoming small SUVs, such as the Toyota RAV4, fit the bill as well.

The concept measures 169.3 inches in length, making it about eight inches longer than a Fit hatchback and nine inches shorter than the CR-V. Honda confirmed that its new crossover will debut a telematics system for Honda, and it will use one of Hondas new Earth Dreams engines; we previously reported that this engine would be a 1.5-liter I4 paired with a continuously variable transmission.

Inside, Hondas vision for the Urban SUV concept (the concept at the auto show has no interior) is rather conventional, featuring an instrument panel that could easily translate into a production form. The concept reportedly uses Hondas Magic Seats system, which are featured in the Fit subcompact and allow for extraordinary flexibility in terms of seating arrangements and cargo hauling. The production version is expected to also make use of this system.




Press Release

Honda "Urban SUV Concept" Makes World Debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show

All-new Honda concept model previews addition to growing small-SUV segment and demonstrates Hondas small-car expertise

An all-new Honda "Urban SUV Concept" vehicle made its world debut today at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The dynamic and youthful concept hints at the styling direction of an all-new small SUV slated to launch in Japan by the end of 2013, followed by the U.S. market in 2014.

"No one has had greater success with small cars than Honda, and this Urban SUV Concept will create new value in the growing small-SUV segment," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda. "With the continued expansion of our North American manufacturing operations, we expect fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive small cars to play a key role in meeting the needs of our customers in the U.S."

The Urban SUV Concept is intended to provide the basis for a fun-to-drive and fuel-efficient small SUV with aspirational design, flexible packaging and next-generation connectivity targeting active lifestyle customers. The concept showcases clean and sophisticated styling, dynamic character lines and a strong stance, with hidden rear door handles giving the SUV a coupe-like presence. Measuring 169.3 inches long, the Urban SUV Concept is nine inches shorter than the Honda CR-V, making it the ideal size for navigating both crowded city streets and open mountain roads.

The Urban SUV Concept represents the expansion of vehicles based on Hondas Global Compact Series, which includes the Honda Fit subcompact and the Honda City subcompact sedan, a model sold in markets outside the United States.

All-New Small SUV Launching 2014
Coming to the U.S. in 2014, an all-new small SUV based on the Urban SUV Concept will feature fuel-efficient Earth Dreams™ Technology and be priced and positioned below the CR-V within the Honda light-truck lineup. Part of Hondas Global Compact Series, and utilizing the Honda-original center-tank layout featured on the Fit, the model will include Hondas configurable Magic Seat® setup that can provide a host of passenger and cargo options, including a fold-flat mode for maximum cargo capacity. The all-new model will also feature next-generation telematics and a modern interior.

The small SUV will be manufactured along with the Fit at Hondas newest North American plant near Celaya, Mexico, expected to open in the spring of 2014. The growth and expansion of its small-vehicle lineup will help Honda double worldwide production of vehicles in its Global Compact Series to more than 1.5 million units by the end of 2016, and remain a global small-car leader.

Nissan PIVO 3 concept【Video】

Nissan has releases the Pivo 3 concept, which will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in next month.

The exterior design proposes a new direction, leaving the round surface language for a more “serious” and aggressive treatment made of sharp edges and angled surfaces, which is more in line with the current trends.

A good size for tight cities, the Pivo 3 is just three metres long and has a wide-enough steering angle to allow you to make a U-turn on a road thats just four metres wide. It has a zero turn gap, so if the front wheels can make the turn, the rear wheels will follow without scraping the body side.

Inside, the cabin is elegantly equipped with premium leather, metallic trim and a digital instrument cluster. Theres also a McLaren F1-style seating arrangement which doesnt look very comfortable.

The driver-focused interior incorporates side-view monitors (which take the place of mirrors), Nissan’s Around View Monitor system that minimises blind spots, and an ultra-wide display for GPS and other information.



Press Release

Highlights of the Nissan Exhibit at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (November 8, 2011) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., will present a selection of new production vehicles, prototypes and three concept cars at the upcoming 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Highlights of the show include:

• Three concept EVs: PIVO 3, a smart urban EV of the near future; ESFLOW, a pure EV sports car; and TOWNPOD, a cross-genre EV for business or leisure
• Smart House of the Future: Enables electricity supply from Nissan LEAF, solar panels and fuel cells
• Next-generation light commercial van prototype: All-new NV350, delivering improved convenience and styling
• Special advanced technology exhibit displaying Nissans latest innovations in zero emission mobility and safety.

An overview of the concept cars and technologies to be exhibited are as follows:

PIVO 3 - The smart urban commuter EV of the near future

• Automated Valet Parking (AVP) enables PIVO 3 to automatically drive, locate a parking space and park without driver assistance in the infrastructure equipped parking lots envisioned for the future. It can also charge itself and return to its driver at the AVP exit when called by smartphone.
• Compact 3-seater body under 3-meter long, narrow-tread rear tires and IWM (in-wheel motors) with wide steering angle allows PIVO 3 to make a U-turn on a road only four meters wide. The highly maneuverable PIVO 3 has zero turn gap, so if the front wheels can make the turn, the rear wheels will follow without scraping the body side.
• Refined exterior styling with bold surfaces and a new stance.
• Controls integrate seamlessly with high-grade interior.
• Central driving position provides a totally new driving experience.
• Realization of near future mobility that not only links car and driver but also connects the car to the community with sustainable energy.

ESFLOW - Dynamic driving in a zero emission future

• World debut made at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011.
• Pure EV sports car concept offers an exciting new dimension in sports car handling and performance, using technology pioneered in Nissan LEAF.
• Rear-wheel drive two-seater configuration.
• Two independently controlled midship-mounted electric motors, each driving a rear wheel, with active optimization of vehicle dynamics and driving feel suits individual preferences and road characteristics.
• Laminated lithium-ion batteries mounting position engineered for ideal front-to-rear balance.
• Dramatic styling with wrap-around windscreen for enhanced visibility over low hood made possible by EV package.
• 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) in under five seconds.
• Over 240 kilometer (150 mile) cruising range on one charge (US LA4 mode).

TOWNPOD - Cross-genre EV for the free-thinking enterpreneur

• Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show in September 2010.
• Fashionable and functional vehicle flexibly adapts to user needs.
• Exterior melds stylish coupe and roomy van design elements.
• Engaging front seat styling. Rear cargo space is functionally designed for professional utility, including rear seat storage area in back of front seats.
• Three split doors and a split open sunroof ease access in tight spots while greatly improving loading/unloading convenience and ability to carry taller objects.
• Touch-screen display links to drivers smartphone to provide convenient support for busy professionals.
• Zero emission mobility offers guilt-free driving enjoyment for the environmentally conscious user.

NV350 - Next-generation light commercial van delivers capacity, convenience and style

• Improved fuel economy.
• Contemporary exterior styling expresses solid presence.
• Functional interior styled to emphasize spacious feel.
• Keyless pushbutton ignition, a worlds first in a commercial vehicle. Nissan Intelligent Key^TM, dash-mounted shift lever and foot-operated parking brake also exceed expectations in the LCV category.
• Cargo area up to 3 meters in length, 50:50 split fold-forward rear seats, and embedded mounting nuts in interior side panels provide flexible cargo handling and adaptability to user needs.
• Japanese market launch scheduled for summer of 2012.
• ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY - Toward Zero Emission Mobility
• Nissans EV technology offers exciting new benefits exemplified by the Smart House of the Future and EV-based Smart Community, which will be introduced using motion displays.

NSH-2012 Smart House of the Future
Nissan will display its Smart House "NSH-2012", an implementation of the "LEAF to Home" (V2H*) electric supply system, which uses power stored in Nissan LEAFs batteries. The Smart House combines solar panels, fuel cells and Nissan LEAFs batteries to maintain a steady power supply to the home, independent of weather conditions. Even during a power outage in a disaster, solar power and Nissan LEAF batteries can continue to supply the home with electricity.
* V2H stands for "vehicle to home", that is, supplying electricity to the home from power stored in an electric vehicles batteries.

EV-based Smart Community
A broader application of the "LEAF to Home" electric supply system, Smart Communities integrate renewable energy and a bi-directional electric grid to enable new lifestyles. Motion displays show how EVs make this possible in three contexts: homes, buildings and communities.
Next-generation mobility with PIVO 3
A multi-media presentation of PIVO 3 functions, such as Automated Valet Parking, which link to the "smart city" infrastructure of the future and use cloud computing to enable intelligent and convenient next-generation mobility.

PURE DRIVE^TM - Boosting fuel efficiency with a suite of technologies
PURE DRIVE^TM is Nissans initiative to boost environmental performance in conventional-fuel powertrains. Cutaway models and videos will introduce PURE DRIVE^TM technologies including clean diesel, hybrid, stop/start system and XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Nissan Safety Shield - Towards zero fatalities
Nissan has set an ultimate goal of reducing the number of automobile accident fatalities or serious injuries involving its vehicles to substantially zero. Nissans Safety Shield concept defines pre- and post-crash conditions to guide the active development of technologies to address safety all around the vehicle. Nissan will introduce nine technologies by the end of 2011 to create a virtual "Safety Shield" for our customers. Video presentations and interactive displays will illustrate these innovations.