News in brief
* All the news from Tokyo * Crazy concepts and car launches * Eco theme for the show...
Toyota plugs in to all-eletric iQ
Toyota is rumoured to be planning an all-electric version of its tiny iQ city runabout in 2011 or 2012. The FT-EV 2 concept at the Tokyo show is based on an iQ chassis, but is even shorter because the electric-only powertrain takes up less space then a petrol or diesel engine and gearbox. It has a 55-mile range and a 62mph top speed, and can be fully charged in two-and-a-half hours. 'Plug-in hybrids will have the biggest role in our line-up, but for short journeys there is potential in an electric car,' said a Toyota spokesman.
Say Hello to Honda
Honda has coined a new name for the work it is doing to popularise electric vehicles and generators HELLO. It stands for Honda Electric Mobility Loop, and includes cars, motorcycles, scooters and even a unicycle. A special display at the Tokyo show includes a small four-seater battery electric car called EV-N, inspired by the 360cc N360 micro-car Honda built in the 1960s. Although there are no plans to put the retro-chic car into production, Honda may be forced to think again judging by the overwhelmingly positive reaction to it. Insiders expect some form of urban electric car to appear.
Best executive cars 2024 – tested, rated and those to avoid
Great executive cars are comfortable, classy and well equipped, yet also cheap to run. Here we name the best 10 executive cars on sale in the UK – plus one we recommend avoiding