Toyota to add subcompact dedicated hybrid in the U.S. by 2012

December 27, 2009 · Filed Under Cars · Comment

At the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next month, Toyota will unveil a new dedicated hybrid concept (no name confirmed yet). According to sources familiar with the project, Toyota plans on expanding its hybrid lineup with a new subcompact hybrid-only model, which will be based on the concept seen in Detroit.

The model, which will be smaller and more affordable than the Prius, is scheduled to go into production in Japan in late 2011 and will hit U.S. shores in early 2012. The subcompact hybrid is also expected to get better fuel-economy than the Toyota Prius.

Insiders say that Toyota is counting on the new subcompact hybrid to be a big seller and plans to produce 150,000 units annually.

By the end of 2010, Toyota will increase its hybrid vehicle output as it expands its battery venture with Japan’s Panasonic Corp to produce more than 1 million nickel-metal hydride batteries. The collaboration will also see an increase in the production of lithium-ion batteries for a plug-in Prius hybrid going on sale in late 2012.

As Detroit News points out, adding another high-profile hybrid to its lineup would not only boost sales for Toyota, but also increase profitability of the Japanese automaker’s hybrid car business by reducing the per-vehicle cost of components.
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Sheen’s Domestic Dispute Weapon in Question Revealed

December 27, 2009 · Filed Under Celebrity, Entertainment · Comment

And the plot thickens.
As we exclusively reported Saturday, a source close to Charlie Sheen’s Christmas day scuffle in Colorado revealed that a “weapon of some sort,” had been involved. Now, the same source tells E! News the weapon present in Sheen’s domestic dispute, and the cause of his felony menacing charges, was a knife. Read more

Brittany Murphy Remembered

December 24, 2009 · Filed Under Celebrity, Entertainment, Movies · Comment

Brittany Murphy died way too young. She recently passed away at the age of 32. She was best known for the portrayal of mentally disturbed girls or troubled teenagers in several of her films and she definitely gave a very convincing performance. Her big break came in 1995 with the movie Clueless where she co-starred with Alicia Silverstone. Brittany was very close with her mother and was married to film writer Simon Monjack. She will be missed by many.

Quick Facts about Brittany Murphy

Date of Birth:

10 November 1977, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Date of Death:

20 December 2009, Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth Name

Brittany Anne Murphy

Nickname

Britt

Height

5′ 5″ (1.65 m)

Lotus celebrates F1 return with Lotus Exige S Type 72

December 24, 2009 · Filed Under Cars · Comment

Lotus is celebrating its return to F1 by paying a tribute to its Lotus Type 72 Formula One car, which won 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975. The new Lotus Exige S Type 72 features a black and gold exterior finished by the same sign writer who painted the race cars for Team Lotus. The special-edition model also gets a Sport Pack as standard, which consists of bespoke high quality interior, including black micro fiber ProBax sports seats with gold stitching.

Power still comes from the 1.8L 4-cylinder making 220-hp. That allows the Exige S Type 72 to sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 145 mph.

Lotus will only make 20 units for the UK to commemorate the number of Grand Prix wins achieved by the Type 72. Other markets including Europe and Japan will get a limited run of the Exige S Type 72 (nothing announced for the U.S.).