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According to a recent report, rumors suggesting the Toyota FT-86 Concept would be redesigned are incorrect. In an interview with AutoCar, Jaromir Cech, a senior designer at Toyota's European Design Development Center, dismissed the earlier reports. While he didn't specifically address the issue, he hinted that Toyota would officially announce plans to build the FT-86 at the Geneva Motor Show. He commented that the front bumper would likely be modified (to meet pedestrian crash protection standards) and the purse-like doorbins could be dropped. According to Cech, "I'm not sure whether the zips (aka zipper) idea for the doorbins will make it into production - it may prove too difficult to mass-produce - but I hope one day we'll see something like it in a production Toyota because it's a simple but also functional solution." As you may recall, the FT-86 Concept previews the jointly developed Toyota/Subaru sports car. It features a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated Subaru Boxer engine, a six-speed manual transmission, ADVICS brakes, and rear-wheel drive.

News/rumours on the new Honda Civic for 2006. No pictures of the new model yet though......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A reliable source tells us that the 06 Civic platform is set for some significant changes. While the famed Honda double wishbone front suspension will not return (we're hearing this from enough sources in the US and abroad now to think its probably true), the strut setup will be significantly modified to improve handling and reduce bump steer. We hear this means a big change in the steering rack setup. Supposedly the rear suspension will be modified as well, although less is known on what will happen there. On the powertrain front, we're hearing that the Civic lineup will incorporate direct injection. Does this mean we'll be seeing a variant of the current 2.0 DOHC i-VTEC I engine from the JDM Stream? It sure sounds like it to us. The i-VTEC I engine is essentially a high fuel economy version of the K-series, which resembles a K20A3 in terms of power production (150-160 hp), but returns a 10-15% gain in fuel economy. The Civic may incorporate some different variants on this engine for sport and economy oriented model trims. Whether this means the D-series disappears is unknown to us at this point, but it seems at least a reasonable possibility. With the importation of the Fit/Jazz on the horizon (with L-series i-DSI engines), the Civic can move upstream, as many TOV members have predicted, and the need for a sub-2.0 liter engine diminishes. Furthermore, the incorporation of direct injection on the Civic fits with the model line's history of being very clean and green. Honda has rarely compromised fuel economy for performance (hence VTEC and its ilk) and such a compromise would be even more out of character with the Civic. Incorporating the i-VTEC I engine line into the new Civic would provide Honda with a definite leg up on the competition. The model would be positioned as equivalent in power to its competition (Focus PZEV, Mazda3 2.3, etc. all in the 150-160 hp range) while offering significant fuel economy benefits (the Mazda3 2.3 is only rated at 25/32 on the EPA cycle).

A whole lot of us went for servicing yesterday. Had a chance to drive the Optra. Pretty neat car, just wondering why my wife is not convinced about it. Anyway, did talk to the SE there. Optra 5 looks likely to hit the showroom in Nov. GM is marketing it here as a upmarket car. Equipment levels will be; 1. Same 1.6L engine 2. Airbags, most likely 2 3. Same 4 disc rotor brake system 4. ABS 5. Traction control! This info might not be accurate. The price will not be as cheapo as the original Optra.