The Winner 2011 World Car Of The Year: All-Electric Nissan Leaf

The All-Electric Nissan Leaf was crowned 2011 World Car of the Year, closely beating BMW 5 Series and Audi A8, the second and third. The first electric car to win the prestigious prize, consisting of 66 jurors from 24 countries, The All-Electric Nissan Leaf emerged victorious with 733.4 points in the group 40 cars. The 5 car series was followed by 730.0 points, followed by A8 with 709.0 points.

All-Electric Nissan Leaf, the first series of electric cars, however, was second fiddle for the Chevrolet Volt, the first series of hybrid / extended range electric vehicle in the world has mass produced, which will become to 2011 World Green Car of the Year. BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition was also at second winner.

Moreover, the 2011 World Performance Car of the Year won by Ferrari 458 Italia, ahead of Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS and Porsche 911 Turbo. The World Car Design of the Year 2011 went to the Aston Martin Rapide, which overshadowed the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 458 Italia and Ferrari in the eyes of the 66 jurors.

New Figure Revealed: 2012 Toyota FT-86 Sports Coupe

The Toyota FT-86 sports coupe, probably the most exciting car in a long time from Toyota, has confirmed the sale in 2012 in major markets like Europe, United States.and Japan. Seems-wise, Toyota says the FT-86 production is based largely on the Toyota FT-86 Concept II presented in Geneva in March. Subaru version of the FT-86 are clearly different in appearance, though the same platform and mechanical.

Toyota promising "intrinsic joy of driving" to be submitted to FT-86 is lightweight, compact, low center of gravity and the front engine, rear-wheel-drive platform supported by the limited slip differential. Powering Toyota sports coupe entry-level is going to be the latest 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer engine aspiration to improve the D-4S Toyota direct injection technology. There are no hard features have been published, but all power is sent through a six-speed transmission available in manual and automatic. Enjoy a gallery of Toyota FT-86 Concept II to the Geneva auto show below!

2012 Toyota FT-86 Sports Coupe Galleries

Two New Compact Cars For ASEAN from Toyota and Daihatsu

Toyota is developing a new low cost compact car for the fast growing new markets like China and ASEAN, which obviously includes Malaysia. According to Japanese newspaper Chunichi Shimbun, which said it was condemned for the new car launch in 2012, costing less than one million yen (37,113 ringgit).

To lower development costs, the compact car share a platform with Toyota Vios, Toyota Yaris, while so many parties as possible locally, which could reduce costs by 30-40 percent.

The report also mentions that Daihatsu, Toyota mini / car small subsidiary unit is also currently developing a new compact car for Asian markets in the Southeast. The possibility remains that the car could be named as Toyota in some markets and as Perodua in Malaysia.

Compared with automakers like Volkswagen and Hyundai, Toyota seems to be staying in the presence and investment in emerging markets like India and Brazil. The two new models in question and the next Toyota Etios, whose launch in India later this year, are part of the plan of a number of Japanese automaker to establish a market presence much more developed.