Mitsubishi is previewing its next-generation CUV in the Land of the Rising Sun next month, and like nearly every other concept bound for the Tokyo Motor Show, the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV is packing a number of hybrid technologies to maximize fuel efficiency, decrease emissions and keep performance on par. Plus, the PX-MiEV comes with an added helping of "cocochi" – Japanese for "cozy."

PX is Mitsubishi shorthand for "plug-in hybrid crossover," so a 1.6-liter inline-four powers the front wheels, along with a generator, and a new plug-in system allows users to tap into the grid with either a 100 or 200-volt outlet. The PX-MiEV boasts an EV mode with a 30-mile range which can toggle between front- and all-wheel drive, a series hybrid mode when the juice dries up and a parallel hybrid system when under full load. Mitsu's E-4WD system shuffles power to the rear wheels when needed, using the same S-AWC and E-AYC systems as the Evolution X. The PX-MiEV can send torque left-to-right depending on the conditions, and a new center differential motor (unlike the mutli-plate clutch setup on the Evo) actively tweaks torque output to the rear wheels to increase grip.

Inside, the PX-MiEV sports a spartan interior with a number of technologies to keep occupants happy and healthy, including heat reflective glass and paint, along with individual air conditioners. Active safety systems – ranging from a "Multi-Around Monitor" to a front-facing camera that detects fatigue, then alerts the driver through a series of visual, audio and "vibrational" warnings – are sure to find their way into future Mitsubishi models. All the details are yours for the taking the in press release below the fold.



[Source: Mitsubishi]

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We've seen our fair share of personal mobility devices over the past few years -- from the ill-received Segway to Toyota's i-Real. Now, Honda's joining the minimalist motoring set with its own limb-atrophying U3-X.

Using technology originally developed for ASIMO the robot, the "U" in U3-X stands for both "universal" and "unicycle," and that's where the interesting tech resides. Housed within the large wheel are a series of smaller wheels that can rotate independently, allowing the awkwardly perched user to go forward, backward, side-to-side or diagonally. Like the Segway, the person piloting the U3-X simply leans in the desired direction to control the movement through the Honda Omni Traction Drive System (HOT).

Honda's keen to point out that the 22-pound U3-X is ultra-portable and easy to use, with fold away footrests and seat cushions. A single, lithium ion battery powers the electric motors up to one hour and the maximum speed is just a few ticks under four MPH.

We'll see the U3-X in person next month at the Tokyo Motor Show, but before then, you can get an eyeful in the gallery below and make the jump for several videos of the U3-X in action, along with Honda's press release.

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The latest reports out of Japan could spell bad news for Honda S2000 enthusiasts the world over. According the Best Car, the rear-wheel drive roadster's replacement will likely ditch Honda's high-revving F20C in favor of the second-generation hybrid drivetrain slated to be fitted to the Accord, and further, the gasoline-electric mill will be driving the front wheels.

Although we've been hearing rumors about the S2000's successor for a few years, Honda hasn't provided any indication about if and where the new model is headed. Best Car contends that the new convertible – likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top – will slot in above the all-new Honda CR-Z due to debut in production form at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. If that's the case, we suspect the next S2000 will be marketed as more of a boulevard cruiser than a back-road bomber, and that could mean that it might be sold as an Acura if it arrives in the States at all. If it does land here badged as a Honda, might we suggest calling it Del Sol instead?

[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]

After the House and Senate agreed on the terms of a cut-down version of the Cash for Clunkers legislation, it passed the house on Tuesday by a narrow margin (226-202) after being added as a supplemental appropriations bill to continue funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Per the previous agreement, the new bill only contains $1 billion for the program, about a quarter of what was originally proposed, and will only extend through the 2010 fiscal year, ending on September 30.

The $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers for consumers remain intact, along with the 18 mpg provision, and there's a movement underfoot to get the legislation prolonged passed the 2010 fiscal year. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon and, if all goes well, it should land on the President's desk this week.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req. | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]

Subaru's been hyping its future green technology for years, but despite promises of diesels and hybrids, those of us in the States have yet to sample any alt-fuel, boxer-powered Imprezas, Legacys or Foresters. But according to Subie's president Ikuo Mori, in addition to bringing a new diesel powerplant to the U.S. in 2011 or 2012, Subaru, "hopes to introduce a hybrid around the same time."

As previously reported, Subaru will license and adapt Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system to its current drivetrains, which has proved difficult and, apparently, time consuming (Autoblog first reported on Subaru's hybrid plans back in 2005). However, with this week's new CAFE announcement that requires automakers' products to average 35.5 mpg by 2016 – with Japan and Europe likely to follow suit – Subaru seems to finally be ready to make good on its promise – seven years later.

[Source: Bloomberg]

According to reports from both the New York Times and Politico, the Obama Administration plans to announce new CAFE regulations tomorrow that will finally reconcile both federal and state standards. The plan is expected to combine California's strict emission rules with the federal rule, raising the national fleet mileage to around 42 mpg for cars and approximately 26 mpg for light trucks by 2016 – an increase over the current standards of 27.5 mpg for cars and 24 mpg for trucks.

The administration set a self-imposed deadline of June 30 to grant California's request to impose the state's standard to the federal CAFE regulations, and according to the NYT, the auto industry isn't expected to challenge the new rules as they finally set both a definitive time table and a national standard. Politico is reporting that the Obama Administration sat down with several states and a number of domestic and foreign automakers to discuss the standard, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, BMW and others. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to attend the announcement on Tuesday, at which point all the hard details will be released. Thanks to win39 for the tip!

[Sources: NYT, Politico | Image Source: Alex Wong/Getty]

Driving prototypes is practically useless. It's next to impossible to get a feel for what the production version is capable of and you rarely get a chance to explore the limits. Our time with the Ronn Motor Company Scorpion didn't change that fact, but it did give us a glimpse into the upstart's future and how its program is progressing since the concept's introduction at last year's SEMA show. Tooling around Sacramento in the V6-powered, hydrogen-injected roadster, the unmuffled exhaust made us almost as uncomfortable as the lack of seat-belts. But to the company's credit, the Scorpion is a rarity in the show-car world – a concept that actually drives. So when the call came from Texas to get some wheel-time in the Scorpion, we jumped at the chance. Hell, Arnold Schwarzenegger personally invited the Ronn Motors crew to the Capitol to get a closer look. Who are we to deny court with the Governator?



Photos copyright ©2009 Brad Wood / Weblogs, Inc.

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With 150 Roadsters delivered to customers and another 1,100 people on the waiting list, Tesla decided now's the time to release a more performance oriented version its Elise-based EV. The Tesla Roadster Sport features a hand-wound stator that increases winding density to help eliminate resistance while increasing peak torque. In conjunction with a set of Yokohama Ultra High Performance tires (likely the same Advan A048s fitted to the Elise/Exige), Tesla claims a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds – 0.2-seconds faster than the standard Roadster. The Roadster Sport also benefits from a few other Lotus-derived components, including adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that can be tweaked to suit the driver's tastes.

Deliveries of the Roadster Sport will begin in late June, with a starting price of $128,500 in the US and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Customers on the waiting list for their "base" Roadster have the option to upgrade to the Sport model, but if you're looking for more stick, a nice set of Ohlins, some aftermarket sway bars and a new set of tires could be had for considerably less than the $28,000 premium of the Sport model.

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Oaktec has been campaigning a heavily-modified Honda Insight in a series of rallies over the past few years, taking five Class-A victories in the UK Formula 1000 rally and bringing home the Class-A championship in 2006.

In 2007, Oaktec built a Honda Civic hybrid to compete in both rally and circuit competition, porting over the knowledge it gleaned from the Insight to the Civic, including the implementation of a modified CVT, which the firm found provides the best method of power delivery when coupled to a hybrid drivetrain.

Yesterday, Oaktec and Lotus Engineering announced a partnership that will help to maximize the performance of its hybrid setup through the use of new battery and control system. Along with Lotus and Oaktec, Energy Efficient Motorsport, Motorsport Development and Honda UK have been tapped to provide support as the companies develop more vehicles for third-party clients.

The crew will make their debut campaign in the Dunlop Max Sport Cup at the Rockingham circuit this Sunday, with plans to campaign in more track competitions throughout this year and next.

[Source: Lotus]

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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took to the podium today at Tesla's San Carlos, California facility to formally announce a new set of incentives for EV manufacturers to call Cali home. The crux of the address centered on the new CAEATFA program, approved last Wednesday, that exempts automakers from paying sales and use tax on manufacturing equipment used to build EVs. The program is expected to save automakers – and Tesla specifically – millions of dollars, and is largely in response to Tesla's original plan to produce its new sedan in New Mexico.

Tesla used the Governor's visit as an opportunity to formally announce its new "multi-use sport sedan," currently codenamed Model S, which is estimated to get 225 miles on a single charge and to cost around $60,000. However, Tesla did not announce when the sedan would go on sale, nor would it give any indication about where the new EV would be produced.

UPDATE: Official press release pasted after the jump.

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