Honda S660 Roadster

Honda's journey for a Beat replacement that started with the all-electric 2011 EV-STER Concept and continued with the more realistic 2013 S660 study, is ending with the production S660.

As evidenced by these photos shot at a Japanese port, Honda is ready to ship the production 2015 S660 to dealers across the country. 

The sporty, pint-sized roadster is very close to the 2013 concept of the same name, with only a few modest exterior modifications such as the headlamp and tail light clusters, the grille, the smaller wheels, and if we're not mistaken, the less heavily sculpted door lines. 

Honda also toned down the interior design a few notches removing the futuristic steering wheel, seat designs and the smaller touchscreens. 

The 3.4-meter (134 in.) long S660 revives the spirit of the mid-engine Beat roadster, employing a 660cc (0.66-liter) three-cylinder turbocharged engine with around 63-horses positioned behind the driver, paired to either a CVT, or as you can see in the photos, a six-speed manual turning the rear wheels. 

There have been rumors floating around of an export version named S1000 fitted with a –you guessed it- 1,000cc or 1.0-liter turbocharged engines featuring a slightly wider body and bigger wheels and possibly around 100 or more horses, but we wouldn't get our hopes up for a North American landing any time soon. 

Pictures via Minkara, H/T to Ferd!

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Yamaha R-Car

It even tried to build its own V12-powered supercar back in the early 1990s with the futuristic OX9911 (see videos below); however, the program was eventually cancelled due to Japan's financial crisis at the time, but not before the company manufactured three working prototypes.

Yamaha's connection to the auto industry started well before the OX9911, as it helped develop and produce Japan's first true sports car, the 1967 Toyota 2000GT, while in the years that followed, it designed, built, and supplied several engines to automakers, from four-cylinder to V8 units (i.e. the Taurus SHO's 3.0-liter V6 and later on, 3.4-liter V8 units).

The reason why we're telling you all this is to present a new concept study for a Yamaha supercar by an independent designer from Spain named Albert Roselló.

The concept is called the Yamaha R Car, and according to Roselló, it depicts a "supercar with a superbike soul".

Besides the Lamborghini-esque styling, the R Car was envisioned to have an engine delivering over 900-horses while tipping the scales at less than 1,100kg (2,425 pounds), which of course, means nothing since it's all pure fantasy talk.

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Gundam Style 2013 Toyota Auris Hatchback

The new 2013 Toyota Auris was selected for a cosmetic tune dedicated to the anime cartoon, with the Japanese automaker's in-house tuning arm Modellista taking responsibility for the transformation.

Modellista chose Char Aznable, a fictional character from the Gundam franchise, as its inspiration for the re-styling of the new compact hatchback.

After fitting the car with an aero package consisting of a deep front apron with LED daytime lights, hood vents, rocker panels, a roof spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and quad tailpipes, Modellista then applied a foil wrap in red for the body and in carbon fiber for the roof.

The Auris Char Aznable rides on a set of black 18-inch alloy wheels and also features changes inside, including red accents on the dashboard, steering wheel hub and gear shifter.

The only mechanical upgrades made to the car are the sports exhaust system and a lower and stiffer suspension.

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2013 Toyota Auris Hatchback

In Japan, the Auris is available with a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines. The base 1.5-liter unit produces 107hp (109PS) in the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and 103hp (105PS) when opted with AWD. This engine is linked exclusively to Toyota's Super CVT-i (Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) and can be optionally combined with a fuel-saving Start/Stop system.

The larger 1.8-liter unit is available only with FWD and generates 140hp (143PS) in all trims expect the RS Grade that gets a sports exhaust system to lift output to 143hp (144PS). Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual and the Super CVT-i.

Those looking for a sportier appearance can opt for the Modellista variants that are fitted with a grounds effect kit and larger alloy wheels or choose from a selection of accessories from the firm's TRD shop.

Toyota said it has set a monthly sales target for Japan of 2,000 units with prices ranging from 1,710,000 Yen to 2,250,000 Yen (US$21,600-28,400 / €17,300-22,800).

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2013 Nissan Note

In Japan, the new Note will launch this fall with a choice of two 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engines, in naturally aspirated and supercharged forms, both coupled to a next-generation XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) for all grades with an Idling Stop System for the 2WD models.

The automaker noted that the supercharged engine delivers a fuel economy of 25.2 km/L (58.9 mpg US, 70.7mpg UK or 4.0lt/100km) in Japan's JC08 mode.

While Nissan has not yet provided detailed information, we do know that in the Micra, the 1.2L engines produce 79hp and 97hp respectively.

Among other available features will be Nissan's Around View Monitor (AVM) parking assistance system.

The new Japanese-market Note, which is featured in these images, will be produced at Nissan Motor Kyushu, while the European version of the car that is slated for release in early 2013, will be built at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the U.K.

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Lexus CT 200h Hybrid Hatch

The CT200h Black Bison Edition comes with a full aero body kit, composed of a new front bumper with LED lights on both corners, side skirts, revamped rear bumper with a matte black diffuser and new exhaust tips, and just in case those…134-ponnies under the hood decide to do something wald, roof and boot spoilers.

Wald has also lowered the hybrid model's suspension and added a new set of alloy wheels with a black and chrome finish.

The Black Bison package for the compact Lexus hatchback is due to go on sale later this year, with additional information to be released closer to launch.

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