Honda’s latest concept car (van) that is scheduled to debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, looks like something you might see done to an Odyssey minivan at Hot Import Nights. The reason? It has both the typical minivan sliding rear doors, as well as front “Lambo-style” doors.

Honda hasn’t released much info about the van, other than the fact that it is a hybrid. We suspect it uses Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system as found in the Insight. Outside, the front fascia is most certainly inspired from the CR-Z hybrid concept, which Honda also debuted in near-production form today.

We’ll have to wait until the van’s official debut at the Tokyo Auto Show on October 21st for more details.

GALLERY: Honda Skydeck Van Concept

[Source: Honda]

Honda intends to put the focus on its environmentally friendly alternative energy vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Show next month, showcasing several products, including the undeniably cute EV-N electric car concept.

The car will be in display in the HELLO! Zone (which apparently stands for Honda Electric mobility Loop) next to the hydrogen fuel-cell FXC Clarity, the EV-Cub electric motorcycle, the EV-MONPAL electric personal mobility device, the unicycle-like U3-X personal mobility device and LOOP, a cell phone that lets both people and mobility devices talk to each other (Skynet anyone?).

Along with things like swappable seats and a roof with solar panels on it, the EV-N also comes with a U3-X that fits inside the driver’s door!

We have to think this concept (as cute as it is) is eventually destined for production to take on vehicles like the Volkswagen E-Up! Concept, which just debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

GALLERY: Honda EV-N Concept

[Source: Honda]

Penske’s deal to buy the Saturn arm of General Motors has reportedly fallen through. Back in June the Penske Automotive Group (PAG) had announced it would buy the brand from GM, along with its dealer network.

“This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality,” said CEO Fritz Henderson in a statement, commenting that the issue was that Penske Automotive Group could not solidify a deal with another automaker to supply vehicles after the contract with GM was scheduled to run out.

Many sources had pointed to Penske rebadging vehicles from French automaker Renault to sell in the U.S., but that appears to have not come to fruition.

GM has announced that it will close the remaining Saturn dealerships and that owners will be able to purchase (hahaha!) or have vehicles serviced at retailers until that point. Afterwards, owners will continue to be able to have their vehicles serviced at a GM facility.

[Source: Globe & Mail]

It’s almost not even worth reporting because it is so expected and so obvious, but here goes: Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has reportedly confirmed that a roadster version of the company’s new 458 Italia model is on the way.

Surprised? We didn’t think so.

Before the 458, there was the F430 and its Spider variant. And before the F430 there was the 360, and its drop-top brother. And before the 360 there as the 355… See a pattern yet?

But don’t expect the 458 Italia Spider for at least a year or two.

And after that, you don’t exactly have to be Nostradamus to predict a striped-down, light weight motorsports-inspired version of the 458.

GALLERY: Ferrari 458 Italia, Frankfurt Auto Show

[Source: Quattroroute via EuroCarBlog]

Along with the Hybrid Tourer Concept, Subaru will have on display a hot-looking Carbon edition of its high-performance WRX STI model at the Tokyo Auto Show next month.

The model gets its name from a new carbon fiber roof that has been fitted to the car. Using the light weight and incredibly strong material so high up on the car not only reduces the car’s overall weight, but does so in a critical place, lowering the center of gravity considerably.

Inside, the cabin also gets a stunning suede interior (including on the dash) to give the car a seriously premium look and feel.

The bad news, however, is that Subaru has outfitted the car with an automatic transmission (and a five-speed one at that). The company says the use of a slushbox allows the high performance car to be enjoyed by a wider range of customers (read: they can sell a lot more of them).

We have to think the STI is best left for the hard-core enthusiasts.

GALLERY: Subaru WRX STI Carbon

At next month’s Tokyo Auto Show, Subaru will unveil what it calls the Hybrid Tourer Concept. The idea with this concept seems to be to explore a new area of the marketplace, somewhere between the Outback and Legacy, but with a serious focus on luxury and sport – like the GT/Sportback/Hatchback models being built by companies like BMW and Audi. Oh… and it also is a hybrid.

In true Subaru fashion, however, the hybrid system is designed to deliver not just performance, but all-wheel drive performance. The Hybrid Tourer Concept comes with a new direct-injection version of the company’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, but with an electric motor for both the front and the rear wheels.

At low speeds the more powerful rear electric motor moves the car, while under normal operating conditions the gasoline engine is used. The rear electric motor will kick in when added acceleration is needed, and when all-wheel drive grip is necessary, the front electric motor (normally used as a power generator for on-board electrical systems) will also work to deliver power.

The setup also allows for a flat floor inside the car because no driveshaft is required as the rear wheels are powered exclusively by electricity.

Energy for the batteries is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack and a start-stop system is also used to shut off the gasoline engine when idling.

GALLERY: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

Official release after the jump:

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Honda has just announced that a revised version of its CR-Z hybrid hatchback will debut at the Tokyo Auto Show next month. Honda has already produced a concept version of this car, but the new one (shown above) is as close to production as concepts get. The design has been toned down just ever so slightly, while the interior is as road-ready as a Honda Fit’s. In fact, the car looks deliciously CRX-like.

A production version of the car is expected in Japan next year with sales in North America the year after.

Power for the CR-Z comes from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. This 200cc of added displacement over the 1.3-liter engine found in both the Civic Hybrid and Insight should help put more of a focus on performance. Apparently, the car will also be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, as opposed to a CVT transmission – a first for a hybrid.

Let’s just hope the CR-Z is more Fit-like than Insight-like and that the Japanese automaker known for its engine building prowess can make the company’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system a bit more competitive with Toyota’s setup.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Concept

After teasing us with a cropped photo several weeks ago, Nissan has now officially unveiled the refreshed 2010 Altima Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid models with an updated interior and exterior and some new electronic toys.

The car doesn’t look all that different on its own, but place it next to an ’09 model and the changes are certainly noticeable. Included in the refresh is a new Maxima-esque grille and restyled hood, as well as a few new wheel designs. Inside, new fabric and new trim finishes help to update the interior look with the center stack getting a more thorough makeover.

New options include a premium audio package with a nine-speaker Bose stereo with a color 4.3-inch LCD display, iPod connectivity and a USB port, as well as Bluetooth, MP3/WMA playback and a RearView Monitor. In addition, a revised version of Nissan’s Hard Drive Navigation System is optional on all models. It replaces the standard 4.3-inch display with a 6.5-inch one, with a 9.3 GB Music Box hard drive and advanced features like speed limit advisories and optional XM NavTraffic and XM NavWeather

In the safety department, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), is now standard on all models.

Under the hood there have been no real changes with the base 175-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder or a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6. Don’t be confused by the name changes either, as Nissan has opted to drop the SE badge in favor of a more exciting SR badge.

The Altima Hybrid also gets a redesign, but no engine changes with the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder/electric motor combination, making 198-hp that registers 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Pricing for the base Altima sedan remains the same, but a slight “market adjustment” increase for all other models has been made.

Check out the huge gallery of photos Nissan has provided, or take a gander at our more realistic exclusive first images of the Altima Sedan 3.5 SR, just taken a few hours ago.

GALLERY: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan, Coupe and Hybrid

GALLERY: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan 3.5 SR

Official release after the jump:

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Tomorrow, if you pick up a copy of USA Today or The Washington Post, you’re likely to see Volvo’s full page ad, calling for legislation on “distracted driving.” The ads come on the very day that the U.S. Department of Transportation begins its two day Distracted Driving Summit to discuss the issue. Along with senior DOT staff, the summit will also host elected officials, safety advocates, academics and law enforcement representatives. Volvo, however, is not a participant, although the company that has built a reputation for vehicles that are, above all else, safe, obviously has something to say on the matter.

“With the proliferation of cell phone use and text messaging while behind the wheel, distracted driving is on the rise and is a leading cause of traffic accidents,” said Doug Speck, Volvo Cars North America president and CEO. “Reasonable laws that help focus a driver’s attention on the road will help reduce collisions, just as laws to enforce seat belt use have helped save lives. By holding this summit, the DOT is demonstrating its commitment to resolve an ever-growing safety issue.”

Along with numerous safety innovations throughout the decades, more recently Volvo prides itself on electronic systems such as lane departure warning or even the new “City Safety” system which debuted on the XC60 (above), that can actually stop the vehicle when a collision is detected.

Currently only seven states have banned cell phone use (without a hands-free device) while driving, while 18 states have laws against texting while driving.

Official release after the jump:

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BMW will resurrect the M1, basing the new exotic car on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, which debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The car will hit the market in 2012 says the U.K.’s AutoExpress, keeping much of the concept car’s green technologies, while offering performance to rival the Audi R8.

The car will be geared towards performance with a two-plus-two seating arrangement. It will also (says AutoExpress) get a 3D heads up display.

The 1.5-liter 3-cylinder hybrid powertrain will also be used, making roughly 350hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque, allowing the car to hit 60 mph in under five seconds. A drag coefficient of just 0.22 cd is expected thanks to a setup that will see air directed through the front bumper and out of the front wheel arches – something that will also improve stability at speed.

The new 1.5-liter engine is also expected to be used across BMW’s product range, helping to brand the company with a new environmentally responsible image.

GALLERY: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept in Frankfurt

[Source: AutoExpress]