Toyota Launches Redesigned Porte and New Spade Mini MPVs

Responding to increased demand for subcompact cars with minivan-like features in its home market of Japan, Toyota has given its Porte model a makeover while also introducing a second variant of the series named Spade. The two cars, which are similar in philosophy to the Peugeot 1007 (2004-2009), differ only in their exterior appearance with the Spade sporting a boxier front end with sharper lines and headlamps and bespoke tail lamp graphics and rear bumper trim.
Both models are equipped with a single, remote-controlled electric sliding door (1,020 mm wide by 1,250 mm tall) on the passenger side and two conventional doors on the driver's side, and measure 3,995mm long (157.3 inches), 1,695mm (66.7 inches) wide and 1,690mm (66.5 inches) tall, while riding on a comfy 2,600mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase.
The five-seater cabin comes with all sorts of practical features ranging from a front passenger seat that folds down completely to form a table and which can be adjusted back and forth 700 mm, to a 60/40-split rear seat with seat cushion tip-up functio, and hooks for hanging shopping bags to specially designed tissue holders front and back.
Powertrain options include 1.3-liter and an updated 1.5-liter petrol engines coupled to a Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.
Prices for the Toyota Spade and Porte in Japan range from 1,450,000 Yen to 1,910,000 Yen (US$18,450 to US$24,300 / €15,100 to €19,900).

2013 TOYOTA PORTE

2013 TOYOTA SPADE

Chevrolet Cruze Sedans Over Fire Concerns

that fires can ignite when fluids, mainly during improper engine oil change procedures, spill onto a plastic shield below the engine.
GM will modify the engine shield under the vehicle to prevent any liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary investigation in April of this year after learning about two engine compartment fires in 2011 model year Cruzes and later added the 2012 model year.
In a separate action, GM is recalling 249 Chevrolet Cruze sedans from the same model years to inspect for inadequate welds in the rear compartment that could affect the fuel tank attachment to the floor structure and a sub assembly to the rear floor pan.
"The most important thing for our customers to know is that we are proactively working to assure the Cruze is the safe and durable car they purchased,” said GM vice president of Global Quality Alicia Boler-Davis. "We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these actions."

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BMW i8 Spyder Concept

A Czech website has dropped the first photos of BMW's new i8 Spyder Concept. And since some of you may be wondering if they're real or not, we asked around and can confirm their authenticity as sources told us that the study will make its world premiere at the Auto China Show in Beijing at the end of April. The open-top study is based on the production-intent i8 Coupe Concept that we've seen in several shows this past year.
Aside from the absence of the roof and the elimination of the rear seats, the Spyder also sports solid instead of transparent, rotating doors with different mirror housings and a restyled boot section.
The Spyder retains the i8 coupe's plug-in hybrid powertrain with a mid/rear mounted 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine developing 220HP (164kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb.ft) connected to the rear wheels, and an electric motor driving the front wheels.
The system delivers a total output of 349-horses and peak torque of 550Nm (405.6 lb.ft). The BMW can also run on either powertrain separately.

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Bodykit and Interior Mods for Porsche Cayenne

In the British tuner Project Kahn's own words, "toning down the look of the Porsche Cayenne in favour of a sleeker vehicle" equals a wide bodykit and an assortment of spoilers wrenched together with over-the-top 22-inch wheels, but who are we to disagree… In detail, Kahn's exterior package include wheel arch extensions on all four corners to make space for the 22-inch RS600 rims, integrated LED daylight running lights on the front wheel arch vents, a lower boot lid spoiler, red brake calipers, full color coded bumpers with matt pearl grey inserts, carbon fiber detailing up front, and undercar white LED illumination.
Also included in the package are a sports suspension kit that lowers the Porsche SUV's ride height for a more aggressive stance and polished exhaust tail pipes.
There's more going inside where the British company has applied its expertise to redress the interior in two-tone, red and black quilted claret and perforated leather with the speedo and rev counter fascia finished in red and cream hues.
The Cayenne's mechanical parts remained unharmed during the transformation.

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