Articles by Chris Riley

Nissan has unveiled a sportier version of the LEAF electric vehicle that may appeal to more people at the Tokyo motor show. Called the Nissan LEAF Aero Style it has the same all-electric powertrain but gains some visual enhancements that Nissan says give it a special feel and enhanced attractiveness. The car features a new look front bumper with built-in LED daytime running lights, side sill protectors and a rear air diffuser. It also adds new look 17-inch aluminium-alloy wheels with a special blue accent to give the car a unique feel. Nissan's executive vice president Takao Katagiri said the car's popularity had been extraordinary since its launch, with global sales already topping 83,000 units. "We hope you look forward to the introduction of the Nissan LEAF Aero Style that will retain all the important virtues of the cutting-edge LEAF, but adds a high level of excitement that will surely satisfy all of our customers," he said. The Tokyo show car was finished in a dark metal grey colour, designed to accentuate its stylishness. Nissan says LEAF Aero Style will appeal to customers who want to add an individual touch to their car. The car is set for release in Japan this month but there's no word if and when we can expect to see it (maybe when they've cleared the backlog of LEAFs sitting in showrooms around the country). While the Leaf has been popular in other markets, it has failed to excite buyers here. So far Nissan has sold 161 electric LEAFs this year. _______________________________________  

The electric MOTIV.e concept, which is slightly smaller than the Smart Fortwo, has been designed with the help of Gordon Murray --  famed for his work on the McLaren F1 -- but bears more similarity to his T.25 city car. Yamaha (which is part owned by Toyota) makes all sorts of things including car engines, golf karts, all terrain vehicles and as it happens some of the finest musical instruments in the world. It says the idea for a car took shape while it was conducting research into multi-wheeled vehicles that remain true to the motorcycle formula. An integral part of the MOTIV's design is the tubular frame based on Murray's patented iStream production process which has its roots in Formula One. The underlying frame is constructed of a combination of bonded steel tubes and composite plastic materials, used together to reduce the weight and cost of the vehicle. Lightweight, with high-rigidity, a high-strength chassis and independent suspension front and back, the car has been designed to operate with an electric, hybrid or conventional petrol powertrain. The rear-mounted engine drives the rear wheels, in a 730kg aerodynamic package that is said to deliver an entirely new driving experience. The electric powertrain uses components sourced from Zytec but there's a petrol model waiting in the wings with a purpose-built Yamaha 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, together with a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Yamaha says the MOTIV.e represents a new starting point for urban mobility vehicles and sets new standards in the ultra compact four wheeler segment. _______________________________________  

Scientists and engineers are working on all sorts of weird and wonderful projects in Japan's Toyota City studios. Robots are high on the agenda, as well as a robotised leg brace that helps disabled people to walk again and what is perhaps the ultimate disabled "enabler" -- a wheelchair that can be controlled by thought. Sounds like the stuff of science fiction movies but it is true, and the system can convert thoughts into actions with an accuracy rate of 95 per cent. Toyota, the world's largest car maker, now conducts research into many aspects of mobility. Research into personal mobility is part of its long-term strategy to help make people healthy and comfortable in ways that no longer involves cars themselves but still draw on some of their technology. Recent developments in Brain-Machine Interface technology have attracted attention because they allow elderly or handicapped people to interact with the world through signals from their brains, without having to give voice commands. At this stage the test subject must wear a Frankenstein cap fitted with many electrodes that record the electrical activity in the brain. Space-time-frequency filtering extracts space and time patterns and frequency oscillation data from EEG electrodes to discriminate significant features and components, which are able to control the wheelchair reliably. The technology has many applications including medicine and patient care. It could for instance help people like the wheelchair bound Stephen J Hawking, but the professor apparently still finds it easier to control his wheelchair with a mechanical switch. Researchers are looking at expanding the number of available commands and developing more efficient dry electrodes. So far, the research has centered on brain waves related to imaginary hand and foot control. However, through further measurement and analysis, it is anticipated that this system may be applied to other types of brain waves generated by various mental states and emotions. This reporter is on Twitter: @IamChrisRiley  

A few years ago all the car makers were talking about hydrogen powered fuel cell cars. A few concept models were produced and we were allowed to drive some of them briefly such as the BMW Hydrogen 7.

With bold aggressive styling, the new Lexus NX crossover is in training to go head to head with the likes of Range Rover's stylish Evoque and others in the luxury crossover field – including BMW X3 and Audi Q3 (with Benz yet to offer an entry here in this growing segment).Still in concept form, the NX Turbo is a city car that targets the growing appetite for smaller, more urban-centric premium, compact crossover vehicles around the world. Smaller and more compact than the current RX wagon, it will mark the debut of Lexus's first turbocharged petrol engine, in the guise of a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo with all the mod cons including fuel saving stop-start.THE TURBO ENGINESLexus showed this car earlier this year at Frankfurt with a hybrid powertrain and unveiled another version this week at the Tokyo motor show with a turbocharged petrol engine. At this stage it is not saying which engine the new crossover will carry when it comes to market, but it is expected to offer a choice of both engines in line with its current philosophy.Lexus has not revealed many details of the turbo which is still in development but has confirmed it will support a variety of sizes topping out at 2.0 litres. It's expected to make its debut in the NX later next year. The turbocharged power plant follows the current trend to smaller, force fed engines that deliver the same kind of power as larger naturally aspirated units but offer better economy and less engine emissions.It will match the current 3.5-litre V6 for power and torque and is expected to eventually replace the V6, with the addition of balancer shafts to provide the same smoothness.THE DETAILSThe 2.0 litre, four-cylinder unit combines Lexus' advanced high tumble port, fan spray fuel injection, D-4S and VVT-iw combustion technologies with a cylinder head-integrated exhaust manifold and a twin scroll turbocharger with an active wastegate valve.Through optimisation of the exhaust gas temperature, the cylinder head-integrated exhaust manifold combines a high level of performance with fuel efficiency, clean exhaust emission reliability, while the twin scroll turbocharger operates effectively across the widest possible rev range.It targets fast throttle response and spirited performance while demonstrating outstanding fuel efficiency.THE CARThe striking exterior reflects a further evolution of the L-finesse design language, dominated by a huge version of the Lexus spindle grille, with smoked chrome trim and mesh insets. Signature front lighting features three diamond-shaped LEDs and independent daytine running lights underscored by a full-length LED turn signal strip.High gloss black toughens the looks of the wheel arches and lower rocker panels, while the rear features taillights extending the full depth of the bumper, with a full-width, air diffuser and highly sculpted chrome exhausts.WHAT'S INSIDE?The interior mirrors the NX Turbo's highly sculpted exterior. The centre console extends the full length of the cabin to create two separate rear seat cockpits. A brushed metal finish accents the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat structure and the overhead console, complemented by yellow and black leather with contrasting stitching.The dash features new generation touch-sensitive, electrostatic switches and the new Lexus remote touch interface, which combines a modified touch tracer display with a new touch pad design for smooth and intuitive use.VERDICTThe NX is a striking vehicle and it needs to be. The last thing Lexus wants is to deliver a car that goes unnoticed. We're guessing the final version won't be radically different and Lexus Australia can't wait to get its hands on the car.

Everyone has heard the story about the tourist whose motorhome crashed after he set the cruise control and then strolled into the back to make a cuppa. It may be an urban myth, but technology marches on and you get the feeling the driverless car may be just around the corner, or certainly a lot closer than anyone thinks.This week Lexus demonstrated a further development of the active cruise control system fitted to its cars that steers and brakes the car without any need for intervention from the driver. It is still under development but Lexus hopes to bring the system to market within two years.THE SYSTEMDescribed as the next-generation advanced driving support system, Automated Highway Driving Assist (AHDA) links two automated driving technologies. At this stage its use is confined purely to the open road because city streets present too many variables such as pedestrians, motorcycles and in some cases an absence of line markings.DOES IT WORK?We received a first-hand demonstration of the system in Tokyo. Although we were not permitted to actually drive the Lexus GS fitted with the technology, neither in effect was the driver whose hands remained off the steering wheel, although they hovered close by.It works, and Lexus has data to show it does a better job of keeping the car on a straight course than your average driver. Spin-off effects include a reduction in traffic congestion as well as lower fuel bills.Curiously, the further back you are in a line of cars using the system, the greater the reduction in fuel consumption because of the 'drafting' effect (the reason cyclists ride in a peloton).In a column of four vehicles, consumption was down 5.3 per cent in the first vehicle, 17.7 per cent in the second and 26.8 per cent in the third - with an overall reduction of 11.1 per cent.Mind you the figures were derived over a period of four minutes and a distance of just a couple of kilometres.HOW IT WORKSThe system brings together Cooperative-adaptive Cruise Control, which wirelessly communicates with the vehicles in front to maintain a safe distance plus Lane Trace Control, which aids steering to keep the vehicle on course within the lane.Key to its success are a camera which monitors lane markings, together with GPS mapping of the route ahead and sensors in participating cars that enable them to talk to each other.In contrast to standard radar, Cooperative-adaptive Cruise Control uses 700-MHz band vehicle-to-vehicle ITS communications to transmit acceleration and deceleration data which allows vehicles following behind to adjust their speeds accordingly to better maintain their distance. Lane Trace Control draws on high-performance cameras, millimetre-wave radar and control software to enable an optimal and smooth driving line at all speeds. The system adjusts the vehicle’s steering angle, driving torque and braking force where necessary to maintain the optimal line within the lane. By reducing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, the advanced driving system improves fuel efficiency and helps reduce traffic congestion.It's only a hop, skip and a jump from here to driverless cars, but the engineer who demonstrated the system to us said Lexus has no plans to introduce full automation.

Lexus believes four-wheel steer could give it the edge over its competitors in the competitive sports sedan segment. The system has the rear wheels turn at the same time as the front ones -- but only a small amount -- to help the car through corners.The idea gained some traction with Japanese car makers in the 80s, notably with cars like the Honda Prelude and Mazda MX-6 coupe. At the time, it was touted as the next big thing but the system was clunky and could be expensive to repair if things went wrong.That was then this is now. Technology has moved on and BMW already offers the system with its 5 and 7 Series models and Lexus introduced four-wheel steer in the first of its cars last year with its GS line.It has also been trialling the system in the smaller IS range in Japan and the Australian arm of the company is keen to get a piece of that action. Lexus Australia boss Sean Hanley believes it could give the car a much-needed competitive edge.HOW IT WORKSLexus calls its system Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), and has it turn the rear wheels of the car two per cent – a seemingly tiny amount but enough to make a difference to the cornering. At low speeds the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the car's turning circle and the level of steering effort required.But at speeds of more than 80km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. This makes the steering more responsiveness and gives it an intuitive feel at medium speeds, plus greater stability and vehicle posture for increased safety and comfort at higher speeds.The net result is the turning circle is reduced by almost half a metre at parking speeds and it also reduces the tendency of rear wheel drive vehicles like those produced by Lexus to step out or oversteer in a corner. We had the opportunity to put a car fitted with the rear wheel steer system through its paces on a recent trip to Japan. Unfortunately we had no car with standard steering to compare it with and Lexus has apparently not quantified the difference it makes to track times (although we thought that would have been an obvious thing to do). Having said that the car was plenty of fun to drive.WHEN MIGHT WE SEE IT HERE?Lexus wants to add the system to its F Sport models. "We think it gives us another progressive edge in the market place," Hanley says. "And the other thing is that it is significantly well developed now. So we're bringing to market a very credible technology, with great safety and performance that is aligned very very well to Lexus's innovative and fun to drive performance car strategy."At this stage the system is available only in Japan but it is under evaluation for other markets. If it is approved for overseas use it is likely to find its way into Aussie cars within the next year or so, probably when the car receives its mid-life facelift. Rear or four-wheel steer is part of the Lexus Dynamic handling System (LDHS) that features the world's first integration of Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS}.

It was a dream come true. The opportunity to drive a supercar on one of the most famous race tracks in the world. We're talking about Fuji Speedway in Japan and of course Japan's very own supercar.

We turn the spotlight on the Kia Cerato Si sedan and answer the important questions, including the biggest -- would you buy one?

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the 2014 Volvo V40 D4 with specs, fuel economy and verdict.