2009 Tokyo Motor Show: Green Cars - Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf: There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100-miles on a single charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid: The plans for this first factory-built plug-in Prius are very modest. Only about 500 vehicles will be built, so Toyota can gather real-world data on how drivers actually use plug-in hybrids. The first users will be selected commercial fleets; 150 will go to Europe, and the same number to the U.S. market, with first deliveries starting by the end of this year. Toyota hasn't committed to a date when retail customers will be able to get their hands on a factory plug-in Prius, although 2012 would fit the rough timeline it has discussed in the past.

Source: Motor Authority

2009 Tokyo Motor Show: Concepts - Subaru Hybrid Tourer, Toyota FT-86 Concept, Mitsubishi PX-MiEV, Mazda Kiyora

Subaru Hybrid Tourer

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept: Combining environmentally friendly technology and safety, the Subaru’s new concept maintains the automaker’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system and horizontally opposed boxer engine but picks up a sporty design not seen previously on any of its vehicles. Under the sheet metal sits a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with direct injection and turbocharging technologies, as well as a CVT and two electric motors--one on each axle.

Toyota FT-86 Concept

Toyota FT-86 Concept: After more than a year of rumors, theories and questions, the lovechild of the Toyota-Subaru joint venture has been unveiled. This successor to the rear-wheel drive, drift-legend Corolla AE-86 takes shape with a modified Subaru Impreza chassis and Toyota badges as the FT-86 concept.

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Plug-in Hybrid

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV Plug-in Hybrid: Powered by a new proprietary plug-in hybrid system, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in all-electric mode, the 2009 Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV promises a fuel economy in excess of 117.6 mpg in a mid-size crossover body. The new plug-in hybrid system also combines differential electric motors with Mitsubishi’s trademark Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system and electronically controlled active yaw control.

Mazda Kiyora

Mazda Kiyora Concept: The ultra-stylish compact is an eco-friendly hatch-type car that Mazda imagines as a fun-to-drive yet responsible runabout for the future. Powered by automaker’s new SKY-G 1.3-liter gasoline engine that’s also set to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Kiyora has an estimated fuel economy of 75 mpg and could go into production very soon.

2009 Tokyo Motor Show: New Cars - Honda CR-Z Hybrid, Lexus LF-A, Toyota Sai Hybrid

Honda CR-Z Hybrid

Honda CR-Z Hybrid: For the uninitiated, the CR-Z Concept was first revealed back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and previewed a new hybrid sports car that Honda plans to launch in the first half of next year. Unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo event, the CR-Z Concept is now a near production-ready version of the compact sports car and we can’t wait for the production car's debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Lexus LF-A

Lexus LF-A: The supercar that almost wasn’t, the 2011 Lexus LF-A, has finally been officially revealed. At $375,000, 552 horsepower and 202 mph, it's a true supercar, and Lexus's first. Only 500 of the hand-built cars will be produced, starting from next December.

Toyota Sai Hybrid

Toyota Sai Hybrid: The Japanese-market version of the Lexus HS 250h launched at the Tokyo show this year. There aren't any plans for the car to head to the United States, though, as it's intended to sit just above the Toyota Prius in Japan--a slot already occupied by the decidedly entry-level-luxury HS here in America.

Mazda SKY

Mazda SKY Family Of Next-Generation Engines: Mazda showcases its next-generation of powertrain technologies, which include two new engines, one gasoline and one diesel, and an advanced automatic transmission. Grouped under the ‘SKY’ family of technologies, the new powertrains and gearbox are part of Mazda’s greater goal of improving its average fuel economy of vehicles 30% by 2015 compared to 2008 levels.

Source: Motor Authority