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We sample Honda's car technology of the future

Ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show 2013 we’ve been to Honda’s research and development facility in Tochigi to see and experience some of the Japanese firm’s new and upcoming products and technology. We’ve covered the new Honda Civic Type R in some detail separately, but among the other cars driven here is the next generation Honda Jazz (known as the Fit in Japan), no less than three different types of Honda hybrid system, including one similar to that fitted in the forthcoming NSX supercar, and an all-carbonfibre CR-Z prototype. On top of which, we’ve also experienced a self-driving car, watched a crazy automatic-parking demonstration and sampled the latest version of the all-electric Micro-Commuter, Honda’s equivalent of the Renault Twizy.

Mitsubishi will offer plug-in hybrid in 2013

Mitsubishi will launch a plug-in hybrid SUV in 2013, the head of the company's electric vehicle business unit said. The SUV will be similar to the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009 Tokyo auto show, said Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s global electric vehicle business. The plug-in hybrid is in its final stages of development, he said.

Bombardier YouCity design competition launched

Bombardier is sponsoring the YouCity Innovation Competition, seeking design concepts for 'the future of urban mobility'. The online competition, open to design students and professionals, focuses on the evolution of mobility in fast-growing urban areas. With more than two thirds of the world's population expected to live in cities by 2050, the issue of transportation is one that the organizers feel needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.  Bombardier has selected three cities that represent the different markets for urban mobility around the world: London, UK (mature market), Belo Horizonte, Brazil (BRIC market) and Vientiane, Laos (emerging market).