Toyota has developed the first ever center airbag for the back seats that helps protect rear passengers from side impacts in the event of a crash.

The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) features a rear center console with an airbag that deploys between the rear passenger seats. The picture is a little deceiving as this demonstration rig shows a weird upper console which we guess represents a section of the roof. Perhaps Toyota built this into the demonstration rig as a point of reference to show the deployment area, but it gives the impression that the airbag is deploying from the roof.  A closer look at the photo indeed shows the airbag deploying from the upper center backrest area just above the dummy’s right shoulder.

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Honda has announced prices for the new 2010 Insight Hybrid vehicle in the US market. The car will retail for a minimum manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$19,800. By playing its hand early Honda will set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons for competitors like the 2010 Toyota Prius.

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Lexus is still playing me-too with the German premium brands. They’ve established themselves fairly well in the North American market but still have to prove their mettle in the product contests in each segment. And they have to start selling a few more cars in Europe, but that’s another story.

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The Nissan GT-R has already received rave reviews from just about everyone but those looking for a more family friendly version have been left waiting for the long rumored GT-R sedan to make its debut. Well it appears someone finally got tired of waiting and ended up creating what could be the world’s first GT-R wagon.

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Mitsubishi Motors will launch a plug-in hybrid crossover at this year’s Tokyo auto show in a vehicle that is slightly smaller than an Outlander and which is said to rival Nissan’s Qashqai.

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As part of Mitsubishi’s ongoing effort to ensure that the future is sporty as well as being environmentally friendly, the iMiEV Sport Air could be an enthusiast’s take on a gasoline-free future. Built on the iMiEV’s rear-midship EV platform, the Sport Air is a sleek two-seater that bears a passing resemblance to a squashed Volkswagen Beetle. The clear roof panel is detachable, so drivers can enjoy fresh air, and also lowers the center of gravity. The battery and other components have also been mounted lower in the chassis, and plastic body panels are used to reduce the Sport Air’s curb weight. Naturally, it’s also making more power: a more powerful synchronous permanent magnet electric motor is installed, giving the Sport Air 60 horsepower. This is a thirteen-horse boost over the iMiEV.

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Nissan present Qazana at Geneva, the small crossover vehicle designed for the urban playground. Its design is ’sophisticated’ but fun and although definitively a concept car, its form in dimensions and moniker most likely will only make it to the Nissan stable – nicely slotting beneath the Qashqai.

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With the Geneva Motor Show just hours away, Mazda has released additional details about their new 2010 Mazda3 MPS. The front-wheel drive model adopts the Mazda3’s latest design language and is motivated by an upgraded version of the company’s MZR 2.3-liter DISI turbo petrol engine.

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Buyers in the small-car market now have the ability to boast about having high-technologies normally associated with bigger vehicles in their own cars. Thanks to Nissan UK’s compact range luxuries like Bluetooth and sat nav are but a touch away on the dashboard.

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Toyota is preparing itself for a major showdown with fellow Japanese automaker Honda over the two companies’ hybrid vehicles. When the new 2010 Toyota Prius is launched it will achieve 49 miles per gallon on the highway and 50 mpg in the city. That is an average of about 50mpg according to Toyota officials quoted by Detnews. These figures grossly underestimate the 65 mpg US that was reported last month as being the figure attained from initial testing.

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