Subaru Warms Up New Viziv 2 Concept for Geneva; Is it Pondering a Production Version?

We would have preferred it if Subaru placed their focus on the BRZ-esque Cross Sport Concept, but we guess the similar-bodied Viziv will have to do for now. After the original Viziv Concept from the 2013 Geneva Auto Show and the oh-so slightly updated 2013 Tokyo show Viziv Evolution (it gained a different grille and dark headlamps), the Japanese firm has announced the introduction of a third version of the series dubbed Viziv 2, which will make its world premiere at next month's Geneva show.

Subaru tells us that the Viziv 2 "is a future-generation crossover concept that signifies a future path for the Subaru's brand value of "Enjoyment and Peace of Mind". No other of piece of information was given about the concept car.

In the single teaser image that was attached to the release, we see that, compared to the two previous concepts (pictured below in the second and third row of our gallery), the new Viziv 2 adopts a different fascia and lights.

The first two studies featured a hybrid powerplant coupling a 2.0-liter horizontally-opposedturbo diesel engine to a pair of rear-mounted electric motors, which may or may not be the case for the latest concept.

New Mazda Hazumi Concept Previews Next Mazda2 Hatch

Mazda is slowly wiping out the annoying smiley face from its range, with the Mazda2 sub-compact hatch being next in line to adopt its lauded Kodo Design language. We’ll get a taste of what this means with the Hazumi concept car that's set to debut at the 84th Geneva Motor Show in about two weeks' time from now.

From the single image released by the auto brand, we clearly see the new Mazda3 andMazda6 styling influences on the "2's" smaller body, while it also appears that the Hazumi, which Mazda says is Japanese for “bound” or “spring up”, won't be too far away from the production version that will follow later this year.

The brand's Geneva stand will also host the premiere of a new small-displacement 1.5-liter SKYACTIV-D clean diesel, which should be offered on the next Mazda2, among other models.

Bob Lutz is Now Via Motors’ New Chairman of the Board

Bob Lutz is sticking to his claims that electrified powertrains are more at home in trucks and larger commercial vehicles, not passenger cars, as that’s the stated goal of the company he’s been a part of for a few years now: VIA Motors. Now, they have announced Lutz, a former vice-chairman of GM, as their new Chairman of the Board.

John Webber,  the CEO of VIA Motors had this to say:

“VIA is fortunate to have the experience of one of the industry’s foremost executives leading our board,” to which Lutz himself added the aforementioned conviction about electrifyingtrucks - “I believe VIA is electrifying the right end of the business and is implementing a very sound business strategy. If we are going to see main stream adoption of electric vehicles, the technology must deliver a good return on investment to the largest segment of the auto business, namely trucks, vans & SUVs. That’s why I am so confident in VIA and I’m pleased to serve as Chairman.”

In the future, it’s unclear whether the company will stick to modifying trucks already manufactured, and not start doing its own thing, but it would need to at least consider shifting towards the latter to make a real impact on the market and get noticed more. They currently only convert trucks, vans and SUVs, most of which are made by GM.

Below you’ll also find the Jay Leno’s Garage video featuring Lutz who talks Jay through one of their petrol-electric conversion jobs.

New Nissan Juke Box is Louder than a Jumbo Jet with 150 Decibel, 18,900W Sound System

The Juke is gathering a lot of attention lately from Nissan as after the limited production Juke R the new Juke Nismo, the Japanese carmaker has presented another special model, appropriately called the Juke Box (get it?).

This one-off study was created to celebrate a new long-term brand partnership with Ministry of Sound (MoS), a business comprising record labels, nightclubs and bars, live events, consumer electronics and fashion.

With lots of help from Martin Audio, Nissan and MoS designed a ferocious 150 decibel, 18,900W sound system which is said to be louder than a jumbo jet in take-off.

The Juke Box will make its first public debut at this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans and then go on a summer tour across Europe.