PRIUS C - 50MPG +

The Toyota Aqua went on sale on Monday in Japan, previewing the 2013 Toyota Prius C in the U.S.  Toyota said the Aqua has a fuel efficiency of 83 miles per gallon on Japan's JC08 test cycle and 94 mpg on the official 10-15 test cycle.  The Aqua is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 72 horsepower and an electric motor rated at 45 kW. The combined output is 98 hp providing 0-60 acceleration in less than 10.7 seconds according to Toyota. The motor is fed power from a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.
Toyota said it plans to sell 12,000 Aquas per month in Japan.
The Aqua name, which means water in Latin, is "meant to break the conventional image of hybrid vehicles, becoming something fluid and not constrained to any one shape or role — like free-flowing water," said Toyota in a statement. The Aqua targets such vehicles as the Honda Fit Hybrid in Toyota's home market and is designed to attract younger buyers seeking a less expensive hybrid.
The Toyota Prius C concept debuted last January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, showcasing a "value-oriented" hybrid bound for U.S. showrooms in 2012, said Toyota at the time. The production version is expected to be unveiled in two weeks at the 2012 Detroit show. Pricing has not been announced on the Prius C here.

In Japan,
Toyota's TRD performance division introduced sporty versions of the Aqua.   The Aqua TRD features an aero body kit with front spoiler, side skirts, roof spoiler and rear apron/diffuser. Hardware upgrades are limited to lowering springs, stiffer shocks, larger alloy wheels and chrome exhaust pipes.

HISTORY

A form of waterbed was invented in the early 19th century by the Scottish physician Neil Arnott. Dr. Arnott's Hydrostatic Bed was devised to prevent bedsores in invalids, and comprised a bath of water with a covering of rubber-impregnated canvas, on which lighter bedding was placed. Arnott did not patent it, permitting anyone to construct a bed to this design. The use of a waterbed for the ailing Mrs Hale is mentioned in Elizabeth Gaskell's 1855 novel North and South.

In 1871 a waterbed was in use in  Elmira, NY for "invalids". It was briefly mentioned by Mark Twain in his article which was published in The New York Times on 23 July 1871. Twain wrote: "In the infirmary will be kept one or two water-beds (for invalids whose pains will not allow them to be on a less yielding substance) and half a dozen reclining invalid-chairs on wheels. The water-beds and invalid-chairs at present belonging to the church are always in demand, and never out of service".



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COP17

Since the UNFCCC entered into force in 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC have been meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change.

• The COP adopts decisions and resolutions, published in reports of the COP. Successive decisions taken by the COP make up a detailed set of rules for practical and effective implementation of the Convention.

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol, are now in progress in the sunny city of Durban, South Africa.

facelift - Prius

Toyota has officially unveiled the 2012 Prius facelift.

On the styling front, the model is distinguished by new bumpers, revised taillights and restyled 15-inch alloy wheels. For a sportier appearance, there's an optional PLUS Performance package with a seven-piece body kit and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Interior changes are minor, but new options include JBL GreenEdge speakers and an Entune Infotainment system.
A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine works with an electric motor to create a combined output of 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). This enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). More importantly, owners can expect 51 mpg city / 48 mpg highway (US).