With refreshed design and equipment added across the range, coupled with Mazda’s popular new styling, the new CX-7 is sure to be a sales hit for Mazda when it hits showrooms.

The new CX-7 range has been expanded to incorporate four distinct models: the Classic, Classic Sports, Luxury Sports and a new Diesel Sports variant.

At the bottom end of the price scale, the CX-7 Classic boasts a 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine with 120kW and 205Nm, mated to a five-speed Activematic transmission.

For the CX-7 Classic, drive is sent exclusively through the front wheels, returning a fuel consumption figure of just 9.4 litres per 100kms and emissions of 223g/km.

Standard kit includes a 4.1-inch colour display that provides vital information to the driver including a reversing camera, auto headlamps on/off, climate control air-conditioning, 6-disc in-dash MP3/WMA-compatible CD-player, AUX-in jack for MP3 player, cruise control, leather wrapped gear shift knob and steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel and variable intermittent wipers

Both the Classic Sports and Luxury Sports use Mazda’s 2.3-litre DISI turbocharged petrol engine with 175kW and 350Nm, mated to a six-speed Activematic transmission and Mazda’s active torque split all-wheel-drive system.

The Classic Sports adds newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome exhaust and front fog lamps above the standard equipment in the Classic.

The CX-7 Luxury Sports features Bluetooth handsfree and audio compatibility, satellite navigation, blackout instrument cluster, front seats with 3-position memory function, heating function and lumbar adjustment, leather seat trim, premium Bose amplifier and 9 speakers, 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles, heated power mirrors and power sliding and tilt glass sunroof.

Finally, Mazda has introduced a diesel option into its line-up with the CX-7 Diesel Sports which features a 2.2-litre four cylinder intercooled turbo diesel with 127kW and 400Nm and a fuel economy rating of 7.6 litres per 100km.

Standard safety equipment across the range includes Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), dual front airbags, dual front side airbags and dual curtain airbags.

Toyota plans to launch a new 1.5 million yen, or about $15,760 subcompact hybrid, according to a report in Japan’s Asahi newspaper.The car, expected in late 2011, which will be built on the Yaris platform.The Toyota subcompact hybrid will be produced in Japan, and in France for the European market, according to Asahi.

Toyota believes that dedicated hybrids, such as the Prius, sell better than hybrid versions of existing auto so it would be likely that it will get its own sheetmetal. In Japan, demand for hybrids is peaking. The all-new 2010 Honda Insight was the best-selling car in April, and the redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius was the best-selling car in May. To compete with the Insight, Toyota lowered the price of Prius in Japan and the in the US.

The focus on a smaller size and lower cost is an apparent attempt to compete against Honda’s upcoming small hybrids, the Honda Fit Hybrid and Honda CR-Z Hybrid, due out in 2010 and 2011 respectively. However, the 2010 Honda Insight—the smallest and least expensive hybrid currently available in the US market—has not sold well. Honda was targeting 100,000 Insight sales in the US in the first 12 months, but based on average monthly sales of 2,000 to 2,500 units, will miss the mark by a wide margin. However, the Honda Insight has been a hit in Japan

The introduction of subcompact hybrid models from Toyota and Honda will represent a change of direction from the past few years, when most new hybrids offerings have been SUVs. Hybrid SUVs can be 15 to 20 percent more fuel-efficient than their conventional counterparts, but mpg for those models has remained in the high teens or low 20s.

New subcompact hybrids could immediately rise to the top of fuel economy rankings—50 mpg or higher—while maintaining a price lower than any other current hybrid. Those small hybrids will also help carmakers meet new stricter fuel economy and carbon emission standards.

This MP3 is different, it is for you to ride not listen. The Piaggio MP3 500 Scooter comes in a three-wheel design, powered by 493cc engine, achieving max speed of 89mph, and features 55-57 mpg gas mileage, a lean angle of 40 degrees and 20% less braking distance than traditional two-wheeled scooters. The Piaggio MP3 500 Scooter is priced at $9,000. More pictures after the break.

[via Uncrate]