World’s Largest Automaker is Now Toyota Not GM

Who would have thought Toyota would be considered the world’s largest automaker? Probably never in your parents or grandparents lifetime would you think this could happen. Well, it is true! Just like the USA has an African American for President, the world’s largest automaker is now Toyota.

Over the past few years including last year, General Motors and Toyota were almost in a dead heat in being the worlds largest automaker. So what does that really mean to be the world’s largest automaker? Sales sales sales, that is what it really means. Toyota has managed to outsell GM. But of course, look at what just took place in the past few months with THE BAILOUT and GM just about to fall off of the face of the planet. No surprise here when all you read about is GM hurting, cutting jobs, hauling production and asking for billions of dollars to keep afloat.

Mind you, Toyota only has a few “make” divisions including Toyota, Lexus and Scion. GM has ahhh, Saturn, Chevy, Pontiac, Saab, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer and ahhh, I lost count. Granted Toyota is hurting along with all of the other auto companies, it still stands out as one that will survive and has a positive and stable outlook into the near future.

Let’s see what plays out in the next few months, you may be driving a new Toyota Malibu and I want one!

Toyota Gets Even Greener With Toyota Yaris-based Hybrid

Reported today from Tokyo, Japan Toyota Motor Corp. plans to introduce a new small hybrid car to be in the same class as the new Honda Insight. Chief engineer of the redesigned 3rd generation Toyota Prius, Akihoko Otsuka said, “We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda’s Insight.” The small gasoline-electric car being planned will be a low-priced spinoff of the current Toyota Yaris. In addition Otsuka said, “We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz [sold in Japan] and Yaris.”

This may be an answer by Toyota to compete with the new Honda Insight as it’s sales are doing well in Japan as it will be followed by a hybrid version of the Honda Fit.

Why not factor in two energy saving benefits of not only developing a new hybrid car but a smaller one. That’s two major factors working in Toyota and Hondas advantage in these new endeavors of creating green machines.

The opportunity is in Toyotas face to “easily” produce a cheaper alternative to the current Toyota Prius hybrid.

Excerpt from AutoNews:

Otsuka said the top priority in developing the new Prius was to boost fuel efficiency, not reduce the price. Through countless overhauls, he achieved a preliminary EPA fuel economy rating to 51 mpg city/48 highway, up from 48/45 mpg for the 2009 Prius.
Foremost among the improvements is better aerodynamics. The new Prius has a drag coefficient of 0.25, the slickest in Toyota’s lineup. That compares with 0.26 for the current Prius. That difference alone delivers a 1 percent increase in overall mileage, Otsuka said.

2009 Toyota Avalon - Review

Introduction

Toyota’s Avalon is a full-size car for those who have graduated from the Camry. In fact, the Avalon is basically a stretched version of the previous Camry and uses that car’s 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. No other powertrain choices are offered. For 2009, the Avalon lineup consists of three trim levels: XL, XLS, and Limited, listed in order of increasing luxury and price.

When the current-generation car debuted for 2005, it placed first in our comparo of six $30,000 family sedans. We praised it for its comfortable interior, ample power, and good fuel mileage. It has since been slightly refreshed and seen its gear count rise by one.

Verdict

The Avalon is a good car to go unnoticed in. The styling and driving dynamics won’t get anyone too excited, but that’s okay for many folks. Interior and cargo room is copious. Backseat occupants are treated to an adjustable backrest and plenty of room to stretch out. The car is most at home on long stretches of straight highway—just don’t fall asleep. The Avalon was recently announced as one of our Editors Choice picks in the Large Sedan category.

Keep Reading: 2009 Toyota Avalon - Review

Toyota Mulls Prius Variants - Car News

At the launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius a couple of weeks ago—we’ll deliver our driving impressions just as soon as the embargo lifts later this month—Toyota general manager Bob Carter reiterated Toyota’s commitment to launching 10 new hybrids by 2012. Pressed a bit further, however, Carter hinted at the possibility that not all of them would be launched as new, unique vehicles or hybrid versions of existing Toyota models. They would instead take the form of Prius derivatives.

“Prius does have an iconic name, more so than the powertrain, HSD.” HSD refers to “Hybrid Synergy Drive,” a name that is found on a badge affixed to every Toyota hybrid. Carter was careful not to reveal any juicy details about any would-be partners to the Prius, which at this point, is only available as a five-door hatchback. “All that is under review,” he said.

Keep Reading: Toyota Mulls Prius Variants - Car News

2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive Review

We’ve never gotten too excited about the Toyota Prius around here. On one hand, as an extreme fuel-sipper with a distinctive design and contrarian appeal, the Prius is laudable in the manner with which it eschews traditional luxury and conspicuous speed in favor of high-tech eco features, utter thrift, and unconventional hatchback living. On the other hand, with skinny tires, a loud cabin, terrible rear vision, and a boomy ride, the Prius has been the exact opposite of fun to drive. Indeed, efficiency and green image aside, considered as a plain ol’car, the Prius has represented little more than an expensive Corolla.

Toyota has been relatively fine with that, for there are plenty of shoppers seeking the automotive equivalent of an Energy Star appliance for their transportation needs, and Toyota has wooed more than a million into Priuses so far. For 2010, however, Toyota has stepped up the game, not just updating the styling considerably, but veritably pouring engineering talent (some 200 engineers’ worth) into making countless changes intended to make the Prius both more powerful, more efficient, and—get this—more fun to drive. Plus, there are those impressive fuel-economy ratings: an official EPA-estimated 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway, and 50 mpg combined.

Transformed? Not Quite

Did Toyota succeed? Now that we’ve had a chance to sample the 2010 Prius along the scenic and winding roads around Napa, California, we can say that it did achieve those three goals. A welcome helping of grunt (okay, maybe grunt is too strong a word) has been injected into the Prius’s vastly improved hybrid powertrain, which mates a larger, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to an 80-hp electric motor and a 650-watt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack for a combined power rating of 134 hp, up from 110 for the 2009 model. Furthermore, a new engine management system allows for three driving settings—Battery, Eco, and Power. Toyota also added a 17-inch wheel-and-tire option to liven up the handling.

Keep Reading: 2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive Review

2010 Toyota Camry Starts at $20,115

Toyota unveiled a slightly revised 2010 Toyota Camry at the Detroit Auto Show last month and now the pricing for the best-selling car in the U.S. has been announced. The 2010 Toyota Camry starts at $20,115, which includes a handling fee of $720.

The 2010 Camry gets a new front fascia, which includes a new bumper, grille and lower intakes. The base 4-cylinder is now a 2.5L that puts out 169 horsepower in the standard, LE and XLE grades. The 4-cylinder SE puts out 179 horsepower.

Toyota HC-CV unveiled at the 2009 Melbourne Auto Show

In about 12 months Toyota Australia will produce the country’s first locally produced hybrid car based on the Toyota Camry sedan. To celebrate, Toyota Style Australia is showing off the new HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) at the 2009 Melbourne International Auto Show.

While most concepts hint at a future production car the HC-CV is a concept based on a recently unveiled production car - the 2010 Toyota Camry.

Of course, this 2010 Toyota Camry has been beefed up by some cosmetic changes including blue Toyota logos, satin chrome on the front grille, mirrors and rear-boot lid and a pearl white body. Inside, Toyota added metallic blue highlights with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive logo on the leather seats.

Toyota Verso MPV Heads For Geneva, We Go The Other Direction [Geneva Motor Show]

This is the Toyota Verso, a refreshed foreign-market MPV debuting at the Geneva Motor Show where it'll almost certainly upstage the Bugatti Veyron Centenaire Edition.

Aside from being more boring than damp dirt, the Verso is a seven passenger mini-minivan based on the Corolla chassis and powered by a 1.6 and 1.8 liter gasoline engines or 2.0 and 2.4 liter diesels, all mated to a six-speed automatic gauranteed to strangle any pretense of driver involvement. All dimensions have been increased and fold flat seats have been engineered to make storing large cargo easier. May God have mercy on your soul if you're actually interested in this vehicle. [Channel 4]

Toyota/Subaru compact rear-wheel-drive sports car on hold

It was reported at the end of last year that the compact sports car by Subaru and Toyota was delayed until 2012. According to Detroit Free Press, the sports car is now on an indefinite hold due to the economic slowdown.

The car was supposed to fill a gap in Toyota’s current lineup, giving the no.1 Japanese automaker an affordable sports car. Subaru in return would have received a performance model priced below the all-wheel-drive $24,995 Impreza WRX.

The compact rear-wheel-drive sports car was based on a modified version of the Subaru Impreza all-wheel-drive platform. The engine had been moved back in the chassis to improve weight distribution.

Toyota and Subaru both reported that each model would have had different exterior designs.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Toyota and Lexus considering uber-luxury brand to rival Rolls-Royce

The biggest players in ultra-uber-luxury brands are Rolls-Royce and Maybach. The Japanese automakers for some reason refuse to build vehicles to cater to rich folks that want to be driven instead of drive themselves - until now.

According to Japanese car magazine Carview, Toyota and Lexus are considering an ultra-luxury brand that will rival the likes of Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach. A Lexus spokesman told the publication that the company has researched the demand for such a brand and feels that customers will “embrace their product.”

No details have been revealed as of yet; however, rumors suggest that a large sedan and a coupe are in the works and could be build on a modified chassis of the Lexus LS sedan. No word on whether Toyota will fit the car with a regular gasoline engine or add a hybrid system used in the Lexus LS 400h.

No name has been decided for the brand - so we’re wondering if you were Toyota and Lexus - what name would you pick?

Toyota iQ with 99-hp to be unveiled at Geneva next week

So Toyota realized that while a fuel-economy of 65.7 mpg (55 mpg on the state side) for the iQ sounds good - 67-hp sounds pretty boring. At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next week, Toyota will bring a 99-hp 1.33L Dual VVT-i engine iQ minicar for those looking for that extra punch.

With the help of Toyota’s Optimal Drive technology and a fuel-saving stop & start system, the new 99-hp engine returns a fuel economy of 58.9mpg (49 mpg in U.S. terms) when mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. If you go for the Multidrive automatic transmission fuel-economy will drop to 55.4 mpg (46 mpg on the stateside).

European sales of the 99-hp Toyota iQ will begin in July.

2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive Review

We’ve never gotten too excited about the Toyota Prius around here. On one hand, as an extreme fuel-sipper with a distinctive design and contrarian appeal, the Prius is laudable in the manner with which it eschews traditional luxury and conspicuous speed in favor of high-tech eco features, utter thrift, and unconventional hatchback living. On the other hand, with skinny tires, a loud cabin, terrible rear vision, and a boomy ride, the Prius has been the exact opposite of fun to drive. Indeed, efficiency and green image aside, considered as a plain ol’car, the Prius has represented little more than an expensive Corolla.

Toyota has been relatively fine with that, for there are plenty of shoppers seeking the automotive equivalent of an Energy Star appliance for their transportation needs, and Toyota has wooed more than a million into Priuses so far. For 2010, however, Toyota has stepped up the game, not just updating the styling considerably, but veritably pouring engineering talent (some 200 engineers’ worth) into making countless changes intended to make the Prius both more powerful, more efficient, and—get this—more fun to drive. Plus, there are those impressive fuel-economy ratings: an official EPA-estimated 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway, and 50 mpg combined.

Transformed? Not Quite

Did Toyota succeed? Now that we’ve had a chance to sample the 2010 Prius along the scenic and winding roads around Napa, California, we can say that it did achieve those three goals. A welcome helping of grunt (okay, maybe grunt is too strong a word) has been injected into the Prius’s vastly improved hybrid powertrain, which mates a larger, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to an 80-hp electric motor and a 650-watt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack for a combined power rating of 134 hp, up from 110 for the 2009 model. Furthermore, a new engine management system allows for three driving settings—Battery, Eco, and Power. Toyota also added a 17-inch wheel-and-tire option to liven up the handling.

Keep Reading: 2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive Review

Toyota's New Low-Cost Hybrid Will be Based off the Yaris

After weeks of speculation about a new low-cost Toyota hybrid, it's finally been confirmed that Toyota is indeed working on a new cheaper hybrid that will fit in below the Prius.

The new hybrid is going to use the same Hybrid Synergy drivetrain as the new Prius installed in the Yaris platform. This is obviously an answer to the Honda Insight that is cheaper than the Prius. Honda is also planning a hybrid Fit, so the new Yaris-based hybrid would also go head to head with that vehicle.

Toyota's new cheaper hybrid could be on the market by 2011 at the earliest.

2009 Toyota Sienna Limited AWD - Short Take Road Test

An all-wheel-drive minivan for those whose only excitement is climatic paranoia.

BY JARED GALL

Vehicles with four driven wheels have about them an aura of romance; the potential for off-road adventures or sideways rally action can have that effect. Minivans, on the other hand, have about them an odor of stale milk and other perks left behind by those occasional consequences of romance: children. Can adding all-wheel drive to a minivan make it a more exciting vehicle?

In a Word?

No.

And Then the Long Version

No Sienna—no minivan this side of the diminutive Mazda 5, for that matter—is what you’d call tossable, nor do they boast the ground clearance necessary for off-road excursions. Minivans aren’t about excitement. They are perhaps the most honest vehicles on the market, holding dear only one function: maximum practicality. No matter who prepares it, the recipe for such versatility is always the same—sufficient interior space to host your next family reunion, far more cup holders than seatbelts, and enough map pockets to get you to Betelgeuse by way of the Horsehead Nebula.

Since that stuff is the same from minivan to minivan, it’s really the features that grab the headlines in the minivan market. Since the birth of the breed, the race to provide the latest and coolest equipment has been a competitive one, and the success of a particular feature has always led to its adoption by every major player in the game. The Sienna, however, remains the only one to offer all-wheel drive. (Others have offered it in the past, but have dropped it from their minivans.)

We’ve long championed the purchase of a good set of winter tires over all-wheel drive. In our own winter-traction testing, the only dynamic arena in which all-wheel drive conclusively outperformed winter tires was straight-line acceleration, particularly uphill. In handling and braking tests—which measure the more important aspects of safe driving, especially in inclement weather—the installation of winter tires on a front-drive vehicle provides better performance.

Keep Reading: 2009 Toyota Sienna Limited AWD - Short Take Road Test

Lexus VP says four new models rolling out next year

Lexus already launched the 2010 RX range of SUVs at the LA Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, and now Lexus' vice-president Mark Templin has revealed that the Japanese luxury automaker will be rolling out three new models next year. Two of these are already confirmed, with both the IS convertible and a dedicated hybrid model both penciled in for production, leaving just one mystery car in the pipeline. Toyota's Chief Katsuaki Watanabe confirmed that the dedicated hybrid would appear at next year's Detroit Motor Show, stating that it will be the venue for "staging world premiers of two all-new, dedicated hybrids, one for Toyota and one for Lexus." These new cars will be conventional hybrids, similar to the current Prius, in which an electric motor works in tandem with an internal combustion petrol engine and the Lexus model will be known as the HS250h. Meanwhile the Lexus IS convertible is well on track for a 2009 release.
2010 Lexus RX

Lexus Confirms HS 250h to be Unveiled in Detroit

Last year Toyota confirmed that a Lexus branded dedicated hybrid model would make its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Lexus has now confirmed that the new dedicated hybrid will be dubbed the HS250h.

The details are scarce about the new model although it is expected that the new Lexus hybrid will share some of, if not all of its mechanicals with the also new 2010 Toyota Prius. If the HS 250h in fact does use the same hybrid powertrain as the new Prius it will be the next-generation Hybrid Synergy with nickel-metal hydride battery packs. Unfortunately lithium-ion packs are still in development and will be added at a later date.

Stay tuned for all the details from the show next month.

2009 Subaru Legacy Concept Official Detail

Detroit Auto Show: Subaru Legacy Concept Promo Video

Subaru has released a promotional video showing the Legacy concept car unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It shows very much what the next Legacy is going to look like. During the running of the video the vehicle's exterior is unpacked from a number of angles using clever cinematography.

The interior, though not on the video, is highlighted by dash features like touch screens and cameras. Legroom has been vastly improved as well.

The Legacy concept is fitted with a 3.6-litre boxer engine that drives all four wheels thanks to Subaru's patented AWD system. Its appearance is enhanced by LED headlights, a bold fascia and bolder lines. The car is painted in a high gloss Ultimate Silver paint colour. Subaru has gone more upmarket with the Legacy and ditched a lot of the traditional Japanese lines in favour of cleaner, more European design cues.




via:World Car Fans

All-New 2009 Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT Revealed

All-New 2009 Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT Debuts at the 2009 North American International Auto Show

• Concept car hints at future Legacy design language
• Features Symmetrical AWD and 3.6-liter Boxer engine

DETROIT, Subaru of America, Inc. revealed the 2009 Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT today at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The new LEGACY CONCEPT is a hint at the future of Legacy design. The design showcases the sport sedan heritage of the Subaru Legacy, but in more modern and purposeful package.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Legacy, the LEGACY CONCEPT has been developed to showcase the Legacy’s sporting capabilities and features Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system mated to a Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. The design concept is based on a larger 108.3 in. wheelbase designed to maximize interior space and provide comfortable accommodations for four adults.

The theme of concept design is “Presence”, represented by the aggressive front facia and solid yet expressive body. Four powerful and defined wheel arches emphasize the dynamism of Symmetrical AWD. Sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength. Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the taillamps.
This grille design incorporates a central wing motif that defines the Legacy’s Subaru brand identity. The Subaru logo separates a deep central grille shape that is accented by sharp headlamps with a dual vertical-row layout of multiple LED lamps. In addition, the slim, vertical fog lamps set in a large front valance with angular air intakes add a jewel-like touch to the front design. The LEGACY CONCEPT is finished in a special high-luster “Ultimate Silver” paint to accentuate the design’s angular shapes.
The interior design features a striking four-seat layout that showcases the “High Definition” design theme. Comfort and style are achieved with a mix of touch-screens, cameras and modern surface coverings. The high-tech look blends with comfort through four separate seating areas, a high roofline and generous legroom for all passengers. The center console features a large touch-panel display that concentrates various functions for simplified use, while the flowing shape extends vertically to emphasize the feeling of strength and solidity in union with the exterior. A steering wheel and shift lever have been adapted to accentuate the sporty nature elemental in the Legacy’s DNA.
In-car entertainment is featured through monitors with multiple functions that are located in the center console, as well as in the rear of the front seat headrests to provide comfortable functionality as well a calm design that creates a relaxed ambiance for passengers. The monitor for the Side Rear Vision Camera has been situated toward the front of the roof to maximize rear visibility. The design is capped off with seats covered in pearl white leather that give off a blue sheen, while black metallic leather has been used for the door trim to create contrast with the instrument panel.
The Legacy was introduced globally in 1989, produced in Japan and Lafayette, Indiana. Since that date until November 2008, the total global production has exceeded 3.6 million vehicles making it Subaru’s core model. During that period, Subaru’s core technologies of a Horizontally-Opposed engine and Symmetrical AWD have served to further the basic elements of automotive performance while continuously evolving for unparalleled handling, stability, and safety. This LEGACY CONCEPT incorporates the Legacy heritage while also serving as a concept model that provides an image of the new driving comfort and reliability that will continue to serve as a touchstone for Subaru.

All-New 2009 Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT - Hi-res. Images

Specifications:
* Body size (Overall: Length x Width x Height): 188.8 x 71.7 x 59.0 inches
* Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
* Engine: 3.6-liter six-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine
* Tire size: 225/45R19
* Occupancy: Four persons