The Toyota Sports 800 was a derivative of the Toyota Publica that was first shown as a concept in 1962. It entered production in 1965 and competed mainly against the Honda S800.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
2009 Toyota RAV4 - Video
The RAV4 receives a cosmetic freshening and a new, inline-4 with 179 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque.
Keep Reading: 2009 Toyota RAV4 - Video
2010 Toyota Prius Pricing Announced - Car News
About 10 years ago, when the hybrid market was in its infancy, there were only two players: the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. Thing is, with the Prius being a conventional four-door sedan, and the Insight a tiny coupe/hatch/shoe, any price different was largely irrelevant. But now that the Insight and the Prius are both four-door hatchbacks, both all-new this year, and both nearly as indistinguishable from each other as Mary Kate and Ashley, price suddenly matters.
We recently learned that Honda stuck to its promise to offer the least expensive full hybrid on the market, and the Insight starts at just $20,470 and rises to $23,770 when fully loaded. No one expected the 2010 Prius to snatch that title, and it won’t, with the base 2010 “Prius I” starting at $21,750. (We don’t yet know how decontented this model will be, but we expect it will be very stripped down.) That said, the 2010 Prius has been priced a lot closer to the Insight than Honda may like. Indeed, with only $1300 separating the two, the price difference may not be enough to pencil in the Honda as the hybrid sales leader, especially given the Prius’s loftier mpg rating. The Toyota is rated at 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway, while the Honda is rated for 40/43. This would allow Prius buyers to reclaim that $1300 premium relatively quickly.
2009 Toyota Venza - Road Test
Behold Toyota’s latest effort to pull another kitten from mama Camry. The Venza is seductively and beguilingly styled unlike any other Toyota, and it is exactly as seductive and beguiling to drive as the term “Camry station wagon” implies. Wake us for the redesign.
Like California “octomom” Nadya Suleman, the Camry lays claim to a sizable clan of offspring. It already donates DNA to the Sienna minivan, the Highlander SUV, and the Lexus RX350. The Sienna seats up to eight, the Highlander seven, and the RX350 just five. Respectively, they intimate, “bigger family,” “smaller family,” and “If we had a family, we’d shop at Baby Dior.”
Wedged into the thinnest of hairline seams in this crowded lineup, the Venza—front-drive or all-wheel drive, four-cylinder or V-6—is basically an RX350 Light. This audience wants a five-door wagon that doesn’t look like a galleon for slaves to diapers and nose drip.
Venza is a conjugation of the Spanish verb vencer, which means to overcome, win, make trumps, et cetera. The base price, $25,740, shadows the more upright Highlander’s almost to the dollar. The basic 2.7-liter, four-cylinder front-drive Venza such as the one tested here is decently geared up. Locks, windows, and the driver’s seat are electrified at no extra cost. A six-CD changer with an auxiliary jack is standard, stability control comes with, and the rear seats—which split and fold in one fluid articulation—have three-position recline. Tilt and telescope the steering wheel until comfort is achieved. Our one option, the expansive twin-panel window up top known as the “panoramic roof,” cost $1050.
Keep Reading: 2009 Toyota Venza - Road Test
Friday, May 8, 2009
Michigan International Speedway looking to start vehicle connectivity trials
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is the next big wave in active vehicle safety but the technology is still in its infancy and will require substantial cooperation between carmakers and governments to get off the ground. Several carmakers have taken the initiative to develop the technology already, with companies such as General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, BMW and Volkswagen all previewing systems in the past. The Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan International Speedway (MIS) have now joined forces to help in the development of a connected-vehicle system.
GM in talks to offer OnStar to other carmakers
Telematics services are expanding even as the global car market contracts, with Toyota/Lexus the latest to join the arena with its recently-announced Enform system. Now General Motors' OnStar system is looking to expand by partering with other carmakers, according to the latest reports. Talks between GM and 'several automakers' are currently underway, reports Automotive News, in pursuit of deals to share the OnStar service in the U.S., Canada and potentially other parts of the world as well. The decision to get back into the business of re-selling OnStar services overturns GM's previous end to relationships with Acura, Volkswagen, Audi, Subaru and Isuzu.
Fourth model and replacement for tC coupe in the works at Scion
After a bright start almost seven years ago Scion’s sales have tanked and its lineup, which thrives on originality and freshness, is starting to show its age. The Toyota budget brand sold just 113,904 cars last year, down 12.5% on the previous year, and volumes are predicted to dip even lower this year. Most of the blame has been directed towards Scion’s limited lineup, although a weak car market was also a factor in the equation. The current staples of the brand, the redesigned xB and xD very closely resemble the original entrants, the xB and xA, and the tC coupe has only been given a mild facelift since it was launched back in 2004. Scion is now hoping to liven up its portfolio and boost sales by adding a fourth model line and replacing its tC coupe.
Over 40% of cars built in North America built by foreign companies
In January we brought you news of Toyota's predicted surpassing of Chrysler in North American output in 2009, and nearly two years ago we reported on the Detroit 3 slipping below 50% market share in the U.S. Now the trend continues, with the Detroit 3's North American car output slipping below 60% for the first time in 2008. The American carmakers' slide in output can be tied in part to the earlier market share milestone, but the generally down car market and 2008's high fuel prices were also responsible.
Toyota Recalls 134,900 Yaris Models Over Seatbelt Issues
2009 Toyota Yaris
RideLust.com informed us about Toyota’s latest recall; 134,900 2006-2007 Yaris models have a seatbelt pretentioner installed, which can affect the sound insulating foam found in the center pillar. The gas emitted when the pretensioner activates (in the case of a severe front-end collision) can ignite the foam in the insulation.
2008 and 2009 Toyota Yaris models are not affected by the recall. It’s good they fixed the problem in 2008, but why did it take 2 years to admit it was a problem? The last thing you want after you’re in an accident is your center pillar to catch fire next to your head. Fortunately, no such incidents have been reported in the United States.
Lexus hopes to sell 1,600 IS Convertible units a month
We have no idea what Lexus plans on doing with the SC convertible - some reports say that the car has been canned while others say a next-generation is in the works. In the meantime, those looking for a drop-top Lexus can opt for the Lexus IS Convertible, which hits showrooms later this year.
According to Toyota spokesman Hideki Homma, Lexus hopes to sell 1,600 IS Convertible units a month, with about 70 percent of those coming from North America. Through April, Lexus has sold only 310 units of its SC convertible.
“This is meant to appeal as an entry-level Lexus,” project manager Keiichi Nishiyama told Automotive News at the car’s Japan launch today. “Its main target is overseas customers, especially in North America.”
Pricing for the 2010 Lexus IS Convertible start at $38,490 for the IS250C and $43,940 for the IS350C.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)