NHTSA expands Toyota fire probe to 1.4M cars and trucks

NHTSA expands Toyota fire probe to 1.4M cars and trucks:
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Hatchback, Toyota




The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has grown its investigation into certain Toyota models to cover a full 1.4 million cars and trucks. Reuters reports the government safety agency has upgraded the investigation to a full-blown engineering analysis, which may eventually lead to a recall. NHTSA has received a number of complaints concerning fires tied to models built between September 2006 and August 2008 that use the same power window master switch design. All told, customers have reported nine injuries and 161 crashes or fires, though no deaths have been tied to the issue.



The analysis covers 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris models as well as 2008 Highlander Hybrid crossover. Back in February, NHTSA opened an investigation into 830,000 Camry and RAV4 units, though today's announcement grows that number to over 1.4 million models.

NHTSA expands Toyota fire probe to 1.4M cars and trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to build Yaris in France for North America

Toyota to build Yaris in France for North America:
Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Europe, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Toyota




Toyota has already made it abundantly clear the company intends to scale back production in Japan in an attempt to combat the ever-strengthening Yen, and now it looks as if we know one of the ways the automaker plans to do so. Toyota has announced it will manufacture U.S. and Canadian-spec Yaris models in its Onnaing-Valenciennes facility in France. The plant has been producing the Yaris hatchback for European buyers since 2001, though this marks the first time in Toyota history that the automaker has built a vehicle in Europe and imported the model to the States.



North American-spec Yaris models differ slightly from their European counterparts. In addition to using different fascia designs front and rear, the NA model comes available with an automatic transmission and a market-specific 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. There is some differentiation in safety equipment between the two models as well.



Japanese automakers have recently revealed that building cars in Japan and exporting them around the globe is quickly becoming a money-losing proposition. Honda has made it clear the company is seeking alternatives to producing models like the Fit and CR-Z in Japan due to the high costs associated with exporting the vehicles.

Toyota to build Yaris in France for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013

Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013:
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Toyota, Design/Style




Given that the 2013 Avalon shares a platform with the new Lexus ES, this news should come as no surprise: Toyota's largest sedan is getting its own hybrid variant for the first time ever. Judging by these first photos, carspotters will have to squint hard to tell that they're looking at a hybrid, as there are only a few small badges and blue-tinted lenses as a tip-off to this vehicle's gas-electric motivation.



As with its luxury-minded sibling, the Avalon Hybrid will arrive under the spell of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four paired with a duo of electric motors juiced by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Total system power is stated at 200 horsepower, but the meatier number is an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon city and 39 highway.



Also like its Lexus relation, Toyota is touting a trio of operation modes that includes pure EV (only good for one mile at speeds up to 25 mph), Eco, and Sport, the latter of which tweaks both steering weight and throttle response.



Toyota hasn't released any dynamic performance figures or pricing information, but the new Avalon Hybrid will be in dealers this fall, where it will square off against the Buick LaCrosse eAssist and soon-to-be-replaced Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Continue reading Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013

Toyota Avalon gets 40-MPG hybrid model for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cars.com reveals American Made index for 2012

Cars.com reveals American Made index for 2012:
Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Ford, Honda, Toyota




Put on your flag shorts and Liberty Bell hat. Cars.com has released its American-Made Index, proclaiming that four out of the top five American-made vehicles are Japanese brands.



The Toyota Camry, built in Kentucky, was ranked the most American vehicle sold today, with the Michigan-built Ford F-150 coming in as the second-most American vehicle. The Honda Accord, Toyota Sienna and Honda Pilot round out the top five. And yes, all of these models are available in red, white or blue.



Cars.com's criteria for selecting the most American vehicle includes sales volume, percentage of American sourced parts and where the vehicle is assembled. Vehicles must have at least 75 percent domestic parts to even qualify for the list, which kept the F-150 off last year.
However, the accounting system devised by Cars.com was called "flawed" by the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Detroit's car makers in Washington D.C.



"The truth is: Three of the 16 major automakers doing business in the U.S. - Chrysler, Ford and GM - produce more than half the cars assembled here, use twice as many U.S. parts per vehicle than their competitors, are headquartered in the U.S. and employ two-thirds of America's autoworkers," said former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt, current president of the AAPC.



Nothing like using July 4 for political grandstanding.

Cars.com reveals American Made index for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch the most epic Toyota GT 86 review to date

Watch the most epic Toyota GT 86 review to date:
Filed under: Performance, Etc., Europe, Videos, Toyota




By now, you've likely absorbed every last ounce of ink, both physical and virtual, spilled on the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S and Toyota GT 86 triplets. You've watched the videos, poured over the press releases and configured your own. And while your waking moments may be filled with imaging what it would be like to cane the 2.0-liter terror across Europe, odds are you haven't actually done the deed. Nino Karotta has, and he's been kind enough to document the excursion for the rest of us.



Unlike most of the ham-fisted video reviews of the trio we've seen so far, this one delves well beyond the fact sheet to give us a glimpse of what the car is actually like to operate. Karotta takes the GT 86 from the twisting mountains of France across Germany via the Autobahn and into Austria for a date with his own AE86.



With a stellar soundtrack, beautiful videography and insightful commentary, the video is what all reviews should strive to be. How does the newcomer stack up against its ancestor? We won't spoil it for you. Check out the clip below. You'll be glad you took the time.
Continue reading Watch the most epic Toyota GT 86 review to date

Watch the most epic Toyota GT 86 review to date originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota dumps four-cylinder Sienna for 2013, details other MY changes

Toyota dumps four-cylinder Sienna for 2013, details other MY changes:
Filed under: Minivan/Van, Toyota




The four-cylinder Toyota Sienna is officially a thing of the past. Toyota has opted to ditch the minivan's entry-level 2.7-liter engine, thereby making the 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 standard equipment. The move makes some sense, as the entry-level four cylinder didn't really manage better fuel economy - the 187-hp powertrain managed 19 miles per gallon city and 24 highway, whereas the V6 gets 18/25.



Buyers can look forward to a few small changes for the 2013 model year, including easier-to-clean fabrics on LE trim as well as an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat and four-way power passenger throne. LE guise also delivers three-zone climate control with individual control for the driver, passenger and rear seats. Stepping up to Limited trim will net consumers a standard Blind Spot Monitor, though the tech may also be had on SE and XLE versions as an individual option.



Prices have jumped up a bit, starting with the base Sienna at $25,450, or $1,390 more than the 2012 model. Toyota says that on average, prices have increased by around $466 over all trims. The topped-out Sienna all-wheel drive Limited tips the wallet at $41,240 before tacking on any additional options. Check out the press release below.
Continue reading Toyota dumps four-cylinder Sienna for 2013, details other MY changes

Toyota dumps four-cylinder Sienna for 2013, details other MY changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota looking to shift some Lexus RX production from Japan to Canada

Toyota looking to shift some Lexus RX production from Japan to Canada:
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Lexus, Toyota, Canada, Luxury




In an effort to reduce the Yen's impact on its bottom line, Toyota says it will invest $100 million in its Cambridge, Ontario plant to increase output of the Lexus RX CUV. The Ontario factory is Toyota's only Lexus producer outside of Japan.



"This is a big and ambitious project with new technology, exacting standards and tight timelines," Brian Krinock, president of Toyota's Canada manufacturing unit, said in a press release. "Our team members have demonstrated time and time again that they thrive on these kinds of challenges."



The expansion will take the plant's Lexus capacity from 74,000 units a year to 104,000, including 15,000 RX 450h hybrids. By the time production begins in early 2014, the plant is expected to have added about 400 new jobs and take overall employment to 6,900 workers.
Continue reading Toyota looking to shift some Lexus RX production from Japan to Canada

Toyota looking to shift some Lexus RX production from Japan to Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota readying Intellitouch touchpad controllers?

Toyota readying Intellitouch touchpad controllers?:
Filed under: Technology, Toyota




"Intellitouch" is the name Toyota will apparently use to refer to a new electronic control scheme it is developing. That's according to Car and Driver, which has spotted the name in a new Toyota trademark application. According to the submission, the name refers to "electronic touch sensitive controllers, sold as an integral part of motor vehicles."



C/D speculates that for Toyota to bother developing a brand name, there must be more to the new gadgets than just touchscreen navigation. In fact, the magazine thinks Toyota is gearing up for Intellitouch to compete with Cadillac's Cue and Ford's MyFordTouch and their capacitive touch switchgear. The control setup could also be similar to the gesture-based touchpad systems already offered by Audi and shortly, by BMW.



Another Toyota trademark filing is for "EBIN," a wireless charging system for personal electronics. While inductive chargers have been around for a while, several automakers are rushing to include them in upcoming models. General Motors recently trademarked the name, "Dockspot" for its version.

Toyota readying Intellitouch touchpad controllers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CVTs expected to more than double in popularity

CVTs expected to more than double in popularity:
Filed under: Sedan, Honda, Nissan, Toyota




Belts and pulleys will continue to replace traditional gears in the coming years as more carmakers turn to Continuously Variable Transmissions to suck the fun out of future machines increase fuel economy.



According to a new Automotive News report, by the numbers, about one percent of new vehicles were equipped with a CVT in 2005. By 2010, that number of new vehicles in the U.S. grew to seven percent, thanks largely to Nissan, not to mention an increase in the number of hybrid models sold in America (most of which are fitted with the technology). Experts at IHS Automotive now predict that percentage will more than double by 2016 to 16 percent.



The belt-and-pulley transmission can adjust to an engine's torque in an infinite number of ways, making it more efficient than traditional gearboxes. But CVTs have become the bane of many enthusiasts and critics because of a number of undesirable characteristics - namely the unpleasant 'rubber band' sound they emit under hard acceleration.



According to Automotive News, Japanese carmakers appear especially interested in adding CVTs to their lineups. Honda is widely expected to offer a CVT on its next-generation four-cylinder Accord, Toyota may include a CVT on its future Corolla, and the CVT stalwarts at Nissan introduced its 2013 Altima earlier this year with an upgraded CVT that helps it achieve 38 miles per gallon on the highway.



While CVTs continue to improve, some providing faux programed "shift points" through sport programs or paddle shifters, they remain a non-starter with most enthusiasts we talk to. Further, critics like us can't help but note that with the advent of newer, lighter automatics and dual-clutch gearboxes with more and more speeds (eight speeds are becoming increasingly common, and nine- and ten-speed autos cogswappers on the horizon), the efficiency advantages of the CVT aren't as impressive.



We'll obviously need some sort of pulley mechanism to drag us into the future.

CVTs expected to more than double in popularity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus to get own version of Toyota Prius C?

Lexus to get own version of Toyota Prius C?:
Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota, Rumormill




The CT 200h proved that Lexus could make up for the sins against excitement committed by the company's short-lived HS 250h. Its bold styling and greatly improved handling combined with a fuel-efficient drivetrain suggests a brighter future for the compact luxury hybrid segment.



Word is, though, that Lexus is working on a sub-CT hybrid entrant. According to Malaysian automotive outlet Paultan, the diminutive luxury fuel-sipper will be based on the Toyota Prius C. The website has tentatively dubbed the model AS150, but it is here where we must advise that you take some of the report's details with grains of salt in varying sizes. If history provides us with context, any Lexus hybrid would include an "h" in the name, for example.



More believable, though, is the speculation that the powerplant would be a variation of the 1.5-liter Hybrid Synergy Drive module that powers the Prius C. Another alternative floated by Paultan is that an even smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged unit featuring direct injection could find its way into the subcompact's engine bay.

Lexus to get own version of Toyota Prius C? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota says next Corolla to get even bigger transformation than Avalon

Toyota says next Corolla to get even bigger transformation than Avalon:
Filed under: Car Buying, New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Toyota




One of America's blandest, yet best-selling cars will be less boring when its next generation arrives next year, Toyota officials promise.



Bill Fay, general manager for Toyota and Scion brands in the U.S., tells Ward's Auto that the Corolla will undergo an even more dramatic makeover than the Toyota Avalon recently underwent, which shocked us with its much svelter appearance at the New York Auto Show in April. Fay declines to get specific, but the move away from a conservative blueprint would be a marked change for Toyota's segment stalwart.



The Corolla received a modest redesign in 2007, but has been outpaced in style and feature points by most of its competition, including cars like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra, all of which are newer and richer in feature count and refinement.



Even though the Corolla has never been known as car worthy of Fifth Avenue cruises, it has remained a nearly bulletproof competitor with legendary reliability. Perhaps not coincidentally, it is still one of the top-selling vehicles in America and was the best-selling compact last year.

Toyota says next Corolla to get even bigger transformation than Avalon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners

Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners:
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Lexus, Toyota




Toyota has announced that it will recall a total of 778,000 units that may have been manufactured with improperly-tightened nuts on the rear suspension. The manufacturer says around 760,000 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 models and 18,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h units may have fasteners that were not torqued to the correct specification during alignment.



If that's the case, excess wear could occur and pave the way for rust and separation, which in turn could cause an accident. Toyota says the company is currently working on a solution. Once available, the manufacturer will notify owners and ask them to make an appointment to bring the vehicle by the closest dealer for a free repair.



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced earlier this month that it was investigating RAV4 models for this very issue after receiving complaints of tie rod failures due to rust. You can view the full press release from Toyota below.
Continue reading Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners

Toyota recalling 778,000 RAV4, HS 250h units for loose suspension fasteners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]:
Filed under: Crossover, Toyota, First Drives, Tesla, Electric
Tesla-Hearted Toyota Offers Real Sport And Utility







The 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV is the most advanced Alpha prototype electric vehicle we've ever driven. Or maybe it's a poster child for the 21st Century automotive industry where all sorts of new things are being tried, like when old-school automakers and ambitious start-ups find common purpose in rushing an all-electric crossover to market in two years. Or maybe it's the end result of a decade-long process of getting the Japanese automaker to bring back its popular - by EV standards, anyway - first-gen RAV4 EV for the new era of electric cars? It is, of course, all of these things, and that's what makes the RAV4 EV such an interesting vehicle: It not only offers surprisingly good performance on the road, it can also tell you some compelling stories as you jump from 0-60 in seven seconds. In a CUV. With an easy-to-achieve 100-mile range.



Most compelling, perhaps, is that the RAV4 EV is a real electric crossover with a real on-sale date. Namely, $49,800 (before any tax credits) and late summer 2012. Of course, the problem, aside from the hefty price, is that this CUV will only be available - initially, anyway - in four major California markets: Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego and Los Angeles/Orange County. Since the RAV4 EV will go on sale in The OC (don't call it that), it made sense that Toyota brought journalists to Newport Beach for some time behind the wheel. If you're not interested in the technical details or the three story lines we saw represented, here's all you need to know. When we first put the RAV4 EV into Sport driving mode, our honest reaction was to say out loud: "Holy crap!"
Continue reading 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video]

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4?:
Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Toyota, Middle East




This wrapped-up crossover appears to be the next Toyota RAV4. It was first found on a Toyota fan forum in Saudi Arabia, and was later picked up by the automotive gumshoes at CarScoop. All indications point to this being the next RAV4, but obviously nothing has been confirmed.

From what we can tell by these photos, it has a front fascia similar to that of the Toyota Camry, and has more streamlined proportions than the outgoing model. It's hard to determine if the roof has a significant slope to it, or it is just the angle of the camera. If it is the former, than the silhouette seems to ape the Hyundai Tucson, one the RAV4's competitors.
Most of the exterior is covered with white wrapping, save the windows, which allowed for a clean shot of the interior. We can see a smart looking dash, something that once again has a similar look and feel of the Camry. The screen in the center stack is likely home to the latest version of Toyota's Entune, and we can also see clever cubby spaces above the glovebox and in the center console.
CarScoop has asserted that because the wrapping is the same type used to cover a new car on its way to a dealer that this is the real thing, and an actual production RAV4. Only time will tell if its the real deal, and not a overseas-only Toyota model. In the meantime, click on the gallery above to see what may be the next Toyota compact crossover.

Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autonomous car support subject of political attack ad

Autonomous car support subject of political attack ad:
Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota




It's election time and auto bailouts are not the only thing politicians are talking about. Down in Florida, one group has connected a candidate's support for automated car testing to, well, nothing. And that makes him evil.



The Committee to Protect Florida has taken Rep. Jeff Brandes (R-Fla.) to task for proving automated cars did not operate by "witchcraft" instead of working on other things in the St. Petersburg area. The commercial attempts to instill fear in the program and make it sound like these machines are running amok on Florida's streets. (Note the sound effects at the end of the video.)



The attack ad features a Toyota Prius running a stop sign and nearly hitting an older woman using a walker as the narrator goes on about how silly these newfangled machines might be. Then the commercial flashes the question, "Will Driverless cars REALLY stop for pedestrians?"



Maybe. And if they don't, everyone should blame Jeff Brandes.



Scroll down to watch the 30-second spot.
Continue reading Autonomous car support subject of political attack ad

Autonomous car support subject of political attack ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK Toyota GT86 busts out of a Dystopian future

UK Toyota GT86 busts out of a Dystopian future:
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota, UK




Everybody loves a good dystopian story, right? From classics like Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 to modern works like The Hunger Games, people are fascinated by the imaginative tales of a future society beset by the decidedly unfortunate consequences of human activity. Someone in Toyota's UK marketing team has been paying attention to the trend.



In the video after the break, you'll see a pixelated future where real driving fun is almost impossible to come by. Our digital protagonist takes us on a short journey through dark and damp city streets in a car controlled by computers before finding his way to a bright red Toyota GT86. Mayhem ensues until our newly alive driver breaks free of his artificial constraints.



Watch the video below... before Big Brother has it removed from YouTube.
Continue reading UK Toyota GT86 busts out of a Dystopian future

UK Toyota GT86 busts out of a Dystopian future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Toyota Auris revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show

New Toyota Auris revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show:
Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota, Diesel




The Toyota Auris has been comprehensively reworked, now only awaiting its Paris Motor Show debut. It's still a small package, but it's got a big burden: Toyota says it represents a "determination to engineer cars that are more appealing and dynamically engaging to drive while building on its long-established reputation for quality, durability and reliability."



In the appealing corner, the front and back have been sharpened, the stylistic tweaks making for an especially cutting schnoz that helps the new Auris achieve a coefficient of drag of 0.28. The whole car has been lengthened by 30 millimeters (about 1.2 inches) and lowered by 55 millimeters (about 2.2 inches); it's stance is lower than any other "mainstream C-segment" offering, according to the company. More practically, the roof gets Skyview - a huge panorama glass roof and the tailgate gets a wider opening.



Inside, the cabin gets upgraded appointments everywhere: soft-textured door grips, padded armrests on the doors, fabric-trimmed pillars, satin silver finishes, leather trimming on the dash on some models, a soft-touch covering on the IP's upper surface and baseball-stitched nappa leather around the steering wheel. There's also more space due to the new packaging, with rear passengers getting 20 mm more knee room and the boot getting 90 mm more load space - all hatchback models, including the hybrid, boast 360 liters of cargo room (12.7 cubic feet).



Dynamically, that lower stance should be of some assistance, and the use of high-tensile steel increases stiffness, lowers the hatchback's center of gravity and cuts weight by up to 88 pounds. The steering and suspension have also received unnamed revisions to make for a better drive. In addition to the top-flight Hybrid Synergy Drive model, powerplants on offer will be 1.3-liter and 1.6-liter gasoline engines and a 1.4-liter diesel.



If you'd like even more facts and figures on the 2013 Auris, you'll find them in the press release below.
Continue reading New Toyota Auris revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show

New Toyota Auris revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-gen 2014 Toyota Corolla caught testing in U.S.

Next-gen 2014 Toyota Corolla caught testing in U.S.:
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Toyota




Given the level of competition in the compact segment, these recent spy photos show that Toyota is getting serious with its next-generation Corolla. As the second-best-selling nameplate in the world, the last few Toyota Corolla redesigns have been rather minor, but based on these pictures, the new car will get much more competitive styling.



The boxy lines of the current Corolla seem to be replaced with a sportier look that includes a sloped hood and a shorter decklid borrowing design cues from new cars like the 2013 Toyota Avalon and 2012 Toyota Camry. From what we can see of the front end, the headlights have a rounded, scalloped shape similar to the new Avalon while the taillights match the L-shaped design of the Camry. The car pictured here appears to be a higher trim level, with what appear to be HID headlights, fog lights and possibly even LED taillights. Like the outside, the interior of this test mule is heavily cloaked with camouflage, but we can make out the new three-gauge instrument cluster that replaces the current car's two-gauge layout, and this upscale model includes chrome trim around the edges.



In terms of powertrain changes, an updated version of the 1.8-liter four will likely bring more power and better fuel economy, and big changes should come to the transmission. A six-speed automatic should replace the aging four-speed used in the current Corolla, and there's speculation a continuously variable transmission could be offered. Since a 40-mpg EPA highway rating has become the de facto standard in the compact sedan segment, we expect vastly improved fuel economy numbers from whatever new powertrain Toyota drops in this car.



Production of the 2014 Toyota Corolla is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2013, so we wouldn't be surprised to see this car on display at the L.A. Auto Show or Detroit Auto Show.

Next-gen 2014 Toyota Corolla caught testing in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Philippines lets loose in GT 86 promo vid

Toyota Philippines lets loose in GT 86 promo vid:
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Toyota




The Toyota GT 86 has been one of the brand's video stars this year, gobbling up millions of frames as it makes friends in each new land. The story is no different in the Philippines, where a troupe of GT 86 coupes starred in a precision driving and drifting display at an airfield.



Put together by Toyota Philippines, the video was helmed by Sid Maderazo, the same gent who brought us the supercar extravaganza at Subic Bay called The Mile. His latest work can be found by scrolling down.
Continue reading Toyota Philippines lets loose in GT 86 promo vid

Toyota Philippines lets loose in GT 86 promo vid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PickupTrucks.com stages global shootout with new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux and Amarok

PickupTrucks.com stages global shootout with new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux and Amarok:
Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Holden, Australia, Diesel




PickupTrucks.com has turned to its friends in Australia for a look at a few of the most popular midsize pickups found Down Under. The result is the Global Pickup Shootout that pits the reigning-champion Toyota Hilux against the Holden Colorado, Volkswagen Amarok and the Ford Ranger. Each truck was faced with a battery of tests that included on-road and off-road performance as well as design and value evaluations.



How did the results shake out? The Toyota Hilux, which hasn't seen a significant update since 2005, is clearly starting to show its age. The truck consistently found itself at the back of the pack, which resulted in a fourth-place finish overall with 29 points. By comparison, the third-place Volkswagen Amarok performed well in the overall value and design segments, but fell behind elsewhere. The German pickup took home 34 points in the evaluation.



The real story here is just how close the first, second and third-place finishers were in the shootout. The Holden Colorado went home with just two more points than the Amarok, thanks largely to its first-place off-road performance, but fell to the Ford Ranger by just one point. That means that the Ranger, Colorado and Amarok were split by just three points in total. Head over to PickupTrucks.com to take a look at the very detailed comparison for more information.

PickupTrucks.com stages global shootout with new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux and Amarok originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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