Toyota-Subaru coupé more details
By Yoann Besnard on 30 May 2008 | 
(0) Comments | Permalink
More details have emerged on the future Toyobaru coupé.
Toyota will miss sales target in Europe
By Yoann Besnard on 30 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has announced it will miss its target on the European market this year due to weak sales in Germany and lack of new models.
See also : Toyota
Lexus LF-A to cost more than £100,000
By Yoann Besnard on 23 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The closer we get to the launch date, the the riskier is the Lexus LF-A for Toyota. The latest information unveil a hefty price tag of £113,000.
See also : Toyota
Toyota Camry to take over the F-150?
By Yoann Besnard on 20 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
This might be the worst nightmare for the American carmaker. Will the Camry take over the F-150?
See also : Industry News | Toyota
Scion reveals limited edition xD Release Series 1.0
By Yoann Besnard on 18 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Sold in the US The Scion xD in unknown on our shores, but was unveiled under the Toyota label as the Urban Cruiser model at the latest Geneva Motor Show. On the American market, Scion is Toyota’s attempt to attract young buyers to the bossom of Toyota’s family. So, the youth brand has released a limited edition intended to spice up the current range.
See also : Toyota
China first quarter saloon sales figures
By Yoann Besnard on 17 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here are the results of saloon sales for the first quarter of 2008 in China.
See also : Buick | Chery | Chinese manufacturers | General Motors | Honda | Hyundai | Toyota | VW
More than one million Prius in the world
By Yoann Besnard on 16 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The million milestone was passed by the Toyota Prius at the end of April.
See also : Environment | Toyota
Toyota loses hybrid patent appeal case
By Yoann Besnard on 14 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has lost a patent appeal concerning the hybrid technology used in the Prius.
See also : Toyota
Next Prius to come in two models
By Yoann Besnard on 12 May 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In a previous post, Petrol-Head reported that Toyota was rumoured to develop several bodystyles for the next-generation Prius. A new report reveals more details.
See also : Environment | Toyota
Next Toyota Prius to grow in every dimension
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Expected to be unveiled at the next Detroit Motor Show in January 2009, the next-generation Prius will grow in size according to latest informations.
See also : Toyota
Toyota experiencing record high inventory levels
By Yoann Besnard on 29 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Like any carmakers, Toyota isn’t spared by the US recession and during the first months of this year, Toyota and Scion vehicle inventories have risen to record US levels.
See also : Toyota
Lexus LF-A to participate in Nurburgring 24 hour race
By Yoann Besnard on 26 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Lexus LF-A concept car will participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race on 24–25 May 2008 as part of ongoing development.
See also : Toyota
Toyota/Subaru coupé: sketch and more info
By Yoann Besnard on 11 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
It isn’t the first time we’re talking about it, but this time, a leaked official sketch has emerged on the Internet. Due to be sold by Subaru and Toyota, the future coupé was expected to be a successor of the Paseo, but latest news reveal the coupé will be a bit more like a Celica.
Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia
By Yoann Besnard on 9 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota might build the Camry Hybrid in Australia when the carmaker launches the next-generation there.
See also : Toyota
Toyota launches the Auris SR and updates the TR trim level
By Yoann Besnard on 6 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has unveiled one new Auris trim level, the SR that takes inspiration from the SR180 model and had upgraded the TR level.
See also : Toyota
Toyota may increase its stake in Subaru
By Yoann Besnard on 3 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Japanese carmaker plans to spend £152 million to increase its stake in Subaru form 8.7 per cent to 17 per cent according the Nikkei newspaper.
See also : Toyota
Toyota denies having received government funding to develop hybrids
By Yoann Besnard on 2 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has denied it received government funding to develop its successful Prius model.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to invest £50 million into a new research facility
By Yoann Besnard on 2 April 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota will invest £50 million during the next four year into a new research facility called Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA) located near the Toyota Technical Center in Michigan.
See also : Toyota
Scion to expand its lineup to boost sales
By Yoann Besnard on 21 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
If Toyota increased its sales globally and among its brands over the years, Scion looks like a lame duck with its declining sales. Toyota plans to expand the lineup to increase the brand’s sales.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to miss its 2008 sales target
By Yoann Besnard on 21 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
After Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe complaining about the rising yen, Tokuichi Uranishi, executive vice president of Toyota announced that the carmaker will miss its sales target of 9.85 million vehicles for this year.
See also : Toyota
Toyota suffers from rising Yen
By Yoann Besnard on 10 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
During the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said the stronger yen was making conditions tougher for the automaker, specially on the American market.
See also : Toyota
Geneva: Toyota iQ
By Yoann Besnard on 10 March 2008 | (2) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has launched its eagerly-awaited iQ model after the concept car seen at Frankfurt last year.
See also : Toyota
Geneva: Toyota Urban Cruiser
By Yoann Besnard on 7 March 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has revealed its latest weapon to conquer young customers, the Urban Cruiser, a European version of the Toyota Ist sold in Japan.
See also : Toyota
Spyshots: next-generation Toyota Avensis
By Yoann Besnard on 29 February 2008 | (1) Comments | Permalink
The next-gen Avensis has been spotted during winter testing in Scandinavia. The saloon is expected to be launched in mid-2009.
See also : Toyota
Toyoya considers launching two small models in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 26 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota is seriously thinking at launching two small models, a production version of the A-BAT concept car and the new Urban Cruiser on the American market in the coming years.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to feature hybrid solution on topping models
By Yoann Besnard on 21 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has launched the new Crown model in Japan this week and as predicted features a hybrid solution on the topping version.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to unveil the Urban Cruiser at Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 14 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Along with the eagerly-awaited iQ at Geneva, the Japanese car maker will also reveal the new Urban Cruiser, a small SUV based on the Ist sold in Japan.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to unveil the production iQ at Geneva
By Yoann Besnard on 13 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The expected production version of the iQ concept car seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show will arrive at Geneva.
See also : Toyota
Toyota might build an eigth factory in China
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota is considering building a new factory in China located in Changchun to build more Corollas.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to bring its future sports car to the US
By Yoann Besnard on 6 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Japanese Car Magazine Best Car has revealed more information about the new sports car being developed in collaboration with Subaru. Toyota plans to bring the future coupé on the American market.
See also : Toyota
Great Wall Florid got the green light
By Yoann Besnard on 4 February 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Chinese car maker has been given the green light by the Chinese government to build the Florid model which is a rip-off of the Toyota IST/scion xA model.
See also : Chinese manufacturers | Toyota
Toyota overtook Ford on the US market last year
By Yoann Besnard on 7 January 2008 | (0) Comments | Permalink
For the first time in 75 years, Ford lost its second rank on the US market as the company has been supplanted by Toyota last year. With a 2.7% increase to 2.62 million delivered vehicles, Toyota overtook Ford which sold 2.57 million vehicles last year, which is a 12% drop from the previous year over the same period.
See also : Ford | Industry News | Toyota
Toyota has built its first Camry in Russia
By Yoann Besnard on 23 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has held a ceremony for the first Camry built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia in St. Petersburg. It is the first step of an ambitious plan from Toyota to conquer the booming Russian market.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to unveil the first crossover sedan at Detoit
By Yoann Besnard on 20 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In a short and mysterious press release, Toyota has announced that it will unveil a crossover sedan at the next Detroit Motor Show.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to develop safety systems for elderly people
By Yoann Besnard on 20 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In a country where elderly people will represent more than 25%, car makers are focusing on those people considered as unfit to drive. The easy way would be to end their driving licence, but varied studies showed that this solution has a dramatic impact on their lives. So, it would be better to help them to drive better. Toyota has teamed up with an unusual partner, Professor Ryuta Kawashima, famous for creating the Nintendo's “Brain Age“ games to develop new safety systems.
See also : Toyota
A cake for the Prius' tenth anniversary
By Yoann Besnard on 19 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Our country loves the Prius which became a green icon in the last few years. Since its introduction in November 2000, it has been sold at more than 16,000 units. The figure is low but keep in mind that it took almost nine years to reach the 500,000 milestone and almost ten years to reach the million mark. Growth is exponential. Toyota celebrated the tenth anniversary with a cake at the Motor Heritage Museum.
See also : Toyota
Toyota wants to save £1.3 billion annually
By Yoann Besnard on 12 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Volkswagen wants to catch up with Toyota in 2018, but the Japanese is determined to rest on his laurels. Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe wants the company to save £300 billion/£1.3 billion annually.
See also : Industry News | Toyota
Video: Toyota driving simulator
By Yoann Besnard on 4 December 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has unveiled a size driving simulator for analysing the driving characteristics of average drivers. It will be used to test the new safety technologies. Located at the Toyota’s Higashifuji Technical Center in Susono City, the simulator uses video and acceleration technologies to provide an experience as close as real driving.
Toyota updates its sales forecast for the Chinese market
By Yoann Besnard on 22 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The Japanese car maker expected to sell 430,000 cars this year but 2007 could be better than planned as it announced it would probably sell 480,000 cars. On the first ten months, Toyota sold 385,000 vehicles, increasing its sales by 67% over the same period last year. By comparison, the Chinese market increased by 24%. It owns a market share of 7.5%.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to revive the Celica?
By Yoann Besnard on 21 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
In an interview given to Automobilwoche, Markus Schrick, vice president of Toyota Deutschland, said that Toyota will launch a new sports coupé in Europe. Due to be unveiled within two years, the coupé would replace the Celica, which was discontinued in 2005.
See also : Toyota
Toyota to unveil a small SUV at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show
By Yoann Besnard on 14 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota created the compact SUV segment in Europe when it launched the RAV4 on the market in the nineties. Since then, various competitors have joined the battle and the segment is rather overcrowded. Even the French carmakers have recently joined in. It is time for Toyota to apply the same recipe to another segment, the sub-compact SUV market, which does not really exist. The Japanese carmaker will unveil a small SUV at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.
See also : Toyota
Toyota iQ will feature rear impact airbags
By Yoann Besnard on 8 November 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The iQ's chief designer, Hiroki Nakajima, has revealed that the city car will feature a rear airbag for passengers sitting in the back in order to make it safer. The iQ pioneers a unique 3+1 seating layout. While the Smart can provide room for only two people, the iQ will be roomy enough for three adults and one child. Unfortunately, the rear seat passengers sit just 12 inches from the rear window because of the 117 inches length.
See also : Toyota
Toyota tests plug-in hybrid in Japan
By Yoann Besnard on 26 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota USA CEO Jim Press last week revealed to the National Press Club that Toyota was developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yesterday the Japanese giant said it had received the approval of the Japanese government to test a plug-in hybrid Prius on Japanese roads.
See also : Toyota
Toyota/Lexus LF-A: Nürburgring video
By Yoann Besnard on 16 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Here is another video of the Toyota/Lexus supercar, due to be launched at the next Tokyo motor show. It will be available with a choice of a V8 5.0-litre hybrid engine producing 400bhp or a V10 5.0 litre petrol producing 500 bhp. In the video, it seems to be the V10 engine that we can hear.
See also : Toyota
Jim Press lives in a dream world
By Yoann Besnard on 13 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
I do not know what the Toyota’s North American president, Jim Press, smokes but it must be high quality for it to lead him to declare that “everything will be a hybrid” in the future and to liken the Toyota Prius to the Model T.
See also : Toyota
Lexus LS600h starts at £81,000
By Yoann Besnard on 11 July 2007 | (0) Comments | Permalink
The prices for the Lexus flagship have been announced. It will cost £81,400 for the entry model, the LS 600h. For this price, the buyer has the privilege of driving what is probably the most advanced luxury saloon in the world. If you are looking for more legroom for the rear seats you will have to pay £83,645 to access the longwheel base version dubbed LS 600h L. If you have a chauffeur, do not hesitate spending the few thousands pounds more, £88,000, to treat yourself to the Rear Seat Relaxation Package.
See also : Toyota
Toyota "Smart" at Frankfurt Motor Show
By Yoann Besnard on 1 May 2007 | (1) Comments | Permalink
Toyota will launch a new competitor on the microcar market next September. The new model, which is set to compete with the popular Smart car, will be available from 2008.
See also : Toyota
Lexus's RX400h, a green SUV.
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 8 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Toyota has adapted its hybrid technology to the Lexus RX400, which thus becomes the RX400h, a ‘clean’ SUV. Under the bonnet, two engines take place now, a 3.3-litre petrol V6 developing 211bhp and a 167bhp electric unit. But the Japanese engineers thought this was not enough, so, another electric unit (67bhp) is to be found at the rear of the R400h! Yet, the maximum available power amounts to 272bhp.
Below 30mph, the big SUV is propelled by its rear engine. As it is totally silent, it may catch pedestrians by surprise.
Beyond this speed, the V6 smoothly starts and, helped with the other electric engine, allows the RX400h to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 7.4secs! Better than Porsche Cayenne V6 then.
The association of the three motors works in total smoothness, thanks to the CVT transmission.
Even if the RX400h is quite heavy, with a kerbweight of 2 tons, its average fuel consumption reaches no less than to 30mpg. Its C02 emissions match the Euro IV norm. So, is it the ideal car for off-roading? Not quite, for the RX400h prefers straight highways to rocky paths on steep hillsides.
£35,485.00, this is the lowest price if you want to drive a huge SUV with a clear conscience, and this is cheaper than a BMW X5 3.0i. It includes power front seats, a Multi-CD and a cruise control. The £39,540 SE trim adds a sunroof and a leather upholstery while the £44,350 SE-L adds sattelite navigation combined with a hand-free phone. Do you think Ken Livingston will buy one?
See also : Toyota
New Avensis 2.2 D4D makes ecology optional
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 5 June 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Even looking common-place, a sedan may meet success: this is the case for the Toyota Avensis, sold 140,000 copies in 2004, which is a logical reward given its qualities.
The latter is more particularly interesting for it’s fitted with new ceramic glow plugs and piezoelectric injectors allowing the injection pressure to reach 1800 bars. As a consequence, it was possible for Toyota to reduce the compression ratio down to 15:8, which is the lowest in the world of diesel engines. Reliability should benefit from this.
Moreover, Toyota has developed a new filtration device called D-Cat, which, along with the engine improvements quoted above, helps drastically reduce pollution, without any specific maintenance. Toyota claims the Avensis 2.2 D-Cat has the lowest combined NOX and PM emission rates in the market.
Why does the D-Cat remain optional then? Besides, it's not even available on the lower 2.2.
Apart from that, we notice the installation a new sound-proof windshield and a 6-speed gearbox.
The Japanese carmaker has paid great attention to reducing maintenance costs, with an oil exchange every 18,000 miles. Let’s remark that the D4D still accepts even mineral oil.
On the other hand, there still is a timing-belt, which needs replacement every 60,000 miles. Why not a chain, like on Fiat’s recently awarded 1.3 Multijet?
This excellent lacklustre sedan’s prices start from £18,145, and the combined fuel consumption amounts to 47.9 mpg on the 150bhp version and 46.3 on the 177 one.
See also : Toyota
