Spyshots: Codename FT-86

Toyota has been stealing all of the limelight with its interpretation of the company's forthcoming collaboration with Subaru recently. What with news that the car may actually cost more than $25,000 and show up under the Scion banner, the interwebs have been alight with talk of the 'Yota coupe. Meanwhile, word of the Subaru half of the equation has been left to a scant few spy photos and little else.

Well, we can add yet another smattering of shots of the Pleiades-badged coupe to the mix. Our camera-equipped spyshot ninjas have managed to nab a few more pics of the Subaru mule our for testing, and this time, it appears that the engineers are hard at work playing with an STI variant. Why do we say that? Feast your eyes on that bulging hood and front-mounted intercooler. Those two pieces all but scream hi-po, and they are our first indication that the flat-four powered, all-wheel drive coupe will be available with a powertrain offering something north of 300 horsepower. As of right now, it's anyone's guess as to when we can expect to see either the FT-86 or its Subaru equivalent on the scene, but early reports are saying 2012 is a good possibility. Get excited.

Source

Refresh For Camry 2012

Like the late Rodney Dangerfield, the Toyota Camry could reasonably complain that it don’t get no respect.

Never mind that it’s been America’s bestselling passenger car in 13 of the past 14 years—the past nine consecutively—and appears to be headed for another sales title this year. Never mind that a financial or marketing exec might observe that those numbers are the only kind of respect that really matters. The Camry don’t get no respect at Car and Driver, and it has only rarely elsewhere over that entire run. But the 2012 Camry, due in showrooms in October, could end—or at least moderate—our disdain.

All-New, Selectively

This is the Camry’s seventh generation—the first appeared in 1983—and inevitably the words “all-new” appear in the accompanying publicity materials. As usual, that description is open to interpretation and/or explanation. Considered in terms of the specifications, all-new is hard to see here. The body dimensions are identical to those of the gen-six car. So are the particulars of the 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 that towed our SE test car—same bore, same stroke, same port fuel injection (no direct injection yet), same output: 268 hp, 248 lb-ft of torque.

The only powertrain changes, aimed at improving fuel economy, are subtle: lower-viscosity engine oil (0W-20 versus 5W-30), a transmission-oil warmer to achieve operating temps a little faster, and a higher (numerically lower) final-drive ratio of 3.46:1 versus 3.69:1. The net, according to the EPA, is a gain of 1 mpg in city and highway modes, for a rating of 21/30. We averaged 25 mpg.

New Where It Counts

Although changes to the basic unibody are mostly cosmetic—the seventh-generation sheetmetal, although not exactly head turning, looks contemporary and continues to be commendably slick with a 0.28 Cd—the really significant newness lies within. Without altering exterior dimensions, Toyota’s design team rearranged the Camry’s furniture to create more space for folks inhabiting the rear seats. Key elements: The accelerator pedal and the front-seat rails have sneaked slightly forward, and the backs of the front seats have been scooped out, yielding a rear-seat knee-room gain of 1.8 inches, according to the company.

Expanded roominess is always welcome in a family sedan, and in the new Camry, it’s enhanced by a center rear position that’s habitable for more than a run to the mall. Even more welcome, though, is the upgrade in the materials, including lots of soft-touch surfaces that give the interior an aura of comfort and quality distinctly absent in the last couple generations. The pseudo-suede center inserts in our test car’s optional leather-trimmed front buckets lend a soupçon of luxury, as well as a little grip to keep the driver centered in rapid transitions (not that many of those are likely), and slimmer A-pillar trim yields better forward sightlines.



Hold the Excitement

Assessed as a device with which to satisfy your inner Sebastian Vettel, the new Camry is pretty similar to its predecessor, which is to say essentially bland. Our test car was an SE model, nominally sportier than the rest of the lineup, but the suspension tuning is still skewed strongly toward the comfort side of the chart. There’s considerable body roll in hard cornering, obstinate understeer progresses to absolute, and as is common nowadays, a new electric-assist power-steering system substitutes weight for tactile information. This string of criticisms would add up to “fuhgedaboudit” if the Camry had sports-sedan pretensions. But it doesn’t, and its dynamic virtues are on target for its family-sedan mission.

And let us not neglect the power component. The Camry’s optional V-6 may be basically unchanged, but it delivers respectable hustle—0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, the quarter-mile in 14.3 at 101 mph, 50 to 70 in 3.7. Those times are brisk for this class and would have been tops in our recent sedan comparison involving the Honda Accord EX-L V-6, Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited, and Volkswagen Passat 3.6 SEL. Chalk it up in part to a curb weight—3407 pounds—100 pounds wispier than that of the lightest car in that group. Similarly, our test Camry’s 0.83-g skidpad performance would have topped those charts, and its 70-to-0-mph braking distance—173 feet—would have been 15 feet better than the comparo’s best stopper.



Respectability Returns

All in all, what Toyota has achieved with the latest Camry makeover is a return to the traits that put this car at the top of so many families’ shopping lists. An aggressive pricing schedule can’t hurt, either. The base price for most models is down versus 2011’s by as much as 7.5 percent, and the base for our test car—$27,400, less than any of the comparo trio previously cited—is unchanged from the previous generation.

Although well equipped in basic trim, our SE had a substantial inventory of optional equipment: the Leather package (seats, door trim, heated front seats, $1050); a power sunroof ($915); and navigation with Entune, Toyota’s infotainment system ($1550). The latter package also included a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with digital compass, an anti-theft alarm, and JBL audio with Bluetooth and voice recognition. The nav system is one of the most cooperative we’ve ever encountered, and we were similarly pleased with the JBL audio system. The bottom line as tested: $30,935.

This still isn’t the kind of car that raises pulse rates. But it is competent in everything, just right for a driver who doesn’t want to be involved any more than is absolutely necessary. As the Camry’s phenomenal sales record shows, there are a lot of those drivers out there. The new Camry should make them happier than they’ve been in a long time.

Source:Caranddriver

Prius Family Hybrid Car

With a compact exterior, spacious interior, the Toyota Prius cargo space V over-capacity 50 percent more interior than the current Prius. Exterior design is smooth, round and thick, with extended roof line, the vehicle could become a symbolic figure of the Prius and hold triangle.

Front vehicle has a little edge, wind aero-slip angle to improve aerodynamics and expanded under the grill, can someone have a unique design of the current Prius. Toyota Prius back V-style highlighted by a panel from the back by, a complex fine tail lights and a specially designed roof spoiler, air.
Also available, and the first Toyota, resins, panoramic sunroof with retractable shield Sunday that an open atmosphere in the cockpit with a weight loss of 40 percent compared with conventional glass roof of the same size, and excellent thermal insulation performance.

If the current generation Prius, Toyota Prius, V is a showcase of technology that many standard features are the same. Four drive modes (Normal, Power, C., and EV) were selected in various road conditions and driver. Smart Key system with the start button, an electronic circuit that features Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and rearview camera. The options are energy efficient LED Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Advanced Parking Guidance System.

A new trend in hybrid vehicle with an excellent cargo space and a legacy of environmentally friendly than the Prius and the fuel consumption of the Prius in 2012 V for sale late summer 2011.

Source:tecnotomotive

New Altis 2011 From Toyota

Toyota-Astra Motor introduced the Corolla which facelift now comes with a new name Grand New Corolla Altis because of the large changes that occur. This launch also spelled out in Europe faster because only a few weeks ago.

The biggest changes occurred in the sector that is driving the engine and transmission. Toyota Corolla Altis now apply the dual VVT-i technology on the 1.8-liter engine (2ZR-FE) complement the existing similar technology in the 2.0 liter engine (3ZR-FE). Dual VVT-i set the valve opening and inhaust exhaust are computerized.

Whereas in the present transmission system using Super CVT-i with a seven-speed Sequential Sport Shift. This transmission offers refinement, silently and contribute to improving fuel efficiency. Equipped with Sequential Shift, so the driver can still play the transmission lever to pursue the pleasure of driving. Another option, new gearbox 6 MT.

Combination of these two new technologies that help increase fuel efficiency up to 7% plus extra comfort. Other additional devices in the car is equipped with Toyota’s new entertainment Navigation

In terms of exterior changes visible on the front bumper, headlights, rear combination lamps, alloy wheels, rear bumper, new design optitron meter, 3 spokes steering wheel, driving eco indicator and other changes.

Grand New Corolla Altis 2.0V so worth USD 380 million. 8.1 Type G to be USD 349.7 million and the new type E 08.01 USD 328 million.

Source:Jogjaspeed

New Wish For Toyota

Toyota have launched the new Wish in the Japan market not too long ago, with a new front look. It comes either 1.8 or 2.0 variant. I guess the protruding concept is also being brought over to the Wish as well, as you can see the front headlights is like coming out of the body .

The new Wish is fitted with the new generation engine with “Valvematic” technology, i guess they renamed VVTL-i to this name, since the technology is variable valve and lift.

The interior looks great, with the triangular window at the side so that you have more view of the road.

This baby also comes with Super CVT-i transmission which gives better fuel economy. Also mentioned is that the 1.8L gives 16Km/L while the 2.0L gives 15.2Km/L. I would say these are pretty impressive figures for the MPV class.

Also available is an Eco Drive mode, i guess in this mode the ECU optimizes the alignment of the driving force with the accelerator operation to offer better fuel economy.

The 1.8L makes about 142 HP with 176 Nm of torque while the 2.0L makes out 156HP with 196Nm of torque.

Well a Wish does not cut it for a family car or a performance car. Where does it sit, calling it an MPV is really an understatement coz the boot space is really disappointing. For that price i rather save up more for a Toyota Caldina, you will get the same boot space, around the same amount of room in the car but faster! It looks cooler too.

Source:dailytorque

Toyota Recall It Cars

TOKYO/DETROIT, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) said on Tuesday it would recall its flagship Prius hybrid in Japan for braking problems and that it had halted shipments of two other hybrid models to check for similar problems.

The world's largest automaker is already under fire for two other recalls covering more than 8 million vehicles worldwide due to problems with slipping floormats and sticky accelerator pedals.

Toyota is fighting to keep its reputation for quality and reliability while dealing with a potential rush of litigation for crashes linked to 19 deaths and numerous injuries in the United States over the past decade.

Criticised by U.S. safety authorities and members of the Obama administration for moving too slowly on those recalls, Toyota said President Akio Toyoda and Executive Vice President Shinichi Sasaki, in charge of quality, would hold a media briefing at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) in Tokyo regarding the recall.

It will file a recall of the 2010 Prius, the world's best-selling hybrid car, "and other models" at Japan's transport ministry at 1:30 p.m. (0430 GMT), a spokeswoman said. Details will be announced at 2 p.m. (0500 GMT).

The Sai and Lexus HS250h hybrids use a similar braking system as the Prius, and Toyota said it has halted shipments at its Toyota Kyushu unit while it conducts checks to determine if a recall or fix of those models would be necessary.

The Nikkei business daily said that Toyota may halt production of the Sai and Lexus hybrids. A week-long output shutdown would amount to a combined 2,000 units at least of the two models, it reported.

GLITCH FIXED

Toyota has said it had fixed a software glitch in the anti-brake lock system (ABS) on the 2010 Prius at the end of last month, and that cars being produced now would not be subject to any recall.

Owners of the latest, third-generation Prius have complained that on bumpy roads and on ice, the regenerative brakes which help charge the vehicles electric battery appear to slip and it lurches forward before the traditional brakes engage.

U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co (F.N) said last week it would roll out a software patch for consumers to address similar problems with braking on two of its hybrid models, without filing a recall.

Toyota's recall of the Prius in Japan will likely be followed by similar steps in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. The new Prius is sold in some 60 countries, with cumulative sales just over 300,000 units.

The move is also likely to raise questions about the U.S. safety authorities' delay in investigating complaints over braking on the Prius.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had received more than 100 complaints before opening a formal investigation on Feb. 3, a day after Toyota made its own announcement.

Shares in Toyota, which lost about a fifth of their value since late January, were up 3 percent, outperforming a 0.4 percent fall in the Nikkei average .N225.

"The shares fell while Toyota appeared not to be doing anything to deal with its problems. But now, the fact that they're taking concrete steps on the issue is being seen as positive," said Hiroaki Osakabe, a fund manager at Chibagin Asset Management.

"But the gains will be limited since many investors want to see the impact of the problems on U.S. car sales, with more share selling ahead if there's a big drop."

LAWSUITS

In the apparent first of a potential rush of legal claims over the Prius, the owner of a 2010 Prius has sued Toyota in Los Angeles, claiming the automaker failed to fix a brake defect and seeking a court order requiring a recall.

Daniel Warshaw, a lawyer for Pearson, Simon, Warshaw & Penny LLP, said he believes his client is the first to file a suit seeking class-action status over the braking complaints on the Prius.

"I believe there will be many other lawsuits across the country in 72 hours," he told Reuters.

Meanwhile, complaints to U.S. safety regulators about 2010 Prius brake problems have jumped sharply since the Transportation Department announced a formal investigation last week.

Several complaint files total more than 1,000 reports from vehicle owners but a partial review of the documents submitted to NHTSA found some duplicates, so the exact number is unclear. Four injuries were reported.

More bad news came when KBB, or Kelley Blue Book, said on Monday it plans to cut U.S. used-car values of recalled Toyotas by 1.5 percent "on concerns around the growing supply of unsold Toyotas on both dealer lots and at auctions."

This came after KBB on Feb. 5 cut used-car values of recalled Toyotas by 1-3 percent.

Used-car values are a key component in car dealers' ability to set residual values -- or how much a used car will be worth 36 months after purchase -- and interest rates.

Toyota said on Monday it restarted production at six U.S. and Canadian plants "with no issues," a week after halting work.

Toyota faces further scrutiny on Wednesday when its North America chief executive, Yoshimi Inaba, testifies to Congress in front of the House Oversight Committee in Washington.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and NHTSA Administration Administrator David Strickland will also testify. (Additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim, Mayumi Negishi and Elaine Lies in TOKYO; David Bailey in DETROIT; Steve Gorman in LOS ANGELES and John Crawley in WASHINGTON; Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Jean Yoon)

Source:Reuters