Being the largest manufacturer of commuters in the world is a laurel Toyota is proud of but something which dents the monikers repute is its recalls. This time a problem has been reported with the steering system on the new Corolla and if the owner claims are found out to be true, Toyota will have no option but to stage a recall. The problem reported is discreet as drivers report loosing control of the sedan. Toyota is hoping that it may have happened in reported cases where the braking system on tires gave away but even then Toyota hasn’t utterly denied a recall. The problem with this recall is that it is come to the notice of the U.S Congress who wish to know whether Toyota thoroughly informed the consumers and safety officials or not.
Toyota’s Prius is now a popular name across the globe as it was one of the first green cars that went mainstream and even registered record breaking sales. Embarking on that success, Toyota now plans to extend the lineage and the latest addition is the Prius G Sports Concept that was unveiled at the Auto Salon in Tokyo. The concept is blessed with design traits that make the car aerodynamically sound and fuel efficient at the same time. The G concept houses the same 1.8L 4 cylinder engine which is found in standard Prius. Features like a revised bumper and side skirting, LED Daytime running lights and a dual exhaust system is what separates the concept from the basic model. The interior is also a tad different with RECARO sports seats, a revised steering wheel, info display, aluminum pedals and a black piano trim.
Today we caught wind that Toyota is addressing all those recent runway incidents and will be installing brake override systems on their cars by the end of 2010. How does that translate to English? It looks like the system will force the car engine into idle mode if braking sensors sense that the driver is trying to apply the brakes without success. First to go with the change are the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Camry models, with installation begining this month. These efforts by Toyota follows on the heels of a huge 3.8 million vehicle recall to reshape and replace accelerator pedals. [via Autoblog]
Small family cars are a big thing in the Indian market which is slowly but steadily becoming the global hub for such cars. The latest sensation that has its name doing rounds across the country is the small family car Toyota Etios which is slated to compete with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The segment to which it caters is a very competitive one in the Indian market and therefore Toyota has priced the Etios competitively at 4.5 lakh ($10,000).
The Etios is slated for a debut at the New Delhi Auto Expo and the commuter has already been spy photographed prior to that launch. It will be launched both as a sedan and a hatchback variant and will be available for purchase by the end of 2011. India will have the largest production facility for the Etios followed by Brazil and China where the car will be introduced next year.
Participants at this year’s Los Angeles Motor Show, the folks from Toyota have taken time to introduce their all-new, third-generation Sienna minivan model. Coming with an improved interior, which although has seats for 8 people exudes lavishness from every little corner, the 2011 Toyota Sienna also appeals with its worked out exterior. Performance wise the new Toyota Sienna runs either on the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that outputs 187 hp or the 3.5-liter V6 that makes 266 hp, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which help the stylish van to achieve a 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway for the V6 or 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway for the other model.
“The all-new Sienna is an example of Toyota’s commitment to lead the marketplace as it anticipates consumers’ needs and changes in lifestyle,” said Bob Carter, Toyota’s US vice president and general manager. And that’s about right if we’re to consider that there’s cruise control, AC, electric windows, a four-speaker CD stereo system, power door locks, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution vehicle stability control (VSC), and traction control. Of course there’s also a Sienna XLE version that brings leather upholstery, a moonroof, keyless entry, and heated front seats for richer customers.
The 2011 Toyota Sienna is expected in dealerships next year in February!
The finalists for the 2010 South African Snoozefest Car of the year have been announced. The finalists in no particular order of monotony are:
Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4i Turbo Petrol
Audi Q5 2.0 T STronic
Chevy Cruze 1.8 LS
Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS
Suzuki Alto 1(!) litre GLS
Toyota Prius
VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI 90 kw Comfortline
Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic
From here on the finalists go on a couple of tests which include high speed dynamic assessment, parking ability, handling and other tests all while monitoring the fuel consumption.
I suppose they will have a proper car to tow some of these babies around to get them to high speed because on their own steam they won’t get there.
Anyway, which one do you think will win and why – leave a comment.
Toyota reportedly has a Prius sports wagon or SUV in works, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri . The SUV has been rumored to be on paper ever since the Toyota Hybrid X Concept was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. There’s not much going on for now in terms of official details, but we’ll have to speculate that the new models will incorporate a regenerative braking system or a solar roof option. More to it, a plug-in version is also rumored to be in the works, but given the fact that Toyota has failed to comment on any of these, we can only assume that next years motor shows in Europe and in Detroit, in the US, will shred some light. [via Edmunds]
Believe it or not, Toyota is no longer the world’s largest automaker as they’ve been overtaken by the VW-Porsche group who sold 4.4 million units this year, 400,000 more than the Japanese manufacturer. After joining forces with Porsche, the Volkswagen Group got help from the German government and benefited from programs in the UK and even China, that has helped with their sales. However, analysts believe that the title will soon be brought back to Toyota’s HQ considering that the company has a production capacity to manufacture about 10 million vehicles a year, far more than VW-Porsche. Enjoy the crown guys, it’s nice being #1. [guardian.co.uk via jalopnik.com]
SEMA is that place where all crazy tuner gather up and show off. The nice thing about SEMA is that you get to see daring models that otherwise would be locked on paper without ever seeing daylight. A very good example is the new Toyota Prius Aerius (Latin for “belonging to the air”) and Toyota Prius Aemulus (meaning “envious imitation”). Featuring a Five Axis Design four-piece aero kit with a front lip spoiler, new side skirts, and a rear lower valance, the new vehicles charm with the 3D Carbon body kit, crystalline tinted windows and the sky-inspired paint scheme by Nippon Color Design Studio America. Just by looking at those stylish 19-inch FIVE:AD wheels on the Prius Aerius, and we can already understand how Toyota manages to save the environment and make money at the same time.
No I’m not suddenly a poet but the sound of these Supras on the autobahn certainly set the mood for me. German high ways, lots of power and lots of racing with other cars, including an M5 from what it looks like, then some night racing on a No Speed Limit? I can definitely feel the adrenaline rush! It’s insane.
The Toyota Sai Hybrid is closely related to the Lexus HS250h, but the hybrid-only luxury model adds a number of styling traits that other Lexus models, don’t. Right from the front fascia to the windows and the rear doors, this petrol electric hybrid is unique in its own domain. The modified front and the rear lighting along with the air vents and the steering wheel on the inside add to that uniqueness. As far as the engine is concerned, the Toyota Sai houses a 2.4-liter petrol engine (150 hp and 187Nm of torque) combined with an electronic motor powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery (140 hp abd 270Nm of Torque). Together this combination supplies a healthy 185 hp to the car at all times. The Toyota Sai Hybrid will become available across Japan starting December 7.
