2013 Toyota Avalon

The 2013 Toyota Avalon is a made for the North American luxury sedan. Until now, the very respectable Avalon drawn only slightly more for the seniors, with the new Toyota Avalon would like to appeal to younger buyers.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Avalon is a length of 496 cm by 6 cm now smaller. In combination with the lower roof height by 2.5 cm, the new Avalon has now also visually very dynamic. A contemporary design complements the positive performance. New headlamps and rear lights, depending on the model as a LED version, also fall on strong.

But the interior was a trail now connects sports and luxury details such as air-conditioned front seats with the finest materials and a more dynamic lines.

The new 2013Toyota Avalon, the driver can also select the first time three different driving modes. The choice between Normal, Eco and Sport allows an individual set, depending on the whim of the driver. In Sport mode, both suspension and steering a little tighter and the gear changes are made ​​later.

As the engine is a new 3.5-liter V6 is available, a little later is also a hybrid version added, at a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine assisted by an electric motor.

The 2013 Toyota Avalon also boasts a wealth of assistance systems, such as an adaptive cruise control, a "pre-collison system", 10 airbags, a "Rear Cross Traffic Alert" and a blind spot warning.

The right path has a new navigation system with 7 "screen, and provides good entertainment for the JBL Synthesis premium audio sound system. Available from Avalon is the new fall 2012.

2012 Toyota Hilux

The third body variant, a single cabin, complete model of the Toyota Hilux.

In the fall of 2011 Toyota Hilux has included a facelift, Toyota now extended the model to a version with a single cabin. Besides the well known double cab versions and Xtra-Cab is now available in Austria for the first time the body version with only two single seats available.
Compared to the Xtra-Cab is in a single cabin with a 234 cm by 51 cm long cargo area is available. So, even bulky goods transport better. With its standard all-wheel drive comes with the Toyota Hilux single cab also do off-road is progressing well.

Powered by a 2.5-liter diesel comes with a power output of 144 hp. Its maximum torque of 343 Nm, the engine delivers 1600-2800 rev / min and should therefore also have a trailer have enough power.

The Toyota Hilux Single Cab is only in the equipment line "Country" is offered, which has been among other things, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, electric windows and central locking with remote control.

2013 Toyota RAV4 EV

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an outstanding product to market in record time.

This information about 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. has revealed its highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV is rated driving range is estimated about 100 miles and a charging time of about six hours on the charger 240V/40A. Toyota RAV4 EV driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity equal to or exceeds the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $ 49,800 Toyota RAV4 EV does not compromise on performance, comfort or flexibility.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric power train with Toyota’s most popular SUV model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range. 

The front wheel drive Toyota RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm.

Toyota RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low center of gravity. In fact, at 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV’s battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride.

On the exterior, Toyota RAV4 EV features upscale LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams. A manual leveling system allows customers to redirect the headlights when the vehicle changes significantly in pitch due to a heavy load. Five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights, which dim to parking lights. The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique light smoke outer lens. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota “environmental blue.”

The vehicle will be available later this year in three exterior colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. The interior features a unique “Neutron” fabric, woven with a subtle sheen and blue accent, on the seat inserts and door trim.

Q1 2012 Shows Sales of Fuel-Efficient Hybrids and Plug-In Vehicles Soaring

We already know that April was a great month for Toyota Prius hybrid sales, but it turns out that the first quarter of the year produced stellar sales numbers for hybrids in general, as well as plug-in electric cars.
More than 100,000 hybrids and plug-in cars--113,457--were sold in January, February, and March combined, against roughly 79,000 in the same period of 2011.
The vast bulk of those sales--106,207--were hybrids, of course.
The hybrid sales included not only much higher sales of the Toyota Prius, now a lineup of three models plus a plug-in, but also Buicks and Chevrolets fitted with the General Motors eAssist mild-hybrid system.
All varieties of plug-in cars accounted for 7,250, according to data compiled by industry trade journal Automotive News.
Plug-in sales totaled about 17,000 units for all of 2011, the bulk of them either the Nissan Leaf battery-electric vehicle or the Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car.
For 2012, the strong new plug-in entrant is the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, whose April sales beat those of both the Volt and the Leaf.
Analysts expect perhaps 30,000 to 40,000 plug-in cars to be sold in the U.S. during calendar 2012, against perhaps 400,000-plus conventional hybrids.
As always, the bulk of the hybrid sales will come from Toyota.



Source: Green Car Reports

2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid

In March, Toyota at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Yaris Hybrid. As previously reported, the small saving champion of Austria is most affordable full-hybrid model. Now the Japanese more details about the newcomer, who rolled back in the summer to the local dealers have betrayed him.

Full-hybrid drive
Highlight of the Yaris Hybrid is naturally its drive train. Here, in contrast to the familiar Toyota Auris and Prius hybrid on a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 74 hp and a max. Torque of 111 Nm, which is a 45 kW (61 hp) and 169 Nm electric motor-providing a helping hand attacks. The system performance is exactly 100 hp. Thanks to full-hybrid technology, the 3.90 meters to 1.5 kilometers long and Japanese all-electric driving. This works at speeds of up to 50 km / h.

When braking energy is recovered, which flows into the batteries. When the gasoline engine stops automatically creates a break. The power transmission is a CVT gearbox shows responsibility. Thus, the Toyota yaris Hybrid is a remarkable fuel consumption of 3.5 liters per 100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 79 grams per kilometer. If the consumption turn out to be practical, would at the same time would be a small revolution and an appropriate means to lose the fear of the aktullen fuel prices.

Equipment
When equipped Toyota has not saved. Highlights include seven airbags (including knee airbags for the driver), 2-zone automatic climate control, LED daytime running lights as well as follow-me-home light function.

Design
Visually, the ToyotaYaris hybrid does something even more dynamic than the standard model. Especially the new front end stands out with its large air inlet in the eye. Narrower headlamps give it a sportier look. Behind it is clear glass lamp with modern LED technology. The modifications, however, are targeted. They provide for better aerodynamics. The drag coefficient of 0.286 is certainly the class.

2013 Toyota RAV4

Toyota now has the production version of the jointly developed with Tesla Motors RAV4 EV presented.

The new electric vehicle based on the conventionally powered RAV4 is equipped with an electric drivetrain by Tesla. The range is about 160 kilometers.

Despite the 41.8 kWh battery, the large vehicle weight is 1829 kg with only 213 pounds on the series RAV4 with a V6 gasoline engine. The Toyota RAV4 EV is introduced in the late summer of 2012 in the California market, the price starts at U.S. $ 49 800.

Toyota expects that it will sell in the next three years, 2,600 units. Production is the electric version of the RAV4 at Toyota plant in Woodstock / Canada, sold in Europe is planned.

The Easy Way Out: Toyota Announces $49,800 RAV4 EV

File this next story under Half-Baked.

Yesterday, Toyota finally announced the crucial details for its RAV4 EV joint project with Tesla Motors first announced almost two years ago. And what does Toyota have to show for two years, and $100 million (at least) of investment? A $49,800 all-electric SUV with 100 miles of range. Toyota expects to sell just 2,600 of these in the next three years.

I wonder why?
There is no doubt in my mind that Toyota is better than this. Toyota is THE leader hybrid car technology and sales. Over a decade after the Prius debuted, there is still no other gasoline car that comes even close to that kind of fuel efficiency. With the Prius C and Prius V, Toyota has widened the fuel economy gap to a canyon. I may not like Toyota, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing when it comes to cars.
So what gives with the RAV4 EV? It seems so…quaint. 100 miles of range, for $50,000? It seems far-fetched that Tesla and Toyota couldn’t do better, especially given the fact that for the same price (after tax credits), you can get a Tesla Model X with 230 miles of range. Sounds to me like Toyota just needed Tesla to do the heavy lifting, and Tesla was more than happy to produce an inferior product to its own offering.
In other words, this is not a serious attempt at selling an electric RAV4. This is, as many are already calling it, a “compliance car”, designed and built to meet California’s zero-emissions vehicle regulations. The RAV4 will go on sale in select markets, all of them in California, later on in the summer.
After the $7,500 tax credit, the price will come down to $42,300, which is still a bitter pill to swallow (just ask GM). For that kind of scrilla, why not just get a fully-loaded version of Toyota’s own Prius V?
It saddens me to see Toyota cheapen itself with such a half-baked effort. Obviously, real-world performance matters, and a consistent 100 miles of range would be enough mileage for 95% of real-world trips. Also, 0-60 mph in “Sport” mode takes just 7.0 seconds. Even in “Normal”, the sprint from 0-60 is an average 8.6 seconds. From a 240V charging station, the RAV4 EV will take about six hours to fully charge. The drag co-efficient of .30 gives it the lowest drag of any SUV in the world…and lower than many cars too. So in fairness to Toyota, it sounds like they really have created an electric vehicle with performance more on par with its gas counterpart. That is worth something…but is it worth the cost in range?
The really disappointing thing to me is that Toyota’s freshman effort at an all-electric RAV4 offered similar performance, at least in terms of mileage. People tend to focus on critical numbers like range. 100 miles in an SUV means a lot more reliance on remote charging stations for family trips
Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe Toyota just wasn’t ambitious enough. What say you readers?



Source: Gas2.0

Toyota RAV4 EV (2013)

CAR GARAGE | Toyota RAV4 EV (2013) | The Toyota RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. The Toyota RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota's most popular SUV models. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range.

The front wheel drive Toyota RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two Distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle Reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) 2.800 rpm. Toyota RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low center of gravity.

Compared with the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grille, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV's battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride. On the exterior, Toyota RAV4 EV upscale features LED projector low beam projector halogen headlights with high beams. The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique outer-lens light smoke. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior Emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota "environmental blue."

The dash color display illuminates red when the vehicle is operating in sport mode and blue in normal driving mode. Toyota's electric vehicle approved provider is Leviton equipment supplier. Leviton offers multiple options for charging solutions. For more information visit Leviton.com / Toyota. The vehicle comes equipped with a 120V (Level 1) emergency charging cable for instances when the recommended 240V (Level 2) charging is not available.

The Toyota RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets Including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles / Orange County and San Diego. Contributed Tesla EV its technology expertise, online spirit, quick decision making and flexibility. Contributed Toyota design, engineering, manufacturing and production expertise.

2012 Toyota RAV4 EV Electric SUV - Expect Less Than 1,000 per Year

Today, Toyota revealed the production version of its eagerly awaited 2012 RAV4 EV all-electric crossover, with a powertrain designed and provided by startup electric carmaker Tesla Motors. Surprising many at the event, Toyota revealed its production plans: It expects to build and sell roughly 2,600 RAV4 EVs over the next three years, and it will launch in only four California regions. That’s only a fraction of the 10,000 or so Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid models that the company will likely sell during 2012. It would appear to indicate that the RAV4 EV is essentially more a “compliance car”—designed to meet California Zero-Emission Vehicle rules—than a product Toyota plans to market and sell aggressively across the country. “We look forward to seeing how the market responds” to the RAV4 EV, said Bob Carter, Toyota’s group VP and general manager. He predicted that the RAV4 EV would attract “sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius.” The 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV has a range estimated at 100 miles—the EPA range rating is more likely to be 70 to 75 miles—and it carries a list price of $49,800 before incentives. Toyota says the performance and handling of the electric RAV4 matches that of the most powerful gasoline RAV4 model, fitted with a V-6 engine. In Normal mode, it takes 8.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, and top speed is limited to 85 mph. In Sport mode, however, the 0-to-60-mph time is cut to 7.0 seconds, and top speed rises to 100 mph. With the battery pack mounted centrally and low in the floorpan, the RAV4 EV should be fun to drive—something that certainly can’t said of every crossover utility. The blue dash display turns red when the driver selects Sport mode. Following a 2010 meeting between new Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda and Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, the RAV4 EV was announced in July 2010. Toyota showed an early prototype at the Los Angeles Auto Show that November, and first drives of refined prototypes came in April 2011. Tesla provides the lithium-ion battery pack, power electronics, and the electric motor that powers the front wheels, with a rated peak power of 115 kilowatts (154 hp). The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles. Many modifications unique to the electric model have been made to the base vehicle. Toyota claims that the RAV4 EV is the world’s most aerodynamic SUV, quoting a drag coefficient of 0.30. Compared to gasoline versions, the new model has a modified front bumper, grille and surround, as well as changes to the side mirrors and rear spoiler, and underbody shields and changes to smooth airflow under the vehicle. The RAV4 EV comes as a high-end model in the RAV4 range. Both front seats--including the six-way adjustable driver’s seat—incorporate heaters. A central 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display shows EV operating data as well as telematics and infotainment. Low beams and daytime running lights are LED, with projector high beams. Toyota will offer three colors: Blizzard Pearl White, Shoreline Blue Pearl, and Classic Silver Metallic. Seat inserts and door trim are made of a blue-tinted “Neutron” fabric. Cargo space is 73 cubic feet, the same as the standard RAV4. The RAV4 EV comes with a standard 120-Volt charging cable, although Toyota is working with Leviton to provide 240-Volt home charging stations for owners. One option is a 40-amp, 9.6-kilowatt station that will provide a charging time of roughly 6 hours. The vehicle’s onboard Tesla charger can operate up to 10 kilowatts. The charging port is a standard J-1772 socket. The electric RAV4 will initially be offered for sale late this summer in four California regional markets: San Diego, Los Angeles/Orange County, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area. It will go into production at Toyota’s RAV4 plant in Woodstock, Ontario, within weeks. The unveiling took place on the exposition floor of the 26 th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium, held this week in the Los Angeles Convention Center. Source: Green Car Reports

Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales

"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

The classic couplet from the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" applies to April's alt-fuel vehicle sales, as Toyota not only continued to dominate the hybrid market, but also shoved aside the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf in plug-in vehicle sales. Last month, Toyota sold 1,654 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. That total beat the 1,462 Volts sold and dominated the Leaf's 370 units sold in April.

The new Prius variant's popularity also helped Toyota easily continue its reign as the most popular seller of alt-fuel vehicles to the U.S. while helping push total alt-fuel sales far beyond year-earlier figures despite the fact that last month's 24 selling days were three fewer than the 27 selling days in April 2011.

Overall U.S. sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and diesel-powered vehicles jumped more than 50 percent from a year earlier to almost 50,000 vehicles, as Americans stepped up alt-fuel sales to cope with continually high gas prices.

Coming off its most successful single month of sales since its introduction to the U.S. in 2000, the Prius doubled its April sales from a year earlier. The "standard" Prius Liftback sales increased 26 percent from a year earlier, while the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon moved 4,006 and 3,847 units, respectively.

That success carried through to other Toyota-produced models, as non-Prius Toyota hybrids (i.e. the Camry and Highlander) tripled sales from a year earlier, likely because of the upgraded Toyota Camry Hybrid that debuted late last year. And Lexus hybrid sales were up 4.5 percent to 2,467 units. Overall, Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales doubled from a year earlier to 32,593 vehicles and, as usual, accounted for about two-thirds of the U.S. alt-fuel market.

Toyota and Lexus hybrids appeared to gain favor with U.S. consumers looking to save money amid gas prices that, until last month, had been rising all year. Regular gas prices jumped to about $3.90 a gallon in early April, up from about $3.35 at the beginning of the year, before tapering off to about $3.80 a gallon this week, according to AAA.

The effect of gas prices on sales of alt-fuel vehicles from other automakers ran the gamut. General Motors followed a monthly-record March for its Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in with 1,462 sales in April, almost triple year-earlier figures. Factoring in mild-hybrid models such as the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal and Chevy Malibu eAssist-powered vehicles, GM's alt-fuel sales jumped fivefold to 4,500 units.

Volkswagen, which hasn't jumped into the electric-drive market yet, boosted its clean diesel sales by 35 percent from a year earlier to 7,993 units. On a smaller scale, Porsche increased its hybrid sales by 22 percent from a year earlier to 130 vehicles, while the Mitsubishi i battery-electric moved 79 models, hitting its monthly U.S. record for the third straight month.

Not faring so well were Nissan, Honda and Ford. Nissan sold 370 Leafs in April, marking a 35-percent drop from a year earlier and a 36-percent decline from March.

Honda's Civic Hybrid sales jumped sixfold to 766 units, but that wasn't enough to offset a plunge in both CR-Z and Insight sales. Overall, Honda hybrid sales dropped 60 percent from a year earlier to 1,839 vehicles.

As for Ford, hybrid sales plunged 59 percent from a year earlier to 1,175 vehicles, as the automaker discontinued the Escape Hybrid and had sales declines for both the Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That said, Ford is on the verge of introducing its Focus Electric to the U.S., so things could get real interesting right quick.





Source: Autoblog Green

Toyota to debut new RAV4 EV at EVS 26

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., will debut the new RAV4 EV (earlier post) at the 26^th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles on 7 May.

TMS unveiled a second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV demonstrator vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2010. Toyota built 35 of these Phase Zero vehicles—essentially converted RAV4s—for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011. Tesla Motors is supplying the battery and other related components.

The vehicle going on sale this year is a fully re-engineered RAV4 EV (Phase One vehicle), which will be sold to the general public as well as to fleet users.

Toyota Still Looking To Move Prius Production To U.S.

I’m not sure how long ago it was when I first heard that Toyota was looking to move Prius production to the United States. Besides being their biggest market, Toyota was probably hoping to stifle some criticism regarding the green credentials of a car that is produced from parts shipped all over the world (sometimes more than once). That was back in 2008.  
Toyota talking about moving production of the Prius to North America once again, and they’ve set a target date of 2015.

Granted, once the Great Recession hit, a lot of companies, big and small alike, had to change their plans. In the wake of last year’s devastating Japanese tsunami, which crippled Toyota’s ability to build the Prius, Toyota is now looking to secure local suppliers of hybrid components in North America. Not only will that reduce costs (as the high Yen is driving Japanese production costs skyward) but it will also add to the Prii’s green cred.

Alas, sourcing hybrid parts in North America is easier said than done. Many components for hybrid drivetrains come from China, and require Chinese rare earth elements. That said, moving production of the Prius and its components to the U.S. would not only be a big boon for American manufacturing, but it make the Prius more resilient to industry-rattling events like the tsunami, which affected automakers the world over.

Toyota is aiming to open the new plant by 2015, right around when a new generation Prius should be hitting dealerships. 


 Source: Gas2.0

Toyota Dear Qin Concepts (2012)

CAR GARAGE | Toyota Dear Qin Concepts  (2012) | The pair of concepts are actually Dear Qin preview models of Toyota vehicles will be launching That in the Chinese market in a year's time. According to Toyota, the Dear Qin project and the cars have been Yundong Shuangqing Concept designed to showcase the company's new design language for some of Their future models with the intention of "attracting more people to the user base."

Details on the pair of concepts Qin Dear That Toyota unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show this week are sparse, but They do hint at something interesting coming to every market where the Japanese automaker sells cars. Calling them "global-strategic concepts," says the Toyota sedan and hatchback versions of the Dear Qin models have "a design Aiming to attract more people to the user base."

Despite displaying three concept vehicles at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Toyota's stand was Relatively subdued compared to other automakers. Two of the three concepts came in a Toyota four-door sedan and a five-door hatch version, and have been called "Dear Qin."

Toyota Yundong Shuangqing Concept (2012)

CAR GARAGE | Toyota Yundong Shuangqing Concept  (2012) | Toyota developed the hybrid powertrain's Yundong Shuangqing Mainly at the automaker's research and development plant in Changshu, China. Making its world premiere at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show is the "Yundong Shuangqing" China-only hybrid concept, the which is equipped with a hybrid system developed primarily at the Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd. R & D Center in Changshu, China.

Shuangqing Suggests "dual support" and signifies the two power sources of the petrol-electric hybrid system. Toyota debuted its hybrid concept vehicle Yundong Shuangqing at the Beijing Motor Show today, Announcing That a production version will be sold in China at some point.

I want the people of China to be Able to experience the beauty of hybrid technology through a hybrid car born in China. Honda will introduce the CR-Z, Fit and Insight Hybrids in China later this year, and will sell a hybrid Likely-powered Acura NSX sports car in China as well.

Toyota Aurion (2012)

CAR GARAGE | Toyota Aurion (2012) | The Aurion has Previously managed approximately a 12 per cent sales share in the large car segment and Toyota expects to lift That to around 15 per cent this year and even higher in 2013. There's no doubt the new Toyota Aurion is an excellent package and a superb vehicle, it simply Remains to be seen whether or not the public's taste buds are still attuned to large cars. Sporting exterior and interior redesigns substantial as well as improvements to the driveline, the new Toyota Aurion is now being pitched as an attainable luxury vehicle with the Japanese company private Hoping to entice more buyers into the range. When the original Toyota Aurion came out in 2006, the large-car segment was the second largest in Australia with annual sales of over 136.000 units.

he demise of the large-car segment has, undoubtedly, led to the huge rise in popularity of SUVs. So the first question is, why would you buy a Toyota Aurion? This brings us back to the Toyota's new positioning strategy. Since the large-car segment has lost its appeal as a default choice for car buyers, Toyota sees the Aurion moving higher up into the prestige segment and appealing to Those who want a luxury car without having to pay the luxury car tax (which comes into effect for cars valued at more than $ 57,000). In essence, Toyota Believes the Aurion is a vehicle the general public and aspire to own one That enhances the owner's social status.

It's fair to say the folks at Toyota Australia (which played a leading role in the vehicle's design and development) have spent considerable time and resources to improve the look and feel of the new car. Sit inside and it's obvious the Aurion shares much of its DNA with the recently launched and almost identically proportioned Toyota Camry. The steering wheel, interior fit and finish, audio system, design layout and overall feel of the cabin is very Camry. The range-topping Presara Aurion's interior, for example, is a truly pleasant place to be.

Around South Australia's twisty countryside where we came to test drive the new Aurion, we found the car's ride and handling more confident-inspiring than That of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore (if you take into account the rear-wheel-drive and front- wheel-drive differences). Toyota says the Aurion is an Emotionally appealing car, but one That maintains its core values of quality, durability and reliability.  It's offering fixed-price servicing for the first five-services or 75.000 miles at just $ 130 a service. That's noticeably cheaper servicing costs than both the Falcon and Commodore and a great reason to pick an Aurion.

On the safety front the Toyota Aurion is also leading the pack with locally produced seven airbags (including a knee airbag) and a five-star safety rating under the new 2012 ANCAP scoring system. Toyota has included innovative technologies assists Such as the blind spot (which detects if there is a car in your blind spot and provides an audible and visual warning) and auto high beam (which will automatically dip the headlamps if the distance to an oncoming vehicle is less than 800 meters, and then turn them back on - a great feature if you frequent country roads) the which go unmatched by Ford and Holden.

2013 New Toyota Camry Preview and Specs

Toyota Camry hybrid looks so completely has the aura of fresh and very elegant. Seen from the front fascia with lights, new grille and bumper are more attractive but still elegant. At the rear bumper and revised taillights.

The interior is very roomy and very visible impression on luxury leather seats with a combined wooden ornaments on dashboar, console, door trim, to shif knob.

The impression of luxury in the cabin still feels new Camry. Combined on a leather chair wooden ornaments in the dashboard, console, door trim-shif knob. Comfort over the article claimed was more spacious interior space.

Armed with two petrol engine options: 2.0-liter (148 hp power at 6,000 rpm and 190 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm) and 2.5-liter (181 hp at 6,000 rpm and 231 Nm at 4,100 rpm). TAM also confirmed that it will bring Camry Hybrid to complement the existing variants.

Camry Hybrid looks a little different than the gasoline version. The difference in the grille and fog lamp designs. A touch of chrome to stand out on this front fascia.

Hyundai will make 'limited' number of fuel-cell vehicles this year, 'thousands' by 2014

Hyundai has confirmed that it will make a "limited" number of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) this year for testing purposes, with a goal of making as many as 10,000 FCEVs annually by 2015.

The South Korean automaker is testing an FCEV based on the Tucson crossover which will be part of test fleets around the world during the next couple of years. Hyundai wasn't specific about how many units of the Tucson ix Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle it will make this year.

The company is "willing to provide a sufficient number of FCEVs where hydrogen infrastructure is available during 2012-2015," Hyundai said in a statement sent to AutoblogGreen. "All we can say is that we have said we will make a limited supply in 2012, and anticipate thousands will be available globally through 2014."

Torque News reported that Hyundai would make as many as 1,000 FCEVs this year, and that the car would be priced at $88,550 before incentives and any tax credits. Hyundai is looking to cut that price to $50,000 by 2015, Torque News said.

Hyundai is among a number of automakers – Toyota, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler among the others – that have targeted 2015 for FCEV mass production. With such plans in place, Pike Research estimated late last year that a million FCEVs will be cumulatively sold by the end of the decade, down from Pike Research's previous estimate of about 2.8 million vehicles.



Source: Autoblog Green

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser V8

Toyota has recently introduced the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser V8, which was released in the Japanese Car domestic market in December, is ready to hit the U.S. later this year. The pictures you see here, we provide the Euro-spec Land Cruiser renew, but the U.S. design are produced using the same visual modifications: a revised front fascia, headlamps that integrate LED lighting daytime functioning, more robust bumpers, new exterior mirrors, as well as redesigned headlights.

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 inside the vehicle, we find a new color and the lights on your dashboard, as well as fresh cut a long list of new features, such as a multi-monitor technical field, a renovated multi-information program, a adaptive cruise control and others.

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 under the hood, we've got exactly the same 5.7-liter V8 that delivers 381 hp and a peak torque of 401 lb-ft, operating using a six-speed automatic, but the electronics of the all-wheel-drive program have already been tweaked to let the vehicle to execute even much better on all forms of driving surfaces 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser V8.