2010 Toyota Etios Concept
Toyota car maker has unveiled new car four-door sedan model concept for the Indian Market, it’s Toyota Etios 2010 at 2010 New Delhi Auto Show and will be joined by a five door hatchback called the Etios Liva in April of 2011. Toyota has sold a little over 60,000 cars in India through October.
Etios chief engineer, Yoshinori Noritake, said at the show: “I visited many Indian cities and homes to learn the market and to hear from the consumer directly. Over four years, more than 2,000 engineers have been involved in the development of the Etios, and each has devoted his or her best effort with no compromises. I am convinced in my heart that the Etios offers joy of ownership and quality of life to consumers in India.”
The 2010 Toyota Etios Concept has been developed specifically for Indian customers and will be built at a plant in Bidadi, near Bangalore. However, Toyota eventually plans to offer the small sedan in other emerging markets such as China, Brazil, Thailand and possibly certain regions of South America.
Toyota Corolla Altis – Advanced Version
The latest range of Toyota Corolla Altis is considered as one of the most advanced version and this new model is has huge demand worldwide. This luxurious sedan has attractive styling and redefined luxury which makes this fuel – efficient automotive unique than any other current branded automobiles.
It offers fabulous driving because it includes all basic to advanced amenities. It comes in 10 – different variants such as 1.8J, 1.8GL, 1.8G, and 1.8VL in petrol engines, 1.4L HG, 1.4L HJ, and 1.4L HL with diesel engines and J, G and GL versions. Generally, it sports two type engines like the 1.4 – liter engine and the 1.8 – liter engine.
The 1.8 – liter petrol engine is able to churn out more than 130 bhp of maximum energy at 6000 rpm and around 170 Nm of torque at 4200 rpm. On the other hand, the 1.4 – liter diesel engine has capacity to churns out 87.1 bhp of energy and 205 Nm of torque.
The engine of 1.4 HJ, 1.4 HL and 1.4 HG variants are paired up with standard manual 6 – speed transmission and the engine of 1.8J, 1.8GL and 1.8G variants is teamed up with manual 5 – speed transmission. To offer easy and efficient handling, it is well – equipped with electronic power steering.
2011 Toyota FT-86 II concept Review and Specs
Toyota car maker has unveiled new final draft coming sports car and final design of Toyota’s next sports car, it’s named 2011 Toyota FT-86 II concept also be world debut at the 2011 geneva auto show. This concept be coming while everyone was expecting to see the production version of the Toyota FT-86 sports car. It marks a return to the passion for driving that has inspired great Toyota cars of the past, starting with the legendary 2000 GT in the 1960s.
Toyota automotive designers restyled 2011 Toyota FT-86 II Concept coupe profile by removing the lower fold line and add a new line, which starts from the front fenders with air vent and the theater round at the top of the rear window, which itself grew in size. In addition, Toyota is split windshield and took Blackout column surface, while the rear wheel arches are pronounced, and new side rocker panels. Read more…
Toyota debuts modestly refreshed 2011 Matrix in Chicago Auto Show
Toyota will not be having a formal press conference at this week’s Chicago Auto Show, but the automaker will still have something fresh on its stand. The 2011 Matrix hatchback has officially bowed, with a slightly retouched exterior (new wheels, different paint choices, etc.), a touched-up interior with a new steering wheel and seat fabrics, and a new standard brake-override system called Smart Stop.
The 2011 Matrix is only available in two trim levels – base and S – and is powered by either a 132-horsepower 1.8-liter or 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Transmission choices include a four- or five-speed automatic, as well as a five-speed manual, and all-wheel drive is available on the Matrix S when paired with the 2.4-liter powerplant.
New sport packages are available for both Matrix trims, with the S Sport Package incorporating things like 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear underbody spoilers, a roof-mounted rear spoiler and, of course, ‘S’ badging. Pricing has not been released for the 2011 Matrix as of this writing, but we expect the starting MSRP to be just under $17,000.
Read more…
Categories: Auto Show, Chicago Auto Show, Chicago Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota Tags: Chicago Auto Show, Toyota
Toyota Maintains Hold On IntelliChoice.com’s Best Deals Of The Month
Irvine, CA (Vocus) March 20, 2010
IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its Best Deals of the Month for March 2010, highlighting the cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs that deliver outstanding value and lower than expected costs. The March value ratings reveal that the Toyota brand continues to display resilience in the face of recalls, and that brands such as Volkswagen and MINI are proving to be long-term value champions.
What’s New and Notable
“Toyota has a public relations crisis on its hands, but thus far we are seeing very little impact on the Toyota brand when it comes to value,” said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of IntelliChoice.com. “Toyota continues to maintain its hold on about one-third of our overall segment winners, thanks to the fact that the automaker excels at every aspect of cost of ownership. We are monitoring the recall situation carefully, but at this point, Toyota does not appear to have lost much equity when it comes to its reputation for value.”
Auto Rebates of the Month
The Lincoln MKX offers a rebate of ,000 and the Chrysler 300C a rebate of ,000—helping each car take the Luxury Crossover and Sports Sedan/Wagon segments, respectively. Rebates continue to play a role in which vehicles earn the top spot in each segment. The average new car rebate for March is 1, down from ,503 in January.
The Domestics
Ford and Chrysler make their way back to the Best Deals list with the help of the above-noted rebates. In the Full-Size Truck segments, GM continues to dominate, with the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra accounting for all but one of the winners.
The Winners
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” ranks the new cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs that deliver the best cost of ownership in 31 vehicle classes. The best car values for March 2010 are:
Cars
Subcompact – Toyota Yaris Hatchback
Base Sport – Volkswagen GTI 2-door
Compact under ,000 – Toyota Corolla
Compact over ,000 – Golf TDI
Midsize Car – Toyota Prius
Convertible – MINI Cooper Convertible
Wagon – Volkswagen Jetta TDI Wagon
Full-Size Car – Hyundai Sonata 4cyl
Near Luxury Car – Lexus ES
Luxury Car – Audi A5 Coupe
Luxury Convertible – Volvo C70
Sports Car – Chevrolet Corvette
Sport Sedan/Wagon – Chrysler 300 C
Luxury Sports Sedan/Wagon – Lexus IS 350 Sedan
Sport Utilities and Crossovers
Compact SUV/Crossover – Toyota RAV4
Midsize Crossover –- Toyota Highlander
Luxury Crossover – Lincoln MKX
Luxury SUV – GMC Yukon Denali
Midsize SUV – Toyota FJ Cruiser
Full-size SUV – Toyota Sequoia
Trucks
Compact Pickup 2WD – Toyota Tacoma 2WD
Compact Pickup 4WD – Toyota Tacoma 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD ½ Ton – Toyota Tundra
Full-Size Pickup 2WD ¾ Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD,
GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 2WD (tie)
Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 2WD,
GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 2WD (tie)
Full-Size Pickup 4WD ½ Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD,
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Hybrid 4WD (tie)
Full-Size Pickup 4WD ¾ Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD,
GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab 4WD (tie)
Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton – Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab 4WD,
GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4WD (tie)
Vans
Full-Size Van – Chevrolet Express 1500
Minivan – Toyota Sienna
The Methodology
IntelliChoice.com’s “Best Deals of the Month” analyzes monthly car values based on the seven primary factors that determine a vehicle’s long-term ownership costs: fuel economy, maintenance, repair, retained or resale value, licensing, state fees and taxes. Using these factors, IntelliChoice.com determines what it costs to own and operate a new vehicle over five years. The company examines each and every new car model-year trim line, as ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model.
Visit www.intellichoice.com for complete car value rankings, including the best used cars on the market.
About IntelliChoice.com, Source Interlink Media, and Source Interlink Companies, Inc.
IntelliChoice.com, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Source Interlink Media LLC is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services, a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.
For more information, contact:
Jocelyn Johnson, 917-406-5886, jjohnson(at)gravitas-pr(dot)com
# # #
LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage
Proudly “Powered by Tesla,” the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley’s electric cars. As we’ve known, Tesla’s role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain – including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software – for Toyota’s popular CUV.
The RAV4 EV has a long history, as long-time plug-in vehicle fans are well aware. The first-gen version arrived in 1997 and was available for six years. Toyota said today that it sold or leased 1,484 units during that time – and that nearly 750 of them are still in operation – but could never make them a mainstream hit like the Prius. Making these alternative-power vehicles isn’t that difficult, said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales’ president and chief operating officer, the hard part is bringing them to mainstream customers.
This is the goal of the RAV4 EV, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012. The initial batch of test vehicles, the so-called Phase Zero machines, are already achieving 100 miles of range, but Toyota engineers are working hard to make sure that the Phase One vehicles (i.e., the next batch) will be able to reach that number no matter what the climate or outside condition is – or, in the words of the press release, “in a wide range of climates and conditions.” The engineering team is also focused on drivability and making the electric CUV feel, “as close to a conventional RAV4 as possible.” We’ll have a more complete post about the RAV4 EV later, but for now you can find plenty more information on Toyota’s dedicated RAV4 EV website.
Categories: Auto Show, LA Auto Show, SUV, Toyota Tags: LA Auto Show, Toyota
2010 Toyota 4Runner faithfully sticks to the formula it helped create
Toyota has made some serious money over the past couple of decades by making safe, reliable vehicles. There have been a few models, like the Supra and Celica, that have appealed to the enthusiast, but the rest of America hasn’t really seemed to care. New Toyota chief Akio Toyoda has promised to change that paradigm, however, pledging to inject new vehicles with much-needed soul. But do we have to wait a few years for Toyota’s designers and engineers to come up with something new and exciting? Maybe not.
While the enthusiast-inspired products like the FT-86 coupe are still a ways off, off-roading types have a new Toyota to test drive: the 2010 4Runner. We’ve long known that the 4Runner has been perfectly capable of wrestling with a bit of mud, as it helped define America’s sport-utility genre along with the original Jeep Cherokee way back in 1984. But this new model is at once bigger, more capable and more luxurious – and its styling has been designed to stand out in an admittedly thinning crowd of proper SUVs. We spent a week with a Magnetic Grey Metallic 4WD SR5 to see if Toyota has been right to stand by its mid-size mainstay while the rest of the automaking world has been busy turning its body-on-frame gas-guzzlers into pump-friendly softroaders.
It’s Not Even Out Yet: Toyota reportedly upping price on FT-86
Toyota touts its hotly anticipated FT-86 coupe as a quick, light and attractive sports car for the masses. One of its strongest selling points is a price tag that reportedly hovering somewhere around $20,000 in base form, making the rear-drive coupe an affordable option for cash-strapped enthusiasts.
However, a report from Autocar claims that higher than expected development costs could derail any dreams of a good looking, inexpensive FT-86. The British site sites unnamed Toyota sources as saying that the base price of the little coupe has shot from £13,000 ($20,000 in U.S. funds) to £15,000 ($23,000 U.S.), with a range-topper coming in at £17,000 ($26,000 U.S.). Further, Autocar reports that Toyota sports vehicle department head Tetsuya Tada says that the company has increased the targeted FT-86 age group has been bumped by a full 10 years from the 30s to the 40s.
