Toyota Window to the world - multimedia system

Wow....

Want a 2012 Toyota Rav4 EV? You Won’t Be Able To Buy One

Interesting read....
By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Contributing Writer July 15th, 2011

Its one of the most eagerly anticipated plug-in vehicles to join the market in the next year or so, but the reintroduced Toyota RAV4EV won’t be available to buy, says Geri Yoza, Toyota’s National Business Planning Manager of Advanced Vehicle Marketing.

Instead, the electric SUV will be available to fleets and car sharing programs rather than individual customers.

Designed by Toyota and given an all-electric drivetrain by electric automaker Tesla Motors, many fans had hoped the 2012 RAV4 EV would pick up where the legendary 1997-2003 Toyota RAV4 EV left off.

Still considered by some electric vehicle fans as the one of the best electric cars ever made, the original RAV4 EV featured a top speed of around 78 miles per hour and a range of between 100 and 120 miles per charge.

The original RAV4 EV was leased by government agencies, fleets and private customers with some lucky customers being able to buy them at the end of their leases. Many of those cars are still working today, years later.

The rest? Returned to Toyota at the end of their lease and crushed. We’re pretty sure you’ve heard the story.

But with only leasing and large fleets being targeted, will the 2012 Toyota RAV4EV have a similar fate to its predecessor?

We really hope not. Instead, we’re hoping Toyota’s plan to offer the RAV4 EV to a limited base is something that will change as the car becomes more popular in coming years.

Since Toyota is the only major automaker planning a plugin crossover SUV for the 2012 model year, we think it would be a big mistake if the RAV4 EV remained exclusive to such a small segment of the market.

History repeating, or an insurance against a platform Toyota still doesn’t trust? Let us know in the Comments below.

Source;
http://www.allcarselectric.com/news/1063236_want-a-2012-toyota-rav4-ev-you-wont-be-able-to-buy-one

2012 Toyota Yaris

Nice looking redesign, glad to see that they've finally figured out that the top centre speedometer doesn't really work over here....
Toyota today announced the details for the third-generation Yaris, which went on sale today for the European market.

The new Toyota Yaris will be offered in Europe in three variants including a 1.0-liter VVT-i and 1.33-liter dual VVT-i gasoline units and a 1.4-liter D-4D diesel. It will be available in four trim-levels including T2, TR, SR and T Spirit with prices starting at £11,170 ($17,989 USD).
Besides the overall redesign inside-out, the big highlight for the 2012 Toyota Yaris includes the company’s new Toyota Touch audio system, which is standard on all Yaris models except the entry-level Yaris. The system includes a touchscreen and provides access to Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and a rear parking camera. The Toyota Touch audio system can be upgraded to the Toyota Touch and Go system, which adds a full map satellite navigation and access to a range of connected information services.

The 2012 Toyota Yaris will come to the United States later this fall. We expect it to debut at the 2011 LA Auto Show in November.

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/07/13/2012-toyota-yaris-unveiled-in-europe-coming-to-u-s-this-fall/

2012 Toyota Camry Spy video

Here's more on that spy photo of the next generation Camry.... I'd be surprised if this stayed up more than a couple of days....

2012 Toyota Camry private unveiling caught on camera

Well, the 2012 Toyota Camry has been creating a lot of buzz since the last weekend when we first reported about the teaser that had been released by Toyota. According to Akio Toyoda, the new Toyota Camry will be launched in the United States of America this September. Toyota wanted to keep the world guessing but a person who was present at the private unveiling of the car has shot a video of the car. The video seems to have been shot with a cellphone camera.

We see three cars roll on to the stage with a red car in the center. This is probably the car seen in the teaser video posted earlier. Now, the size of the car looks pretty similar to the current generation Camry. Video does reveal the higher shoulder line of the car giving it a more muscular stance which in America is very important for a car. The tail lights resemble that on the new Honda Civic with a chrome garnish running along the length of the boot. You can also spot a subtle lip spoiler on the boot lid.

Source;
http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/auto-videos/2012-toyota-camry-private-unveiling-caught-camera-44841/

2012 Toyota Camry Teaser Video

Promises to exceed expectations

Toyota has released the first teaser video for the 2012 Camry.

While there isn't much to see, Toyota president and CEO Akio Toyoda says the model is the "best Camry ever" and will "exceed your expectations." He also promised the Camry will be a "remarkable car in terms of handling, safety and fuel economy."

Additional information is limited, but the redesigned Camry will be available this fall.

Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/111063034613/2012-toyota-camry-teased-video#ixzz1QxKBTDba

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111063034613/2012-toyota-camry-teased-video

Woodyscarsite Find: 2012 Toyota Camry Illustration?

Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/06/2012-toyota-camry.html

Report: The two 'most American' cars are Japanese

The two most American cars aren't, well, American, according to a new ranking by our friends at Cars.com. For the third straight year, Toyota Camry, a product of Japan's largest automaker, is the "most American car," as determined by Cars.com formula. Honda Accord, the flagship of Japan's second largest automaker, is second.

The highest car on Cars.com annual ranking from a Detroit Big 3 maker is General Motors' Chevrolet Malibu.

Cars.com's annual American-Made Index ranks the most-American vehicles based on percentage of their parts that are made domestically, where they are assembled and how many are sold to U.S. buyers.

Both Camry and Accord are made with 80% of their parts coming from the USA. And most are assembled in the U.S. Camrys are made in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind.

The Ford Explorer comes to the list, reborn as a crossover, with a higher percentage of domestic parts, 85%, than a Camry or Accord and is made in a Chicago factory. But it doesn't sell in as great a numbers as they, meaning also that it probably results in fewer American factory jobs.

"In today's global economy, there's not an easy way to determine just how American a car is," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com editor in chief. "Most cars built in the U.S., for example, are assembled using at least some parts that come from somewhere else. Additionally, many U.S. automakers assemble vehicles in Canada and Mexico, while foreign automakers have opened plants on U.S. soil. Our index is another resource that car buyers can use to help guide their purchase decision."

Besides Camry, Toyota also has the Tundra (No. 9) and the Sienna (No. 6) on the list. GM also has three vehicles on the list -- the first time since 2009. In addition to Malibu, they are Chevy Traverse (No. 8) and the GMC Acadia (No. 10). Honda held two spots in the top 10, while Ford and Chrysler each held one.

"Despite the disaster in Japan, and General Motors usurping Toyota as the world's largest automaker, we're not surprised to see the Camry in the No. 1 position again," said Olsen. "The Camry remains an incredibly popular vehicle, and higher total sales require a higher number of U.S. factory workers and a larger number of U.S. suppliers – all of which contribute to Toyota's ranking."

Here's the list of the top 2011 model-year vehicles on Cars.com's list, and their percentage of domestic parts:

Toyota Camry: 80%.
Honda Accord: 80%.
Chevrolet Malibu: 75%.
Ford Explorer: 85%.
Honda Odyssey: 75%.
Toyota Sienna: 75%.
Jeep Wrangler: 78% for 2-door, 79% for 4-door.
Chevrolet Traverse: 75%.
Toyota Tundra: 80%.
GMC Acadia: 75%.

Source;
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/06/ranking-the-two-most-american-cars-are-from-japanese-makers/1

Toyota to reveal GRMN Hybrid concept at Nürburgring 24

TOYOTA TO UNVEIL NEW GRMN HYBRID CONCEPT AT NÜRBURGRING
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will show the "GRMN (GAZOO Racing1 tuned by MN2) SPORTS HYBRID Concept II", a convertible mid-engined petrol-electric hybrid concept, at the 39th Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race taking place this weekend.

The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is an updated version of a petrol-electric sports concept shown at Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010. The vehicle features advanced styling and an improved sports-hybrid AWD system with the main power unit (petrol engine, rear-wheel drive motors and transmission) mid-mounted in conjunction with a front-wheel drive motor. Positioned this way it improves manoeuvrability, increases driving enjoyment and provides enhanced stability.Toyota launched the world's first mass-produced petrol-electric vehicle, the Prius, in 1997, and has long conducted active research on applying hybrid technologies to racing and sports cars. The GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II is the next step in the evolution of these efforts.

GRMN SPORTS HYBRID Concept II
EngineType
Petrol
V6

Displacement (cc)
3,456

Maximum output (bhp)
245

System Maximum output
(bhp)295

Body Length (mm)4,350
Width (mm)1,890
Height (mm)1,200
Wheelbase (mm)2,575
Weight (kg)1,500 or less

Vehicle layout
Mid-engined with front electric motor

Tyres
Front225/40R19
Rear255/35R1924

Hours Nürburgring Race Outline
Name39th ADAC Zurich 24h-Race 2011

Dates
June 23-26, 2011 (main competition runs from June 25 and 26)VenueNürburgring (Nürburg, Ahrweiler, State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)

1 A vehicle-development and motor-sports support program created by GAZOO, which also operates the GAZOO.com customer-participation portal site launched in 1998, "GAZOO mura" driving events and the "Drive Kingdom" large-scale test-drive events for the general public.

2 Stands for "Meister of Nürburgring", referring to Hiromu Naruse (1944-2010), a TMC test driver and chief of the GAZOO Racing team.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/toyota-to-reveal-grmn-hybrid-concept-at-nurburgring-24/#continued

MotorTrend: Toyota Prius Sports Coupe in Pipeline

June 02, 2011
By Peter Lyon

Toyota has been hinting for years that it would be expanding its Prius model lineup, and the new Prius v we just took for a test drive is likely just the start of a bigger Prius family. Over the past two years, rumors of a minivan, a convertible, and even an SUV variant have been tossed about.

But the one derivative of the bunch that has enthusiasts interested is the American-inspired Prius Sports Coupe project. Our source tells us that without the strong push for this car from Toyota's U.S. arm, this project wouldn't have made it past first base. What you see here is one artist's impression of how the Sports Coupe will look when it debuts in late 2014, the same year the next-generation Prius is expected to surface.

Our insider explains that with development of the Lexus LFA supercar scaling down, and R&D funds and personnel being re-routed, we can expect to see a proliferation of more fun-to-drive hybrid cars over the next three to five years. It seems part-time race car driver and full-time Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda is having some influence on the automaker's car development program.

One of the highlights of this coupe will be the option of a manual transmission that Toyota is developing for hybrids at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground near Mt. Fuji. That manual gearbox will be bolted to the company's next-generation hybrid system with plug-in capability, a system that will be completely new and not inherited from the Prius. Our spies tell us that the sports coupe will employ a rear-drive platform and will incorporate the plug-in hybrid unit with lightweight Li-ion batteries that generate significantly more power than the current Prius, but maintain class-leading mileage and CO2 emissions.

This is just the beginning. Come 2015, our source tells us the company will officially roll out its long-rumored "Prius brand," from which we can expect all future Toyota hybrid models, as well as a hydrogen-powered sedan that reportedly is in development. And the flagship for the new brand will be the Sports Coupe.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1105_toyota_prius_sports_coupe_in_pipeline/index.html

Next Generation Toyota Camry Expected this Fall

America’s best-selling passenger car will be getting a makeover this fall, a new report finds. Sources say Toyota will launch an all-new, seventh-generation of its Camry sedan by the end of 2011.

The Camry was once again America’s best-selling passenger car last year – tallying 327,804 sales – but newer rivals are starting to nip at the five year old sedan’s heels. Those 327,804 sales were the Camry’s lowest since 1994.

However, help is on the way in the form of the all-new, seventh-generation Camry, due out later this year.

“We haven’t announced the next-gen Camry, (but) I will tell you (the current) Camry is very close to the end of its lifecycle, and a fall introduction is a pretty good educated guess,” Bob Carter, Toyota group vice president and general manager, told Ward’s.

Carter didn’t comment on what to expect from the next-generation Camry, but it’s possible we could see the new version of the sales leader at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Source;
http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-toyota-camry-to-bow-this-fall.html

Toyota confirms FT-86 details

Japanese automaker confirms a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru will power the FT-86

According to our colleagues over at Motorward.com, Toyota has confirmed certain details on the upcoming FT-86.

The report states that the FT-86 production version will feature a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru and a D-4S injection system from Toyota.

Transmission options will be a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

The car will be a rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential.

The FT-86 has been a long time in development and we expect more details soon as the model is gearing up for its official introduction.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111050233033/toyota-confirms-ft-86-details---report#ixzz1LIe1jCyQ

Jalopnik: How Toyota tried to bar a blog from mentioning them ever again

Interesting read....
Toyota has sparked a controversy in Brazil for attempting to legally bar a media outlet that dared publish spy shots of a new Corolla from ever mentioning the Toyota brand name again. Jalopnik Brazil editor Leo Nishihata explains. — Ed.

About a month ago, spy shots of an upcoming Corolla published by the Brazilian blog Notícias Automotivas triggered something unheard of: an auto manufacturer attempting to permanently bar a media outlet from mentioning its brand. Now other outlets are starting to push back. Is it worth it, Toyota?

At first sight, the letter written by lawyer Rosana Bermejo is so superficial it could be phony. It wastes several lines extolling the history and image of Toyota in Brazil until it gets to March 23rd, when a post on Noticias Automotivas presented pictures and details of the Toyota Corolla S, a version to be launched in Brazil in 2012.

According to Eber do Carmo, editor-in-chief of Noticias Automotivas, the post has been written after spy shots were sent by a reader, and accurate info obtained from sources in the plant. (The article has been removed, but it is still available in Google cache.)

In its notification (PDF), Toyota claims that this release constitues "unfair business practice" and that "such release is unfit and unauthorized, causing Toyota a huge damage, once the release of those images spoils the customer's expectation towards news about the product."

For the rest of the article, follow the link;
http://ca.jalopnik.com/5797750/how-toyota-tried-to-bar-a-blog-from-mentioning-them-ever-again

2012 Toyota Corolla?

Hmmm. Below is the older rendition of the proposed 2012 Toyota Corolla, which I think looks alot better. I think the pic above has a lot of Civic in that front end.....
Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-next-gen-toyota-corolla-should-not.html

Woody's Car Site: Toyota FT-86 Speculation

Not sure where he dug this up, but Woody's thinking that this could be the Hybrid version.... Interesting, good find!
Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/04/toyota-ft-86-hybrid-speculation.html

Auto Makers Pull, Rethink New Car Launches

After the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11, Japan’s auto makers aren’t just facing a struggle to scramble for parts from troubled suppliers to try to get their factories working again. They’re also having to retool their whole marketing strategies.

Honda Motor Co. had been scheduled to hold a press conference on March 17 for what would have been the world’s first hybrid wagon, the Fit Shuttle. Instead, Honda was obliged to cancel the event and delay the domestic launch, originally in the diary for the following day. Meanwhile Toyota Motor Corp. has had to postpone the release of the wagon and minivan versions of the Prius hybrid – now Japan’s biggest-selling car ever: that was on the slate for late April in Japan.

While others like Mazda Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp., both with plans to roll out new vehicles later this year, say they’re not considering delaying launches at the moment, the postponement of new Toyota and Honda hybrid models come as demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is likely growing. The average gasoline price in the disaster-troubled country hit Y151.2 per liter on March 22, the highest level since October 2008, and remains around that level, according to the country’s Oil Information Center. As well as price, availability is a concern for people in quake-hit northern Japan, with fewer public transport options than big cities like Tokyo: many gasoline stations in the area remain shut after the disaster.

Spokeswomen at Honda and Toyota said that they have yet to decide on new launch schedules. Even if customers’ appetite for fuel-efficient vehicles is on the rise, they won’t be able to meet higher demand with vehicle production ability dented by the parts shortage, they said. Crimped by the continued vehicle output stoppage, the country’s auto sales sank 37% in March, the biggest drop in 37 years.

Perhaps no surprise, then, that Toyota, Honda, Nissan Motor Co. and other local auto makers are holding off on the aggressive sales promotions in TV, magazine, newspaper ads, or special sales campaigns at dealerships, that typically surround new launches.

Still, auto makers are responding to demand for gas-sipping cars. Toyota restarted production of three hybrid models from March 28 in Japan, including the Prius, and Honda has said that it will run all its domestic factories from April 11, possibly resuming production of all kinds of its vehicles including the Insight and Fit hybrid cars.

Source;

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/04/07/auto-makers-pull-rethink-new-car-launches/

Japan’s carmakers halt domestic operations

By John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent
Published: March 14 2011 13:00 Last updated: March 14 2011 13:00
Japan’s four biggest carmakers have said they are suspending production at their domestic plants through to at least Wednesday to cope with the after-effects of Friday’s earthquake and tsunami.

Honda, Japan’s second-largest carmaker, said on Monday that it was halting domestic production for a week and that damage to its suppliers’ plants might disrupt its UK production.

The announcement was an early sign of the disaster’s potential knock-on effect on the global supply chain in one of the world’s largest industries. Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors also extended shutdowns of their plants in order to assess and deal with damage from the quake.

Honda on Monday said that it had shut down its plants to check safety, power supply and infrastructure issues, along with the state of its local suppliers.

Honda said that it had 113 suppliers around the area in north-east Japan where the main tremors from the earthquake were felt. The carmaker said that it had been in touch with 44 of them, but was still trying to contact the remaining 69.

A UK spokesman for Honda said there were “potential supply issues” at its car plant in Swindon, England, where it makes its CR-V sport utility vehicle, its Jazz small car, and its Civic mid-size model.

“There will be a knock-on effect for car production in the UK, but we don’t yet know what it is,” he said.

Honda said that it had established emergency co-ordination centres in Swindon and at its plant in Tochigi in Japan in order to liaise on business issues concerning its supply of components and the well-being of its employees.

Toyota, Japan’s and the global car industry’s biggest producer, on Monday said that a shutdown already planned for Monday at all of its Japanese plants – including those of its Hino and Daihatsu subsidiaries – would be extended through to Wednesday.

The company makes some of its most popular models – including the bulk of its Prius hybrid model and Lexus luxury marque’s cars – in Japan.

Toyota said that the current three-day halt to production would not immediately affect its overseas operations. “The current production stop is for three days”, said a Toyota spokesman based in Brussels. “As such this doesn’t have an impact outside Japan, but we need to assess further.”

Nissan, Japan’s third-largest carmaker, said that it would halt operations at its Oppama, Kyushu, Shatai, and Yokahama plants south of Tokyo until Wednesday and at its Tochigi and Iwaki plants north of Tokyo until Friday.

The company also said that it would do its utmost to support “restoration activities” in Japan, including by conserving electricity usage in all of its activities.

Mitsubishi said that it was suspending plant operations on Monday and Tuesday to check safety at its suppliers. The producer’s main production hubs are located in Japan’s Aichi, Gifu, and Okayama prefectures, and were not affected by the earthquake.

However, it said that some of its suppliers had reported damage.

Japan’s car industry is one of the world’s largest. North-eastern Japan has become a major car-production centre in recent years, with Toyota, Honda, Nissan and operating plants there.

Most global carmakers, including Japan’s, produce and source parts for most of their cars in the regions where they build them.

However, Japan’s producers in particular are known for producing some of their models destined for export locally in order to preserve jobs and expertise at home in the face of declining domestic demand for cars.

Source;
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8d5f631e-4e2a-11e0-a9fa-00144feab49a.html#axzz1Ga6cJOuQ

The future's hybrid say Honda and Toyota

4 March 2011
-Five Toyota hybrids by 2012
-Honda CR-V and FR-V replacements could be hybrids
-More powerful, sporty Honda hybrid considered

Honda and Toyota continue to vie for supremacy in the world of hybrids, and have big plans to expand the number of models they sell in Europe, based on the architectures and concept models on show at the title="Geneva motor show report"Geneva motor show.

Toyota showed off the Prius+, a seven-seat version of the Prius V it revealed at the Detroit motor in January, plus a hybrid version of the next Yaris supermini, badged Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) Concept. Both will become production reality in 2012 aongside a plug-in version of the current Prius which we have already title="Toyota Plug-in Prius driven"driven.

Honda had its new twin-motor hybrid platform, also first seen at Detroit, which it'll use to underpin a range of mid-range vehicles.

Although Honda isn't saying what these will be, research and develoment chief Tomohiko Kawanabe would not deny that the CR-V crossover and a replacement for the FR-V compact MPV were the sort of cars that might benefit from it.

However, he also said that the company is looking at other ways of expanding its hybrid range, and a more powerful version of the sporty petrol-electric CR-Z coupe could not be ruled out.

Hybrid demand is growing
By the end of 2012 Toyota will have five hybrids on sale in Europe - Auris, Prius, Prius plug-in, Prius+ and Yaris. Some will retain today's nickel-metal hydride battery system, while others will have the more efficient, smaller but more expensive lithium-ion set-up being trialled in the Prius plug-in .

'Lithium-ion has merits in terms of compactness and energy storage, and it is needed to give a longer range on battery power alone,' said Guillaume Gerondeau, the vice-president in charge of product for Toyota Motor Europe.

While today's Prius has a maximum range of only two miles on pure battery power, future plug-in models will be able to manage six times that.'The Yaris hybrid will have lithium-ion batteries and its use of space (packaging) has been optimised around this', said Gerondeau. 'Until now, cost and packaging were the two big negatives of small hybrids,' he said, 'but now we have appropriate solutions.' He is unperturbed about electrifying a car that is already economical with petrol or diesel power, claiming that CO2 will be even lower (less than the 89g/km of today's Prius) while other emissions will also be reduced.

'Demand for hybrids is growing,' he said. 'More and more customers are putting powertrain technology as their first priority. According to our research, in 2006 it was 4%; in 2008 it grew to 8% and in 2010 it was 16%.' Toyota will add even more hybrids when new-generation models start to appear after 2013, and has pledged to have a hybrid version of every car it sells by 2020.

Kawanabe says the new Honda twin-motor hybrid system is designed to overcome the limits of the company's current IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) fitted to the CR-Z, Insight and Jazz. 'It is designed to achieve better fuel efficiency with a smaller battery than IMA. We will have a range of 10 miles in EV [electric vehicle] mode and start extending this as the battery becomes bigger.'

Kawanabe says the twin-motor set-up will give the performance of a 2.5-litre conventional engine with lower fuel consumption and emissions. It is likely to be too big for use in an uprated CR-Z, but he believes it would be 'a good idea' to increase the power of the hybrid sports car and admitted that Honda is 'seriously thinking about' how it could be done.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/the-future-s-hybrid-say-honda-and-toyota/255718#

2011 Consumer Reports Reliability Chart

This is just to piggyback an earlier post....
According to Consumer Reports Annual Automakers Report Card for 2011, Honda and Subaru still make the best vehicles overall, however, Ford posted the largest gain.

Consumer Reports said that Ford outpaced its Detroit rivals in reliability in recent years and that this year its average test score for all tested models increased from 60 to 70. The publication currently recommends 71 percent of the Ford vehicles it has tested.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota are at the top three for the third consecutive year with vehicles doing very well in Consumer Reports tests, remaining relatively trouble-free. Honda, including its luxury Acura brand, has had the best reliability record of any car maker and has made mostly good to outstanding vehicles. In fact, no Honda vehicle scored less than average in reliability.

Subaru, which has the highest average road-test score of 81, makes only half-a-dozen models but all do well in Consumer Reports road tests. Toyota, Lexus and Scion remain solid choices as well with reliability remaining better than average with an average test score of 74 for all tested models. Consumer Reports currently recommends 74 percent of the Toyota vehicles it has tested.

GM also improved its average road-test and reliability scores. Chrysler had the lowest average test score by far of 50.

Volvo is the only European make with an above-average reliability score. Volkswagen’s reliability has improved of late, but Audi’s reliability brings the combined automaker’s score down.

Luxury automakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW are near the bottom of Consumer Reports Automakers Report Card Ranking with both getting below-average reliability.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/02/28/consumer-reports-report-card-2011-honda-subaru-make-best-vehicles-ford-improves/#more-75591

Official FT-86 II Concept Press Release, Press Photos

All I can say is.... wow.... what a beautiful car.... C'mon Honda, Prelude II!
FT-86 II concept – Embodies Toyota’s Reborn Passion for Sports Car Driving
— Toyota has been creating exciting sports cars for over 50 years
— 2000 GT established Toyota’s global reputation for sports car manufacturing
— Corolla Coupe, Celica, Supra and MR2 consistently popular on the global market
— FT-86 II concept previews the next generation of Toyota sports car
— Entirely driver-focused concept designed to capture the intrinsic joy of driving
— Boxer engine for light weight, low centre of gravity and optimum power-to-weight ratio

Heritage – Half a Century of Passion for Sporting Performance
‘When the Toyota 2000 GT was built, I was eleven years old – and I loved it. I said: “I want to drive something like this when I grow up”. My dream came true when I drove a 2000 GT in a vintage car rally. That was a really great experience.

I want young people to feel those same desires when they see a new Toyota sports car. I want to transfer the thrill of the race track to our vehicles, and make driving fun and exciting for our customers.’

Akio Toyoda – President, Toyota Motor Corporation

Since Toyota began the development of its 2-cylinder boxer engined Sports 800 in 1962, the company has maintained a long history of creating exciting, driver-focused sports cars that have proved as popular with the public as they have been successful in competition.

The beautiful 2000 GT, first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, helped establish the company’s global reputation as a sports car manufacturer. This 2.0 litre straight-six-powered coupe finished third in the 1966 Japanese GP and went on to establish three world endurance records, including the fastest average speed continuously over 16,000 kilometres – 207km/h.

A convertible 2000 GT appeared in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Sadly – created as a movie one-off merely because the film’s star, Sean Connery, could not fit comfortably in the standard coupe – it was never made commercially available.

In the US, former Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby entered the 2000 GT in the 1968 Sports Car Club of America’s C-Production category. Despite little development, the lead car notched up four wins against the hitherto dominant Porsche 911.

In response to the focus of the annual Japanese Grand Prix on sports racing cars with larger engines, Toyota launched its first purpose-built racer in 1968, the Toyota 7, which featured a mid-mounted, 3.0 litre V8 subsequently upgraded to 5.0 litres. The 1970 Toyota 7 Turbo was the world’s first turbo-engined racing car.

Before its launch in 1984, Toyota appointed legendary US racing driver Dan Gurney for the testing and development of the MR2. Toyota has always understood the value of motorsport and a racing driver’s analytically skills for improving its road-going models. And the MR2 gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best handling sports cars of all time.

Seven generations of the Celica were sold throughout the world for 36 years between 1970 and 2006. The first Celicas incorporated rear-wheel drive powertrains, and were praised by sports car enthusiasts for their agility. The Celica GT, introduced in Europe in 1974, featured a five-speed transmission and wider tyres.

Appealing strongly to the European market, the redesigned Celica of 1985 featured front-wheel drive and the powerful, 2.0 litre 3S-GE engine.

The Celica also achieved considerable success in competition. The Celica Twin-Cam Turbo achieved three consecutive Safari Rally wins between 1984 and 1986. Taking its first World Rally Championship win in Australia in 1989, the all-wheel drive Celica GT-Four went on to record back-to-back WRC driver’s and manufacturer’s titles in 1993 and 1994. The GT-Four was the first Japanese car to win both driver’s and manufacturer’s WRC titles.

Toyota’s Supra was launched in 1979. The first two generations of the car were based on the Celica, the Supra only becoming a model in its own right with the third generation car of 1986. Its roots may be traced back to the 2000 GT, all four generations boasting straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive.

Engine cubic capacity rose with each generation from 2.5 litres to 2.7 and then 3.0 litres, culminating in the 1993 model year. VI Supra’s 320 hp engine with sequential turbocharging, which gave the car a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.2 seconds, and a governed maximum speed of 250km/h.

With its reputation for delivering pure excitement and embodying the fundamental joy of driving, the Corolla Levin AE86 is the inspiration behind Toyota’s latest sports car concept, the Future Toyota-86 II.

The Corolla Levin AE86’s front engine, rear-wheel drive powertrain, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable balance and superior power-to-weight ratio made it the must-have choice for rallying and circuit driving throughout its 1983-1987 production life. Even today, the AE86 is still a popular choice with private rallying teams.

Sharing its predecessor’s front engine, rear-wheel drive credentials, the FT-86 II concept introduces a new generation of sports car which perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the last Corolla Levin AE 86.

Passion is Back: FT-86 II concept Gives Form to the Intrinsic Joy of DrivingWith the proportions of its long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin paying homage to Toyota’s illustrious sports car history, the dynamic power of the FT-86 II concept gives the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota’s next sports car.

The FT-86 II is an entirely driver-oriented concept, designed to give form to the intrinsic joy of driving through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle or steering input, for those who regard driving as a passion rather than a necessity.

Under a design concept that Toyota’s European Design Development centre, ED2, has dubbed ‘Functional Beauty’, its bold, sweeping form has been generated entirely through the constraints of function, and aerodynamics developed from F1 technology.

Its low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell stretched tight over the engineering hard points, the FT-86 II concept’s muscular body work has been made as compact as possible. Featuring a long, 2,570mm wheelbase, the concept is 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and just 1,270mm high.

Rather than relying on a heavy, large displacement powertrain for its performance, the FT-86 II returns to Toyota’s sporting roots by combining a free-revving boxer petrol engine and a 6-speed manual transmission with compact dimensions, light weight and a low centre of gravity for the best possible power-to-weight ratio.

Both powertrain and driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to optimise balance for maximum poise, high speed stability and dynamic agility. Allied to a front engine, rear-wheel drive format, this awards the FT-86 II lively, accessible performance, highly engaging, readily-exploitable dynamic abilities and maximum driving pleasure.

The FT-86 II concept is the result of an August 2009 announcement that Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries will launch a jointly developed compact rear-wheel drive sports car. European sales of Toyota’s new sports car will begin in 2012.

Source;

Toyota