Toyota
Toyota releases new images of the FT-86 Concept, along with family portrait
Toyota has released more images of the FT-86 Concept. Although we have seen the concept in full glory we have yet to see it alongside Toyota’s previous coupes. The grey coupe at the very back is the Toyota Supra while the left and right spots are taken up by the Toyota Celica and Corollo AE86 coupes.
The FT-86 which will replace the AE86 is expected to go on sale towards the end of 2011 and furthermore a Subaru version is expected as well. The concept is powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged boxer engine that is supplied by Subaru. The rear wheel drive concept features a 6-speed manual transmission.
It made its European debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
More images of the Toyota Passo with a Daihatsu badge
When we found out that the second generation Toyota Passo was launched, we were looking high and low for more images. Luckily Daihatsu released some images of its version of the Passo called the Boon which gives us a better view of the new Japanese compact hatch. Continue reading to view the images. Read the rest of this entry.
Toyota launches 2nd generation Passo in Japan
What you see above is the second generation Toyota Passo that has been launched in Japan. There are two versions including the standard Passo and a more premium Passo + Hana model. The Passo which was co-developed with Daihatsu is offered with two engine options including a 1.0 liter 69 PS, 92Nm of torque 1KR-FE and a 1.3 liter 95PS, 121Nm of torque 1NR-FE (which replaces the K3-VE in the previous generation car).
Both engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission and buyers can also opt for an all wheel drive system that is offered with the 1.0 liter engine. The standard configuration is of course front wheel drive.
The Passo which measures 3,640 mm long (Passo + Hana is 3,650 mm long), 1,665 mm wide and 1,535 mm high has features like a column–mounted shifter, a reverse-linked side-view mirror on the front-passenger side (optional on certain models), a rearview monitor (optional on all models except the V package), an Smart Entry & Start System, automatic air-condition system, an Eco Driving Indicator and more.
All models come standard with SRS airbags for both the driver and front-passenger seats. The front seats are also equipped with Active Headrests. Vehicle Stability Control and the Traction Control systems are both optional but are not available with the V package. Prices start from 1,000,000 yen for the 1.0X V package and tops out at 1,470,000 yen for the 1.3 + Hana. Continue reading to check out eight more images. Read the rest of this entry.
Toyota facelifts the Auris for the European market
Toyota has revealed the facelifted version of the Auris for the European market. The changes are based on Auris that was facelifted for the Japanese market last October. The facelift is made up by a renewed front grille, new head and lights, reworked front and rear bumpers and a different hood.
There are also new alloy wheels as well as new side mirrors that are integrated with turn signals. Unfortunately we don’t have more information for now but expect more of it plus a gallery full of photos when the car hits the stand at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Look for two images in high-res glory after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
2010 Delhi Motor Show: Toyota Etios breaks cover – there’s a hatchback too!
After Toyota released a teaser video of its new low cost compact car, we assumed that it will be a saloon. But Toyota not only unveiled a smart looking small sedan earlier today at the Auto Expo 2010 in Delhi, it showed off a hatchback too. Named the Etios, the duo are officially concepts, but there’s nothing very concept about their simple designs – expect much of the same when the sedan is launched in India end of this year. The hatch will follow in 2011.
To make the car as affordable as possible, a high percentage of local parts will be used to keep costs low. Toyota says that two newly developed engines will power the Etios: a 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre gasoline engine.
Etios chief engineer, Yoshinori Noritake, had this to say: “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.”
Toyota expects to sell 70,000 units of the Etios per year in India, and to achieve this target it will expand its Indian sales network to 150 dealers by the end of 2010 from the current 97. Exports are likely and Toyota has expressed interest to sell the Etios in China, Brazil and South East Asia.
Images of the hatchback and interior after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Toyota: JDM sales figures fall behind Asia
Toyota’s sales data for the first 11 months of 2009 show a new trend that’s likely to continue from now. Sales figures for Asia (excluding Japan) has outnumbered that of Toyota’s domestic market. As of November 2009, it’s 1,354,000 units in Asia (up 4.5% year-on-year) versus 1,256,000 vehicles in Japan, a position that’s unlikely to change when December figures are added in.
This reversal is for the first time in history but it comes as no surprise. The Japanese auto market is already very saturated and the overall economy is sluggish, whereas Asia sales include that of China and India, markets that are leading the world’s economic recovery and where car sales are rising. The ASEAN region is also a growing one, but the main source of the encouraging numbers is China, which saw a 20.7% increase to 622,000 units. 700,000 is likely for the entire 2009.
This makes Asia the second-largest market for Toyota in 2009 after North America, where the automaker sold 1,770,000 vehicles from January to November 2009.
Toyota teases compact car concept ahead of New Delhi debut
Toyota recently revealed that it will showcase a new compact sedan concept at the upcoming motor show in New Delhi, India which runs from January 5th till 11th. The new concept is expected to go into production and the final product is expected to be a low-cost compact sedan for the emerging Indian market first and will other markets will get it later. It is also safe to say that the compact vehicle will be powered by small displacement engines.
The Indian press is also reporting that the car would be called the Etios with a market introduction expected to take place towards the end of 2010. With slightly less than a week to go for the event the automaker released a 34 second-long teaser of the concept. Judging from what we can see in the video, the concept looks almost production ready, indicating that it will almost certainly go into production.
Nothing is too sacred: Tommy Kaira tunes the Toyota Prius!
This is proof that tuners will modify anything that they can get their hands on. Anything, including cars that are meant to save the earth such as the Toyota Prius! Japanese tuning house Tommy Kaira, known by many through the Gran Turismo game series, has come up with an aero and performance package for the latest Prius hybrid.
New alloys of up to 18 inches are available. The aggresive bodykit includes a front spoiler, grille trim, decorative trim for the front bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler and a rear apron with an integrated diffuser that houses four tail pipes. These can be painted in body colour or matte black.
Performance mods are limited to a new brake system, sports suspension that lowers the Prius and a sports exhaust system. Other optional items include illuminated Toyota logos, a sports steering wheel, special floor mats and HID/LED lights.
We have to admit that it doesn’t look half bad, but won’t these alterations affect the Prius’s perfectly optimised aerodynamics?
More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
