Toyota
Toyota Reveals Entune Multimedia System
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Toyota has revealed its new multimedia interface system, Entune, which integrates five smartphone apps and voice recognition. Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable, and Pandora can be used without touching one’s phone, and the system is compatible with a wide array of mobile phones with data plans.
Ask It: Toyota Prius PHV
We received a special delivery this week in the form of a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Like the standard issue Prius, power is delivered to the front wheels by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 98 horsepower and 104 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor helps things along, producing an additional 80 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a grand total of 178 horsepower and 256 pound-feet of torque.
Secondhand Gems: $21K Camry Alternatives
The Toyota Camry is a good car. There…we said it.
Actually, it is a good car, in much the same way that vanilla ice cream is a good dessert. It’s tasty, refreshing, and provided you don’t experience brain freeze resulting from unintended mass consumption, devouring a dish is generally a pleasurable experience. It’s also, well, rather dull. Especially if one commits to a steady diet of the stuff for more than a week. For the sake of our readers, we’ll spare the disgusting details by simply saying the ick factor hits quick—real quick. This is why we suspect ordering plain vanilla ice cream seldom happens, despite its abundance around the world. There are far more delectable dishes on the menu for pretty much the same price, and since this isn’t the latest issue of Calories Galore, you probably get the metaphor by now.
List: Ten Cars We Are Looking Forward To In Los Angeles
With the LA Auto Show rapidly approaching, a few manufacturers have dropped us some tantalizing crumbs in the past couple weeks about what we can expect. From hybrids and well kept secrets to a few caged beasts, here is a glimpse into what we are looking forward to when the show kicks off on November 17.
Spy Shots: Toyota Yaris Caught, Old With New
Our spy photographer caught the Toyota Yaris again, this time with the current version for easier visual comparison.
List: Ten Of Wald’s Blackest Bison
Japanese über-tuners Wald have been wowing us, and subsequently you, with their Black Bison body kits for years now. Last week, it was the understated (ha!) cool of the JDM Vellfire minivan that got us pretty pumped up. So, for no particularly good reason save our love of these guys, we thought we’d string together some of our favorite Black Bison Editions from the last few years.
Wald Creates Black Bison Edition Of Toyota Vellfire
Japanese tuning firm, Wald International, has created another one of their Black Bison editions. This time, it’s the Toyota Vellfire (AKA Alphard) going under the knife. No, it’s not available here.
Spy Shots: Subaru FT-86 Spotted, Possibly STI Version
Our spy photographer caught what appears to be the Subaru version of the FT-86, a car developed in partnership with Toyota. He even goes so far as to suggest this may be an STI version.
Forgotten Racing Heroes: Rauno Aaltonen
Rauno Aaltonen, a name very few people have heard, was a World Rally Championship driver, who just so happens to also be credited for inventing left foot braking. Known as “The Rally Professor,” Aaltonen was born in January 1938, in Turku, Finland. He is regarded as one of the first of the famous “Flying Finns” and started rallying in 1956 at the age of 18.
Aston Martin Approves Cygnet For Production
Even though brand purists will probably be screaming bloody murder, and David Brown may be doing back flips in his grave, Aston Martin has officially approved the Toyota iQ-based Cygnet for production. The diminutive city car will receive an extensive revamp before it can wear the winged Aston Martin logo. The car will have new exterior body panels and a redesigned interior. Aston Martin is claiming the Cygnet will offer the same tailor-made feeling as one of the brand’s luxury GT cars. While details on this tailor-made feel are sketchy, expect a large crop of exterior colors, interior trims, and upholsteries to be made available to demanding customers.
Toyota Awards 826michigan $100,000 Grant
The Toyota USA Foundation, a charitable endowment supporting education, has awarded $100,000 to a non-profit organization very near and dear to our hearts, 826michigan.
Quick Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD
When we get in nice, executive cars—you know, the ones with the long wheelbases and massaging rear seats—I like to think about what it would be like to actually spend a lot of time as a passenger rather than a driver. What car would I like to be chauffeured in, if you will? The Toyota Sienna finds itself somewhere near the top of that list.
Spy Shots: Early Toyota Yaris Mule Spotted
Our spy photographer spotted the Toyota Yaris testing its brakes in Europe.
Tesla And Toyota Announce Deal To Make Electric Rav4
Tesla and Toyota have announced that the two automakers will team up to create an electric version of the Toyota Rav4.
Tesla Raises $226 Million Dollars In IPO, First By Auto Company In 54 Years
Led by its charismatic CEO, Elon Musk, Tesla marched on Wall Street, and became the first automaker to make an initial public offering (IPO) in 54 years. The last IPO by an automaker was by Ford in 1956. Shares started off on Monday between $14 and $16, and have climbed to $27.50 as of this posting.
Tesla, Toyota Join Forces For EV Tech, Tesla Purchases NUMMI Plant
Tesla and Toyota have just made an agreement that will see the electric vehicle manufacturer and the world’s largest hybrid producer join forces on everything from EV parts and manufacture, to production systems and engineering support. The agreement will involve Toyota purchasing $50 million worth of Tesla’s common stock when an initial public offer is made.
Quick Drive: 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4×4 Limited
Pickup trucks are a lot different than they were ten years ago. Vehicles that used to be used exclusively on construction sites and for towing have now morphed into a strange fusion of work truck and luxury car. Our Tundra Limited was a prime example of this. Navigation, heated leather seats, a JBL stereo, satellite radio, an iPod/USB hookup, and a floor-mounted shifter were all standard.
Third Look: Toyota FJ Cruiser—She’s Got A Great Personality
Flash back in time a few months, before Recall Hell descended upon the whole of the Toyota Empire, and the biggest criticisms levied against the Japanese automaker’s products revolved mainly around a lack of character. Corolla, Sequoia, and, obviously, Camry, were heavily criticized as being far too like appliances to charm, despite obliging reliability and resale scores.
Third Look: The Toyota Corolla XRS Has Issues
When you first see the Corolla XRS’ jaunty looking aero package you might be tempted to think, “Hmm, maybe this thing has some potential as an entertaining ride.” Unfortunately, that illusion melts away the moment you take the Corolla out for a spin. Allow us to explain.
First Look: 2011 Scion tC
The 2011 Scion tC has just been unveiled, and its new bodywork draws a healthy amount of inspiration from last year’s FT-86 concept car.
First Look: 2011 Scion iQ
Scion has just taken the wraps off of the North American-spec iQ. This micromachine, designed to compete with the Smart Fortwo, features a 1.3-liter I-4 that makes “over 90 horsepower” and is mated to a standard continuously variable transmission.
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