Thursday, September 29, 2011

Camrys Claim Six Top-Fives at New Hampshire

Toyota did great last weekend in New Hampshire!

“Toyota drivers earned six top-five finishes this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Brian Vickers tied his season-best finish with a fifth-place result in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race and Kyle Busch earned his 30th career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) win and his third straight victory at the one-mile New England oval in Saturday afternoon’s NCWTS race. Camry drivers also swept the top-four spots in Friday’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) race at New Hampshire with Brett Moffitt taking the checkered flag and three other Toyotas following him to the finish line.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES (NSCS)
In Sunday’s NSCS race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Vickers was the highest finishing Toyota driver with a fifth-place result at the one-mile New England oval in a race where fuel mileage strategy once again set the stage for a dramatic finish eventually won by Tony Stewart.
Vickers started third and led one time for four laps (of 300) to tie his season-best finish of fifth, which he also earned earlier this year at Dover International Speedway. It was the sixth top-10 finish for Vickers this season.

“It was a good run for us,” said Vickers, following the race. “The Red Bull Toyota guys did a good job all day. We were good in the first stint, but not great. We over adjusted and got way too loose in the second or third stint and lost our track position. The last two runs we were awesome. The car was so good, probably one of the better cars on the track. We had to pass 20 cars just to get back to the top-five and ran out of time, but I’m really proud of the effort by everyone.”
Busch fought a tight race car most of the afternoon, but was able to relish an 11th-place result and moved up three spots in the unofficial NSCS point standings to sixth. Busch currently sits 26 points behind first-place Stewart in the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoffs following the second of 10 Chase races.

“We just fought hard all day long with our M&M’s Camry,” said Busch, following the race. “We got the car to where we were fast in the early part of the run, but we fell off a little too much as the run went along. Our car was good entry and center, but it was just so tight in the center all day long that it made it really hard. Track position was important today and I just have to thank the guys for hanging in there with me and fighting hard all day long. We survived and we’ll go on to Dover which is usually a much better place for me.”

Read more about the Toyota wins at http://www.toyotaracing.com/motorsports/nscs/news/2011/09-25-11-02.html

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Toyota US promotes new Camry by doing burnouts

Ever wanted to see a hybrid do a burnout? Now’s your chance.

Toyota US has come up with an interesting advertising campaign for the new 2012 Toyota Camry. To develop a sporty character for the new model, Toyota has put it up alongside a Toyota NASCAR in its latest advertisement. As part of the campaign, the 2012 Daytona 500 pace car will also be a 2012 Toyota Camry.

Using the Camry as the pace car for next year’s Daytona is a big statement by Toyota. For generations, the pace car has only ever been a large American muscle car. The only other non-American car to feature as the pace car in Daytona’s history was the Porsche 914 back in 1971. Ed Laukes, Toyota’s corporate manager of motorsports marketing, recently spoke about the Daytona campaign, saying

“We’re thrilled to be able to feature the new Camry in Daytona at the season’s biggest race. We think the Daytona 500 is the perfect place to showcase the all-new Camry, which will go on sale this fall.

“We knew when the opportunity arose to partner together with Daytona that it would be an extraordinary way to highlight our new Camry, as well as reinforce Toyota’s commitment to NASCAR and its fans.”

Toyota is serious about tapping into other, more sporty market segments with the new Camry, and is calling the new model the “reinvented Camry and Camry Hybrid”. But it’s not just about being sporty, Toyota also wants to maintain its lead in annual sales in the US, a market where the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car (not including trucks) in 13 out of the past 14 years.

From next year, the US-spec 2012 Toyota Camry won’t be imported from Japan. Instead, it will be built at local production facilities as a way of becoming more independent from the Japanese operations. Toyota Japan is also doing this as part of its plan to make its production processes earthquake-proof.

Read more (and check out the video!) at http://www.caradvice.com.au/136998/toyota-us-promotes-new-camry-by-doing-burnouts-video/

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The 2012 FJ Cruiser Gets Upgraded

The 2012 FJ Cruiser gets an upgrade.

For 2012, the FJ Cruiser gets a trail-oriented Trail Teams Special Edition Package incorporates a standard Off-Road Package, along with a new Radiant Red color. Roof-mounted off-road lights with an air dam improve long-range visibility and enhance visual appeal. Capability is assured with a cyclone pre-air cleaner that’s effective at trapping sand and dirt that may be kicked up during off-road endeavors. The package beefs up chassis performance with trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers; rear differential lock and the active traction control (A-TRAC) system; engine, fuel tank and transfer cases; skid plates; rock rails; plus Toyota Racing Development (TRD) alloy wheels and BFG All-Terrain tires with wheel locks.

On pavement or off, the 2012 FJ Cruiser offers fully civilized audio and connectivity features. The standard audio system includes an AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, XM Radio, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity, plus hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Powering the FJ Cruiser is a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Not only is it ideal for devouring challenging terrain, but the engine can also pull a trailer up to 5,000 pounds.

As with any Toyota model, the FJ Crusier comes standard with the automaker’s STAR Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology, Toyota’s brake override system. There are even roll-sensing side curtain airbags which can detect a potential rollover and signal the VSC system to help reduce a lateral skid.

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser offers a unique package for outdoor enthusiasts. And, since Toyota dealers offer a catalog of available accessories for the FJ, rest assured that you can tailor it to your specific needs and lifestyle as well. The 2012 FJ Cruiser is on sale now.

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/toyota-fj-cruiser-balances-ruggedness-with-modern-style/#more-2007

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

2012 Toyota Tacoma Gets Updated

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma gets updated.

The 2012 Tacoma’s front-end refresh includes a new lower bumper and restyled headlamps. Two hooks are also now included as standard equipment. Under the hood, the Tacoma is available with the same 159-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 as the 2011 model.

For 2012, The TRD Sport Package includes turn signals integrated into the side mirrors as well as chrome five-spoke 18-inch wheels. Inside, HVAC controls and the center stack have been revised and upgraded audio options for all 2012 Tacoma models. Waterproof fabric and all-weather flooring are among the bevy of available options.

As with other new Toyota models, like the 2012 Camry, the updated Tacoma pickup will also be available with the automaker’s Entune infotainment system, which features Bing and Pandora, as well as real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks. There will be a range of free apps available in the spring of next year, including iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable.

  

Read more: http://www.toyotainthenews.com/2012-toyota-tacoma-pickup/#more-1988