Tuesday, March 26, 2013

World Debut of Next-Generation Toyota Highlander SUV at 2013 New York Auto Show to Include Live Webcast

Toyota will stage the world debut of the all-new 2014 Highlander mid-size SUV at a press conference at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time in the Galleria Level 4 at the Jacob Javits Center.  

The global reveal of the all-new Highlander will be broadcast live via Livestream at: http://new.livestream.com/toyota/NY2013 and will be available for continuous replay immediately after the press conference.


Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

All-New 2014 Next-Generation Toyota Highlander Mid-Size SUV to Make World Debut at 2013 New York Auto Show

Toyota will stage the world debut of the all-new 2014 Highlander mid-size SUV at a press conference at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at 9:10 a.m. Eastern Time in the Galleria Level Four at the Jacob Javits Center.  


Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Toyota pondering high-performance GT86 hybrid?

From what Autocar has to say, Toyota has even more plans for the GT86 beyond the convertible concept we just saw at the Geneva Motor Show. Along with a planned midcycle facelift, Toyota is reportedly looking at how to pack some extra ponies under the coupe's hood, and while there has already been a lot of talk about superchargers and turbochargers, it sounds like a performance-boosting hybrid system could also be in the works.

Talking to Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, Autocar has learned that the automaker is considering an electrical motor assist for the sporty coupe to improve performance without harming fuel economy. In attempting to keep weight – and, presumably, costs – down, the article mentions the use of a system closer to what Honda uses for its Integrated Motor Assist rather than a full Hybrid Synergy Drive system used in current Toyota hybrids. Tada says the added weight of the system could be offset by weight reduction, while aerodynamic changes and a lower center of gravity could improve the car's handling.

No word yet on whether a mild hybrid system would find its way to North America's Scion FR-S, but the thought is certainly an intriguing one.

Courtesy of autoblog.com

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Eight best features inside the 2013 Toyota RAV4

Toyota has done more with the redesigned RAV4 than take the spare tire off the back. On sale now in its fourth generation, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 has lost its available V6 engine, gained a new six-speed automatic transmission and added some features inside.

Here are the RAV4 interior features we think you should know about:

1. The front seats have a slim back to enhance rear knee room.

2. A backup camera and 6.1-inch center display are standard.

3. The seats are comfortable. Bump up to the XLE for side bolstering, and then to the Limited for synthetic leather trim.

4. Cargo space has improved in this new two-row-only set-up. Space is up 1.2 cubic feet to 38.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and with the rear seats folded down there is 73.3 cubic feet. The comparable 2012 Honda CR-V measures in at 37.2 cubic feet with seats up, 70.9 cubic feet with seats down.

5. A manual tilt/telescope steering column comes standard.

6. Steering wheels are either wrapped in urethane plastic (base LE and mid-grade XLE) or leather (Limited trim), and feature controls for audio and Bluetooth.

7. The second row has a 60/40 split, folds down and reclines.

8. The Sport button below the radio controls, which noticeably firms up the steering, changes shift points and improves throttle response.

Courtesy of Autoweek.com