MotorCrave.com » Toyota

The Prius Sells 1 Million Priuses, Amid “Smug” Jokes

danseitz — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:00:50 +0000

Yes, we know Toyota recently held a vote and insists the plural of “Prius” is “Prii”. We’re pretty sure 4Chan was involved in that one.

Anyway, as you might have guessed, the original green status symbol and butt of thousands of jokes by cranky old people who don’t get why the kids care so much about that durned global warming Glenn Beck told them was fake is officially grown up, selling a big-boy 1 million cars as of April 5th. So what’s next?

According to Toyota’s press release, just keep on keepin’ on. The Prius has sold three million cars globally, with two million of those sold in 2010. It’s consistently stayed at the top of the hybrid charts, which is a bit like saying you totally dominated the Children’s section of the Billboard charts, but hey, a sale is a sale.

Granted, it took eleven years to sell three million of these cars, for most of that decade your choice was a Prius or nothing if you wanted a hybrid, and the competition in this arena is finally starting to pick up a bit, meaning the Prius is finally facing a challenge. But it’s coming from a position of strength.

Toyota Teases A New FT-86

Chris Weiss — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:42:14 +0000

Well it looks like the Subota will be joined in Geneva by an all-new Toyota FT-86. Toyota teased its second FT-86 today, indicating that the new coupe will provide “the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota’s next sports car.” In other words, it will be nearly identical to the production version.

Toyota hasn’t shown much in the teaser, but the FT-86 II, as it calls it, has a redesigned front-end with a new set of headlights. We like what we see so far, but will reserve our judgment until the full unveil.

The FT-86 is a RWD sports coupe created in a partnership between Subaru and Toyota. The original version was shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and Subaru will show the first version of its own car in Geneva. [via InsideLine]

Toyota Continues Prius MPV Puzzle Teaser

Chris Weiss — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:42:24 +0000

When we saw the first billboard-styled teaser for the Prius MPV, we could make out a puzzle theme. And indeed, in its latest teaser, Toyota made it clear that it plans to stick with the whole puzzle thing, showing a puzzle-piece-shaped teaser image depicting the push-button ignition and some audio controls.

Toyota does realize that the world isn’t really that excited about the Prius MPV, right? So to tease it in the form of something even less exciting–a puzzle–just doesn’t seem like the way to hype its big Prius up. Unless of course, it plans to only sell Prius MPVs to the old ladies that still enjoy a good puzzle.

Hopefully the readers will forgive us, but we think we’ll be skipping the rest of the puzzle teasers. [via Carscoop]

Prius MPV Gets Teased

Chris Weiss — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:59:23 +0000

The Toyota Prius is in the process of starting a family, with small, large and plug-in versions on the way within the next two years. In celebrating 10 years of Prius in the U.S., Toyota provided the first peek at the Prius MPV,the larger version of the hybrid.

We can’t exactly see much of the Prius MPV in the billboard picture that Toyota posted on Facebook, but we can tell that it is slightly longer and higher than the standard Prius. It’s supposed to be 300 mm longer, to be exact, and have an extra bench in the back, making room for a total of seven adults. The roof is higher and straighter, which will give all passengers a little extra headroom.

The Prius MPV is expected to keep the same powertrain as the regular Prius only with a swap-out of nickel-metal-hydride for lithium-ion. [via Autocar]

Four-Door Version of Toyota FT-86 Is Rumored

Chris Weiss — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Well, it looks like the Toyota FT-86 is going to be a family. It’s pregnant with a sedan!

We’ve already heard that due to cost issues with the FT-86, Toyota is planning a smaller version to meet its original goal of a sub-$20K sports coupe, and today’s rumors indicate that Toyota is also working on a four-door variant of the FT-86.

The report originated on Australian site Carsguide and indicates that the FT-86 sedan will launch in 2013. It will feature the same 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer as the coupe version. Not instilling much confidence, the report states that Toyota is developing the sedan version as a “safety net” in case the coupe doesn’t sell. I’m not sure that a premium level sports sedan from Toyota is any more compelling, but whatever. [via WCF]

Toyota Does It Again: Recall of 1.1 Million Corollas

Chris Weiss — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:39:19 +0000

In the midst of an intensifying NHTSA investigation, Toyota issued a voluntary recall of 1.13 million 2005 to 2008 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models. The recall relates to problems with engine stalling.

Here’s Toyota’s official explanation:

On vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage (varistor), on the ECM’s circuit board. In most cases, if a crack occurs at certain solder points or on certain varistors, the check engine may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In limited instances, if cracking occurs on particular solder points or varistors, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven.

According to the company, there have been three reported accidents allegedly stemming from the problem and one minor injury.

Toyota will begin contacting owners in mid-September and will replace the ECM on affected models. Contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 for more information. [Toyota via Jalopnik]

Another Million-Deep Toyota Recall on the Way?

Chris Weiss — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:29:57 +0000

It looks like Toyota may have another major recall in the works for the disastrous year of 2010. According to the NY Times, the NHTSA has raised its investigation of stalling Toyotas from “preliminary evaluation” to “engineering analysis,” which is one step below a full-blown recall. The investigation applies to 1.2 million 2005 to 2007 Corolla and Matrix models.

The NHTSA began its preliminary evaluation last November, and has received 163 complaints about an issue that relates to the engine suddenly stalling without any warning–a rather different problem than the oh-so-popular “unintended acceleration.” The engine control unit is thought to be the cause of the stalling. Toyota said that it received six complaints of accidents but no injuries were reported. [ NY Times via Carscoop]

Subaru FT-86 Variant Gets Some Details

Chris Weiss — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:02:09 +0000

We’ve heard all kinds of details about the Toyota FT-86, but so far Subaru’s model has remained in the shadows. Today, Autocar blasted a beam of light over Subaru’s own sports car, a more powerful, more aggressive version of the FT-86.

Like the Toyota FT-86, Subaru’s version (no name yet) will feature a 200-hp version of Subaru’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. However, Subaru plans to add a little extra pep to its coupe by offering it with a 260-hp version of the turbocharged Boxer engine used in the Impreza WRX STi. The engines will deliver momentum to the rear wheels via six-speed manual transmissions.

The Subaru will share some body parts with the FT-86 but will have a more aggressive look thanks to a new front grille, wheels and bumpers.

Subaru’s coupe will follow the FT-86 to market, and according to Autocar’s report, will carry a price of £25,000 and £30,000 ($40K to $48K). [via Autocar]

New Toyota Recall Affects 412,000 Lexus and Toyota Models

Chris Weiss — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:44:53 +0000

Toyota announced today that it will recall 412,000 U.S. vehicles for a steering issue beginning next month. Models affected are 2000 to 2004 Toyota Avalons and 2003 to 2007 Lexus LX 470 models.

The steering lock bar on Toyota Avalon models is prone to breakage and could potentially lead to a locking steering wheel. The Lexus LX 470 experiences a different steering issue that relates to the snap ring on the steering shaft, which can disengage during sudden impacts (i.e. pot holes) and cause the steering shaft to disengage over time. Dealers will replace these faulty components.

Three Avalon accidents have been reported with no injuries, and no accidents involving the Lexus LX 470 have been reported. [via InsideLine]

Toyota To Bring Redesigned Look To Its Line

Chris Weiss — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:01:55 +0000

You know what a criminal does when the authorities are bearing down on him? Disguises himself and hopes like hell to blend in with the pack.

Now I’m not saying Toyota is a criminal–incompetent and negligent maybe. Criminal? Well, I don’t have to make that judgment. But it is planning on disguising itself. Under a new brand philosophy that promises to put reliability (i.e. cars that work) back at the core, Toyota will also be invoking visual changes across the line, which include a new front end. Call it an attempt to make a product that neither looks or fails like Toyotas of old.

Toyota is still working on the exact design, but the company indicates that it will apply to its global line and will offer a more consistent look between models. Small models will be made to look bigger as part of the redesign. [via InsideLine]

Toyota/Tesla Make Electric RAV4 Official

Chris Weiss — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:45:17 +0000

The RAV4 EV is back! And with a few years worth of electric drivetrain evolution, it promises to be better than ever. Toyota and Tesla announced today that the first vehicle the two have partnered on is an electric-powered RAV4 crossover. Tesla has already delivered one prototype to Toyota and is working on a fleet of additional prototypes for evaluation. The new EV is expected to debut in the United States in 2012.

The original RAV4 EV was one of those ahead-of-its-time electrics from back in the 1990s. It was on the market from 1997 to 2003 and sold around 1,500 units. Toyota has admitted that the EV didn’t perform that well in terms of sales, but it did play an important role in the development of future technologies. [via NY Times]

Teslota Building Electric RAV 4 and Lexus RX Models

Chris Weiss — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:00:44 +0000

Not long before Toyota and Tesla announced their partnership in May, reports indicated that Tesla was working on a crossover model for a 2013 launch. It’s not that surpising, therefore, that the first joint ventures to come out of the Tesla/Toyota working relationship will be crossover models. Following a statement that it will produce two prototypes for Toyota this year, Tesla will reportedly be equipping the RAV 4 and Lexus RX with full electric powertrains. The prototypes are expected to be delivered to Toyota this summer. [via Carscoop]

MotorCrave.com » Toyota

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