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.

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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]

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]

Toyota FT-HS Concept (2007)

Akio Toyoda is pushing a new Supra, but resistance within Toyota may kill the model. He told reporters that he wants to see a new Supra testing soon, but admitted that other voices in the company are resistant to the new sports car and may kill the project.

The Supra is rumored to be on track for launch in 2013-2014. It is expected to feature a hybrid powertrain with V6 engine.

Toyota’s line is set to get a lot sportier, with the upcoming FT-86 and a rumored MR2 revival joining the Supra over the next few years. [via Autocar]

We knew it was coming, and today Toyota told the NHTSA that it will be recalling a total of 138,000 U.S. Lexus vehicles for a defect in the engine that can cause stalling. Toyota explains that foreign material in the valve springs of certain V8 and V6 engines can cause the engine to make noise, idle or even stall out completely while driving. Vehicles involved are the 2007-2008 GS 350,2007-2008 GS 450h, 2006 and 2008 GS 460, 2007-2008 IS 350, 2007-2008 LS 460, 2007-2008 LS 460 L, and the 2008 LS 600h L.

According to Toyota, the likelihood of a driver experiencing a complete engine stall-out while driving is less than one percent. No accidents or injuries have arisen from the problem. [via USA Today]

We’ve already had floor mat, braking, steering and fire hazard safety problems from Toyota in the past year, why not an engine issue? According to Japanese reports, that’s what’s next on the docket for the troubled automaker. Toyota will reportedly recall 270,000 vehicles next week for engine deficiencies on an unspecified list of vehicles that looks to be largely Lexus. The recall will involve the Toyota Crown and seven Lexus models, according to the Huffington Post. The LA Times lists the models as the Lexus GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460, LS 600h and LS 600h L, but doesn’t give specific years.

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It’s another Toyota recall, and another fire hazard. It’s also the second recall of the Lexus HS 250h this year. Toyota is recalling 17,000 2010 HS 250h models for a potential fire hazard resulting from fuel leakage. According to the NHTSA, the Lexus leaks fuel beyond acceptable levels and could be the cause of a fire should an ignition source spark the leaked fuel.

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Since the exit of Toyota sports cars like the Supra and Celica, the world has been ready for something sportier from Toyota. Preferably something that accelerates only when you want it to.

We thought Toyota was going to appease these voices with the FT-86 next year, but it looks like we may have to wait a little longer. According to Best Car, Toyota will delay the launch of the FT-86 until 2013. Toyota is reportedly considering different styling and powertrain options, including a possible hybrid configuration.

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As expected, Toyota and Tesla announced a partnership yesterday that will be focused on developing future electric vehicle-building infrastructure and vehicles. Here’s the scant details we were able to glean from the back-patting quote-a-thon that was the story.

Toyota will invest $50 million in Toyota. Tesla has acquired Toyota’s recently closed NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA, and will open up production on its Model S sedan at the plant in 2012. The move could create as many as 1,000 jobs in the San Francisco area.

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