Toyota

At its annual U.S. national dealer meeting held in Las Vegas at the end of June, Toyota confirmed the launch dates for its Prius family are still on track despite complications arising following the disasters that hit Japan on March 11, saying production is expected to return to normal levels in Japan after July. The company also raised a few eyebrows with the announcement that the all-electric Scion iQ EV microcar that was on show in Geneva earlier this year is set to arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2012 Read More

Perhaps fearing that the brand is losing touch with "passionate drivers", Toyota is developing a new "affordable" sports car to fill the gap it left when it dropped the Supra and MR2 from its lineup. The FT-86 II concept, built on a Subaru platform under a partnership agreement, is a rear wheel drive coupe with smart styling that's clearly aimed at younger drivers. Toyota showed off the car in Melbourne, ahead of this weekend's Australian International Motor Show - and took the opportunity to give the press an advance look at the Prius C concept, Prius V, 2012 Hilux and all-new Yaris as well. Pics inside. Read More

Toyota will continue the growing trend among auto makers of announcing new models and concept cars at places other than auto shows by unveiling the GRMN Sports Concept II at the Nürburgring 24-hour race this weekend. The GRMN is a lightweight, petrol-electric hybrid convertible with 295 bhp. The 245 bhp V6 is located centrally and drives the rear wheels while the front wheels are electrically-powered to complete the sports-hybrid AWD system. Read More

Toyota’s luxury Lexus brand will show a LF-Gh hybrid Grand Tourer concept at the New York International Auto Show next week, offering what the company claims are strong cues for the future design of Lexus production vehicles. Conceived as a redefinition of the luxury grand tourer, the lack of performance or rear-wheel drive powertrain details puts the emphasis on gauging public opinion of the distinctive new “spindle” front grille and lighting arrangement which is expected to become the frontal treatment of the brand. The concept’s aggressive visage emphasises aerodynamic efficiency and functionality thanks to pronounced radiator and brake duct treatment and a lack of door mirrors, presumably indicating the use of rear video vision. Read More

Subaru will be showcasing a 'BOXER Sports Car Architecture' Concept concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show next week and released a darkened image of the vehicle to the media earlier today. A bit of a play with Adobe Photoshop and … a great deal more about the shape of the forthcoming vehicle has been revealed. Read More

Lexus' LFA supercar is, or was, the most exclusive vehicle ever built by the world’s largest automobile manufacturer – only 500 of the exotic carbon fiber 200 mph V10s will be sold at US$375,000 apiece. Now the racetrack-focused “LFA Nürburgring Package” is set to be revealed. Only 50 such 562 bhp vehicles will be produced with revised aerodynamics and technical refinements designed to fine-tune the exotic two-seat sports coupe to be capable of lapping the fabled Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit under 7:20. Now the average Gomer needs more than just a wad of cash, industrial-sized gonads and a sweet handling, brutally powerful car to get around the “Green Hell” inside eight minutes, let alone seven twenty, so the price includes special instruction sessions on the circuit into the bargain. The car can be had in white, orange or black at US$445,000 or in and matte black for US$465,000, making it the most expensive Japanese road car ever. Read More

Toyota will show a fully-electric IQ prototype at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, offering an extremely compact four-seater with a range of 65 miles. The prototype is based on the current IQ model and features a single electric motor driving the front wheels, powered by a newly developed, flat and compact lithium-ion battery which is located beneath the floor without compromising loadspace or passenger accommodation. The drivetrain adapted from Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Read More

Toyota celebrated 10 years in the U.S. for the Prius at the Detroit Auto Show 2011 this week, introducing three new additions to the eco-friendly range. In addition to the announcement of the Prius v which will be available in 2011 and Prius c Concept which is expected to go into production in 2012, the company also unveiled plans for Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) technology which will allow the next-gen hybrid vehicles from Toyota to be recharged using grid power. While the new Prius v offers a midsize hybrid-electric vehicle aimed at young families the Prius c Concept vehicle will fill the city compact niche when released. Read More

Twenty-eleven is rolling in and we'll be heading back to Detroit to check out the best of what the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has to offer. We've already been teased with the prospect of an all-new Toyota Prius, concepts from Ford and MINI and a new Benz C-Class. So what else can we expect to see under lights at the COBO Center come mid-January? Read More