Tag Archives: toyota
Toyota To Introduce A Corolla Sportwagon
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Japanese automaker Toyota is in the process of unveiling a wagon variant of its popular new Corolla lineup at the Paris Auto Show in early October. The sportwagon will have a Touring Sports body style designed and developed in Europe.
Toyota will use the TNGA platform for the sportwagon which means that it’s going to be a Corolla Hatch that has a wagonback. The long-roof Corolla will have a longer wheelbase at over 106 inches. It should be noted that the hatch’s wheelbase is less than 104 inches. This gives the Touring Sports the distinguished title of being the best in its class in terms of rear-seat legroom.
As for the powertrain options, the Touring Sports will get the same lineup as the rest of the Corolla range in Europe. This means there will be a non-hybrid engine and no diesel engines. On the base model lies a 1.2-liter turbo engine that makes 116 horsepower. The two other powertrains above that trim level include a 1.8-liter engine and 2.0-liter hybrids.
The bigger hybrid engine can produce 180 horsepower while the smaller ones will only make 122 horsepower. The hybrid technology should not worry you about the possible space to accommodate a battery pack. The cargo space will be 21.1 cubic feet.
When it comes to the styling and appearance of the sportwagon, the Touring Sports will most likely resemble “lifestyle” wagons such as the original Lexus IS Sportcross. Buyers would also love the tapering roof, especially when finished with the glass moonroof, because the car resembles more “dynamic” wagon offerings.
It makes sense for Toyota to introduce a stretched version of the Corolla because its decision to pull out the IC coupe from its lineup in Europe left a wide gap. The Touring Sports will give an alternative for Toyota customers who are looking for the height of a conventional wagon but do not want a crossover.
The Touring Sports is tailored fit for the European market, so it’s unlikely we’ll see it on the American soil. It should be revealed at the Paris show in October.
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- Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Does The 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Deserve The $3,340 Price Bump?
Since Japanese automaker, Toyota, just upgraded its 2019 TRD Pro family, we’re all expecting for quite a bump in the price tag. Still, we are shocked to see that the increase was a whopping $3,340 over the $44,120 being collected from the 2018 model year Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.
The price jumped to $47,460 for the 2019 edition (both the 2018 and 2019 prices include the destination charge), but the increase is a good indication of what new features we will find in the 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. They are great, by the way. All the other trims in the lineup will get their prices bumper by $100, Toyota itself confirmed.
What we are getting for all that extra moolah are these: a completely reworked suspension in the TRD Pro lineup, a set of matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded skid plate, and beefy Nitto tires that will help complete the overall look and performance of the new TRD Pro.
Let’s back up and take a closer look at the reworked suspension Toyota is proud of. Gone are the Bilstein units and in its place is a Fox suspension that comes with 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks paired with TRD front springs up front. At the back, the setup is similar with 2.0-inch reservoirs and loads of damping.
The 2019 model year TRD Pro can be had in three colors: the Super White, the Midnight Black Metallic, and the Voodoo Blue. The last one is only available for the TRD Pro version.
The price increase should not put buyers of the 4Runner TRD Pro off. They know that in order to make this truck as gorgeous and powerful as they need it to be, they would have to spend a few more thousand bucks. The price bump should not hurt Toyota’s sales in any way.
Is Toyota Planning A Third Sports Car?
While we have been waiting for more news about the new Toyota Supra, we have found another nugget of information from chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. During a Toyota-conducted interview, Tada was asked if the company is trying to create a “big brother” for the GT86.
He replied that Toyota president Akio Toyoda has always wanted the Japanese brand to have what he called the Three Brothers: the GT86 in the middle and the Supra as the big brother. This means that the third sports car is not the big brother of the GT86. Rather, it will slot below the 86, making it slower but way cheaper.
This is not new information, of course. In 2013, Tada hinted that a third sports car might be on its way. This was not long after the 86 was launched as the GT86 in Japan and as Scion FR-S in the United States. This was also before the Supra project and name were fully confirmed. What’s interesting about it is that the 86 had sluggish sales figures in the last five years since it was launched. You would think that Toyota would turn its back from the sports car industry, but that doesn’t seem to be what’s happening here.
The third sports car could be a concept Toyota had a few years back. It was called the S-FR. The S stood for “sports,” the F for “front” (as in front-engine), and the R for “rear” (as in rear-drive). The car was a well-proportioned car with scowling circular headlights, six-speed manual transmission, and independent rear suspension.
It has all the right features to become a sports car, but it will also be slower and less powerful than the 86. This description would fit a third sports car slotted under the 86. Of course, the problem would be that this sub-86 sports car might be too small for American standard.
2020 Toyota Supra Makes a ‘Dynamic Debut’ At Goodwood Festival of Speed
Toyota finally unveiled in a kind of “dynamic debut” fashion its 2020 Supra at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. By “dynamic,” Toyota meant that what they have shown at the festival was the production version of the car, but it’s still covered with camouflage.
Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada and master driver Herwig Daenens sprinted the Supra up the famed hill climb. The Supra is cloaked in red, white, and black camo, which comes from Toyota Gazoo Racing. These are the same colors used on the 24 Hour of Le Mans-winning TS050 Hybrid LMP1 racer sports.
The next-generation A90 Supra will remain true to its predecessors as the Japanese automaker confirmed that it will use an inline-6 engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. The standard Supra should come with BMW’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 and a likely hybrid version should come with more power. There’s still no word on whether a manual transmission will be developed for the car.
The Supra’s development is tied with that of the BMW Z4, but Toyota was very clear on its mission to distinguish the Supra from the German car. Tada said that the two cars will offer completely different driving experiences and even their shared hardware will have dissimilar configurations.
To sooth the ego of Supra fans, Toyota also asked for their opinions and suggestions on how to develop this next-generation Supra.
Interior
The spy shots of the Supra’s interior were published by Motor1 also. The last time we took a peek inside its cabin was in April and back then, we only saw its instrument cluster and steering wheel. This time, we are given a good sense of what the interior will look like.
The dashboard does not have the same wraparound effect but occupants will still sit lower in the car. There’s a wide infotainment screen on top of the center stack and a second screen is possible given that there’s still space for it. The shots make us think that the Supra will have a smaller cabin than what was originally planned, but let’s just wait and see.
Toyota said that the car will be on sale in the first half of 2019, meaning the full reveal is six months away from today.
2019 Toyota 86 Plans TRD Special Edition Model
It looks like we’re getting a Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition Model for the 2019 model-year. It was reported on Friday that the sports car’s order guide showed the special edition model that will be aimed at the hardcore crowd.
According to CarsDirect, the TRD treatment, as always, will include plenty of updates and racier looks. The SE trim will have a six-speed manual transmission while the other models will get a six-speed automatic. The trim will also pack Brembo brakes, SACHS dampers, and a TRD exhaust. Finishing off the new look is a TRD body kit with three-piece spoiler and 18-inch split-spoke wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires.
The order guide described that the TRD package will get a tri-color TRD side graphic. Photos are not available yet, but Toyota will only offer the Special Edition model in Raven Black exterior paint. The 86 SE will get upgrades in the interior as well such as red seat belts, red contrast stitching throughout the cabin, and a TRD logo stitched on the passenger’s side instrument panel.
The 86 SE will not get upgrades on the powertrain. It will have the same 2.0-liter flat-4 engine that produces 205 horsepower. The output is the same with other models.
These extra features will make the 86 TRD Special Edition the most expensive model from Toyota 86 to date. Prices will start at $33,340, which includes a mandatory destination charge. It’s $3,800 more than the 2018 86 GT model. For the 2019 model year, the base and GT trims will make appearances as well.
The Toyota 86 hadn’t hit refresh for quite some time now, but it’s going to take more time before a redesigned 86 and Subaru BRZ appear for the 2021 model year. We’re hoping the new models will get a larger-displacement engine and more powerful motors.
4 Things To Know About The Interior Of The 2019 Toyota Avalon
To say that the 2019 Toyota Avalon is cool is an understatement. In luxury cars such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, you will have to pay a premium price for the kind of snazzy, comfortable, and elegant interior we saw in the Avalon. But Toyota is best when it comes to this: providing a sophisticated interior without breaking your bank.
The fifth-generation Avalon brings to the table a premium approach for its interiors. Here are the four things we need to know about the snazzy new look of the Avalon’s cabin.
1. Elegant Center Console
The first thing you will notice about the Avalon’s interior is the flowing center console that arcs upward from the central tunnel in a singular and flowing bend. It looks clean, cohesive, and very, very elegant, almost like you needed to pay thousands of dollars just to get that look.
2. Quilted Upholstery
Forget about plastic. Forget about leather, either. The Avalon’s door panels are wrapped in quilted upholstery, keeping the interior aesthetics clean and pristine. The dashboard and the seats and the door panels are now wrapped in that same elegant upholstery that adds to the sophistication of the interior’s overall look and design. The three-spoke steering wheel is also wrapped in high-end material.
3. Different Color Options Available
The Avalon’s interior design comes in a combination of different colors such as cognac, gray, beige, and black, all depending on the trim level selected. There are a lot of other materials that make the interior look too good—there’s aluminum accents, Ultrasuede and leather upholstery, piano black surrounds, and satin chrome material.
4. Plenty Of Space
There’s plenty of space in the Avalon. Rear-seated passengers will have a shoulder room of 57.1 inches, a legroom of 40.3 inches, and a headroom of 37.5 inches. These seats are quite comfortable, thanks largely to the mix of backside-coddling and support in the right proportions.
5 Features Of The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Crossover
The Toyota RAV4 first arrived in 1994 as the Japanese brand’s oldest and most popular vehicle in the crossover segment. Since then, the demand for crossovers has grown exponentially and sales of the Toyota RAV4 grew alongside it. It last received a redesign in 2013 and to keep it updated and fresh, Toyota revealed a fifth-generation model at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
1. Exterior
The RAV4 is still considered a subcompact but it has SUV-like proportions, thanks to the lower and wider stance and extended wheelbase. The RAV4 has a more angular defined nose with the headlights angled toward the front fenders. There’s black detailing on the lower half of the bumper and a silver skid plate protects the chin.
The sides are sharper as well with a built-up shoulder line and creases that lead to the fender flares. Optional 19-inch wheels finish off the sides.
2. Interior
There’s a new simplified design for the cabin’s layout. The thing about the new RAV4 is that it has more space for the rear passengers, thanks to the extended wheelbase it used as a platform. It has a more streamlined and elegant appearance with a lot of techy details. The new RAV4 has hands-free power liftgate, which can be opened by waving a foot under the rear bumper.
Standard safety tech includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning, Brake Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beam headlights, Lane Tracing Assist, and Road Sign Assist. You can go for the options: Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a Bird’s Eye View Camera, Intelligent Clearance Sonar, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.
3. Drivetrain
There are two powertrains to choose from: a Dynamic Force 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder. Equipped on the five individual gas-only models and a Dynamic Force 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder mated with the latest Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) efficiency-booster.
4. Prices
The 2019 Toyota RAV4 will arrive in dealerships at the end of this year in gas-only variant. The hybrid will arrive sometime in 2019. There are no pricing details yet, but it will likely have the tag of the current model, which is priced $24,510. The hybrid model starts at $27,235.
5. Competition
The RAV4’s direct competitors are the Honda CRV and the Mazda CX-5.
Toyota Yaris Will Get Name Change And 3 New Trim Levels
Toyota first inherited the Yaris sedan from its defunct youth-oriented sub-brand Scion. It renamed it from the Scion iA to the Yaris iA and that name stuck until the 2018 model year. But all that is about to change as Toyota said it would change the subcompact sedan’s name from Yaris iA to simply Yaris.
For the 2019 model year, there will also be three new trim levels for the Toyota Yaris. This was something that was not available for customers when the subcompact sedan was first introduced in 2015. The three trim levels will be L, LE, and the premium XLE. There are no details yet about each of the trim level, but Toyota did say in a statement released on Monday that the premium XLE trim model will have leatherette-trimmed front seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and an automatic climate control.
Aside from the changes indoors, there are a couple of interesting updates on the exterior, too. According to Toyota, the new Yaris will enjoy an upgraded front grille, a pair of fog lights, and a lip spoiler that will come standard with the LE and XLE trim levels.
The decision to introduce three new trim levels is a step to the right direction for the Japanese automaker. The mono spec idea does not work for many of its customers even in these times of SUVs and crossovers. Folks still want to be given great choices and options in every segment. A wider market is certainly an understandable reason why Toyota turned to this route.
The 2019 Yaris, and all of its trim levels, will go on sale in the fall. Customers can choose between a standard six-speed manual transmission (39 mpg highway) or the optional six-speed automatic (40 mpg highway). Toyota did not release pricing information, though it’s only a matter of time before more details come out.
3 Things To Know About The New Toyota Corolla Hatchback
There were huge expectations on the coming of a new Toyota iM, and though this is closely related to that, the new Toyota Corolla Hatchback still sits on its own little niche. According to the guys over at Toyota, this new hatchback is designed to be a “driver’s car,” and is set to make a huge impression.
Powertrain
The new Toyota Auris came with only one non-hybrid drivetrain—a 1.2-liter engine. The Toyota Hatch, on the other hand, will come with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine that has some “decent power on demand,” reports speculate. There are no details yet regarding the horsepower and the torque, but we’re pretty sure they’ll be at least decent.
Exterior And Platform
There’s a big improvement in terms of the overall size of the hatchback. According to reports, the hatchback has been lowered by one inch, stretched out by 1.5 inches, and widened by 1.2 inches. It has a longer wheelbase compared to the Corolla iM, and there are wider tracks in the front and rear. There are two options for the wheels—a 16-incher and an 18-incher. You can also have it either in manual transmission or in CVT but with 10 simulated gears, a launch gear, and a paddle shifter.
Toyota will use its TNGA platform for this hatch. They also added a host of safety features such as AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, lane tracking assist, and radar cruise control. There will likely be additional features when the hatchback is released, but these are cool enough for a start.
The upcoming Toyota hatchback is being set up for a summer release as a 2019 model. There’s no word yet on how much this will cost, but we’re sure we’ll find out in a couple of months, so better ready those wallets.
3 Things Got Us Hyped About the Toyota Subcompact Urban Crossover
We’ve heard it again and again: Toyota, the Japanese carmaker, is planning on adding a small urban crossover SUV to its line. At the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, we saw the third preview of the vehicle in the form of the FT-AC Concept.
There is no coincidence in this after the Japanese automaker confirmed that it will bring something new to the market in the next years. Toyota Motor North America General Manager Jack Hollis said that the Japanese carmaker plans to have more than one vehicle in each segment, especially if they differ enough in features.
1. Subcompact Lineup Teases With Third Preview Of New Concept
The FT-AC Concept is the third time Toyota teased us with the concept for a new subcompact urban crossover. Currently, the Japanese automaker has a slew of subcompacts such as the C-HR, the compact RAV4, the midsize 4Runner, the full-size Highlander and Sequioa, and of course, the Land Cruiser. All of these are worlds apart in features, performance, and driving experience. The Land Cruiser remains at the top of the range.
2. Toyota Is Testing The Water With New Concepts
The FT-AC Concept may be the third one we have seen, but the earlier two concepts can hold a candle on their own. The FT-4X Concept and the TJ Cruiser Concept, as well as the third concept, the FT-AC, all have distinct characters and attitudes. Hollis said that this was specifically done to “test the waters in the market” and see the feedback from Toyota’s loyal followers.
3. New Concepts Will Have A New Platform
Many of the features of the three new concepts are different, but they will most probably share the same platform—the TNGA platform. This means that the new urban subcompact crossover will be a unibody vehicle instead of a hardcore body-on-frame vehicle. The size would be similar to the C-HR and powered by an inline-4. It will have a front-wheel-drive system, but it will also offer an option for an all-wheel drive.
