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See the Spy Shots And Video Of 2019 Toyota Supra
Back in 2011, Toyota signed a deal with BMW to jointly develop a sports car platform. It then announced a sports car, which would have been based on the platform for a replacement for the Z4. It was termed as the Z5 back then.
Although the Japanese automaker has yet to confirm the Supra name for its upcoming sports car, there were already some hints that it’s soon coming back. In fact, Toyota has reportedly trademarked the Supra name for the European market.
Guys over at SupraMKV released a spy video showing a Supra prototype leaving and entering the BMW M Test Center at the Nüburgring. This isn’t a surprise, of course, since Toyota is developing the Supra together with BMW.
Together with some spy shots, the video revealed that the car is smaller than 2014’s FT-1 concept car, which previously showed the design. Some of the more interesting elements borrowed from that concept are the double-bubble roof, protruding nose, muscular rear fenders, jet fighter-style glasshouse, and ducktail trunk lid. The new liftback can also be clearly seen from the shots.
However, for those excited to see the Toyota Supra, you will have to wait until we’re well into 2018 for it. It will likely arrive as a 2019 model, though it is also possible that a debut will take place in late 2017 at the Tokyo Motor Show.
So far, we know that the new platform has a front-midshap layout and a low center of gravity. That’s clearly evident from the very low hood and roof. It will also feature construction using a multitude of materials–some carbon fiber to keep it lightweight and boost the strength and power.
There should be more than one powertrain option. The range-topper is expected to be a hybrid powertrain combining a twin-turbocharged V-6 with an electric motor or two.
2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Will Sell For $41,700
Everybody knew that the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will cost much, but it doesn’t make it easier now that we’re hearing just how much it really is.
First announced at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will sell for $41,700, the Japanese automaker said this week to a source.
But that’s only the entry price for this off-roading pickup powerhouse, which will have a 6-speed manual transmission with plated skid and reinforced Kevlar tires. It will also have amazing suspension system and all that rock-crawling goodness combined in a sturdy off-roader.
If you want an automatic transmission, you will have to shell out $2,000 on top of the entry-level price.
No one’s doubting the off-road credentials of the Tacoma TRD Pro. Ever since it was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, experts have been looking into the upgrades Toyota fitted their pickup with.
Though we find the entry level price a bit unsettling, it might just be fair because apparently, this midsize Tacoma TRD is closely priced to the all-new Ford Raptor.
That one has a twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces somewhere around 450 horsepower, reports said.
The Raptor is being paired with a 10-speed automatic too, and it has sophisticated chassis wizardry. The new Ford off-roader will start at $49,520 for a Super Cab and $52,505 for the double cab.
These two models are in direct competition with the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock off-roader, which is being sold for $42,790. That off-roader suits all kinds of terrain, as expected.
The Tacoma TRD Pro will go on sale later this month, so we’ll expect to see its driver scaling some mountains after taking this out from the dealership. No further details have been released by its maker about the start of deliveries, but we are sure the next few weeks will reveal more.
2017 Toyota 86 TRD Receives Minor Upgrades
The Toyota 86 was launched as a sports car in 2012, and is sold globally with a Subaru-developed, 2.0-liter boxer engine with either a manual or automatic transmission.
As a collaboration between Japanese automakers Toyota and Subaru, the Toyota 86 was launched together with the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S, though the latter was discontinued this year.
The 86 finally received an update for the 2017 model year according to a report. It got revised exterior elements, a number of interior upgrades, chassis tweaks, and a mild power bump for models with the manual gearbox.
Six months after, Toyota’s performance and motorsport division, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), launched its own package for the coupe. It consisted of a race-inspired body kit and some chassis options.
This new TRD package Toyota 86 fits for those who want to turn their 86 into a race car.
Be careful, though, as this package arrives with two drawbacks—there is no addition of a more powerful engine, and the package is not available for those living outside of Japan.
Toyota, of course, will most likely make it accessible to other markets but until that time comes, we’ll first just ogle at what the Japanese market can enjoy.
The package has a larger and sportier spoiler that extends under the grille. Instead of the standard body color, the splitter comes in all black and extends toward the sides for that racier look.
In addition, there are some LED daytime running lights, as well as black inserts with tiny winglets below the turning signals.
The sides are half-finished in black–the front fender inserts, the upper section of the doors, the lower section of the quarter window, and the lower side mirror. Also coming in black paint for a sportier look are the side skirts, rear wheel arch black trim, and five-spoke 18-inch, forged aluminum wheels finished in a light gold tint.
There are two additional wheel designs, both in 17-inch size, that TRD offers.
On the rear, the TRD package adds the race-inspired diffuser with larger, quad exhaust pipes and a slightly revised bumper with a more angular shape. The spoiler on top of the trunk lid comes in the body color, but you may opt for the carbon-fiber wing as well.
Drivetrain remains unchanged, though the TRD has adjustable coilovers and a new front tower brace as options.
Toyota has not revealed pricing details for the 2017 Toyota 86 TRF, so stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks.
Sightings of the 2018 BMW Z5 Give Details of What’s to Come
When BMW and Toyota announced their partnership in January 2013, many were speculating the revival of the Toyota Supra and the development of the next-generation BMW Z4.
But these recent spy shots confirmed what has long been a rumor—that instead of a next-generation Z4, the BMW-Toyota partnership will instead replace the Z4 with the Z5.
The Z5 recently made its first public appearance as a camouflaged prototype. The roadster was being tested in cold weather, suggesting that the German automaker has been working on this model for quite some time.
Based on these spy shots, it looks like the new roadster will have a new architecture that’ll make it sportier than the Z4.
On the outside, the Z5 has a long hood, a short rear deck, shorter overhangs and a low driving position. Compared to the Z4, the Z5 prototype seems to be slightly longer and wider. And instead of a soft top, the Z5 will have a folding metal roof.
It also has a lowered nose, bigger grille and larger headlamps. The sides don’t offer much, except that it might be missing a belt line, though we expect to see more once it is launched.
On the rear end, not much can be seen as well. The trunk lid looks similar to the Z4 with an integrated spoiler while the license plate recess has been moved upper into the right fascia.
There are no details yet for the interior, though we can expect premium feel and excellent fit. Seats should be made with premium leather with option for sportier seats on higher end models.
As for the drivetrain, we should expect a turbocharged four-cylinder with the higher range having a 3.0-liter inline-six. There are rumors that the Z5 would have a hybrid option, though some said it might divert from that route to differentiate itself from what Toyota is planning.
Customers will have an option of either manual transmission or dual-clutch automatic gearbox. An all-wheel drive might be in the works too.
We’re expecting the BMW Z5 to be unveiled in either late 2016 or early 2017. The Toyota counterpart, which will be different in looks and will revive the Supra nameplate, should be launched around the same time.
No information on prices yet, but the Z5 could go as high as $55,000 before options.
FJ Cruiser To End Production This August
Toyota has just confirmed it will end the production of the retro-inspired FJ Cruiser this August. This is a sad news for the handful of markets that still manage to get their claws on the two-door SUV.
If you can remember, the FJ Cruiser was first introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show as an off-roader inspired by Toyota’s cult classic FJ40 Land Cruiser.
Toyota has already pulled out the FJ Cruiser from North American markets about two years ago. But its sales have continued in markets that favor rugged-type SUVs such as Japan, China, Australia and the Middle East, among others.
In the United States and Canada, Toyota decided to focus on its four-door 4Runner, which has surprisingly been popular among North American consumers. The current 4Runner was launched in 2009, but it was updated for the 2014 model.
Both models, the FJ Cruiser and the 4Runner, share most of the designs and performance features—running gear and their body on-frame construction. However, they are assembled in different plants.
In most markets, the two models are priced very close to each other. But in the US, the 4Runner is generally a bit more expensive than the FJ Cruiser.
Usually, when Toyota stops a production for a car model, it first creates a special edition—kind of like a souvenir for that particular model’s fans. In particular, it did that for the high-feature Ultimate Edition offered to American consumers in 2014 before the SUV closed its market.
For the FJ Cruiser, the company has yet to announce any such plans. Of course, how ironic was it that car enthusiasts are mourning the end of the FJ’s production when it didn’t receive that much love when it was first launched.
Remember, we used to think it was a bit on the unsightly side until Toyota made some improvements on it designs?
2016 Toyota Yaris TRD Sportivo Gets Exterior, Interior Changes
Toyota boasted its current models during the Bangkok Motor Show that run from March 23 to April 3, but the one that stole the limelight was the Toyota Yaris TRD Sportivo.
This Yaris model was finally touched by Toyota Racing Development, and it did get the TRD treatment both in the exterior and interior. However, don’t expect too much from the drivetrain as Toyota has completely left this aspect alone.
Although it’s easy to hark at Toyota for not being able to bring anything drivetrain-wise, it’s still a welcome sight to see the Yaris with the TRD treatment—aesthetically speaking.
Based on a report, the Yaris TRD Sportivo is based on the Yaris G except it has a few features such as the turn indicators on the sideview mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, a multifunction information display, and an acoustic windshield.
The Yaris TRD Sportivo, on the other hand, also boasts of a slew of new features on the exterior, including a black front grille that extends down the lower fascia. This integrates into the black cadding that surrounds the entire bottom of the vehicle and the wheel arches.
The front has fog lights that are located into the corner fascia inserts. It also has a silver front lip to both fascias and the side skirts, as well as custom-looking wheels and a set of roof rails.
At the back, the black cadding covers the lower portion of the rear fascia. There’s also a silver insert in the middle. Overall, though, it has the same body as the current Yaris.
Inside, there are a few modifications. You can find in the center a slew of things such as a double-din, seven-inch, touchscreen display with MP3, MP4, DVD, CD, and WMA compatibility. It also has USB, Micro HDMI, SD-Card, and Bluetooth connectivity with T-connect.
Currently, the base-level, three-door Yaris starts at $14,895 while the three-door LE is at $16,555. The five-door, on the other hand, starts at $15,995 while the five-door LE is priced at $16,930.
2017 Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Special Edition Unveiled
Since its introduction in 1966, the Toyota Corolla sold over 40 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling car in the world since 1997 when it surpassed the Beetle. In the US market, its popularity is only matched by the Ford F-Series.
When it was redesigned in 2013 as an eleventh generation, it sold again 300,000 units a year, pushing the brand to release a series of special editions and even a TRD-made concept. Now, for its 50th anniversary, Toyota came up with another special edition.
This US-exclusive sedan was dubbed the 50th Anniversary Special Edition, and would be based on the Corolla SE. It will feature a lot of customization, with both the exterior and interior tweaked for a sportier look. There will only be 8,000 units manufactured, making this even rarer than it already seems to be.
According to Toyota, the new special edition model will include the following features: 17” alloy wheels with dark gray inserts and machine finish, 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Entune Audio Plus with connected navigation, color 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display, smart key system with push button start and complex-LED headlamps.
Inside, it would also have black mixed media seats with Black Cherry contrast stitching, black interior with Black Cherry contrast stitching on steering wheel, shift boot and center armrest, Black Cherry accented dash panel and door trim, 50th Anniversary Edition floor mats, 50th Anniversary Edition exterior badge, and available Moonroof.
The 50th Anniversary Edition will come in three colors—exclusive color Black Cherry, Classic Silver, Blizzard Pearl. It will begin being sold this fall.
Under the hood, this special edition will have the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine offered in the Corolla SE. It delivers 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque with the CVTi-S transmission.
Pricing has yet to be released, but expect it to cost more than the SE, which retails from $20,635.
Enter Toyota GT86, Goodbye Scion FR-S
Say hello to the new Toyota GT86, which looks quite like the car it will replace. Much can be said about how well loved the 86 is, especially because it won several awards since its conception.
According to Top Gear, there are mild updates in the GT86, the facelift of which coincided with the introduction of the Toyota 86 in the US. These are all ongoing amid the departing of the Scion FR-S.
If you’re looking for turbocharged cars, then this auto might not be the one for you as you will be left wanting for more torque and grip. That is, of course, if you’ve lived all your life with mighty fast vehicles since the GT86 has very decent speed as well.
There are upsides, though, for speed-loving car enthusiasts. The Toyota GT86 has a slick gearchange, and is agile as a light, simple rear-driven sports car. Also, it packs a decent 197 bhp, 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds with 140 mph top speed.
So, what are the changes? You can see all these changes on how aesthetically appealing the new GT86 is. It has new LED-equipped lights, more dramatic bumpers and air intakes, as well as new and flashier alloy wheels. Compared to the older version, the new 86 looks a bit more on the luxurious side. It looks more assertive than before too.
Inside, Toyota promises to provide “improved sensory quality, leather interiors, Alcantara, and a new sports steering wheel. That same wheel now comes with audio controls—a first for the 86. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the GT86’s interior yet to prove these features.
Toyota has yet to release the prices and full specifications for the new 86, but sources said it won’t go more than the £25,000 range for the entry level. Sales will supposedly begin by fall.
More information about the Toyota GT86, as well as the car itself, will be revealed during the New York Auto Show.
2017 Toyota Highlander Boasts a New V-6
The crossover segment is getting into a tough fight this year, and Toyota’s not letting their Highlander just go by without a bang. The new 2017 Highlander is expected to debut at the New York Auto Show on March 23, and will highlight some new mid-cycle updates Toyota has been boasting about.
The current Toyota Highlander has done very well in the segment. It has record gains in both 2014 and 2015 with 146,127 and 158,915 examples sold, respectively. With these upgrades, Toyota is expecting for a boost on this trend according to a report.
The new Highlander has a refreshed front grille, a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, LE and XLE trims on the hybrid, the sporty SE trim level, and a host of other safety features on the standard variant.
It will continue offering eight seats, a choice of a four-cylinder, hybrid, or V-6 powertrain, FWD or AWD, and other optional equipment. Those who are not a fan of the minivan can get the Highlander instead—Toyota’s premiere people hauler.
On the exterior, the new Highlander will change nothing from the 2016 version except for the front grille and a larger and more SUV-ish appearance. There are three new color options available—the Celestial Silver Metallic, the Toaster Walnut Pearl, and exclusive on the SE is the Salsa Red Pearl.
The SE, by the way, will also come with trim-exclusive, 19-inch alloy wheels, dark paint treatment on the front grille and roof rails, as well as smoked headlight lenses.
Inside, Toyota is offering a new brown leather color for the Limited Platinum trim. On the SE, the new black leather seats will come with silver inserts and stitching. The Highlander will still come with eight seats, thanks to second row seating. But on the Limited and Limited Platinum, the second row can turn into captain chairs.
The new Highlander will most likely have these features under the hood: 290 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing for the 2017 Highlander has yet to be announced, but expect it to start at roughly $30,990.
Here’s to Toyota Land Cruiser 2016 – Truly the Unmatched Machine
Who could ever complain about anything that Toyota has offered to us, so far? Really, think hard. Haven’t we all loved absolutely everything from the looks to performance. You name it and Toyota has presented a better version of our imagination almost all the time. So, if you really are a great fan of the trailblazing motor company, we have got news that is going to rock your world, for sure. No rumors, we have some solid news. All those who thought that the present model is some serious vehicle phenomenon, wait till you hear about the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser 2016. It has been said that it is going to turn all those quiet who ever thought that there weren’t going to be any more pieces that could match the current model.
When talking about the fans of Toyota Land Cruiser, well they do have a point. One can’t deny that. They certainly do have a point. It is actually quite understandable that a vehicle that has existed for almost six decades appears to be unmatched. And the six decades that have gone by were those that established its performance. These were the years of a formidable road presence and hence, winning of trust. However, wait till the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser 2016 makes an entrance, it is sure to change the perception that many people have and win their hearts eventually. Come on, it has got the town abuzz with all kinds of possibilities and that is why we love this one so much. So, imagine, there is no official confirmation in this regard but there are so many news stories floating around! One is bound to think that there has to be some potential in the one that is about to come up. It sure must be packed with some potential. While one portion of motor lovers is wondering if it will be a Land Cruiser, others are betting on it being more in the lines of Land Cruiser Prado. Who knows? And it is this ‘who knows’ part that we like the best, don’t we?
The scene, the experts believe, isn’t going to be the same every where in the world, even though the vehicle is extremely popular. What is being said is that the hybrid versions might be the rage right now, it doesn’t hold true for America. So, majority of American populations still would go with large capacity engines and not really prefer hybrid creations. This has certainly affected the excitement of many in the country. However, let us stay thrilled about the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser 2016! While the present model might be ruling the hearts as well as the roads, it is not going to really cast its shadow on the one that is coming up. It is going to be powered with 5.7 L V8 engine with specifications of 381 hp and 401 pound-feet of torque. We needn’t say any more beyond this. Let the beauty do the talk!