Chicago Auto Show: Toyota Corolla, Meet Dave [Chicago Auto Show]
(Via Jalopnik.)
Chicago 2008: Toyota 4Runner Urban Runner not really for Urbania
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Toyota 4Runner Urban Runner
The word 'urban' seems to be taking on more meanings every day. In its latest use, Toyota has applied it to a truck kitted out for something more like the Amazon rather than 'urban' civilization. Starting with a Sport Edition 4Runner, the Urban Edition gets a new audio system, a Tom Tom GPS system, Alcantara seats, and some nicely finished side steps and roof rails in black. If you have some dosh left over, you can add the Urban Edition value pack that throws in a double-decker cargo system and net, a moonroof, HomeLink, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Underneath, the SUV rides on an X-REAS sport enhancement suspension that's meant to improve on-road handling and performance, hence the 'Urban Runner' moniker, though all of Toyota's official images show the SUV trudging through the snow. Check out the press release after the jump, and the gallery of hi-res images below.
Gallery: 2008 Toyota 4Runner with Urban Runner package
Continue reading Chicago 2008: Toyota 4Runner Urban Runner not really for Urbania
(Via Autoblog.)
Chicago 2008: North American Debut of the Toyota 1/x
Click the 1/x for a high-res gallery
The Toyota 1/x (pronounced 1/xth) concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall is making its North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show today. The super lightweight hybrid tips the scales at a mere 926 lbs thanks to a minimalist design and extensive use of carbon fiber. The 500cc flex fuel engine is part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that weighs only one quarter of the equivalent system in a Prius. The interior has similar interior volume to the Prius while the battery is of the lithium ion variety. One interesting benefit of the of the flyweight design is that it doesn't require much rubber on the road. That allows for reduced aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and water splash in the rain.
Gallery: Chicago 2008: Toyota 1/x concept
(Via AutoblogGreen.)
New 7-seater Toyota Rush SUV launched!
The new Toyota Rush has been launched in Malaysia and UMW Toyota showrooms will start taking bookings from today onwards. Read more about the new 7-seater fully imported 4X2 Toyota Rush 1.5 liter SUV after the jump.
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The new Rush is a 7-seater monocoque SUV based on an adapted Toyota Avanza platform, and is powered by a 1.5 liter VVT-i engine called the 3SZ-VE, installed longtitudinally in the Rush’s engine bay. It drives the two rear wheels. The 3SZ-VE produces 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.
Three variants of the new Toyota Rush are available - the manual 1.5G, the automatic 1.5G and the automatic top of the line 1.5S, which is only available in automatic. The manual variant has the 3SZ-VE paired with a 5-speed manual, while the automatic version has a 4-speed auto with a gated shift. The drivetrain is 2WD, which is lighter and offers better fuel economy.
The Toyota Rush is 4,410mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,745mm tall including the roof rails. Its wheelbase is 2,685mm long. Track is 1,445mm at the front and 1,460mm at the rear. The manual variant weighs 1,210kg while the automatic is 10kg heavier. The suspension is a MacPherson strut setup with stabilizer bar at the front, and a 4-link live axle at the rear, fitted iwth a lateral rod to maintain axle stability during fast cornering. Front brakes are solid discs while the rear brakes use drums. Turning radius is 5.2 meters, which is better than average for a SUV of this wheelbase. The Toyota Rush has an approach angle of 38.5 degrees and a departure angle of 24.5 degrees.
The Toyota Rush has an interior done up in beige with fabric seats. Cabin length is 2,440mm and cabin width is 1,385mm. There are 3 rows of seats in a 2-3-2 arrangment, and the second row has a 60mm fore-aft slid adjustment with a backrest reclining function. The Rush has second row air conditioning vents mounted on the ceiling, which also serves to cool the third row. The third row takes up most of the car’s boot space, but if you require this boot space you can fold it forwards against the back of the second row. Access to the third row is easy via the double-action folding second row seats, but the low-ish ceiling because of the high-ish floor will make it hard for people with back problems to get into the third row, so be sure to let granny sit in either the front or second row! Access to the boot space is via a side-hinged door which also has the spare tyre mounted on it.
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On to equipment levels - the in-car entertainment is a single disc MP3-capable head unit that sends tunes to 6 speakers (4 speakers plus 2 tweeters). The emergency kit includes a jumper cable, first aid kit and a safety triangle. The boot comes with a luggage net. The wing mirrors have turn indicators integrated into them. The Toyota Rush rides on 16 inch alloy wheels wrapped with 215/65R16 tyres. The driver’s seat has height adjustment.
Storage areas are also aplenty - a glovebox, a little coin box, front center storage below the air conditioning controls for your mobile phone and etc, the center console box inside the arm rest, a sunglasses holder, door trim pockets on all doors, seat back pockets, and also third row storage on each side of the car.
The 1.5S has a few extra equipment options over the 1.5G - these include a 2-DIN head unit that also supports cassette other than a CD instead of a 1-DIN unit, projector headlamps instead of reflector lense headlamps, foglamps, an LED-powered high mount stop lamp instead of a bulb-powered one, a rear spoiler, power retractable door mirrors, leather wrapping on the gear shift and steering wheel, dual SRS front airbags (1.5G only has a driver airbag) and strangely - anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution. Yup, ABS and EBD are not standard on the Toyota Rush as the 1.5G manual and auto models do not have these safety options.
Warranty for the new Toyota Rush is for 3 years or 100,000km, and the Rush is a CBU import from Indonesia. The following is the price list for Peninsular Malaysia, OTR with insurance:
Toyota Rush 1.5G M/T - RM85,888
Toyota Rush 1.5G A/T - RM88,888
Toyota Rush 1.5S A/T - RM94,888
It comes in four colours - Blue Metallic (the signature colour), Silver Mica Metallic, Champagne Mica Metallic and Black Mica. Kinda looks like the love child of a Toyota RAV4 and a Toyota Fortuner… looks really attractive but the smallish engine and the lack of ABS across the range is kinda disappointing.
Third row seating
Projector headlamps for the 1.5S - Click to enlarge
Reflector headlamps for the 1.5G - Click to enlarge
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(Via Paul Tan's Raves and Rants on the Automotive Industry.)
Toyota Land Cruiser V8 launched in the UK
The new 8th generation Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has replaced its predecessor the Land Cruiser Amazon in the UK market. It continues the Land Cruiser’s trademark body on frame construction, which Toyota says tackles tough terrain better.
The new Land Cruiser V8 is powered by a new 4.5 liter D-4D common rail turbodiesel V8 engine. It produces 282 horsepower and 650Nm from a low 1,600rpm. It is engineered to work in temperatures from -30 to 50 degrees Celcius. It channels power through a 6-speed automatic gearbox with manual sequential gear selection and a set of low ratios. New to the Land Cruiser is the world’s first four-wheel Active Height Control and Adaptive Variable Suspension (4-Wheel AHC & AVS), a fully adjustable system that also provides spring rate control. It enhances wheel articulation to a point that the Land Cruiser is able to crawl over steps with a 630mm height difference without lifting a wheel off the ground! The Land Cruiser is also able to switch from H4 to the L4 set of low ratios without stopping - at up to speeds of 4.8 km/h.
The interior seats 7, and occupants are protected by 14 airbags including front knee airbags and curtain shield airbags along the entire length of the cabin. Creature comforts include four-zone climate control air conditioning, full-map satellite navigation, Bluetooth, rear parking monitor, nine-speaker sound system with six-DVD autochanger and leather upholstery. The ICE may be upgraded to an optional JBL audio system with iPod integration and rear LCD screens for watching DVDs.
More photos after the jump.
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(Via Paul Tan's Raves and Rants on the Automotive Industry.)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring
Click image for the Autoblog review of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring
The Toyota Prius is the poster child for an entire subculture of the green movement. Its fuel-stingy nature and negligible emissions have made it an icon. The media is on board with the hero worship, and the public has guzzled the Kool Aid. To many, it is not just any hybrid, it is THE hybrid. It's practically touted as one of the cures to Earth's supposed problems, its bubblicious roof able to prevent the very sky from falling. It's a miracle. It's a fashion statement. It's holier than thou. My position on all the Prius hype? It's beyond ridiculous, and I have always taken it out on the car with snide remarks and a dismissive attitude. Of course, I had never actually driven a Prius before doing any of this this, which is the very definition of asinine. So I had Toyota lend me one for a week. Would my time spent attacking the daily slog with the Prius validate my knee-jerk dislike of the car, or would I be forced to acquire a taste for crow? Read my evaluation over at Autoblog (UPDATED: the link has been fixed) to find out.
(Via AutoblogGreen.)
