Category: Toyota

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News Toyota

Toyota Australia sounds ominous warning

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota has issued an official response to news Holden will stop making cars in Australia by the end of 2017. And it’s not going to fill the local manufacturing industry with much confidence.

Toyota Australia responds to GM Holden announcement

We are saddened to learn of GM Holden’s decision.

This will place unprecedented pressure on the local supplier network and our ability to build cars in Australia.

We will now work with our suppliers, key stakeholders and the government to determine our next steps and whether we can continue operating as the sole vehicle manufacturer in Australia.

We will continue with our transformation journey as planned.

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MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Episode 2 of Project Binky

Project Binky

Bad Obesession Motorsport is back with Episode 2 of its Project Binky experiment, where the aim is to fit a Celica GT4 drivetrain into the shell of an Austin Mini.

Actually this episode was first published a few weeks ago and we just remembered to check on progress. And the good news is that means we’re already much closer to the next update.

If you need to catch up we recommend you go back and watch Episode 1, where the team ends with the revelation that the Mini’s front-end doesn’t fit around the Celica’s engine. Who’d a thunk it! So, in this episode you’ll get to see how project leader, Nik Blackhurst, goes about getting his own way.

These guys deserve a much wider audience, so we reckon it would be a good thing for you to spread the word.

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Toyota

VIDEO: How to build a Toyota 86

Toyota 86

Toyota has produced this slick video showing its 86 sportscar come to life. It’s been online for a bit over a month and deserves more views than it currently has, so we’re doing our bit to help out the little Toybaru.

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Ford Holden News Toyota

The elephant in the assembly hall

Holden VF Calais

The future of Australia’s automotive manufacturing sector has been in the news quite a bit lately. The decision by Ford to cease local manufacturing in 2016 has certainly helped. But increased scrutiny has also brought government assistance to the automotive sector into the spotlight.

In the face of declining sales the public is asking why the government is spending so much to support local manufacturing if the multinational companies making merry with our taxpayer’s loot are just going to leave anyway.

So the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries is here to put things right. They’ve commissioned a report to investigate what would happen to the local economy if Holden and Toyota were to follow Ford’s lead and close down their factories by 2018.

The magic number produced by the FCAI report is $21.5 billion. Apparently that’s the size of the hole our economy would find itself dealing with if cars were no longer made in Australia.

As it currently stands Australians contribute $18 each on a per capita basis to come up with the $500 million passed on to the automotive sector. According to the FCAI report that investment gives a return of $934 per person, bringing us back to the impressive $21.5 billion figure.

That’s a pretty good return on investment, don’t you think.

You can download the FCAI report here (1.8mb PDF), all 86 pages of it. Yet in the whole report just two thirds of a page is set aside to discuss the demand for the motor vehicles made in Australia.

It’s true a potential $21.5 billion hit to our economy is no laughing matter, but unless the FCAI can come up with some buyers, you know, actual people who want to buy our locally made cars in sufficient numbers, then isn’t the end inevitable?

[Pic: GM Corp]

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Toyota

Toyota planning 86 sedan debut for Geneva

Toyota 86 sedan rendering

Toyota may have pulled the distributor cap off the 86 convertible but the latest rumour is they’ll have an 86 four-door saloon ready in time for the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next March.

Riding on a wheelbase 100mm longer than the Toybaru sports car it’s expected the styling of the 86 sedan will set it apart from the 86 coupé. The front-end should come in for the heaviest treatment with a katana-inspired grille.

It’s likely the saloon will keep the Subaru-sourced 147kW 2.0 litre four cylinder boxer engine, but higher-end models may be complemented by a hybrid system taking combined power to around 200kW.

[Source: TopSpeed | Rending: Theophilus Chin | Thanks to Scott for the tip]

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Toyota

Toyota goes cold on 86 Convertible

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept

Word is Toyota has shelved plans to put the FT-86 Open Concept into production. Officially, Toyota hasn’t put a comment on record, but reports suggest we won’t be seeing a chopped 86 anytime soon.

Supposedly Toyota’s product plans for 2014 and 2015 have no slot for the topless Toybaru. Although due to the fact engineering work on the production model had progressed since the concept was first shown in March it shouldn’t take too much for Toyota to get things back on track if they decide officially wreck the back to basics sports car.

[Source: What Car]

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Toyota

Toyota is the world’s most valuable automotive brand

Interbrand Best Brands report: Toyota

According to the 14th Annual Best Global Brands Report, issued by Interbrand, Toyota is the world’s most valuable automotive brand.

The report states Toyota’s brand worth climbed 17% over the last year, to a value of US$35,346 million. The Japanese automotive giant sits 10th on the global list of 100, and has German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW hot on its heels in 11th and 12th place respectively.

A total of 13 car companies are rated in the top 100. Interbrand states: “The auto industry has been on a steady path to recovery after experiencing production setbacks due to two natural disasters, both of which led to severe shortages of vehicles and parts. Nonetheless, US car sales jumped by more than 13 percent in 2012, the fastest growth rate in more than two decades.

“For the second consecutive year, Toyota is the top ranking brand within the automotive sector. The Japanese automaker, a fuel economy leader, also topped Interbrand’s 2013 Best Global Green Brands ranking and continues to demonstrate strength in driving customers to dealerships. While Toyota suffered a number of setbacks this year (including a boycott in China and its largest single recall ever), it quickly recovered and went on to reclaim its global sales leadership position—a testament to the automaker’s resilience, leadership position, and enduring appeal.”

The rankings make for some interesting reading. Do you think Volkswagen would like being ranked behind, well, Toyota firstly, but also Honda as well? For the record the company ranked first was Apple, knocking Coca-Cola from top spot for the first time since the report was first published in 2000.

To learn how Interbrand forms its rankings, read about the methodology used.

Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands 2013 by brand value (Automotive)

  • Toyota (10th, US$35,346m, +17%)
  • Mercedes-Benz (11th, US$31,904m, +6%)
  • BMW (12th, US$31,939m, +10%)
  • Honda (20th, US$18,490m, +7%)
  • Volkswagen (34th, US$11,120m, +20%)
  • Ford (42nd, US$9,181m, +15%)
  • Hyundai (43rd, US$9,004m, +20%)
  • Audi (51st, US$7,767m, +8%)
  • Porsche (64th, US$6,471m, +26%)
  • Nissan (65th, US$6,203m, +25%)
  • Kia (83rd, US$4,708m, +15%)
  • Chevrolet (89th, US$4,578m, new entry)
  • Ferrari (98th, US$4,013m, +6%)

[Source: Interbrand]

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MINI Toyota Video

VIDEO: Meet Project Binky

Project Binky

We’d like to introduce you to what we hope will become a YouTube sensation. Looking at the view count three weeks after this video was published it looks like there’s a way to go, but the ingredients are certainly there.

So what are those ingredients. We start with the crusty, rusty Austin Mini 1000 you see above and just out of picture is a slightly less crusty Toyota Celica GT4. Nik Blackhurst and Richard Brunning, from the appropriately named Bad Obsession Motorsport, have decided it might be a good idea to take the running gear from the Toyota and attempt to stuff it into the Mini.

The video you see after the break is the first episode in what we we expect will be a long, painful, but most of all, rewarding journey. From what we’ve seen so far it looks like Nik is the type of guy who doesn’t give up until he gets the result he wants.

This YouTube clip has elements of Wheeler Dealers, Beetle Crisis and An MG is Born, and is every bit as entertaining and educational. So tune in, and enjoy.

[Thanks to Richard for the tip]

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Toyota

New images of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Toyota has used the famous Spa-Francorchamps racetrack as a backdrop to bring us new images of the 309kW Yaris Hybrid-R concept. There’s 11 new images in all, available at a maximum size of 1800×1200 pixels.

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Toyota

How’d you like a 309kW Yaris Hybrid?

Toyota Yaris Hybrid R concept

Finally, a Toyota Yaris worth lusting after. This, the 309kW (414hp) Yaris Hybrid-R concept, is just what space conscious city commuters have been asking for. Quite why it’s taken Toyota so long to come to the party we’re not sure!

Toyota starts with a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine from TMG to drive the front whels, then whacks on a couple of 45kW electric motors at each rear wheel and there you have it, all that power and all-wheel drive to boot.

While they were stealing ideas from motorsport they’ve photocopied the plans for the supercapacitor on their TS030 LMP1 racer and rejigged it to suit the Yaris. Energy is harvested when braking and when the supercapacitor’s fully charged and you have it set to the saucy sounding race mode you can please yourself with an extra 88kW for up to five seconds. Enough to pass that pesky Porsche we suspect.

But there’s still more! To ensure the motors at the rear wheels can go about their business more efficiently there’s a third 45kW electric motor mounted  between the engine and the 6-speed sequential ‘box. It acts as a generator and helps feed power into the supercapacitor when braking, and if front wheel traction is lost when accelerating then this motor will help boost the power sent to the rear wheels, acting as kind of traction control system.

The rear engines can also help to feed the power to each wheel individually acting as a torque vectoring system. Which pretty much means you can go around corners faster. And who doesn’t want to do that!

We look forward to seeing more of this Yaris Hybrid-R concept when the Frankfurt Motor Show rolls around.

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BMW Toyota

BMW’s plans for the Z1, Z3 and Z5

BMW Z5 rendering

Noted BMW insider and well traveled forum user Scott26 has come to light with some info on Munich’s plans for two-seater sportscars. Scott’s info came in response to feedback from a Z4 owner lamenting the fact there’s been no V8 powered Z4 M on the cards; an E92 M3 in sportscar clothing:

Many within the company wishes for an M Z4 but unfortunately the market is small.

We will shortly be presenting our collaboration with Toyota for a new interpretation of a new highly focused sports car first as a concept. The production car will be called the Z5 which allows us to align a new UKL (FWD) based Z1 with equivalent MINI sports car along with a mid sized Z3 (the name is coming back) which again could be aligned with Toyota. Although for some markets Toyota might use Lexus branding.

The Z5 Roadster will feature exterior and interior design from BMW, as well as BMW engines. Toyota will supply optional hybrid technology and BMW will supply CFRP in its construction. A coupe will follow.

Sounds good to us. Of course, Scott was referring to the formal collaboration signed between BMW and Toyota in January, which stated in part:

The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

[Source: F30post]

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Toyota WEC

The ultimate endurance race

Toyota TS030 Hybrid

Toyota reflects on its second place at the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans in this six minute short film. The #8 TS030 Hybrid driven by Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Stéphane Sarrazin finished one lap behind the winning Audi crew and you sense that small taste of success has only enhanced Toyota’s thirst for victory.

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