New Toyota Yaris Wears a Sport Kit for its Australian Debut at the Melbourne Motor Show

After its world premiere in Japan last December as the Vitz, Toyota is gradually introducing the new generation of the Yaris in other markets around the world. Now, with the European version out of the way, it’s time for the Yaris to make its first appearance in Melbourne at this week’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS). Revealed in show car form, the Yaris is fitted with a TRD-like sports kit comprising of a honeycomb grille, a restyled front bumper with larger openings and a chrome trim around the lower grille, side skirts, chunky alloy wheels and a new rear bumper with a diffuser plus a roof spoiler.
In Australia, the new Yaris is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the final quarter of 2011.

PHOTO GALLERY

_______________________________________________________________________

VIDEO

Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Recalled Over Stalling Issues

A problem with the electronics of the hybrid system, which could cause certain Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs to lose power or stop running, is the reason behind the Japanese carmaker’s latest recall.

Toyota said about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years sold in the USA are affected by the voluntary recall.

According to the automaker, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid System Inverter contains a control board with transistors that may have been “inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving”.

Toyota said if the transistors are damaged, then the various warning lamps will illuminate on the instrument panel and in most cases, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe driving mode, resulting in reduced power in which the vehicle can still be driven for short distances. In some cases though the power supply circuit fuse could blow bringing the vehicle to complete stop.

The company noted that it does not have the necessary replacement parts readily available but is working on obtaining them. Toyota said it will notify owners once the replacement parts have been “produced in sufficient quantities”.

PHOTO GALLERY

Scion Introduces Updated 2012 tC and New tC RS 7.0

It’s only been eight months in the market but Scion has already announced a 2012 model year version of its latest tC sports coupe. Leaving aside the equipment upgrades for the basic model, the most important news for the 2012MY is the launch of the first release series for the second-generation tC sports coupe.

The new 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 or RS 7.0 for short, is available exclusively in a “High Voltage” yellow exterior finish with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. A sports package from TRD that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts plus a honeycomb lower front grille is also standard.

Interior goods include “High Voltage” yellow accents with black and yellow seat fabric, a leather wrapped steering wheel with yellow stitching and an individually numbered badge.

In a first for Scion, the tC RS 7.0 features the so-called Smart Key, which includes a keyless entry system that unlocks the doors with a touch of the door handle and a red TRD push-button start.

Toyota’s subsidiary said it will only build 2,200 units of the tC RS 7.0, which is priced at $20,905 and $21,905 when equipped with a manual and automatic transmission respectively, not including a $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

The changes to the basic 2012 tC are limited to a new standard Pioneer audio system featuring Bluetooth hands-free, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD Radio technology and an optional upgraded version enhanced with a 5.8-inch LCD touch-screen display, features iTunes tagging and Pandora internet radio connected through iPhone and six RCA outputs to add external amplifiers.

Pricing for the entry-level 2012 tC is set at $18,575 when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and $19,575 when ordered with a six-speed automatic (not including Scion’s $720 delivery, processing and handling fee).

Both the standard and the RS 7.0 Scion tCs are powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four delivering 180HP and 173 lb-ft of peak torque.

PHOTO GALLERY

Eric Leong’s Radical 2015 Toyota Prius Design Study

As part of last year’s Toyota Design Internship, industrial designer Eric Leong produced this interesting take on the fourth-generation Toyota Prius for the year 2015.

By acknowledging that wind resistance is one of the key factors in improving vehicle economy, Leong’s Prius III hybrid is extremely slippery. Described by the designer as moving, “through [the wind], not into it”, this design study channels air over its surface through a series of vanes.

And there are some nice little design touches as well such as the wraparound glasshouse, one-piece windscreen and roof and the transparent wing mirror arms / turn indicators.

There’s something about this design study; it reminds me of ItalDesign’s concepts of the 1980s and 1990s. You can check out our gallery of images below or leave a comment if you wish.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Eric Leong

PHOTO GALLERY

Toyota Avensis Tourer to be exported from UK to Japan

Toyota plans to add another country to the 47 that it already exports the Avensis, which is built exclusively at its UK factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire: its own home market, Japan. The company said demand for European styling and engineering from Japanese customers prompted its decision to bring the mid-size model.

The version that will be exported to Japan is the station wagon, named Tourer, powered by a 2.0-litre engine combined with a Multidrive S CVT transmission. Exports of the Avensis Tourer will commence in July, at a rate of 750 cars per month.

Toyota, which has invested over 1.85 million pounds since 1992, already exports 85% of the cars and engines manufactured in the UK, but the selection of Japan has been quite special for its UK division.

Toyota UK Managing Director, Katsunori Kojima, said: “We are very proud that the Avensis has been selected for export to Japan. This is yet another vote of confidence for the factory and the quality of our products”.

A sentiment echoed, naturally, by the British government, with Business Secretary Vince Cable commenting that this is “a tribute to the skills of the workforce, the efficiency of the plant and the quality of its products”.

PHOTO GALLERY

Pontiac Solstice gets an Engine Transplant from a Toyota Supra

In the world of engine swaps, anything goes but it’s always nice to see people experimenting with different kind of builds. For Car Lounge forum member ‘Phlow’, the patient was a Pontiac Solstice roadster with a weak heart - or so to say.

While most physicians would prescribe a local LS V8 transplant, this doctor went for something more exotic, to be precise a 2JZ, which is a code name for the Toyota Supra’s twin-turbocharged inline-six.

Phlow explains the reasoning behind his decision to choose the Supra powerplant in one his posts:

“[The] Reason for the swap is that the Solstice Aisin AR5 transmission bolts right up to the 2JZ via a 1jz bellhousing. It's basically an updated Aisin r154 they shoved into supra's. Also, the motor mounts up to the LNF motor mount's, which was really weird, and it sits in just the right place. Moreover, LS' have been done, I'm pretty positive this is the first JZ swap into a Kappa platform to my knowledge in the world.

The Supra-powered Pontiac Solstice project is still in the works, but we’ll keep you posted for any updates.

Source: The Car Lounge / Phlow

PHOTO GALLERY