DEPTROIT Prius V for Versatility

Anyone who hsa driven the Toyota Prius knows that it is a powerful little car, it accelerates like a car with a 2.2 engine even though it is just a 1.8 lump under the bonnet, the reason? Electric assist.

Clearly the Prius could handle a bit more mass and Toyota clearly felt that customers would appreciate a bigger, more practical Prius so they came up with the V.



Looking a bit like a truncated Wish MPV from some angles, the Prius V is a decent looking family transport

The Prius V is five inches longer and one inch wider than the original but thanks to lightweight solutions and a slippery shape that carves a drag coefficient of only 0.29Cd the Prius still gets impressive fuel economy.

The Prius V will be available to market middle of this year

We have the full details of the car in the Toyota Press release below,

2012 PRIUS v PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS 


Powertrain 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i 
Engine horsepower: 98 hp @ 5,200 rpm 
Engine torque:105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm 
Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor 
Electric motor power output: 80 hp/153 lb-ft torque 
Hybrid system net horsepower: 134 hp 
Emission rating: SULEV/Tier 2 Bin 3 
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission 
Drive System:Front-wheel-drive 
Hybrid battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride 
Estimated fuel economy:42 mpg city/38 mpg hwy/ 40 mpg comb. 
Dimensions (inches) 
Overall Length: 181.7 
Overall Width: 69.9 
Overall Height: 62.0 
Wheelbase: 109.4 
Ground clearance: 5.7 
Coefficient of Drag: 0.29 
Wheels: 16-inch alloy wheels 17-inch alloy wheels (optional) 
Tire Size: 16-inch: 205/60R16 17-inch: 215/50R17 (optional) 
Seating Capacity: 5 
EPA class rating: Midsize Station Wagon




GALLERY

PRESS RELEASE

Prius v: "Versatility" for Young, Active Families

The new Prius v, with "v" expressing the vehicle's versatility, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA. It will share the current generation Prius' platform and Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Featuring a compact exterior yet spacious interior, the Prius v will feature over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius.

With a balance between outstanding spaciousness, refined style, and smooth aerodynamics, Prius v has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which does not inhibit the vehicle's convenient packaging. It is a new vehicle designed from the ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an elongated version.

The exterior styling is sleek, rounded and bold, with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. The trapezoidal-shaped front features sharp-edged headlamps, wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics and an enlarged under grille, which all help create a unique design evolving from the current Prius. Prius v's rear styling is highlighted by a refined backdoor panel, intricate combination taillights and a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.

Inside, the Prius v emphasizes overall proportion with spaciousness and flexibility for active families. Comfortable interior space and good visibility has been assisted by a high seating position, ample head room, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing generous rear legroom. A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market and better than some compact SUVs.

Comfortable seating for five is specifically designed for young families. Sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater comfort. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four different seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely long cargo.

Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and excellent heat insulation performance.

Up front, instrument-panel controls, including a single-dial air-conditioning control and a center-mounted digital combination meter, provide an advanced look and user-friendly command. The driving controls – including the Push Button Start, parking switch, electronic shift lever, and driving mode selection – are distinguished by silver trim.

Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined, the best fuel economy ratings of any SUV, crossover, or wagon on the market. It will also emit 66-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle.

Like the current generation Prius, the Prius v is a showcase of technology that will include many of the same standard features. Four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV) satisfy a variety of road conditions and driver preferences. A Smart Key System with Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Advanced Parking Guidance System.

For a high level of safety, there are seven airbags, a high-strength cabin and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact beams, cross members and leg absorption pads. New driver and front-passenger seat design helps lessen possible whiplash injury during a collision.

Like all Toyota models, the Prius v will feature Toyota's Star Safety System™ standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

Prius v will be one of the first Toyotas with the Entune™ multimedia system. For the first time ever in an automobile, this innovative new system leverages the mobile phone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated and wireless upgradeable navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune debuts the first-ever support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports.

Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iheartradio's 750+ stations, Pandora's personalized music, the driver's personal songs from portable media players and iPods (via USB or Bluetooth audio streaming), and more than 170 stations from XM satellite radio.

Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road, Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands and helps reduce driver distraction.

Entune will also allow for audio read-back and replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set "Quick Reply Messages."

Prius v will combine Entune with a standard Display Audio system rich with dynamic entertainment and communication features. The system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase; XM radio, weather, sports, stocks and local fuel pricing; Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio; and full iPod integration including music and video.

A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius' heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius v will go on sale in late summer 2011.

DETROIT: Prius C - for Compact

The birth of the Prius variations marks the definite advance of hybrid technology into our everyday motoring lives.

Toyota showed off two new variants of the Prius, a smaller more sporty C and bigger more versatile V



Toyota is aiming the C at the value market, which is basically means they are going after the Honda Insight which is fighting at a price range below the Prius. With the smaller size, Toyota is also promising more efficiency and range and aims to set the benchmark in the class for non plug-in hybrid.

The styling is of the Prius C concept is still too adventurous for production but we can never tell these days, it may just make to the showroom looking exactly like it does right now.

The C is a five-door hatchback and when it makes it to the market in the first half of 2012, expect Japan to be the main market and with that in mind the styling you see here is perfect. No toning down needed.


GALLERY

PRESS RELEASE


Prius c Concept: Small "city"-centric Hybrid Vehicle

While the current Prius has ushered hybrid technology into the mainstream, and the Prius v will provide the additional room and versatility for active families, compact shoppers are interested in a smaller hybrid at an entry price point and with superior fuel economy. The Prius c Concept, with c representing a "city"-centric vehicle, will appeal to young singles and couples who want an eco-sensitive, high-mileage, fun-to-drive Prius.

This dynamic vehicle with urban appeal will pursue outstanding fuel efficiency in a compact package, while also providing a surprisingly spacious interior. It will include many advanced technology features, including some offered on the current Prius.

Prius c Concept is the inspiration for an additional Prius family member that will come to market in the first half of 2012 as the most value-oriented hybrid in the U.S. market with the highest mileage of any "cordless" hybrid.

Toyota whistleblower to pay company USD2.6 million

Toyota's former legal beagle Dimitros P Biller will have to pay his former employer USD2.6 million for his role in exposing the company to lawsuits and legal action as a result of his leaks about recalls and other related issues.

Toyota took a lot of flak last year from US authorities for apparently trying to solvet technical problems with their cars quietly. Press Statement and full story after the jump



Lawsuits are still flying and the Japanese giant is facing action from seven US insurance companies over the accidental acceleration case.

The Japanese company has had to pay out millions in damages and suffered dents in its previously faultless reputation.
The amount that their former lawyer has to pay is peanuts but it should serve as a reminder to other lawyers that they should treat client confidentiality with more care



PRESS STATEMENT





Toyota’s Statement on Arbitrator’s Orders and Final Award in Dimitrios Biller Matter


January 5, 2011 – Toyota released the following statement today from Christopher P. Reynolds, Group Vice President and General Counsel, Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. (TMS), in response to the final award and orders issued by the Arbitrator in the disputes between Toyota and its former in-house attorney, Dimitrios P. Biller.


“Toyota takes its legal obligations very seriously and works hard to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards.  We are gratified that the credibility of Toyota’s legal organization and the integrity of our legal professionals have been validated. We believe that the Arbitrator’s award clearly vindicates Toyota’s position and reaffirms the critical importance of attorney-client privilege as a cornerstone of our legal system.  


Throughout this process, Mr. Biller has continuously made misleading and inaccurate allegations about Toyota’s conduct, and we feel this award is an appropriate consequence of his actions and completely discredits his meritless attacks on our company and our people.”


Additional Information on Award and Orders


As Toyota has stated throughout this matter, the Company respects the confidentiality of the private arbitration proceeding.  It is only with the Arbitrator’s express permission that Toyota is publicly disclosing and commenting on the Final Award and related orders.  This permission was granted, as the Arbitrator states, in light of “unauthorized public disclosures” of the proceedings that have occurred with regularity and that “appear to have been one sided, with prejudice to Toyota.”


In the Final Award, the Arbitrator found in Toyota’s favor on all of its claims against Mr. Biller and ruled against Mr. Biller on his remaining claims, assessing significant damages, including punitive damages, against Mr. Biller and entering a permanent injunction against Mr. Biller to prohibit future misconduct.  Highlights of the Arbitrator’s award and orders include the following:


The Arbitrator granted Toyota’s motion for summary judgment dismissing Mr. Biller’s RICO claims and ruled against Mr. Biller on his claims of defamation and fraud and/or false promises.  The Arbitrator also ruled in favor of the specific Toyota legal professionals whom Mr. Biller sued, finding “no evidentiary basis for [Mr. Biller] having joined these individuals as parties.”


The Arbitrator found Mr. Biller liable for breach of contract, conversion and statutory unauthorized computer access.  Specifically, the Arbitrator said the “evidence showed multiple instances of unauthorized disclosure,” of the company’s confidential information, citing Mr. Biller’s website, his public seminars, his discussions with the media and his decision to send “thousands of documents” to a Texas court “without a request, subpoena or legal compulsion.”  He also noted the harm suffered by Toyota in these disclosures “is real and it is extensive.”


Noting that “Toyota has conservatively claimed damages for selected disclosures,” the Arbitrator awarded $2.5 million, upholding the liquidated damages provision of $250,000 for each of 10 unauthorized disclosures.


The Arbitrator also concluded there was “clear and convincing evidence of entitlement to punitive damages” and awarded $100,000, the amount he described as “conservatively” suggested by Toyota.


The Arbitrator also entered a permanent injunction instructing Mr. Biller to return the Toyota confidential documents that he took from the company and prohibiting Mr. Biller from making future wrongful disclosures of confidential Toyota information.

Toyota shows off in-car broadband service at CES

Ford has Sync, GM has OnStar, now Toyota is going to launch Entune, an application that will allow Toyota owners to stay connected even when they are on the road.

You can buy movie tickets, make restaurant reservations, find out which shopping mall has the best sale offer while you wait in the traffic jam

Video of Entune after the jump. You can also read the full Press release below

Making the car connected, leaves out the need to mes about with our phones but will it mean less or more distracted driving?

One thing for sure, our world is becoming more cocooned as it becomes more connected.





PRES RELEASE

Toyota Announces Entune Multimedia System at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show

• Toyota Offers the Largest Number of Mobile Apps with Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com, and Pandora
• Entune Boasts Industry-Leading Advanced Conversational Voice Recognition
• Toyota Entune Is Compatible with Most

LAS VEGAS, January 4, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. today unveiled the Toyota Entune™ multimedia system at the Consumer Electronics Show. Toyota Entune leverages the customer’s mobile phone to create a rich in-vehicle experience that offers fully integrated and upgradeable entertainment, navigation, and information services. By utilizing conversational voice recognition and in-vehicle controls, the driver doesn’t have to touch their mobile phone, allowing for safer connectivity. Toyota Entune simplifies the interaction for customers and will be available in select vehicles this year.

After downloading the Toyota Entune mobile application and pairing a Bluetooth capable phone with their Toyota vehicle, customers can begin accessing a wide variety of personalized content and services. Toyota Entune is wirelessly upgradeable, so in-vehicle applications are never obsolete. Ensuring that nearly all customers can take advantage of this new technology, Toyota Entune is compatible with a wide variety of mobile phones with a data plan. Toyota Entune key features include:

• Mobile Apps – Toyota Entune debuts Bing, keeping navigation continuously up to date with more than 16 million points of interest; OpenTable, make a reservation at one of 15,000 restaurants; and MovieTickets.com, buy movie tickets and read reviews. All destinations can be seamlessly sent to the navigation system. Making drivers’ lives even easier, Toyota Entune delivers customizable real time traffic, fuel prices, weather, stocks and sports.
• Music – Toyota Entune brings you more music in more ways with iheartradio’s 750+ hometown stations; personalized stations with Pandora; XM satellite radio 170+ channels with coast-to-coast coverage; and introducing HD Radio, digital broadcasts of your favorite terrestrial music. Toyota Entune also offers USB connectivity for portable media players and traditional terrestrial radio.
• Voice Recognition – Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system, Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands. The intuitive interface allows the driver to focus more on the road ahead.

“Toyota has always been a leader in the automotive industry, so it makes sense it would bring the latest in mobile technology to the car,” said Chris Daniels, general manager of Bing for Mobile, Microsoft Corp. “By bringing Bing Maps and Bing for Mobile technology to the car, we are helping Toyota enhance the overall in-vehicle experience to be as rich and robust as possible, which means personalizing the information to each driver’s needs.”

Safety Connect
Toyota Entune continues to build on the excellent foundation laid by Safety Connect, bringing peace of mind to drivers with an added layer of more personalized and convenience-oriented features. Safety Connect is the cornerstone of Toyota’s telematics systems providing Automatic Collision notification, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Roadside Assistance on select Toyota models. Safety Connect combined with Toyota Entune offers comprehensive safety services and mobile applications not found in any other vehicle make.

Product Availability
Toyota Entune will be available as an option on select models this year. The featured apps of Toyota Entune include: Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable.com, and Pandora, as well as location-based services, such as personalized traffic, fuel prices, stocks, weather, and sports. Toyota Entune also includes support for read-back and replay capabilities for text messages. These are combined with a fully featured entertainment and communication system, which includes XM radio, HD Radio, CD player, USB connectivity, Bluetooth streaming and phonebook. A high quality JBL sound system is available as an option as well.

Seven US insurance companies sue Toyota for accidental acceleration

The accidental acceleration fiasco is not over yet for Toyota, the company is being sued by seven insurance companies over the issue.


The insurers cites data that 725 crashes resulted due to sudden acceleration and that Toyota failed to equip the cars with an override system that would allow a car to go idle if the brakes and the gas were pressed together. The insurers are looking for $230,000 from 14 crashes throughout the United States.

The lawsuits allege that “certain of Toyota’s cars and trucks have a defect that causes sudden uncontrolled acceleration to speeds of up to 100 mph or more,” 

Toyota sends four Hilux to Antartica - conquers final continent

Reality copies Clarkson

We all know how much Jeremy Clarkson thinks that Toyotas are boring but he also thinks highly of the Hilux pickup truck, the most indestructible four-wheel vehicle in the world.

It seems that Toyota has bought into the idea and sent four specially kitted Hilux into the depths of Antartica, transporting member of the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR). Gallery and Toyota's Press Release below

Actually Toyota didn't send the Hilux, it was NCAOR who chose the vehicle, presumably after watching Clarkson and gang try to break it, unsuccessfully.

The Hilux were prepared by ArcticTruc, specialists in cold weather modding and according to Toyota the Hilux were actually faster than any equivalent antarctic vehicle and used less fuel, well I guess we will now see the Hilux littering Antartica... the only continent it has yet to conquer


They should have brought the Top Gear camera crew with them and let Clarkson, May and Richard Hammon mess it up in a funny and entertaining way.

Press release after the gallery

GALLERY

PRESS RELEASE

- Four Hilux travel over 4,600 km across Antarctica with temperature down to minus 56°C and altitude of 3,400 m.
- Lower fuel consumption and higher average speed than any equivalent Antarctic vehicle.
- Adapted by Icelandic 4X4 conversion specialists Arctic Trucks to tackle the extreme terrain and condition.
- 3.0-litre D-4D diesel unchanged for the expedition, demonstrating legendary Hilux Quality, Durability and Reliability.

The unstoppable Toyota Hilux is already renowned for its capacity to overcome any extreme challenge, from driving to the North Pole to conquering the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Now, the Hilux has successfully completed yet another extraordinary journey, travelling across the coldest, most hostile environment in the world, Antarctica, to reach the South Pole.

Between 10th November and 5th December 2010, four Hilux transported expedition members of the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) -studying snow chemistry, the glacial landscapes and the bedrock hidden beneath the ice- on a 4,600 km round trip from Novo Air Base, to the South Pole, and safely back.

The four Hilux vehicles were produced at Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), the main volume supply base for the European market, and were adapted by Icelandic Toyota 4x4 conversion specialists, Arctic Trucks, for the month-long expedition. Arctic Trucks has long ranked the Hilux its first choice amongst equivalent vehicles thanks to its proven, 40 year record of Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR) under even the most extreme driving conditions.

Faced with extreme weather, average temperatures of below -40oC and peaks of -56oC, altitudes of over 3,400 m and the most brutal driving environment imaginable, NCAOR selected the Hilux for this remarkable expedition as it combines several exceptional attributes essential to survival on the world's harshest continent.

Firstly, given the extreme conditions, it has proven very low comparable fuel consumption of 50 l/100 km. Even with the use of less energy-efficient Jet 1A fuel, the vehicle engine running 24/7 and running extra heating system constantly on, this figure is 5 to 8 times lower than that achieved by tracked vehicles. This significantly reduces both transported fuel loads and fuel costs (one barrel of oil in Antarctica can cost $10,000). With this fuel efficiency, the expedition could rely on only one refueling point, established some 1,500 km from the journey starting point - Maitri Antarctica station.

Secondly, the Hilux has a uniquely high load carrying capacity. It combines a low unladen weight of just 2.2 tons with a payload capacity of 1.5 tons and a towing capacity of 3 tons – an essential attribute when carrying the expedition equipment, spare parts and participants, as well as 1,280 liters of fuel per vehicle.

Thirdly, this expedition maintained a faster average speed than any comparable expedition had previously attained.

Although the four vehicles required a degree of adaptation to tackle Antarctica's uniquely extreme driving conditions, it is testament to the Hilux's legendary Quality, Durability and Reliability that its 3.0 D-4D diesel engine remained entirely unchanged for the expedition.

Necessary modifications made by Arctic trucks included the integration of a crane to lift heavy equipment and fuel, the use of Jet 1A fuel with additional lubricants to tackle the extreme cold, revised front/rear suspension and drivetrain, extra heating system, crawler gears, crevasse protection and the fitment of extra large tires with a pressure as low as 2 psi (regular Hilux tyres have a pressure of 2.9 psi).

Sold in over 160 countries and global leader in the pick-up segment, the Hilux performed throughout its latest, gruelling challenge. Making the NCAOR expedition possible through its unique combination of fuel efficiency, speed, load capacity and reliability, the Hilux has once again pushed back the boundaries of extreme endurance driving.

Toyota FT86 logo is a boxer engine?

Trademark filing shows that boxer engine was logo inspiration

Actually the FT86 logo would also make a very cool belt buckle.

The boxer engine motif on the logo indicates a deep collaboration between Toyota Motor Corporation and new acquisition Subaru, the master of modern boxer engines.

A boxer engine under the bonnet would mean that the new rear wheel drive hot coupe/hatch would have frenetic pace and soundtrack.

Turbocharging the boxer and fiddling with the suspension would make this an instant drift legend.

who says Toyota is without soul?

Toyota owners hunt for green treasures

Top Econauts getting ready for the hunt

Tribe Toyota, a community of Toyota owners managed by UMW Toyota Motor went on its annual treasure recently, this year they used the environment as the theme for their treasures.

They also added a twist to the hunt,  this year it started with an online immerse story-driven game where the players act upon clues by solving puzzles that lead to a goal - the capture of the notorious eco-villain named X. 

The online game was a month long virtual hunt ended in October . It attracted 1,359 players who are all Toyota owners.

Making bio mudballs 

The top 50 winners from the virtual hunt who qualified as an elite team of Econauts were taken to task on their mission to save the environment. 

To celebrate the winners, Tribe Toyota has organized a high tea and a prize presentation ceremony at the Mines Wellness Hotel, which is an Eco-friendly hotel last November.