Toyota
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One of the rumors that has been floating around for the past year or so was the Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) possibly getting a hybrid powertrain as a way of boosting power. "I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car. We [have] already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is a turbocharger, one is bigger displacement and [the other is a] special hybrid system," said Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of the FR-S last August. Well it seems that the hybrid powertrain is out. According to Autocar, Toyota is having a tough time trying to make a business case for a hybrid FR-S. "We can create…
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So, I have been having some discussions with people on the NIssan and Scion forums and wanted to know what you guys thought as well seeing as how there may be less confirmation bias here then on either of those forums. What do you think? Which is the better value? Which of the two if more fun to drive?
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There has been one request that Lexus dealers have been asking for the past few years. "Third-row seating is the No. 1 issue we hear from dealers. We feel like we're missing a 35,000-units-a-year opportunity. We're working hard to rectify that," said Lexus Division chief Jeff Bracken to Automotive News. "We could bring it to market in 2016 or 2017. If we can get it, that's the priority. We won't be bothered if it steps on RX. We want it." So how does Lexus plan on pulling this off? There appears to be two options on table. The first is making RX bigger. The current Toyota Highlander currently follows this idea with extending the body three inches to fit a third row. How…
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Lexus goes after BMW's 3-series It's a nimble little rear-wheel-drive four-door car with sophisticated engineering to protect you from yourself when you realize how easy it is to drive fast. Photos and Video at Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...MTGEHJ1JBT1.DTL Michael Taylor, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, May 26, 2006 The real question about the Lexus IS350 could be: Would the Toyota/Lexus design team that came up with this swoopy little, un-Lexus-like car take umbrage if we said this car resembles a BMW three-series sedan? Has Lexus been around long enough to have carved out a reputation as prestigious as the one BMW has garnered (or thought it's…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 7, 2013 Toyota has announced that the FJ Cruiser will be heading into the sunset after the 2014 model year. But before it does that, Toyota has introduced a special edition of the FJ Cruiser called the Ultimate Edition. The Ultimate Edition begins with a “Heritage Blue” paint job and white painted front grille surround as an homage to the iconic FJ40 Land Cruiser. Under the skin lies a number of parts from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) including an off-road suspension, Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, beefier front skid plate, and sixteen-inch simulated beadlock wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich off-road ti…
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This morning, we reported on the rumor that Toyota was planning to its North American headquarters from California to Texas. Well this afternoon, the company has made it official. In a statement, Toyota announced that it will be moving from Torrance, California to Plano, Texas. The move will take about three years and affect around 4,000 people. Those 4,000 people include, 2,000 from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Headquarters in Torrance, CA 1,000 from Toyota Financial Services in Torrance, CA 1,000 from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America in Erlanger, KY Some employees of Toyota Motor North America based in New York "With our major…
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Scion has been hamstrung for the past couple of years with an aging lineup. While new models such as the FR-S and updated tC have helped somewhat, Scion's sales have been declining. But the brand is planning to overhaul their lineup starting next year. Speaking on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show with Automotive News, Scion vice president Doug Murtha said the brand is planning to replace three of its five models starting next year. The first new model will be shown at the LA Auto Show. Murtha didn't give any details about what segment the new model would be in, but did hint at a possible direction. “From a segment context, Scion has always been about entry compac…
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Toyota is considering moving substantial parts of its U.S. headquarters from California to Texas. Bloomberg has learned from sources from the automaker that certain high-level employees were told of the move on Friday and that the company will make an announcement today. “It would be very consequential for Southern California. There might be some brain drain and tumult for employees, though it should be largely seamless to the consumer. This kind of thing can create some disruption of momentum,” said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelly Blue Book. Reasons for this move include putting Toyota USA's executives close by their manufacturing plants in San Antonio,…
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The hot thing in the automotive marketplace, especially in the luxury car segment is compact crossovers. At the moment, we have the BMW X1 and Buick Encore. Before too long, the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class will be making an appearance. Now another luxury automaker is joining the fun. Yesterday at the Beijing Motor Show, Lexus unveiled the production NX crossover. Compared to the concept NX that was making the rounds last year, the production model loses some of the sharpness. It hasn't loss any of the dramatics though. The design still features the spindle grille, narrow headlights with L-Shaped LED strand sitting underneath, and sculpting along the bottom of the…
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Back in August, we reported that Toyota was possibly considering dropping in a diesel for its full-size Tundra pickup. "The diesel engine is something that is on our evaluation list. Hybrid technology is something that is on our evaluation list. Either one of those alternatives could deliver some pretty good real world fuel economy,"said Rick LoFaso, Toyota's corporate manager for light trucks. "I think Cummins would bring instant name recognition and obviously they are a leader in diesel engine technology. That is not the first time we would have a tie up with somebody else." Well it seems Toyota has possibly made a decision and is turning to Cummins for help. Wards A…
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And then there were none. Toyota announced today at their Altona plant on the western outskirts of Melbourne that the company would end local production in 2017 and transition into a sales and distribution company. The move will affect 2,500 manufacturing jobs. "This is devastating news for all of our employees who have dedicated their lives to the company during the past 50 years,"said Toyota Australia President and CEO Max Yasuda. "While we have been undertaking the enormous task of transforming our business during the past two years, our people have joined us on the same journey, which makes it even more difficult to announce this decision. We did everything that we…
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Mark Rechtin Automotive News July 30, 2007 - 12:01 am LOS ANGELES -- Toyota's inexorable climb through the sales ranks has led to a popular belief that success in America was preordained for the Japanese automaker. Not so. There have been plenty of hiccups, nervous times and downright edgy situations during Toyota's 50 years in America. For instance, the launch of Lexus has become the stuff of legend. But did you know that there was a staunch cadre within Toyota that wanted to see Lexus perish before it was even born? That Toyota's American brass fought with Japan over building a real full-sized pickup with V-8 power more than 20 years ago? That dealers initia…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 12, 2013 Since Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new CLA-Class, many luxury automakers are joining in as a way to bring in younger buyers and drive up sales. One automaker you'll not see partaking in this display is Lexus. Group Vice President and General Manager of Lexus, Jeff Bracken tells Automotive News that the automaker will not build a competitor to the CLA. "We will not head down below $30,000. We have Toyota and Scion to handle that price level for us," said Bracken. Now Bracken does admit that the CLA is a huge success in the U.S. "They are off to a great start. They are really doing well, and it has…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 13, 2013 Motor Trend dug deep and found some interesting information on Lexus' upcoming coupe, the RC. The report says the new RC will have a similar design to the LF-CC concept shown at the Paris Motor Show and have a shorter wheelbase than the IS. As for powertrains, the RC will come with a 2.0L turbo-four, 2.5L hybrid, and 3.5L V6. Then there is the RC-F which is coming locked and loaded. To start, the RC-F will pack a 5.0L V8 with 455 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties. Other items to make the RC-F a mean machine includes carbon-fiber pane…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 5, 2013 Auto Express has learned that Lexus will unveil a new compact crossover at the Geneva Motor Show next March. This new model will be heavily influenced by the LF-NX concept shown at the Frankfurt and Toyko Motor Shows. The production version will likely be toned down, but expect the sharp lines to stay. Powertrains will include a hybrid that uses a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, and a new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Interesting thing about these two engines is that both were shown in the LF-NX concept. Auto Express says the new compact crossover will go on sale next summer. We'll keep a close ey…
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Has anyone else taken a look at the pres release fro tne Lexus LF-NX crossover concept. Here's a link if you haven't seen it yet: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/lexus+2013+tokyo+motor+show+lf-nx+advanced+crossover+concept.htm Overall it is one of the must visually interesting concepts I've seen inn some time and the headlight styling is superb. Aggressive lines and an athletic stance make it a real stunner. But...the front grille needs to go. It appears overly large and cartoonish. According to Toyota "it is a strong interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille" but in this case there must have been a problem in translation. Anyway, thoughts? Do you guys think we'l…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 4, 2013 Ladies and Gentlemen, may we introduce the brand new Lexus RC coupe. Revealed today before its official debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple weeks time, the RC is expected to go on sale sometime next year as a 2015 model. The RC is definitely a Lexus in its design. The overall profile is very reminiscent of the LF-NX concept shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Up front is the largest spindle grille ever put onto a Lexus vehicle. The side features embellished wheel wells and a distinctive character line running the whole length. Inside the RC, its very similar to the new IS sedan. There is s…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 4, 2013 While the high price and slow sales led to end of the Aston Martin Cygnet last month, Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez said the decision to end the model is due to Toyota killing the iQ next year. The Cygnet was essentially a dressed up version of the iQ. “We stopped the Cygnet as Toyota itself will stop the iQ in 2014 and we don’t want to invest any more,” Bez told Autocar. “I think Aston did a good thing with the Cygnet and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out. It’s a great little car, particularly in London. It will be a cult car in the future and will be well looked after.” Bez also said that he had big …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 6, 2013 The roller-coaster ride of the Toyota GT86 Convertible rumors appears to have crested. According to What Car?, Toyota has canned GT86 Convertible project for the timebeing. No apparent reason was given for the cancellation, but there is speculation that the added rigidity needed could have added too much weight for the coupe, ruining it's perfect weight balance. The report does say the project could be 'fast-tracked' if Toyota's management wants to restart the project once again. Source: What Car? William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]…
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Hey everyone, Spent the better part of the morning making a step by step guide on how to install aftermarket tail lights on a 1998 through 2005 Lexus GS300 or GS400. I find that Hubpages is the easiest to use compared to e-how or Wikihow so I've posted it here: http://rvinyl.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Install-LED-Tail-Lights-on-a-1998-2005-Lexus-GS300GS400 The install is kind of involved so expect to take at least an hour from prep to clean u but the results will be great. We offer these tail lights by Spec-D in red LED or smoked LED but these instructions will work for any brand. I've also made two versions of the video here: Let me know what you think.
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This sounds like a story from the Onion, but it's real...can't make this stuff up.. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131018/CARNEWS/131019764?utm_source=DailyDrive20131018&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=article2&utm_content=20131018-Spiders-spur-Toyota-Camry,-Venza-and-Avalon-recalls&utm_campaign=awdailydrive
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 17, 2013 The trend with powertrains is to do small-displacement engine with turbochargers to provide the performance of a larger engine with the fuel economy of the small engine. Toyota looks to be bucking the trend. In a interview with Automotive News, Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain research and development for Toyota said the company will be investing into turbocharged engines, but it will not "emphasize turbocharging across many product lines." Instead, Saga says the company believes that using large-displacement engines with the Atkinson cycle. Here's why Toyota believes this is t…
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - CheersandGears.com Racing Hybrid or Not? The question of the day would make one wonder if I was nuts. Can hybrids be the new Racing formula? We have plenty of new hybrids on the market to show that nothing is off limits, but does it really make sense and in AWD form to boot? Toyota is prepped, locked and loaded to show off at the Frankfurt motor show the Yaris Hybrid-R. This three door Yaris comes packed with a 1.6L turbo four-cylinder driving the front wheels and a 60hp electric motor on the rear wheels. Yet the engineers did not stop there as they added a third electric motor between the six-speed transmission and engin…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 14, 2013 Last week, a report came out of Australia that said a refresh of the smallest Lexus, the CT200h could happen as early as 2014. Well new spy shots this week show that a refresh is coming soon. The shots reveal the CT200h will become more integrated into Lexus' current lineup with a spindle grille, new fog and headlights, and bumper. Towards the back is a revised bumper and what looks like a small diffuser. We don't have any pictures of the interior, but we expect some minor changes. Don't expect any changes to the hybrid powertrain. Source: The Motor Report, Autoblog William Maley is a staff writer for…
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October 9th, 2013 Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com Toyota announced reduced pricing of the 2014 Prius Plug-In today with a drop of over $2,000 from last year's base price. Coming in at $29,990 before delivery charge, Toyota is not making any reductions in equipment or appointments. In fact, Toyota has added two features to the Prius Plug-In for 2014, these include: Heated cloth front seats standard Remote climate - the ability to activate their air conditioning remotely - standard on Plug-In The upper trip Prius Plug-In Advanced adds: Hard Drive base Navigation with Entune Infotainment and JBL Sound System Softex-trimmed heated front seat…
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So is this is why my dealer wanted to charge me $150 for one coilpack. It's a bad day to be Hitachi Automotive Systems, Mitsubishi Electric or one of several other Japanese automotive parts suppliers. Nine companies today were hit with a combined $740 million in fines as part of a wide-ranging price fixing scheme, and their executives are headed to prison. http://jalopnik.com/japanese-suppliers-nailed-with-740-million-in-fines-an-1403734890 Does anyone else believe that Mitsubishi, Hitachi and the other companies did this on purpose knowing that the profit they will make will outweigh the amount they would be fined?
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 11, 2013 With sales of Scion vehicles slumping down and Toyota telling its dealers who have Scion that they can step away from it with no penalties, it makes you wonder if Scion has any new models on the way to help out. Bob Carter, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Sales USA told Reuters that new products for the brand are coming later than sooner. "We have a very robust and very exciting product cadence coming for Scion, however, it's further down the pipeline," said Carter. Scion's sales peak was back in 2006 with 173,034 models. Last year, Scion only moved 73,505. Through August, the brand's total sale…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 12, 2013 The past couple of years has seen the return of performance to Toyota with the introduction of the GT86 (Scion FR-S), introduction of the F-Sport to Lexus, and rumors of the return of the Supra. But there could be more changes at Toyota to bring more performance into the fold. Auto Express talked with Karl Schlicht, executive vice president at Toyota Europe who said the company is "Currently discussing sport lines for Toyota models”. Schlicht goes onto say there is “an appetite for Toyota to do credible performance cars”. Source: Auto Express William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He…
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Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com September 9th, 2013 Toyota announced two voluntary recalls today totaling 235,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The first recall of 133,000 vehicles includes 2006 - 2010 model year Highlander Hybrid and 2006 - 2008 model year Lexus RX 400h. In this recall, certain transistors in the hybrid system can be damaged by heat, forcing the vehicle into limp home mode in most cases and in some instances stop the vehicle completely while driving. The second recall includes the Lexus IS 350, IS 350c, and GS350 from model years 2006 - 2011, totaling 103,000 vehicles. Bolts in the variable valve timing control device can come loose c…
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Drew Dowdell Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com September 4th, 2013 In the lead up to the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, Lexus has premiered their LF-NX crossover concept. Up front is the boldest interpretation of Lexus' spindle grille with an updated version of their L-finesse design language following behind. The highly futuristic interior design features electrostatic switches and a new touch pad remote interface. Surfacing includes carved metal trim, yellow and black leather with contrast stitching, and blue instrument lighting. The LF-NX concept is powered by a new variant of Lexus' hybrid drive tuned for SUV performance, though specific details are unavailab…
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Jean Reno, is currently working for Toyota to try and get Japanese kids to drive again, particularly sports cars. Noble effort. Also, he's Doraemon, the coolest man in the known universe. So with this effort, what do you think of Toyota's attempt to get youth to drive again and buy cars? Should the rest of the auto makers also spend more time on courting youth to drive again?
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 31, 2013 Nissan sent everyone in a tizzy a couple weeks ago when they announced that next-generation Titan pickup would be packing Cummins 5.0L turbodiesel V8. This has one automaker wondering if they should do the same thing. Edmunds talked with Rick LoFaso, Toyota's corporate manager for light trucks. LoFaso said the company is looking into two different powertrains to boos the fuel economy in the Tundra. One of those happens to be diesel. "The diesel engine is something that is on our evaluation list. Hybrid technology is something that is on our evaluation list. Either one of those alternatives could deliver …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 23, 2013 Peeking into the Scion FR-S and Toyota GT86 rumorpile, we have a number of stories talking about more power via two different ways; turbocharging and using a hybrid system. Add a third option onto that list. Chief engineer of the GT86 family, Tetsuya Tada told Drive.com.au that they are exploring of using a larger displacement boxer-four engine. More interesting is that Tada said the company is testing all three. "I hope to make an engine upgrade at least one time with this car. We [have] already tried all possibilities and there are several types of 86 prototypes at the Toyota proving ground now; one is …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 19, 2013 Scion has billed itself as being the offbeat, youth oriented brand in the Toyota group. So it comes as a bit of surprise to find out that Scion currently has 1,100 dealers across the U.S. - 200 fewer than Toyota. Considering Scion's small lineup and declining sales over the past few years, this isn't good news. With all of these factors in play, it doesn't come as a surprise that Toyota's US group vice president, Bill Fay said to Wards Auto that Scion's dealer network "might actually go down a little bit." Then this week, a Texas dealer told Automotive News that Toyota will allow dealers to stop selling S…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 11, 2013 The Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S could get be getting a big and small brother in the near future. Speaking with Car Advice, FR-S chief engineer Tatsuya Tada said, “Akio Toyoda always says to me, Toyota sports car [family] should be three sports car brothers. 86 is in the middle.” What are these two sports cars? We know the big brother will be the resurrection of Supra. The small brother will be sub-GT86 model. When asked about names for this new small model, Tada said its far too early for that. Possibly the most interesting bit of information from Car Advice's story is Tada saying that the new sports cars m…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 4, 2013 Here at the rumorpile, we've been reporting on a couple derivatives for the Scion FR-S for the past year or so. The first is a convertible FR-S which we got a preview of at this year's Geneva Motor Show and the other is a turbocharged version. But a new report says both models have been canceled. Automotive News reports that the two FR-S models have been canned due to return of the investment not being viable for those models. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him…
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I would take a foreign made brand over any day over these poorly made pos american cars. They are built buy lazy unionized workers who could care less if the part they put in is right. At least the Asisns have good work ethics and you people would find any reason to bad mouth these cars. At least Toyota didn't neeed the government to come in and bail them out.
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 3, 2013 Ten years ago, Toyota introduced a new brand that promised young buyers fun and funky vehicles. That brand was Scion. Today, Scion is in a bit of a struggle. Originally conceived as a brand for young buyers, Scion has struggled to keep them in the fold. According to The Detroit News, 15 percent of Scion customers are under age 35. Meanwhile, 14 percent of Scion customers “We’re still a good 15 years or more below the average industry age,” said Scion chief Doug Murtha. While that is true, that number has been shrinking. In 2008, more than 20 percent of Scion customers were under 35 and less than 8 percen…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 1, 2013 For the past eleven years, the Toyota Camry has been best-selling car in America. But its title is being threaten by models like the Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord. However, Toyota isn't ready to give up the crown so easily. "We will do what is necessary to get the vehicle into the hands of new and loyal customers. Incentives on Camry will remain as competitive as they need to be," said Bill Fay, Toyota Division General Manager in an e-mail. Toyota has been increasing incentives on the Camry over the past few months. Earlier this year, Toyota was putting $2,300 on the Camry. Now, that number h…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 27, 2013 Autocar is reporting that Toyota executives are considering building a competitor for the Nissan Juke. The inspiration for this possible contender is a twelve-year old concept. The concept in question is the Toyota RSC (Rugged Sports Coupe) shown at 2001 Chicago Auto Show. While the concept was well received at the time, Toyota didn't really do anything with it. Why are Toyota executives looking at RSC as a possible Juke competitor? Sales. The Nissan Juke has been doing very well in global sales. In the U.S. alone, Nissan moved 36,000 Jukes in 2012. If Toyota decides to go forward with this, expect …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com May 22, 2013 According to What Car? Lexus is planning to build a IS Coupe that will go sale next year. The IS Coupe is expected to carry many of the design elements and cues seen on the LF-CC. Powertrains are likely to be similar to the sedan; 2.5L and 3.5L V6 engines. Also in the cards is a next-generation IS-F. Much like the last IS-F, the new model would use a V8 engine. No word on a possible release date. Source: What Car? William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster. View full article
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com April 8, 2013 Automotive News Europe has learned from a source that Lexus is planning to build a compact luxury hybrid crossover to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The crossover will debut as a concept at the Tokyo motor show later this year, with a production model being shown at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. The new crossover will be based on the Toyota RAV4 and use a 2.5L four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. When the model goes on sale, it will be available in Europe and the U.S. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 8, 2013 Only being on sale for just over a year, Toyota is already working on a mid-cycle refresh on the GT86 coupe (Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ in the states). This news comes from the chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. Tada also revealed that Toyota is considering doing a high performance model. “We are already working on a mid-life facelift for the car, and we are investigating both turbocharging and supercharging too. But an electric motor assistance solution is also possible, and would bring benefits that forced induction does not,” Tada told Autocar. Using a hybrid system to increase the performance in the GT86 i…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 28, 2013 Toyota has regained the world's largest automaker crown for 2012. The automaker was able to bounce back in 2012 after the earthquake and tsunami rocked Japan last year and a large amount of recalls that caused them to lose the largest automaker title in 2011. Toyota and its subsidiaries delivered 9.75 million vehicles last year, ahead of General Motors which delivered 9.29 million vehicles and Volkswagen which delivered 9.09 million vehicles. Toyota sales grew worldwide by 23% in 2012, with Japan seeing the largest increase in sales of 35%. In the U.S., Toyota's market share grew to 14.9% in 2012. …
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 15, 2013 After revealing the exterior and interior last week, Lexus provided more information on the IS today at the Detroit Auto Show. The IS will come with two different engines; a 2.5L V6 (IS 250) and 3.5L V6 (IS 350). Lexus hasn't released any performance figures, but has said that the 2.5L will come with a six-speed automatic and the 3.5L will have an eight-speed. There is also a new hybrid model, but that will be for the time being for Europe and Japan. Under the skin, the new IS features a multi-link rear-suspension design and steering from the larger GS. Rigidity has also been improved by the use new…
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 14, 2013 The past few generations of the Toyota Corolla have played it safe. But with the introduction of the Toyota Corolla Furia concept today at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota appears to be taking some chances. As the company said in a press release, "this exciting compact sedan concept hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla." The Corolla Furia Concept has a very striking front end with a sleek, low-profile upper grille that extends into LED headlights at the corners. Underneath, there is a larger grille. Other design cues to take note of are a raked windshield, …
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By Drew Dowdell With the North American International Auto Show just around the corner, expect the pre-show leaks to start pouring out. The first big leak of the season is the 2014 Lexus IS, shown here in F-Sport trim. The Lexus IS will be powered by the familiar 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter V6es with a hybrid 4-cylinder available later. The Hi-Po IS-F could be powered by a 470 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 that gets the car to 60mph in 4.5 seconds. Stay tuned to CheersandGears.com for full coverage of the 2013 North American International Auto show in Detroit. Click the Album below for a full spread. Update: Lexus has released the full press release and official photos. Pre…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 15, 2012 Work on the next-generation Toyota Prius is already underway. A few weeks ago, we reported on Toyota considering a new design for the Prius. Now, we have gotten word on some mechanical changes. Auto Express is reporting that next-gen Prius and Prius Plug-In will come equipped with a e-4WD system. “The rear wheels will be driven by a motor in an e-4WD system. Targeting snowy areas, they will operate at up to 37mph,” a source tells the magazine. Also in the cards for the new Prius will be a weight drop of about 154 lbs thanks to a new platform. Other changes will include a more aerodynamic body, a modif…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 5, 2012 There are vehicles that with a quick glance, you immediately recognize; the Porsche 911 and the Volkswagen Beetle are perfect examples of this. Another vehicle that follows this is the Toyota Prius. Since the second-generation model, the Prius has earned a place of being instantly recognizable due to its shape. Now, Toyota is pondering whether to change it or not. “There’s an undercurrent among most people that they’re ready for a new Prius look. Maybe our architecture has been a little bit similar for the last two generations.” said Chris Hostetter, Toyota’s U.S. group vice president for strategic plann…
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Toyota declared in September that it’s watering down its battery electric vehicle (BEV) plans by cutting back the production of the small Toyota eQ (known as the Scion iQ stateside). You will find some interesting information as Toyota moves forward with Fuel Cell's rather than pure electric auto's. Sales of Plug in Vehicles, North America (2011 & 2012) Type - 2011 ------ 2012 (YTD)--(Since 1/1/2011) Cumulative HEV----268,807---322,516--------591,323 PHEV--8,272----- 25,944----------34,216 BEV----9,966----- 6,802-----------16,768 Source: Pike Research Most BEVs skirt the edge of a 100-mile range, stretching up to the $100,000 Model S, …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 10, 2012 The Scion FR-S marks a return for Toyota of building a sporty RWD coupe, and it might not be the only one. Top Gear Philippines had the chance to sit down with Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer for the FR-S and other members (Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ). Tada revealed that the FR-S was the first of three new sports cars being worked on by Toyota. "The first is more mass-market and cheaper than the 86. And the third is more upmarket than the 86," Tada said. When asked if the third vehicle is the successor the Supra, Tada said it could possibly be but that nothing is sure at the moment. Source: Top Gear Phi…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com October 3, 2012 Besides hybrid powertrains, Toyota's powertrain line has been lacking some key features that competitors are now offering. Those features include direct-injection, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT), and turbochargers to balance performance and fuel economy. According to Autoweek, Toyota will be adding those features to their lineup over the next few weeks. At the moment, Toyota employs direct-injection in the Scion FR-S, Lexus GS, and LS: But in the next two years, Toyota will introduce two new engines, 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine for hybrids (Next Year) 2.0L turbocharged (2014) Toyota wil…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 24, 2012 2012 was supposed to be the year that Toyota would begin selling the electric version of the iQ minicar called the eQ. When it introduced the vehicle back in 2010 expected, Toyota said it planned to sell several thousand of the vehicles per year. "Two years later, there are many difficulties," said Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota's vice chairman and the engineer who oversees vehicle development. Now, Toyota is planning to only sell about 100 of the eQ vehicles in the United States and Japan in an extremely limited release. "The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society's needs, whether…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com August 15, 2012 Lexus has so far redesign/refreshed most of their sedan lineup except for one, the IS. Well, we have some new information on what to expect on the new IS and IS-F and when they'll be coming out. The design of the new IS will draw heavily on the look of the new GS and revised LS, including the spindle grille and LED lighting. ''When you're a challenger brand and you're No.4 [in sales], you can't afford to be evolutionary,' said Lexus Australia's corporate marketing manager, Peter Evans in a interview with the Australia's The Age paper in June. The Age also speculates the new IS will ride on Scion FR-S/Su…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 31, 2012 After teasing us with a photo last week, Lexus has unveiled the new LS sedan at a event in San Francisco, CA last night. The old saying of "the more things change, the more the stay the same" plays very well into in the LS. Starting with the exterior, the new LS carries the same profile as the old one, but Lexus did make some changes to bring it line with their current lineup. That includes a redesigned front end that includes Lexus' spindle grille and a set of new LED headlights, and a changed back end which includes a new trunk lid and a new bumper. Underneath the sheet metal, the LS' wheelbase has grown…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 28, 2012 Yesterday, Lexus revealed a single picture of the new LS on their Facebook page. The picture posted on their Facebook page appears to be the new LS F-Sport. Lexus hasn't released any details about new LS, waiting till Monday to release all of the information. But the picture does give us a peek of what to expect. The LS looks to be a mix of the GS and the current LS. The spindle grille makes its way on the new LS. This being the F-Sport model, the LS gets more aggressive styling and suspension bits. There could also be a power increase in store for it. We'll learn more about the LS when Lexus reveals all …
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 16, 2012 Back in March, we reported that Lexus LF-LC concept at this year's North American International Auto Show had a 50/50 chance of going into production. Now, it appears the chances for the LF-LC have gone up. Automotive News has learned from a few sources that the LF-LC will go into production due to the overwhelming reaction from people. "There has been a lot of interest from dealers and distributors," a Lexus official said. There is also another reason for Lexus to put the LF-LC into production. Lexus needs some pizzazz to their lineup and a halo car like the LF-LC would be the ticket. Sources inside Lex…
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 10, 2012 Lexus is in the middle of refreshing their entire lineup, giving them a bold look and some sport. So far, Lexus has unveiled the new GS and ES, and a refreshed RX. Coming up is the LS and following behind is the next IS. ''When you're a challenger brand and you're No.4 [in sales], you can't afford to be evolutionary,'' said Lexus Australia corporate marketing manager, Peter Evans to Drive.com.au. So what are we expecting with the new IS? Exterior design will have Lexus’ now trademark spindle grille wrapped in a coupe-like sedan.The interior will have a richer and more upmarket feel. As for the next IS' b…
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Yes, a show car. But still cool.
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2012 Toyota has revealed the powertrain details on the new 2013 Avalon. As expected, the new Avalon will still use the 3.5L V6 from the previous Avalon. The V6 is rated at 268 HP and 248 lb-ft. of torque and will go through a six-speed automatic. EPA rates the V6 at 21 City/31 Highway/25 Combined. Toyota has equipped the Avalon V6 with three different power modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and certain models get paddle-shifters for a more “sporty” experience. The new Avalon will also come in a hybrid model. The hybrid comes equipped with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and electric motor producing a combined 200 HP. EPA…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com June 14, 2012 With Lexus changing their hybrid priorities, Auto Express reports that they're working on a smaller hybrid GS. "We are working on a number of solutions to offer low CO2 emissions, and these include a small hybrid," said deputy chief engineer Koji Sato. The new GS, possibly to be called the GS300h will use the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain found in the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES 300h. The 2.5L hybrid powertrain produces a combined 200 HP and return a combined 40 MPG on the ES300h. Source: Auto Express View full article
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It's really a small car...really no bigger than a Miata...and it's a four seater. Test drove one...those back seats are TINY! Smaller, methinks than even a Porsche 911 or MGB-GT.
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 31, 2012 Lexus is in the middle of refreshing their lineup. So far, it has unveiled all-new generations of the GS and ES sedans and revised versions of the LX and RX SUVs. Next up is the LS flagship. Automobile Magazine got their hands onto some spy shots of the next generation LS undergoing some testing. Lexus must have missed a class at camouflage U since we can clearly make out the LS' new front end. The front includes Lexus’ new spindle grille and a set of LED headlights flanking either side. The rest of the LS appears to take on a more evolutionary route. The profile seems to carry the same look, albeit sli…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 29, 2012 Inside Line reports that Lexus is working a GS coupe to compete with the Audi A5/S5, BMW 6-Series, and Mercedes E-Class. This appears to confirms a comment made by Lexus' general manager Mark Templin back in January, stating he would like to see a replacement for the SC430. Lexus has a holdup though on the GS Coupe. Currently, they're debating which powertrain to use. The GS sedan uses a 3.5L V6 (GS350) and a hybrid V6 setup (GS450h). Those two and a GS-F model with a unique drivetrain and tuning are under consideration. The coupe is expected to be introduced sometime in the first quarter of 2013 with sa…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 18, 2012 Lexus has a different philosophy on hybrids than their parent company, Toyota. Toyota has opted to use hybrids to deliver maximum fuel economy above all else (see the Prius). Lexus on the other hand uses hybrids as a way to provide performance of large engine, while delivering the fuel economy of a smaller engine. For example, the GS450h delivers performance equal to that of a V8, but gets V6 fuel economy. However, it seems Lexus is changing their mindset. Lexus ES and LS product planner Ketan Renade told AutoGuide that sales of the GS and LS hybrids have been extremely slow. “We did studies and focus g…
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I've stated here that I believe GM and Ford followed the wrong horse when they dropped V6 engines from the option list on Malibu and Fusion. I've read that Toyota is more than doubling production capacity of their V6 from 146k to 362k units at their Alabama plant. Toyota continues to believe in the simplicity, power and smoothness of a naturally-aspirated V6 v. a force-fed turbocharged 4-cylinder. Indications are the next Accord will continue with a V6 option as well. Simplicity wins the reliability war over complication every single time. And real-world fuel mileage will likely continue to at least match a turbo 4, if mileage is a primary concern. It will be inte…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com May 9, 2012 Back in March, we reported on a comment said by Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. "The GT 86 was designed from the outset that we can build it as a convertible," said Tada. Well it seems Toyota has given the green light for an FR-S convertible. Car and Driver reports the convertible will keep its back seat, however trunk space will suffer due to the folding roof mechanism. Mechanicals will remain the same: a 200 HP flat-four engine and the choice between a six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Expect the convertible to get some structural reinforcements. …
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More at http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/23/scion-xb-XD-models-getting-the-axe/
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 21, 2012 Earlier tonight, Scion put the starting price tag on the new FR-S. As shown, the base price tag for a six-speed manual FR-S starts at $24,930 (Includes a $730 destination charge). This confirms a leaked document that got into the hands of FT86 Club which revealed the starting pricetag of $24,200 (excluding the destination charge) Source: Scion, FT86 Club Press Release is on Page 2 Scion Announces Pricing for Its 2013 FR-S Sports Car TORRANCE, Calif., March 22, 2012 – Scion today announced pricing for its 2013 FR-S compact rear-wheel drive sports car. The FR-S starts with a manufacturer’s suggeste…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 16, 2012 Two words you wouldn’t think that would go together are Toyota and excitement. But there was time when Toyota meant excitement; cars like the Celica, Supra, and MR2 cemented the brand as building some of best sports cars before hanging it up and building appliances. However, the tide at Toyota seems to be changing. The RWD GT86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ coupes are beginning to roll out, and Toyota is introducing a new development and manufacturing framework designed to aid in producing more exciting vehicles. "The feeling at the time was, 'If we build it, they will come. Instead of developing what customer…
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G. Noble Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 12th, 2012 There isn’t an automaker more aware of its conservative image these days than Toyota. Since the company lost interest in continuing its classic performance models like the Celica, Supra, and MR-2, it fell off of enthusiasts’ radars almost completely. From there, the rising average age of its buyers quietly earned it a reputation as a company who built ornaments for retirement home parking lots. Just as Toyota was walking away publicly from performance cars however, it was also beginning a rather secretive ten year development program for the first ever Japanese supercar — the Lexus LFA. And although it was…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 27, 2012 Autocar is reporting that Lexus is mulling over a production version of the LF-LC shown at the North American International Auto Show. Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus product planning told the magazine that he gives a 50/50 chance to a production model. “A decision has not been taken. But we’re now up to a 50 per cent chance from a zero per cent one. Every top Toyota Motor Company manager is aware of the great reception it has received and now we’re talking about how we can do it and fit it into the product plan.” Originally, company executives said again and again, the LF-LC was strictly a concept. Howev…
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I saw a Tundra Crew Max ad today that was interesting... the truck was shown pulling a large metal cargo box (like a shipping container) out of a canyon where it was dangling... I wonder how that ad was filmed..I assume it was done with CGI and green screens? Interesting location also, looked a bit like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park..
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 6, 2012 Lexus decided that the Geneva Motor Show was the best place to unveil the refreshed RX crossover. As we saw in pictures leaked back in February, the RX gains the "spindle grille" as seen on the GS and a strip of LED lights running around the headlights. The back end gets some new design tweaks. Inside, the RX is pretty much the same except for a redesigned steering wheel. The RX also gets an updated version of the Remote Touch interface that should make the infotainment system more intuitive. Engines are a carryover from the previous model. The RX350 sticks with the 3.5L V6 producing 270 HP and a six-s…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com March 1, 2012 Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S said something very interesting to Germany's Autobild magazine. "The GT 86 was designed from the outset that we can build it as a convertible," said Tada. So what does that mean? We could be seeing a convertible version of Scion FR-S within a few years, most likely retaining the 2.0L boxer-four with 197 HP. Source: Autobild View full article
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 21, 2012 Lexus is having a problem with their new vehicles showing up before their official showing. The first one being the new RX crossover. Now, the new ES has been revealed. Caught by someone on the XCar fourms, the new ES follows Lexus' new design language. The front end gets the new predator front end grill treatment and LED strips running along the headlights. Around the back, a new set of sculpted side fenders and the trunk lid closely resembling the flagship LS. Inside, the GS influence continues. A large screen displaying navigation, radio, and climate takes center stage.Also, simpler surfaces and …
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 24, 2012 Lexus is trying to gain back the crown of being the best selling luxury brand in the U.S. Their plan includes nine new models, including the new GS, three F-Sport models, and new RX. But they're saying no to the idea of an entry-level luxury car, like the upcoming Acura ILX. "I don't think [entry-luxury] is a focus of ours right now. Other manufacturers have a reason for going there. Some might be customer demand; some might be government regulation," said Brian Smith, marketing vice president. Instead, Lexus will focus on other products, like the GS. We've learned over the years one of the worst t…
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Unsurprisingly, various Chinese automotive news websites have leaked out images of the new 2013 Lexus ES today, ahead of its scheduled reveal at the Beijing Auto Show this April. It’s also unsurprising that the story hasn’t changed with Lexus’s Camry-based front-wheel drive sedan — it’s still the most expensive shade of beige money can buy. The changes from 2012 Camry to 2013 ES mostly include exterior styling that’s pretty much the same as what you get with any other Lexus (IS greenhouse, the recent GS's Predator-like front fascia, and LS taillights) and an interior that looks as if someone broke into BMW’s design studio late one night just to dig sketches out of a comp…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com February 14, 2012 If there is one important vehicle in Lexus’ lineup, that vehicle would be the RX. The RX is Lexus’ top selling model for the past few years. The current RX has been around since 2009 and Lexus is getting ready to introduce a refreshed 2013 RX which has been revealed via a leaked Japanese brochure. The new RX falls in line with the brand's latest design language - with the predator mouth grill seen on the GS taking center stage. Also, the RX gets reshaped headlamps with a strip of LEDs flanking each side and new wheels. Also coming to the RX is a new F-Sport package which includes a new front bumper,…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 16, 2012 Lexus is hoping to rebound from a poor 2011 and reclaim its crown of being the number one luxury automaker in sales. For 2012, Lexus is planning on introducing nine new or updated models, plus three F-Sport cars. The vehicles include the recently introduced GS350 and GS450h, while later on in the year we'll see updated versions of the ES, IS, LS, and LX. Mark Templin, Lexus' general manager says the company is forecasting a 21% increase in sales this year. "We will grow more than any other luxury brand this year. Our base plan is 240,000. But we think we can exceed that by a pretty good margin," Te…
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William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 15, 2012 Riddle me this Batman; what future car is Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager, Bob Carter talking about. Will have “more room than a BMW X5, be faster than a (Volkswagen) TDI and have higher mpg than a Fiat 500.” The answer, well it could be one of two things; a new model Toyota is working on or the new Avalon. What? The Avalon? Yes, and here’s how. To have more room than a BMW X5, the vehicle would need an interior volume greater than 102.4-cubic feet. To beat a Volkswagen TDI, the vehicle would need to produce more than 140 HP and 235 lb-ft of torque. To best a Fiat 500 in mil…
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With the increasing strength of Yen, Japanese automakers are finding it harder to make a profit on vehicles built in Japan. The situation is becoming so bad, that Toyota is thinking about making a drastic change; move Lexus production. Fortune reports that Toyota CEO, Akio Toyoda wants more compact Toyota models, the least profitable models in its lineup to be produced outside of Japan. Toyoda acknowledges that Lexus models may follow. But where would they head to? Most likely to the US where most of Lexus models are sold. However, there is a problem. Lexus’ U.S. chief Mark Templin said Toyota's "pride," which stems from manufacturing its most prestigious models in its…
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Lexus announced pricing for the 2013 Lexus GS350 this week, with pricing starting at $46,900 and the AWD model beginning at $49,450. For a quick refresh, the GS350 uses a 3.5L V6 producing 306 HP and achieves 19 City/28 Highway. Power goes through a six-speed automatic with four driving modes: ECO, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+ (only on F Sport model). Lexus will offer two packages on the GS; Premium and Luxury. Premium will add $1,400 to the price and come with rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, and power rear sunshade. Luxury adds Adaptable Variable Suspension, Adaptive Front Lighting, unique high gloss linear espresso wood accents, semi-aniline le…
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December 20,2011 black-knight CheersandGears.com If you've been following the news about the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, you'd already know that Lexus was planning to pull the wraps off of a brand new concept car that would showcase their upcoming design direction for all future vehicles. Lexus previously released two teaser images that revealed the driver's side headlamp and a portion of the interior of the car. Thanks to Road & Track, though, you don't have to wait until next month to see the entire car. Someone blew the lid on the whole thing through R&T's YouTube account with a video that intended to preview the cover of next month's issue. What's revealed…
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So far this week, we’ve seen Toyota and Subaru introduce their versions of a small RWD coupe and now it’s Scion’s turn. At a event last night in Hollywood, CA, Scion showed off the production version FR-S. The FR-S carries the same design, direct-injection boxer 4-cylinder with a 12.5:1 compression ratio making 200 HP and 151 lb-ft of torque, six speed manual or optional automatic, and weight as it’s Subaru and Toyota brothers. And as with all other Scions, the FR-S will come with a range of parts and accessories. The FR-S arrives onto dealers next spring. Press Release is on Page 2 2013 Scion FR-S Brings the SPORT Back to the CAR Los Angeles – November 30, 201…
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After two years and countless number of concepts, Toyota will show off the production version of the FT-86 sports car. Toyota's UK office released pictures and some tidbits about the vehicle. In Europe, the coupe will be called GT 86. Here's the specs of the GT 86: 2.0L boxer with D4-S injection (direct and port injected) 197 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) @6,600 rpm 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions 17-inch wheel/tire package standard 4,240mm (167 in.) long, 1285mm (50.6 in.) high, 2,570mm (101 in.) wide 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution 475mm (18.7 in.) center of gravity Inside the GT 86 is a three-gauge cluster with a larger tac…
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A couple of days ago, Toyota unveiled pictures of the production Toyota 86 ahead of the Tokyo Auto Show. Today, a bunch of Toyota 86 test drive videos have surfaced. This car will be sold in Japan as the Toyota 86, in Europe as the Toyota GT-86, and in the US as the Scion FRS. Subaru will get a version called the BRZ that will be Subaru's first car offered without AWD in over a decade. The JDM Toyota 86 features a new 2.0 litre flat four producing 197 horsepower and 151 ft-lb of torque while running premium gas. The very low center of gravity, 53:47 weight distribution, and limited slip rear differential should make for an excellent handling little 2+2. But lets head …
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A few years ago, rumors began to fly around of a high performance version of the Lexus GS to take on the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E55/E63, and Audi RS6. Power was destined to be a V10 producing somewhere in the range of 500+ HP. However, the past years have brought forth nothing and the only thing close to this dream machine is the GS F-Sport package shown at SEMA. But that hasn’t stopped the rumors from flying out. At the LA Auto Show, sources at Lexus told Autocar that thy “would love” to launch a high-performance GS. Autocar is also reporting that the GS performance model will come with a detuned version of the LFA’s 4.8-litre V10, producing somewhere around 450 HP. We’…
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Even More FT-86 News: Leaked Spec Sheet William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com October 31, 2011 Related: Are You The Final Toyota FT-86? Maybe We're beginning to get a better picture of what the Toyota FT-86 (Scion FR-S for the US) will bring us once production begins. Some scans of what is purported to be the FT-86's training manual has been put on the FT86Club.com forum. If the translations are done correctly, the FT-86 will have a 2.0L flat-four producing 197 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 150 pound-feet of torque at 6,600 rpm. That might not sound like a lot, but if early reports of the handling come true, the engine should be ab…
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Last year at the North American International Auto Show, Toyota showed a trio of Prius models; the Prius Plug-In, Prius V, and Prius C Concept. So far two out of three have began rolling out. Now, car number three is being shown in production form. The Toyota Prius C is coming to Detroit next January. The car is about the size of a Yaris but is packing a hybrid drivetrain that is a 1.5L gasoline engine coupled with an undisclosed "high-output" electric motor. The Prius C is expected to get the highest MPG of the group with 50 MPG. Inside, the Prius C gets Toyota’s new Entune infotainment system, which provides handsfree calling, navigation, entertainment, and informatio…
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Lexus’ HS250h hasn’t been meeting expectations since being introduced back in 2009. Through 2011, Lexus has only sold 2,383 HS250hs, a drop of 72.8% from last year. Because of this, Lexus is showing the HS250h the door and is replacing it with another model. Ward’s Auto is reporting the new model will be positioned towards the younger crowd and not towards people moving on up from a Toyota Prius. Also, the new model will be priced much lower than the HS250h which has a base price around $37,030 ($3,495 more than a base Lexus IS.) Source: Ward’s Auto (Subscription Required) View full article
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http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/story/2011-11-09/Toyota-recall-cars-steering/51130852/1?csp=YahooModule_News In the United States, the automaker is recalling 283,200 Toyota brand cars, including the 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara, the 2004 Avalon and the 2006 Highlander HV. Its recall of 137,000 Lexus vehicles includes the 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330 and 2006 RX400h.
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Are You The Final Toyota FT-86? Maybe William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com October 27, 2011 Today, pictures of what could be a final version of the Toyota FT-86 were released. The pictures are from a leaked Modellista brochure, which is a in-house tuning arm of Toyota. The car shown looks very close to first FT-86 concept with some added bits from Modellista, including an aero kit and several other accessories. Also, the picture of interior closely matches spy shots of camouflaged FT-86s. We'll find out if this is production version of the FT-86 next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. Source: 7Tune, FT86 Club
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Rumorpile: Toyota FT-86 To Come Under 2,500 lbs? William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com October 19, 2011 At next month's Tokyo Motor Show, we'll finally see the production versions of the often teased Toyota FT-86 coupe. But that isn't stopping details of the new vehicles from leaking out. Autocar is reporting today that the FT-86 will have a curb weight close to 1,100 kg, which is about 2,425 lbs. To put that into prospective, the Hyundai Genesis coupe is 800 lbs heavier when equipped with it's turbo-4. Source: Autocar
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Coming To SEMA: Lexus 2013 GS 350 F Sport William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com October 26, 2011 http://www.cheersand...-gs350-f-sport/ Lexus has been making amends for not having a performance brand till now with the F. The past few years have brought forth the LFA Supercar, IS-F sedan, and F Sport package for the current IS sedan and convertible. Now, Lexus has just unveiled an F Sport package for the new GS Sedan. The GS F Sport package includes new set of 19-inch wheels, sport-tuned adaptive suspension, thicker anti-roll bars, new bushing, and bigger brakes up front. Rear-drive models will also get variable steering, whi…
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Rumorpile - How Toyota Got It Sportiness Back William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com September 20, 2011 Toyota, the company best known for their best selling and boring Camry is going to their darker side. The company which has released the Lexus LFA supercar and fifteen iterations of the FT-86 concept looks to continue down with this path. Car Magazine has learned Toyota plans on releasing a special edition LFA at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Called the LFA Tokyo Edition, the car will have an exposed carbon fiber roof, spoiler, and a larger price tag. There was also a LFA convertible on the table but has been canned due to the economic…
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Toyota Introduces 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Extended Electric Range Selectable EV Mode Expected 87 MPGe Quick Home Charging Plug-in Hybrid Base - $32,000 Plug-in Hybrid Advance - $39m525 Both Qualify for $2,500 federal tax credit Joining the popular third-generation Prius Liftback and the new Prius v, the new Prius Plug-in combines the benefits of the standard Prius model's hybrid vehicle operation with extended electric vehicle (EV) driving and more affordable pricing than pure electric or range-extender type vehicles. The 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which offers seating for five, is expected to achieve a manufacturer-estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equiv…
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Toyota Reveals the All New 2012 Toyota Camry 178 hp 4-cylinder 25/35 mpg 268 hp V6 21/30 mpg 200 hp 2.5 liter Hybrid 43/39 mpg Prices will be lower LE - $22,500 SE - $23,000 XLE - $24,725 LE Hybrid - $25,900 XLE Hybrid - $ Will be pace-car for 2012 Daytona 500 2012 Camry Album
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