Land-Cruiser-200-V8-2012

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 V8 Model 2012 with new price & previews: Toyota has officially revealed a refreshed version of its Land Cruiser 200 or V8 (not to be confused with the smaller Land Cruiser / Prado) in its home market of Japan, with most changes expected to pass on the global variant as well.

On the outside, the 2012 Land Cruiser 200 gains a boxier front bumper with new foglamps, redesigned headlamps with integrated LED strips on the lower side and a revamped front grille with chrome slats.

The new exterior mirrors with turning signals, along with the different tail lamp graphics and newly designed alloy wheels in sizes 18- and 20-in. complete the look.

Changes to the interior are limited to the graphics of the instrument panel, an improved TFT screen info placed between the two main gauges, and new colors and trim materials for the cabin.

On the technology front, Toyota has updated the Land Cruiser 200′s Multi-Terrain Select system, which provides the ability to alter the settings of the traction control and ABS for different driving conditions, as well as the “Craw Control” feature that acts a bit like a cruise control for low-speed off-roading on difficult terrain.

The 2012 Land Cruiser 200 will continue to be offered in Japan with a single engine option, a 4.6-liter V8 delivering 318PS at 5,600 rpm and 460Nm (339.2 lb-ft) of peak torque at 3,400 rpm, linked to an automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

Local prices range from 4,400,000 yen (~US$56,500) for the five-passenger GX model to 6,300,000 yen (~US$80,900) for the top-of-the-line, eight-passenger ZX.

Along with the regular models, Toyota also offers two special packages for the JDM 2012 Land Cruiser 200, named “Luxury SUV” and “Urban Sports”, both of which add a number of bespoke styling elements inside and out.

Toyota didn’t say when it plans to introduce the facelifted Land Cruiser in other markets around the world, but buyers should expect to see it in dealerships sometime next year.

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Toyota-86-2012-autos

Toyota 86 2012 from the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 – Latest reviews & photos Toyota 86 2012: What is Toyota’s first car with a front-mounted, horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel drive? Surprisingly, even to most motoring hacks, it’s not the 86 (or GT 86 for European buyers).

It’s a car that goes back almost half a century: the two-cylinder, boxer-engined Sports 800. So there you have it: another piece of information with which you can impress your friends.

This is 2011 though, and the latest boxer-powered, rear-wheel drive Toyota is the much talked about 86. It may have been officially revealed four days ago (and unofficially even earlier), but the Tokyo Motor Show gives the public its first chance to see Toyota’s sports car in the flesh.

Even though Toyota claims a 50 year-old heritage behind the 86, as everyone knows – heck even Snooki should be aware of this by now…- the rear-wheel drive coupe has been developed in cooperation with Subaru, which in Tokyo is displaying its own version, the BRZ.

And that explains why the 86 is powered by a Subaru-sourced flat-four engine with a 2.0-liter displacement and an output of 200HP and 205 Nm of peak torque at a rather high 6,600 rpm.

Toyota’s input in the engine is the addition of its D-4S technology that, in plain English, means it has both direct and port injection and a very high compression ratio of 12.5:1.

We’ll pass on the “Neo Functionalism” design which, even though Toyota claims harks back to its old sports cars, is not as impressive (to put it politely) in the production car as the numerous concepts had led us to believe.

The 1983 Corolla Levin/Trueno AE86 may have been the inspiration behind the 86’s creation, or it may just be a the marketing department milking the drift pose’s nostalgia for a modern iteration of a 1980s classic.

AE86 heritage or not, what concerns us the most is the execution. On paper, at least, the 86 has what it takes to fulfill the rather bold claims made by its maker.

For starters, the numbers that matter seem spot on. At 4.240 mm long and 1,285 mm high, the 86 is the world’s most compact four-seater sports car, which means that it’s actually a 2+2. The token rear seats though are irrelevant compared to the nearly ideal 53:47 weight distribution and the very low center of gravity of only 460 mm.

The McPherson strut and double wishbone front and rear suspension respectively, a six-speed manual or paddle-shift automatic transmission, the limited-slip rear differential and the VSC electronic stability control system that can be completely switched off, are also among the key points of interest for the 86’s target group.

Speaking of target group, Toyota insists that the 86 is not aimed at power-hungry consumers, but rather those who value a pure sports car with direct response and great feel. In other words, those who want a car they can drive every day and get the maximum pleasure out of its dynamics. It remains to be seen if consumers think the same.

Photos of  Toyota 86 2012 from the Tokyo Motor Show 2011:

Toyota-Tacoma-2012

Latest Photos & Review for 2012 Toyota Tacoma Cars: After an early, unwanted reveal through a leaked video, Toyota has officially released the updated Tacoma pickup truck, which enters the 2012 model year with a fresh face, a subtly refined interior and equipment improvements.

Toyota’s designers started on the outside by adding a new front grille on all grades that led to restyling of the headlamps, while the hood and the front bumper are also new.

Inside, the new model year brings a revised instrument gauge panel and controls on the center console along with a new steering wheel and a fresh choice of audio systems for certain models including Toyota’s new Entune infotainment and navigation systems on the higher-grade versions.

There are no mechanical changes for 2012, with the Tacoma line offering buyers three options, a 2.7-liter four-pot with 159-hp and 180 lb-ft. of torque, a 4.0-liter V6 that generates 236-horsepower with 266 lb-ft. of torque, and a TRD-prepped 4.0-liter supercharger V6 capable of delivering 304 horsepower and 334 lbs.-ft. of torque.

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Toyota-Camry-2012

Toyota Camry 2012 Launched Pictured and Priced – Latest review & details for Toyota Camry 2012 autos: It is finally here; the car many Americans love to hate buying, the brand-new, seventh-generation Toyota Camry, which was officially unveiled today ahead of its sales launch in States in the beginning of October

If we wanted to highlight the most important features of the new 2012 Camry here’s what we would go with: it’s more powerful yet delivers better fuel efficiency, has a more upscale interior with higher quality materials, its styling is sharper but continues to be bland and will definitely not excite (on the other hand, it won’t offend either), and finally, in some cases its priced lower than the outgoing model.

In more detail and starting from the engine range, the 2012 Camry will be offered with a choice of three powerplants. The base engine is a revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit delivering 178-horsepower, an increase of 9HP, and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Toyota says EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are 25 mpg city/35 highway, and 28 mpg combined, an increase of 2mpg over the previous generation Camry.

Next up is a subtly refined 3.5-liter V6 that generates 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. According to the Japanese carmaker, it returns EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway (previous model: 20mpg/29mpg respectively).

Both the four- and six-cylinder engines are offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode using the console shifter.

The third option is the 2012 Camry Hybrid that gains a overhauled version of the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine that replaces the 2.4-liter unit.

Together, the gasoline and electric motors produce a combined output of 200 horsepower allowing the Camry to accelerate from 0-to-60mph (96km/h) in 7.6-seconds, which places it between the four-cylinder and V6 models.

Toyota says the new Camry Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, which accounts to a more-than-30 percent boost in fuel economy in the EPA city and combined driving cycles, compared to the previous model.

According to Toyota, the improved fuel economy can be attributed largely to the new hybrid powertrain, but also due to lighter vehicle weight and optimized aerodynamics.

Also new for the 2012 Camry Hybrid is the EV Drive mode that allows the driver to operate the car on the electric motor alone for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph or 40km/h).

The Hybrid version is identified by select exterior features such as the blue-hued Toyota logos and the model-specific alloy wheels and lower grille, while inside, there’s exclusive trim and upholsteries along with a three-dial Optitron gauge panel.

While similar in size with the outgoing model, Toyota says that thanks to some changes including but not limited to, moving the accelerator pedal and front seats forward, repositioning the rear-seat hip point rearward, and reshaping the front seatbacks, rear-knee room has been increased by 1.8-inch while rear middle seat legroom has grown by two inches.

The company also claims to have reduced noise throughout the entire cabin.

The new Camry features a more rigid body structure, revised front suspension and redesigned rear suspension, while it’s also the first Toyota to feature the firm’s latest electric power steering (EPS) control system. The automaker says these changes instill the new Camry with “greater straight-line stability and crisper steering response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort”.

For the 2012 model year, the new Camry and Camry Hybrid will be offered with six-different grades. Tech highlights include the introduction of Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system that debuts support for mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports.

Surprisingly, Toyota has dropped pricing of some trim grades to lower levels than its predecessor.

“Despite all of the enhancements to the all-new Camry, prices for all popular models have been reduced with dramatic repositioning on SE, XLE and Hybrid models, representing the best value in the segment,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager.

The base Camry L with the 2.4-liter engine, however, is priced from $21,955, or $710 more than the previous model.

The Hybrid LE carries an MSRP of $25,900, decrease of $1,150 or 4.3 percent compared to the 2011 model. For more details on pricing, check out the list below.

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Toyota-Prius-2012-Hybrid

Toyota Prius 2012 Hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 – Latest photos & review of Toyota Prius 2012 Hybrid: The final production version of Toyota’s long anticipated Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle –or PHEV for short

will make its first public appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show on the 15th of September. The Japanese automaker has been field-testing the Prius PHEV for quite some time now, but starting from next Spring, it will go on sale in Europe as well as other markets including select dealerships in the U.S. with a nationwide launch to follow in 2013.

The addition of a compact lithium-ion battery with plug-in capability increases both the efficiency as well as the car’s all-electric driving range to around 13 miles or 21 km at speeds of up to 62mph (100km/h). Once the battery is depleted the PHEV reverts to its hybrid mode and operates as a regular Prius.

According to the automaker, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle can be fully charged in approximately three hours from a standard 110-volt electrical outlet, and in 90 minutes with a 220-volt connection.

Toyota said that based on the European homologation cycle, the Prius PHEV returns up to 128.4mpg UK (equal to 106.9mpg US and 2.2lt/100km) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 49 g/km, almost half the standard model.

“While some debate the relative merits of electric cars, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers drivers the best of both worlds; extended EV driving range for shorter journeys in towns and cities, while the efficient hybrid petrol engine gives the car uncompromised long range capability and the very low fuel consumption of the standard Prius,” Toyota said in a statement.

In Europe, the new Prius Plug-in will join an expanded Toyota hybrid range consisting of the Prius, the British-built Auris hybrid, the new, seven-seat Prius+ and the soon-to-be-released Yaris hybrid.

Toyota-Yaris-2012-US

Toyota Yaris 2012 Announces Prices at Lollapalooza Music Fest US – Latest review & photos of Toyota Yaris 2012: When an automaker is ready to launch a new model into the market, we usually receive a press release along with some initial or teaser photos before we see it in person at a major auto show.

But that’s not the case with the U.S. market version of the 2012 Yaris as Toyota quietly unwrapped the car under a tent at the…Lollapalooza annual music festival in Chicago this past weekend while today, the Japanese company announced U.S. pricing without, however, releasing any photos or further details. Strange indeed.

We’ll remind you that the new generation of the Yaris was first shown in Japan in December, 2010. Toyota then presented a concept hybrid version at the Geneva Show in March this year before revealing the final production model for Europe in June and for Australia in July at the Melbourne Motor Show.

Toyota said the redesigned 2012 Yaris’s base MSRP will range from $14,115 for the L grade three-door liftback fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox to $17,200 for the SE grade five-door liftback with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The aforementioned MSRPs do not include a $760 delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee which lifts prices to $14,875 and $17,960 for the 2012 Yaris L and Yaris SE grades respectively

Toyota said that pricing for the new model is “comparable to a Convenience Package-equipped current generation Yaris” adding that production of the car will start on August 31.

And while Toyota did not announce any further details, Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek was at the Lollapalooza music fest where he managed to get a look at the spec sheet found on the 2012 Yaris LE that was on display.

The LE comes fitted with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota stating on the spec sheet that the manual model will return an estimated fuel efficiency of 30mpg city and 38mpgh highway, while the automatic 30mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

By comparison, the current generation Yaris that also features a 1.5-liter gasoline unit, returns 29mpg/36mpg when equipped with a manual gearbox and 29mpg/35mpg when fitted with an automatic.

While we wait for Toyota to release photos of the North American-specification 2012 Yaris, scroll down for a video and a comprehensive gallery of the European market model.

Photos of  Toyota Yaris 2012 at Lollapalooza Music Fest US:

Toyota-Camry-2012

Toyota Camry 2012: Latest New photos and detais for Toyota Camry 2012: We’ve already had our first taste of the upcoming 2012 Toyota Camry through some video footage shot during a dealer presentation in Las Vegas back in June, but today, the Japanese carmaker released the first official teaser of the mid-size sedan via its Twitter account.

All we get for now is a cropped image showing a 3/4 view of the 2012 Camry’s edgier styled front end and the promise for “more info on the upcoming launch” soon.

We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for any updates as the new Camry is scheduled for launch this fall and will post them as they come through. In the meantime follow the break to check out the full-size image.

photos of  Toyota Camry 2012:

Toyota-Camry-2012

Toyota-Yaris-2012-Sport-Kit

Toyota Yaris 2012 with New Sport Kit at the Melbourne Motor Show 2011 – Latest Melbourne Motor Show 2011 for Australian: After its world premiere in Japan last December as the Vitz, Toyota is gradually introducing the new generation of the Yaris in other markets around the world.

Now, with the European version out of the way, it’s time for the Yaris to make its first appearance in Melbourne at this week’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS).

Revealed in show car form, the Yaris is fitted with a TRD-like sports kit comprising of a honeycomb grille, a restyled front bumper with larger openings and a chrome trim around the lower grille, side skirts, chunky alloy wheels and a new rear bumper with a diffuser plus a roof spoiler.

In Australia, the new Yaris is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the final quarter of 2011.

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Toyota-Prius-Hybrid-2012

Toyota Prius Hybrid Sports 2012 Up with new PLUS Package from TRD – Latest Photos & details of Toyota Prius Hybrid Sports 2012: At last year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Toyota displayed a lightly modified version of the Prius Hybrid to inaugurate its new line of accessories under the PLUS moniker.

Now it’s time for the Japanese automaker to release the production version of its modestly sported up Prius with the commercial launch of the PLUS Performance Package that will be available for order in July in limited numbers.

The package features styling and performance upgrades, and is optionally available on all Prius models with pricing set at $3,699 for the Prius Two, Three, and Four trim levels and $2,999 for the Prius Five.

Customers can choose from four exterior colors -Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Winter Gray Metallic. On the outside, the Prius PLUS is dressed in a seven-piece ground effects kit that includes front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts and a rear diffuser.

The hybrid model also gains 17-inch alloy wheels in a five-spoke design wrapped in low-profile 215/45R17 tires with a custom offset, which Toyota says increases the track width while “maintaining Prius’ low rolling resistance”.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the PLUS package adds a sports-tuned suspension with lowering springs (1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the rear) and a new rear sway bar constructed of high carbon spring steel.

Custom badging inside and out along with bespoke carpet floor mats round off the package.

Photos of  Toyota Prius Hybrid Sports 2012:

Toyota-Yaris-2012-Europe

Toyota Europe Sales Toyota Yaris 2012 at this Summer – Latest photos & details of Toyota Yaris 2012 Europe Version: We first brought you news on the European version of third generation Yaris hatchback on Wednesday, but today, Toyota followed up with initial details on its VW Polo and Ford Fiesta rival.

Toyota’s newcomer in the European supermini segment will manufactured at the Japanese firm’s Valenciennes factory in France with sales to start before the end of this summer.

At launch, the 2012 Yaris will be offered with three different engines, two of which run on gasoline, the 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.33-litre dual VVT-I, and the other, a 1.4-litre D-4D, on diesel. A hybrid version based on the 2011 Geneva Motor Show concept car has been confirmed for next year with more details to be released at a later date.

The Japanese automaker said the new Yaris will offer affordable multimedia connectivity with the introduction of Toyota Touch & Go featuring a rather large 6.1-inch display with touch screen technology. According to the company, it will be standard equipment on 95 per cent of sales.

Commenting on the introduction of the new Yaris, Didier Leroy, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, said: “[The] New Yaris represents Toyota’s strongest offer yet in the important supermini segment. With its new levels of ingenuity, efficiency and quality, we are confident it can build upon Yaris’s previous success and help Toyota rejuvenate its presence in Europe and move towards one million annual sales in the region in the medium term.”

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Toyota-Yaris-2012

Toyota Yaris 2012 for European Market – Latest photos & details Toyota Yaris 2012 autos: Toyota has unveiled the European version of the new Yaris, its all-new supermini which will replace the model of the same name in the summer of 2011.

The new Yaris is, quite predictably, based on the Yaris HSD Hybrid prototype that we saw last March in Geneva.

It adopts Toyota’s new design language, with more angular headlights and more prominent creases in the body, although the general shape does not stray too much from the previous generation model.

What has changed, though, is the interior: unlike the two previous generations, in the new Yaris the instrument binnacle is no longer placed in the middle of the dashboard but in front of the driver, and has replaced the (sometimes hard to read) digital instruments with conventional gauges. Thus, the driver gains in instrument readability, but on the other hand loses the practical double glove box of the previous Yaris.

We don’t have any official information about the available powerplants, though we expect the initial line-up to consist of a 3-cylinder 1.0 liter and a 4-cylinder 1.3-liter. In 2012, we’ll also see a hybrid version, which will use the now familiar Hybrid Synergy Drive, probably combined with a 1.3- or 1.5-liter engine to combat the likes of Honda’s Jazz Hybrid.

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Toyota-FT-86-II-Sports-2011

Toyota FT 86 Sports Concept 2011 – Latest info of Toyota FT 86 Sports 2011: We’ve already seen and gone over all the juicy bits of the near-production Toyota FT-86 II sports coupe, but the Japanese automaker’s social media crew went over to the firm’s European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, for a new photo shoot last week offering us a fresh batch of pictures as well as a behind-the-scenes video.

The second iteration of the FT-86 study made its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. Its main purpose is to preview actual production model that will go on sale in late 2012. The well-received styling of the original concept model evolved gaining new front and rear ends, more pronounced surfaces and a host of other fresh details, with Toyota claiming that the design changes were made for safety regulations as well as for practical reasons.

The new rear drive coupe is being developed in cooperation with Subaru that will present its own version in the near future. Both cars will share the same underpinnings and mechanical hardware including the 2.0-liter boxer engine and 6-speed transmission.

Toyota says the sports coupe will stand out for its light weight and low centre of gravity, offering an “optimum power-to-weight ratio”.More details are expected to be released later this year.

Toyota FT 86 Sports Concept 2011 photos: