Toyota Brings Seven-Seat Addition to Prius Family

February 6, 2012 By

Toyota Prius V2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V

  • Economical 7 Seater
  • 1.8 litre Atkinson Cycle Engine
  • CVT Transmission
  • Ultra-compact Lithium Ion Battery

Toyota Australia announced today it will offer Australian customers a versatile new member of the Prius family – the seven-seat Prius v.

The new Prius v will be the first Toyota production vehicle in Australia fitted with a lithium-ion battery – placed under the centre console between the driver and front passenger.

Toyota’s lithium-ion battery is smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride battery in Prius, but has similar storage capacity.

Prius v, due on sale in May this year, will join an expanding Prius family that includes the standard Prius hatch and the Prius c city car.

Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said the seven-seat Prius v will broaden the appeal of Toyota’s hybrid technology and environmental credentials.

“The Prius v is all about versatility – it is larger and roomier to meet the needs of growing families while retaining the Prius DNA of environmental performance and fuel economy,” Mr Callachor said.

“Due to the placement of the lithium-ion battery pack between the front seats, there is minimal compromise to the MPV-style seven-seat passenger accommodation or the load space,” he said.

“Families will have the flexibility of using all seven seats or folding down the third-row seats to convert the car into a five-seater with extra luggage space.

“Customers can also fold down the second-row seats to accommodate more cargo than many SUVs and wagons on the market today.”

Prius v has been newly designed from the ground up – an evolution of Prius, not merely an elongated version. All exterior body panels are new.

It is 135mm longer, 30mm wider and 100mm higher than the Prius hatch with the wheelbase extended by 80mm, making it possible to accommodate adults in all three rows.

Prius v showcases the latest generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® powertrain, which employs a 73kW 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine and a powerful 60kW electric motor. Total system power is 100kW.

Since 1997, Toyota Motor Corporation has sold more than 3.5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.

This represents more than 80 per cent of all global hybrid sales, giving Toyota an unquestionable lead in the drive towards sustainable mobility.

In Australia, Toyota and Lexus have sold more than 35,000 hybrids, including 17,000 Prius.

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Prius C to expand appeal of Hybrid Cars

January 2, 2012 By

Toyota Prius C (Japanese model shown)2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C

  • 1.5 litre 1NZ-FXE Engine
  • 45 kW Electric Motor
  • CVT Transmission
  • Under 4l/100km expected*

Toyota Australia says its upcoming Prius c is designed to bring the pleasure of hybrid vehicles to an even broader range of consumers.

Prius c combines a comfortable and roomy interior with a stylish body, and displays spirited acceleration and agility.

The Prius c incorporates 17 years of Toyota expertise and technology in the development of mass-produced hybrid vehicles.

It goes on sale this week in Japan as the Aqua.

Australian sales are due to start during the first half of 2012.

Prius c boasts a small, light and efficient hybrid system that achieves excellent fuel efficiency.

It features a state-of-the-art, small, light and efficient 1.5-litre Toyota hybrid system with reduction gear.

The hybrid transaxle is small and light.

A selectable electric-vehicle mode (EV Mode) enables driving with only the electric motor.

Aerodynamic styling provides a comfortable interior in a compact body.

The exterior has a bold and modern design with a powerful and refined front mask.

The rear silhouette suggests brisk yet stable driving performance.

Inside, the design evokes a great sense of space with a modern and geometric layout.

The hybrid battery has been placed under the rear seat for maximum occupant and luggage space.

The hybrid unit and engine are positioned to create a low centre of gravity for easy manoeuvring.

 

*Based on Japanese model fuel economy specifications.

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Toyota Unveils New 86 Sports Car

December 17, 2011 By

2012 TOYOTA 86

  • 147kW of power
  • Rear wheel drive
  • Spirit of AE86
  • Due for release mid 2012

Toyota has taken the wraps off its newest sports car, announcing it will be called Toyota 86 or “hachi roku” in its home market, Japan.

The unveiling occurred when Toyota president Akio Toyoda drove a production prototype down the main straight of the Fuji Speedway, south of Tokyo.

Mr Toyoda said the new rear-wheel-drive sports car was all about “waku doki” – a car that creates excitement and gets your heart racing.

“I am very proud of this car,” Mr Toyoda said.

“Thank you for the patience of car lovers. They are going to enjoy this car.”

The 86 is a rear-wheel-drive car with intuitive handling that embodies the essence of driving enjoyment.

It features the world’s first horizontally opposed D-4S engine, combining “boxer” engine technology with Toyota’s cutting-edge D-4S direct injection technology.

The engine is installed front mid-ship to create an ultra-low centre of gravity and low inertia. It is the world’s only horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel-drive package.

As a result, the 86 offers fun driving at a level unprecedented in earlier sports cars.

It carries on the spirit of the AE86 Corolla in its aim to be a car that evolves with its owner.

The lightweight and compact rear-wheel-drive platform was designed to achieve superior handling and create the world’s smallest mass-production four-passenger sports car (by volume).

The vehicle’s newly developed engine delivers exceptional output and torque as well as superior response at low and medium speeds.

The D-4S, with separate twin injectors for both direct injection and port injection, boasts a high compression ratio of 12.5:1. This provides high output and high torque over a wide range of engine speeds and contributes to improved environmental performance.

The engine’s redline is 7500rpm with maximum output of 147kW. Even so, the engine achieves fuel efficiency and environmental performance that rivals that of a standard two-litre sedan.

Customers will have the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a special sports-driving six-speed automatic transmission.

The 86 has the lowest hip-point of any Toyota-brand production vehicle and creates a driving position suited for driving enjoyment.

The rear seatbacks fold down to the front to create a luggage space that can accommodate four sports wheels or two golf bags.

The exterior design features a predatory look at the front; the sides are a modern take on Toyota’s sports-car heritage; and the rear view is wide and sturdy despite the compact cabin.

The interior design seeks the essence of sports cars by emphasising the form, placement and materials of each element.

The seatbacks and cushion surfaces are designed to provide support during acceleration g-forces from the front, the back and to the sides. In addition, the shape of the front seats is designed to prevent elbows from interfering with gearshift operation.

The circular steering wheel has a diameter of 365 mm, the smallest in a Toyota-brand vehicle. The wheel’s surface was optimised with exhaustive feedback from test drivers to enhance steering performance and grip.

A three-cluster meter built around the tachometer has been designed with particular attention paid to display placement, markings and typeface to enhance visibility and readability during sports driving.

The Toyota 86 is due for release in mid-2012.

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Toyota Introduces Seventh-Generation Camry

December 17, 2011 By

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY

  • Contemporary exterior and interior styling
  • New engine and transmission delivering more power and torque
  • Improved fuel economy and lower emissions
  • More engaging driving dynamics
  • Quieter and more spacious cabin
  • Advanced safety features

Toyota has released an all-new seventh-generation Camry that debuts a contemporary design with improved driving dynamics and a more spacious interior.

The 2012 Camry combines a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission that deliver better performance while substantially cutting fuel bills and emissions.

Built in Australia, new Camry features expanded safety features, a more comfortable ride, better handling and added refinement, including an even quieter cabin.

The new range introduces two distinct looks to expand buyer appeal – an entry-level Altise and three new Atara variants.

Atara models have unique styling, including the lower-body design, a sporty mesh upper grille, prominent side skirts and twin exhausts.

Advanced features at the top of the range include a blind-spot monitor to help prevent collisions and automatic high beam that automatically dips headlights at night to avoid blinding other drivers.

The new range arrives with zero price increases for the Altise at $30,490# and the range-topping Atara SL at $39,990#, which replaces the Grande.

Price increases for Atara S (replaces Ateva) and Atara SX (Sportivo) are outweighed by added features.

Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the keen pricing delivers even better value to consumers.

“New Camry has the sharp styling, advanced safety, dynamic driving performance, interior space and quietness, comprehensive features, low cost of ownership and exceptional value demanded by Australian drivers,” Mr Buttner said.

“The new line-up is set to expand Camry’s reign as Australia’s best-selling mid-size car – a position it has held for almost 18 years.

“Camry will be a significant contributor to the Australian and Victorian economies, and holds the key to a strong future for the local automotive sector.

“In addition to local sales, Camry will be exported to more than 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries and New Zealand, earning export sales revenue well in excess of $1 billion a year.

“It is a great Australian success story,” Mr Buttner said.

Body, electrical and chassis engineers from the Toyota Technical Center in Melbourne contributed to the development of Camry as a global car from as early as 2006.

They also tuned and tested local versions to meet the demands of Australian motorists and road conditions, including calibrations for the electric power steering, blind-spot monitor and automatic high beam.

Designers at Toyota Style Australia were responsible for the interior fabrics and colour and trim of the local cars.

Camry Altise delivers 133kW of power and 231Nm of torque, substantial gains over the 117kW and 218Nm of the previous generation.

Atara variants gain twin exhausts that help lift output to 135kW and 235Nm for gains of 15 per cent and eight per cent respectively over the previous engine.

All Atara grades – S, sporty SX and luxury SL – have paddle shifts at the driver’s fingertips, delivering greater driver involvement and enjoyment.

Fuel economy across the range is just 7.8 litres/100km* – an improvement of one litre per 100km, which means up to an extra 100km from a tank of unleaded petrol.

It is estimated that, based on this fuel economy improvement, the total saving for Camry motorists is approximately $150 million in fuel bills over the model’s life (based on a fuel price of $1.40 per litre).

Toyota has cut CO2 emissions by 25 grams/km*, which equates to a quarter of a million fewer tonnes being produced over five years across the Camry fleet, compared with the current car.

Altise epitomises Camry’s quality, durability and reliability and is ideal for those who demand a comfortable and pleasant mobile office with low whole-of-life costs.

It has seven airbags, better braking and brake feel, vehicle stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, a stronger body structure and a new seat frame that makes driving more comfortable.

The introduction of electric power steering across the range, along with refinements to the suspension, has led to significant improvements to handling and ride comfort.

Altise is also equipped with 16-inch alloys, trip computer and an upgraded sound system with six speakers and controls on the steering wheel.

Atara S also features foglamps, 17-inch alloys, smart entry and smart start, reversing camera, dual-zone air-conditioning, 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio, premium steering wheel and gearshift knob and an electric driver’s seat with lumbar support.

Atara SX is distinguished by unique rear bumper, rear lip spoiler, sports pedals, sports suspension, black-tinted headlamps and sports leather-accented interior.

Top of the range Atara SL features JBL premium audio with 10 speakers, a 7-inch touch-screen display with satellite navigation, digital radio, RDS live traffic updates, reversing camera with back-guide monitor, blind-spot monitor, automatic high beam, electric front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

New Camry is covered by Toyota Service Advantage capped-price servicing, which has been extended to four years / 75,000km and up to five services^ at $130 per service for the new range.

New accessories include 17-inch alloy wheels and bodyside mouldings with chrome inserts.

The new Camry will be arriving at Huebner Toyota in January 2012.

 

* Fuel consumption and emissions data will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR 81/02 combined cycle.
^ Maximum payable for Standard scheduled servicing (normal operating conditions) until the first of four years or 75,000km (up to the first five services). Excludes Government and rental vehicles. For exclusions and eligibility, visit advantage.toyota.com.au.

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