Toyota has released a teaser of a new concept called the FT-Bh Concept. The concept is an “ultra-lightweight, full hybrid vehicle study, designed to achieve low emissions within an economically viable production framework.”

Toyota wasn’t afraid to say that the process and the main concept behind the FT-Bh was to avoid the use of expensive materials or complex development and use only those materials that are commonplace in the automotive industry.

THe Toyota FT-Bh Concept will be making its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next month.

- By: Omar Rana

Our friends at Drive recently had the chance to get behind the new Toyota GT 86 sports coupe. Lead man Chris Harris gives us his take on the new rear-wheel-drive coupe from the Japanese automaker in the 30 minutes he had with the car on the track.

Check out the video after the jump.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Scion FR-S.

Refresher: Power for the Scion FR-S / Toyota GT 86 comes from a 2.0 liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder horizontally opposed engine with Toyota’s D-4S injection system. The engine makes 200-hp at 7,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 151 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm. Its mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. Sales of the 2013 Scion FR-S will start in the spring of 2012.

- By: Omar Rana

A $400 million investment is being made by Toyota Motor Corp to move production of its Highlander crossover from Japan to Princeton, Indiana, where the Highlander is currently made.

“This project allows for better utilization of the Indiana plant and will help Toyota capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market,” said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. “In addition to new jobs at the Indiana plant, this project will increase opportunities and jobs for our North American supply base.”

Toyota is anticipating the hybrid variant to boost Highlander sales overall by 50,000 units before 2014. Last year, 101,868 models rolled off the production line in Indiana, while hybrid sales hit 5,000.

Units produced in the Princeton factory will be exported globally, says President Yoshshimi Inaba, Toyota Motor North America President.

The addition of the Highlander hybrid will also be creating 400 additional jobs.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Check out more news on the Toyota Prius C.

The 2012 Toyota Prius C will be available in four grades with each carrying a Hybrid Synergy Drive 1.5-liter DOHC engine with VVT-i, a 60 hp permanent magnet AC synchronous motor, and a 144 volt nickel-metal hydride battery which generates 25.9 hp of electric propulsion for a total system net output of 99-hp. Obviously 0 to 60 mph will take you about 2 days but you’ll be managing some strong fuel-economy numbers.

The Price C One comes standard with  automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, multi-information display and Bluetooth hands free phone controls; and remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, a 3.5-inch full color TFT multi-information display and USB port with iPod connectivity.

Check out the full pricing sheet after the jump.

The 2012 Prius C Two will add a 6-speaker audio system, auto windshield wipers, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with adjustable headrests, cruise control, engine immobilizer, center console with armrest and storage compartment, and a cargo area tonneau cover.  Getting a little more interesting, the Prius C Three will add a Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Sirius XM Satellite Radio capability, HD Radio with iTunes Tagging, USB port with iPod connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings, and advanced voice recognition. It also gets color-keyed outside door handles with touch- sensor lock/unlock feature, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-information Display, Bluetooth hands free phone and voice command controls, a Touch Tracer Display, and a Smart Key System on the front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry. 15-inch alloy wheels are also aded along with tilt/slide moonroof.

Last but not least the Prius C Four adds 15-inch, 8-spoke alloy wheels, Softex-trimmed heated front seats, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, and integrated fog lamps.

2012 Toyota Prius c Pricing Sheet

2012 Prius c Options and Packages

Available for Prius c Three:

• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $850
• 15-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P175/65R15 tires- MSRP $390

Available for Prius c Four:

• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $850
• 16-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P195/50R16 tires – MSRP $300
• 16-inch Alloy Wheel Package: combines 16-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels with P195/50R16 tires and power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade – MSRP $1,150

Available Exterior Colors:

• Habanero
• Blue Streak Metallic
• Summer Rain Metallic
• Absolutely Red
• Black Sand Pearl
• Magnetic Gray Metallic
• Classic Silver Metallic
• Moonglow
• Super White

- By: Omar Rana

After a difficult year last year with disaster in Japan, Toyota is planning to make up for lost time this year, as it was announced at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention that the automaker will be releasing 19 new models in November.

Overall, Toyota has given reasonable growth targets to its dealers, along with the assurance of new inventory and plenty of support. Sales forecasts have been put at 13.6 million for U.S. sales, while Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. General Manager, believes that figure to be closer to 13.8 million. He also notes that while new car models contributed to 7% of sales last year, this year 40% were from new car sales.

Toyota is still struggling to meet demand on both the Tacoma pickup and the Camry sedan, which is having a better year then expected with the SE trim level.

One of the notable new models so far is the new Avalon, which will be released at the New York Auto Show in April, and is said to come with 33mpg or better.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: FreePress

The pace for U.S. light vehicle sales rose by 11 percent last month and was set by a few major automakers including Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group and Hyundai/Kia.

All major automakers posted sales gains last month except General Motors, which fell 6 percent from a strong January 2011. The automaker sold a total of 167,962 vehicles with Chevrolet being the main highlight as sales for the brand were up 13 percent.

“Chevrolet drove our performance once again and sales of our fuel-efficient new cars were especially good,” and Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “The strength that the economy and the auto industry showed in the fourth quarter carried into January, so we believe the year is off to a good start.”

FoMoCo sold a total of 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent increase. Ford as a brand sold 131,589 vehicles in January, making it the best January sales month for the Ford brand since 2008.

Chrysler shined the most out of Detroit automakers with U.S. sales coming in at 101,149, a 44 percent increase compared with sales in January 2011.

Toyota sold a total of 124,540 units – up 7.5 percent. Honda sold 83,009 units a increase of 8.8 percent. Nissan was up 10.4 percent after selling 79,313 units.

Korean’s Hyundai was up 15 percent with total sales coming in at 42,694.

Germany’s Volkswagen Group sales were up 40 percent to 36,681 units. The sales were led by a 48 percent increase for the VW brand and 20 percent increase at at Audi.

- By: Omar Rana

A survey has been conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center that reflects the consumer’s perception of automotive brands, revealing that small car company’s credibility is on the rise in the eye of the public.

The 2012 Car-Brand Perception Survey compiles data based on seven different categories, including quality, value, safety, environmentally friendly/green, performance, technology/innovation, and design/style. Each category gets is own score, which is then totaled for each automaker’s overall brand-perception score. All of the scores are based on consumer option and not industry facts.

Maintaining its lead in consumer brand perception is Toyota, as well as other major brands, with Honda, Ford, BMW, and Chevrolet all at the top of the list. What has changed from previous years is how much these brands are leading over smaller automakers by. Toyota has seen a drop by 17 points from last year, while Honda, Ford and BMW all decreased by over 20 points. Cadillac and Chevrolet’s scores saw the smallest decrease of less then 10 points each.

Taking over the lost points, at least in part, are the electric car companies, which are becoming increasingly popular. Both Tesla and Fisker were added onto the survey this year, and received better scores then some of the more reputable brands.

What is remaining the same from previous years are the outstanding factors consumers are basing vehicle purchases on. In order of importance they are safety, quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design/style, and technology and innovation. It seems that the small automakers are beginning to meet consumer needs, and should continue on in this direction.

-  By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Consumer Reports

Toyota will show a 2012 Camry commercial during the Super Bowl XLVI game on Feb. 5th. The company dropped the extended version for YouTube fans and will be showing a reduced 30 second version of the commercial during the big game.

Called ‘Reinvented,’ the commercial gives viewers a humorous take on day-to-day experiences and items that could have been reinvented.

Click here for more news on the Toyota Camry.

“Reinvention is a powerful idea and one we took to heart when we redesigned America’s most popular car with the launch of the 2012 Camry and elevated it above the competition,” said Bill Fay, group vice president of marketing at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “The Super Bowl provides a forum to really drive home the reinvention message of the seventh-generation Camry, using humor to resonate with the American public.”

Check out the commercial after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

While many automakers in the industry are constantly fighting for the top spots, market domination, or even global domination, Ford Motor Co. is taking a surprisingly different approach with its Fusion model.

FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally may have recently hinted that the Ford is trying to outsell the ever-popular Toyota Camry, but executives say this is not the case.

One of the outstanding reasons the automaker hasn’t made it a goal is because they don’t have the production capacity to sell as many units as the Camry.

Click here for more news on the Ford Fusion.

Instead, “Between price and volume, we’ll sort out the right mix,” Jim Farley, Ford’s global marketing chief, said in an interview. “I don’t think we’re very enamored with being No. 1 just to be No. 1. We’re much more enamored with getting the right price point and the right kind of people to buy the car.”

Ford is relying on several factors to get top-dollar for each of the Fusion’s it sells. With the expansion of the brand’s available technology, the demand for it will drive up sticker pricing, while hybrid and plug-in models will attract those looking to go green or save on gas. The improved design is also expected to increase consumer demand, as the model was named the best designed production car at the Detroit Auto Show.

As for figures, last year Toyota rolled 308,510 Camrys off U.S. lots, which is a 6 percent drop for the brand, while Ford was up 13 percent, with 248,067 units sold. This year, Ford is increasing production capacity to 400,000, while Toyota’s capacity is at 500,000 for its newly redesigned Camry.

“It’s going to be hard to outsell the Camry,” Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com sales analyst said. “Camry has been on top so long they’ve built up a huge, loyal owner base. Just from the sheer numbers, Camry is hard to beat.”

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoNews

On Tuesday Toyota released pricing information for its 86 sports car to be released in Japan.

The starting price tag on the 86 will be $25,600 for the Customize Grade, and will go up to $38,000 for the GT Limited edition, which is the top-of-the-line model. Resting in between are two trim levels, which include the G, which goes for $31,000 and the GT, priced at $35,900.

While the Customize Grade is the most comfortable figure, it also means skipping painted bumpers and air-conditioning. Available options include a six-speed automatic transmission, aluminum pedals, a three-spoke steering wheels, and limited-slip differential.

March 12 kicks off the Toyota 86’s production in Japan, and the rebadged 2013 Scion FR-S version also goes on sale in the U.S. for spring. The U.S. model is expected to cost “under $30,000” according to Toyota.

By: Alexandra Koken

With plans to make a race debut at the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on May 5, the team will follow up with two TS030 Hybrid entries into the Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving the TS030’s will be Nicolas Lapierre, Kazuki Nakajima and Alex Wurz, with more to join.

The new Hybrids follow up the TS010 and TS020 models, and are the first to confirm participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship with a hybrid. Featuring the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing powertrain, the TS030 is powered by a new naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8. TMG has developed and produced a new carbon fiber LMP1 chassis, as well.

Aisin AW provided the front motor system, while the rear was crafted by Denso, to meet regulations on hybrid systems. The team will be testing that the requirements are met on the first run.

By: Alexandra Koken

Considering that Toyota’s latest collaboration with Subaru, the FT-86 (also coined Toyobaru), is upping the ante in the market of affordable sports cars, it’s not unreasonable to think that aftermarket-tuning companies are hard at work to prepare for the FT-86 tuning crowd.

And to pose as a small teaser for their work in progress, aftermarket tuner HKS has just released a video of the first attempt at putting the new Toyobaru on a dynamometer to see how powerful the car really is from the factory.

The result: 170 rear-wheel horsepower. Sure, that’s not the 200 crank horsepower that Toyota and Subaru announced at the unveiling of the FT-86, and the brands themselves recognize that themselves. They announced that there’s roughly a 15% drivetrain loss.

Check out the video after the jump.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: FT-86 Club

The production model is milder in appearance then the concept, but remains very similar to the original design with its bold front grille.

Power for the Yaris Hybrid is shared with the Prius C’s 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and electric transaxle, motor, battery back and inverter, which combined puts out 98hp.

After rearranging the fuel tank and hybrid battery placements, and scaling down the size of other critical parts, Toyota was able to provide the same interior space in the Hybrid its other variants.

The model is expected to hit showroom floors sometime later this year in Europe.

- By: Alexandra Koken

In just 10 short weeks, the Toyota Prius v managed to outsell the Chevrolet Volt that was available for all of 2011.

GM sold 7,671 units in 2011, and 7,997 in its first 13 months, while the Prius v hit dealers in October 2011, and by the last week in December 8,399 had rolled off Toyota’s lots.

With a 220,000 unit sales goal for all Prius variants, Toyota is looking to boost its sales by 60% from last year. Missing its goal by 10,000 units last year, GM struggled with production and availability, along with crash fire investigations. In addition to these issues, the Prius starts at $26,400, while the Volt has a price tag of $39,145, another contributing factor to the quick success of the Prius.

Overall, Hybrid sales make up just 2.2% last year’s auto sales, down from the previous year’s 2.4%. While Nissan missed its sales goal of 10,000 units for last year, 9,674 Leaf models were still sold.

Check out the vehicle’s mentioned in this article:

• Toyota Prius V
• Chevrolet Volt

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Free Press

For some of us, the Toyota iQ is a well made, inoffensive and appropriate alternative to a Smart Car, but with a white coat of paint, it still looks like a dishwasher with windows. Naturally then, it makes perfect sense to change this household appliance into a fizzy little dog that is far too interested in your leg: Toyota is offering a supercharged iQ.

130 bhp and 133 ft-lbs are to be had from the now supercharged version of which only 100 will be offered (outside of the US). This is a lot for a little car and Gazoo Racing, which is largely responsible for what was a Tokyo Auto Salon concept car, will offer a widebody kit to go with it.

The car will be fitted with a six speed manual, stiffer suspension, and an upgraded interior. Despite all of this, it will still fit in that gap under the counter between the sink and the trash compactor.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

The 2013 Land Cruiser receives over $2,500 in new and updated equipment, inside and out and that is definitely reflected on the starting price tag of $77,955 – an increase of a whopping $8,835 or 12.8 percent.

Click here for our original post on the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser.

The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 DOHC engine that makes 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. The Land Cruiser uses regular-grade (87 AKI) gasoline so you might save some money at the pump.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana - egmCarTech.

- By: Omar Rana

EDIT: We apologize for the confusion. The one pictured from the floor is a pre-facelift Land Cruiser. Three pictures of the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser, post-facelift, have been added to the gallery so you can compare and contrast the minor differences.

- Edit By: Chris Chin

“In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales’ president and chief operating officer. “NS4 demonstrates Toyota’s take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society.”

Designed as a four-door package, the NS4 concept looks like something to come from Honda rather than Toyota (think Honda FCX Clarity), but that could possibly be the color that throws me off personally.

To emphasize the NS4’s idea of connectivity, Toyota formed alliances with Microsoft, Intel and Salesforce to develop the NS4’s Human-Machine Interface, which features a multi-touch screen that mimics the look and feel of a smartphone. Toyota says, besides being able to handle the NS4’s multimedia and vehicle-controls, the HMI system is capable of “learning” driver preferences and habits to predict driver responses in specific scenarios.

Toyota said that the NS4 could see production by 2015 should the concept get a green light from the corporate beancounters.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana - egmCarTech.

- By: Chris Chin

Pitched as the car with the highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug-in function, the Prius c is capable of returning 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway, thanks to a smaller 1.5L version of the Prius’s normal 1.8L Atkinson cycle four-pot and Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which produces a total of 99-hp.

In lieu of the concerns for lithium-ion battery packs, Toyota retained a nickel-metal hydride battery back that produces 144-volts.

Keeping with Toyota’s reputation for value, the Prius c comes standard with a series of in-car multimedia features such as a standard 3.5-in full-color TFT infotainment display, complete with Bluetooth phone capability, USB port iPod connectivity and Toyota’s optional Display Audio System with navigation and Entune systems.

With a starting price just below $19,000, the new Prius c subcompact will be available in March of 2012—making it the cheapest Prius available.

All Photos Copyright © Omar Rana - egmCarTech.

- By: Chris Chin