THE NEXT GENERATION OF TOYOTA

The next generation Toyota Prius

Posted on Jul 2nd, 2008 by psaico
2 Comments Category: Toyota

Next Generation Toyota Prius

Everyone knows about the Toyota Prius, the hybrid car, but not everyone knows very much about it. Well, in short terms, if everyone would have a Prius then the world could cleaner, dryer, relaxed, more silenced, and many more. But imagine the next generation of Toyota Prius, with a larger engine, more efficient, faster, cleaner and greener. This car will have a big launch at the Detroit auto show in January 2009.

Even America has fallen for this car and in a big way. There’s no doubt about that and through an extraordinary combination of style and engineering, this hybrid car remains the absolute gold standard for eco cars.

The next generation will have a bigger impact and that’s because it will be a touch bigger and offering more space and it will be stronger with a 1.8 liter hybrid performance.

January 2009 will mark the point at with Prius will change gear and moves up to the next level. Till now, this hybrid car was just one of its kind, just one model, but Toyota plans to spice up the action and will come with different Prius models as it closes it on its bid to be making over 1 million cars pers year till 2010.

NCE takes down Toyota Prius’ top

Posted on May 6th, 2008 by Vlad Balan
No Comments Category: Toyota

Toyota Prius Convertible by NCE

Though successful, the Toyota Prius is not the best looking car out there and we’re sure the last you’d expect was a convertible version of the car. However, Newport Convertible Engineering’s (NCE) thought that all those environment lovers out there driving a Prius would like to feel a little more freedom and decided to take down the car’s top and replace it with a fabric one. We don’t really dig those remaining windows frames, but we’re sure they were left there with a purpose. What do you think, you like it?

Check out more photos after the jump.

PS: Not really related to the article, but I don’t know why, everytime I see a Prius, I remember Achmed’s words and I laugh: “That is not a car but a lunch box. Did you know when you’re going down the highway in a Prius if you put your hand down the window the vehicle will tuuurn?”

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Tax incentives for hybrids dropping

Posted on Jul 2nd, 2008 by Vlad Balan
No Comments Category: Honda, Hybrid, Toyota

Honda Civic Hybrid Taxes

With gas prices exploding, hybrids became very popular in the United States and are selling like crazy. However, we might see these cars’ prices rising, because some of these no longer qualify for the tax break or are about to see it reduced sharply. Affected by this measure are the three most popular hybrids sold in America, the Honda Civic hybrid, the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry hybrid.

After last fall the Prius and the Camry saw their $3,150 tax credits disappear, the Honda Civic hybrid’s tax credit was cut in half, starting Tuesday, July 1st, from $1,050 to $525. This happened after the original $2,100 tax credit was cut in half in January.

According to the 2005 federal law that established the hybrid credit, the tax break begins to phase out after a manufacturer sells 60,000 qualifying vehicles. Because of heavy demand for the Prius, Toyota reached that benchmark early in the program, and tax breaks for its Toyota and Lexus brand hybrids were gone by October 2007.

This tax credit cuts are not very popular, with a lot of people believing that the government should support hybrid sales, not increase the taxes. “We need to be reducing our dependence on oil, so why are we taking away something that will encourage people to do that?” asked Ailis Aaron Wolf, spokeswoman for the advocacy group 40mpg.org, which wants to raise mileage standards.

So, what will happen next? Will hybrid sales drop? Honestly, with gas prices skyrocketing, I don’t think so, on the contrary.
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New York 08: Scion Hako Concept

Posted on Mar 20th, 2008 by Vlad Balan
1 Comment Category: Toyota

Scion Hako Concept

After we’ve seen the Porsche Traveller design study and now the Scion Hako Concept, we’re beginning to ask ourselves if the designers aren’t in some kind of designers strike (after the writer’s guild model). Because these concepts have some faces only their mothers would love.

The Scion Hako was inspired by the Scion xB and it’s a bizzare mixture of cubic and curvy. Plus, it seems that the designers never heard the “aerodynamics” term, because the concept is probably as aerodynamic as a brick. Not to mention this hilarious part from the press release: “the silhouette is accentuated by slim, race-car-inspired side mirrors”. Yeah, right!

There are no drivetrain specs, because, fortunately, the Scion Hako Concept is only a design study and we don’t want to be mean, but we hope we’ll never see it on the street.

See more photos after the jump.

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Redesigned Toyota Crown plus hybrid version launched in Japan

Posted on Feb 19th, 2008 by Vlad Balan
No Comments Category: Hybrid, Toyota

Redesigned Toyota Crown for Japan

Toyota announced today that the redesigned Toyota Crown, Royal Saloon and Athlete versions, will go on sale in Japan today and they’ve also announced the new Crown Hybrid, which will be launched on May 9.

The Crown Royal Saloon and the Crown Athlete will be available with V6 3.0 liter and V6 2.5 liter engine, mated to a 6 Super ECT (Super Intelligent Electronically-controlled, Six-speed Automatic Transmission) and DRAMS (Driving Response and Acceleration Management System). All engines feature Dual VVT-i (Dual Variable Valve Timing Intelligent) to optimize intake and exhaust valve timing according to driving conditions.

The Toyota Crown Hybrid features rear-wheel drive THS II (Toyota Hybrid System II) with a two-stage motor speed reduction which “provides the driving performance of a 4.5-liter vehicle with the low fuel consumption of a 2.0-liter vehicle”. The propulsion system features a combination of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with a high-performance electric motor. Also, by pressing a button, the vehicle will only use the electric engine.

Toyota hopes to sell monthly 5,500 units, including 800 hybrid cars. Click ‘read more’ to see more details on the Toyota Crown in the full press release and to check out more photos of the car.

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