It has been revealed that the Driving Standards Agency has banned the Toyota iQ from being used for driving tests because of poor visibility. The Toyota iQ is a very small – although very cleverly packaged – car. Not even 10 feet long, it manages to pack four people in a space smaller than just […]
Toyota Prius Estate in late 2010
It’s being reported that Toyota will launch a Prius Estate in late 2010 – and perhaps even a Prius SUV – featuring lithium ion batteries. We’ve believed for a long time that Toyota were going to extend the Prius brand, effectively creating a sub-brand for its hybrid cars. But the planned arrival of the Toyota […]
Toyota leaves F1
Toyota has confirmed its decision to quit Formula One and they will not participate in 2010. It’s not exactly a huge surprise, but Toyota has announced today that they are leaving Formula One and will not be back in 2010 to take their place. With the announcement that Bridgestone are also quitting F1 after 2010, and the […]
Subaru FT-86 – Turbo and 4WD
It’s being reported that the Subaru version of the FT-86 Coupe (Subaru 216A) will come with 300bhp and four wheel drive. Toyota brought the FT-86 – a 2 door coupe concept that may well see the return of the Celica name – to the Tokyo Motor Show this month. Designed to be an affordable coupe […]
Toyota Sai Revealed
Toyota has revealed a larger hybrid in Japan – the Toyota Sai – based on the Lexus HS 250h and offering 190bhp from its petrol hybrid powerplant. A couple of weeks ago we reported that Toyoto were going to take the wraps off a new hybrid in their range – the Toyota Sai – on […]
Toyota Auris 2010 Updates
Toyota has introduced a number of changes to the 2010 Auris including exterior styling tweaks and higher quality interior trim. We’re back on the ‘Home Market’ tack again, this time with the Toyota Auris. As we’ve said before, car makers have a habit of updating their models in their home market before rolling out the […]
Toyota FT-EV II – it’s the Jetsons!
Toyota are bringing a low-powered, short range, ultra-compact electric city car concept to the Tokyo Motor Show – the Toyota FT-EV II. Not quite – the Toyota FT-EV doesn’t fly – but it does look a bit like a retro-futuristic car. Something designed in the fifties to portray life in the 21st century. And in […]
Toyota condemns the Electric Car
Toyota believes that the electric car will never be a mass-market phenomenon, and that the future lies with petrol hybrids. I suppose we shouldn’t be too surprised that the company that has put all its might behind the hybrid car says that electric cars – plug-ins – are not a viable proposition, nor likely to be in the […]
Toyota FT-86 Concept – say ‘hachi roku’
Toyota will show the FT-86 Concept (hachi roku) – a compact two-door sports car – built in collaboration with Subaru at the Tokyo Motor Show. In recent years Toyota has become a somewhat boring car maker. It makes cars very well, it’s just that they’re not exactly inspiring or exciting. So it looks as if they’re taking […]
Toyota SAI – New Toyota Hybrid
Toyota are to launch a new hybrid in Japan on 20th October – the Toyota SAI – based on the Lexus HS250. Update 20/0/09: The Toyota Sai has now been revealed. We know that Toyota is on a world hybrid car domination quest, but we did think that they were going to launch a new […]