Australian Car Advice | News Blog

Read more…

Toyota Australia motorsport manager Todd Connolly said Aussie Racing Cars are an exciting category that offer thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing.

“We’re really pleased to join such a competitive, popular and entertaining series,” he said. “Toyota sees it as an ideal grass-roots category for young drivers to learn and make their way up the ladder in motor sport.”

The 450kg Aussie Racing Cars have identical mechanical specification to ensure close competition and to put the emphasis on driver skill. They have a moulded body (a caricature of the vehicle on which it is based), a space-frame chassis and 1.2-litre Yamaha engine that delivers 91kW at 11,500rpm.

Todd Connolly identified two synergies with the new TRD Aurion Aussie Racing Cars and Toyota.

“Yamaha has been a Toyota technical partner for the last four decades and developed the latest Corolla dual-VVT-i-equipped engine,” he said. “CATIA, who sponsor our Formula One team and Australian rally team, provided the software to design the TRD Aurion look-alike body for the four new cars.”

The first TRD Aurion Aussie Racing Car to hit the circuit has been nominated as a “guest” car that will feature different motor sport personalities at each event. It is finished in the same livery as TRD’s 2008 Targa Tasmania class-winning TRD Aurion.

Race commentator and V8 race driver Neil Crompton will debut this car at Surfer’s Paradise, with an added exterior feature. The car will have its roof painted as a bandanna to support CanTeen’s October 31 National Bandanna Day for young people living with cancer.

Todd Connolly said he hopes the car’s appearance at the Nikon Indy 300 event would help raise awareness of CanTeen’s largest annual fund-raising day, when it aimed to sell one million bandannas. There will be a hospitality area at the circuit for CanTeen families from South-East Queensland.

Indy gets under way this Thursday with further information available at www.indy.com.au

Hide It

Read more…

The launch of the WorkMate automatic is part of an overall visual and technical upgrade for the now 32-model range of Toyota HiLux 4×2 and 4×4 utilities. The upgrade includes Euro IV compliance for HiLux’ two VVT-i equipped petrol engines (WorkMate’s 2.7-litre engine and the 4.0 litre V6), larger front brakes and improved rear suspension for all 4×2 models as well as improved front suspension across the entire range. WorkMate also comes with the option of ABS anti-skid brakes and all models now have 15-inch steel wheels.

The HiLux’ facelift features include newly shaped grilles, a fresh front bumper and headlight design on the outside as well as some slight changes for the interior.

As the company continues to build on its winning formula, we’ll see if the new strings to its bow see Toyota at the top of the table for October sales as well.

Hide It

Read more…

The Muster celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, so the expectation was that this was to be a big one. Just a few short clicks from Melbourne that sentiment was confirmed with the road to ‘Deni’ paved nose to tail with utes big and small - and of course the obligatory Mr Plods.

Driving in convoy is great fun. Nods and waves from window to window, chats at the road house sharing the love and adoration these guys and gals have for their utes, and of course the request for a look under the bonnet. It’s an admirable and instant comradeship, the kind you only seem to get in the bush.

The convoy also attracts its own records with one group leaving from just outside Melbourne doubling the previous US held title with 600 registered utes.

When we arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed at the main gate for the 5am unveiling, the scale of the Muster really grabbed our attention, it is quite a staggering site. In fact it’s so big, you have to see it from the air to truly appreciate just what 7242 utes (and any number of other vehicles) in the one spot looks like.

The queues extended for kilometres in each direction leading to the main gates and given the dawn opening, an early start is required to secure a spot close to the action. Good spirits, prominently ‘Bundy’ flavoured, were enjoyed to pass the time with entry a surprisingly smooth flowing affair given the populous number of utes on hand.

The event brings not only utes to Deniliquin, but much needed revenue in this time of drought. Last year’s turnover exceeded $10 million and with the tenth year celebrations seeing the 50 hectare site overflow into neighbouring paddocks, that amount is sure to set a record of its own this year.

With the utes parked, camp sites pegged and the gates to the Festival Arena thrown open, the crowd was treated to a fly over from the RAAF’s Roulettes signalling Deni 2008 was open for business.

The CarAdvice team even managed a quick chat with Roulette #7, Flight Lieutenant Ben Miedecke. Trained at #2 Training School (Advanced Training School), and as the only full-time Roulette (the others are weekenders and are mainly flight instructors), Ben commentates for the Roulettes at events such as the Deni Ute Muster.

He was kind enough to run us through the Roulettes normal performance and told us that during maneuvers the team can pull up to 7g which means Ben weighs roughly 700kg during this time.

His Australian built  Pilatus PC-9 is good for 950 shaft-horsepower (de-rated from 1200) and weighs in at just 1800kg. To prepare, a few loops and barrel rolls are done to increase blood pressure and prepare blood vessels for high G. The team will typically fly three 90 minute sorties a day.

Back on the ground though, the fun had begun in earnest with Lawn Mower racing kicking off proceedings in the main arena. These things are manic and require not only forged steel wedding tackle to race, but a sixth sense to know where you’re going with the drought making the powdery Deni dust diabolical.

In keeping with tradition, and the organiser’s belief that “behind every good looking ute is a good looking Aussie wearing a blue singlet”, the Bluies are also tallied each year with 2702 Bluies counted in the one place at the one time, just over one-tenth of the overall population at the Muster.

But it’s not all Bundy, Blueys and Blunnys, the Muster also has a carnival atmosphere with competitions, concerts and a huge array of stalls and supplies catering to any discerning ute driver.

A lot of the non-wheeled events are family orientated too with farming families coming from as far as Western Australia and New Zealand to enjoy and compete in the festivities and competitions.

Go-to-whoa and the ever popular circle work championships were of course an event highlight with entrants presenting utes of all ages for a crack at the title.

The often elaborately dressed utes really don’t hold back out here with some of the prizes up for grabs almost worth risking an engine for, and before you ask, no the F6 didn’t make an appearance in the ring.

If the four wheeled entertainment wasn’t to your liking there was also shearing demonstrations, bush poetry, whip cracking, wood chopping and country music featuring artists including The Living End, Kasey Chambers, James Reyne, Mark Seymour, Paul Greene, Lee Kernaghan, The Songbirds, Steve Forde, The Sunny Cowgirls, Morgan Evans and Deniliquin locals The Lincons, just to name a few.

The always popular Holden “Grunt Off” saw some very hung-over competitors race to tow a Holden ute on Saturday morning, which given the 7mm of rain Friday night made for a challenge across a course now ankle deep in wood chips.

Saturday arvo saw the Yamaha boys put on freestyle motorcross demonstrations in the main arena and in keeping with the theme of the show, they jumped two massive tractors.

“It’ll be very unique to jump over New Holland tractors, and a great spectacle for the crowd”, lead rider Matty McFerran said.

The circle work finals and bull riding led the evening into a close before the final concert and fireworks wrapped up the night.

So if Deni sounds like something you wouldn’t mind checking out next year then be sure to circle October 2 and 3 on the 2009 calendar, polish up the ute and shake the red backs from the swag - it’s sure to be a big one.

Hide It

Read more…

Simply put the parts do not meet Toyota’s strict tolerances and may be manufactured from inferior materials which could jeopardise longevity, reliability or even - in some instances - safety.

The best way to guard against the practice is to insist on ‘Toyota Genuine Parts’ from an approved Toyota dealership and if need be, ask to see the packaging prior to fitment.

Hide It

Read more…

It’s strongest performer was the Corolla with more than 5000 sales, closely followed by the HiLux which contributed just over 4500 to the overall total.

With the financial year ending just yesterday, Toyota also announced that it has sold more than 247,500 vehicles for the fiscal year - also an all-time industry record.

No other brand has ever sold more than 200,000 vehicles in any 12-month period in Australia.

Hide It

Read more…

You see, I have tried, I really have, I waited a few weeks, I thought perhaps if time goes by, the TRD will make sense, perhaps it just confused me? Perhaps Toyota had given me a less than perfect example? Not so, excluding Anthony, the rest of us at CarAdvice are yet to fall in love with anything with a TRD badge.

Here is the essential problem. Despite what Toyota says, TRD is in fact in competition with HSV and FPV. You can’t launch a performance brand and expect not to be compared to the traditional players.

Sure the TRD Aurion is far more comparable to its Ford and Holden counterparts than the HiLux is to the HSV Maloo and FPV Tornado (F6), but you still have to compare.

I will try and get the good bits out of the way and perhaps try and convince myself through this review that the TRD does make sense, to someone.

Under the bonnet and with subtle TRD badging sits a large 4.0-litre, quad-cam, V6 petrol engine that delivers 225kW of power and 453Nm of torque.

Yes, only 225kW from a 4.0-litre V6 with a supercharger. Somewhat strange? More so when you consider the 3.5-litre in the TRD Aurion tends to make more power (241kW) but obviously has less torque (400Nm).

TRD has managed to increase power over the Dual-cab HiLux by 28.5 percent while torque goes up by 20.4 per cent. Which in a way explains the 25 per cent price increase. But is it warranted?

Next page…

Pages: 1 2 3 4

Hide It

Read more…

Now before we begin, remove purpose from this argument, because we well know these utes are essentially a sports car with a tray and that outright performance rates far more highly on the consideration list than payload or practicality in this instance. It’s this debate that in certain circles can start a bit of a ruckus.

You see most blokes see these utes as toys, or show ponies if you will, and more often than not will give a bit of lip to the well cut metro male for driving a ute that’s all go and show with no room to stow. But as we found out when it comes to at least one of the pair this criticism is well deserved.

The HiLux is a thoroughbred among working circles and has been, undoubtedly for very good reason, the number one seller in its class for sometime now. Consequently it would stand to reason that enhancing this tried and true formula even further should only improve the already accomplished package significantly - enter TRD.

Toyota Racing Development is the modern day moniker given to a collective of motorsport pedigree stretching back, in Australia at least, over fifty years. In 1957 a Toyopet Crown finished 47th in the grueling Australia Mobilgas Rally and years later, perhaps most notably for us, Corolla won their category two years running at Bathurst (1968-69). Since those humble beginnings Toyota’s motor racing success both at home and abroad has been a varied and triumphant juggernaut.

This heritage has now filtered down in to road going vehicles with HiLux and Aurion both receiving some special treatment, and for but a few simple modifications, TRD have made the current series HiLux not only more powerful, but more desirable and better looking as well.

Next page…

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Hide It

Read more…

Despite our love for the iconic Australian ute, this is the first time one has ever topped the monthly sales chart, just ahead of the Corolla with 3722 sales in second place.

April has been a record month overall for Toyota, with sales of 20,838 vehicles - more than doubling the sales of its nearest competitor.

Toyota also achieved the top four positions in the SUV market with the Kluger (1268), RAV (1191), Prado (1157) and LandCruiser 200 Series wagon (1124).

Hide It

Read more…

“The TRD Aurion’s body shell is really more of a caricature than a scaled-down version of the real car. We are in the final stages of producing the initial test moulds now so the finished product will be on the track later this year.”

The series is a support category for the V8 Supercar Championship and races at some of Australia’s biggest events, including the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and at Indy on the Gold Coast.

Every car in the field runs a spec mechanical package and chassis that is fitted with moulded body shells representing the relevant make and model of the car.

Weighing just 450kg, the cars are powered by a 1.2-litre, twin-cam, four-valve Yamaha engine, producing 91kW at 11,5000rpm and sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.

Although the series has been based around Ford and Holden-derived cars, Aussie Racing Cars director Phil Ward said he does not see the category as a red versus blue battle and hopes Toyota’s involvement will encourage other manufacturers to get involved.

Hide It

Read more…

Mazda drivers Rick Bates and Alister McRae managed a one-two finish on Day One in the 2WD Showroom Competition, matching their previous result in the Prologue - despite Toyota incorrectly claiming victory in its TRD Aurion entry.

Not only did Rick Bates outperform the near-standard TRD Aurion entry competing alongside in the 2WD Showroom category, but also twin-brother Neal Bates in his race-prepped TRD Aurion entry.

Overall the performance of the Mazda3 MPS in the hands of Bates has been phenomenal, finishing the day 24th overall - equal with the brand-new R35 Nissan GT-R of Targa regular Tony Alford.

Jim Richards remains as the man to beat in his 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, finishing first overall narrowly ahead of Steve Glenney and Tony Longhurst in their rally bred Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 and Subaru Impreza WRX STi Spec C respectively.

Day two of Targa is made up of 402km, including eight competitive stages over 72km. The field starts and finishes in Launceston and visits the east coast town of St Helens.

Hide It

Read more…

Maximum power has been increased by 28.5 percent to 225kW whilst peak torque has risen by 20.4 percent to 453Nm at just 3400rpm.

More than the equivalent maximum torque of 376Nm produced by the standard HiLux is delivered from just above idle all the way to 5700rpm on the TRD model.

Zero to 100km/h performance jumps to just 7.2 seconds, whilst retaining fuel-economy figures comparable with the standard HiLux at just 12.9 litres per 100km.

Similar to the TRD Aurion, the supercharged HiLux will be available in two model grades - 4000S and 4000SL.

Both grades come standard with twin front airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and DataDot security.

The TRD HiLux also has specially calibrated monotube Bilstein shock absorbers and 17-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres.

Other enhancements include larger front brake rotors and calipers, a TRD body kit, sports bar and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever.

TRD HiLux 4000S is priced at $59,990 and the 4000SL at $64,990. The only option is metallic paint at $300.

CarAdvice will be reviewing the new TRD HiLux shortly.

Hide It