Toyota Prius Review & Road Test

Like all that is more than skin deep, so are the changes found in new Prius
Model Tested:

2009 Toyota ZVW30 Prius i-Tech; 1.8-litre four-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid; CVT, five-door hatch – $53,500*

Options:

Metallic Paint $350 (Fitted – Silver Pearl)

Improved dynamics, steering and brakes; intuitive features; better performance
Rear vision through split window; positioning of some [...]

Toyota Corolla Hybrid Concept world premiere at Frankfurt

Toyota is set to unveil a new hybrid concept based on its Corolla model at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor show, a car that is expected to be the second of eight new hybrid models that Toyota Australia plans to roll out over the next four years.

Known in Europe as the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept, [...]

Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series gains more features

Toyota is now offering as standard a 45-litre sub tank (in addition to the 93-litre main tank) on all 200 Series LandCruiser models.

Other improvements see LandCruiser pick up a rear-view camera, “crawl” technology for negotiating tough off-road situations, audio controls on the steering wheel, a 12-Volt rear accessory socket, 3.5mm audio input jack and [...]

Lexus LF-CH revealed ahead of Frankfurt

Lexus has given a first glimpse of just what its compact entry into the premium hybrid market will look like when it is released at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.

The premium Toyota brand says the LF-CH, you can bet that won’t be its final name, will offer Lexus Hybrid Drive in a practical [...]

Toyota, Mini to team up on sub-light cars – report

A report published by Edmunds this morning has revealed that Mini is reportedly holding discussion with Toyota about a possible micro car tie-up along the lines of Toyota’s iQ.

Although the deal has not been set in concrete the report indicates that Toyota would benefit from the deal in receiving a counter deal in the form [...]

Toyota Hybrid Camry begins pilot build

Toyota today moved a step closer to local production of the Hybrid Camry that it will introduce to the Australian market in February next year with the commencement of the pilot build program.

It has also indicated that it hopes the program, which is a mid-life move for the current model, will lead to the next [...]

Toyota confirms closure of NUMMI plant

As we reported yesterday, Toyota had hinted that it would cease operations at its California, US, plant – a move now confirmed by the Japanese manufacturer.

The New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant (or NUMMI) – a joint venture plant between Toyota and GM – will cease production by March 2010.

Toyota could halt UK production – report

Toyota could halt production at its United Kingdom production facilities in a bid to match global production with falling sales according to a report published today by Reuters Newsagency.

Japanese production will also be halted for approximately six months from early next year, Reuters said.

Toyota recalls 688,000 cars in China

Toyota Motor Corporation will recall 688,314 cars made at its two China joint ventures starting Tuesday to fix a faulty window-control switch, which is the carmaker’s largest recall in China.

Reuters Newsagency quotes analysts as saying the recall will not have any long-term impact on the Japanese company’s growth prospect in China as the defect is [...]

Toyota to cut production 10 per cent

Toyota Motor Corporation, the world’s biggest carmaker, will cut its global production capacity by 10 per cent, or 1 million vehicles, according to a report in the Japanese business newspaper Nikkei.

Reuters Newsagency quotes the newspaper as saying the production cut will come as early as this financial year in an effort to increase the use [...]

Light Hatch Comparison – Fiesta, Barina, Jazz, Getz, Yaris, Swift

These light cars are no lightweights.
Generally speaking, the word ‘light’ implies there’s something missing: less than the others; a lack thereof; insubstantial; skimping.
It rarely invokes a sense of excitement – light beer, for example. As far as the ‘light car’ segment goes, my expectations are immediately managed (down), and I’m ready to be underwhelmed.

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