Archive for Toyota

The Hilux is the choice of nany contractors and people who actually need pickup trucks for their utility and not as a lifestyle vehicles. Alot of people who just want to experience a 4WD truck for the occasional light offroad trek and the frugal diesel engine tend to dismiss the Hilux because of its weak engine – only 100 horsepower and 260Nm of torque. This is thanks to the mild tuning of the engine, so mild that it does not even require an intercooler.

This could change. A more powerful version of the Hilux has just been launched in Thailand and its called the Toyota Hilux Vigo VN Turbo. The biggest change is highlighted in the name – it has a Variable Nozzle Turbo, also known as a Variable Geometry Turbocharger, similiar to the unit you can find in the Ford Ranger TDCi.

Two engines are available – a larger 3.0 VN Turbo (1KD-FTV) putting out 163 horses and 343Nm of torque between 1,400 to 3,200rpm, and a smaller 2.5 liter unit (2KD-FTV) making 144 horses and the same 343Nm of torque, this time over a narrower peak torque band between 1,600 to 2,800rpm. All engines are intercooled. These engines are Euro III engines (okay, so they may not end up being available here) and are B5 diesel capable.

Toyota has added two new engines for its European Toyota Avensis. Their Europe cars seem to be getting the best that can be found in their engine range. I wish it’d trickle down to markets like ours sooner. They seem to be phasing out the Dual VVT-i engines with the new Valvematic engines that also incorporate Dual VVT-i technology, and the stats for the engines look pretty good.

The Avensis gets a new 1.6 liter Valvematic engine that does 43.5 mpg on the combined cycle, and can take the D-segment Avensis up to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds. This new engine is called the 1ZR-FAE and puts out 130 horsepower at 6,400rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm, which is pretty good as its a 100Nm to 1.0 liter of displacement ratio. Anything beyond this would usually start requiring implementing some kind of aggressive high cam tuning or direct injection. A 1.8 liter Valvematic engine also exists – the 2ZR-FAE making 145 horsepower at 6,400rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

And of course we are already familiar with the first ZR family Valvematic engine that was ever unveiled and first installed in the JDM market Toyota Noah. The Avensis does not get this 158 PS 3ZR-FAE engine though, with the larger power options deserved for turbodiesels, as befitting European market tastes. The Avensis has a new turbodiesel engine called the 2.2 D-CAT 150, which is cleaner than the 2.2 D-4D 150 engine. It produces 148hp at 3,600rpm and a massive 340Nm between 2,000 to 2,800rpm, and for the first time in a diesel-powered Toyota passenger car it can be mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.2 D-4D 150 is only available with a 6-speed manual.

Toyota’s Valvematic technology incorporates continuous valve lift control together with Dual VVT-i’s existing valve timing control. Valvematic eliminates the need for a throttle butterfly, instead controlling the volume of intake air using variable valve lift. This is similiar to BMW’s Valvetronic technology and quite interestingly the Toyota 1ZR-FAE beats the BMW-PSA Price normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine in terms of peak horsepower and equals it in terms of torque, however the Prince engine beats it by making the peak 160Nm at an engine speed that is 150rpm lower.

But still, all of these engines seem to be a little pale in terms of spec sheet numbers and excitement factor in comparison to the 1.4 liter and recently 1.2 liter TSI engines from the Volkswagen stable.

The Toyota Prius is now here in Malaysia, retailing for RM175,000 OTR inclusive of insurance for private registration. Might be too much for most of us to stomach considering this is supposed to include the rebate that the government is giving on hybrid cars, the same rebate that ensures the Camry Hybrid won’t be sold here in the near future as long as the policies stay the same as it is only for hybrids with engine displacements of under 2.0 liters. The Langkawi and Labuan prices are rather interesting though – its only RM127,408.45 and RM128,046.55 respectively for individual private registration.

As previously indicated we are getting the model without the solar panel, and we are getting the 15 inch wheels instead of the 17 inch wheels. The construction of the 15 inch wheels are interesting – it’s an alloy wheel but it has an additional plastic cover on top to help with aerodynamics. No GPS navi or colour screen on the interior but there is a heads-up display function. Other equipment includes 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, stability control (VSC), Hill-Start Assist, brake assist, keyless entry and start, and an 8-speaker audio system.

For those who want to check out the Prius in better detail, there is a cut-body model showcased in the UMW Toyota Subang showroom until the 9th of August 2009, after of which it will be moved to Cheras from 10 to 16 and Penang from 18 to to the 31st. This model is said to be one of only two cutaway Prius models in the world – which basically means the Prius is cut to show you the inner components of the THS HSD system.

UMW targets to sell 100 units this year which is probably just about all the allocation they managed to get as there is a bottleneck in the Prius supply globally. For those who want to learn more about the new third generation Prius, you may read the related links below:

Related Posts:
3rd generation Toyota Prius: first impression drive
3rd generation Toyota Prius: official details

The new facelifted Toyota Camry must be coming soon as the updated car has made an appearance on UMW Toyota’s website.

• Toyota Camry 2.0E – RM144,990.00
• Toyota Camry 2.0G – RM154,990.00
• Toyota Camry 2.4V – RM174,990.00

One thing that I can spot is that the 2.4V has something called “Smart Entry and Start System” listed as part of its equipment. The 2.0E and 2.0G has this listed as “without”. This must be a keyless push start system.

Look after the jump for full specifications and equipment list for the new models, as well as a photo gallery of the facelifted Camry from its China launching.

Click here to read the rest of New Toyota Camry teaser on UMW website

It may be different for the enthusiast but say the word hybrid to the layman and he’ll automatically associate it with the Toyota Prius. And now, the third generation is here, and slated to be launched in Malaysia next month. Let’s have a look at the new iconic hybrid Toyota that you’ll be able to buy at showrooms before the end of the year.

Click here to read the rest of 3rd generation Toyota Prius: first impressions

Toyota has announced that it will be making a hybrid version of the Toyota Auris from mid-2010 onwards, and production for this new model will be set up in the UK at Toyota’s Derbyshire plant. No further specifications have been revealed at the moment, and it’s not known whether Toyota will fit their current 1.8 liter Hybrid Synergy Drive, or the older 1.5 liter from the 2nd generation Prius, or a totally new Hybrid Synergy Drive system perhaps based on the new 1.33 liter dual VVT-i engine. We’ll probably get more news at one of the upcoming motorshows. I wonder if a Corolla Altis Hybrid could be offered sometime in the future, since the Auris is effectively a Corolla hatchback.

Toyota has announced a new limited edition version of the Toyota iQ tuned by GAZOO Racing. It will be launched in November 2009 and sold only through its Japanese Netz dealer channels. The GAZOO Toyota iQ will feature a customised suspension with lowered ride height, and 16 inch wheels with low profile tyres. Calligraphy-style livery has been splashed around the car to create its own look. But aesthetics (the bodykit you see on the car) will be supplied by Modellista.

Look after the jump for a video of the GAZOO iQ.

Click here to read the rest of Limited edition GAZOO Racing Toyota iQ

Reports worldwide are indicating that Japanese auto maker Toyota, will revive the Supra, and that a production model could hit dealerships by 2011. The news was first fueled back in 2007, when the auto maker previewed the FT-HS Concept car the Detroit Auto Show.

Now, words are being exchanged again regarding the revival of the Nissan Skyline-fighter. Apparently, the new Supra would be powered by a Lexus-sourced 2GR-VSE 3.5-liter V6, that will be paired with a hybrid system, sourced from the Toyota Crown.

While the previous Supra produced up to 320HP from it’s 2JZ-GTE inline-6 twin turbo powerplant (depending on the market), the replacement model could produce more than 400HP, when mated to the hybrid system. Expect the auto maker to showcase a concept at this year’s motor show in Tokyo. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya was built by the Japanese car company to commemorate the history of the automobile. It isn’t just a building full of Toyota cars – it’s full of cars from as early as 1902! Interestingly the 1902 car is the Baker Electric, which had a 1 horsepower electric motor and took it up to 40km/h.

There is also a charcoal gas-powered Buick replica which was quite interesting to check out. It started off as a regular 1937 Buick but was converted to use charcoal, as per the norm back during the days of World War II in Japan. Import of petrol into the country was restricted and many cars were converted into alternative energy cars powered by charcoal gas, wood gas, natural gas, etc.

There’s a whole list of cars on display here. Look after the jump for a whole live photo gallery of the museum.

Click here to read the rest of Gallery: Sights at the Toyota Automobile Museum

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The new Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo is here, and it replaces the Vios 1.5S as the flagship model of the Vios range. The Vios TRD Sportivo is estimated to be priced at RM90,900.00 OTR with insurance, though apparently it’s not 100% finalised yet.

The Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo project started off as a response to customer feedback that they wanted a sportier Vios. This new variant is a development of the 1.5S, the model that it replaces. What you get is a new bodykit, Enkei alloy wheels, door visors, a new interior trim style, and an optional sports suspension kit.

TRD Sportivo is not TRD. It’s a Toyota accessory brand that’s more towards aesthetics. In fact some accessories that UMW Toyota were trying out with the Vios TRD development cars such as the air filter did not make it to this production car that will go on sale. Even the different exhaust system from the development cars did not make it to the production car. UMW Toyota says they did not want to touch those to keep the regular Vios 3 year and 100,000km warranty.

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The bodykit consists of front and rear lips, a bootlid spoiler, and side skirts, all made of polyurethane (PU) except for the bootlid spoiler which is made of ABS plastic. This particular bodykit is exclusive to the Malaysian market – it is not the same one as Thailand’s Toyota Vios GT.

On the interior you get two-tone red and black fabric on the seats and door panels, TRD Sportivo floor mats, a leather gearknob, stainless steel cruff plates with the TRD Sportivo logo on the door sills, and some carbon fiber lookalike inserts on the center console. The 15 inch alloy wheels were wrapped with Bridgestone Potenzas at the media launch, and the wheels manufactured by Enkei are said to be 10% lighter than the standard Vios 15 inch alloy wheel.

There is an optional sports suspension kit that’s not included in the standard car. This suspension kit has a sportier damping rate and also lowers the car by 10mm.

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Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo (AT) – RM90,900.00
Toyota Vios 1.5G (AT) – RM85,025.00
Toyota Vios 1.5E (AT) – RM79,425.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (AT) – RM73,525.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (MT) – RM69,825.00

The new TRD Sportivo is about RM2k+ more expensive than the 1.5S it replaces, which used to go for RM88,600.00 last I checked. It’s quite interesting to see the Vios span such a huge price range, with the cheapest Vios 1.5J costing over RM20k cheaper than the TRD Sportivo car. If you add the sports suspension kit, it brings the price up to RM94,050.

The new Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo is available in a few colours: Silver Metallic, Coal Black, White, Grey Mica, Bronze Metallic and the signature colour which is Medium Silver Metallic, the colour you see in the product photos published in this story.

Check out our previous story where we tried out the development cars, or look after the jump for more pix of the TRD Sportivo Vios.

Click here to read the rest of Toyota VIOS 1.5 TRD Sportivo arrives in Malaysia, replaces the Vios 1.5S!