Toyota

Toyota's tiniest car could also be its first electric car in the U.S., according to news reports. The carmaker told its dealership franchise owners last month that an electric version of its Scion iQ is scheduled to hit showroom floors in 2012.

The Scion iQ is a pint-size city car currently being sold in Japan and the EU under the Toyota brand. Using a 1L engine, the iQ achieves an impressive 65 mpg. Toyota introduced the car to the North American market last year, and doubled down on the city car this year by revealing an electric prototype … Read more

Could you have predicted in 1965 that a $3,000 Mustang would be worth $50,000 today? Or in 1960 that a $5,000 Corvette could go for $100,000 in 50 years? There are certainly many cars from the past that are gone and forgotten, that will never attain anything like classic status. Trying to predict classic cars is harder than picking soybean futures.

Nevertheless, the editors of Car Tech decided to give it a try. Looking at cars from the last decade, we came up with 10 that seemed like they should stand the test of time. Most of the cars we picked had niche interest or a limited production run, ensuring some rarity in the future. A car like the first-generation Toyota Prius heralds the beginning of a new trend in the automotive world, while the Pontiac G8 marks the end of a brand. … Read more

Toyota Motor Corp. today announced the recall of about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years and sold in the United States.

According to Toyota, the vehicles could lose power or stall completely because of a transistor inside the hybrid system's inverter that could overheat.

The problem involves certain transistors inside the Intelligent Power Module on the control boards in some of the vehicles which "were inadequately soldered."

If this were to occur, various warning lamps will illuminate on the instrument panel, Toyota said, and the … Read more

The idea of a pimped Prius isn't new, as any visitor to SEMA can attest, but now Toyota is offering a limited number of Plus Performance packages from the factory for the iconic hybrid. If the pedestrian nature of the standard Prius has been keeping you from its 50 mpg fuel economy, maybe a body kit and low-profile tires will make this car palatable.

We read with glee that the Plus Performance package will add contoured ground effects along the lower edges of the car. When Toyota's press release mentioned "race-inspired 17-inch forged alloy wheels," we thought, OK, lighter wheels could add something to a hybrid. But noting the low-profile tires restored the sense that this package would be something like adding a wing to a Yaris. … Read more

Scion likes to attract attention to its brand with yearly Release Series special editions of its tC, xB, and xD models. Usually, that means a fresh coat of exclusive paint, color-matched interior trim, a set of nice wheels, and a body kit, but the upcoming Scion tC Release Series 7.0 also gets some new cabin tech.

Let's start with the standard-fare Release Series upgrades. In addition to the retina-searing High Voltage yellow paint, this limited-edition tC also gets 18-inch gloss black alloy rims and a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) five-piece body kit that adds a honeycomb lower grille … Read more

What's interesting about the release accompanying the announcement of Toyota's latest hybrid concept is that there's absolutely no mention of the terms efficient, mpg, or eco. No, when Toyota talks about the GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II, it uses words like maneuverability, stability, and enjoyment. Just what's gotten into boring old Toyota these days?

Set to be revealed to the public at this weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race, in Nurburg, Germany, the Toyota's concept is a sporty convertible that's powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain. GRMN stands for "Gazoo Racing tuned by … Read more

DETROIT--As smartphones, tablets, and other sophisticated electronic devices become ubiquitous, automakers worry that young people may be more interested in the newest gadget than in owning a new car.

In a panel discussion last week at the Automotive News Green Car Conference, several players on the front lines of developing new cars and light trucks said vehicle connectivity is important in making vehicles more attractive to young drivers.

Bill Reinert, national alternative fuel vehicle manager at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., said the number of people aged 16 to 21 who are eligible for a driver's license, but … Read more

When you think subcompact, you're probably thinking giving up horsepower, cargo space, tech options, and safety. But this isn't so for the 2012 Hyundai Accent.

The new Accent comes in a smart four-door GLS spec and a sporty five-door hatch, in GS and SE trims. With a direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the Accent offers 138 horsepower at 6,300rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque at 4,850rpm.

The Accent four-door is slightly larger than its predecessor (3.5 inches longer and a wheelbase that's 2.8 inches longer). It also bests the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, … Read more

Toyota's U.K. press site released two photos of a restyled Yaris, along with engine specs. The styling of this third-generation model should reflect the next version of the car to be offered in the U.S.

An exterior shot reveals a more sculpted car that, however, retains the same basic shape and size as the hatchback model. The front-end treatment comports better with Toyota's newer styling language, featuring an almost vertically aligned front badge. The hood opening shows a curved cut instead of the straight line from the current generation.

A large intake on the front gives it a more aggressive look, and a strong side contour line seems to lead back to a traditional hatchback rear pillar.

In the U.K., the Yaris will be available with three engines: a 1-liter, a 1.33-liter featuring dual variable valve timing, and a 1.4-liter diesel.

An interior shot shows a navigation screen. The press release refers to it as Toyota Touch & Go, with a 6.1-inch full-color touch screen. The interior photo shows a left-hand-drive car, suggesting that it is a picture of the next-generation European Yaris. … Read more