Toyota i-Road Concept leaning on the way to Geneva

Toyota decided they were going to bring something different to the Geneva Motor Show. Here we have a small two seater small city car that will take the fight to the Renault Twizy starting with the Geneva Motor Show. Meanwhile Apple will sue Toyota because of the chosen name.

It has room for two people sitting one in front of the other (tandem) just like the Twizy, but unlike the latter it has only three wheels and leans when making a turn to prevent tipping over.

The i-Road has a length of 2.350mm, a wheelbase of 1.700mm, is 1.445mm tall and as a width of only 850mm meaning it isn't larger than a motorcycle so it will occupy just half of a regular parking space. The 3 meter turning radius makes it easy to drive and maneuver in a city.

The power train consists of two electric motors with 2kW each giving it a top speed of 45km/h (28mph). The Lithium-ion battery helps raise the car's curb weight to 300kg (660lbs), while a full charge gives the "trike" a range of 50km (31 miles) when driving at 30km/h (19mph).

 

 

Toyota FT-86 Open concept has its online presentation [Video]

With only a few days until the start of the Geneva Motor Show some companies continue to present their latest models, such as Toyota. The Japanese company will bring the concept of the convertible version of the GT86 aka Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ's brother, saying it serves to ascertain the "possible launch" of the open top version.

When you remove the top of a car a lot of work is needed to prevent the vehicle from breaking in the middle but Toyota says that for now they just took to roof off and have "identified numerous areas within which further engineering evaluation must be undertaken". This got me thinking that they aren't really inclined into building this car or at least the process is still in the beginning.

But when the company created the GT86 they said it was done with a convertible in mind, therefore, not many changes would be necessary to create it. Let's wait and see.

We do know is the the concept features the same engine as the GT86 with 1998cc, around 160hp per ton and a weight of 1257kg (2771lb), meaning a power output close to 200hp. The GT86 uses a manual gear shift or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

For the Geneva Motor Show the FT86 Open Concept has 20 inch wheels, a white exterior, navy blue fabric roof and pure a bright white interior upholstery and trim to make it more attractive to the visitors.

Toyota shows the new Auris Touring Sports

According to Toyota, the Auris Touring Sports will be first full hybrid wagon available in the C-segment, which is pretty cool, i am all for the hybrid cars but the Japanese car maker still can't make a good looking car. The good thing is it looks a little better in comparison with the Auris hatchback.

The Touring Sports has a larger boot thanks to the 2600mm wheelbase and the 285mm increase in length over the hatchback. The loadspace is 1115mm long and 1452mm wide with a superior capacity of 530 liters but when you fold the rear seats you will have room for 1658 liters.

It will be available with the same engine found in the hatchback, a choice of 1.33 liter Dual VVT-i and 1.6 liter Valvematic petrol engines, an improved 1.4 liter and 2.0 liter D-4D diesel engines, and the first full hybrid power train.

The hybrid configuration consists of an 1.8 liter VVT-i petrol engine and an electric motor generating a maximum power output of 136hp (100 kW) which will give the car a top speed of 180km/h (112mph) and will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 10,9 seconds.

But what matters aren't those figures its the following. It will emit only 86g/km of CO2 while NOx and NO particulate emissions are lower than any other diesel of comparable performance. Weirdly Toyota didn't reveal the fuel consumption but i am sure it will be under 4 liters for every 100km.

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept caught naked in South Africa

Two weeks ago Toyota teased the FT-86 Open Concept, which is the convertible version of the GT 86, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, and now a few spy pictures showed up in the internet revealing the final look of the new car that will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show.

From what we can see in these pictures taken in South Africa it looks great. We do now is it will be heavier, and we all known that isn't good for a car's performance. It will also be more expensive, that is if it ever gets to go into production.

Like most new cars teased and revealed in the last few weeks, we will find out more when the car gets its official introduction at the Geneva Motor Show.

Source: ft86club

Is this the new Toyota Corolla sedan?

A few weeks ago Toyota revealed the Furia concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit which was supposed to show the look of the next-generation Corolla, and today two pictures of what seems to be the Corolla sedan showed up today in a polish website.

The Furia concept was really promising and what we have here is everything but amazing. The car lost its aggressiveness and now seems more ordinary, it does not stand out, even if the back looks cool.

We don't know if this is the European version or not, but the look shouldn't be so different compared to the North American or Japanese versions, with the biggest changes happening under the hood.

Expect an official reveal and sales to start later this year or in the beginning of 2014, depending on the market.

Source: gt86club via carscoop

Toyota teases the FT-86 Open concept

Toyota will present this concept at the Geneva Motor Show to assess the public's reaction to the convertible version of the GT-86. From what we can see it will keep four seats but we don't know if it will come with a soft-top or a hard-top.

Production isn't confirmed yet, but it seems Toyota is already testing the car pointing to a possible production version to come out this year.

Source: Toyota

 

BMW and Toyota signed binding agreements

Render by Mark Farrington

Toyota and BMW signed a deal regarding collaboration on Fuel Cell Systems, Sports Vehicle, Lightweight Technology and Lithium-air Battery Collaboration to Commence.

But what deserves more attention is the creation of a mid-size sports car whose platform is shared by both companies. This might mean, at least for Toyota, the return of the Supra which will be slotted above the GT86.

Both carmakers want the study for such car finished by the end of 2013, meaning we might see some concepts in 2014 and the production version in 2015. Almost certainly that the aspect of the car and the engines will not be shared.

1. Fuel cell system

- The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020.

- The companies are to collaborate in jointly developing codes and standards for the hydrogen infrastructure which are necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles.

2. Sports vehicle

- The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013. The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximise customer satisfaction. Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

3. Lightweight technology

- The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the joint development of a sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles.

4. Post-lithium-battery technology

- The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Toyota Corolla Furia concept with the help of Samsung

The concept shown at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, forgetting some details like the pieces in carbon fiber, LED lights and huge wheels, will be the future Corolla. Maybe we can see the return of the Corolla hatchback in Europe.

The design of the latest Toyotas have been characterized as being dull and unappealing, but the Japanese brand wants to change this by using the theme “Iconic Dynamism" and reach to more youthful consumers.

The new front fascia, with a blacked-out grille treatment, highlights a pair of sculpted front LED headlamps that matches the rear lights. The large 19inch wheels together with carbon fiber accents give an aggressive look to the sedan.

Overall Length 4620 mm/ 181.9 inches

Overall Width 1805 mm / 71 inches

Overall Height 1425 mm / 56.1 inches

Wheelbase 2700 mm/ 106.3 inches

Samsung helped unveil the new concept with a custom-built structure housing thirty of Samsung’s new 46” transparent LCD panels.

Gazoo Racing creates the GRMN SPORTS FR Concept PLATINUM [Video]

Gazoo Racing has a long partnership with Toyota, creating several concepts and racing cars for the Japanese automaker, and recently revealed another at the Tokyo Auto Salon, based on the Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S, called the GRMN SPORTS FR Concept PLATINUM.

I have to be honest, the car looks like one of the concepts shown by Lotus in 2010, but that isn't a bad thing. Gazoo changed a lot of things, starting with the redesigned front, with new headlamps, tail lights, bumpers, hood and a rather large rear wing.

On the inside we have a roll cage, bucket seats with four-point seat belt, a new steering wheel and several other changes with a two-tone interior.

For a lot of people the 200hp taken from the 4U-GSE naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine is just not enough, so the good people at Gazoo Racing added a turbocharger and a supercharger raising the maximum power to 330hp and the torque to 431Nm (318 lb/ft).

Connected to the boxer engine is a six-speed manual transmission which in turn is attached to a mechanical limited slip differential driving the rear wheels. Other changes have been made to the suspension, brakes and wheels.

Source: carscoop

Toyota teases us a new model, codenamed Furia. What will this be? [Video]

 

With the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) coming up, all car manufacturers are starting to tease what new models they are going to reveal in Detroit, next month.

 

Toyota is not an exception, teasing us what i think it will be the new Corolla sedan, named Furia. For now this is only what i have, but stay tuned for more information, and in particular to the NAIAS coverage!

Source: Toyota