Toyota RAV4 EV "Powered by Tesla" to bow at Los Angeles Auto Show

As previously reported, Toyota partnered with Tesla to develop all-electric versions of the RAV4 and Lexus RX SUVs. Earlier this summer, the Japanese maker declined to confirm the two models, but today announced that the RAV4 EV will have its world premiere at this year's edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Aside from the announcement and two cropped images, the Japanese company did not release any additional info on the RAV4 EV. However, according to recent reports, Executive Vice-President Takeshi Uchiyamada has stated that the all-electric SUV model will roll into showrooms by 2012.

We'll bring you more information on the RAV4 EV as it comes in.

By Csaba Daradics

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Toyota Plans to Slowly Bore us to Death with Prius MPV Puzzle Teasers

Toyota has decided to build some anticipation about its upcoming Prius MPV [the name has not yet been announced] hybrid, before the big reveal at the Detroit motor show in January 2010, by launching a series of teasers in the form of puzzle pieces. The puzzle theme appears to be central to the Prius MPV campaign as it was also used in the billboard that showed the hybrid minivan hiding behind the normal Prius liftback.

Link: Toyotapriusproject

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SEMA 2010: Sienna Swagger Wagon Supreme pops some Viagra, grows 44 inches

Apparently stretched Toyotas are going to be a big thing at SEMA this year. After recently revealing Cartel's "All Stretched Out" Scion xB, it now appears that Toyota will also show off a limousine/rolling office Sienna at SEMA in order to commemorate the popularity of its "Swagger Wagon" video.

Built in partnership with B.A.D. Company, the V6-powered "Swagger Wagon Supreme" wears a coat of Blue Swagger Opal and been stretched 44 inches. Also, this Sienna now rides on 20-inch KMC rims that hide an airbag suspension setup to make it more comfortable and easier to drive on the open road (...).

Due to the 44-inch extension, the roof panel has been replaced with an acrylic unit measuring about 8 feet. The new roof is meant to improve the "functional family vehicle's" interior ambiance.

Toyota outfitted the Swagger Wagon's interior with standard XLE amenities, but B.A.D. Company is the firm that threw in some extra flavor in the form of reversible seat cushions (to appeal to both children and adults), swiveling captain's chairs (one of which is a massaging "Spa Seat"), a Brazilian cherry hardwood floor, full JBL audio system, and more. Go ahead and scroll down for the full list from the press release.

Barring the silly airbag setup, dubs, and mega extension, the interior of this looks fit to compete with all those fancy Escalade-based rolling offices. Sadly, the movers and shakers who purchase those wouldn't be caught dead in a Sienna.

By Phil Alex

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Sienna Swagger Wagon Supreme Features [from Press Release]

• Base Vehicle: 2011MY Sienna SE & 2011MY Sienna XLE

Mechanical
• Performance: 3.5L V6 with 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Mechanical Modifications: Body extension of nearly 4 feet (44")
• Airbag suspension system: ground clearance range from 2.5 to 6.5-inches
• 20-inch chrome wheels designed by KMC
• Nitto 255/40R20 tires in the rear and 245/45R20 in the front
• Functioning power windows on stretched section of vehicle

Exterior
• Custom fabricated rear spoiler
• Multiple-step exterior paint process
• Shaved door handles on automatic sliding doors
• Custom acrylic roof replacement (approximately eight-feet long)
• Custom chrome exhaust tips

Interior & Audio
• Custom seating with reversible cushions
• Two swiveling captain's chairs in passenger area
• "Spa Seat" equipped with a multi-function, programmable massage unit
• Foldable hide-away table in sitting area
• Custom cabinetry with a cherry veneer finish and DuPont countertop
• Glass-front refrigerator
• Lowered and leveled floor finished in Brazilian cherry hardwood
• 23"-inch HP TouchSmart computer mounted on a custom bracket allowing multiple viewing positions both inside and outside the vehicle
• Xbox gaming system with DVD player
• Custom JBL surround sound audio system

o Toyota Original Equipment head unit through a JBL MS8 signal processor

o Eight JBL GTO 428 speakers in the main cabin

o Two GTO 428 speakers in the rear hatch

o Two JBL GTO 804 sub-woofers

o Four amplifiers totaling1700 watts of power

Four Wheel Magazine’s Project Toyota 4Runner Backcountry bows at SEMA

Do you consider yourself an avid off-road enthusiast, who hangs out more in the wilderness than in the urban jungle? Then Four Wheel Magazine's Project Toyota 4Runner Backcountry might be the vehicle for you. This special 4Runner concept is part of Toyota's 2010 SEMA line-up and is said to have been built as a "self-contained exploration rig."

There's no eye-catching livery here, but a plain white finish. Chances are that only real off-road connoisseurs will know that something's up with this car. And they're right.

The stock suspension has been replaced by heavy-duty Old Manu Emu (OME) parts. New springs and shock absorbers are used, in conjunction with a 2.5 inch lift, making it more capable in rough terrain.

The builders didn't stop there, as Falken Wildpeak A/T tires (P285/70 R17), wrapped around Teflon-coated ATX Mojave wheels, give this bad boy another half an inch of ride height.

Complete with EVO Manufacturing rock sliders, the Backcountry is 3-inches taller than its mundane sibling.

But ground clearance is nothing without efficient power distribution. This is where the ARB front Air Locker shines and, if the going gets real tough, there's also a Warn XD9000 winch, mounted on an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar. You can also rely on two additional HID (High-Intensity Discharge) driving lights to navigate in low light conditions.

Pretty awesome stuff, that promise -at least on paper- to get you to your destination. Once there, your life will be made easier by the rooftop tent, roof rack mounted lights and a 13-gallon water tank, with a hose attached to it.

A complete array of communication and navigational instruments have been integrated into the cabin, most of them using the factory switch blanks, so there's no clutter or lost space.

So, open that ARB fridge and have a beer. An off-roader's life seldom gets any better than this.

By Csaba Daradics

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Four Wheeler Toyota 4Runner Backcountry Features

• Manu Emu (OME) suspension system

• OME NitroCharger Sport shock absorbers

• P285/70R17 Falken WildPeak A/T tires

• 17x8 Teflon-coated ATX Mojave wheels

• ARB front Air Locker

• Warn XD9000 winch

• ARB Deluxe Bull Bar front bumper

• Two 6x9 KC HiLiTES HID driving lights

• four KC HiLiTES 5x7 front facing and two 2x6 rear facing lights

• ARB Steel Touring Style Roof Rack

• ARB Series III Simpson Rooftop Tent and ARB Awning 2000

• EVO Manufacturing rear tire and Expedition One Geri fuel can carrier

• EVO Manufacturing rock sliders

• 13-gallon water tank with12V inline electric pump

• Cobra CB radio

• Garmin GPS

• Rear cargo-mounted Power Tank on-board air system

• ARB Fridge Freeze

Toyota Debuts Prius PLUS Performance Package from TRD with Aero and Suspension Mods

The annual SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas will see Toyota launching an all-new sporty package for its Prius hybrid, which will be available in limited production beginning in April 2011.

Developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), the Performance Package doesn't justify its name with changes under the hood, relying instead on a sporty outfit and a sports tuned suspension plus beefier tire and alloy wheel combos for improved handling.

The aerodynamic kit comprises of seven pieces including a uniquely styled rear diffuser, front and rear bumper spoilers and side skirts. According to Toyota, the aero add-ons don't affect the hybrid car's 0.25 coefficient of drag.

The Prius PLUS also gets race-inspired 17-inch forged wheels that are fitted with low profile 215/45R17 tires and have a custom offset, which is said to increase track width while keeping the standard model's rolling resistance.

To improve handling, TRD installed sports-tuned lowering springs, which Toyota claims "provide a lower center of gravity, enhancing the vehicles on-road performance through quicker turn-in, enhanced steering response and improved cornering ability." In addition, the Prius Plus gains a rear sway bar to reduce body roll "for flatter, more stable cornering and maneuverability."

Completing the package are a set of unique floormats with a "PLUS" logo and a "PLUS" exterior badge.

According to the Japanese automaker, TRD is developing similar packages under the "PLUS" brand for other hybrid models in Toyota's lineup.

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VIDEO: Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux Pick-Up on ramp-duty

Having few things to do this weekend, I decided to crash a Toyota event. It was the 2010 Toyota Experience, which will eventually cover 17 Romanian cities and is meant to promote the Japanese manufacturer's European line-up, from the cute-and-cuddly iQ to the rough-and-tough Hilux truck and the more stylish Land Cruiser. Video after break.

Toyota chose a parking lot at a mall, very close to a main access road to the city, so that the ramp-activity could be seen by a lot of people. That's how we got there, after seeing a Hilux doing something that closely resembled rope dancing.

I'm not a fan of off-road driving, not because I don't like it, but because I'm bad at it. I managed to get a Range Rover stuck in 10 centimeters of water. Same outcome with a Defender... It seems I have that rare talent to get a vehicle stuck in a bucket of jam.

But there are drivers who make off-roading seem like it's the easiest thing in the world. Like the pilots in our video. Bear with us as the action gets more interesting after the 4 minute mark.

By Csaba Daradics

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RK Collection Toyota Camry Coupe V8 NASCAR Edition is a Little Less Beige

The standard Camry isn't exactly what you'd call an exciting car - well, unless the gas pedal and floor mats decide to do their thing and kick in, that is... But as you might imagine, this here SEMA-bound example is a totally different beast from your everyday Camry. First of all, it's only got two doors. And then there's that massive V8 engine lurking under the hood.

The special two-door Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition was developed by RK Collection (RKC) in cooperation with the Japanese firm's in-house Toyota Racing Development (TRD) division. The goal was to create a high-performance but completely street legal Camry with a NASCAR engine to demonstrate the connection between Toyota's production vehicles and its NASCAR program.

We are told that the tuned car gets a specially made exterior shell with a custom body kit and 20-inch tires fitted with 245/35/20 Michelin Pilot tires in the front and 285/20/30 in the rear.

Inside, the car features custom leather-covered panels, power leather seats, SPEK gauges by Proparts and a powerful audio system. A four-point roll cage was also installed.

At the heart of the Camry concept is a TRD NASCAR V8 engine that measures 358 cubic inches and delivers 680 horsepower at 8500 RPM. The V8 is hooked up to a Tremic T-56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission with a Ram dual-disc street clutch.

In the handling division, the street-legal racer makes use of Camry modified Macpherson struts in the front and a Venza modified multi-link independent suspension in the rear.

Toyota said that after its debut at the 2010 SEMA Show, the RK Collection Camry NASCAR Edition can be seen during the NASCAR race weekend beginning November 12 at the Phoenix International Raceway.

RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition Features

Exterior
• RKC Custom made two-door 2010 Camry Body Sheet Metal
• RKC Custom Body Kit, Nose/Tail, Flare/Side Skirt/Spoiler
• RKC Custom Toyota Grill's
• RKC Custom Carbon Fiber Brake Ducts with Fog Lights
• RKC Custom TRD emblems

Tires/Wheels
• TSW Jarama 20X8.5 Front - 20X10 Rear
• Michelin Pilot 245/35/20 Front – 285/20/30 Rear

Interior
• Custom Leather Covered Panels
• Custom Suede Headliner with Integrated Rear Tweeters
• Custom four-Point Roll Cage
• Custom Leather Covered Power Seats with Custom TRD Billet Logos
• Custom Billet Shifter
• Custom Dash with SPEK gauges by Proparts
• Air conditioning by Vintage Air

Audio

• Pioneer AVIC-2110BT DVD/NAV receiver

• Boston Acoustics

o Gt-275 75w x 2 Amps.

o Gt-475 75w x 4 Amp.

o Two- pair SR-60 two-way 6.5 Component Speakers

o 1 G212-44 12' Subwoofer

Engine/Transmission
• TRD NASCAR Engine-V8 Configuration
- Displacement- 358 cubic inches
- Power- 680 HP @ 8500 RPM
- Bore/Stroke - 4.185 inch/3.25 inch
- Oil System- five-stage dry sump
• Custom Wilson Throttle Body Injection
• Motec Engine Management
• Custom Fluidyne radiator
• RKC Custom Header
• RKC Custom Air Intake with K&N Filters
• RKC Custom A/C Mounts
• Quicktime Bell Housing
• Custom Ram Dual Disc Street Clutch
• Tremic T-56 Magnum 6-Speed

Suspension

Front
• RKC Modified Camry Sub frame
• D2 Coil Over Struts
• Custom Lower Control Arms
• Speedway Engineering 1 ¼ Splined Sway Bar
• Woodward Power Rack
• Wilwood 14.25 Rotors
• Brembo six-piston GT Calipers/ radial Mounted

Rear
• Modified 2010 Vensa Sub frame with Lexus SC-430 Differential
• SC-430 Differential with TRD Locker
• Custom Adjustable Control Arms
• Custom Driveshaft and Axles from The Driveshaft Shop
• D2 Coil over
• Wilwood 14' Rotors
• Brembo 4-Piston GT Calipers radial Mounted

Exhaust
• Custom three-inch Exhaust with X-Pipe
• Thrush Mufflers
• Quicktime Performance Cut Out
• Custom Side Exhaust Tips
• High Temp Turbo Black Coating by H.M. Elliott INC.

Participating Suppliers
• Brembo
• Fluidyne high Performance
• Michael Waltrip Racing
• Michelin Tires
• PPG
• Speedway Engineering
• Specialty Automotive Materials
• Toyota Racing Development
• Tremec Transmissions
• Vintage Air
• Wilwood Engineering
• Brown & Miller Racing Solutions
• ProParts
• Hushmat

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Busted: 2011 Toyota Prius MPV Picture is an Older Photoshop

Not that we expect the actual production version of the upcoming 2011 Toyota Prius MPV (or whatever else the Japanese maker names the hybrid minivan) to look any more exciting than the vehicle shown in the black-and-white picture above, but just to set things straight, what you see here is an older photoshop created by Japan's Best Car magazine and not the real deal as some hastily baptized. Proof seekers may follow the jump for color shots from the magazine.

We'll just remind you that Toyota has confirmed that the world premiere of the Prius minivan will take place at the 2011 Detroit motor show in mid-January, with sales to follow either towards the end of the same year or in early 2012.

Photoshop: Best Car , Via: Autoblog.it

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New Toyota Prius Special Edition Celebrates Hybrid's 10th Anniversary in the UK

Marking the 10 years since the launch of the Prius onto the UK market, Toyota has released a special 10th Anniversary edition of its hybrid model. Said to be the most exclusive production Prius to date since only 1,000 examples are to be built, the"Prius 10th Anniversary" is offered with a choice of two paint finishes - White Pearl or Astral Black- and an on-the-road price of £26,150, with first customer deliveries to commence this winter.

The new front, rear and side skirts, 17-inch smoked-finish alloys and dark-tinted privacy glass plus the black leather upholstery embossed with the 10th anniversary logo, complete the list of upgrades over the standard top-of-the-range T Spirit model upon which it is based.

As with the T Spirit model, standard features include HDD satellite navigation (with integrated sound library), rear parking monitor, Bluetooth, Intelligent Park Assist, cruise control, smart entry and start, rain-sensing wipers and head-up display.

Update: Toyota UK informed us that the special edition's name is "Prius 10th Anniversary" and not "Prius Generation X" as the company noted in the original press release. Corrections have been made on the title and article.

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Toyota to Build Prius Hybrid in Thailand

Toyota today revealed it will begin manufacturing its Prius hybrid in Thailand starting from November. The car will be built at the firm's Gateway Plant, near the Thai capital Bangkok, where it also makes the Corolla, Camry, Camry Hybrid and other models. Thailand will be the third country to make Toyota's popular hybrid after Japan and China.

The company said the decision was made as part of its effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide.

Toyota Motor Thailand Co. President Kyoichi Tanada commented: "With its excellent environmental performance, design and advanced technologies, we hope the Prius provides even more people in Thailand with the joys of driving."

Toyota did not reveal how many Prius vehicles will be built at the Thai plant, but a company spokesman said production is for the local market.

Launched in 1997, the Prius hybrids cumulative global sales surpassed the 2 million mark at the end of September this year. Toyota said it aims to sell 1 million hybrid vehicles or more annually before the end of the decade.

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New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

According to the company, there's a possibility that a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

"If the brake warning lamp has illuminated and the vehicle continues to be operated without refilling the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir, the driver will begin to notice a spongy or soft brake pedal feel and braking performance may gradually decline," said the automaker.

Toyota said it will begin notifying owners of the involved vehicles through mail beginning in early November 2010. As with all recalls, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed free of charge.

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