Recently, in the Carnival of Wheels, somebody made a comment about the incredible number of Prius’ on the road. I replied that we don’t see them here in the Toronto area. While in Connecticut, I see what they were talking about. These things are everywhere. The funny thing is that while traveling at 80 mph, I was passed by at least 4 of them.

A hybrid at over 80 miles per hour! Why bother you MORONS!

When Toyota first revealed the FJ Concept, enthusiasts the world over pretty much begged them to build this retro off roader. And so, build it they did and they stayed true to the concept, adding in lots of cool details along the way. Stylistically, funky details abound from side marker lights to dash vents and roof rack to body colour inserts around the center controls. This thing really is cool.
Continue reading →

OK, so a few days after that Yaris-sports-car post, Toyota comes out and shoots me right out of the air and decides to establish:

Committee to Create Interesting Cars (C2CiC, what I call it for short)

Now this is good and all for those Toyota fans still wanting, praying and hoping for another AE86, or better yet, another Supra. What I have read/heard and seen many journalists rant (and with totally good intentions) about how sports cars can be the MOST interesting cars Toyota could create, they may totally go off on a separate tangent. They could keep fueling the fire to their Scion line of xB/xA series of ‘interesting vehicles’. Maybe they could keep trying to be one-on-the-range with all them yankee cowboys and create an even LARGER Toyota Pickup truck.
Continue reading →

Following a day of rest and some easy transit sections, the competitors in the 2007 Transsyberia Rally took on Stage 9 yesterday and it wasn’t quite so easy. Looking back though, the easy transit on Friday showed a weakness for the Porsche camp that foreshadowed the outcome of Sunday’s Special. Tires.

“With these tires you can go for a ride in an English park, but not compete in a rally in Mongolia” complained Overall Leader Armin Schwarz.
Continue reading →

Well, its no secret that the current clad Corolla is well over-due for its model year makeover. Toyota has now hung onto the current design, extending the conforming, utilitarian, and conservative (read: boring) outlook for 2 extra years. In some circles I have heard this to be a really interesting strategy:

1. Civic/Mazda3/Lancer are all enjoying a facelift late 2005 Impreza hits the scene in new-dapper present, mid-2006.

2. Celica is retired, RSX is hung, Civic SIR/TypeR is introduced in respective domestic markets, WRX/STI/MazdaSpeed3 readily available

3. Yaris making a nill impact with the dealership offered ‘aero package’ For those that absolutly unaware of Toyota’s new “flagship” sports compact, let me paint you a picture:

Yes, get a good look at that rear. This thing doesn’t have enough horses for you to see it again once you’ve passed it.

WTF is up with Toyota? are they too busy ENJOYING WORLD DOMINATION WITHOUT A SPORTS CAR? WTF???????
Continue reading →

More and more consumers are realizing that they want to drive something with a bit more pizazz than a minivan these days. While we might all want to drive a sports car, for most of us reality dictates that we need something with a bit more utility. These opposing needs are what has fueled the growing CUV market. Smaller than a full size SUV, less seating than a minivan, this niche offers good looking, sporty vehicles that can haul some gear. The newest player is the attractive 2007 Ford Edge which combines a sporty look and feel with a healthy dose of utility. In fact, the Edge offers more utility than the FX-35 that we spent time with earlier this year.
Continue reading →

Press day at the Canadian International Autoshow opened yesterday with the announcement of the winners of the AJAC Canadian Car of the Year awards. Beating out the Honda Fit and Mazdaspeed 3 for top honours was the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

You can read the full AJAC press release after the break
Continue reading →

What is the best way to prove a vehicle is reliable? Race it. Better yet, race it with a stock drivetrain. That’s the approach Toyota is taking with the new FJ Cruiser TRD Limited Edition. Combine a killer looking truck, add in an all time great racer and a grueling 1000 mile off road race and you get one hell of a product test. Off road, rally and racing legend Rod Millen will be joined by son Ryan and Adam Dupre for the event, which is in it’s 38th year. The Baja 1000 runs next week.

More from Millenworks and Toyota press release after the break

Continue reading →

Bye Bye Corolla, hello Auris. Today Toyota introduced the world to the long time top seller’s replacement. The Auris will be available as a 3 or 5 door hatch. Typical of cars available across the Atlantic, the Auris will be available with a whopping 5 different engines. Buyers will have their choice between 2 gasoline engines or 3 diesel mills. Our European readers may not be aware of this, but small cars in North America usually arrive with 1 engine, maybe 2 at the most and we never see a diesel. Driving enthusiasts can choose a six speed manual, while the none sporting can still get sporty with a paddle shift automatic. The really cool thing is that the hottest engine is a diesel, yet will hit 60 mph in about 8 seconds. There is no word if we’ll see the Auris here in North America, but we can keep our fingers crossed.
Toyota Motor Europe press release and more pics after the break
Continue reading →

The New York Post reports that the top Exec of Toyota in the United States has been hit with sexual harrassment suit worth a whopping 190 million bucks! It seems that Harry Otaka, the North American CEO of the company had groped & kissed his assistant and while on a business trip had tried to convince the poor girl to spend the night in his hotel room. Accusations are that another Exec who knew of the situation did little other than telling the employee to deal with it herself in private.

$190 million!!! Now there’s a guy who wasn’t thinking.