Tag Archives: Toyota’s

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10 Of The Most Reliable JDM Engines Ever Built

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You have most likely heard about Toyota’s JDM-only Rolls-Royce killer, the Century sedan. A automobile that sits above Lexus in Toyota’s pecking order, the Century is a meticulously designed machine targeted on final quietness, consolation, and refinement. An integral a part of that have, no less than within the second-gen mannequin, was the state-of-the-art 1GZ-FE — the one Japanese V12 engine ever made.

Effortless and creamy, the Century V12 is likely one of the smoothest engines in existence. Toyota additionally created a really dependable and sturdy machine, yielding essentially the most polished engine potential. For occasion, Toyota’s engineers used the corporate’s VVTi system, iridium electrode spark plugs, and slant-squish combustion chambers to stabilize every cylinder’s combustion.

Moreover, they made each half extra inflexible and manufactured it to very tight tolerances, all within the identify of most refinement. This, inadvertently, additionally made the engine extra strong and sturdy. Notably, the 1GZ-FE incorporates a cast metal crankshaft and valve shims coated with titanium, that are elements often put in in racing engines – not an underpowered luxurious V12. At 5.0-liter capability, the 1GZ-FE produces solely 276 horsepower (as a result of JDM automakers gents’s settlement), so no inside half is confused close to its restrict. Heck, Toyota even put in two ECUs for every cylinder financial institution, so if one fails, the engine will proceed to run on six cylinders.

Due to its overengineered nature and using unique elements, the common lifespan of the 1GZ-FE engine is sort of 300,000 miles. It’s additionally turning into more and more standard in tuning circles since Smokey Nagata put this V12 in a 1,000-horsepower Toyota Supra.

[Featured image by Ypy31 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 1.0]

Long-Term Review

Toyota Corolla Commercial 2023 long-term check

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As a reminder, whereas the B mode in most EVs and hybrids ramps up the regenerative braking, in hybrid Toyotas, it really works to maintain the engine on when decelerating and the revs up for extra engine braking.

As a outcome, if you happen to had been to drive in B mode on a regular basis, you’ll get considerably worse financial system. To be clear, that is not what I’m doing. My level is that I by no means have trigger to make use of it, and it could be extra helpful if it acted just like the B mode in most EVs.

The brake pedal within the Corolla is properly progressive and the gauge cluster exhibits neatly the purpose the place you are shifting from regen to the friction brakes, however it could nonetheless be helpful to rapidly max out the regen with a B mode.

As it’s, B mode does make the engine extra responsive, so that you may use it as a sort of sport mode, however I favor to depart it in Eco as a result of the impact remains to be superficial. That apart, Toyota hybrids appear to be the one automobiles whose Eco mode makes them nicer to drive.

Rather than render the powertrain apparently gutless, it appears to uninteresting the preliminary a part of the throttle pedal to be able to hold you inside the electrical motor’s functionality.

Because electrical motors have instantaneous response, this feels satisfactory for lots of city and suburban driving; as soon as the engine fires up, the software program appears to make use of as a lot electrical energy as attainable to maintain the engine revs down.

That’s good for each gas financial system and dulling the CVT impact. In this newest technology of Toyota hybrids, the everyday CVT ‘mooing’ has been considerably diminished anyway. You would not need this technique in a sporty automobile, however for the Corolla it is excellent.

It stays pretty quiet even if you ground it, and the dearth of gearchanges means it is all the time easy. As a stress-free and economical approach of getting round, the Corolla nonetheless takes some beating.

Hot stuff

Even the lowliest Corollas include heated seats – and a pair of huge rocker switches with which to function them.

Display displeasure

ToyotaUk

D.E.E.P. is the First Dealership Program Ever to Receive a DOE Better Practice Award

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In early April, Toyota’s Dealership Environmental Excellence Program (D.E.E.P.) was acknowledged with a Department of Energy (DOE) Better Practice Award. DOE’s prestigious Better Project and Better Practice awards acknowledge companions for modern and industry-leading accomplishments implementing decarbonization, power and water effectivity, or waste discount initiatives.

D.E.E.P. is a voluntary, easy-to-implement program designed to assist dealerships cut back power, water, waste, carbon emissions and operational prices. It offers technical help to Toyota and Lexus dealerships to measurably enhance environmental efficiency and acknowledges sellers that display vital reductions in power and water use whereas partaking with their native communities.

The program started as a pilot in 2021 with 12 U.S. Toyota dealerships and launched nationwide for all Toyota and Lexus dealerships in 2023. There at the moment are 75 Toyota and Lexus sellers collaborating in D.E.E.P. throughout the U.S., and we purpose to have over 100 sellers collaborating by mid-2026.

Toyota is actively inviting extra North American dealerships to enter this system to assist us ship on our dedication to enhance the environmental impacts of our seller gross sales operations and drive optimistic impacts for society.

Participating Toyota and Lexus D.E.E.P. dealerships throughout the U.S.
Nationwide participation is rising with 70 Toyota and 5 Lexus dealerships at the moment enrolled in D.E.E.P.1 Cumulatively,2 these dealerships have:

  • Saved12,057 MWh of power, which is equal to the annual power use of 1,150 houses.3
  • Avoided8,815 metric tons of CO2e,
  • Saved 2 million gallons of water.

For extra details about D.E.E.P. and the dealerships acknowledged via this system for his or her environmental management, go to our D.E.E.P. website.

1 As of March 2024
2 Cumulative knowledge factors are from April 2021 (when D.E.E.P. launched) to March 2024.
3 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

ToyotaUk

Toyota Ventures Raises Another $300 Million to Expand Early-Stage Investments in Frontier Technology and Climate Solutions

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Firm’s dedicated capital grows to over $800 million, underscoring Toyota’s dedication to investing in groundbreaking startups across the globe

LOS ALTOS, Calif. (April 10, 2024) – Toyota Ventures, the early-stage enterprise capital arm of Toyota, introduced two $150 million funds to increase its investments in startups growing disruptive applied sciences and enterprise fashions on the forefront of innovation. The addition of the new funds, Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund II (TVFF II) and Toyota Ventures Climate Fund II (TVCF II), brings the agency’s whole property underneath administration to over $800 million.  

Since its founding in July 2017, Toyota Ventures has furthered its mission of serving to Toyota uncover what’s subsequent by investing in additional than 75 startups throughout areas starting from synthetic intelligence and robotics to hydrogen options and renewable power. Toyota Ventures is based mostly within the San Francisco Bay Area and has portfolio corporations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. With these new funds, the agency can help extra entrepreneurs all over the world as they sort out powerful challenges to construct a greater future for society and the planet.  

“At Toyota Ventures, we are explorers. Our role is to understand technology trends that could advance Toyota’s mobility transformation in the near term and embrace the next generation of disruptive innovation in the long term,” mentioned Jim Adler, founder and normal companion of Toyota Ventures. “At a time when some investors have scaled back, we’re scaling up by doubling down on our initial Frontier and Climate Funds. With seismic breakthroughs in generative AI, e-fuels, space commercialization, carbon capture, and synthetic biology, it’s a crucial time to be investing for Toyota.”  

TVFF II will deal with startups on the slicing fringe of deep know-how in areas like AI, robotics, mobility, cloud, and quantum computing, with a watch in direction of increasing Toyota Ventures’ worldwide presence. The new fund shall be led by Frontier Fund companion David Sokolic, a veteran investor and working government. Portfolio corporations within the preliminary Frontier Fund embrace satellite tv for pc servicing supplier Starfish Space, biosensor maker Scentian Bio, and quantum computing software program startup Haiqu, amongst others.  

TVCF II will search out startups growing sensible, scalable options that fight local weather change and promote environmental sustainability. It will construct on the agency’s inaugural climate-focused fund, which launched in 2021 and grew to a portfolio of 18 corporations underneath the management of Climate Fund companion Lisa Coca. The first Climate Fund portfolio contains corporations in renewable power like Avalanche Energy; power storage and batteries like e-Zinc and AM Batteries; carbon seize, removing and utilization like Air Company and Living Carbon; hydrogen options like Ecolectro; and different areas aligned with Toyota’s carbon neutrality targets.  

“Innovation is a team sport, and today, more than ever, it’s important for leaders like Toyota to collaborate with up-and-coming startups to take on the critical challenges we all face in a rapidly evolving world,” mentioned Gill Pratt, chief scientist of Toyota Motor Corporation, CEO of TRI, and board member at Toyota Ventures. “These new funds underscore our dedication to supporting entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and I’m thrilled to continue this journey alongside the Toyota Ventures team and portfolio.”  

Going past capital, Toyota Ventures goals to leverage Toyota’s international community, deep technical experience, and strategic partnerships to help startups in its portfolio. It has a portfolio help workforce devoted to offering steering in product and enterprise improvement, fundraising, advertising and marketing, and different areas to assist corporations scale successfully. Some of the agency’s early portfolio corporations that proceed to companion with Toyota embrace aerial ridesharing pioneer Joby Aviation and autonomous car chief May Mobility.  

Entrepreneurs searching for early-stage funding are invited to be taught extra and submit an internet pitch on the Toyota Ventures website.  

Supporting quotes and testimonials  

“The team at Toyota Ventures has been instrumental in our growth, having gone above and beyond by not simply offering capital support but also their mentorship in navigating various challenges and paving pathways into Toyota as an early customer,” mentioned Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition Robotics.  

“Toyota Ventures has been a committed strategic partner to Revel since 2018, working with us hand-in-hand as we expanded our business into all-electric rideshare and public fast charging infrastructure in dense cities like New York,” mentioned Frank Reig, co-founder and CEO of Revel. “Beyond financial investments, Toyota Ventures has been essential in creating new relationships to support and develop our mission — the best kind of partner a founder can ask for.” 

“The Toyota Ventures team had a deep level of understanding and appreciation of the technical aspects around the large problems we are solving in the green hydrogen space,” mentioned Gabriel G. Rodríguez-Calero, co-founder and CEO of Ecolectro. “On top of this, the level of guidance we received was well beyond the technical aspects of our business, and it has created enormous value for Ecolectro. Toyota Ventures’ unique approach and engagement shows the holistic support they provide around our whole business beyond just capital.”  

“AM Batteries has experienced significant growth over the past year, thanks in no small part to the invaluable support from Toyota Ventures, “ said Lie Shi, CEO of AM Batteries. “In the time we’ve been working together with Lisa Coca and her team, it has become clear that Toyota Ventures possesses a deep understanding of how corporate venture capital can effectively cultivate successful alliances with startups. Their insight, financial backing, and partnership have been pivotal as we chart the course for AM Batteries’ future endeavors.”

About Toyota Ventures
Toyota Ventures is the early-stage enterprise capital arm of Toyota. Founded in July 2017, its mission is to find what’s subsequent for Toyota by serving to startups carry disruptive applied sciences and enterprise fashions to market rapidly. With greater than $800 million in property underneath administration, the agency is devoted to investing in gifted entrepreneurs all over the world who’re driving innovation in frontier applied sciences and local weather options. For extra details about Toyota Ventures and its portfolio corporations, please go to www.toyota.ventures.

Motorsport

The Toyota Crown Gets Even Weirder With an Off-Road Trim

Just whenever you thought Toyota’s jacked-up Crown could not get any weirder, right here comes the Landscape. It’s the identify of a brand new particular version for the Japanese market the place the mannequin is bought because the Crown Crossover. Targeting outdoorsy individuals, the off-road variant has a 1.0-inch enhance in floor clearance for more durable terrain.

Toyota fitted the Crown Crossover Landscape with 18-inch two-tone wheels wrapped in 245/60 R18 all-terrain tires, and there are even contrasting pink mud flaps behind them. The further cladding across the wheel arches has a matte end and we’re being instructed these over-fenders are painted by hand. Another improve is on the again the place there is a towing hitch for hauling as much as 1,653 kilos.


Motorsport

Toyota Supra Sales Are Down Nearly 50 Percent This Year

Toyota’s newest gross sales figures for the primary quarter of 2024 counsel the fanfare surrounding the Supra at its launch is dwindling. The automaker solely bought 484 examples of the sports activities automobile within the first three months of the yr, down a whopping 44.4 p.c in comparison with the identical interval final yr, when Toyota bought 871 coupes.

Supra gross sales have been falling since they peaked at 6,830 models in 2021. They fell to 4,952 in 2022 and even additional to 2,652 in 2023. This yr isn’t trying as if the trajectory will enhance. This quarter marked the primary time gross sales for Toyota’s coupe dipped beneath these of the revamped Nissan Z. The Z’s gross sales elevated by 44.0 p.c in Q1 2024, going from 466 to 671 coupes for a similar interval in 2023.


Motorsport

The New FJ Cruiser Could Use Toyota’s $13,000 Truck Platform

A brand new report alleges that Toyota’s future FJ Cruiser revival may experience on the identical structure as its new $13,000 Hilux Champ, a compact truck. Japan’s Best Car journal alleges that the pickup’s platform will underpin the corporate’s upcoming off-roader, which is able to enter manufacturing later this 12 months.

Like most issues on the web, it is best to take this information with a grain of salt. Toyota has only sorta teased such a model, with a cryptic Land Cruiser FJ trademark surfacing in November spinning up the rumor mill after a report alleged the mannequin would additionally pack a hybrid powertrain.

Toyota IMV 0 Concepts

Even earlier Best Car reviews appear to contradict this new data. The publication beforehand reported that the brand new FJ would experience on the TNGA-F structure, which underpins the Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tundra, Lexus LX, and Lexus GX.

Attempting to suss out what an automaker will construct subsequent is a idiot’s errand. Companies aren’t desirous to spill the beans on future merchandise, and leaked particulars are both proper on the cash or wildly off base, with a lot of the data based mostly on imprecise leaks from nameless sources. Contradicting reviews are widespread, and you may’t click on three hyperlinks on the web in the present day with out stumbling upon some hopium. 

Does the concept of a bare-bones tiny off-roader with retro styling and boxy proportions sound superb? Yes, it does tickle an itch in our 11-year-old brains, however it would not print Toyota cash. American customers aren’t keen on small and low-cost, so an SUV based mostly on the Champ launched in Thailand late final 12 months looks as if a non-starter, at the very least for the US market.

Toyota Compact Cruiser EV full-size model exterior front three-quarter view
Toyota Compact Cruiser EV full-size model exterior rear three-quarter view

However, Toyota would not actually have a compact off-road platform in its portfolio if it is trying to supply one thing smaller than the Land Cruiser. It may reskin the RAV4, however that would additionally dampen its off-road capabilities as Toyota walks a wonderful line between off-road enjoyable and affordability.

But possibly that is the hopium speaking.

Cars

How Long Will A Toyota Prius Last With Regular Maintenance?

Toyotas are as reliable as they arrive, however house owners nonetheless have to put in some work to make sure their Prius sticks round for a very long time. Keeping up with common upkeep might be your first accountability. Regularly checking the fundamentals, like your automotive’s fluids, oil, and filters, will guarantee it is working as effectively as attainable. Remember, simply because a Prius is a hybrid doesn’t suggest you are excluded from altering your engine oil. Also, in the event you discover one thing is unsuitable or a brand new mild in your dashboard, you wish to deal with it shortly, and getting common checkups ought to at all times be a high precedence.

Outside of standard automotive upkeep, you may wish to focus in your Prius’s battery if you want in your automobile to succeed in upwards of 250,000=300,000 miles. Unsurprisingly, the very best factor to do is to have your Prius’s battery inspected usually. This lets you keep up-to-date on its standing and change it earlier than it dies or full any mandatory upkeep earlier than issues get out of hand. Toyota recommends you may have your battery inspected no less than annually.

Another factor to bear in mind is your battery’s cooling system. Keeping it clear ensures your battery by no means overheats, which shortly contributes to battery deterioration. Dirt, pet hair, and mud can simply switch out of your cabin into the cooling fan, so you must clear it each two or three years. Air filters additionally contribute to your battery’s lifespan, regulating its airflow. Replacing them when it is time (annually or each 15,000 miles) ensures your battery stays cool and wholesome long-term.

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Toyota Camry Earns Dual Awards as Best Midsize and Hybrid Car for Families by U.S. News & World Report

PLANO, Texas (March 18, 2024) – In a exceptional achievement reaffirming Toyota’s dedication to family-friendly sedans, the 2024 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid have been topped the recipients of the “Best Midsize Car for Families” and “Best Midsize Hybrid Car for Families” awards by U.S. News & World Report. This accolade underscores that Camry’s mix of effectivity, high quality and magnificence make it the proper match for households on-the-go. 

“The Best Midsize and Hybrid Car for Families awards are a testament to the blend of sport inspired style, highly efficient performance, and driver-inspired interior offered by the Toyota Camry,” mentioned Mike Tripp, Group Vice President Toyota Marketing. “These awards are a tribute to the passion of our North American design, engineering, and manufacturing teams who build America’s number one selling sedan. We are grateful to earn this honor from U.S. News & World Report.” 

Available in a alternative of 4-cylinder 2.5-liter Hybrid fashions and 4- or 6-cylinder gasoline outfitted fashions, the 2024 Toyota Camry affords selection that matches practically each funds and style. For drivers centered on gas economic system, the 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a standout alternative in its class. Available in LE, SE, SE Nightshade, XSE, or XLE grades, Camry Hybrids pair a 2.5-liter engine with an electrical motor for a web mixed output of 208HP and an EPA-estimated 52 MPG mixed score on the LE grade.   

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas-powered choice is out there in a alternative of Front- or All Wheel Drive throughout LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, or XSE grades. A 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine is out there for the XSE and XLE FWD grades or commonplace on the performance-tuned TRD mannequin. 

Camry’s cabin has an inviting, wide-open really feel with an intuitive design due to the peerlessly positioned steering wheel controls, simple to achieve heating and air-con controls, and accessible 9-inch touchscreen show. Available inside choices like SofTex-® or Leather-trimmed seating, twin zone local weather management with rear-seat vents, and wi-fi chargers additionally make the 2024 Camry the proper accomplice for the street.  

With its profitable mixture of fashion, effectivity, and household pleasant repute, it’s no marvel the Toyota Camry has reigned as the highest sedan within the US for over 20 years operating. For extra details about the award-winning Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, please go to Toyota.com. 

Also profitable a U.S. News & World Report Award is the Toyota Highlander, which gained for the “Best Hybrid SUV for Families”. For extra data go to https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-families.  

About Toyota 
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been part of the cultural cloth within the U.S. for greater than 65 years, and is dedicated to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility by way of our Toyota and Lexus manufacturers, plus our practically 1,500 dealerships. 

Toyota instantly employs greater than 49,000 individuals within the U.S. who’ve contributed to the design, engineering, and meeting of greater than 34 million automobiles and vehicles at our 9 manufacturing vegetation. By 2025, Toyota’s tenth plant in North Carolina will start to fabricate automotive batteries for electrified automobiles. With extra electrified automobiles on the street than another automaker, Toyota presently affords 27 electrified choices. 

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has dedicated to creating modern academic packages inside, and in partnership with, traditionally underserved and various communities close to the corporate’s 14 U.S. working websites. 

For extra details about Toyota, go to www.ToyotaNewsroom.com. 

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Test Your Knowledge of the CALTY Design Research Studio’s 50-Year History

For 50 years, Toyota’s CALTY Design Research (Calty) studio has produced groundbreaking car designs for the Toyota and Lexus manufacturers. The crew’s creativity and enduring ingenuity is chargeable for bringing numerous iconic and historic improvements to market.

From trailblazing fuel-efficient autos to racetrack-ready sports activities automobiles, the Calty employees have developed designs which have stood the take a look at of time.

They’ve been steadfast and dedicated to altering the mobility panorama for greater than 5 a long time and so they’re not letting up. In celebration of their evolution and myriad accomplishments through the years, take a look at (or enhance) your information of Calty legendary historical past.

Hint: these beforehand revealed function tales would possibly assist sharpen your Calty information!

True to their modern spirit, Calty’s artistic groups are frequently exploring new methods to combine know-how and motion into future mobility options. From sports activities automobiles to vans to BEVs, Calty has left an indelible mark on the automotive panorama, showcasing their design prowess and keenness for driving excellence.