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New Toyota Camry Release Date and Details Leaked
 
In the 2012 model year, the Toyota Camry received a redesign, well actually two redesigns. In the U.S. we saw a Camry that featured a rather un-Camry-like wedge front end. In Thailand, however, they received a more conventional looking Camry. Recently, a brochure leaked about the new Thailand-style Camry making its way to Malaysia in June 2012. Does this necessarily mean that the newly redesigned Camry will be available in the U.S.? Not really, but it is a good sign that it may eventually make its way here. This new Camry will likely be a test mule to see how it performs in smaller markets. If it does well, it will likely make its way around the world. This “new“ Camry features a stouter looking front end that nearly resembles the front end of some Lexus cars. Not a big surprise, considering Toyota and Lexus are under the same Toyota Motor Company umbrella and have shared components regularly. Gone is the two bar grille, space ship-like headlights, and wedge style front end. In their place is a five-bar chrome grille, flatter front end, and more classy-looking headlights, making this look much more conventional and nearly like a luxury car. For now, we can only hope that a new Camry comes to the U.S., but there is no anticipated replacement in the U.S. market. Then again, Toyota does have its unnamed sedan that it’s unveiling at the 2012 New York Auto Show, which we all assume is an updated Avalon, but it could be a Camry. Plus, you just never know what kinds of tricks these car companies have up their sleeves at these car shows. 2013 Toyota Avalon
Toyota Avalon has been firstly unveiled in 1994 and until know we have seen three different generation. Today, at the New York Auto Show Toyota has unveiled the fourth generation Avalon, a model that comes with a progressive and emotionally styled exterior design, improved dynamic performance, a greater degree of refinement, and a highly spacious, comfortable interior. The model has been designed to attract younger buyers and features a sleek and expressive profile with a longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders, and reduced front and rear overhangs. The car’s interior combines comfort, convenience and technology. Toyota opted to combined premium materials with smoked chrome-metallic accents. The new Avalon has been crafted with innovative technologies such as advanced capacitive touch switches, a three color display screens that support the multi-information display, the audio/navigation interface, and the climate control panel. Toyota did not offered any details on the car’s engine just yet, but we expect to see the same 3.5-liter V6 engine maybe with improved output and fuel economy. Updated 04/05/2012: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Full story
Toyota Announces that it’s Not Announcing Cheap Cars
 With the likes of Tata Motors already selling the ultra-cheap Nano, along with Nissan announcing that Datsun will return to provide ultra-cheap cars to developing markets and Volkswagen intending to follow suit, Toyota president, Akio Toyoda, decided Toyota’s own announcement was in order. Toyota chose to take the high road, in the terms of price that is, by announcing that it has no plans to produce ultra-cheap models for developing markets, such as India, Indonesia, Russia, and China. Toyoda basically let everyone know that Toyota Motor Co. is more about reliability and quality than overall sales. Plus, the risk damaging its recovering reputation by releasing these super-cheap cars in an attempt to be the No. 1 car seller in the world is not worth its reward. Currently, the least expensive vehicle that Toyota offers is the Etios (pictured above), which runs 400,000 Indian Rupees ($7,800). Despite appearing low to the average reader, this base price is significantly higher than most cars in India. This means that Toyota buyers all over the world can look forward to only quality automobiles appearing in their local dealerships, even in developing countries. You can also bet that the issues Toyota has had in the past few years with quality are soon to be a distant memory. Keep in mind, though, the automotive industry changes at the drop of a hat, meaning Akio Toyoda may pull a complete 180 next year and announce Daihatsu, a company that Toyota Motor Co. owns 51% of, is releasing super-cheap cars in developing markets. Only time will tell what Toyota will do to remain competitive with its German, Japanese and Indian rivals. 2014 Toyota GT-86 Convertible
Subaru and Toyota are continuing their sports car courtship by releasing drop top versions of their BRZ and GT-86 models in the next couple of years. We’ve already drawn up the BRZ Convertible, as well as Toyota’s more affordable Scion FR-S Convertible, but now it’s time for the GT-86 to get its turn on the drawing table. Except for the roof, the GT-86 Convertible will feature the same design and technology as the coupe model. It will be a compact rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with an aerodynamic body that rides low to the ground to improve handling and allow it to cut through the air with ease. The fascia will be completely aggressive with long slit-looking headlights giving it a mean and intimidating look, as well as an enlarged lower grille and a bold "Scorpion" styling to the lower grille. Under the hood, it will feature the same 2.0 liter, naturally-aspirated petrol engine with 200 HP at 7000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 6600 rpm. This engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The new Toyota GT-86 Convertible will be unveiled sometime in 2013 and will cost about $2,000 more than the coupe model. The Japanese market will be the first to receive it and they will be followed by the rest of the world. Production of the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT-86 begins in Japan
After being unveiled last year, both the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GT-86 have now officially started production at Subaru’s Gunma factory in Ota-city, Japan. The two rear-wheel drive coupe models were developed as a result of an agreement that started in October 2005. Both models are powered by the same 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine that deliver a total of 200 HP and 151 lb-ft torque. At the same plant, Subaru will produce the new Impreza starting in March 2013. FHI President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga commented: "This car symbolizes our corporate strategy in two significant aspects: good progress in our alliance and advancement of our ‘select and focus’ approach. The start of production today made a huge step for us, but it is not our end goal. By constantly refining both models, FHI and TMC hope to nourish each model to be loved by customers all over the world for a long time to come." TMC President Akio Toyoda said: "The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 could not have been successfully developed without collaboration between FHI and TMC. We started the alliance for mutual growth in 2005. Now I’m delighted to see that our alliance bore fruit." 2012 Geneva Motor Show: The Concept Cars
Concept cars have always been an integral part of any major auto show. These events give automakers an opportunity to showcase some of the most outlandish and over-the-top vehicles we’ll ever see. Now that doesn’t mean that these concepts will translate to production. Actually, very few do with most of them forgotten long after the auto show ends. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, we saw a lot of concept cars that piqued our curiosities one way or the other. Some were fancy, some were strange, and some just completely blew us away. In the end, the concept cars at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show delivered on the promise of providing some edge and flavor to the proceedings. On the list below, we’ll show you all of the concepts that caught our eye, and if we do say so ourselves, some of those are just too awesome to not be sent to the production line. Check out the concept cars from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show after the jump. Full story 2012 Toyota GT 86 by TOMS
Back at last month’s Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota unveiled a number of GT 86 variants that made our heads spin. Now, we’re being treated to another program for the Japanese sports car, this time courtesy of Japanese tuning firm, TOMS. As part of the program for the fabulous 86, TOMS built and designed an aerodynamic program that consists of a new carbon fiber front spoiler, a new rear spoiler, a pretty intense quad exhaust system, a plethora of brake chambers, a mechanical processor for the aforementioned exhaust system, and a new set of aluminum wheels that improves on the Japanese sports car’s already aggressive stance. According to TOMS, their aero program can also serve as a supplementary kit for any of the other 86 kits being prepared by TRD, Modellista, or GRMN. Sharing is caring, right? Mechanical improvements done on the GT 86 have yet to be announced, but we do expect some serious performance gains for the Toyota sports car. Video: Chris Harris drives the new Toyota GT-86
One of the most anticipated cars of 2012 is Toyota’s new rear wheel drive entry level sports car with way too many names: GT-86, FT-86, and FR-S. Test car specialist, Chris Harris, has traveled to Spain to get the most out of a short session with the car. This video is about 10 minutes long and shows off what one can do behind the wheel of one of the most talked about sports cars of the year. As a reminder, the GT 86 is powered by a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-four engine that delivers a total of 200 HP at 7000 rpm and maximum torque of 151 lb-ft at 6600 rpm. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The only problem is that we don’t have an official confirmation of the car’s performance numbers just yet. 2012 Toyota FT-Bh Concept
Toyota has a new concept planned for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and while it doesn’t come with the same pizzazz as the recently unveiled GT 86 sports coupe, it still gives us an idea on what a future compact city car could look like with a Toyota badge on it. The car is called the FT-Bh concept - the ’FT’ tag follows in the footsteps of the FT-86 - and its being touted as a compact urban machine that boasts of low emissions combined with a fully aesthetically-pleasing design. According to Toyota, the lightweight FT-Bh will pack a full hybrid powertrain, which is pretty obvious considering that it’s a concept for the future and thus, possesses materials and techniques that are being developed for use on the company’s future vehicle line-up. UPDATE 03/06/12: This review has been updated with official specs and photos. Find out more about the Toyota FT-Bh Concept after the jump Full story 2012 Toyota GT86 RC Spec
The new Toyota GT 86 is now officially on sale on the Japanese market and Japan was lucky enough to get a bare bones model that most likely won’t be available on any other market. It’s called the GT 86 RC Spec and will be offered as an entry level model, stripped of many of its features to save weight and cost. That decrease in cost will be passed on to Toyota’s customers as well; the RC Spec is cheaper than any other GT 86 version offered, priced at $25,800 at the current exchange rates. This is about $5,500 cheaper than the next model in the line-up. So what do we mean by bare bones? The RC Spec will be void of the usual perks like air conditioning and cup holders, as well as the underfloor, intake manifold cover, and boot lamp. The fascia cover and plastic covering for the steering wheel and gear shifter were also stripped. The exterior also gets minimized with unpainted front and rear bumpers, exterior mirrors, and door handles, and the 17" alloy wheels were replaced with 16" steel wheels. As a result, the GT 86 RC Spec is about 132 lbs lighter and consumes less fuel than the standard GT 86. The Toyota GT 86 RC Spec is powered by the same 200 HP 2.0 liter, naturally-aspirated petrol engine found in the standard model, but only a six-speed manual transmission will be available to partner with it. The limited slip differential also gets tossed out to save weight. The Toyota GT 86 RC Spec will be joined on the Japanese market by G Spec, GT Spec, and GT Limited versions. | featured reviews:Toyota cars reviews2015 2014 2013 2012
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