Toyota cars

2013 Toyota Corolla

The Corolla quietly makes its way into its 45th year of production as we enter the 2013 model year. Toyota, not one to mess with success, chose to let the Corolla’s 45th anniversary pass with no fanfare. In fact, the 2013 model year pretty much carries all of the same trimmings from the 2012 model year, save for a few minor changes.

The Corolla can carry on unchanged and not lose any steam because it is only two model years removed from a slight refresh and that it has a very specific role: draw in young buyers with a low price and high quality. It is not in Toyota’s lineup to dazzle anyone out of $30K. It is happy providing basic amenities at sub-$17K prices.

The goal in this is to get buyers impressed with the entry-level `Yota sedan and that should eventually lead to these buyers snagging up a top-line Avalon – so theory says.

The 2013 Toyota Corolla comes in three trim levels: L, LE and S. With each level comes a little more luxury and the S model actually makes the Corolla fairly bearable for even picky buyers.

Click past the jump to read our full review on the 2013 Toyota Corolla

2013 Toyota GT 86 Griffon by TRD

Details are still very sketchy and all we have to show you is the blurry teaser image that TRD has unveiled, but there is a new GT 86 concept from TRD heading to the Tokyo Auto Salon. Sure, we already talked about the new Sports FR Concept Platinum and how awesome it is, but its partner in Tokyo – the GT 86 Griffon Concept – just may blow it out of the water.

Like we said, the details are sketchy, but we do know that TRD went to task lowering the GT 86’s overall weight, then tweaked at least the suspension and exhaust. TRD then took the GT 86 Griffon out to the Tsukuba circuit and laid rubber to tarmac, netting a best lap time of 1:01.872.

That may seem like nothing on paper, but when you start adding in the fact that time beats out times of the Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari 360 CS, Nissan GT-R Spec-V, Corvette ZR1, Lambo Gallardo, Porsche 911 GT2, and so on, you realize that this must be one beastly `Yota GT 86.

We will find out more on the 11th of January when TRD officially releases the specifications, but were are 100-percent certain that there is a lot more tweaking going on than just some suspension stiffening and exhaust work.

We’ll update this review once we get the official info.

UPDATE 01/11/13: With just a few hours before its official debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota has unveiled the first official image of the 86 TRD Griffon. Enjoy!

2013 Toyota GT 86 Sports FR Concept Platinum by Gazoo Racing

We already saw what Toyota Motorsports and its partner, Gazoo Racing, could do with the GT 86 when it released the Sport FR Concept. Now, Gazoo and Toyota have teamed up again for the Tokyo Auto Salon and are releasing an updated GT 86 dubbed the Sports FR Concept Platinum.

The details are not yet complete and all we have are teaser images showing off a few pieces of the car, but there is a little info to pass on. From the looks of things, the Sports FR Concept Platinum will stray much farther from its GT 86 base than the original Sport FR Concept on the outside and inside, as its new vented hood and LED headlights make a big difference on the outside. You’ll also find that the taillights, 18-inch rims and spoiler also set it apart from the base GT 86.

Inside the cabin, you’ll find a roll cage to keep you safe and add some rigidity to the body, as well as full instrumentation, white leather seats and four-point harnesses to keep your backside parked in those comfy seats.

The real fun comes when you look beneath the hood, as you’ll find the same 2.0-liter boxer-4 engine from the base GT 86, but with a pair of turbochargers forcing air into the combustion chambers. There are likely tons more additions under the hood, which Gazoo hasn’t revealed yet, but we do know that this modded 2.0 will punch out 330 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque.

The engine links to a six-speed manual transmission, and an upgraded limited-slip diff, performance suspension and aftermarket brakes all help the GT 86 handle a little better. This monster weighs in at a relatively svelte 2,751 pounds.

More details and images will be available during the Tokyo Auto Salon, which kicks off in January.

2013 Toyota Corolla Furia Concept

After being teased for a couple of weeks, the new Toyota Corolla Furia Concept made its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show. As you probably have guessed from its name, the new Furia concept previews the design language set to be used in the next-generation Corolla.

The concept has been designed around a new "Iconic Dynamism" theme that combine pure and simple surface in an attempt to create a "confident, decisive and recognizable appearance appealing to more youthful consumers."

Up front Furia received a blacked-out grille and new sculpted front LED headlamps. The elegant lines continue with a sloped roofline and pronounced fender flares and rear composite LED taillight. Numerous carbon fiber accents have been used on the wheel wells, rocker panels, and rear valance. The concept sits on a new set of 19" alloy wheels.

Of course not all these elements will be featured in the next Corolla, but we expect to see at least the front grille, the headlamps and the taillamps.

2013 Toyota RAV4

The current generation RAV4 has been sale since 2005 and the only update was in 2009 when it received a mild refresh. It is no surprise that today, at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, Toyota decided to finally unleash the fourth generation RAV4. The new SUV has been caught testing in many times and teased a few more times, so we can say it brings nothing that we did not expect.

The new RAV4 is not only redesigned both inside and outside, but it also receives new in-cabin technologies, a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, new six-speed transmission and new safety features.

While building the new RAV4, Toyota will use the same body-engineering principles previously used on the 2012 Camry and 2013 Avalon that helps improve steering and handling, and makes the car a little bit lighter.

The new generation Toyota RAV4 will go on sale early in 2013 in three well-equipped grades: LE, XLE and Limited.

Updated 12/18/2012: Toyota today announced prices for the 2013 RAV4 SUV that will arrive at dealerships in early January 2013. Prices will range from $23,300 for the LE FWD version up to $28,410 for Limited AWD one.

Click past the jump to read our full review on the 2014 RAV4

2013 Toyota GT 86 by Wald International

Subtlety has never been one of Wald International’s strong suits, so it’s hardly surprising that when it built its new program for the 2013 Toyota GT 86, it didn’t have that word in mind.

The aerodynamic kit borrows along the same lines of what you’d expect from Wald. The new bonnet with the prominent air scoops on the GT 86 is particularly eye-catching because it’s far more aggressive than what the standard Toyota sports coupe has. From there, you can look at the front half spoiler, which also bodes to what kind of sports aggression Wald had in mind in designing its program. The more pronounced side skirts, the trunk-lid spoiler, the rear fender extensions, the wider rear wing, the rear diffuser with the quad tail pipes, and the new set of two-tone, five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile performance tires complete Wald’s GT 86 program.

The whole set-up will make its debut at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon. From there, the program will be on sale for ¥231,000, which is around $2,800 based on current exchange rates.

Admittedly, we would have preferred to see some performance mods to go with this striking aero upgrade. But Wald International has always been about stylish upgrades, and this program for the GT 86 is no exception.

2013 Toyota GT86 "Spiral 86" by Abflug

The 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon is just around the corner, so it’s no surprise that first details on the models to be displayed at the famous Japanese show have started to surface online. For example, Abflug has prepared a tuning kit for the new Toyota GT86 sports car, which it has dubbed the "Spiral 86."

Of course this is not the first time you have seen an upgrade package for the GT86, but we have to admit this one is one of the coolest. It includes both exterior and interior updates, but also the addition of 58 extra horsepower under the hood.

Exterior upgrades include a new front bumper, new side skirts, new rear bumper and a new rear upper spoiler. The car sits on a set of exclusive Abflug Prism III 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama tires sized 235/35/ZR19 up front and 255/30ZR19 at the rear. The exterior mods are subtle yet noticeable and they really set off the GT86’s appearance without being too overbearing.

Under the hood the 2.0-liter engine receives a HKS supercharger, a PentRoof FA20 tuning program and a water-bypass kit. As a result, the engine now delivers 258 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 6,600 rpm. The tuner also installed a new HKS Hipermax IV GT suspension system with a new set of shock absorbers, new springs and Dixel brakes to round out the package.

2013 Toyota GT86 by Barracuda

We’ll be the first to admit that we have some sort of auto-crush on the Toyota GT86. Actually, it extends to the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S too but since we’re talking about the GT86 here, we’re going to give extra love to Toyota’s spanking-new sports coupe.

So, when an aftermarket company releases a program for the GT86, our senses become heightened because if there’s one thing this world can’t have enough of — apart from food and water, that is — it’s tuning programs for the GT86.

Swiss tuning firm, Barracuda Racing Wheels, decided to make our day by revealing its own take on the GT86. Despite not carrying any performance mods, BRW’s aerodynamic program for the GT86 is downright stunning. The huge rear wing that was installed on the GT86 will definitely catch your attention. But not just an eye-catcher, as it’s got some serious purpose too, improving the car’s overall handling by adding some needed downforce to keep the sports coupe from flying off the road.

The real stars of BRW’s program are the bespoke wheels bolted onto the GT86. These 20-inch alloy rims can be had in a variety of color finishes, including matte black; polished, hi-gloss-black; real-chrome; white-polished; and gun-metal. If those colors aren’t enough, Barracuda can also offer them in a variety of candy tones.

Sure, this program for the GT86 doesn’t have any performance mods. But rest assured, if you’re in the market for aero improvements and new rims for your new Toyota sports coupe, Barracuda Racing Wheels is your hook-up.

The Next-Gen RAV4 Images Leak Online Before its Debut

The fourth-generation Toyota RAV4 is set to make its world debut on November 28th at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. As expected, Toyota couldn’t keep it under wraps for too long, as the first images have leaked online. These images are pretty revealing too, as they give us a good look at the exterior and the interior of the newly redesigned SUV.

The 2013 RAV4 is rumored to come standard with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 178 horsepower and an optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 268 horsepower. There are rumors afloat that the 3.5-liter engine is on the chopping block for 2014, so we may only see one year with this as an option, if we see it in the RAV4 at all. Both engines are rumored to be mated to a new six-speed transmission replacing the current four-speed unit.

The 2013 RAV4 will be built on the same platform as the Camry and, as you can see from these first images, it will feature the same exterior styling cues as the 2013 Toyota Auris.

The new RAV4 will go into production in January 2013.

Video: Jeremy Clarkson impressed by the Toyota GT86

Everyone watching "Top Gear" knows that Jeremy Clarkson can be pretty difficult to impress when it comes to cars. With his notorious reputation, automakers are happy just to hear him murmur “Okay” after driving their cars.

The Toyota GT 86 is one of the latest that the Top Gear bad boy got his hands on, and it looks like Toyota has done an amazing job. Clarkson even goes so far as to name it "’One of the best cars I’ve driven in ages." So we guess this statement will help increasing the GT 86 sales, no?

Making things better, Clarkson gives the GT 86 a pretty good thrashing in his testing process. So, even though you already know the outcome of the test, the video is still well worth a look.

The GT 86 is powered by a 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated petrol engine that delivers a total of 200 horsepower. On the U.S. market the sports car is being sold as the Scion FR-S and it is priced from $24,930.