Toyota Prius C (known as ‘Aqua’ in Japan)

source: Fastmotoring

Toyota Passo launched in Japan (2nd Generation)

Passo L Package (1.3G, 1.0X) and V Package(1.0x)

Passo for Hana (1.3 and 1.0) plus C Package

Toyota has launched the 2nd generation Toyota Passo in Japan, and it now comes in two ‘body styles’ called the regular Passo and the Passo + Hana which is supposed to be the more stylish and upmarket model with features such as projector headlamps.

In Japan, the new Passo will be available with either a 1.0 liter or a 1.3 liter engine. The 4-speed auto has been phased out – now all models including 4WD versions come with a CVT transmission. The 1.0 liter uses the 1KR-FE that produces 69 PS (51kW) at 6,000rpm and 92Nm of torque at 3,600rpm.

The 1.3 liter engine is the new 1NR-FE which replaces the K3-VE in the previous generation car. The 1NR-FE now has dual variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves. Power output is 95 PS (70kW) at 6,000rpm and 121Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, which is up from the K3-VE’s 86hp (64kW) and 116Nm.

Source : Paultan

Top 10 Car Brands in the World

The 2009 Best Global Brands, an annual study carried out by leading brand consultancy Interbrand (in collaboration with Businessweek magazine) shows Toyota still No. 1 among carmakers, followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW.


Toyota was the highest-ranked auto company among the overall Top 100, positioned at No. 8, two places down from 2008 and 2007. Mercedes-Benz was No. 11 overall in 2008 and had been No. 10 in 2007 but dropped to No. 12 this year. Honda, however, did better, moving from No. 20 in 2008 to No. 18 this year. Hyundai also saw an improvement in overall ranking, going from No. 72 in 2008 to No. 69.

The survey’s summary includes brand values and reflecting the effects of the downturn in the auto industry, the brand values of all the automakers fell. Toyota’s brand value was calculated at US$31.3 billion, 8% down from what it was worth in 2008. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz also had its brand value lowered by 7% to US$23.9 billion. Among the top 10 in the auto sector, Ford Motor Company’s brand value fell the most, by 12% to US$7 billion.

Other auto-related brands among the Top 100 were Harley-Davidson (73), BP (83), Shell (92) and Lexus (96).

For those interested, the Top three Global Brands were Coca-Cola, IBM and Microsoft, respectively, all of which held the same rankings as in 2008. Coca-Cola’s brand value was estimated at US$68.7 billion, over double that of Toyota’s.

Visit the Interbrand website to view the full Top 100 list.

Source : Motor Trader

Toyota Rush

Even before the first month of 2008 has finished, UMW Toyota Motor has broadened its line-up further with the addition of the all-new Toyota Rush. If you haven’t heard about this model coming, that’s because it’s been a well-kept secret by the company although being a CBU import (from Indonesia), its impending launch was less obvious than if it were to be assembled locally.

The Rush is a variant in the ‘Under-IMV’ family of products, the other being the Avanza. The IMV (it stands for ‘Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicles’) project was conceived as an industrial project which would span the globe and includes the Hilux, Fortuner and Innova; ‘Under-IMV’ models are smaller but use the same approach which has been able to lower production costs so as to be able to offer customers more affordable vehicles. Sharing the same platform as the Avanza helps to enhance economies of scale but the bodystyle is that of a compact SUV rather than a MPV. This means it is aimed at a different target group, mainly the young and active types.

This new model is available in three variants: Rush 1.5S and Rush 1.5G with automatic transmission and Rush 1.5G with manual transmission, and four body colour choices - Blue Metallic, Black Mica, Silver Mica metallic and Champagne Mica Metallic.

The styling of the Rush seems to take cues from the first generation RAV4 as well as the Fortuner, a blend which presents a modern and distinct form with a tough image. Large 16-inch rims are positioned at each corner, giving a bold stance. Of note are the headlamps which have a sharp, 3-dimensional design. The Rush 1.5S has projector headlamps as standard as well as circular foglamps integrated with the bumper.

The door mirrors have turn indicators in their housings, making the driver’s intentions more visible and the chrome door handles are the grip-type which are easier to use. All grades come with a custom-designed spare wheel cover that has a lock to secure the full-sized spare wheel. A rear roof spoiler is fitted for the Rush 1.5S to add a sporty touch and all grades also come with an integrated low-profile roof rail.

The dashboard has some elements of the Avanza in its clean appearance. Metallic trim conveys a sporty image and a light ivory colour for the whole cabin makes it feel more spacious. Sturdy door grips with a metallic finish also give a modern ambience to the interior. The instrument panel is set within a shroud to minimise reflections and enhance legibility. The 3-meter layout has clear calibrations with white illumination for ease of viewing.

The cabin has a usable length of 2440 mm with generous spacing between each row of seats. The interior width of 1385 mm also allows for a comfortable couple distance between the front occupants and good elbow room for the other occupants. Though the exterior dimensions seem compact, the Rush offers a third row of seating for those occasions when additional passengers need to be carried on board. The second row has a 60-mm fore-aft slide adjustment and the backrest can also be reclined for a more relaxing position. This provides more legroom for the passengers in the second row or third row, as required. Access to the third row is also easy with the double-fold operation of the second row of seats. In the event that the third row of seating is not needed, it can be folded forward against the back of the second row to provide more cargo space. Access to the cargo space is through a large and wide opening with a side-hinged door (rare these days as many SUVs have top-hinged doors). The sill is also set low, makng it easy to load cargo straight onto the flat floor.

The automatics have a gate-type shift lever (with leather wrapping for the Rush 1.5S), a leather-wrapped 4-spoke steering wheel (1.5S), power retractable door mirrors (1.5S), audio system with MP3 capability and an additional ceiling mounted blower which delivers cool air all the way to the back. Being a SUV, storage spaces are plentiful around the cabin. Other standard items include a sunglass holder and personal lamp at the front. While the cheapest Rush has a basic package, the 1.5S version is comprehensively equipped and will probably attract more buyers.

Under the bonnet is the same powerplant as that used for the Avanza 1.5 - a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC petrol engine (3SZ-VE) with Toyota’s Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i). The engine delivers up to 109 ps of power at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 141 Nm is available at 4400 rpm.

Power delivery is through either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission. Like the Avanza, the driving wheels are at the rear… yes, it’s a 2WD and not a 4WD. In some markets, 4WD variants are also available but UMW Toyota Motor has decided to import the 2WD variant for now (most likely to keep the price under RM100,000). Though some will feel that a SUV should have 4WD, it is not really necessary for a model like the Rush which is expected to be used mostly in urban areas and even if venturing off the highway, conditions encountered would not be so severe that 4WD is needed. In fact, what matters more is ground clearance which is generous under the Rush. 2WD offers benefits such as lower drivetrain weight, less wear and tear on related components and generally better fuel economy than an equivalent 4WD variant.

The Rush has a sturdy suspension comprising independent MacPherson struts in front (with a stabilizer bar fitted) and a live axle located by 4 links at the rear with coil springs. A lateral rod is also fitted to maintain axle stability during fast cornering. The standard tyres are a wide 215/65 size.

Though a low-cost product, the Rush still meets high safety standards, having passed GOA – the Global Outstanding Assessment which is Toyota’s tough in-house set of safety standards. GOA primarily relates to the body structure which must be able to prevent the impact forces of an accident from harming the occupants. It achieves this by dissipating the forces into the entire body. Pedestrian safety is also considered and the exterior of the front end is shaped to minimise the impact to a pedestrian’s head and legs, reducing serious injuries in many cases.

All three variants have an airbag for the driver with the Rush 1.5S having an additional one for the front passenger as well. The steering column is collapsible so that it will not be pushed against the driver during severe frontal collision. A reverse sensor is standard.

Of course, avoiding an accident in the first place is much better and the Rush has Active Safety Systems to help the driver. The brake system has ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), the latter being very useful as it adjusts the braking force to each brake depending on load conditions and load distribution. Therefore whether there is a light load or heavy load, stopping power will always be optimum. ABS, of course, manages the brakes so that they do not lock-up in slippery conditions to cause skidding and loss of steering control.

It is surprising, though, to see that the front discs of the Rush are solid rather than ventilated, which is the norm these days. Clearly, Toyota is more focussed on engineering their models down to a cost rather than up to a higher standard.

UMW Toyota Motor expects to sell 600 units of the Rush every month, a figure which seems quite possible to achieve consistently given the price range between RM85,000 and RM95,000. With the addition of this model, the Toyota line-up is at its largest ever with 14 models offered. The variety of offerings should ensure that Toyota stays in its No. 1 position in the non-national brand segment again this year.

PRICES (inclusive of insurance, Peninsula Malaysia)
Rush 1.5S Auto: RM94,888
Rush 1.5G Auto: RM88,888
Rush 1.5G Manual: RM85,888

New cars raising new gas mileage levels

Source : the STAR online

New vehicles are expected to set records for average gas mileage in 2007, driven by improved technology and demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, the US government reported.

Vehicles from the 2007 model year are projected to average 26.4 miles per gallon overall (11.2km per litre; 1 US gallon being equal to 3.79l), a gain of 1mpg over the previous year and above the previous record of 26.2mpg in 1987.

The increases are attributed to higher demand for hybrids and more fuel-efficient vehicles with gas prices hovering around US$3 for much of the year.

Sales of hybrid vehicles and small cars are expected to set new sales records this year despite a sluggish US auto market. Sales of pickup trucks and SUVs have largely declined due to high gasoline prices and the slump in the homebuilding industry.

Honda Motor Co was estimated to lead the way, averaging 39.9mpg for its imported vehicles and 33.7mpg for vehicles built in the United States. Toyota Motor Corp is second with 38.5mpg for imported vehicles and 31.7mpg for cars and trucks produced in North America.

David Friedman, a researcher with the Union of Concerned Scientists, called the estimates for Toyota discouraging. Toyota's domestic vehicles are projected to fall 3mpg in 2007 and the Japanese company is the only large automaker expected to decline in truck fuel economy.

"At the same time Toyota's producing ads with hybrids driving through green fields, it's making less fuel-efficient vehicles," Friedman said.

Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said the automaker did not have an immediate comment.

The data, based on a Transportation Department analysis of sales estimates released earlier this month, was first reported in last Friday's editions of the Detroit Free Press. The projections will be updated once automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration receive sales data for 2007 vehicles.

The difference in mileage between continents comes from the different models that are produced at each location.

Detroit-based automakers are all projected to make progress. General Motors Corp and Ford Motor Co improved to 29.6mpg and 28.8mpg, respectively, in domestic production.

DaimlerChrysler AG also showed gains. The automaker, which sold an 80.1% stake in Chrysler - now called Chrysler LLC - to Cerberus Capital Management LP, climbed about 3mpg to 28.6mpg in its domestic production.

Nissan Motor Co's domestically-produced vehicles averaged 33.4mpg while its imported vehicles were estimated at 25.9mpg.

Overall, passenger cars are expected to average 31mpg, an increase of 1.2mpg, while pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans are expected to increase to 22.9mpg, up 0.7mpg from 2006.

Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said the data reflected the industry's push to develop more fuel-efficient models, but much of the progress was dependent upon what consumers buy.

"While we're pleased that fuel economy has increased, we also are well aware that shifts in the marketplace could very easily negate those gains," he said.

In June, the Senate approved legislation requiring the auto industry to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles and negotiators in the House and Senate are expected to consider the upgrades.

Under the Senate bill, the industry would need to meet fuel economy requirements of 35mpg by 2020, up from the current standards of 27.5mpg for cars and 22.2mpg for SUVs and pickup trucks.

Automakers have pushed more modest standards, contending the Senate bill would be extremely costly and limit the consumer's choice of vehicles. - AP

Side and Curtain Airbags

Toyota has raised the bar on passenger safety once again, with an announcement that side airbags and curtain shield airbags will now be standard on all new passenger vehicle models in Japan, starting with the new models to be launched shortly.

An SRS side airbag is built into the front seat, and it deploys in the case of a side collision and reduces risk of upper body injury for front seat occupants.

SRS curtain shield airbags are located between the front pillars and the roof-side rails, which deploy and protect both front and rear passengers heads with a curtain-like barrier, reducing impact from side windows, pillars and other internal objects, as well as any external objects like poles.

This is for Japan domestic market cars of course - not sure if this will somehow trickle down to the Toyota cars available in our country sometime in the future.

Skyline GTR34 and tthe chaser is a Toyota Supra