SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX Le 6 janvier 2012

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX Le 6 janvier 2012

Mercredi dernier nous sommes allés chercher  nos amis Paul et Lise à Mercedes puis nous nous sommes rendus jusqu’aux frontières du Mexique à quelques milles au sud. Nous avons laissé notre voiture dans un grand stationnement payant puis nous avons traversé le pont qui enjambe la rivière Rio Grande qui sépare les États-Unis du Mexique. Il n’y a aucun poste de douane à traverser et nous nous retrouvons immédiatement dans les rues de la petite ville de Progresso.

Comme il était presque l’heure du lunch, les Nantel nous ont proposé un restaurant qu’ils connaissaient. Deux bons repas accompagnés d’une bière et d’une Margarita servis de façon courtoise et rapide nous ont coutés  $24US, pourboire inclus. Il y avait même des musiciens sur place pour nous divertir. Après le lunch Paul s’est fait couper les cheveux pour la modique somme de $6 US et Marielle a décidé de suivre son exemple. Nous avons ensuite fait le tour des magasins. Le retour se fait de l’autre côté du pont mais cette fois-ci nous avons dû passer les douanes Américaines avant de rentrer aux E.U.

Le lendemain, nous sommes allés visiter South Padre Island.  SPI, comme elle est souvent appelée ici, est une île Barriere du Golfe du Mexique qui est reliée  par un pont (causeway) à la petite ville de Port Isabel. Nommée en mémoire de Padre Balli, un prête catholique, SPI est à la même latitude que St-Petersburg en Floride. Son climat sous-tropical humide est très confortable en janvier, avec une température  moyenne variant entre 20 et 11ᴼ C. Frais la nuit, la température monte  rapidement après le lever du soleil et atteint souvent 25 degrés au milieu de l’après-midi.  L’ile est un endroit de villégiature très populaire auprès des étudiants pour le congé  de mars et son festival international de musique annuel en novembre.

http://www.sopadre.com/island/

Il y a trois terrains de camping sur l’ile. Un KOA qui est très bien aménagé, un petit parc d’état assez rudimentaire et le parc Isla Blanca, un parc qui appartient au conté. Nous avons demandé la permission de faire une visite rapide du Parc Isla Blanca et nous sommes restés accrochés. Nous sommes arrêtés au bureau en sortant pour prendre plus d’information et lorsque nous avons réalisé qu’il n’y avait presque plus de terrains de disponibles nous en avons immédiatement réservé un pour un mois, soit du 27 décembre au 27 janvier. Pas possible pour le moment de garder ce terrain pour un deuxième mois car il est déjà  réservé pour les mois de février et mars.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g56691-South_Padre_Island_Texas-Hotel-Deals.html

La très grande popularité de ce parc est dû au fait qu’il est situé sur le bord de la plage. C’est un endroit idéal pour la marche et les randonnées en bicyclette tandis que nous n’avons qu’à traverser le pont pour trouver un Wal-Mart et plusieurs autres magasins. Tout ça pour $485US par mois, incluant les trois services (50 AMP) et le câble pour la télé. Le Wi-Fi est aussi disponible pour environ $30.00 par mois.

Webcams : http://www.spadre.com/default.htm

Aussitôt de retour à notre camping, nous les avons avisés que nous quittions le lendemain et j’ai  commencé à me préparer pour le départ et le lendemain midi nous étions relocalisés à South Padre Island sans avoir rien changé à l’intérieur de notre maison. C’est l’un des grands avantages de voyager avec un VR. Nous sommes toujours chez nous peu importe où nous sommes.

La photo ci-contre n’est pas le futur pont Champlain mais le Causeway qui relie Port Isabel , une petite ville d’environ 6000 habitants a une petite île qui a moins de 5000 habitants permanents. Ils ne font rien à moitié ces Texans.

FACEBOOK

J'ai une autre page FaceBook sur laquelle je publie de l'information que je trouve intéressante sur internet. (Le matériel est principalement en anglais)

Voici l'adresse:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Bistro/244666738886151#!/pages/Le-Bistro/244666738886151?sk=wall

Veilside 4509 GTR Toyota Supra Takes Inspiration from Bentley, Audi R8

Considering how many years the MKIV Toyota Supra has been out of production, it’s amazing that the aftermarket continues to come up with new parts for it. But why not? The Supra remains one of the most versatile vehicles in the world when it comes to customization.


Veilside possibly has some of the world’s most famous Supras, and it looks like they wanted to make yet another statement at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon with the introduction of their 4509 GTR. Based on the MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo, Veilside decided to blend some luxury styling to the sports coupe.

A quick glance on the exterior and it’s easy to mistake the Supra with a Bentley, given its massive front grille. The front bumper also clearly hints at the Bentley Continental GT, while the headlights provide a tip of the hat to Audi’s R8 supercar.

And naturally, the Supra sports a massive widebody, allowing Veilside to squeeze 20-inch wheels in the front and massive 22-inch wheels in the rear. The custom body is constructed out of a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass.

For the interior, the luxury theme continues with leather and diamond-stitched Alcantara, a sporty steering wheel and custom gauge cluster/panel.

Squeezing horsepower out of the Supra’s 2JZ is no secret nowadays, so it’s not too impressive, but worth noting, that Veilside’s Supra sports an HKS upgraded turbo kit to help put down 680-hp and 594.5 ft-lbs of torque. Complementing all the performance modifications is a new clutch, exhaust, Rotora big brakes and suspension mods.

Toyota Avensis BTCC Touring Car Looks Menacing in the Flesh

While there was much anticipation for the debut of Toyota’s Avensis BTCC Touring Car last October, the project was delayed. Now we’ve received word that it will be making its debut on April 3rd at the Dunlop MSA BTCC event in Brands Hatch in the UK.

The Avensis is still being built by GPR Motorsport and they have announced that two teams have committed to running the Avensis in the BTCC series: Dynojet and Speedworks.

Currently the Avensis is at the MIRA aerodynamic facility in the UK going thorough wind tunnel testing. In order to get a credible baseline to compare to their race car, a factory Avensis was used, giving the team plenty of data in order to fine-tune the aerodynamics of the race car.

A few more renderings can be found below, but we’d really like to see more of this machine in the sheet metal.

Toyota Unveils New Future Yaris in Japan

Just the Facts:

•Japan's new Vitz previews America's next Yaris.

•Styling is all new, with a big push on fuel economy.

•A hybrid model is also in the works, likely in 2012.


TOKYO — Unveiled Wednesday in Tokyo is the latest from Toyota, the new Vitz. This car, in essence, is expected to come to the U.S. as the next Yaris.

Nissan, Honda. Subaru and Mazda have all refreshed their subcompact offerings in Japan of late, so Toyota is now ready to up the ante with this first full redesign of the Vitz/Yaris since 2005.

Although the stakes are high, Toyota has essentially played it safe with this third-generation Vitz.

Yes, the styling is more expressive and, it seems, strongly Eurocentric (with more than a nod, perhaps, toward France's Renault). But underneath, this is a safe evolution of a well-established product. The platform is essentially a carryover, even though the wheelbase is up almost 2 inches and overall length stretches 4 inches to a new 153 inches.

The payoff is extra cabin space, especially in the back, but bigger news in Japan is the car's fuel economy. It may be academic for America, but on home turf, Toyota has reshuffled the existing 1.3-/1.5-liter engine, putting a lot of emphasis on the 1.3.

One trick version of that, with engine stop/start, returns a class-leading 62.3 mpg in Japan's 10.15-mode fuel cycle. The 1.5 that comes to the U.S. continues on with 107 horsepower and stars in the Vitz RS, the raciest of the new Vitz family at launch.

This RS spinoff runs with massaged grille and bumper treatment and gets 16-inch alloys and sport seats. An Activematic CVT option, with steering-wheel paddle shifters, is also on the RS menu, as an alternative to a stock five-speed manual shifter.

Inside, Toyota has gone for a simple, functional dashboard design with a long, thin metal panel running along the middle, plus a conventional main gauge cluster that's easy to get to know, if not terribly inspiring to look at. The makeover also brings all-new seats.

A hybrid model is also in the works but, we hear, won't appear until well into 2012.

Inside Line says: Toyota goes for a new look with the redesigned Vitz/Yaris, which may or may not lure new buyers into the fold. Whatever you think of the styling, this is a major new player for Toyota at home that's on a mission to sell 10,000 units a month, and counting. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.05 million vehicles in 2009. Toyota directly employs more than 35,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $25 billion. Toyota currently produces 12 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and the Lexus RX 350.

See also:  http://www.toyoland.com/toyota/plants.html

Toyota Adjusts Yaris Future

Below is a future car article by the automotive experts at Motor Trend Magazine.
Hybrid Version of Next-Gen Small Car Planned


By Paul Horrell

Toyota's subcompact cars plans have been knocked sideways by the recession. The company was planning a new generation version of its Toyota Yaris that would feature the innovative engineering of the tiny iQ, but it will now instead rebody the current Yaris (pictured) for 2012.

However, in search of ultra-economy, Toyota will make a hybrid version -- a full hybrid, as opposed to the mild-hybrid system in the Honda Insight. Toyota plans to release hybrids across its range. In Europe it is launching an Auris -- the European Corolla-equivalent hatchback -- with Hybrid Synergy Drive. Toyota executive Takuo Matsui told MT "I strongly hope [we will make a Yaris-size hybrid] and I am pushing R&D for it."

Honda will shortly install its IMA hybrid system from the Insight into the Fit.

The iQ is still expected to come to the U.S. as a Scion. It's a tiny, 118-inch-long, 3+1-seater hatchback that manages to be so space efficient by utilizing several all-new packaging solutions around the engine, plus a redesigned differential, firewall, steering system, and air conditioner.

The original plan was to design a range of subcompacts longer than the iQ but with the same packaging solutions and front platform, yielding a very spacious five-seat car, and an additional seven-seater a little bigger than a Honda Fit. But now, the need to save money on retooling Yaris plants means the current car will get a straightforward rebody.

This strengthens the case for a hybrid Yaris. Packaging the hybrid system under the iQ’s snub hood would have been near impossible, whereas in the current platform it will be easier. Even so, making a hybrid small car cheap enough to be worthwhile, both for the manufacturers and consumers, is an enormous challenge.

Meanwhile, as previously reported here, the iQ will form the basis of Toyota’s pure-electric car for America in 2012. The EV will share most of its exterior panels with the gas version.

Toyota Planning Turbocharging, Direct Injection Across Lineup

The recent switch to “down-sizing” technologies like turbocharging and direct-injection have allowed automakers like Chevy, Ford and Hyundai to leap past Toyota in the fuel economy race in recent years. During that time Toyota’s focus has been on hybridizing its lineup of vehicles, a move that does allow for more significant fuel economy gains, but which is expensive; a cost that is then passed on to the consumer. Toyota’s hybrid plans also tend to mean a less impressive performance numbers.


Steering the industry over the past decade, Toyota now appears to be succumbing to the pressure of its rivals and will begin to roll out extensive use of turbocharging and direct injection in its vehicles. While not a massive leap, it will allow for significant short term fuel economy gains, with these technologies proving just how much potential is left in the internal combustion engine.

In an interview with Automotive News Toyota’s R&D boss Takeshi Uchiyamada commented that we’ll see this engine technology in everything from the Corolla to Camry, while the company will improve its variable valve timing and begin using start/stop systems to further improve technology.

The move should also help Toyota save significantly on R&D costs. With the automaker already boasting excellent fuel economy numbers, just switching to direct-injection will put Toyota back on top in the fuel economy race, without the need to design and build an entirely new generation of engines.

Moving to turbochargers and direct-injection also holds promise for performance enthusiasts. And with Toyota’s long history of turbocharged performance, perhaps a new generation of sports cars like the FR-S/FT-86 could make use of turbo DI engines in order to achieve impressive fuel economy and fun.

[Source: Automotive News via Motor Trend]

Toyota Confirms iQ Will Get Electric Version

Toyota‘s iQ microcar will get a fully electric version in 2011, the Japanese automaker has confirmed. The iQ will come as part of a plan to launch 11 hybrid or electric vehicles by 2012, including a hybrid version of the Yaris hatchback, a plug-in version of the Prius Hybrid and a Prius-based minivan.


In a statement released by the firm, Toyota stated that “improving the efficiency of its internal combustion engines, which account for the majority of sales, while raising performance, reducing costs and expanding the range available”. The company is also investigating new battery technologies that will bring big advances in performance that will be needed for electric cars to succeed in the mass market”.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Toyota Mulling All-Electric Supercar

By Peter Lyon


Mercedes and Audi may have drawn first blood in the electric-powered supercar wars with their SLS AMG E-Cell and e-tron prototypes respectively, but Toyota is reportedly set to take the fight to the Germans with an all-electric super sports car program of its own -- possibly with help from its new partner, Tesla.

An insider close to Toyota tells us that plans have been put in motion to develop a supercar that would rival the E-Cell and e-tron, and even the Citroen Survolt concept first seen at this year's Geneva show. The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. Like the E-Cell, the Toyota is expected to route power through four electric motors, one at each wheel. It will also incorporate a switch that allows drivers to select between driving programs such as comfort, sport and super sport, thus permitting drivers to regulate battery use.

It's expected to debut around 2015, and we are first to reveal how one artist in Japan sees the as-yet-unnamed vehicle as it might look attacking the Nurburgring in Germany. The large grille and air intakes beside the headlights are viewed as critical to provide sufficient cooling for the electric motors. The vehicle would reportedly borrow undisclosed know-how from Tesla and utilize aerodynamic expertise gained from the Lexus LFA project.

The fact that company CEO Akio Toyoda just signed a deal to invest some $50 million in electric sports car maker Tesla adds significant weight to the story. Toyoda is said to have dined recently with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and he reportedly took the Tesla Roadster for a spin during the evening. We were told he left suitably impressed, so much so that he's said to have given the green light to the feasibility study into the production of the all-electric sports car. In addition, Tesla has announced that it will deliver two as yet unidentified EV prototypes to Toyota by the end of July, which are believed to be EV versions of the RAV4 and Lexus RX.

Toyota, which has become the hybrid trendsetter largely thanks to the success of the Prius, now boasts the world's largest range of hybrid vehicles and is fully aware of the stricter emissions regulations coming into play worldwide. Not surprisingly, it sees EVs as one way of improving its carbon footprint while helping to repair the company's damaged public image in the wake of the unintended acceleration fiasco.


As Toyota continues to channel a huge portion of its R&D budget into hybrids, improving battery technology and electric motor output has naturally led the company to focus on EVs as well. Its Prius PHEV, which features a lithium-ion battery pack and some 15-mile range on electric power alone follows the company’s initial trials in EV mobility with the FT-HV concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and the FT-HV II’s debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Our insider also tells us Toyota engineers, who raced two works Lexus LFAs recently in the Nurburgring 24-hour race, were more than impressed by the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid's ability to lead the race for more than 22 hours using a fresh new take on hybrid technology. The GT3 RH is fitted with a hybrid system that stores energy generated by the brakes in a large flywheel, and then redeploys the power to the front wheels. One Toyota engineer we spoke to hinted that such a regenerative system could become the norm in future race cars and open doors for road cars as well.

Toyota's Five Year Future Car Plan

Below is a future car article by the automotive experts at Motor Trend Magazine.
By Peter Lyon


As the U.S. government continues its investigation into the biggest recall scandal in Toyota's history, the embattled automaker's bosses clearly have plenty to worry about at present. But the world's No. 1 auto manufacturer is still as focused as ever on the business of making cars and has some fascinating sheetmetal in the pipeline to prove it. Just one look at what's coming in the next five years will cement that fact.


Unusually exciting concepts for Toyota unveiled at the recent Tokyo Auto Salon -- the FT-86 G Sports Concept and the GRMN Sports Hybrid concept boasting a 400-horsepower V-6 and electric motor combination -- garnered headlines around the world, with company CEO Akio Toyoda front and center promoting them on stage. But it's the cars they didn't show at the salon that will launch Toyota into the decade.

As we've reported, Lexus is planning a next-generation version of its aging GS sedan which is expected to hit the market within two years. A GS F version is also reportedly in the pipeline. The question is what will power the super GS. We've recently learned that Toyota is strongly considering dropping a detuned version of the LFA's thumping 552-horsepower 4.8-liter V-10 under the hood of a GS F model. Targeting the likes of BMW's M5 head on, one source close to Lexus tells us that engineers will reduce the LFA's engine capacity to 4.6-liters and drop power to around 450 horsepower, with the aim of generating beefier bottom-end torque, making the new GS Japan's most powerful sedan ever. We had previously reported that the GS F would employ a version of the IS F's 5.0-liter V-8, but forces inside Toyota are apparently now pushing hard for the V-10. Word is that if the V-10 gets the green light, it may appear in at least one other vehicle to help spread the cost.

Another highlight of the GS F will be the incorporation of a Toyota-first rear-wheel 'torque split unit' that channels power between the right and left rear rubber in much the same way as Mitsubishi's AYC system or Honda's SH-AWD unit does, except that the Lexus system will only engage on the rears.

The other star attraction in the upcoming Lexus lineup will be the next generation SC 600h, which is due to be unveiled in mid-2014. While the current SC is scheduled to go out of production in July of this year, the new SC coupe will resurface powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 hybrid system that drives the rear wheels. Set to lock horns with the Mercedes SL, the new luxury two-door is also expected to employ the GS's rear-wheel torque split unit.


One Lexus we will see a lot sooner however, is the CT 200h five-door hatch, which will debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show and go on sale in January 2011. Dropped onto a Prius platform, and boasting paddle shifters, rear double wishbone suspension, its own unique voltage converter and upgraded power delivery, the CT's main claim to fame will be the implementation of Toyota's first mass-produced lithium-ion battery pack.

A few months after the CT 200h lands in showrooms, we can expect to see a Prius-based five-door wagon entering the market, it too fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack. But while it will be available in two body styles in Europe and Japan -- a wagon and a minivan -- the U.S. market will most likely just get the wagon.

While Toyota is in the process of introducing its first plug-in hybrids, starting with the Prius next year, we can expect to see the company's first rear-drive, plug-in hybrid sports coupe to go on sale by early 2015. Rumored to be based on the next generation Lexus IS platform, but launched through the Toyota sales network, this coupe is expected to do battle with hybrid sports cars from Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi. Yet another vehicle to be 'hybridified' will be the next generation RAV4, which is slated for an April 2012 debut.

Although some of these plans are subject to change, one thing is certain: all future Toyota models will all have proper floor mats and accelerator pedals, and the hybrids will all employ revised brake systems eliminating the alleged flat spot.

Generation Y Buying Toyota, Honda and Ford Cars

Thursday November 11 2010

By Amy Tokic
 
Generation Y has come of age and are now setting their sights on what new car to buy. And according to research firm AutoPacific, younger car buyers are choosing vehicles made by Toyota, Honda and Ford.


Also among the top 5 brands are Chevrolet and Nissan. Making their way onto the 2010 Gen Y (people born around 1983) list are Kia and Hyundai, who squeezed out Mazda and Jeep for a coveted spot on the list.

“The fact that Generation Y has a bigger footprint in brands like Hyundai and Kia than in past years means these brands are definitely doing something right to gain Gen Y’s attention,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific.

The Ford Fiesta is popular with this generation, not only because of its size and cost, but also because it’s featured sponsorship on popular shows such as American Idol and various online contests and promotions.

You’ll find the results of AutoPacific’s top 10 list after the jump.

[Source: USA Today]

1. Toyota

2. Honda

3. Ford

4. Chevrolet

5. Nissan

6. Hyundai

7. Volkswagen

8. Kia

9 . Dodge

10. Subaru

November 5th, 1895 - George B. Selden is granted the first U"S" patent for an automobile

George B. Selden (September 14, 1846 in Clarkson, New York – January 17, 1922 in Rochester, New York) was a patent lawyer and inventor who was granted a U.S. patent for an automobile in 1895.[1][2]


The idea of a horseless carriage was in the air during George's youth, but its practicality was uncertain. In 1859, his father, Judge Henry R. Selden, a prominent Republican attorney most noted for defending Susan B. Anthony, moved to Rochester, New York, where George briefly attended the University of Rochester before dropping out to enlist in the Sixth U.S. Cavalry, Union Army. This was not to the liking of his father who after pulling some strings and having some earnest discussions with his son managed to have him released from duty and enrolled in Yale. George did not do well at Yale in his law studies, preferring the technical studies offered by the Sheffield Scientific School, but did manage to finish his course of study and pass the New York bar 1871 and joined his father's practice.

He married shortly thereafter to Clara Drake Woodruff, by whom he had 4 children. He continued his hobby of inventing in a workshop in his father's basement, inventing a typewriter and a hoop making machine.

For a time, Selden represented photography pioneer George Eastman in patent matters.

Inspired by the mammoth internal combustion engine invented by George Brayton displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, Selden began working on a smaller lighter version, succeeding by 1878, some eight years before the public introduction of the Benz Patent Motorwagen in Europe, in producing a one-cylinder, 400-pound version which featured an enclosed crankshaft with the help of Rochester machinist, Frank H. Clement and his assistant William Gomm. He filed for a patent on May 8, 1879. His application included not only the engine but its use in a 4 wheeled car. He then filed a series of amendments to his application which stretched out the legal process resulting in a delay of 16 years before the patent US patent 549160 pdf was granted on November 5, 1895.

The Selden Road-EngineShortly thereafter the fledgling American auto industry began its first efforts and George Selden, despite never having gone into production with a working model of an automobile, had a credible claim to have patented an automobile in 1895.[1][2] In 1899 he sold his patent rights to William C. Whitney, who proposed manufacturing electric-powered taxicabs as the Electric Vehicle Company, EVC, for a royalty of $15 per car with a minimum annual payment of $5,000. Whitney and Selden then worked together to collect royalties from other budding automobile manufacturers. He was initially successful, negotiating a 0.75% royalty on all cars sold by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, the ALAM. He began his own car company in Rochester under the name, Selden Motor Vehicle Company.

However, Henry Ford, owner of the Ford Motor Company, founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1903, and four other car makers resolved to contest the patent infringement suit filed by Selden and EVC. The legal fight lasted eight years, generating a case record of 14,000 pages. The case was heavily publicized in the newspapers of the day, and ended in a victory for Selden. In his decision, the judge wrote that the patent covered any automobile propelled by an engine powered by gasoline vapor. Posting a bond of $350,000, Ford appealed, and on January 10, 1911 won his case based on an argument that the engine used in automobiles was not based on George Brayton's engine, the Brayton engine which Selden had improved, but on the Otto engine.

This stunning defeat, with only 1 year left to run on the patent, destroyed Selden's income stream. He focused production of his car company on trucks, renaming his company the Selden Truck Sales Corporation. It survived in that form until 1930 when it was purchased by the Bethlehem Truck Company. Selden suffered a stroke in late 1921 and died at 75 on January 17, 1922. He was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. It is estimated he received several hundred thousand dollars in royalties.


Source: Wikipedia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_B._Selden

TOYOTA SIENNA NAMED BEST NEW MINIVAN IN AJAC’S 2011 CANADIAN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

[TORONTO, ONTARIO] – The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the 2011 Toyota Sienna as the Best New Minivan in the 2011 Canadian Car of the Year Awards following rigorous testing during the annual TestFest for the Canadian Car of the Year Awards competition.

With a suggested retail price starting at just $27,900, the completely redesigned and stylish new Sienna comes in eight different models featuring a choice of 4-cylinder or V6 engines and front-wheel or the segments only all-wheel drive option, making it easy for Canadians to find the perfect Sienna to meet their needs. The new Sienna offers unique features including tip-up second-row seats, tri-zone climate control, a driver’s knee airbag, power one-touch up and down on all windows and available widescreen DVD screen, 2nd row ottoman seating, easy-clean fabric and more.

“We’re pleased that AJAC’s members recognized the Toyota Sienna’s unique combination of style, performance, versatility and innovation which makes Sienna a favourite with busy Canadian families,” said Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada Inc. “Thank you and congratulations to all Toyota associates across North America who contributed to the design, manufacturing and sale of the 2011 Toyota Sienna - you helped make this award possible.”

2012 Toyota Yaris/Vitz Revealed With More Dynamic Design, Increased Size

Auto NewsAutoGuide News Blog


The Toyota Yaris is an excellent point A to point B vehicle, with excellent fuel economy and an attractive price. Plus, it’s a Toyota, so it’s reliable. That being said, the reasons to consider buying a Yaris have never included its looks.


Toyota appears to be ready to change that, with new photos from a leaked brochure revealing the design of the all-new Japanese Vitz – which is badged as the Yaris here. A few days ago we brought you initial pics of the car, but now we have it from more angles and with more details. We’ve even surprised to see a center-exit dual exhaust. But wait, that’s a kitted-up version with the regular Vitz looking pretty mundane – like a smaller Matrix.

In terms of functionality, however, the Yaris will gain size. (The bodywork may change when it arrives in North America, but the overall shape isn’t about to). In total, the 2012 Yaris grows by 100mm end to end, with half of that between the wheelbase for improved interior room. The car will also be 20mm shorter overall, likely helping lower the center of gravity and improve handling.

Toyota is expected to deliver a concept version of the upcoming 2012 Yaris in the coming months.

Google's Driverless Car: The Next Alternative Vehicle?

Just the Facts:


•Google reveals its "driverless car" technology.

•Google says it has put more than 140,000 road miles on its test cars, including six Toyota Prius hybrids and an Audi TT.

•Technology consists of a combination of video cameras, radar and laser technology and GPS.


MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Now this is what we call a Google Street View. The innovative technology company's latest project, revealed over the weekend, is a fully automated car that does not require a human driver. Google says it has put more than 140,000 road miles on its test cars, six Toyota Prius hybrids and an Audi TT, in California and beyond, using its combination of video cameras, radar and laser technology and GPS.

The modified cars' most noticeable feature is a rotating sensor on the roof that scans 360 degrees for more than 200 feet in diameter, creating a 3D map of the car's location. A sensor on the left rear wheel measures the car's movements in detail and helps locate it on the map. A video camera on the windshield near the rearview mirror finds pedestrians, bicyclists, traffic lights and obstacles in the rod and sends that data to the car's onboard computer. Radar sensors at front and back help locate more distant objects. A GPS receiver, a laser range finder and an inertial motion sensor complete the package.

What's the Google angle? Not surprisingly, the cars relate back to Google data centers to process the information the cars gather and need to use. Google says its goal, though, is "to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use."

The company claims the driverless cars have tackled such challenging terrain as San Francisco's winding Lombard Street and Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Coast Highway and around Lake Tahoe. Google also says it has a "trained safety driver" behind the wheel at all times and a "trained software operator" in the passenger seat — and that the local police have been "briefed...on our work."

Videos of the driverless Google cars have begun to proliferate on the Internet:

http://www.insideline.com/toyota/prius/googles-driverless-car-the-next-alternative-vehicle.html

Toyota iQ Disco is Getting Ready to Party

Toyota is getting funky and has released details about the new iQ Disco model, available for the European market.


So why is it called the Disco? Well, it kind of resembles a disco ball and it also comes with a professional DJ sound system – so you can get down with your bad self while stuck in traffic. The Disco gets its sparkling look with help from mirror platelets that cover the entire car.

As for its sound system, it comes with a fully powered subwoofer/satellite speaker system, a 15-inch bass reflex subwoofer, 2-channel mixer and two Numark NDX 800 players.

The iQ Disco also boasts a new set of 18″ alloy wheels and scissors doors. Giving it its boogie power is a 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i petrol engine.

The Toyota iQ Disco will be making its premiere at the “Cologne Rocks” event in Köln, Germany.

Get more iQ news and info at iQForums and iQColony

Toyota Tacoma X-Runner RTR Revealed Ahead of SEMA Debut With Supercharged 5.7L V8

Built as a SEMA 2010 project, Toyota has been prepping their Tacoma X-Runner RTR and did some baseline test runs out at Pomona this past Tuesday. For those unaware of this project, Toyota was basically looking at producing a “ready to race” Toyota Tacoma X-Runner with the Tundra’s 5.7-liter V8 powerplant. But the fun doesn’t stop there – because a Tundra motor alone isn’t ready to race – TRD steps in with their supercharger and intake kit, pushing the V8 to 504-hp with 550 ft-lbs of torque.

Toyota’s early estimations were that the RTR would be able to hit 11-second quarter mile times. Their first outing (mostly to gather data and get a baseline run) netted a 12.01 @ 116.57 mph pass with NHRA pilot Antron Brown behind the wheel. And for those local to Southern California, you’re well aware that Tuesday didn’t exactly have the best weather to be out testing at the strip.

For the tech-heads wondering what all is really going on with the Tacoma, Toyota has confessed that an enthusiast could build this project on their own. The Tundra powerplant fits snugly under the hood along with its rear axle. Modifications were done to narrow its wide track by 5.7-inches to match the Tacoma’s natural stance. The most complex part of the conversion? You guessed it, the wiring.

Converted namely for the track, the front wheels were narrowed to 4.5-inches wide while the rears are 10-inches wide in order to incorporate Goodyear’s Eagle Dragway slicks. The stance of the truck was also lowered by 4.5-inches along with a new steel driveshaft and the RTR currently sports a prototype mechanical LSD.

We’ll be sure to stop by at SEMA 2010 to check this Tacoma out in person.

Toyota FT-86/FR-S Will be Badged as a Scion; Priced at $25,000

Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept will make it to market as a Scion in North America, likely sporting the name FR-S. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Toyota dealers were made aware of the decision by the corporate brass at a recent meeting in Las Vegas.

The decision help build-up the Scion brand, with a new flagship RWD model, however, it won’t help Toyota as it seeks to rebrand itself as a more youth-focused company. The other down-side of this revelation is news that the Scion FR-S could cost as much as $25,000 – significantly more than the $20,000 price tag originally promised.

According to other reports the Scion FR-S could get a 2.5-liter version of the Subaru boxer 4-cylinder in the U.S. while other markets are likely to get the 2.0-liter version.

The official reveal of the production model Scion FR-S is likely to occur at the 2011 New York Auto Show

Prius MPV Teased as Original Prepares to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

As the original Prius prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday, Toyota is planning to finally expand the hybrid lineup, adding an MPV model. While not common in North America, MPVs are a hit in other parts of the world where our minivans are seen as gargantuan.

A single photo showing the Prius MPV peaking out behind the current model was released on the official Prius Facebook page and by the looks of it, the MPV model won’t be a whole lot bigger. The slight size increase all around should lead to more interior room and the Prius MPV will likely get three rows of seats – similar to the Mazda5. In many ways, the MPV model looks a lot like the new Auris Hybrid unveiled at the Paris Auto Show.

We don’t expect any upgrades to the powertrain, as Toyota is likely to debut any big upgrades on the flagship model.

[Source: Prius Facebook Page]