Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota has released the first pictures of Yaris Hybrid ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2012. The new model brings together the packaging and agile handling of the Yaris, with Toyota’s innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.

Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling car in Europe and the Yaris Hybrid follows the launch of Auris Hybrid in 2010 as the second core Toyota model to feature full hybrid technology. The intention is to now introduce the powertrain to the largest volume segment in the European market. As the new flagship car of the Toyota Yaris range, it shares the same new-design “face” of Toyota but places greater priority on aerodynamic efficiency.

New Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota has downsized its Hybrid Synergy Drive for Yaris, combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack and the result is a system that is 20 per cent lighter than that used in the Auris Hybrid.

The location of the fuel tank and hybrid battery is under the rear seat and the Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as conventional petrol and diesel Yaris models. Automatic air conditioning and e-CVT automatic transmission are fitted as standard on the car, signalling that customers do not have to compromise on comfort in order to achieve low CO2 emissions performance.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Toyota will be unveiling its production line version of the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show on the 15th September. The car features a new, more compact, lithium-ion battery which offers extended EV (electric power) range, enabling the Prius PHEV to achieve fuel efficiencies of 128.4mpg (target figure) and to lower CO2 emissions to 49g/km of CO2.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid PHEV becomes the flagship of the Prius range and features Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system, which has earned a track record in reliability worldwide with over two million cars sold. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will join a range of other new Toyota models for 2012, including Auris Hybrid, the new seven seat Prius + and the Yaris Hybrid, demonstrating Toyota’s commitment to launch this new hybrid technology to the wider market.

Toyota hybrid and electric vehicles

An independent European consumer study by Automotive Business Intelligence company EurotaxGlass’s and UK research institute Harris Interactive has found that Toyota is by far the first choice for hybrids and electric vehicles.

Toyota stood out in all European markets with 31% of those interviewed, who had expressed an interest in electric or hybrid vehicles, said that Toyota had the highest brand awareness. When asked to name an electric or hybrid brand, 15% named Toyota, with only 6% naming the closest rival hybrid manufacturer. You can easily search for all Toyota hybrid and electric vehicles (Prius, Auris Hybrid,Yaris) using the Vehicle Type leasing shopper.

New Toyota RAV4

Toyota is updating the RAV4 for 2010 with a fresh new look and styling for their popular SUV. The 2010 RAV4 has an all-new front end look that is aerodynamically more efficent and with the wider grille, horizontal bars and chrome accents, shows off the new Toyota family styling.

New Toyota RAV4

This new look has already been seen on the latest Avensis, Verso and Auris models and is finished off with new headlights with projector-type low beam lamps.

Inside the cabin the quality finish is complimented by new leather and Alcantara upholstery.

Toyota will be powering the 2010 RAV4 with its Toyota Optimal Drive powertrains, with 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol and 2.2 D-4D and D-CAT diesel engines with six-speed manual, Multidrive S (CVT transmission) and six speed automatic transmissions.

The CO2 emissions in the range start from 150g/km and full prices and vehicle technical data will be announced later in the spring.

Following the news item yesterday, Toyota has named the cars that may be affected with the potential accelerator pedal recall problem and the precise number of cars affected may be as high as 1.8 million.

There is a possibility that the accelerator pedal may stick or return slowly to the idle position and these are the Toyota cars affected.

1. AYGO – Feb 2005- Aug 2009)
2. iQ ( Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
3. Yaris ( Nov 2005- Sep 2009)
4. Auris ( Oct 2006- 5  Jan 2010)
5. Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
6. Verso ( Feb 2009- 5 Jan 2010)
7. Avensis ( Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
8. RAV4 (Nov 2005- Nov 2009)

Toyota is making great efforts to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and if you have any concerns or drive one of the cars above call Toyota GB Customer Relations on 0800 1388 744.

Toyota iQ

Toyota has been awarded the title of “Greenest Car Manufacturer” by cleangreencars.co.uk and is the first manufacturer in the UK to dip below 130g/km level for mean carbon emissions across their range.

cleangreancars.co.uk has calculated that the average emissions are 129.15g/km. The Prius leads the way with CO2 emissions from 89g/km, however iQ, Aygo, Yaris, Urban Cruiser and Auris all offer low CO2 car emissions as well.

Auris HSD Hybrid

Toyota is unveiling their new Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and this new model will take centre stage at the Toyota stand.

This is a milestone for Toyota as they have introduced full hybrid technology into a mainstream model and is the first step in rolling out their Hybrid Synergy Drive across the company’s whole range of vehicles.

Other models on the Toyota stand at Frankfurt include the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, enabling pure electric car operation for short range day-to day transportation.

Prius Plug-in

Toyota plans to trial 150 of these models in 2010 which will be leased to selective fleet customers. 

In addition to the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota will also be showing two customised iQ cars, namely iQ for Sports and iQ for Collection.

iQ Sports

New comparison tool

Toyota is offering customers the opportunity to use its new comparison tool on its website where you can compare the hard facts about the benefits of Toyota Optimal Drive versus other rival models. All the data is updated monthly and is sourced from KWIKCarcost.

The first step in using the calculator is to click on “Take the Challenge” on the home page, then select a current Toyota model from the drop-down menu. You then get an instant comparison on cumulative three year running costs. Clicking on “further comparisons” and you get to see graphics, power, mpg efficiency, road tax/CO2 emissions and residual values.

The calculator demonstrates the strong performance of the latest Toyota models including iQ, Aygo, Avensis, Auris and Yaris. However before you buy your car think about car leasing as all cars will depreciate in value.