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 Enthusiasts Club

The Toyota Enthusiasts Club was founded by in 1991 by Nik Ellis and Bob Willis, who both shared an appreciation for Toyota cars. Last weekend the club celebrated its 20th anniversary at its annual meeting at Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton, with around 45 classic Toyotas on show.

The club has around 150 members and some of the cars that turned up included a 1970′s Hiace Campervan driven by Raf Evers from Belguim, who also owns 36 Toyota vehicles in total. Other classic models at the event included the Cressida, Crown, Corolla, with a classic Toyota Celica ST from 1977, 1985 Celica Supra and an Avon Celica cabriolet version headlining the show.

If you own a classic Toyota and you are interested in joining the TEC then you can get more details off their website which can be found at www.toyotaenthusiasts.com . However, if you are interested in a brand new Toyota car (Avensis, Aygo, iQ, Prius ,Yaris, RAV-4, etc) then of course we have Toyota contract hire prices on the site now.

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.

Toyota Prius

According to latest figures from automotive analysts Clean Green Cars, Toyota continues to lead the UK motor industry in bringing down CO2 emissions across its entire motor range.

The figures from Clean Green Cars show that for the first quarter of 2010, the mean figure for new Toyota cars sold in Britain was 124.55g/km which is well below the EU target figure of 130g/km set for 2012.

Central to the Toyota achievement has been Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which powers the Prius and is soon to be seen in the Auris HSD and of course Toyota Optimal Drive technologies.

The new Auris HSD is set to deliver CO2 emissions from 89g/km and added to the range of Aygo, iQ, Yaris, Urban Cruiser, will help Toyota maintain their position below the key level of 130g/km. Contract hire on the Toyota Prius and all other Toyota models is available now.

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.

The SMMT has reported that new car registrations were up 11.4% in September to 367,929 units sold. The car scrappage scheme has continued to supply a stimulus to this growth and in particular registrations from private buyers and of small cars rose strongly.

The average car CO2 emissions continues to fall with a 4.9% reduction of the year to date position, to 150.2g/km.

SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said,”New car registrations rose for the third time in a row in September. Market conditions remain challenging with demand being underpinned by the extremely successful scrappage incentive scheme. The extension of the scheme will help to sustain demand through the latter part of this year and into 2010″.

Top ten best sellers in September

1) Fiesta – 22,635

2) Corsa – 16,379

3) Focus – 13,622

4) Astra – 13,190,

5) Golf – 11,787

6) Peugeot 207 -9,161

7) MINI – 8,634

 8) BMW 3 Series – 7,465

9) Yaris – 6,896

10) BMW 1 Series – 6,671

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.

Another great offer from Compare Contract Hire.com, the UK’s first online contract hire leasing price comparison site for small businesses and consumers.

This offer is based on a Toyota Yaris Diesel Hatchback 1.4 D-4D T3 3 Door at £126.79 pm excl VAT.

Contract terms are non maintenance business contract hire, 3 years, 3 months initial rental followed by 35 subsequent payments at 10,000 miles per annum.

Co2 output is 119 g/km and Combined MPG is 62.8

www.comparecontracthire.com can provide quotes on any Toyota model or any other make. Compare prices online direct from the funding panel of suppliers.