19 Jul 2012

Electric sports car: Toyota takes on Tesla

Toyota

While electric-only automaker Tesla pushes ahead with its Model S sedan, the upcoming Model X crossover and others on the horizon, other electric automakers are taking a more cautious approach with their first forays.

The Mitsubishi i, Nissan Leaf and others are worthy additions to the market, but some customers are begging for something a little more exciting--and Toyota could be the brand to deliver it.

Autocar reports that the Japanese carmaker is planning an electric sports car, following the launch of an electric city car.

Both vehicles would take lessons learned from Toyota's beautiful 2000GT EV conversion that wowed crowds at the recent Goodwood Fesitval of Speed.

Toyota is running an electric example of the exceedingly rare 1960s sports car, which actually uses a manual gearbox--a little like the Morgan Plus E concept car shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Toyota's Hiroyuki Ogawa told Autocar, Toyota has "...a desire to use a manual gearbox in our electric and hybrid sports cars". He describes the current CVT from Toyota's hybrids as "efficient but not fun", and suggests a manual transmission gives a better feel for the driver.

A manual gearbox is also likely to find its way into a hybrid sports car in the next three years, according to Ogawa.

Will Toyota's electric sports car plans encourage Nissan to follow suit with its ESFLOW concept? We certainly hope so.

18 Jul 2012

Revamped Hybrid Still on a Roll

Camry

The new 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is not bigger and better - it's lighter and more fuelefficient. In a world where people are increasingly turning away from excess and becoming more Earthfriendly, the Camry Hybrid is going down the right road.

Toyota's Prius is perhaps the best-known hybrid in the world. The Camry borrows from the Prius, but adapts it to give it broader appeal. While the Prius is only available as a hybrid, the Camry comes in seven different models, two of them with a gasoline-electric drivetrain.

The Camry Hybrid gets an Atkinson-cycle version of the base car's 2.5-litre, four-cylinder gasoline engine. This modification, which increases the compression ratio, gives up some power but increases fuel efficiency and lowers emissions - which are up to 70 per cent less than for an average new vehicle, claims Toyota. The loss of power from the conventional engine is mitigated by the power of a permanent magnet-synchronous electric motor fuelled by a nickel-metal hydride battery.

The net horsepower of the two motors is an even 200, 22 hp more than the gasoline-powered car. Toyota does not give a torque rating for the hybrid powerplant. Toyota boasts the car can accelerate from 0 to 96.5 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

Some credit those acceleration figures to what's under the skin. Toyota says the Camry went on a diet, cutting its curb weight by 90 kilograms.

The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission, not the sixspeed auto found in the rest of the Camry line. This combo gives the Hybrid a 4.7 litre/100 km rating in the city and 5.1L/100 km number on the highway.

Better aerodynamics, lower-rolling-resistance tires and higher tire pressures collectively contribute to the impressive fuel numbers.

Other details to help fuel economy include electrically driven (instead of beltdriven) air-conditioning compressor, water and power steering pumps. In fact, this engine is completely beltless, which helps reduce power losses to belt friction, improving fuel efficiency.

But the Camry was designed as a conventional car from the get-go. That means there's still no place for the new battery, even though it's smaller than the last generation. The new 245-volt battery pack is made up of 34 modules, each with six 1.2-volt cells.

While the Prius locates the battery under the floor, in the Camry, it has to sit behind the rear seats. The rear seatback still folds, but there's only a small opening suitable for the occasional long item, such as skis.

Cargo volume drops from 44 to 37 litres because of the battery.

But there is one omission that bugs me: Despite the thousands of hours of development by designers and engineers, somebody forgot to include a grab handle on the trunk lid. It's a small detail, but one anyone would appreciate after getting their hands dirty closing the trunk in winter. Some manufacturers include two handles, so it comes as a surprise the Camry has none.

While the battery placement isn't ideal and it's missing a grab handle, Toyota has worked hard to make sure the rest of the redesigned Camry makes up for it. The exterior dimensions of the 2012 haven't changed much. It's a mid-size sedan, which makes it a comfortable ride for four adults - five in a squeeze.

The dash got a lot more attention this year, with a modern look. Unlike some designs, the dash isn't cluttered or complicated. The main dash pod includes a speedometer in front of the driver, flanked by a powerusage dial on one side and a fuel-economy gauge on the other. A multi-function information screen resides within the speedometer, giving average mileage, cruising range and other information.

A large LCD screen houses climate control, audio and more. There are only four knobs and dials on the centre console, a welcome number compared to some.

We drove the XLE version of the hybrid, the uplevel version of the car. I still missed niceties such as heated seats, a sunroof and navigation system - all optional.

Driving the Camry Hybrid is much like driving a Prius - starts are smooth with the electric motor and integration of the gasoline engine is seamless as the speed picks up. Apart from the obvious benefits of lower fuel consumption, the powertrain combo makes for a quiet ride.

Safety is top notch, with 10 airbags (including driver and passenger knee airbags), stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

It also has whiplash-mitigation front seats.

Hybrid competitors to the Camry include the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion.

The Camry has been the top seller in the mid-size segment for 13 of the last 14 years. The redesigned model looks like it will continue that impressive record.

Courtesy of the Times Colonist

16 Jul 2012

O% APR Financing on 2012 RAV4

Rav4

The 2012 RAV4 offers plenty of cargo space, a powerful engine, and an optional thrid row. And now, qualified buyers can receive 0% APR financing for up to 5 years! Head to Toyota World of Newton to test drive this amazing SUV. http://bit.ly/PaimJN

13 Jul 2012

Car Care Tip: Keep An Auto Log

Log

Here's a car care tip, courtesy of Reader's Digest: “Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.”

11 Jul 2012

2013 Toyota Avalon gets the Camry's V-6, Hybrid engines

Toyota

Toyota has just revealed the specs for the 2013 Toyota Avalon, which was unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show earlier this year. Along with its new, more compact dimensions and a lighter curb weight, the Avalon will be available in two main trims: one powered by a V-6 and the other by Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD).

The first available power train is Toyota's 268-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. This is the same direct-injected mill that provides locomotive duties for the 2012 Toyota Camry V-6 XLE, outputting an identical 248 pound-feet of torque and being paired with a similar six-speed automatic transaxle. In the approximately 100-pound-heavier Avalon, this power train will achieve an estimated 25 mpg combined (21 city/ 31 hwy), only losing a single highway mpg when compared twith its smaller sibling.

Additionally, the Avalon will be available as a hybrid model, powered by Toyota's 2.5-liter HSD engine, which you can find also under the hood of (you guessed it) the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. The gasoline engine's 153 pound-feet of torque is added to the 200 pound-foot electric motor's output via planetary gear magic for a total system rating of 200 horsepower being sent through the E-CVT and onward to the front wheels.

The Avalon Hybrid will receive an EPA estimate of 40 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. Here, again, the Avalon isn't far off the mark of the Camry Hybrid XLE.

Along with sharing both of its engine options with the smaller sedan, the Avalon also shrinks slightly in most exterior dimensions, bringing the vehicle slightly closer to the dimensions of the actual Camry. Then again, perhaps a bit more available space and luxury with the same great power train is a good choice to have.

If the Avalon performs anything like the current Camry does -- and let's face it, with only 2 inches' difference in length and 100 pounds separating them, it probably does -- then the 2.5-liter hybrid is going to be the powerplant to buy.

Likewise, we suspect that Toyota will place even more emphasis on "comfort" when tuning the Avalon's suspension than it does with the already cushy Camry, making the HSD system's effortlessly smooth acceleration and quiet performance a particularly good complement to the ride.

The pricing of the 2013 Toyota Avalon V-6 and Hybrid models has not been unveiled just yet, but with the sedans hitting dealerships later this year, we expect to hear something soon.

Courtesy of Yahoo! Autos

9 Jul 2012

Check out the 2012 Toyota Camry

Camry

With standard features that include ten airbags and a BLU Logic Hands Free System, the Camry offers comfort, reliability and safety. See everything that the 2012 Camry has to offer by checking it out in our online showroom! http://bit.ly/Or0Ihh

5 Jul 2012

Imagine if automotive technology never changed?

3 Jul 2012

We've Recieved a 5-Star Review on Super Pages

Superpages

Here's a recent review about Toyota World of Newton:

" The place was FANTASTIC. They got me the deal that worked for me in a quick amount of time. When I went back for my first service everything was explained including expected waiting time and they far exceeded any expectations. I would definitely recommend them to any and all."


Thanks for the review. We love our customers!

2 Jul 2012

APR and Lease Specials on the 2012 Highlander

Highlander

The Toyota Highlander has been named a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick and a Best Overall Value of the Year by Intellichoice. Check out Toyota World of Newton's APR and Lease Specials on the 2012 Highlander by visiting us online! http://bit.ly/Mp3B6t

28 Jun 2012

Check out one of Toyota's 2012 College Grad Video Contest Winners

Toyota World of Newton's Space

Newton Toyota is a company about pride, passion, achievement, respect, responsibility, family, discipline and courage. Newton Toyota believes that its strength, continued success and future growth depend on building trusting relationships with its employees, Newton Toyota customers and industry partners. There is always more to a dealership than the vehicles it carries, and we couldn’t agree more. We want to provide you with more than just inventory and an experience that will make you want to come back to us for future sales and service. We always welcome questions and concerns from all of our customers, and we encourage you to contact us when it’s convenient by using the method that’s most convenient for you, whether it’s through social media networks like Twitter or Facebook or by phone, email or the numerous contact forms on our website. Newton Toyota is conveniently located in Newton, New Jersey.

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