Toyota to Update Body-on-Frame Models, Considers Hybrid Truck

When it comes to its truck and body-on-frame SUV lineup, Toyota has been content with leaving well enough alone. Its offerings are good, but they haven’t really innovated anything in some time. The automaker is looking to change that in the next few years.

Speaking to Automotive News at the State Fair of Texas, Toyota group vice president of marketing Ed Laukes said the company has updates for its body-on-frame vehicles in the pipeline.

“We are working on [updates to our body-on-frame platforms] right now,” Laukes told AN. “To continue to be able to address that, we have to work on upgrades. Let’s face it, the competition is getting stronger and stronger. Things like the [Ford] Ranger coming back. We have to be able to address that. Now, the Tacoma was completely redone. But 4Runner, Sequoia, Tundra…those are being worked on as we speak.”

In addition to a redesigned exterior and interior, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma received a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine option, a new six-speed automatic transmission, and more high-strength steel in its frame to increase rigidity and lower weight. The Tundra received a major refresh for the 2014 model year and gets another minor one for 2018, but the updates are mostly cosmetic. The 4Runner received a refresh in 2013, but its chassis and engine date back to 2009. The Sequoia gets a refresh for 2018, but is essentially the same full-size SUV it was when it debuted for the 2008 model year.

Laukes also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a hybrid pickup.

“There’s absolutely no reason we couldn’t have a hybrid truck,” he said. “All those options, we’re exploring. When you’re trying to raise [corporate average fuel economy] limits for the entire brand, there’s no option that isn’t on the table.”

He didn’t say which truck might get a hybrid variant, but did say the Tacoma would be getting powertrain upgrades in order to stay competitive.

“We’re going to continue to work on all the improvements that are going to be necessary to keep Tacoma at the top of the class. So powertrains are obviously a big piece of anyone’s equation as we work on CAFE standards.”

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

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Toyota to Update Body-on-Frame Models, Considers Hybrid Truck

When it comes to its truck and body-on-frame SUV lineup, Toyota has been content with leaving well enough alone. Its offerings are good, but they haven’t really innovated anything in some time. The automaker is looking to change that in the next few years.

Speaking to Automotive News at the State Fair of Texas, Toyota group vice president of marketing Ed Laukes said the company has updates for its body-on-frame vehicles in the pipeline.

“We are working on [updates to our body-on-frame platforms] right now,” Laukes told AN. “To continue to be able to address that, we have to work on upgrades. Let’s face it, the competition is getting stronger and stronger. Things like the [Ford] Ranger coming back. We have to be able to address that. Now, the Tacoma was completely redone. But 4Runner, Sequoia, Tundra…those are being worked on as we speak.”

In addition to a redesigned exterior and interior, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma received a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine option, a new six-speed automatic transmission, and more high-strength steel in its frame to increase rigidity and lower weight. The Tundra received a major refresh for the 2014 model year and gets another minor one for 2018, but the updates were mostly cosmetic. The 4Runner received a refresh in 2013, but its chassis and engine date back to 2009. The Sequoia gets a refresh for 2018, but is essentially the same full-size SUV it was when it debuted for the 2008 model year.

Laukes also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a hybrid pickup.

“There’s absolutely no reason we couldn’t have a hybrid truck,” he said. “All those options, we’re exploring. When you’re trying to raise [corporate average fuel economy] limits for the entire brand, there’s no option that isn’t on the table.”

He didn’t say which truck might get a hybrid variant, but did say the Tacoma would be getting powertrain upgrades in order to stay competitive.

“We’re going to continue to work on all the improvements that are going to be necessary to keep Tacoma at the top of the class. So powertrains are obviously a big piece of anyone’s equation as we work on CAFE standards.”

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

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Hybrid Toyota pickup still under consideration

Filed under: Green,Toyota,Truck,Future,Hybrid

It's not imminent, but it's in the planning stages.

Continue reading Hybrid Toyota pickup still under consideration

Hybrid Toyota pickup still under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Sep 2017 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus Will Skip Plug-in Hybrids, Go Straight to EVs and Fuel Cells

The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid might not outsell the regular Prius, but it’s still the least-ugly Prius you can buy. And considering it starts at $27,965, its 25-mile electric range is solid. But if you expected Lexus to give the Prius Prime the luxury treatment and build its own plug-in hybrid, you’ll probably be disappointed. That’s because Lexus has no plans to pursue plug-in hybrid technology at all.

Speaking to AutoExpress at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus in Europe, said the Japanese luxury brand will leave the plug-in hybrids to Toyota. That’s because, the way he sees it, plug-in tech is more of a stop-gap than a solution to an actual problem. Instead, Lexus will focus on developing fuel cells and fully electric vehicles.

Part of his reasoning has to do with Europe ratcheting up its emissions standards. When that happens, the hybrids Lexus already sells probably won’t be clean enough. “Soon we will have to reach 75g/km. At that time pure hybrids will not be sufficient,” said Uyttenhoven. “The two things we can do are introduce plug-in or introduce electric.” But Lexus would rather develop the latter. “We do not need to have plug-in hybrid vehicles. It’s a loophole in the market. We will reach the [carbon dioxide] targets without them,” Uyttenhoven said. 

Initially, that will probably mean offering electric and fuel cell versions of its most expensive products while engineers work to bring down the cost of electric technology. “In Europe, the more successful electric car sales are at the high end,” Uyttenhoven said. “But in the premium market, 50 percent of cars are sold below €40,000 ($47,000). If it’s more than that, how will people afford it?”

So if you were holding out for a plug-in CT200h, that’s probably never going to happen. But an electric successor to the LC500? That’s actually a possibility.

Source: AutoExpress

 

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Lexus Will Skip Plug-in Hybrids, Go Straight to EVs and Fuel Cells

The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid might not outsell the regular Prius, but it’s still the least-ugly Prius you can buy. And considering it starts at $27,965, its 25-mile electric range is solid. But if you expected Lexus to give the Prius Prime the luxury treatment and build its own plug-in hybrid, you’ll probably be disappointed. That’s because Lexus has no plans to pursue plug-in hybrid technology at all.

Speaking to AutoExpress at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Alain Uyttenhoven, head of Lexus in Europe, said the Japanese luxury brand will leave the plug-in hybrids to Toyota. That’s because, the way he sees it, plug-in tech is more of a stop-gap than a solution to an actual problem. Instead, Lexus will focus on developing fuel cells and fully electric vehicles.

Part of his reasoning has to do with Europe ratcheting up its emissions standards. When that happens, the hybrids Lexus already sells probably won’t be clean enough. “Soon we will have to reach 75g/km. At that time pure hybrids will not be sufficient,” said Uyttenhoven. “The two things we can do are introduce plug-in or introduce electric.” But Lexus would rather develop the latter. “We do not need to have plug-in hybrid vehicles. It’s a loophole in the market. We will reach the [carbon dioxide] targets without them,” Uyttenhoven said. 

Initially, that will probably mean offering electric and fuel cell versions of its most expensive products while engineers work to bring down the cost of electric technology. “In Europe, the more successful electric car sales are at the high end,” Uyttenhoven said. “But in the premium market, 50 percent of cars are sold below €40,000 ($47,000). If it’s more than that, how will people afford it?”

So if you were holding out for a plug-in CT200h, that’s probably never going to happen. But an electric successor to the LC500? That’s actually a possibility.

Source: AutoExpress

 

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2018 Hyundai Accent vs subcompact sedans: How it compares on paper

Filed under: Chevrolet,Hyundai,Kia,Nissan,Toyota,Sedan

Small cars, big competition.

Continue reading 2018 Hyundai Accent vs subcompact sedans: How it compares on paper

2018 Hyundai Accent vs subcompact sedans: How it compares on paper originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spied! BMW Z4 Shows its Headlights and Taillights

Our spy photographers have caught the upcoming BMW Z4 once again, but this time it’s wearing its production headlights and taillights. Thankfully, the production version’s lamps won’t stray far from those of the jaw-dropping Z4 Concept that was shown at Pebble Beach earlier this year.

Up front, the car’s headlights are similar to the Z4 Concept, meaning it features a single projector cluster in each housing instead of the usual dual-round lamp layout found in other BMW vehicles. The automaker’s “Angel Eye” LED accents are also slightly different from other BMW vehicles as it only surrounds the bottom part of the headlights rather than the entire projector. But if the headlights are like the concept’s beneath that camo, then they’ll retain the dual-lamp look with more LED piping stacked above the main headlight cluster. Out back, the rear taillights appear to have not changed much from the concept car, which should help the car stand out even more. The upcoming Z4’s dual-kidney grille appears to also be wider than before based on how big the opening on the car’s front covers.

Developed alongside the upcoming Toyota Supra, the next-generation BMW Z4 will be lighter than the car it replaces partly due to it ditching the complicated retractable hardtop in favor of a simpler power-operated soft top. For the U.S., powertrain choices will likely include a 2.0-liter turbo-four in the base model and a more powerful 3.0-liter turbo I-6 in a performance-oriented M40i variant. Expect an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF to be available on all models; however, a six-speed manual could only be reserved for the base Z4.

Our spy photographers tell us that when equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo-four, the Z4 will weigh in at around 1,400 kg, or around 3,086 pounds. The new platform is also compatible with hybrid powertrains and can support all-wheel drive. However, don’t expect a full-fledged M model to arrive anytime soon.

Photo Source: CarPix

The post Spied! BMW Z4 Shows its Headlights and Taillights appeared first on Motor Trend.

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Spied! BMW Z4 Shows its Headlights and Taillights

Our spy photographers have caught the upcoming BMW Z4 once again, but this time it’s wearing its production headlights and taillights. Thankfully, the production version’s lamps won’t stray far from those of the jaw-dropping Z4 Concept that was shown at Pebble Beach earlier this year.

Up front, the car’s headlights are similar to the Z4 Concept, meaning it features a single projector cluster in each housing instead of the usual dual-round lamp layout found in other BMW vehicles. The automaker’s “Angel Eye” LED accents are also slightly different from other BMW vehicles as it only surrounds the bottom part of the headlights rather than the entire projector. If the headlights are like the concept’s, then they’ll retain the dual-lamp look seen on every other BMW, only in a stacked formation. Out back, the rear taillights appear to have not changed much from the concept car, which should help the car stand out even more. The upcoming Z4’s dual-kidney grille appears to also be wider than before based on how big the opening on the car’s front covers.

Developed alongside the upcoming Toyota Supra, the next-generation BMW Z4 will be lighter than the car it replaces partly due to it ditching the complicated retractable hardtop in favor of a simpler power-operated soft top. For the U.S., powertrain choices will likely include a 2.0-liter turbo-four in the base model and a more powerful 3.0-liter turbo I-6 in a performance-oriented M40i variant. Expect an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF to be available on all models; however, a six-speed manual could only be reserved for the base Z4.

Our spy photographers tell us that when equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo-four, the Z4 will weigh in at around 1,400 kg, or around 3,086 pounds. The new platform is also compatible with hybrid powertrains and can support all-wheel drive. However, don’t expect a full-fledged M model to arrive anytime soon.

Photo Source: CarPix

The post Spied! BMW Z4 Shows its Headlights and Taillights appeared first on Motor Trend.

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