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Toyota Avensis Brings Size Back to the Driver

Jimmy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:58:34 +0000

Remember the days of Toyota Avalon? Your friend’s Grandparents rolling up in that over-sized yet still fuel efficient vehicle to take you out for dinner at 3:30 pm? Well, Toyota wants to bring us back to the days where size did matter, even when it came to foreign automobiles, with their Avensis concept.

Avensis has enough room to fit a small family inside through high school and when the kids finally move out. Yes, we mean it’s big – larger than many of the Toyota sedans on the market today. Overseas, Toyota makes six different engines available for this vehicle, with anything from a 1.6 liter gasoline car giving out 132 horsepower to their diesel options, which have been tuned for up to 177 hp.

The new model will enter European markets in 2009, a price tag for Avensis will probably be announced for both sedan and wagon models closer to launch.

Could 2009 bring us a Solar Powered Prius?

Jimmy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:27:08 +0000

As long as the sun continues to shine the Prius will rule our roads…or at least keep its occupants chilled with air conditioning. Toyota is almost ready to implement solar panels on their 2009 Toyota Prius for the purpose of taking some of the electrical strain off the motor when powering A.C.

Your typical gas-electric motor Toyota Prius

It’s a small step in big direction for any automotive manufacture. The solar-crystal panels soak up energy and transform it into extra power for the air conditioning unit. Running your air can add to the struggle of keeping a vehicle moving at a constant speed while cooling off occupants. Now, that pressure is taken off of the motor. Soon, you may see the gas-electric-solar Prius at a car dealer near you! Talk about a tri-powered automobile.

Is it possible – a 2009 Solar Powered Prius?

So, what’s next for the solar powered car? Maybe all internal and outside lights could run on stored solar energy. Or why not operate power windows via sunlight? If the world will be overrun with solar powered vehicles we may soon see the extinction of the garage.

Solar Panels – Crystals absorb solar energy and power the Prius air conditioning

Fake Noise for the Toyota Prius

Jimmy — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:24:29 +0000

The Toyota Prius has been touted as a “Silent Killer” – knocking off blind or otherwise distracted pedestrians. How can we solve this problem? Speakers buried inside and under the car’s bumpers and fenders to simulate “engine noise.” Although the car now sounds like a popcorn bag roasting in the microwave, the concept is solid. The noise is low, almost inaudible to the driver, and fades from side to side depending on which direction you turn. The concept and execution of this speaker system comes from Standford University, and it will be interesting to see where Toyota takes this.

Toyota Prius sales reach One-million

Jimmy — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:39:11 +0000

After more than a decade on the market, Toyota says it has sold its one-millionth Prius hybrid car.

“One-miiiillllliiioooonnnnn Toyotas”

1,028,000 at the end of April, to be exact. This number represents a total of worldwide sales, more than half of those purchases coming from North American customers. Toyota says it “aims to sell more than one million Prius every year” – after 2010 that is.

Lately, Toyota’s profits have been under pressure as it struggles against a strong yen and weakening US economy. Still, rising gas prices and the popularity of the Green trend have played a positive roll in helping Prius become a commuter favorite.

Philadelphia’s PhillyCarShare Prius – a favorite among the car share industry

The Pruis has been a big hit with younger drivers and the environmentally conscious since its 1997 debut in Japan and 2001 debut in the United States.

The First-Gen Toyota Prius