Toyo chez le Mondial de l’Automobile

Posted by Car Magazine MotorPlay under Toyota

Toyota is bringing one new face to the Paris Motor Show and that is the all new Toyota Avensis. It’s still going to be produced at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire and we know so far, besides the revamped design (thank God) is that it will have more powerful yet less polluting engines. And that it will go on sale in early 2009. I can’t say I’m very excited, but I’ll keep an eye on it just in case my grandfather will want to change his car.

Also at the Toyota stand in Paris you’ll find the ready-for-production iQ and Urban Cruiser - a small four-seater and a very small SUV or a slightly larger hatchback. Of the two, I would place my interest on the iQ, which is basically the smallest four-seater in the world with its under 3 meters length. The Urban Cruiser… well, I guess it had to happen, given that the people secretly still want to drive an SUV but they don’t want to be pointed at.

For all you stylish shepherds

Posted by Car Magazine MotorPlay under Automakers, News, Toyota

It’s the monster that went all the way trough the Arctic wastes and to the Magnetic North Pole. Well, it’s not red and it doesn’t have Jeremy Clarkson in it, but it’s still the most powerful production pick-up you can find in Britain.
It’s a 500 unit limited edition Toyota Hilux that only comes in black. The cabin isn’t what you would expect nor what you should expect from an indestructible pick-up: it’s got two-tone leather upholstery and heated front seats. In other words - style and comfort.
But the really interesting part comes from under the bonnet. The 3.0 litre engine’s power output has been boosted from 169 to 194bhp, and its torque too, from 253 to 317 lbft. So it’s safe to say that this car is not just for the stylish shepherds, it’s also for those who like to ride their hills with pace.