Automotive Design Studios Visualize Auto Racing In The Year 2025
24th October 2008 2:00 pm Toyota
Today’s race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety but what a difference 17 years into the future can make. Imagine race cars that go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today, such as never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.
Nine of Southern California’s automotive design studios did just that, predicting how auto racing will change by the year 2025. The designs are part of the fifth annual Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge, where studios including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen are pitted against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.
“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with Motor Sports and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “This adds to the excitement, interest and personal involvement in the sport that has thrilled people of all ages for many years…and many more years to come.”
Entries in this year’s Motor Sports 2025 Design Challenge include:
• Audi of America Design Center California: The Audi R25 incorporates innovative features such as high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race “inverted” and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars.
• BMW Group DesignworksUSA: The BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer reuses existing, ordinary and mundane materials such as old oil barrels and BBQ lids to whimsical and sustainable by employing goldfish as “co-pilots” to ensure that the vehicle is running clean emissions.
• General Motors Advanced Design: The GM Chaparral Volt collects and generates its own energy from three different clean, renewable and abundant California resources: Earth, Wind and Fire to create an entirely new category of racing - the eco-triathlon.
• Honda Research and Development, North America: The Great Race 2025’s sonar/echolocation sensors are able to detect changes in speed, terrain, and altitude, allowing it to switch to any configuration to circumnavigate the globe in 24 hours on land through the U.S., by sea through Asia and by air over Europe.
• Mazda R&D of North America: The MAZDA KAAN is an electric race car that has a patented electronic tire system to reach 250 mph with no harmful emissions. The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together.
• Mitsubishi Research & Design of North America: The MMR25’s multi-terrain, omnidirectional wheels consist of eight independently-controlled motors, allowing for “8 x 4” wheel drive so that the car can be driven forward while pointing in any direction.
• Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America: Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.
• Toyota’s Calty Design Research: The Toyota Le Mans Racer is the ultimate race car that never needs to stop. Powered by highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric motors, each of its body panels is embedded with photovoltaic panels to supply electricity when extra energy is needed.
• Volkswagen of America Design Center: In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction.
Entries will be judged by Tom Matano of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, Imre Molner of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and Stewart Reed of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design. Daniel Simon, an established car designer and founder of Cosmic Motors, is the special guest judge this year. Simon began his design career at Volkswagen and recently published his first book: Cosmic Motors-Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.
The winning design will be announced at the Design Los Angeles conference Nov. 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
About the Design Challenge
The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Entering its fifth year, Design Los Angeles provides designers with leading design speakers and the opportunity to address common issues. More than 500 designers attended last year’s event.
Toyota Announces First ‘Green’ Dealership
15th October 2008 7:59 pm Toyota
Toyota celebrates its grand opening today at its new location at 730 South West Temple in Salt Lake City. The new dealership has been designed from the ground up with environmental standards in mind and expects to earn a Gold LEED Certification in the coming weeks. The grand opening ceremony on Monday, Oct. 13, kicks off with remarks at 5:30 p.m. and a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m.
The majority of Mark Miller Toyota’s facility is made up of construction elements that are designed to conserve energy and water. The dealership was built to maximize local and recycled materials. In building the new dealership, Mark Miller Toyota retained much of the original building on the site to further reduce the needs for new materials in construction. Most of the building waste was recycled. Eco-friendly elements include:
– A high-performance, high-efficiency heating and cooling system;
– Innovative sun-tracking skylights to optimize natural daylight use to lower interior light use;
– A cool-roof system to lower the overall heat that comes off large buildings;
– Self-sustaining landscaping that requires a minimal amount of water;
– Low-flow faucets and toilets as well as waterless urinals to conserve water and use of 300 MPH paperless hand dryers;
– A cistern system to collect and store rainwater and air conditioning condensation for irrigation and for washing cars;
– High-speed glass service bay doors to reduce heat and cold loss from service areas while providing additional light to the interior;
– Recycled materials used in tile, carpeting, wood paneling and cubicles including the use of recycled windshield glass used as carpet backing and
– A full-service cafe as well as a fuel farm on-site so employees won’t have to drive to get something to eat or to fuel their cars.
“Mark Miller’s leadership in building a dealership that is friendly to the environment, provides a healthy work environment and a great customer experience leads the way for other Toyota dealers,” Toyota Motor Sales President Jim Lentz, who will be on hand for the grand opening along with Toyota’s Vice President of Retail Market Representation, Ernest Bastien.
“Opening this new dealership is exciting,” said Mark Miller, dealer principal. “Building it wasn’t a cheap proposition, but we think what we’ve done will have a payback both monetarily and in a reduced impact on the environment. In fact, we expect the facility’s design to pay for itself within a decade. As buildings are the number one user of energy in the economy, our design will help reduce our energy use by about a third. We are pleased to help lead the way in Salt Lake City with an energy-efficient
and environmental facility.”
“Anyone familiar with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive knows there is a screen that shows the car’s energy use over a time period. We’ll have the same sort of panel inside the dealership that shows the building’s energy use over the last half hour or so,” added Miller.
The dealership has applied for and expects to be awarded a Gold LEED certification in the next few weeks. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a voluntary program designed to promote and validate environmental leadership in the building industry. Receiving LEED certification is an extensive process and involves being evaluated in key environmental categories by the U.S. Green Building Council — Sustainable Site Development, Water Savings, Energy Efficiency, Materials Selection and Indoor Environmental Quality. Mark Miller Toyota was built to meet and exceed the standards and operate with high environmental efficiency.
Mark Miller Toyota expects to be the first dealership in the West to ever earn LEED certification by the US Green Building Council. Pat Lobb Toyota in McKinney, Texas was the first dealership to earn LEED certification in 2006. Besides Mark Miller Toyota, five other Toyota dealerships in the country are built and either have received or are in the process of being reviewed for LEED certification. Three additional dealerships seeking LEED certification are under construction with severalmore in the design and planning stages.
Ford’S Domestic Brand Quality In Statistical Dead Heat With Toyota And Honda For 2008 Model Year
15th October 2008 1:00 pm Toyota
Ford Motor Company’s surging domestic quality is now equal to the best in the industry for the 2008 model year, according to the latest U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles collectively reduced “things gone wrong” (TGW) by 7.7 percent compared to last year and are now statistically equivalent with Honda (including Acura) and Toyota (including Lexus and Scion) atop the list of seven major automakers in the survey.
From 2004 to 2008, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle quality, as measured by a reduction in TGW, has improved by 33 percent.
”This is One Ford at its best. It’s taken thousands of people continuously working together with laser-like focus every day to boost vehicle quality for our customers to the top of the pack,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “But this is a never-ending journey. The goal now is to distance ourselves from our top competitors. We want to be the sole quality leader.”
The 2008-launched Ford F-Series Super Duty and the Lincoln Mark LT ranked first in their respective segments in both TGW and customer satisfaction. Ford Mustang GT 500 topped the sports car category in TGW.
Overall, 18 of 24 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles recorded TGW improvements. Ford’s newly launched Focus improved significantly in TGW and customer satisfaction, now equaling the Toyota Corolla in both categories. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are significantly better in TGW than the Toyota Camry, which they tied in customer satisfaction.
“We are consistently delivering improved quality by following standardized, disciplined processes throughout Ford,” said Fowler. “This is particularly impressive considering the difficult challenges we’ve had to overcome.”
Ford also ranked best in class for TGW performance in the functional areas of Vehicle Engineering and Electrical among major manufacturers. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles averaged 1,287 TGW per 1,000 vehicles, a reduction of 108 versus a year ago. Customer satisfaction with the company’s vehicles reached its highest level ever, improving one point to 77 percent.
The 2008 model-year GQRS survey, conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., solicits feedback on vehicle trouble and customer satisfaction from owners of all major makes and models after three months in service.
Toyota Makes Donation To Support Grand Canyon Association
10th October 2008 3:28 pm Toyota
Toyota is providing $500,000 and five hybrid vehicles to the Grand Canyon Association to support a number of environmental, education and safety programs for visitors to the park and high school students across the country, it was announced today.
This donation is part of a $5 million contribution from Toyota in support of five National Parks and the National Park Foundation to enhance environmental leadership and educational programs at parks around the country. The company is also donating 23 vehicles in total to the national parks.
“Toyota’s philanthropic support makes more resources available to the youth of this country and ensures the future stewardship of Grand Canyon National Park and other public lands,” said Susan Schroeder, executive director of the Grand Canyon Association, the official fundraising partner of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park will use Toyota’s contribution to expand the park’s Preventative Search and Rescue Program to the North Rim. This program ensures that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience at the park. On the South Rim alone, this program can reach up to 1,200 hikers each day. A majority of the funds will be used to support the Grand Canyon’s Environmental Education (GCEE) program, which will offer travel grants to schools in inner-cities, rural counties and Indian reservations
to enable the groups to bring their students to the park. Also as part of GCEE, cold weather gear will be purchased to loan to students visiting in the late fall and winter, expanding the timeframe when schools can visit the park.
Other education programs funded by Toyota’s contribution include a School Resource Ranger to be on the grounds of the Grand Canyon School each school day; adding three horses for the use of mounted rangers; and strengthening the Rim to River stewardship development program, which is available to high school students from across the country and supports the Department of the Interior’s No Child Left Inside Initiative.
“The partnership with Grand Canyon National Park is a great opportunity for Toyota to extend its environmental and educational community-based programs,” said Michael Rouse, vice president, philanthropy and community affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “We are proud to partner with such an iconic national park to develop and offer programs that inspire the youth of the nation.”
In addition to the monetary contribution, Toyota will donate five hybrid vehicles — two Prius and three Highlander Hybrids — to Grand Canyon National Park. The vehicles will be used to support the Toyota fund programs as well as various other initiatives throughout the park.
“Toyota has become a champion of national parks through their generosity and leadership in environmental initiatives,” said Steve Martin, Grand Canyon National Park superintendent. “Their donation of five fuel saving vehicles helps to support the National Park Service mission and promotes a positive course to a cleaner, more environmentally responsible future.”
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Toyota Hilux face-lifted
8th September 2008 10:47 am Toyota
According to www.whatcar.com, Toyota’s face-lifted Hilux pick-up will go on sale later this year.
It will continue to be offered in three body styles: Single Cab, Extra Cab, with additional seating capacity, and Double Cab, which adds more interior space.
All versions will feature new styling, including redesigned bumpers and new alloy wheels, while Extra and Double Cab models will be fitted with a lockable tailgate for use when a hardtop is fitted.
New blue and grey metallic body colours will also be available and rear privacy glass will be provided as standard on Double Cab HL3 models and above.
Interior changes
All models will have a new four-spoke steering wheel with integrated audio controls.
The instrument cluster and controls for the wipers and lights will also change to make them easier to locate and use.
A new air-conditioning system, using push-button controls and a digital display showing the selected temperature, vent and air inlet mode will be included.
Meanwhile, the Double Cab will have new sports seats.
New gearbox
Fitted with a new five-speed automatic gearbox, the 3.0 D-4D Hilux Double Cab now has another 13 lb ft of pulling power and improved fuel economy from an average of 30.1 to 31.7mpg.
Ride and handling
The suspension on all models has been changed to ensure more stable and reliable handling, as well as less vibration through the road.
Safety
Double Cab models will get stability control at the Invincible trim level, while side and curtain airbags will be standard on 3.0 D-4D models.
All models will also have larger brakes, for increased stopping power.
Toyota NASCAR Quotes
30th August 2008 2:26 am Toyota
CALIFORNIA CHRONICLE: This weekend marks the fourth trip to Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) for the Toyota Camry in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) competition. In the rain-delayed February race, Camry drivers Kyle Busch (fourth) and Tony Stewart (seventh) finished among the top-10. Brian Vickers has three top-15 finishes behind the wheel of a Camry — 10th, eighth and 11th-place results, respectively — in the three most recent events at the two-mile Southern California track.
RECORD RECALL: Camry driver and current NSCS points-leader Busch earned a spot in the NASCAR record book with speed and versatility shown at the Auto Club Speedway. The Las Vegas-native earned his first career pole position (Feb. 2005) and race win (Sept. 2005) at the Fontana, Calif., track all before turning 21 — becoming the youngest Cup driver to earn such recognition. “I like California,” says Busch. “It’s fun because you can run all over the place. You can run low, you can run high, and there are plenty of opportunities to pass.
WALTRIP’S WORDS: After this weekend’s 500-mile NSCS race in California, team owner and driver Michael Waltrip will have logged more than 10,000 miles at Auto Club Speedway since it opened in 1997. Currently at 9,890 miles, the driver of the No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Camry has competed in 15 NSCS races, 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) events and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) races at the track. “I love going to California,” says Waltrip. “I will never forget the first time I went there back in the late 90’s to see the progress they were making and what they were going to turn into what is now Auto Club Speedway. It was just an old steel plant. I’m proud to be able to take my NAPA Camry to the west coast and be able to race in front of the fans of Southern California.”
MENTOR MIKE: In addition to his full-time driving duties in the Craftsman Truck Series, Mike Skinner is using his racing experience to mentor younger drivers in the Sprint Cup Series. The NASCAR veteran is set to make his third start in the No. 00 Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing at California, after subbing for rookie Michael McDowell at Michigan and Bristol. Earlier this year, the Ontario, Calif.-native who grew up in Susanville, Calif., ran six races in the No. 84 Red Bull Racing Camry to assist driver AJ Allmendinger in his development. Skinner earned the NSCS pole position at Fontana, Calif., in 2000, and has one win (2007) and one pole (2005) driving a Tundra in NCTS competition at the two-mile oval.
PERFORMANCE & PROGRESS: Since returning to the No. 84 Red Bull Camry, Allmendinger has qualified for all 16 races, recorded seven top-20 finishes and registered his first top-10 NSCS finish at Indianapolis. Allmendinger also won the NASCAR Sprint Showdown last month, putting his team in the All-Star event in Charlotte.
SLIDING SIDEWAYS: This Thursday, Allmendinger will learn the sport of drifting from fellow Red Bull athlete and Formula Drift champion Rhys Millen, who lives in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Since the age of five, and way before joining the NASCAR ranks at the beginning of the 2007 season, Allmendinger has spent time racing BMX, quarter-midgets, Skip Barber National and Pro series, the Atlantic Championship and Champ Car, but has never taken on the art of drifting. He’ll learn from Millen, who in addition to his Formula Drift racing has shown his talent as a stunt driver in the recent films ‘Indiana Jones 4,’ ‘Dukes of Hazzard,’ ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith,’ and ‘The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.’
CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS: Several Toyota team members hail from the ‘Golden State,’ including Allmendinger, who is from Los Gatos near San Francisco. Four crew members also call Southern California home. The Red Bull Racing Team has Doug Newell, gas man for the No. 83 Camry, from Oxnard, Chad Avrit, rear tire changer for the No. 84 Camry, is from El Centro. Jeff Patterson, the gas man for the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, is from Escondido, and Gabe Barajas, the rear tire carrier from the No. 22 Bill Davis Racing Camry, is from Saugus.
SPECIAL DELIVERY BY DENNY: As part of the 2008 FedEx Racing ‘Deliver the Drive’ program, Denny Hamlin and FedEx will visit the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank on Thursday to donate a Toyota Prius. Los Angeles-area FedEx employees will join Hamlin as they volunteer in the kitchen prior to making the vehicle donation. “In three years of driving for FedEx and Joe Gibbs Racing, I have been able to see first hand the impact FedEx has in the community,” says Hamlin. “This year we are focusing our attention on the groups that serve their communities by collecting and redistributing food to those in need, and FedEx is donating four new Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to help these groups accomplish their goals in this time of growing need, all while saving on fuel costs. To see firsthand the work that the people at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank are doing is a great experience, and to help deliver this vehicle with FedEx makes it that much better.”
BACK TO BRISTOL: Last Saturday night’s 500-lap short track race in Bristol, Tenn., saw a trio of top-10 performers with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammates Busch (second), Hamlin (third) and Stewart (eighth). Busch led 415 laps, but was passed by eventual race-winner Carl Edwards late in the race. Camry drivers Vickers (20th), Ken Schrader (21st), David Reutimann (25th), Skinner (28th), Waltrip (30th), Allmendinger (34th) and Blaney (38th) were also in the field.
CHASING CHECKERS: Busch has registered eight wins this season in the Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) No. 18 M&M’s Camry. “It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure,” says Busch. “We always try to run better — It’s what you try to do every week.”
CHASE CHATTER: Busch continues to be the NSCS points-leader and has already clinched the top spot in the ‘Chase for the Sprint Cup’ with his win at Watkins Glen (Aug. 10). With eight wins to date this season, the 23-year-old Las Vegas-native will have 80 bonus points when the ‘Chase’ begins at New Hampshire (Sept. 14), as NASCAR gives 10 points for every win prior to the 10-race ‘Chase’ playoff. Camry drivers and fellow JGR teammates Stewart (sixth) and Hamlin (11th) also are in the top-12. Vickers is on course for his career-best NSCS season and currently ranks 16th in points.
TWO TO GO: There are two races remaining before the ‘Chase’ begins and Camry driver Hamlin feels the pressure mounting. “We’re definitely in a vulnerable spot,” says the 27-year-old driver of the No. 11 FedEx Camry. “This is not how we had planned. We’re going to try our best to minimize mistakes. Right now, we’re just going to try to concentrate on getting back to consistent runs week in and week out instead of every other week.”
JOEY JUMPS IN: Joe Gibbs Racing announced Monday that The Home Depot will continue its sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup No. 20 Toyota team in 2009 and beyond, and that Joey Logano will take over the duties behind the wheel of one of NASCAR’s most successful race teams. Logano will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup series debut at Richmond, Sept. 6, in the No. 02 Home Depot Camry. “I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be in this position,” said Logano. “Joe Gibbs Racing has provided me tremendous support each step of the way and the opportunity to work with the absolute best in the business. I can’t explain the feeling to become a part of such an awesome Home Depot team and I’m going to focus on working as hard as I can to prepare for next season.”
Toyota 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Statistics
Races Starts (Drivers) Wins Top-5s Top-10s Poles Times Led Laps Led
26 152 (15) 15 43 73 9 118 2,504
MORE CALIFORNIA HISTORY: Blaney captured the first pole for the Camry in NASCAR competition when he was the fastest qualifier for the Nationwide Series race at the California oval in February 2007. Earlier this year, Stewart earned his first California win in February when he led 136 of 150 laps. Stewart was followed to the finish line by fellow Camry driver Busch for a one-two sweep.
RETURNING TO ROOTS: Two Toyota drivers and one crew chief from the NNS garage call Southern California home. Jason Leffler, driver of the No. 38 Braun Racing entry, grew up in Long Beach. Originally from Riverside, Josh Wise will be behind the wheel of the No. 22 Camry for Fitz Motorsports this weekend. Jerry Baxter, crew chief for the No. 99 Michael Waltrip Racing Camry driven by Reutimann, hails from San Diego where he raced Late Models from 1976-79 and occasionally raced against Ernie Irvan, Rusty Wallace and Dick Trickle.
WORDS FROM WISE: “We lived about 20 minutes from the Auto Club Speedway and that’s where I watched my first NASCAR race,” says Wise. “Growing up around the area, I raced Quarter Midgets at Pomona from seven to 13 years of age and I also raced at Perris right about the time I was graduating from Jurupa Valley High School. I have a lot of history there and friends and family are still there. I’m looking forward to going back.”
RACE REWIND: Three Toyota Camrys finished in the top-10 in the NNS race last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch’s seventh-place run was the highest among the Camry contingent, followed by Reutimann (eighth) and Vickers (ninth). Leffler (15th), Joey Logano (16th), Mike Wallace (35th) and Hamlin (36th) were also in the field.
DOUBLE DUTY: Three Camry drivers are set to compete in a pair of NASCAR events during the Fontana race weekend. Busch, Reutimann and Vickers will compete in the NNS race Saturday and the NSCS race on Sunday at the two-mile California oval. Busch will drive the No. 18 JGR entry in both races. Vickers will drive the No. 83 Red Bull Racing entry in Sunday’s NSCS race and the No. 32 Braun Racing Camry in the NNS race. Reutimann will once again compete for Michael Waltrip Racing in both events, pulling his regular Toyota ‘double-duty.’
CAMRY COUNT: Camrys have won 15 of the 26 NNS races this season. Busch has six wins, including three consecutive at Texas (April 5), Phoenix (April 11) and Mexico City (April 20), along with victories at Charlotte (May 24), Chicagoland (July 11) and Indianapolis (July 26). Stewart has five NNS wins at Daytona (Feb. 16), California (Feb. 25), Talladega (April 26), Darlington (May 9) and New Hampshire (June 28). Hamlin has recorded three victories at Richmond (May 2), Dover (May 31) and Daytona (July 4). Logano scored his first-career victory at Kentucky (June 14).
CAMRY CONSISTENCY: Four Camry drivers remain in the top-10 in points after Bristol, with Reutimann (fourth) leading the way, followed by Busch (seventh), Leffler (eighth) and Wallace (ninth) after 26 of 35 races.
Toyota 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Statistics
Races Starts (Drivers) Wins Top-5s Top-10s Poles Times Led Laps Led
16 163 (18) 9 37 74 10 70 1,457
TUNDRAS TAKE TOP-FOUR: Tundra drivers swept the top-four finishing positions in last week’s Bristol NCTS race. Busch led 145 of 203 laps en route to his third NCTS victory of the season. Todd Bodine finished second followed by rookie Scott Speed (third) and Johnny Benson (fourth). Skinner (seventh), David Stremme (ninth) and Ted Musgrave (10th) also earned top-10 results in Tennessee. Other Tundra racers in the field included Justin Marks (22nd), Terry Cook (23rd), David Starr (29th) and Schrader (33rd).
FOUR IN 10: Four Tundra racers are in the top-10 in the NCTS championship race. Benson still leads the series, and now has a 119-point advantage over defending NCTS champion Ron Hornaday, Jr. Bodine, the 2006 NCTS champion, is fourth followed by two-time NCTS champion Skinner (fifth) and Cook (ninth).
FINE NINE: Tundra drivers have registered nine NCTS wins in 2008. Benson (Milwaukee, Kentucky, Indianapolis and Nashville) and Busch (California, Atlanta and Bristol) have each won multiple races while Tundra racers Bodine (Daytona) and Speed (Dover) each have one NCTS victory in 2008.
BACKYARD BEGINNINGS: Toyota’s rich history in America is rooted in Southern California. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., headquarters are located in Torrance, Calif., and TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) is based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Toyota sold its first car — the Toyopet Crown — in its first dealership located in Hollywood, Calif., in 1957. In Toyota’s first full year selling vehicles in America, they sold 287 Toyopets and one Land Cruiser. Last year, the Toyota brands — including Lexus and Scion — sold more than 2.6 million vehicles in the U.S. More than five million Camrys have been built in the U.S. since production began in Georgetown, Ky., more than 20 years ago, and the Camry has been the best-selling car in America 10 of the past 11 years.
COSTA MESA CONNECTION: Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A. (TRD), which powers all of Toyota’s American racing programs, is located in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Salisbury, N.C. A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., TRD serves as the North American racing arm for design, development and assembly of Toyota’s factory racing engines. TRD currently builds the NSCS motors for Michael Waltrip Racing (three cars) and the Red Bull Racing Team (two cars) in Costa Mesa. In addition, TRD is also the source of high-performance aftermarket products for both street performance and grassroots racing Toyotas. Visit TRD online at www.trdusa.com.
2009 Ford Escape earns ‘top safety pick’; tops Toyota, Honda in combined safety and fuel efficiency ratings
21st August 2008 11:08 am Toyota
The 2009 Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which also named Mercury Mariner and Mariner Hybrid atop the small sport utility vehicle segment. The same four models also recently earned the U.S. government’s 5-star crash-worthiness rating.
The results top the Toyota RAV-4 in both independent crash safety ratings and, with the 2009 Escape’s improved fuel efficiency, offer better combined crash safety and fuel efficiency ratings than the Honda CR-V. Ford’s hybrids also outpaced Toyota Prius in both crash tests.
“Earning a Top Safety Pick is great news because IIHS tests are some of the most demanding conducted outside of our own laboratories, and customers are increasingly relying on them when choosing a new vehicle,” said Susan Cischke, senior vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “The Ford Escape is one of few vehicles that earned both full 5-star crash ratings and a Top Safety Pick in the hotly contested small SUV segment – some of our toughest rivals such as Toyota cannot match us.”
The Ford Escape also is rewarding customers with large quality gains, matching lineup-wide improvements that have placed Ford on par with Toyota and Honda. The Escape earned a Top Three spot in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Initial Quality StudySM, which measures new-vehicle quality at 90 days of ownership.
To earn IIHS’s Top Safety Pick, vehicles must earn the top “good” ratings in the institute’s high-speed front and side crash tests, and rear crash tests that include seat and head restraint evaluations. An added requirement since 2007 is that vehicles must also offer electronic stability control.
IIHS recognized improvements in Ford’s 2009 compact SUVs including “modifications to the frontal airbags and safety belts as well as structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes,” adding that “a new seat design improves the rear crash protection rating,” as well.
“We’ve devoted many hours to analyzing and improving the body structure, safety belts and air bags of Escape and Mariner for better performance in front and side impact crashes,” said Steve Kozak, chief engineer for safety systems, Ford Motor Company. “We’ve taken our compact SUVs to the next level of safety.”
Safety Standard
Ford and Mercury compact SUVs get some of their core strength from selective use of high strength steel in the body structure. The use of high-strength steel in the B-pillars to help protect passengers in front and side impacts is only part of their robust safety profile. The gas and hybrid electric versions share identical safety architecture.
Kozak added that every new Ford SUV and crossover launched since the 2006 Ford Explorer has standard electronic stability control and side air bags – safety features that helped Ford achieve its leading number of IIHS top safety picks.
Ford and its global brands have built 4 million vehicles globally with electronic stability control systems. More than 1 million of those vehicles feature Ford’s industry exclusive, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®), the world’s only system with a gyroscopic sensor that actively measures and helps control both side-to-side “yaw” and roll movements.
All 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner models offer as standard equipment Ford’s exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, front seat-mounted side airbags and Safety Canopy® Air Curtain System with rollover detection. Also standard is Ford’s Personal Safety System®, which includes dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags, a driver seat position sensor, passenger seat sensor, and load-limiting safety belt retractors and pretensioners. Together, the system helps customize front air-bag deployment levels based on driver seating location, passenger weight and safety belt usage.
5-Star performers
Structural changes and standard safety features also helped Escape and Mariner earn 5 stars in each of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recent crash-worthiness tests. The results top the Toyota RAV-4 and, with the 2009 Escape’s improved fuel efficiency, offer better combined safety and fuel efficiency ratings than the Honda CR-V. Ford’s hybrids also outpaced the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Prius in NHTSA’s crash tests.
“Ford has more 5-star ratings than any automaker, more Top Safety Picks than any brand and has committed to offer leading fuel economy,” Cischke said.
“Safety is a top purchase consideration, second only to fuel efficiency, so Escape’s five-star crash safety ratings, IIHS Top Safety Pick and best-in-class highway fuel economy (I-4 manual) are a winning combination,” said Tedros Mengiste, Escape and Mariner marketing manager, Ford Motor Company.
Toyota Helps Sustainable Travel in Yellowstone Park
18th August 2008 9:30 am Toyota
Today in Yellowstone National Park, Toyota presented a check totaling more than $800,000 and five vehicles to the Yellowstone Park Foundation — the official fundraising partner of Yellowstone National Park — in support of instilling a preservation ethic and promoting environmental stewardship among visitors. Through Toyota’s donation, Yellowstone National Park will
enhance the curriculum and accessibility of its educational programs to inspire future Yellowstone leaders as part of its No Child Left Inside initiative.
Yellowstone National Park is among five national parks receiving a total of $5 million and 23 vehicles as part of Toyota’s commitment to advancing environmental leadership and educational initiatives at parks around the country. The donation to Yellowstone, through the Yellowstone Park Foundation, encompasses $882,772 and five vehicles, including three hybrids.
“Toyota and Yellowstone National Park both share a vision in developing future environmental stewards from the onset to encourage long-lasting conservation values,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. “We are proud to work with Yellowstone National Park and contribute to educational initiatives which will expand the Park’s reach to even more communities and groups who have not yet experienced the beauty of Yellowstone.”
Over the next five years, Toyota’s gift will support the No Child Left Inside initiative, encompassing a multitude of educational programs focused on inspiring students to take responsibility for their everyday actions to ensure a more sustainable society; encouraging creative problem solving and critical-thinking skills through hands-on experimentation; and otivating students to educate others by sharing their preservation values.
Programs funded by Toyota’s contribution include ParKids, summer educational workshops for students to develop environmental stewardship; Junior Ranger and Young Scientist programs which collectively reach more than 22,000 children annually; the Native American Cross-Cultural Exchange program, tailored to provide a residential camp experience for fostering relationships between the Park and tribal youth; and the Yellowstone ESCAPE (Enhancing School Curricula with a Park Experience) program which incorporates both an Educational Day Use Program for school groups and three Teacher Training Workshops per year.
“In today’s digital age, it is essential to encourage young people to get outdoors and connect with nature for the benefit of their personal development and well-being,” said Yellowstone National Park Deputy Superintendent Chris Lehnertz. “We focus on teaching students about Yellowstone’s natural and cultural resources to promote stewardship of open space and ecosystems worldwide, and are grateful for Toyota’s contribution in helping us develop future environmental leaders.”
Yellowstone National Park’s longstanding commitment to fostering environmental leadership made the Park a prime candidate to receive the Toyota funding.
“Toyota’s generous support will help Yellowstone’s visitors better appreciate and understand the Park’s great value to the world, thus helping to ensure its protection and preservation for generations to come,” said Paul Zambernardi, Executive Director of Yellowstone Park Foundation.
Toyota’s contribution will also benefit Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yosemite National Park and the National Park Foundation.
Toyota Highlander Features All-New 4-Cylinder Engine
15th August 2008 3:09 am Toyota
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the 2009 Highlander mid-size sport
utility vehicle (SUV) will offer an all-new, powerful yet fuel-efficient 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine.
When it arrives at dealerships in mid-to-late January, the new Highlander powerplant will be among the best mid-size SUVs in the areas of performance, fuel economy and value.
The new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine will generate an impressive 187 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 186 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 RPM on regular 87 octane fuel. A dual exhaust manifold will help achieve exceptional low-end torque and maximize its power output.
In addition to its performance output, the Highlander equipped with the new four-cylinder will be EPA-rated as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEVII) and is expected to be among the leaders in fuel efficiency in the gas mid-size SUV segment. Official EPA fuel efficiency ratings will be announced closer to launch.
The new four-cylinder engine will be mated to an all-new six-speed electronically-controlled automatic overdrive transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The new transmission will help deliver quiet and smooth performance on par with a V6 and acceleration that is surprisingly quick for a four-cylinder. When equipped with a tow package, the new powerplant will achieve a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
The new engine will come standard on the Highlander grade two-wheel-drive model equipped with two rows of seats, contributing to its excellent value. A third row seat package will also be available for families requiring additional seating capacity. Other key optional equipment will include an eight-way power driver’s seat, manual rear air conditioning, and an AM/FM/six-disc CD Changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capability and six speakers.
With the new four-cylinder engine, Highlander will be the only mid-size SUV in the current market to offer three powerplant choices. The 3.5-liter Highlander V6, available in two- and full-time four-wheel drive, is among the leaders in fuel efficiency among V6 gas engines in its segment. The full-time 4WD-i Highlander Hybrid, equipped with a V6 powerplant with front
and rear electric motors, stands above all others for fuel efficiency amongall mid-size SUVs.
Since it first launched in 2001, Highlander has been one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles, setting the standard for car-based SUVs in innovation, comfort and sales. Driver and passenger comfort is accomplished with segment leading seating versatility through innovative flexible seating functions for up to seven people.
Comfort is complemented with one of the highest levels of standard safety features in the small- and mid-size SUV market including a segment-leading total of seven airbags.
Design Review Of The 2009 Toyota Venza
12th August 2008 8:07 am Toyota
The 2009 Toyota Venza, scheduled to go on sale later this year, is the first example of Toyota’s new direction in passenger car design combining elegance, innovation, comfort and utility.
“We wanted to create something entirely different,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota’s Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich. “Not an SUV, not a wagon, not a coupe and not a sedan. We aimed for a more road-focused vehicle and sporty direction.”
Venza is based on the FT-SX concept vehicle that debuted at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. With an overwhelmingly positive response to the show vehicle, Toyota decided to develop Venza with a distinctly American plan.
Toyota’s U.S. design and engineering teams worked together to bring this bold design to production. It was one of the first times an American styling group created an overall design concept that engineers would follow for development. Venza will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Ky., home of the Camry, Solara and Avalon. More than 70 percent of its components will come from North American suppliers.
A new genre in personal transportation, Venza incorporates SUV utility and roominess, while maintaining passenger car essentials, such as ease of ingress/egress, performance, a lower, sleek side profile with aerodynamic lines, and unrivaled interior features to deliver optimal comfort.
“We used Toyota’s design philosophy, ‘Vibrant Clarity’ to create a more exciting drive for the customer while still maintaining its high functionality,” explained Hunter.
The exterior styling was directed by Calty Project Chief Designer, Ian Cartabiano, in Newport Beach. From a design perspective, Venza achieves aerodynamic sculpted lines that not only look elegant, but help to increase fuel economy by reducing wind resistance. Freeform geometrics define the integration of fluid surfaces defined by smooth lines, which promote even airflow and reduce turbulence. Venza’s 20-inch wheels, stylish backlight and integrated aero spoiler make a bold, sporty statement.
“The overall stance of the vehicle is very strong, with the wheels placed out to make it look sure-footed and glued to the ground,” said Cartabiano.
Venza’s impressive “look-at-me” exterior styling leads to a thoughtful interior with surprising roominess, comfort and utility. Integral to the vehicle’s design was the idea to make the journey as rewarding as the destination. Interior features make the cabin seem spacious and comfortable with plenty of storage. Calty Ann Arbor’s Project Chief Designer, Ben Jimenez, integrated key design features such as a floating concept of the instrument cluster to create a 60/60 center dashboard.
“Most car interiors are like dual cockpits, where both driver and front passengers feel as if they only have access to 40 percent of the available space,” Jimenez said.
“The flow of Venza’s center console is a bit of an optical illusion,” he continued. “Both driver and passenger will feel as if 60 percent of the space is in their personal zone.”
Available in front- and all-wheel drive, Venza will be powered by a choice of engines — a V6 or an all-new four-cylinder. Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Twenty-inch wheels will only be available on V6 models.
With an innovative design direction and impressive driving features, Venza represents the future of Toyota design.
“We need to continue to develop products that are smart and practical,” explains Hunter. “But, given the competitive landscape of today’s marketplace, they must also evoke an emotional response.”
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