Toyota and BMW to Make a Collaboration Sports Car

Toyota has just entered an agreement with BMW to partner up and accomplish four things;

1. Namely developing a sports car by the end of the year
2. Develop hydrogen fuel cell system by 2020
3. Generate lightweight materials
4. Create next-generation lithium-based battiers

These four areas of collaboration were outlined last year, and a memorandum of understanding was signed. Now the companies are in the next phase of enhancing their ties, according to GT Spirit.

"In order for FCVs (fuel cell vehicles) to become more widely used, it needs to be cheaper. That would require a great deal of time and cost for development and by bringing together the wisdom of two companies, we can aim to make FCVs more popular much quicker," said Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada at a news conference with BMW in Japan.

We'll keep you updated as we know more! This is Toyota's second huge collaboration, the last being with Subaru in the making of the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86/Scion FR-S, which was hugely successful. If you're interested in the original collaboration, please view our Scion FR-S inventory here.


All information and image via GT Spirit

Toyota Avalon to Offer Qi Wireless Cell Phone Charging

Toyota is offering a new Qi Wireless Charging System on the new Avalon, a design and function they created based solely on consumer reactions and requests. The Avalon is the first car in the world to be made available with Qi wireless charging, which will be included in the Technology Package on the Limited trim. There is an iPhone pictured, but the Qi wireless charging is available for 34 phone models.

For more info, check out the video below! And be sure to check out our Toyota Avalon inventory here.

(And there's our shiny new Avalon in our new dealership! -->)




All info, video & image via paultan.org

The 1st Behind-The-Wheel Video of the New Toyota RAV4

Consumer Reports recently posted this video that is the first behind-the-wheel video of the all-new RAV4. Auto Spies sums up the video with a couple of important excerpts:

"driving the RAV4 feels rather familiar. With firmer suspension, it feels more tied down yet still compliant. Cornering is relatively nimble with quick turn-in response and an even-keel attitude. The unobtrusive six-speed tanny contributes to swifter response..."

As well as, "How do you update the model that started the whole small car-based SUV craze? If you're Toyota and you're updating the RAV4, you keep the successful basic recipe but tweak the ingredients..."

Check out the video below, but more importantly, be sure to take a look at our 2012 RAV4 inventory here!



All information and video via Auto Spies

New Prius Has 60 MPG, e-4WD and Sleeker Design

Motor Trend recently wrote a blog post about the next-generation Prius, which as they say will be "hugely ambiguous". After an interview with a Toyota engineer, they were well equipped with some exclusive info on the latest design.

The new Prius is due in spring of 2015, with 60 MPG, new styling and the all-new e-4WD; its new all-weather traction system.

"The rear wheels will be driven by a motor in what we call an e-4WD system. Targeting snowy areas, the rears will operate up to 37 mph. Above that speed, it becomes a purely front-wheel drive car," according to the engineer cited in Motor Trend's article.

Sounds like a perfect addition for Vermont roads! And we've got until spring 2015, which means this is a perfect opportunity to check out our new Prius inventory here!


All information & photo via Motor Trend

Toyota Testing "Smart" Cars

Toyota is currently testing new car safety systems that are designed to allow vehicles to communicate with one another, as well as with the roads they're driving on. It build a whole town to do so in fact, which we wrote a post on last week; Toyota Builds Town in Japan to Test Safety Systems.

A Toyota Lexus at the ITS facility in Japan

The cars at the Intelligent Transport System site receive information from sensors and transmitters installed on the streets to minimize the risk of accidents in situations such as missing a red traffic light, cars advancing from blind spots and pedestrians crossing the street. The system also tests cars that transmit such information to each other," according to the article in the Detroit News.

Toyota says that the smart-car technology will be tested on a few Japanese roads in 2014, and similar tests are in the works for the US. With this new technology the presence of a pedestrian triggers a beeping sound and pictured a person on the screen in the vehicle, a picture of an arrow indicates another car at an upcoming intersection, as well as an electronic voice notifying the driver of a red light if they're not slowing down.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more about the releases of these new technologies! If you'd like to see what's available now, take a look at our new Toyota inventory here!


Image & info via the Detroit News