Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

You don't build a chassis as superbly balanced and capable as that which underpins the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT 86 and Scion FR-S without taking it racing. Fortunately the Japanese auto marques involved have plenty of competition spirit coursing through their veins, and are already gearing up to take the nimble little sportscar racing at events around the world.

Subaru recently unveiled the GT300 racing version of the BRZ which it will be fielding in Japan's SuperGT series, and now Toyota is following suit with the announcement that it will be bringing not one, but two examples of its GT 86 to the Nürburgring to compete in the grueling 24-hour race there next month. The pair of cars - whose level of modification remains unclear - will be fielded by the company's own Gazoo Racing team alongside one Lexus LFA.

Toyota's racing plans for the GT 86 extend beyond the 'Ring, however, as it has revealed a program to support privateer teams fielding the car domestically in both the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and All-Japan Rally Championship. The latter announcement crucially comes at a time when rumors have resurfaced of Toyota preparing to re-enter the World Rally Championship - a series which the Japanese automaker dominated in the 1990s with four Drivers' Championships and three Constructors' Championships.

The company shut down its WRC operation to branch into Formula One, but now that its F1 program is long gone, could the time be right for Toyota's return to the pinnacle of rallying? Only time will tell, but for now you can scope out the press release and video footage by scrolling below to see what Toyota has in store in the short run.

Continue reading Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]

Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/toyota-to-field-gt-86-pair-at-the-nurburgring-24-could-wrc-be/

2013 Toyota Venza is updated and refreshed. Yay.

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota, Design/Style

While it doesn't even appear as a bad pixel on most enthusiasts' radar, the Toyota Venza serves legions of mainstream consumers perfectly well. To keep the unassuming family hauler from lagging behind its advancing competition, the automaker has introduced a refreshed and tweaked 2013 Toyota Venza at the New York Auto Show.

Look carefully on the exterior and you may notice the freshened fog lamps or redesigned grille on the front fascia. Out back, there are restyled taillamps. Three new colors join the pallete (Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica). Under the hood, the engines are carried over from last year (2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, depending on trim level, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission).

With the exception of the new interior color (black leather or black cloth upholstery) and new buttons on the steering wheel, the cabin appears virtually identical. However, there are more standard features on the LE trim (blind spot mirror, eight-way power-operated driver's seat, puddle lamps, tilt/telescope steering wheel, and more) and the range-topping Limited receives LED running lights and a premium navigation system with Entune connectivity. Most of the new features are offered across the model range, but at an additional cost. The updated 2013 Toyota Venza goes on sale in late May.

2013 Toyota Venza is updated and refreshed. Yay. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/2013-toyota-venza-is-updated-and-refreshed-yay/

2013 Toyota Avalon Redesigned: 2012 New York Auto Show

The 2013 Toyota Avalon gets a more aggressive face in an attempt to push further upmarket.
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/avalon/2013/2013-toyota-avalon-redesigned-2012-new-york-auto-show.html

Gordon and Johnson Wreck, Newman Wins NASCAR Martinsville

Ryan Newman won the Goody's Fast Relief 500 Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/gordon-and-johnson-wreck-newman-wins-nascar-martinsville.html

2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota

Toyota has been teasing us with glimpses of the redesigned 2013 Venza over the last month, and now we get to see its modest makeover just before the vehicle's New York Auto Show debut.

The new, less fussy grille is the first thing you'll notice. Fewer horizontal bars above the bumper and a chrome accent goes some way toward below classing up the crossutilitywagon thing. The headlamps are new, and the fog lights have also been blacked out with chrome accent ring. Finishing off the new light fixtures are reworked door mirrors fitted with the obligatory built-in turn signals.

In back, the taillights have been slightly updated, but everything else seems to be much the same as the 2012 model. Venzas can now be ordered in Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica.

Interior changes also seem to be minimal except for updated steering wheel buttons and the option of adding Toyota's Entune package that integrates your smart phone with the vehicle's dashboard display. The interior is also available in black for 2013.

Engine choices stay the same, with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 on offer.

Check the gallery for more photos and scroll below to the press release for more details.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/2013-toyota-venza-refreshed-entune-optional/

We loved our experences with Hudsons Toyota.

We loved our experences with Hudsons Toyota. We traded in a 2007 Nissan Versa for a loaded 2008 Toyota Prius. went in very nervious due to the last time we bought a car we had a bad experence. not only did the wonderful emploees make me feel better but they changed my outlook on dealerships. we got a great price for our trade in and a fair price on the prius we bought. we were in and driving out in about an hr yeah just a little over an hr was it. when we bought our versa we were at the dealership for 6hrs. they also got us a lot better intrest rate as well. they explained everything from the warrntys to being sure we knew how everything worked on the car before we left. they were upfront and honest with us and didnt try to hide anything from up no hidden fees and no tricks up their sleeves over all from the Harper's house we give them 2 thumbs up. well worth the hr drive there and the hr drive back.
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Hudson-Toyota-review-35145/##r628206

The salesman and the office people were so nice

The salesman and the office people were so nice and let me get what I wanted and not what THEY thought I needed. They didn't tell me to "go sit down in our lobby and someone will be with you later" like the last Toyota dealership did. After I bought the car the office lady made sure I knew how to work all the controls on the car before I left. She took time to help me and was not in a hurry to get me out the door. She even made my first service appointment. I was impressed. Thank you.
http://www.google.com/maps/place?cid=16796492851283265507&view=feature&mcsrc=google_reviews&num=10000&start=0#8a325dd3ca8d8ebdd5fde5703e54a879