With model cars of which Toyota is truly proud, they are celebrating their brand all over the world, including at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Toyota Land Cruiser has conquered the dust, burned in the sun, cooled down in the water and mastered every challenge put in front of it. Through it all, Toyota Land Cruiser enthusiasts were always there. Fans of the Land Cruiser never let the brand down.

To help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota created small video tribute showcasing a timeline of the popular SUV as an “anniversary gift”. The video takes viewers through each of the different generations of the vehicle and briefly shows some exciting off-road footage of the old versions of the Land Cruisers. It then shows how the Land Cruiser has grown and changed over the years, while still maintaining its ability to rough the tough terrain.

The Japanese car maker, Toyota Motor Corporation developed the Toyota Land Cruiser in a series of four-wheel drive vehicles. The development of the first generation Land Cruiser began in 1951 as Toyota's version of a Jeep-like vehicle. In 1954, production began and has not stopped since.

The Land Cruiser has been produced in many different forms. The brand manufactured Land Cruisers that were convertible, hardtop, station wagon, and utility truck versions. What made the Land Cruisers so incredibly popular over the years, with incredibly loyal customers that keep coming back for more, is the vehicle’s reliability and longevity.

Toyota FJ, Land Cruiser get price bumps

The car is popular in the United States; however, Australia is where it the full-size, body-on-frame, four-wheel drive vehicles are sold. Australia is also the place where Toyota extensively tests the Land Cruisers due to the extremely harsh conditions of the Australian outback environment. Australia is considered to be one of the toughest operating environments in both temperature and terrain, which makes it perfect to test the Land Cruiser on all accounts.

The main rivals to the Land Cruiser are the Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan Patrol. However, the Land Cruiser still seems to come out on top as far as popularity to consumers.

The Truth About Cars » Marketing » New Cars » News Blog

Plug-in hybrid technology is developing at an accelerated pace, resembling that of the computer electronics industry, if the plug-in Toyota Prius is any indication.

We’ve driven two plug-in Priuses in the past, each progressively more capable.

Now that Toyota has released details of its final production version, the company is claiming it will be significantly more capable still.

The biggest advances are coming in battery technology. In the year between the prototype we sampled last year and the production car, the battery shrank to half the weight and stores 15 percent more energy. That gives the new plug-in Prius a claimed 15-mile all-electric range, versus the prototype’s 11 miles.

The battery also weighs half as much as the previous version, shaving 200 pounds off the cars’ overall weight. And where the 11-mile electric range took us 2-1/2 to three hours of charging, Toyota claims that this version can be charged in just 1-1/2 hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charging station. (That jibes with the introduction of a supplier-sourced 6.6-kW onboard charger, due out on the Ford Focus EV in January, and the 2013 Nissan Leaf.) The Prius Plug-in is simply a standard Prius with an additional lithium-ion battery under the trunk floor and a charge port in the right rear fender. The Plug-in Prius also saves weight (and makes room for the battery) by eliminating the spare tire, carrying a sealing kit and pump instead.

Toyota is providing a 24-foot 110-volt charging cord that can recharge the car in three to four hours, and the company is working with charge station supplier Leviton to provide optional Level 2 charge stations to Prius Plug-in buyers.

Unlike the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, the plug-in Prius uses a conventional hybrid drivetrain that can derive power from the electric motor and gasoline engine simultaneously, once the plug-in battery is depleted.

Toyota has said that the production Prius Plug-in will have an EV (electric vehicle) “preserve” mode that can keep the electric power on hold and the driver can choose when to use it. For example, a driver could save the electricity on a long commute to use once into a city where using electric power is more efficient and where reducing local air pollution is a more important consideration.

The Prius Plug-in will have two trims: base model ($32,000) and Advanced ($39,525). The Advanced model will add Toyota’s Entune Internet connectivity system, as well as Safety Connect telematics, a Pre-Collision system, radar-guided cruise control, a navigation system and HID headlights. Toyota expects a federal tax credit to reduce net prices by $2,500 for both trim levels.

Now that standard hybrids have lost their privileges to use carpool lanes solo in California and other congested areas, Toyota is reportedly hoping the buyers who adopted older Priuses early will step up to the Plug-in version to regain access.

http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/09/production-toyota-prius-plug-in-gets-more-range-lighter-battery-tax-credit-and-carpool-access.html

Toyota Prius C

Like Mini, Toyota’s super-successful Prius hybrid has expanded into a multi-model brand that includes, as of next year, the extended Prius V wagon, the Plug-in Prius and the smaller bargain-priced Prius C. The C may well share many components with Toyota’s latest Yaris, including that car’s 1.5-liter gasoline engine for internal-combustion duties (instead of the current Prius’ 1.8-liter). Though the production Prius C will likely tone down the arresting aesthetics of its concept, an expected sub-$20,000 base price should ensure that it’s a hit. 

“Offering the popular car in something more than a well-priced hatchback seems like a no-brainer win-win for consumers and Toyota,” de la Cuesta said.

http://www.latimes.com/shopping/la-ss-newvehicles-classof2012-09212011,0,7652718.story

Pricing Analysis: 2012 Toyota Camry

At the launch event for the 2012 Toyota Camry, the presenting executive noted price reductions of up to $2,000. Quite often such reductions are accomplished by deleting previously standard features. Case in point: the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, where we found that once you adjust for feature differences a $7,180 price drop shrunk to a much smaller, if still substantial, $2,400. So with the redesigned Camry I withheld commenting on the price reduction until I could run the car through TrueDelta’s car price comparison tool.

The results are much more interesting than I expected (cars with automatic transmission):

In every case but the XLE, the feature adjustment is actually in the 2012s favor, widening rather than narrowing its price advantage. So the price decrease is real…with one notable exception: the price of the cheapest Camry actually went up. In fact, the size of the decrease varies considerably by trim level and powertrain.

To highlight the pattern, let’s compare trim levels:

So the LE is a slightly better value than the L, but the difference between the two “garden variety” Camrys isn’t large enough to matter. At the other end of the spectrum, the Hybrid has come down $1,360 compared to last year, leaving it (only?) about $2,600 more than the equivalent conventionally-powered car. The XLE and especially the XLE V6 follow a value-pricing scheme, essentially providing a $600 discount for checking off all of the boxes. Ford commonly does this. The Germans, on the other hand, typically go in the other direction, making the base car the best value then charging big bucks for options.

The big surprise is the SE, where Toyota appears to have lifted a page from the Mercedes-Benz playbook. For the past few years Mercedes has been providing a free sport package on the C-Class. More recently they’ve done the same with the E-Class. On other models the “AMG” body kit, wheels, and suspension can cost thousands of dollars. On these models it’s free. Why? Because Mercedes want to change their image from stodgy to sporty.

Similarly, Toyota charges $500 more for the SE than the LE, but fits it with about $1,500 in additional features. Opt for the V6, and they go even further, piling on standard features far more than they bump the price. The 2012 has the same base price as the 2011, but includes nearly $3,000 in additional standard features, most notably the new Entune system which includes nav. So while the 2012 SE V6 lists for $4,685 more than the 2012 L, all but $360 of this price difference is accounted for by its additional features. Not included in this calculation: the SE V6’s more powerful engine, larger whees, stickier tires, and sport suspension. Would you pay $360 to go from a 179-horsepower four-cylinder engine and 16-inch wheels shod with grip-free tires to a 268-horsepower V6 and 18-inch wheels shod with performance rubber? A stupid question, isn’t it?

Given the effective $3,000 price cut, it’s no surprise that the SE V6 also compares very favorably with competitors (all with leather, nav, and sunroof):

Only the Ford includes more stuff than the feature-laden Camry—notice the often sizable feature adjustments. So the Camry has both a lower sticker price and more features. Wonder why the Mazda6 doesn’t sell better? Now you know at least part of the reason. The “reduced price” Passat might now be in the hunt, but it’s also near the top of the range. Toyota has even managed to significantly outdo the aggressive Koreans. Only the lame duck Dodge manages to undercut the new Camry. And if you compare invoices rather than sticker prices, even it ends up about $200 more. (Toyota dealers enjoy wider margins than most, so all of the above comparisons would shift even further in the Camry’s favor if we compared invoice prices.)

Apparently Toyota is sick of hearing about how boring Camrys are to look at and drive. To counteract this, they want fewer LEs and more SEs on the road, and they’re subsidizing the price of the latter to make this happen. If the styling and suspension of the SE simply aren’t your thing, they’d prefer that you opt for the Hybrid. Dead set on the L or LE? Toyota will still sell you a driving appliance, but they’re easily the worst values in the bunch.

Name of Study: J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability StudySM

Claim Awarded to: Toyota Prius

Claim: "Most Dependable Compact Car"

Disclaimer: The Toyota Prius received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability StudySM. Study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

OR

Multi-Year Claim: "Most Dependable Compact Car, Three Years in a Row"

Multi-Year Disclaimer: The Toyota Prius received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2010 Vehicle Dependability StudiesSM. 2010 study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Claim Awarded to: Toyota Highlander/Highlander Hybrid

Claim: "Most Dependable Midsize Multi-Activity Vehicle"

Disclaimer: The Toyota Highland/Highlander Hybrid received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among midsize multi-activity vehicles in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability StudySM. Study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

OR

Multi-Year Claim: "Most Dependable Midsize Multi-Activity Vehicle, Three Years in a Row"

Multi-Year Disclaimer: The Toyota Highland/Highlander Hybrid received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among midsize multi-activity vehicles in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2010 Vehicle Dependability StudiesSM. 2010 study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with

three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Claim Awarded to: Toyota Sequoia

Claim: "Most Dependable Large Multi-Activity Vehicle"

Disclaimer: The Toyota Sequoia received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among large multi-activity vehicles in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability StudySM. Study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

OR

Multi-Year Claim: "Most Dependable Large Multi-Activity Vehicle, Four Years in a Row"

Multi-Year Disclaimer: The Toyota Sequoia received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among large multi-activity vehicles in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2007-2010 Vehicle Dependability StudiesSM. 2010 study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Claim Awarded to: Toyota Tundra

Claim: "Most Dependable Large Pickup"

Disclaimer: The Toyota Tundra received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among large pickups in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Vehicle Dependability StudySM. Study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

OR

Multi-Year Claim: "Most Dependable Large Pickup, Five Years in a Row"

Multi-Year Disclaimer: The Toyota Tundra received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among large pickups in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006-2010 Vehicle

Dependability StudiesSM. 2010 study based on 52,422 consumer responses measuring problems consumers experienced in the past 12 months with three-year old vehicles (2007 model-year cars and trucks). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed October – December 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Additional Clarifying Statements: In Toyota brand-level communications (not to be used in corporate advertising that includes Lexus and Scion), the following statements may be cited in addition to (not as a substitute for) the above four claims in advertising body copy only and may not be cited in headlines or sub-headlines or used as the main subject of the communication:

1. "Toyota has received more 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability
   Awards than any other brand"
   
2. "Toyota is the recipient of more 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability
   Awards than any other brand"
   
3. "No other brand has received as many 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability
   Awards as Toyota."

2010 Toyota Corolla Review

What Edmunds.com says The 2010 Toyota Corolla compact sedan rides well and is fuel-efficient in base form, but is otherwise unremarkable. Brand loyalty will likely keep the buyers coming, but there are better choices in this segment. Forgiving ride, good fuel economy with base engine, minimal road and wind noise. What's New for 2010 After a complete redesign last year, the 2010 Toyota Corolla adds standard stability control but otherwise holds its ground. 2010 Toyota Corolla Vehicle Overview Introduction There's an obvious reason why the 2010 Toyota Corolla is bound to be one of the country's best-selling vehicles this year: Since its debut more than four decades ago, the Corolla has become synonymous with dependability. That alone, we suspect, is enough for many. But if these shoppers did venture over to their local Hyundai or Mazda or Honda dealers for some test-drives, they'd likely realize that the Corolla is far from the class leader it once was. It's not a bad car by any stretch of the imagination -- it's just that its rivals have gotten better, while Toyota has largely stood pat. On the bright side, the Corolla provides impressive fuel economy with the volume-selling base 1.8-liter engine, and its ride is more compliant than the typical compact sedan's. Its controls are also intuitive, though most cars these days can claim the same. In other respects, the Corolla ranks anywhere from "unremarkable" (acceleration, seat comfort) to "below average" (handling) to "memorably poor" (the vague and artificial-feeling steering). Even the interior materials aren't anything to write home about -- a departure from Corollas past. Like some other small sedans, the Corolla offers a more powerful optional engine -- a 2.4-liter four-cylinder borrowed from the Camry that generates 158 horsepower. It's available only in the sport-themed Corolla XRS, which boasts quicker steering, bigger wheels and a front strut tower brace for sharpened handling. Unfortunately, this model also fails to impress. Despite decent grunt from the larger engine, the XRS doesn't provide a particularly exciting driving experience, and its fuel economy is a significant downgrade. The 2010 Toyota Corolla generally gets the job done. But the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3 are similarly priced compact sedans that do it better, and all have similar (or even better) modern reputations for reliability. We'd also give the Mitsubishi Lancer a look, and the Honda Fit is another intriguing alternative, combining superior cargo space with a smaller footprint. In all likelihood, the Corolla will maintain its status as the world's best-selling automotive nameplate -- but not because it's the world's best compact sedan. Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Toyota Corolla small economy sedan is available in five trim levels -- base, LE, S, XLE and XRS. Base Corollas come standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors and an MP3/WMA-capable CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The LE gains power windows and locks, along with body-color exterior mirrors. If you select the Corolla S, the LE's equipment upgrades become extra-cost options, but you get 16-inch steel wheels, underbody spoilers, foglights, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an extra pair of stereo speakers. The Corolla XLE also gets the 16-inch wheels and an upgraded stereo while adding accoutrements like a sliding center armrest, wood-grain interior trim, electroluminescent gauges, keyless entry and variable intermittent wipers. The XRS forgoes some of the XLE's standard conveniences, but it boasts a larger engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a rear deck spoiler and chrome interior trim. Cruise control is also standard on the XRS; it's optional on other Corollas. Heated mirrors are optional across the Toyota Corolla line, while the S, XLE and XRS are eligible for a sunroof, an upgraded JBL sound system (with satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity) and a navigation system with real-time traffic. Leather upholstery is available on the S and XRS only. Powertrains and Performance Other than the XRS, all 2010 Toyota Corollas are motivated by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132 hp and 128 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional. The manual returns 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined, according to the EPA, while the automatic squeezes out 27 mpg city. We recorded a 10.1-second 0-60-mph time for the 1.8-liter four-cylinder and automatic, which is about average for this class of engine. The XRS muscles up with a 2.4-liter engine good for 158 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual is standard and a five-speed automatic is optional. We recorded a 0-60 time of 9.1 seconds with this engine connected to the manual. Fuel economy drops significantly, with a 22/30/25 rating for both transmissions. Safety The Corolla comes standard with antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Notably, only the XRS has four-wheel disc brakes; other Corollas have rear drums. In government crash testing, the Corolla earned four out of five stars for its protection of occupants in frontal collisions. Side impact testing resulted in a perfect five stars for front occupants and four stars for rear passengers. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Corolla scored a top rating of "Good" for its performance in frontal-offset and side impact collisions. Interior Design and Special Features The 2010 Toyota Corolla's cabin is pleasant enough, but it doesn't stand out in any particular way. Unlike previous Corollas, this one has a telescoping steering wheel, which helps longer-legged drivers find a comfortable position. In back, the Corolla offers plenty of space for children and just enough for adults. The control layout is intuitive, as you'd expect in a modern compact sedan. A double glovebox increases storage up front. Materials quality is adequate, but no better than the norm in this class. The trunk measures an average 12.3 cubic feet, but boasts a usefully wide opening. Driving Impressions The Corolla's base 1.8-liter engine should satisfy most shoppers in this segment, delivering sufficient acceleration and very good fuel economy. The four-speed automatic on non-XRS models works adequately well, but rivals are increasingly offering five-speed automatics, particularly on higher trim levels. In any trim, the 2010 Toyota Corolla's softly sprung ride is perfect for commuting, and wind and road noise are nicely quelled, even at highway speeds. Handling is on the soggy side, even in ostensibly sporty XRS trim, a natural consequence of the Corolla's compliant suspension tuning. The electric steering is so vague and numb that you may find yourself making repeated corrections simply to keep the car traveling in a straight line. For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from our Editors, see our Road Tests page.