Why Mini-Vans/MPVs have gotten even cooler in my book
I must admit, I really am into mini-vans and MPVs. Yes, I know. I was ridiculed in high school for wanting a Previa. It was an awesome little van though...I mean come on, you can't go wrong with two sunroofs! Anyhow, saw this clip over at TheDriftScene and it has again re-ignited my love for all things Previa/Estima. Who needs a 4-door Skyline to take the family out drifting? It's all about using the family van and taking along the grandparents! Love it...shhh don't tell that to my car.
[SOURCE: Youtube via TheDriftScene]
RUMOR OF THE DAY: AE86 to make a come back?
Just like the undying rumor of a Honda CRX return every couple seasons, the Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno/AE86 has a similar cycle. This time coming from the Japanese magazine, Best Car. The "AE86" is slated for a Winter 2008 debut. Boasting a 120hp engine and under 2200lb weight, this car is set to be an affordable lightweight compact RWD car - the likes of what we haven't seen since the Miata debuted. Interesting note from the article is that the car would sport a RWD system from Heavy Fuji Industries a.k.a. Subaru. Anyone else see the Scion Fuse in the sketch? Hmmmm, I think I'll believe this when I see the car in showrooms. It's only a year away...
[Source: Best Car via Autoblog]
TAKE THE RED PILL!!!
This is the Toyota Blade, introduced in Japan as a bit more upscale Auris with more creature comfort features and a powerful engine. Well Toyota just upped the antee by throwing in a 3.5L V6 in the thing and calling it the "Blade Master." Yup, you heard me right...a freakin' V6 putting out about 280hp to the ground through the front-wheels. Kind of awesome I guess - not quite the looker but hey enough power to get you around and then some.
That's all nice and dandy, but why would that peak the interest of us Yanks? Well, consider the fact that Toyota has made it known a version of the Auris will debut in America in 2009, which will replace our beloved Matrix, which at one point was making waves in the aftermarket world...for like 5 minutes. This Matrix replacement's name? Blade. So there could be the possibility of getting a high-end model with a V6...or if anything, at least we know we could swap a 3.5L V6 in there.
[Source: NihonCar]
Toyota Hybrid, FTW
A four-wheel energy regeneration and drive system has been adopted which includes in-wheel motors in the front wheels in addition to one 150 kW rear-axle mounted electric motor. Thanks to this energy regeneration system with three motors/generators, the vehicle can more efficiently recover a greater amount of energy during rapid deceleration and braking from high speeds.