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Before I was even out of bed this morning, I had two emails about this article in Autoblog. My boss, Alex, is very excited about this new old Toyota design, as is my car-forum guru co-worker Chad. Here ya go guys- (P.S. Stay tuned to your Toyota Va Beach dealer, Checkered Flag Toyota for more info).
Toyotas President Akio Toyoda has said the automaker is in desperate need of an excitement injection, and heres the first dose: the Toyota FT-86 Concept.
Inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe of the 1980s, the FT-86 concept was designed by the automakers ED2 styling studio in France and bears a remarkable resemblance to the FT-HS concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show several years back.
Since its a concept, Toyota hasnt divulged much about the FT-86 yet, but we do know its powered by a Subaru-derived 2.0-liter boxer four sending power to the rear wheels. Toyota focused on keeping the weight down to improve handling and, according to one source, the platform is unique to the concept. The engine sits lower in the engine bay to aid aerodynamics while keeping the center of gravity in check, and the overall dimensions of Toyotas new 2+2 are 163.78 inches long and 69.29 inches wide, with a wheelbase of 101.18 inches.
After the FT-86 bows in concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, the production model will be shown sometime next year with sales beginning sometime in late 2011 carrying a sticker price somewhere north of $20,000.
Source:[http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/toyko-2009-preview-toyota-ft-86-concept-brings-back-the-hachiro/]
Fact- People love the Toyota Corolla. That isnt new information for anyone, but I bet you didnt know just how quickly Corollas sell. Check out my video and see why someone is buying a new Corolla right now.. seriously.. right now! Then visit your Toyota Va Beach dealer, Checkered Flag Toyota and pick out yours.
Last year, Volkswagen's new Jetta TDI was named the 2009 Green Car of the Year at the LA Auto Show, which means that the Volkswagen Golf TDI has a bit of baggage if it wants to win the 2010 award. Regardless, the Golf was named one of five finalists today, along with the Audi A3 TDI, the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. Odd that the Mercury would be chosen above the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but so it goes. That makes it two diesels and three hybrids vying for top spot.
The Green Car of the Year award is given out by Green Car Journal, which narrows the field of green cars down to five and then turns over picking the winner to "jurors such as Jay Leno, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Carroll Shelby, Matt Petersen of Global Green USA and the Sierra Club's Carl Pop." The winner will be announced in LA on December 3, so stay tuned.
For more info on the Toyota Prius, stay tuned to your Toyota Va Beach dealer, Checkered Flag Toyota.
Some days are more exciting than others when I hit the automotive web world.. today is a great one. I found pics of the all new 2010 4Runner on Autoblog. People love the 4Runner, and care very much about the chages Toyota makes to their favorite SUV. Well, here ya go! What do we think?
As we noted the last time we saw spy shots, the next 4Runner will push forward with a boxy, square-jawed look that reinforces this SUV as the rugged, off-road capable midsizer in Toyotas lineup, leaving the unibody Highlander and Venza to take on the rest of the burgeoning CUV crowd.
When the 2010 4Runner hits the market, it will be equipped with the buyers choice of either a 161-horsepower four-cylinder or a 268-horsepower six. The current V8 engine option will no longer be available, but Toyota promises its ute will be more luxurious and capable than ever before. We will find out exactly what that means in exactly two weeks. Stay tuned!
Checkered Flag Toyota, your Toyota Virginia Beach dealer will keep you posted with new info, including availability.
Source:[http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/more-next-gen-toyota-4runner-shots-hit-the-interwebs/]
Hybrid fever is in full swing, and the front runner is still the Toyota Prius. I think it has something to do with those awesome Prius Harmony commercials, or my awesome Checkered Flag Toyota Prius web video! Hey, if featured Leo and Brad. Check out the milestone Toyota just crushed, story from left lane news.
Just six months after reaching the milestone of 1 million U.S. hybrid sales, Toyota says its global hybrid sales have topped the 2 million unit mark. The North American market was instrumental in the sales achievement, pushing Toyotas global hybrid sales to 2.017 million units as of August 9th.
The Toyota Prius kicked off Toyotas hybrid revolution, first hitting the Japanese market in 1997 before finding its way to the United States and Europe in 2000. Thanks to its early popularity, the Prius is by far the worlds best-selling hybrid model, accounting for 1.43 million units of Toyotas 2 million hybrid sales, according to Automotive News.
Not surprisingly, the North American market is Toyotas largest hybrid customer. Toyota has recorded 1.15 million hybrid sales in North America, representing more than half of Toyotas global hybrid sales.
In all, Toyota sells 13 hybrid vehicles in 50 countries, including hybrid versions of the Toyota Crown and Harrier, as well as the Lexus GS, LS and RX. Toyota hopes to sell 1 million hybrids annually by early next decade.
Source:[http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-tops-2-million-hybrid-sales.html]
Ready.. Set.. GO! Cash for Clunkers finally begins TODAY at Checkered Flag Toyota, your Toyota VA dealer! We are very excited to start the Cash for Clunkers program (officially known as CARS). You will find the most fuel efficient line-up of vehicles in Hampton Roads right here, and we are all prepared to help you take advantage of the program!
If you are not fully familiar with the program, you can visit http://cars.gov to learn more. If you want to get things started from the comfort of your own computer, we can help you on our CARS Program page.
Alert: If you are headed out of town via Virginia interstates, put down your Dasani, take the kids Capri Sun, and tell your husband not to have that second cup of coffee. It may be a while before you have a chance to use the restroom. Checkered Flag Toyota, your Toyota VA dealer, wants you to check out this article from Autoblog:
Motorists traveling through Virginia take note: It's time to get used to crossing your legs just a wee bit tighter on long trips through the Old Dominion as the Virginia Department of Transportation has closed nearly half of all its interstate rest areas. The cited reason? Budgetary shortfalls... what else?
According to VDOT, the closure of these 18 rest areas will save $9 million per year and will be joined by delayed construction projects and a slew of laid off workers. Virginia politicians have apparently been arguing the issue for months and a suitable compromise has yet to be reached.
In addition to the obvious loss of restroom choices, critics argue that the shuttering of rest stops may have a negative impact on the safety of travelers as weary drivers and tired truckers will have far fewer places to stop for some shuteye or to get a quick coffee. With more and more states facing severe budget shortfalls, could your state be next? Click past the break for a press release and a full list of closed VA rest areas.
Source: [http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/23/report-virginia-rankles-motorists-by-closing-half-of-all-rest-s/]
How cool are the new Toyota Prius commercials? You know the ones with the landscapes made out of people and the acapella version of the song Let Your Love Flow. They are part of Toyotas Harmony campaign. Here is how Toyota describes the concept:
Harmony is where mans wants and natures needs agree. Using the wind, sun and advanced hybrid technology, Prius balances our demand for mobility with the natural order of things. Its a hybrid like no other, the first to benefit from three cycles of design evolution. The 2010 Toyota Prius. Moving Forward
Check out the commercial below and if you have any questions, or would like to test drive the new 2010 Toyota Prius, contact your Toyota VA dealer, Checkered Flag Toyota in Hampton Roads.
In addition to the groovy commercial, Toyota has planted several solar flowers.. what is a solar flower you ask?.. good question. I will let the folks from Autoblog explain.
As part of Toyotas strange but seemingly effective marketing campaign for its new 2010 Prius hybrid, the Japanese automaker has rolled out a bunch of 18-foot tall solar flowers to various urban centers all around the United States, starting with Bostons Prudential Plaza. Next up: New York, followed by Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
According to Toyota, these so-called solar flowers represent the Prius theme of Harmony between Man, Nature, and Machine. Apparently, they achieve this by providing seating for up to ten people and by featuring laptop and cell phone recharging stations and access to free wireless internet service. Understandably, theres probably not quite enough juice from the petal-shaped solar panels to provide all the necessary energy for those ten people, so were guessing there are some high-powered batteries involved in there somewhere.
Source:[http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/toyota-uses-18-foot-solar-flowers-to-market-2010-prius/]
I found this story on several sites, and because the Wienermobile is a vehicle, I think this counts as automotive news. Checkered Flag Toyota, your Toyota VA dealer strives to bring you all the automotive news, no matter how strange! I also think it is hilarious, not for the home owner, of course, but how can you look at that picture and not smile? Here's the best version of the story I have found-
As any meat-lover knows, Wisconsin produces excellent kielbasa and other forms of hearty sausage. Well, according to Autoblog, one lucky Wisconsin resident had an enormous, unexpected piece of meat delivered directly into her garage last week. Perhaps still on the run from carnivorous 4th of July grills, the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile found itself stuck at the end of a dead-end street in the Racine neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant.
Probably sensing an oncoming swarm of sausage-loving Wisconsinites, the wiener captain thinking the iconic mobile hot dog was in reverse, floored the vehicle, causing it to drive forward. (If you've ever wanted to get behind the wheel and feel the power of the mighty Wienermobile, there may be an opening soon.)
According to Racines FOX 6, the shocked homeowner claims to have no insurance coverage, but hopes that Kraft Foods can supply restitution. (Even though the driver slipped away without leaving a phone number. Typical.) Note to Kraft: A lifetime supply of hot dogs might be a good start.
[Source: http://www.switched.com/2009/07/20/runaway-wienermobile-violates-womans-house/?sem=1&ncid=searchusswit00000001&otim=1248190696&spid=33545208]
Hey Scion lovers, this one is for you. Scion just announced pricing for the new 2010 xD models. I dont know how they managed it, but somehow Scion upgraded the xD to include, as standard equipment, the $650, previously optional, stability control system. Also now standard is an updated 160-watt Pioneer stereo. The new price, including the upgrades.. only went up 150 bucks! There is also an available upgraded stereo option. For just $389, you get the Alpine Premium system featuring a big touch screen and outputs specifically designed for attaching subwoofers. Both stereos have iPod, USB, and auxiliary audio inputs. Scion is truly a leader in reasonable and consumer-friendly pricing. One of my favorite things about Scion is the transparency involved with the pricing. There is no guessing, negotiating, haggling.. it’s cut and dry. What you pay is the same amount everyone else pays for the same model. All options are listed online and at the dealership in plain view. The 2010 xD manual transmission is $15,470, and the xD with automatic transmission now costs $16,270. What a great value. If you would Checkered Flag Scion, your Scion VA dealer, to notify you when the 2010 xD models come in, simply drop us a line (email, chat, or call 757-490-1111) and we will let you know.
