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Toyota Updates Electric Vehicle Progress

by Toyota in the News

As Toyota continues to develop high-efficiency transportation solutions for U.S. drivers, the automaker recently marked a number of key milestones in support of its electric vehicle (EV) programs

First, Toyota confirmed that the all-electric model of the RAV4 crossover, designed in conjunction with noted EV maker Tesla, will be produced at the same facility now manufacturing the standard RAV4 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. (Tesla will build the electric powertrains, including battery, motor, gearbox and power electronics, at its plant in Palo Alto, Calif., then ship them to the Woodstock facility for final assembly.) The RAV4 EV is expected to have an all-electric, emissions-free driving range of about 100 miles and go on sale to the general public in 2012.

“The Tesla-Toyota joint development team has agreed that building the vehicle at the Woodstock plant on the same line as the gasoline-powered RAV4, will streamline and simplify the production process and guarantee the highest level of quality control,” said Ray Tanguay, chairman of Toyota’s Canadian operations. “This is a great example of Toyota’s determination to collaborate with companies with leading-edge technology.”

Toyota also announced that it had approved Leviton as an official electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) solutions provider. In this role, Leviton will offer charging units for both customers and Toyota dealerships, as well as help manage a certified installation team and an extensive customer service center for the automaker.

“Through our relationship with Leviton, customers will have access to a full-service EVSE provider that supplies a high level of customer service along with products that integrate easily into their homes and complement Toyota’s plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle offerings,” said Rick LoFaso, Toyota Motor Sales’ corporate manager of passenger-car marketing.

Which brings up an important point: The Leviton technology is compatible with the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in as well as the RAV4 EV. The Prius Plug-in—also slated to go on sale to the public next year—will be capable of approximately 13 miles of driving on pure electricity alone. Then, if its battery is depleted, the vehicle can go hundreds of more miles while relying on the same kind of hybrid technology that powers the standard Prius, delivering the same stellar EPA numbers. Recharging can take as little as 1.5 hours with a 220-volt charging unit or about 3 hours using a standard 110-volt outlet.

Consider it another example of how Toyota is charging into the future by bringing new technology to the market today.

Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012 Tacoma Pickup Truck

TORRANCE, Calif., September 7, 2011 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2012 Tacoma pickup truck. The best-selling compact pickup in the market offers a refreshed exterior look and a redesigned, upgraded interior in all models for 2012. Changes focus on added comfort, usability and audio/infotainment performance.

The 2012 Tacoma continues to be available in three cab types in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations: Regular Cab, Access Cab, and the four-door Double Cab. 

For 2012, Tacoma receives a fresh face with a redesigned hood, grille, headlamps, upper and lower front bumper, fog lamps, headlamps and antenna. Inside, customers will find a new center instrument panel design with a revised gauge cluster, as well as a new steering wheel. A redesigned center stack adds new air conditioner/heater controls and power point locations. Tacoma will also offer two new exterior colors, Spruce Mica and Nautical Blue Metallic.

The 2012 Tacoma interior also gets a new look with high-contrast black center console, switch plate covers, dash and upper door trim, while the SR5 grade features a new seat fabric design. Well aware that Tacoma owners use their trucks for hard work and hard play, new heavy-duty all-weather flooring is now available for Access and Double Cab models, while the more specialized TRD Sport and Off-Road models have new water-resistant fabric protection seats.  All models now feature two front-deck “D” rings for added versatility. 

Tacoma will be one of the first Toyota vehicles to offer the Entune™ multi-media system. The Toyota Entune system is a collection of popular mobile applications and data services, with three years of complimentary access. Once a smart phone is connected to the vehicle using Bluetooth wireless technology or a USB cable, Entune’s features are operated using the vehicle’s controls or, for some services, by voice recognition. Entune includes Bing™ and Pandora^®; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks. Apps available in spring 2012 at no charge include iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable^®. See toyota.com/entune for details.

The 2012 Tacoma line offers two engines: a 2.7-liter Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) four-cylinder that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft. of torque and a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 that provides 236 horsepower with 266 lb-ft. of torque. In both engines, variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) provides strong low-end and mid-range torque.

An Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence helps optimize performance and fuel economy. The V6 can be teamed with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Four-cylinder models offer a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with a V6 Tow Package, Access Cab and Double Cab models boast a maximum tow capacity of up to 6,500 pounds.

Standard on all Tacoma models is the Toyota Star Safety System™, which includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) and Smart Stop Technology.

The base MSRP for the 2012 Tacoma will range from $16,875 for the Regular Cab 4x2 equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, to $27,835 for the Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 long bed with a 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic, reflecting price increases ranging from $10 to $645.

The MSRP for the 2012 Tacoma does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $810. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

All 2012 Tacomas will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Baja California (TMMBC) in Baja California, Mexico and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio, Texas. 

The 2012 Tacoma will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in September, 2011.

 

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Select Toyota models feature Entune™

Check out this YouTube video to learn more about it!

 

 

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