Toyota Corolla: Shoes with Pandora :30

James' flashy kicks earn him an unexpected admirer. See his story at http://www.toyota.com/corolla

Toyota Leads the Way in Green Buildings

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc's. (TMS) recently completed Kansas City Regional Technical Training Center in Kansas City, Mo. has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. The technical training center is located at the region sales office and provides offices, classrooms and training bays for Toyota dealer technicians. A total of 11 Toyota/Lexus U.S. facilities and 18 Toyota/Lexus dealerships have achieved LEED certification, leading the automotive industry in green building efforts.

"At Toyota, we are committed to reducing environmental impacts throughout our operations," said Doug Beebe, TMS corporate manager of administrative services. "LEED provides a framework for us to demonstrate that doing what is environmentally responsible can also be financially responsible."

The Kansas City technical training center integrated the following LEED elements into construction to achieve Gold certification:

99 percent of construction waste (more than 953 tons) was diverted from landfill through salvage or recycling

Extensive native vegetation rain gardens and swales treat 100 percent of parking lot and roof storm water runoff, removing 95 percent of pollutants

Automatic lighting controls and use of natural light reduce electrical demand by 24.5 percent (12kw)

High efficiency HVAC system consumes 50 percent less energy in cooling mode

100 percent of installed wood products carry Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, ensuring sustainable harvest practices

Dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and efficient fixtures reduce water consumption by 66 percent, saving 49,800 gallons of water annually

100 percent of annual energy use (176 kwh/yr) is offset by investment in certified renewable energy development

In addition to the Kansas City Regional Technical Training Center, 10 Toyota/Lexus U.S. facilities have achieved various levels of LEED certification since 2003. Ranging from office space to vehicle distribution centers, these facilities represent Toyota's continued efforts to improve the design and efficiency of all operations while reducing the overall environmental footprint. A complete listing of LEED certified facilities is found below.

Toyota sparked an industry trend in 2006, with construction of the first LEED certified automotive dealership in the country. Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, achieved Silver LEED certification and paved the way for additional dealers to follow. To date, 18 Toyota/Lexus dealerships have achieved LEED certification, including the nation's only Platinum LEED certified dealership, Kendall Toyota in Eugene, Ore. An additional nine dealerships are complete and awaiting final certification (see complete listing below).

"Toyota and Lexus dealers have truly seized the opportunity to 'green' their businesses," said Ernest Bastien, TMS vice president of retail market development, "and by doing so are demonstrating environmental leadership in their communities. Dealers are also quickly re-couping their initial investments and realizing the long term financial benefits of building more efficient dealerships."

LEED dealership construction was spurred by Toyota's ECO Image U.S.A. II initiative which assists dealers with construction of facilities that emphasize efficiency and reduce overall environmental impacts. LEED certified dealers are seeing a 26 percent reduction in energy costs per square foot per year. In addition, quick return on investment for sustainable building materials, efficient lighting and other LEED elements are confirming the economic benefits of building green.

The LEED Green Building Rating System(TM) is a third-party green building certification program designed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to the expansion of green building practices and the LEED program. LEED projects accumulate points/credits in various environmental categories. Point totals determine the level of certification, ranging from 'Certified' to 'Platinum.'

Toyota Prius Escapes Niche to Surge Into Global Top Three: Cars

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius, a niche oddity when it went on sale 15 years ago, jumped to the world's third best-selling car line in the first quarter as U.S. demand and incentives in Japan turned the hybrid into a mainstream hit.

Prius sales more than doubled as Toyota extended the name to a four-model "family" of vehicles at the same time that rebates and tax breaks in Japan are saving buyers the equivalent of $2,500 or more. In the quarter, sales soared to 247,230, trailing only Toyota's Corolla, at 300,800, and Ford Motor Co.'s 277,000 Focus sales.

The Prius surge, after two years of recalls and production disruptions, propelled the Toyota City, Japan-based company back into the global sales lead for the first three months of the year. The hybrid line also gives the Toyota brand three of the top 10 models in the U.S. so far this year, including its midsize Camry.

"It proves Prius wasn't a fluke, that there's a long-term market for hybrids," said Eric Noble, president of the Car Lab, an automotive consultancy in Orange, California.

In the aftermath of last year's earthquake and tsunami that cut parts and auto production for Japanese carmakers, the government in December began encouraging purchases of fuel- efficient autos to reverse sagging domestic deliveries.

Rebates of as much as 100,000 yen ($1,258) are available from a 300 billion yen fund for qualified cars, including the Prius hatchback, wagon, plug-in and Aqua subcompact, sold in the U.S. and elsewhere as the Prius c. Tax savings further reduce the purchase price by another 100,000 yen or more. The average price for a Prius in Japan is about 2.5 million yen and around $25,000 in the U.S.

 

Hot Little Car

Aqua has become the car of the moment in Japan, helping more than triple Prius family sales in the country to 175,080 in the first quarter, from 52,507 last year. While funds for the rebates may run out in July if the government doesn't extend them, the tax reductions continue through 2015.

"It was good that introduction of Aqua and the start of government subsidies happened almost at the same time," said Koichi Sugimoto, senior analyst at BNP Paribas in Tokyo, who recommends that investors hold Toyota shares. He added that there's more to the success than the government incentives. "Toyota is introducing good vehicles and assuming it will maintain a certain volume even after the subsidies end," he said.

The Prius line topped other high-volume car models including Hyundai Motor Co.'s Elantra, Volkswagen AG's Golf, Ford's Fiesta, General Motor Co.'s Cruze and Honda Motor Co.'s Civic, according to the companies.

Global Lead

Toyota ranked as the world's largest automaker by sales from 2008 to 2010, before the natural disasters pared its global production and deliveries.

Sales of Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Hino and Daihatsu vehicles grew 18 percent to 2.49 million in the quarter, Toyota said in a U.S. regulatory filing this month. That put it ahead of Detroit- based GM's 2.28 million and VW's 2.16 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda has said the company founded by his grandfather is "turning the corner" after a couple of difficult years. The company endured record recalls in 2010 in the U.S., its biggest single market, for floor-mat and gas-pedal flaws that caused unintended acceleration.

'Clearly Coming Back'

"You are seeing a company that is clearly coming back," said Efraim Levy, equity analyst with Standard & Poor's Capital IQ in New York, who rates Toyota's American depositary receipts a hold. "For Prius to sell in that kind of volume, something that's been a niche product, it's an achievement."

Since the start of Prius sales in Japan in 1997, Toyota has sold 4 million hybrid-electric vehicles worldwide, including 1.5 million in the U.S., the company said May 22.

In the U.S., typically Toyota's top market for Prius, sales jumped 42 percent in the first quarter, and 56 percent through April to a record 86,027. U.S. sales of the model since its 2000 introduction, including the new variations, total 1.18 million vehicles, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Global sales increased 125 percent.

Prius sets a standard of success for alternatively powered cars, including Nissan Motor Co.'s all-electric Leaf and GM's Chevrolet Volt, which has a gas-burning generator on board to extend the range of the electric-drive car.

The sales pace for Prius isn't likely to be matched soon by any other hybrid models, said John Wolkonowicz, an independent analyst in Boston who specializes in automotive history.

Defines The Segment

"It's the phenomenon we saw with Chrysler and minivans: It brought out the first minivan and after all these years, Chrysler still is minivan sales leader," he said. "Prius was the first hybrid on the block."

The Prius line's current global popularity provides marketing benefits, Wolkonowicz said.

"Being No. 1 is important for advertising purposes; it provides a comfort factor that, for Prius, can be significant," he said. "It provides a 'why buy?' reason for customers who may be on the fence."

The top-selling vehicle line in the U.S. for the past 30 years has been Ford's F-Series pickup truck, which includes F-150, F-250 and other models. Toyota's Camry has been the top- selling car in the U.S. for 10 years.

Toyota's decision to give the car a distinctive wedge shape that some car enthusiasts dislike has also been a long-term benefit, Wolkonowicz said.

"Even grandmas who don't know cars know what a Prius is," he said.

Everybody's Green Car

The appeal of Prius has as much to with how it's now a de facto brand within Toyota, positioned as the top "green" choice, as the car's actual fuel economy, Noble said.

"Prius is a Prius first and a Toyota second," he said. "The fact it's doing well this year is a reflection of the strength of the model line and the Prius brand."

While the current rate suggests U.S. drivers may want to buy 250,000 or more Prius models in 2012, the region may not get more than its planned 220,000 units.

"I've ordered additional production," Bob Carter, Toyota's group vice president of U.S. sales, said in a May 7 interview. "I'm confident we'll get additional production, but globally we're seeing high demand, particularly in Japan."

Gasoline prices in the U.S. averaged $3.68 a gallon on May 22, down 6.6 percent from $3.94 on April 5. A continued price decline doesn't favor hybrid sales, said Wolkonowicz.

"You're going to see hybrid sales drop again in U.S. as gas prices fall," he said. "Hybrid sales won't truly take off in the U.S. until we get to $5 gas and it stays."

Toyota's American depositary receipts rose 0.3 percent to $77.05 at the close in New York. They've risen 17 percent this year.

Toyota Corolla: Gas Station :30

Monica makes a stop for gas — or so she thinks

Man stranded in desert builds motorcycle out of his broken car

According to Merriam-Webster, ingenuity can be defined as "skill or cleverness in devising or combining" or "cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance." We'd say that's an apt description of a Frenchman named Emile who reportedly found himself stranded in the deserts of Northwest Africa after breaking a frame rail and a suspension swingarm underneath his Citroën 2CV.

What to do? Why, disassemble the broken hulk and build yourself a motorcycle from its pile of parts, of course! As the story goes, Emile was able to use the inventive machine to escape the desert, though not before convincing the local authorities that he wasn't an insurgent and paying a fine for importing a non-conforming vehicle...

Since Emile was the only soul in the area, nobody has been able to confirm the veracity of the events that led to the little French runabout's conversion into a makeshift motorcycle. That said, judging by the images you can see here (apparently from the March 2003 issue of 2CV Magazine), this Citroën-bred two-wheeler does indeed exist, and it was definitely fashioned from parts scavenged from an old 2CV.

Emile, wherever you are, we take our hats off to your real-life MacGyver skills, sir.

Toyota Global Hybrid Sales Surpass 4 Million Units

The undisputed leader in hybrid-powered vehicles, Toyota, has revealed that as of April 30 2012 its global sales of full hybrid vehicles have topped the 4 million mark.

In the UK, the Japanese company has sold 94,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrid cars, while in Europe as a whole that number jumps to 423,000.

Perhaps still the most famous hybrid car of them all, the Prius, was launched in December 1997 in Japan, but the company’s first hybrid vehicle was actually something much bigger. The Toyota Coaster Hybrid EV was introduced to the Japanese in the August of 1997, beating the Prius by several months and is actually a bus!

The Prius left its home market in 2000, with sales picking up briskly in both Europe and North America. The second generation Toyota Prius was launched in 2003 at which point the company expanded the use of its full hybrid technology to vehicles such as minivans, SUV's, luxury saloons and family hatchbacks.

Six years later in May 2009, the third generation (and current model) Prius launched and was a hit with customers around the world, leading to global cumulative sales of Toyota hybrid vehicles topping 3 million vehicles by the end of February, 2011.

The Toyota range of hybrid cars has expanded too, with the UK-built Auris Hybrid now available and the upcoming Yaris Hybrid which will be built in France. Later this year, the range will appeal to an even wider audience with the launch of the seven seat Prius+ and Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

Globally, Toyota currently sells 19 full hybrid passenger vehicle models in approximately 80 countries. This year, hybrid vehicles have accounted for 15% of Toyota's global vehicle sale.

 

Courtesy of EVworld.com

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid: Overshadowed by the Prius, but still shines

With the 2012 Toyota Prius V wagon, 2012 Toyota Prius C, and 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid all launching within the past 12 months, it’s been easy to forget that there are other Toyota hybrids outside of the Prius brand.

In fact, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid and 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have been somewhat overshadowed in recent months by the Prius brand, so now it’s time to redress the balance. 

In their own way, both cars offer car buyers an unassuming way to get great gas mileage, without compromising on functionality, comfort or style. 

Today, we’re going to focus on the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid, and give you just some reasons why it deserves your attention when you’re thinking about buying your next car.

Size

 

Although the 2012 Toyota Prius C and 2012 Toyota Prius liftback have the 2012 Camry Hybrid beaten when it comes to gas mileage, the Camry wins hands-down when it comes to passenger space and comfort. 

At 103 cubic feet, the cabin of the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a full 9 cubic feet larger than the 2012 Prius liftback.

That extra passenger space equates to a few extra inches of width, resulting in improved hip and shoulder room. Rear legroom is also improved, although front legroom is one inch less than in the Prius. 

The only caveat? With a four-door design, the Camry loses to the Prius liftback on luggage space, although we should note that the physical trunk space in the 2012 Camry Hybrid is larger than in previous years thanks to a redesigned battery pack. 

Power, economy

Thanks to a 2.5-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid outputs a total hybrid system net power of 200 horsepower. 

That’s a full 66 horsepower more than the standard 2012 Toyota Prius.

Sadly, the downside of the extra power means gas mileage suffers, with official EPA estimates placing the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE at 41 mpg combined versus the 50 mpg combined of the 2012 Toyota Prius liftback.

Note: In order to get the best fuel economy, you’ll need to opt for the 2012 Camry Hybrid LE, not the Camry Hybrid XLE. With different wheels, the XLE model is a few mpg less efficient than the LE model. 

Normality

Unlike the 2012 Toyota Prius, Prius C, Prius V, and Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid doesn’t look like an eco-car. 

Instead, it looks like every other 2012 Camry -- hybrid or not.

For the record, over 308,510 Camry models sold in 2011, making the 2012 Camry Hybrid one of the most unassuming hybrid cars on the road today. 

And with all-new styling for 2012, the Camry Hybrid doesn’t look quite as dated as the now three-year-old third-generation Prius. 

Comfort

With a roomy interior, and soft ride, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid gives a more luxurious passenger experience than the more utilitarian Prius. 

That’s reflected in the interior trim too, which gives you the same level of trim you’d expect in any mid-price, mid-size sedan. 

That makes a welcome change from other green cars, which have a reputation for placing eco-chic above passenger comfort.

Our verdict

If you need a new car that gets more than 40 mpg, looks good, and is unassuming in everyday life, the 2012 Toyota Camry fits the bill. 

It isn’t the most exciting car to drive, but it is reliable, predictable and known to hold its value well. 

Underneath, it benefits from the extra power its larger 2.5-liter engine gives, but also has the same benefits as the 2012 Toyota Prius, including electric-only and eco-driving modes. 

For more information, be sure to check out our official 2012 Toyota Camry Review and drive reports.

Toyota 100 Cars for Good: The Click Song

A lot of clicks go to waste, but now your clicks can give cars to nonprofits in need. Every day until August 21, cast your vote for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good at http://www.100carsforgood.com.

Toyota using Nintendo DS as GPS remote control

The Nintendo DS is finding all sorts of uses outside of gaming, from school use to museum touring. And now the handheld can fill a new role in Toyota vehicles. In Japan, Toyota has begun offering a game card called Kuruma de DS, which allows DS owners to pair their handheld with their Toyota Smart Navi car navigation system so that the DS can be used like a remote control by passengers.

The Kuruma de DS game card is Bluetooth-enabled for connecting to the Smart Navi system and offers an interface with Nintendo Mii characters. With the game card, passengers can use the Nintendo DS handheld to enter destinations and save places to the DS. It also shows maps and sightseeing information directly on the handheld.

Although the system may seem a bit kiddy, there’s nothing kid about when it comes to the price. Just the Smart Navi car navigation system itself costs ¥206,850 (US$2,586). The Kuruma de DS must purchased separately from Toyota for ¥7,329 ($92). And then of course you would still need to buy the Nintendo DS if you don’t already have one.

 

Courtesy of Kotaku

University Toyota May Specials!

Come check out our May Specials! If you haven't seen them yet, they're great. This month at University Toyota, you can own a new Corolla with just 0.9% APR for 60 months. Or maybe you'd rather have a new 2012 Rav4 with a $1000 rebate or 60 months of 0% APR. These deals are great, and you know they won't be around for long. You can shop online here, or give us a call at 304-296-4401. Come in today and let us put you in the perfect vehicle!

Voting for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good Opened This Morning

At 10:00 am ET/7:00 am PT today (Monday), Toyota opened voting for the second year of 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program that will award 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 consecutive days. Winners will be selected each day through public voting on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com .

Five nonprofit organizations will be profiled each day. Registered Facebook users will be able to vote once daily for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The organization with the most votes at the end of the day will win a new vehicle. The four runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.

100 Cars for Good voting will be open every day from 10:00 am ET/7:00 am PT to 12:00 am ET/9:00 pm PT. Voting will continue through Tuesday, August 21.

"At Toyota, we appreciate what a big difference a new car or truck can make for organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities across America," said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Sales. "Over the past 20 years, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits throughout the U.S. 100 Cars for Good allows us to build on that commitment in new ways, putting the public in the 'driver's seat' as we work to help community organizations make an even bigger impact. We wish all of this year's finalists the best of luck."

The 500 finalists for 100 Cars for Good represent all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Profiles of all of this year's finalists can be found at www.100carsforgood.com .

Winning nonprofits will be able to choose from one of six Toyota models: Camry Hybrid, Highlander SUV, Prius v hybrid, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

To help participating nonprofits with their 100 Cars for Good campaigns - and to help them develop lasting digital marketing and social media skills that are critical to today's nonprofits - Toyota has provided each finalist with a toolkit that includes a digital video camera, training materials and free online advertising credits. The company is providing social media training support online to the finalists as well.

Follow 100 Cars for Good on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com and on Twitter at #100cars.

Scion FR-S convertible coming by early 2014

With an epic chassis and the lowest center of gravity in the business, there's plenty for enthusiast to love about the Scion FR-S. Except, that is, for those who prefer to take their nimble, affordable sports cars with the roof down. Their choices are rather limited in this price category to the Mazda MX-5 and Ford Mustang, but if the latest reports prove accurate, the FR-S – which is, of course, virtually identical to the Subaru BRZ and sold overseas as the Toyota GT 86 – is preparing to throw its hat in the ring, as well.

Long rumored, a convertible version of the jointly-developed "Toyobaru" coupe could stand to boost sales figures and help the bean-counters justify the expenditure on the new platform. However while the speedster concept recently showcased at Long Beach lost its rear seats (along with most of its windshield), Car and Driver predicts that the FR-S convertible will keep the auxiliary pair in the back – though the addition of a folding roof mechanism would likely mean that would come at the expense of most of the trunk room.

We're told to expect the FR-S convertible to arrive sometime late in 2013 or early in 2014, with a price tag that would tack a few grand onto the coupe's $25,000 MSRP. Look for the same 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower boxer four to carry over with a choice of six-speed transmissions in either manual or automatic configurations. Beyond that, Toyota may be considering basing a larger four-door sedan and coupe off the new platform, which could stand to make the money men back at headquarters – to say nothing of the enthusiasts – even more happy.

 

Courtesy of AutoBlog.com

Google’s Self-Driving Toyota Prius Gets its Nevada Driver’s License

Nevada became the first state in the union to grant licenses to autonomous cars for testing, and now the state has granted its first autonomous car license to a Toyota Prius operated by search engine/technology giant Google.

Last year, the Nevada Assembly passed legislation that paved the way for the state to be the first in the nation to formally license autonomous vehicles (as opposed to just licensing a vehicle) within the state’s borders. This month, the state debuted a new type of license plate for autonomous cars — a red plate with an infinity symbol on the left side of it and the first two digits spelling AU — and gave the AU-001 plate to Google and its Toyota Prius.

Google’s autonomous Toyota Prius (along with a handful of other self-driving cars) has been testing for some time now, but Nevada statutes now formally recognize autonomous cars and regulate where and when they can be tested. While the cars drive themselves, Nevada law stipulates that they must have two passengers — one in the driver’s seat and able to take over the controls, and another in any other part of the car. The car’s licensed driver is also liable for any citations or fines that the car may incur while driving itself, and all accidents must be quickly reported to the DMV.

The Nevada DMV said in a statement that the licensing occurred after DMV officials rode along in the Google Toyota Prius as it drove through a variety of different areas and terrains, including neighborhoods, highways, freeways, and even the Las Vegas Strip.

While autonomous vehicles can only be licensed for testing and only to businesses or research organizations, Nevada law is also paving the way to add green AU plates to the mix, which would signify that an autonomous car is owned and will be driven by private citizens.

A Google spokesman said the company is “ excited to receive the first testing license for self-driving vehicles in Nevada,” adding it “believes the state’s framework — the first of its kind — will help speed up the delivery of technology that will make driving safer and more enjoyable.”

Courtesy of MotorTrend.com

We Hear: New Toyota Supra in Pipeline, Coming with 400-HP Hybrid Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-new-toyota-supra-in-pipeline-coming-with-400-hp-hybrid-145159.html#ixzz1uDsZR5tl

Japan Peter Lyon, Toyota R&D is working on a Supra successor that is being tested with a 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid system generating over 400 hp. Rumored to be wearing a design close to the FT-HS concept’s body (pictured below) revealed at the 2007 Detroit show, the rear-drive coupe is expected to target the Nissan GT-R in terms of performance and price.

But our insider tells us that Toyota bean counters “are not too pushing to get this car out quickly,” and are waiting to see how the GT86 goes. If it gets the go-ahead, we won’t see it until 2015.

In contrast, Toyota engineers ARE putting more effort into readying a test mule of the MR-S based 4WD GRMN coupe boasting the same Lexus GS sourced 3.5-liter hybrid system. If this project gets the green light, we can expect to see it in showrooms by late 2014.

 

Courtesy of MotorTrend.com

Toyota Save in May Sales Event: Door Handle

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Scion FR-S Debuts in Las Vegas

We’ve finally had a chance to drive the brand new Scion FR-S. There probably hasn’t been a more eagerly awaited car in the Toyota family in a long time, and getting behind the wheel of this new affordable sports car brought with it a touch of anticipation.

Since Toyota focused its line on family cars and utility vehicles – while Lexus specializes in more expensive luxury and performance rides – the tradition of the fast, little Japanese sports coupe that most people can afford fell to Scion. Now, the two-door FR-S is in line to inherit the proud lineage of the 2000 GT, the Sports 800 and the 80-86 Hachiroku.

After making an appearance as a concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Scion first teased the arrival of the FR-S during sneak preview party at Milk Studios on the outskirts of Hollywood last winter. To establish the clear lineage, the ramp the FR-S slowly cruised down was lined on either side with those very same sports cars of the past (such as the Toyota Supra, the MR2, etc.).

That night, before introducing the FR-S, Scion Vice President Jack Hollis honored Toyota museum pieces – promising that this new sporty ride from Scion would both inspire memories of those cars while surpassing them in performance. After getting a chance to drive the car under multiple conditions, I can report the new kid fits in well with the family.

This fifth car in the Scion family (with the new iQ, the xD, the xB and the sporty little tC) the FR-S will arrive in showrooms with rear-wheel-drive, a four-cylinder, 2.0 liter boxer engine from Subaru and a D4-S direct fuel injection system from parent company Toyota.

As I reported when I originally saw the FR-S at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the exterior is clearly influenced by the old Supra and the current tC with modest, curved lines and a frame that rides very low to the ground. Unlike the MR2 and its ilk, there are no gaudy flares like clumsy rear spoilers or air vents. And I still see a bit of a Lexus influence to the grill.

Car writers met up at the Red Rock Resort northwest of the Las Vegas Strip and drove a small fleet of FR-S models (pretty much the entire completed collection at this time, according to Hollis). The cars headed about 60 miles outside of Vegas to the lonely desert town of Pahrump – home to the Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club.

Spring Mountain resembles a private golf resort, but you can take away the 18 green holes and replace them with a set of race tracks to test different cars. Owners and visitors can park their track day car in a private garage and enjoy their condo suites in between laps on the hot pavement.

That day, the auto writers had a chance to drive the FR-S on a wet drifting course, a dry rally setup and a full-size track for timed laps. On each course, the FR-S proved itself to be a quick, stable and urgent little car with excellent balance and adequate punch.

I’m glad to report it’s the kind of car that lets you feel the road – allowing you to drive by instinct and touch without excessive technological interference. It’s a driver’s car.

If I get to make such a prediction, I think the FR-S will be a major success for Scion and the kind of ride that sticks in the memory of car enthusiasts. It may not be the most powerful or the most luxuriously appointed sporty machine on the market. But, you’d be hard pressed to have more fun and enjoy a better drive out of a car set to sell for around $25,000.

 

Courtesy of Crave Online