Archive for July 2nd, 2010

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota

If you’d like to know what it’s like to be on top in the hybrid segment of the automotive industry, just ask Toyota. The company has held the top spot for eons and it certainly doesn’t look like Toyota will relinquish the honor in the foreseeable future. Banking on the success of the Toyota Prius, the company has now captured more than 2.5 million hybrid sales and counting. The Prius, the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle by a significant margin, has accounted for more than 1.8 million of Toyota’s total hybrid sales.

If memory serves us right, just last year we reported that Toyota eclipsed the 1.7 million mark for hybrid sales. Now, sales already stand at 2.5 million-plus and are growing at a rate of more than 2,000 per day. The strong boost in Toyota’s hybrid sales are attributed to the introduction on the current Prius and the release of the Camry Hybrid in additional markets such as Australia and China. At 2,000 per day, Toyota’s hybrid sales are still short of the company’s target of one million per year, but not by that much.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota’s hybrid sales eclipse 2.5M mark, now climbing at 2,000 per day originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog Green

The program is called Exploring My America; Sears Auto Centers is choosing 21 teams to take a drive around America, and they’re picking up the tab.  They’ll give your vehicle a pre-trip inspection, give you $500 of Sears Auto Center bucks for any needed repairs, before or along the way, plus $1500 for gas, good, and lodging.  They also provide an HD video camera so you can document your great American Adventure, and the only thing you owe Sears is your story and the rights to publish the vid.  How can you lose?

And the route choices are cool too: Pacific Coast, Route 66 Coast to Coast, Atlantic Coast, Road to Nowhere, Appalachian Trail, Loneliest Road, Great River Road, Dixie Overland Highway.  You know: the thrill of the open road, bad road food, cheap motels, listening to local radio stations, you and your ride and free gas – road ‘trippin is one of the great things this country was made for.

Get the rules, the rest of the  story, sign up, and audition, at www.exploringmyamerica.com

Via MotorTrend Magazine Blogs

In the latest kick in the teeth to Toyota’s quality reputation, the Japanese car maker is set to recall 270,000 Lexus vehicles, (137,000 in U.S, 90,000 in Japan & 3,200 in the UK), after it was revealed that an engine problem could lead to stalling.

Lexus released a statement saying it has “discovered faulty valve springs in some V8 and V6 engines in certain Lexus models sold in the U.S. Due to slight variations during the manufacturing process, some foreign material may have contaminated the valve springs, resulting in potential breakage.”

Lexus U.K issued a statement that said: “Improperly functioning valve springs have been found in some Lexus engines and there is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur. In very rare instances, there is a chance that the engine may stop.”

The affected models include the GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, IS 350, LS 460 and LS 600h models. The JDM Toyota Crown is also part of the recall. The faulty springs were found in some V8 and V6 engines. Lexus says it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Lexus advise that any anxious customers to contact their local Lexus centre or call the Lexus Customer Relations team on 01737 367601.

Earlier this week, Lexus said it is recalling 17,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h sedans because of a possible fire hazard due to fuel leakage. Lexus also issued a stop-sale order on the HS 250h on 25th June.

Toyota has recalled approximately 9m vehicles since November 2009 to fix problems with accelerators, brakes and other systems. The Japanese manufacture is still under inspection by U.S congressional investigators over claimed reports of unplanned acceleration and is also in the middle of a major court battle in California over product liability.

Via Cars Of The Future® Blog

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Recalls, Safety, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

Toyota’s announcement of plans to recall 270,000 of its V8 and V6 models, including a number of Lexus sedans, was a little light on information. The company didn’t say much about the issue other than faulty valve springs could cause a vehicle’s engine to stall while driving. Fortunately, the same anonymous source that came through with some information during Toyota’s recent pedal recall crisis has stepped up to fill-in some of the blanks.

Apparently, Lexus dealers have been encountering the defect for a few years. The fault typically manifests itself as a zig-zag break about three-quarters up the valve spring. This means that typically, the spring still has enough tension to keep the valve retainers in place, preventing the valve itself from going all hari-kari on the cylinder, cylinder wall and head.

That’s not always the case, though. If the failure happens at high RPM, the valve can come loose, causing significant damage to the engine. According to our source, one Lexus GS350 incurred $12,000 worth of damage (in parts alone) during such an incident. And there’s no word on who footed the bill.

Toyota hasn’t said exactly what’s caused the issue, though our source indicates that a Field Technical Specialist within the automaker believe the bad springs either have a manufacturing issue or a deep scratch – weak points that allow the part to fail prematurely. As for why the issue effects the company’s 3.5-liter V6 as well as its 4.6-liter and 5.0-liter V8s, we’re assuming that all three engines use the same valve springs.

Click through to the jump for more details, including updated information, and a video.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading UPDATED: What’s really going on with Toyota’s faulty valve springs [w/ video]

UPDATED: What’s really going on with Toyota’s faulty valve springs [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Hatchback, Citroën

Citroën has just introduced a new customer rally car for the FIA’s Group R3T class based on the DS3. The DS3 R3 will be available as either a turn-key racer or a do-it-yourself kit. Either way, power comes from a 210-horsepower high-pressure turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four driving through the six-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. Shifts are handled via carbon fiber paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel.

The suspension has been developed to make it easily adaptable to different racing surfaces ranging from gravel to tarmac. Tubular wishbones are attached to a revised front subframe while the rear hubs are removable to allow for independent toe and camber adjustments. The bodyshell comes with a multi-point steel roll-cage already welded in, but buyers will have to supply seats, harnesses and fire suppression equipment. Citroën says it has accumulated over 6,000 miles of testing since last August.

The DS3 R3 will at the end of this year, but if you can’t swing one for your weekend racing sessions, you can at least check out the press release after the jump and the high-res images below.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading Citroën DS3 R3 ready for customer combat

Citroën DS3 R3 ready for customer combat originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Via Autoblog