Sports Car Reviews | 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota's first 4Runner was rugged, tough and capable. That was 1994—and nothing has changed. The 2010 on- and off-road favorite is still all of those things, and better.

All models have wider shoulders and new-design head and taillights. The SR5 also wears overfenders, mudguards and a standard roof rack, and the outside mirrors on V6 models now incorporate turn signals and puddle lamps. The Trail grade has a higher ground clearance, better approach and departure angles and a wide selection of functional upgrades to optimize its off-road performance, plus front and rear bumper guards, a unique hood scoop, specific wheels, black outside mirrors and a dark smoke treatment on the front and rear lamps. The Limited and SR5 sport chrome trim on their grille inserts, fog lamp bezels, roof rack, bumper and side moldings, and color-keyed side skirts and overfenders for a more premium appearance.

Rear-drive 2010 4Runners offer a choice of a 157-hp 2.7-liter four with a 4-speed automatic or a 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 coupled to a 5-speed automatic, while all 4x4 models get the V6/five-speed combo. With advanced engine management that includes Toyota's dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), this new V6 pumps out 34 more horses than the previous V6 and 10 more than the previously available V8. Yet (partly thanks to the new body's somewhat slipperier shape) its EPA fuel economy improves from 16 mpg city/21 highway to 17/23 for 4x2s and from 16/20 to 17/22 for 4x4 models. And both achieve 19-mpg EPA combined ratings, about a five percent better than last year. The standard VVT-i 4-cylinder in the SR5 4x2 is EPA rated at 18 mpg city/23 highway.

SR5 and Trail 4x4 models have a two-speed part-time system with a manual lever, while the Limited packs full-time four-wheel drive with a locking center differential. Toyota's A-TRAC system, standard on all 4x4 models, can distribute driving force to any one wheel in contact with the ground, and the Trail grade has an electronic-locking rear differential. An automatic LSD (Limited Slip Differential) provides better slick-road traction on 4x2 models.

The Trail grade also offers: 1) standard Crawl Control (CRAWL), which can be tuned to match the terrain by selecting one of five speed levels; 2) a Multi-Terrain Select system that allows the driver to dial in wheel slip control to match the terrain; and 3) optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which improves terrain-following ability by disconnecting the stabilizer bars for better suspension articulation and more axle travel in slow, difficult terrain. All 4x4 4Runners have Downhill Assist Control (DAC) for steep descents and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline.

For improved on-road handling, the Limited features an X-REAS suspension system that automatically adjusts shock-damping force in corners and on rough surfaces. It also uses a center control damper to cross-link shocks on opposite corners to significantly reduce pitch and yaw. As a result, the Limited corners and handles choppy pavement amazingly well. The 2010 4Runner's Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC), an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. In addition go active headrests for the driver and front passenger, its eight standard airbags includes front, side-mounted and knee bags and side curtain bags for the second and third rows.

The instrument cluster houses speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and temperature gauges and a multi-function meter. Major controls are large and industrial looking, suitable for a working truck that will be driven while wearing gloves. Off-road control switches are easily organized on an overhead console. Water-resistant fabric seats are standard on Trail models, while leather is standard on Limited and optional on SR5. The Limited also has Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start and automatic dual-zone climate control.

The front seats have a greater range of adjustment than before, and the sculpted front seatbacks increase second-row knee room. The second-row seats recline up to 16 degrees, and (available) third-row access is improved with a one-touch walk-in function. The 40/20/40 second-row and 50/50 third-row seats fold flat, the former without removing their headrests, the latter using convenient one-touch mechanisms on their sides, or at the rear. Another great convenience feature is an available slide-out cargo deck that doubles as sheltered outside seating (for up to 440 pounds) and comes with a 6.4-liter storage box behind the rear seat.

The base SR5 8-speaker AM/FM/CD audio gets upgraded on the Trail grade with MP3 capability, integrated XM Satellite Radio (with a 90-day trial subscription), a USB port with iPod connectivity steering wheel controls and Bluetooth hands-free phone and music streaming capability. An optional 15-speaker JBL premium system has a six-disk CD changer and a way cool Party Mode setting that raises the bass and transfers equalization to the rear for tailgating.

Although the full-frame, truck-based SUV market has dramatically shrunk due to fuel economy concerns, this versatile and relatively fuel efficient new 4Runner may be an excellent choice for those who still want or need one, especially for serious off-road usage.

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Performance Sports Cars | Toyota Venza SUV Performance Review

Whenever the name of SUV comes into the ears of the children, all of them wish to get that car. Essentially, SUV means sports use vehicle. These are automobiles with additional utilities that are capable of taking the vehicle to the sports standards. In Toyota Venza the sports utilities that are given are the enormous fuel tank, amalgamate rims and plenty more things that may be associated with the car to cause it to look more of a sports vehicle.

Why SUV?:

There is the biggest deal for all of the playboys out there. All the time you're looking to impress girls like you would have not done before. If you are going to purchase Toyota Venza, say the girls of the city,'I am coming ladies' that is the least that you can say from your mouth, rest will be spoken immediately by the vehicle.

Not only this but there are plenty of other things that are associated with the auto that can help you. If you are going to some type of holiday with your family, then imagine if your auto gets out of order or if the tire if punctured or if the auto has run out of fuel, what could have happened. You should consider all of these things before you go to buy some car - as it is good to look before you leap and there's no need to cry over split milk. This is the fact that you can buy a SUV vehicle whenever you're going to buy some, and the priority becomes high if you're a frequent visitor to some other city or other city.

Beside other SUV autos in the market, Toyota Venza SUV incorporates other extra standard features in the car that get built in the car that makes the automobile look more stunning and yes, all that glitters is not gold, but this glittering SUV has the properties of gold. This will only be judged after you would have acquired this auto. Unfortunately, you cannot just go now and buy this auto just after reading this article, because this car has not yet been launched by the company. So, just wait for another cutoff point the vehicle so that it can be launched to the end of this year.

Have you ever thought about the six CD changing player in the auto. Yes, this CD player, just like your own residence theater system in your home can work in your own Toyota Venza SUV. The car has some other features that makes it superior and well managed then the other SUVs in the market.

This is a fact that the car has that it's more a van shaped automobile instead of the formal sports car _ But, at the same time, this is also one of the fats this vehicle has automatic High Beam headlight system which mechanically dips to low beams when the oncoming traffic is active and then revisits the high beams when the road is empty. Does that not sound good? So in this fashion, the car is about an aeroplane.

If you find this article interesting, you should also check out thesupercars.org to read about some of the fastest & most expensive sports cars in the world, also visit old Toyota Camry.

Do you like super fast sports cars? You will find thesupercars.org very useful for information about exotic sport cars. Make sure to also visit buy Toyota Corolla.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benny_J_Garrett

Personal Luxury Cars | Toyota FT-86 to be called FR-S when it reaches production?

It's been awhile since we've heard anything on the tasty little Toyota FT-86 Concept, but it looks like we may finally have an idea of what the car will be called when it hits showrooms. If the rumors buzzing around the Toyobaru forums are to be believed, the Japanese manufacturer won't resurrect any of its fabled names from the company's past. Instead, it's possible that the sportscar may carry an FR-S badge. Toyota just filed a trademark application for the name, so there's a good chance that this particular internet whisper may have some meat to it.

We haven't completely decided where we stand on the FR-S name, partly because we had become so accustomed to calling the front-engine, rear-wheel drive heathen the FT-86. In the end, though, we don't really care what's on the car's badges so long as it makes it to production as an affordable, strong-performing coupe. Toyota could use something with a pulse in a big way, and a spiritual successor to the AE-86 Corolla would be just the ticket.

[Source: Toyobaru.net]

Toyota Set to Pay $16.4 Million Fine "To Avoid Litigation" on Sticky-Pedals

Today Toyota agreed to pay it's relatively meaninglessly 16.4 million dollar fine regarding its sticky-pedal recall.
Meaningless not only because that the capped fine is less than a drop in the bucket to Toyota (Automotive News reports it will be below 2% of net income for the financial year ending March 31), but also because they're side-stepping all real penalties in relation to the safety debacle they caused.
Without a cap, fines could have been up to $6,000 per vehicle, or $13.8 Billion total.
According to Toyota, "We agreed to this settlement in order to avoid a protracted dispute and possible litigation, as well as to allow us to move forward fully-focused on the steps to strengthen our quality assurance operations. This will allow us to focus on delivering safe, reliable, high quality vehicles for our customers and responding to consumer feedback with honesty and integrity."
Toyota goes on to say they regret the NHTSA's decision to seek the civil penalty, they in no way violated the Safety Act, and that they did not hide any safety defects.
Furthermore, new steps have been taken to make their improve quality assurance operations, including strengthening "information-gathering capabilities to respond more quickly to customer concerns and investigate potential quality issues more aggressively" (no word on how they did that) and appointing a Chief Quality Officer for North America.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood disagrees with Toyota a bit, saying, ""I am pleased that Toyota has accepted responsibility for violating its legal obligations to report any defects promptly...By failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law, Toyota put consumers at risk."
Toyota has 30 days to pay the fine, which is expected to be in the form of an electronic transfer.
After that little drop is paid off, Toyota has a couple more problems on its hands: 1) there may have been multiple defects, leading to more than just the one $16.4 million fine, and 2) the 180 lawsuits seeking class-action status and 57 individual suits "claiming injury or deaths" related to the recalls.

By Phil Alex

Lotus puts Toyota's Venza on a Strict Diet

Lotus just released a concept based on the Toyota Venza where the goal was to trim the fat, ultimately reducing CO2 emissions. Officially, the project was meant to showcase a "viable mass reduction strategy" on two representative models: a 2017 near-term version and a 2020 long-term version.
Comparing the Lotus Venza versus the off-the-lot Toyota Venza, overall mass was reduced by as much as 38% on the 2020 (minus power train) at only a 3% increase in component costs. The 2017 model's mass reduction was 21%. All this was done using processes and tech that should be available and affordable by 2020.
Power train included, the 2020's mass was still decreased by 33%, which the US Department of Energy says should be good for a 23% increase in fuel economy.
The process of lightening the two models seems fairly straightforward: take them apart, catalog the parts, evaluate how to reduce mass, and upon reassembly maintain all the standard features (vision, sight line, comfort, etc.).
Key components of the body-in-white have been reduced from 400+ to 211. While the original Toyota used 100% steel in its construction, Lotus's 2020 Venza uses aluminum (37%), magnesium (30%), composites (21%) and high strength steel (7%). No idea where the remaining 5% went, but it may just be regular steel.
The bumpers remain the same, albeit using an aluminum brace beam versus the a steel one (magnesium proved too expensive).
Any hinged parts (originally, again, 100% steel) and fenders were replaced with parts made up of magnesium (33%), plastic (21%), steel (18%), and aluminum (6%). The remaining 22% is made of "other materials".
Inside, the instrument panel was removed and both driver and passenger have "modules containing all key functional and safety hardware". Both the shifter and parking brake have migrated to the touch-screen interface, and lightweight foam front seats get a futuristic floating treatment by being mounted to the center tunnel and side sill (cutting the need for brackets).
Also, full-floor carpeting gets the ax in favor of removable carpet squares. Lotus says "this reduces mass and allows cost effective upgrading of the carpet quality."
Underneath, all chassis and suspension components have been upgraded to account for the updated mass, keeping this a good exercise in future product development.

By Phil Alex

Toyota Suplica Caught in Transition in Texas

Marton from San Antonio, Texas sent us these pics he took at a local auto parts shop thanks to his handy-dandy iPhone. What he and a friend initially thought was some poor Supra turned out to be, in his words, a Suplica; "but good god its ghetto." That one gets a digital high-five.
Marton, if it's ever seen again in a better state of kit, get some more shots and we'll see if the Suplica's gotten any prettier. More photos after the jump.

By Phil Alex

Thanks for the pics Marton!

European Toyota Corolla Sedan Receives Subtle Facelift

The European-market version of the Corolla that's offered exclusively in sedan form has just received a mid-life facelift for 2010 with freshened exterior and interior styling.
On the outside, the updated "Corolla 2010" gets a new front fascia with a redesigned bumper, upper and lower grille, as well as restyled headlamps. To the rear, changes include the new license plate garnish, tail lamps and bumper.
The new, power retractable door mirrors with integral turn indicators and fresh designs for the hub-caps and alloy wheels complete the exterior makeover.
Toyota claims that the goal for the interior redesign was to "enhance perceived quality".
A side from the new, flat bottomed steering wheel with a thicker rim, the "Corolla 2010" also gets a different combination meter while the instrument panel and door handle trim are now finished in silver coating. The same finish is also found on the centre console and door switch surrounds.
Other upgrades include the addition of a remote control trunk opening function on the ignition key, the new seat fabrics and the a newly available, Alcantara upholstery.
The Corolla 2010 engine line-up includes 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i and 1.6-liter Valvematic petrol engines, and 1.4-liter and 2.0-liter D-4D diesel units.