Toyota C-HR preview at 1 Utama Shopping Centre

The ongoing Toyota C-HR preview finally made its way to 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya starting from 6 September until 10 September. The C-segment compact SUV that will take on the likes of Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 will make its official unveiling to the Malaysian market in February 2018, as informed by one of the exhibitor on site. 

Let's start with a disclaimer. The car you see here is not a full representative of the spec Malaysian market will receive. This is instead an Australian model. A quick chat with an exhibitor on why the Australian model was chosen for preview in lieu of the Malaysian model revealed that there's no difference in exterior design language between Malaysian and Australian model. In other words, what you see from the outside is what you get. The difference, according to the exhibitor I had a word with, lies on the interior fit and finish.

Technically, question marks are still floating around on what the actual spec Malaysian customers will get. The preview model seen here is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features which include Pre-Collision Safety, Active Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Automatic High Beam. Whether these features will see the daylight in Malaysian model is anyone's guess.

On to the interior side of things, we can see dual automatic climate control, fabric seat and multi-function steering wheel, but as always, it's anyone's guess if these features will appear when the compact 'Coupe-High Riding' SUV makes its premiere in the Malaysian market. According to the exhibitor I struck up the conversation with, the interior fit and finish might be subjected to change, so take the information with a pinch of salt.

While the Malaysian C-HR remains shroud in mystery, the only bit that has been confirmed to make it to 'Boleh' land is the oily stuff. The preview model carries an 8NR-FTS 1.2 litre turbocharged four cylinder mill paired to a CVT transmission. The Malaysian model will instead be motivated by a 1.8 litre naturally aspirated Dual VVT-i petrol (JPJ wants to make more money??) also mated to the CVT transmission with sequential shifter.

Details are still largely scarce though, including retail price and whether or not a hybrid model (either in CBU or CKD form) will be introduced to the Malaysian market in the near future. 

What do you think of Toyota's HR-V and CX-3 fighter? Will it win the hearts of Malaysian consumers enough to steer them away from Honda and Mazda's compact high-riding people carrier? More importantly, how much do you think the asking price should be? Do leave your comment below.

  

Second-generation Toyota GT86 is on its way!

Source: http://pinthiscars.com/image-post/1281-toyota-gt86-2017-9.jpg.html#gal_post_1281_toyota-gt86-2016-5.jpg

Long live the hachiroku! If you're a fan of the GT86, then Toyota has a good piece of news: the second-generation GT86 is on its way! You may have to wait until 2018 or 2019 though.

What sort of engine will it get and will Subaru continue to be Toyota's partner in crime? Autocar spoke with Karl Schlicht, the boss of Toyota European division. Schlicht hasn't confirmed if Subaru will continue to co-develop the second-generation GT86, but is highly likely the partnership is still on the card to take advantage of the low-mounted boxer engine.

"I don't know. But for the concept to carry on, with the low engine, we'd have to do that. There are a lot of reasons to continue with Subaru." said Schlicht.

If you recall, the GT86 was given a mid-life makeover early this year, with revised suspension and for manual model, a slightly higher power (from 200 to 205) and torque (from 205 to 214) plus shorter gear ratio. 

To me personally, there's more to be desired. Though I've never driven the GT86, 200 hp is just too low personally. Toyota, we want more powahhh! Ferrari 458 engine swap anyone?

This Toyota Land Speed Cruiser will have Bugatti Veyron for lunch

Source: http://www.equipmentworld.com/toyota-unveils-land-speed-cruiser/

You're driving your Bugatti Veyron down a highway, minding your own business. Everything seems to be heavenly, with its colossal 8.0 litre quad turbo W16 1000+ horsepower singing its beautiful musical note. Your eyes slowly shifted to your rear view mirror, only to have it filled by a big, towering SUV.

Say hello to the soup-up Toyota Land Speed Cruiser. Recently unveiled at the ongoing SEMA auto show, this has to be the attention grabber. 

The highlight of this SUV is the engine. Lurking under the bonnet is Toyota's 3UR-FE 5.7 litre V8 petrol serving up to 2000 horsepower thanks to the 'volleyball-sized' Garrett turbocharger hanging off each cylinder banks. You heard that right. 2000 horses! That's way higher than what the Veyron offers (the Grand Sport Vitesse, Veyron's most powerful iteration to date, only goes as high as 1200 horsepower). All this comes from smaller package (Toyota's 5.7 litre twin turbo V8 vs Bugatti's 8.0 litre quad turbo W16). 

To achieve this feat from a smaller displacement V8 feed by 2 turbochargers is a brilliant achievement by Toyota.   

Toyota and Mazda strike up connected cars and electric vehicle (EV) deal

Source: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/business/technology/

Seems like Toyota and Mazda are getting greener. After inking a deal last year to share each other's efficiency-enhancing technologies (Toyota provides Mazda with their fuel-cell and hybrid tech; in return Mazda provides Toyota with their efficient, compression-optimised SkyActiv petrol and diesel), the Japanese duo has struck up a deal that will see them focusing in developing connected cars and electric vehicle (EV) technologies, according to Automotive News.

The details of the deal, however, still remains under wrap, as Akira Marumoto, Mazda's executive vice president, declined to share the details.

Source: http://www.autonews.com/article/20161102/OEM01/161109974/mazda-says-toyota-tie-up-could-yield-electric-connected-cars