Toyota's Future LineUp
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,428
Likes: 10
From: NC
Toyota's Future LineUp
Toyota's Future LineUp Supraless; Focus on Fuel Economy
With most American abandoning traditional trucks and SUVs in the wake of $4 gas, automakers are now scrambling to produce more fuel efficient vehicles. Even Toyota’s green image wasn’t enough to insulate it from the market turndown, which has forced the Japanese automaker to rethink its future lineup.
As one might expect, truck-based vehicles are out and more hybrids and economical powertrains are in. The all-new 2010 Prius will lead the way, with a spring 2009 launch date. Despite the switch from the Yaris’ 1.5L engine to the Corolla’s larger 1.8L unit, an improved nickel-metal hydride battery should improve the hybrid’s efficiency. Toyota will hold off on a plug-in version of the Prius until its lithium-ion batteries come on line.
Toyota is developing a second hybrid-only model, but Automotive News reports that Toyota may have over emphasized the new vehicle as it will be for the Japanese market only.
Both the Corolla and Matrix are scheduled for a redesign in 2013 – keeping to Toyota’s planned five-year cycle.
An updated Camry is expected to bow in 2010, with an all-new model hitting the market in 2012. Because of slowing sales, Toyota will likely push the Camry’s bigger brother – the Avalon – to a six-year cycle, with an update hitting in 2011 as a 2012 model. Despite internal debates over renaming the Avalon as a long-wheelbase Camry, Toyota brass have decided to keep the Avalon nameplate.
As previously reported, the Solara convertible will remain in production for the next two years, although the coupe will be discontinued after 2008.
Toyota did have a successor to the legendary Supra in the works, but that project has reportedly been cancelled due to rising fuel economy requirements. However, Toyota’s smaller rear-wheel drive coupe – which is being co-developed with Subaru – is moving forward, but its launch date won’t likely be until at least 2011.
On the crossover/SUV/minivan front, fuel economy will be the name of the game. The truck-based FJ Cruiser is out, although the 2010 4Runner project is too far along to stop now. The all-new 4Runner will debut at either the next year’s Chicago or New York Auto Show, with limited sales to follow soon thereafter. The Tacoma will retain its body-on-frame construction – because many owners actually use it as a truck – but its lifecycle has been pushed to eight years, meaning a refresh isn’t expected until 2013.
The sagging full-size truck market has slowed the development of heavy duty and other variants of the Tundra, although the truck is slated for a more efficient 4.6L V8, which will replace the current 4.7L mill. Despite being smaller, the new engine will up the Tundra’s horsepower rating – from 276 to about 306 – and will return 2 mpg better fuel economy. The 4.6L powerplant will also find its way under the hood of the Sequoia SUV.
Toyota’s all-new Venza crossover and Sienna minivan are slated to receive hybrid powertrains in 2012.
With most American abandoning traditional trucks and SUVs in the wake of $4 gas, automakers are now scrambling to produce more fuel efficient vehicles. Even Toyota’s green image wasn’t enough to insulate it from the market turndown, which has forced the Japanese automaker to rethink its future lineup.
As one might expect, truck-based vehicles are out and more hybrids and economical powertrains are in. The all-new 2010 Prius will lead the way, with a spring 2009 launch date. Despite the switch from the Yaris’ 1.5L engine to the Corolla’s larger 1.8L unit, an improved nickel-metal hydride battery should improve the hybrid’s efficiency. Toyota will hold off on a plug-in version of the Prius until its lithium-ion batteries come on line.
Toyota is developing a second hybrid-only model, but Automotive News reports that Toyota may have over emphasized the new vehicle as it will be for the Japanese market only.
Both the Corolla and Matrix are scheduled for a redesign in 2013 – keeping to Toyota’s planned five-year cycle.
An updated Camry is expected to bow in 2010, with an all-new model hitting the market in 2012. Because of slowing sales, Toyota will likely push the Camry’s bigger brother – the Avalon – to a six-year cycle, with an update hitting in 2011 as a 2012 model. Despite internal debates over renaming the Avalon as a long-wheelbase Camry, Toyota brass have decided to keep the Avalon nameplate.
As previously reported, the Solara convertible will remain in production for the next two years, although the coupe will be discontinued after 2008.
Toyota did have a successor to the legendary Supra in the works, but that project has reportedly been cancelled due to rising fuel economy requirements. However, Toyota’s smaller rear-wheel drive coupe – which is being co-developed with Subaru – is moving forward, but its launch date won’t likely be until at least 2011.
On the crossover/SUV/minivan front, fuel economy will be the name of the game. The truck-based FJ Cruiser is out, although the 2010 4Runner project is too far along to stop now. The all-new 4Runner will debut at either the next year’s Chicago or New York Auto Show, with limited sales to follow soon thereafter. The Tacoma will retain its body-on-frame construction – because many owners actually use it as a truck – but its lifecycle has been pushed to eight years, meaning a refresh isn’t expected until 2013.
The sagging full-size truck market has slowed the development of heavy duty and other variants of the Tundra, although the truck is slated for a more efficient 4.6L V8, which will replace the current 4.7L mill. Despite being smaller, the new engine will up the Tundra’s horsepower rating – from 276 to about 306 – and will return 2 mpg better fuel economy. The 4.6L powerplant will also find its way under the hood of the Sequoia SUV.
Toyota’s all-new Venza crossover and Sienna minivan are slated to receive hybrid powertrains in 2012.
Last edited by GS69; Aug 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,428
Likes: 10
From: NC
2020
Toyota Confirms Full Hybrid Lineup by 2020
Earlier this year, Toyota claimed it would have a hybrid in every facet of its lineup by the decade beginning in 2020, and today a company executive confirmed that plan. Emphasizing the importance of the automobile’s environmental impact and the role hybrids can play in reducing the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere, Toyota also is working on alternative power sources and other advanced technologies to provide a comprehensive strategy for cleaner motoring.
Toyota was one of the first carmakers to announce plans to eventually launch hybrid versions of its entire lineup when in May last year powertrain chief Masatami Takimoto said hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for “100 percent” of Toyota’s cars. Those earlier comments were later backed up by company president Katsuaki Watanabe, who said Toyota will offer petrol-hybrid cars throughout its lineup in the long term. Today’s re-affirmation of the message, delivered by Justin Ward, advanced powertrain program manager at Toyota’s Technical Center, included a quantification of the impact the brand’s hybrids have had to date.
The roughly 1 million hybrids sold by Toyota to date have resulted in a reduction of 7 million pounds of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted by less efficient standard-powertrain vehicles purchased in their place, according to Ward. But the company isn’t limiting its future to hybrid technology.
Fuel cells will also play a role in helping reduce Toyota’s impact on the environment, though it is the first to admit its technologies are not nearly robust enough for consumer use at this point. Logistics issues in sourcing and distributing the hydrogen to power the fuel cells is also a major issue hindering the realization of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
A more immediate solution could be the plug-in hybrid. Already competitors like General Motors are moving rapidly ahead with plug-in solutions, such as the Volt, and Toyota is itself committed to the technology, but it still has questions about the fuel sources when running in hybrid mode. For instance, though an electric only range of 40mi (64km) per day may be all most Americans need for their commutes, according to Toyota, that only reduces emissions by about 35%, because there are many people who drive long distances at least occasionally, and once outside the electric-only range of most plug-in hybrids, the emissions begin to closely resemble normal hybrids or even conventional cars.
Summing up the company’s concern for its future powertrain lineup, and the future of the industry, Ward noted that the key to the whole equation is realizing where the energy being used to transport the cars is coming from, and what the big picture of emissions really looks like, even if the local emissions at the tailpipe seem very ‘green’.
Toyota is not alone in its promise to deliver a full hybrid range. Mercedes-Benz has said that its entire lineup in the future will include a hybrid option and more recently Chrysler has said the same. GM, meanwhile, has confirmed that it would introduce 16 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years.
Earlier this year, Toyota claimed it would have a hybrid in every facet of its lineup by the decade beginning in 2020, and today a company executive confirmed that plan. Emphasizing the importance of the automobile’s environmental impact and the role hybrids can play in reducing the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere, Toyota also is working on alternative power sources and other advanced technologies to provide a comprehensive strategy for cleaner motoring.
Toyota was one of the first carmakers to announce plans to eventually launch hybrid versions of its entire lineup when in May last year powertrain chief Masatami Takimoto said hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for “100 percent” of Toyota’s cars. Those earlier comments were later backed up by company president Katsuaki Watanabe, who said Toyota will offer petrol-hybrid cars throughout its lineup in the long term. Today’s re-affirmation of the message, delivered by Justin Ward, advanced powertrain program manager at Toyota’s Technical Center, included a quantification of the impact the brand’s hybrids have had to date.
The roughly 1 million hybrids sold by Toyota to date have resulted in a reduction of 7 million pounds of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted by less efficient standard-powertrain vehicles purchased in their place, according to Ward. But the company isn’t limiting its future to hybrid technology.
Fuel cells will also play a role in helping reduce Toyota’s impact on the environment, though it is the first to admit its technologies are not nearly robust enough for consumer use at this point. Logistics issues in sourcing and distributing the hydrogen to power the fuel cells is also a major issue hindering the realization of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
A more immediate solution could be the plug-in hybrid. Already competitors like General Motors are moving rapidly ahead with plug-in solutions, such as the Volt, and Toyota is itself committed to the technology, but it still has questions about the fuel sources when running in hybrid mode. For instance, though an electric only range of 40mi (64km) per day may be all most Americans need for their commutes, according to Toyota, that only reduces emissions by about 35%, because there are many people who drive long distances at least occasionally, and once outside the electric-only range of most plug-in hybrids, the emissions begin to closely resemble normal hybrids or even conventional cars.
Summing up the company’s concern for its future powertrain lineup, and the future of the industry, Ward noted that the key to the whole equation is realizing where the energy being used to transport the cars is coming from, and what the big picture of emissions really looks like, even if the local emissions at the tailpipe seem very ‘green’.
Toyota is not alone in its promise to deliver a full hybrid range. Mercedes-Benz has said that its entire lineup in the future will include a hybrid option and more recently Chrysler has said the same. GM, meanwhile, has confirmed that it would introduce 16 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles/Vancouver
it was heading towards production line but now it is canceled...
too bad
thats the only toyota that i really wanted to buy 2~3 years from now
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
so I wouldnt really trust much anything being said there, especially about models not released within a year...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 0
From: NY
Exactly, thats my point. The only thing that Toyota has ever said is that no Supra is planned. Over and over again.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 0
From: California
Okay the whole Toyota motor company actually needs two sports car only, one expensive super high performance branded as a Lexus and one lightweight good looking RWD four-seater wearing a Toyota badge with a starting price in the mid 20k. That's it, that's all I am asking for.
Trending Topics
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,471
Likes: 0
From: SF
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Okay the whole Toyota motor company actually needs two sports car only, one expensive super high performance branded as a Lexus and one lightweight good looking RWD four-seater wearing a Toyota badge with a starting price in the mid 20k. That's it, that's all I am asking for.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
Likes: 275
Toyota doesn't "need" a sports car. Remember, we're technically a niche market, as enthusiasts go, we're not the money making target. Right now the trend is fuel saving, and Toyota is now the house standard brand when it comes to hybrids. Not only are hybrids the current future and market, they also give Toyota a good reputation of being environmentally friendly, and image sells. If you want a sports car, go look at Nissan's godzilla.
I think that after the new wave of models comes out in 2009, you will see some sports cars coming out in 2010/2011/2012 from Toyota.
you are partially correct - toyota did not have enough resources to do sports car, and sports cars were given lowest priority among project. That does not mean they are not interested in doing them. For them it was matter of allocating resources to either >300,000 cars per year projects or niche cars.
I think that after the new wave of models comes out in 2009, you will see some sports cars coming out in 2010/2011/2012 from Toyota.
I think that after the new wave of models comes out in 2009, you will see some sports cars coming out in 2010/2011/2012 from Toyota.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Toyota doesn't "need" a sports car. Remember, we're technically a niche market, as enthusiasts go, we're not the money making target. Right now the trend is fuel saving, and Toyota is now the house standard brand when it comes to hybrids. Not only are hybrids the current future and market, they also give Toyota a good reputation of being environmentally friendly, and image sells. If you want a sports car, go look at Nissan's godzilla.
Sure, most of us would love to see a Toyota sports car but Zephyr nailed it; Toyota happens to be in the business of making money.
This just means that it will be a while before I buy a new-off-the-production-line car because I want a sports car.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Toyota= BOOOOORINGG!!!! Hell dump the F1 team is you are NOT going to put that tech or marketing in any of the cars.
Scary what this means for Lexus...
Why not just turn Scion into a sporty car brand then, if TOyota is going to continue to make profits by selling toaster ovens to people.
Scary what this means for Lexus...
Why not just turn Scion into a sporty car brand then, if TOyota is going to continue to make profits by selling toaster ovens to people.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gojirra99
Car Chat
14
Aug 23, 2007 06:06 AM
bitkahuna
Lexus Prototypes and Next-Gen Technology
21
Jun 27, 2006 10:21 AM
Gojirra99
Car Chat
9
Jun 24, 2006 07:43 PM
Gojirra99
Lexus Prototypes and Next-Gen Technology
8
Apr 26, 2006 01:19 PM