Tag: Toyota

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GAC AION V REVIEW

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In a recent review we introduced another in the growing list of new Chinese brands to arrive in Australia. This time it was from the Guangzhou Automobile Group aka GAC. Although it has been around for more than 70 years and is currently the fifth largest Chinese carmaker, GAC is largely unknown here it does have well-established joint ventures with both Honda and Toyota vehicles where it builds vehicles for the Chinese domestic market. That previous review was of the GAC Emzoom, a compact SUV and the only conventionally-powered model… Read more

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MORE STING FOR YARIS FLYER

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Like sports nutritionists, Toyota engineers continue to feed the company’s motorsport stars with performance enhancing – legal, of course – characteristics. Latest to follow the trend is the GR Yaris hot hatch. Upgrades, developed last year from motorsport competition, have found their way into the latest road-going models in the form of steering features, including race-bred Bridgestone Potenza tyres for the flagship GTS. Enhancing the steering is an expanded operating range for the electric power assistance, while the steering wheel itself has been trimmed from 365mm to 360mm with a… Read more

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TOYOTA RAV4 . . . ALL NEW? WELL, NOT REALLY

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The all-new Toyota RAV4 made its debut Downunder in April. As one of its best-selling models, the RAV has an important role to play in the continued success of the world’s number one automotive manufacturer. But as the RAV sits on the same platform as its predecessor, is the same size and is powered by the same basic hybrid setup — it’s not all new really. Certainly, it represents a generational change for the popular five-seat SUV, but we are yet to meet a new model that isn’t larger and… Read more

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SLEEK, CHIC CATWALK CAMRY

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The mid-size Toyota sedan could be relied upon to serve the average family well with uninspiring looks, perky yet economical, performance. Even so, it became Australia’s favourite mid-size sedan. Five generations later the new hybrid-only Camry has cast off its comfy cardigan character, morphing into a sleek chic catwalk star, but still with the bones of a versatile form of ‘mass’ transport. The new Camry range starts at $39,990, plus on-road costs, for the entry-level Ascent, packed with standard equipment and features including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, daytime running… Read more

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TOYOTA C-HR GR SPORT – IT’SALL ABOUT STYLE

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Great to finally catch up with the Toyota C-HR GR Sport. We missed out on driving this car the first time around when it just got the suspension job. But it was worth the wait because the GR Sport now gets some extra power, with a larger 2.0-litre based hybrid system. And it shows, remaining responsive to the throttle even with two adults and a couple of kids on board — although we weren’t surprised when they complained about a lack of legroom in the back. More on that in… Read more

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TOYOTA YARIS CROSS IS CUTE, COMPACT AND CAPABLE

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As the name suggests, the Toyota Yaris Cross is a crossover version of the popular Yaris small hatchback bulked up to provide access to the booming compact SUV market segment Launched here in late-2020 Yaris Cross is available in four grades: GX, GXL, Urban and GR Sport. The first three models each come with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive. GR Sport is 2WD only. Originally available with the choice of petrol or hybrid powertrains, effective from the 2024 upgrade, all Yaris Cross variants are now exclusively hybrid. Prices… Read more

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COROLLA AT ‘CROSS’ ROADS

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With the automotive industry increasingly switching on to electric power, getting into a new Corolla was like putting on a comfy cardigan. Not that the Toyota favourite that has been around since 1966 was at all moth-eaten and had seen better days. Far from it, the latest iteration, the Corolla Cross SUV, unlike back in the day, does not run on fossil fuel (petrol) alone. With the latest Toyota hybrid system on hand, there are a few electrons whizzing down the wire here too. The ‘Cross’ is Toyota’s way of… Read more

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TOYOTA YARIS HYBRID … CHEAP LOW EMISSIONS TRAVEL

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Toyota’s small but practical Yaris is often overlooked in the rush to buy larger more powerful models. But for environmentally conscious buyers the hybrid-powered pocket rocket offers a very real alternative to fully electric vehicles. The three cylinder hybrid powertrain offers super low fuel consumption and with it incredibly low engine emissions. In many ways, you could say it is the perfect city car. STYLING Yaris has come a long way since the debacle over its name when introduced as the Toyota Echo back in 1999. It is now one… Read more

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COROLLA – PREMIUM PEDIGREE FROM START TO FINISH

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The GR Corolla is not something cobbled together from old race car remnants. Its roots may lie in the Celica GT-Four World Rally car from the end of last century, as far as pedigree is concerned, it is among today’s genuine hot hatches. Back in the day, with Carlos Sainz Sr behind the wheel, the Celica was crowned world champion in 1990 and 1992. Five years later the Celica turbo ST205 was shunted in favour of the Corolla, with Sainz taking up with Toyota Team Europe to win the Monte… Read more

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TOYOTA bZ4X THROWS LIGHT ON BRIGHT FUTURE

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The 100 per cent pure electric car uses a battery only for power, forgoing other forms of traction such as petrol/electric, or plug-in electric systems and, according to Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice-president sales, marketing and franchise operations, represents an important step in the company’s new-found eclectic approach to electrification that includes a range of technology. The new BEV is the first vehicle to use the company’s e-TNGA platform designed for a new range of electric vehicles and integrates the battery and motor generator into the vehicle’s structure providing extra… Read more