Toyo tyres have been selected for two models Toyota is releasing in North America under the Scion vehicle brand name. The Mazda 2-based 2016 Scion iA will be fitted with a 16-inch version of the Toyo Proxes A27 tyre, while the Toyota Auris-based Scion iM will ride on 17-inch Toyo Proxes 4 Plus B all-season tyres.
Bridgestone has been awarded for its contribution as an original equipment supplier to Toyota in the Asia Pacific region. The 2014 Regional Supplier Overall Outstanding Performance Award was presented to Shinichi Hanashi, chief executive officer of Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., at the Toyota Motors Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing Annual Supplier Conference, which took place in Thailand on 24 March.
V-Maxx has launched a new spring kit for the closely related Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GT86. The new high performance springs lowering the cars by either 30mm or 40mm, bringing the centre of gravity closer to the tarmac.
The hybrid batteries used in Toyota and Lexus models can last longer the vehicles themselves, so often they are only recovered when the cars reach the end of their useful life, or if they have been involved in an accident. Toyota already has a battery collection rate of more than 90 per cent, but is now widening its strategy and targeting a 100 per cent result.
Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 with a car developed and built entirely at its technical centre in Cologne. Over the next two years TMG will continue its test programme with the Yaris WRC in preparation for a return to the series in which it won four drivers’ and three manufacturers’ world championships in the 1990s.
The pace of Toyota’s worldwide hybrid vehicle sales continues to accelerate with a further million units added in just nine months, taking the cumulative total through the seven-million mark.
Toyota’s hybrid range continues to grow, with 28 different passenger car models (including the Prius Plug-in hybrid) currently sold in more than 90 countries and regions. The new model strategy for 2014-2015 features 15 new hybrids, including in the UK the new Lexus NX 300h crossover and RC 300h coupe. In the future more new models and markets will be added.
Toyota may well have broken two records at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, and is keen to share details of one of them. A modified, Goodyear-shod Prius has recorded the most fuel-efficient lap of the Nordschliefe. It was perhaps also the slowest lap officially recorded by a vehicle manufacturer.
The US Justice Department indicted one Bridgestone Corporation executive and two former officials for conspiring to fix the prices of certain automotive parts, reports Tire Review. Bridgestone itself agreed in February to plead guilty to price-fixing, paying a $425 million criminal fine. The case involves anti-vibration parts used in automotive suspension systems and engine mounts.
Alutec has launched a new SUV wheel design with load-bearing in mind. According to the company the Alutec W 10 aluminium alloy features a particularly high wheel load of up to 1,025 kilograms. In addition the wheels is designed to be “technically sophisticated”, featuring a 5-V right up to the 20-inch size. The appearance has reported been sculpted with the large body surfaces of SUVs such as Range Rover Evoque in mind.
Wheelmaker Uniwheel has released a new Rial-brand alloy wheel aimed leisure vehicles, vans and small trucks. Available in five and six spoke designs, the Transporter (as it is known) is available in a “polar-silver” finish in a variety of 15 – 17 inch sizes.
Pirelli will be an official “motorcycle tyre” sponsor of US championship the Monster Energy AMA Supercross for the 2014 to 2016 seasons and sole tyre supplier for the Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX and BTO Sports-KTM teams. By signing a multi-year agreement with championship promoter Feld Motor Sports to be an official sponsor and through its support of riders Josh Grant, Justin Brayton, Andrew Short and Matt Goerke, the Italian tyre maker hopes to enhance its brand profile in the North American market.
Toyota GB has launched official Toyota and Lexus parts and accessories eBay stores. According to the company, the e-commerce initiative gives UK customers a new way to source the parts they need, with confidence that they are purchasing the genuine article, direct from Toyota’s central distribution centre in Lutterworth. It is also designed to reach a wider customer base, particularly among owners of older vehicles. Toyota GB is the first of Toyota’s European national marketing and sales companies to launch a full-scale e-commerce programme. It plans to further develop the online stores by introducing “click and collect” and “click and fit” services during 2014.
Autoparts has added 50 new references to its extensive range of Padtech brake pads, bringing the number in the range to close to 1500 references for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
Northampton power train supplier Cosworth has announced the completion of the first part of its multi-stage power package for Subaru’s FA20 powertrain. The Stage 1 upgrade brings together a fully tuned stainless steel exhaust system, a bespoke four into two into one exhaust manifold, a high-flow sports CAT, a high performance panel air filter and a specially mapped ECU program to ensure all these components work together in perfect harmony while conservatively improving power by approximately 24hp over the original equipment. The FA20 features in the Scion FR-S (Toyota GT86) and the Subaru BRZ. Cosworth is currently exhibiting the Stage 1 Power Package at Booth #23324 at Las Vegas’ SEMA Show.
