|
What's Next for Toyota
|
| Production and concept vehicles for the future |
|
| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:08:02 |
| Rating |
 26 ( -6 -23.07% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
|
|
Description:
What's Next for Toyota
Production and Concept Vehicles for the Future
Related Links
Toyota Model Reviews:
Click here for professional and consumer reviews.
Toyota Model Pricing:
Click here pricing on the Toyota model line-up
2002-03 Model Line-up:
What's new and different for 2002 and '03
What's Next:
It doesn't stop at the Matrix. Click here to learn about the next new Toyotas.
On the whole, the future looks very bright for Toyota with sales of its 17 vehicles strong and a new brand-within-the-brand, called Scion, on next year's horizon.
Comments or suggestions about this section? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com
Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com.
xxx
Future Production Vehicles
Tundra Stepside
Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the Tundra Stepside is a show truck version of a new vehicle that will arrive at dealers in fall 2002 as a 2003 model. The show version is based on the Tundra Limited Access Cab and features a stepside bed, which has the same interior width and length as the regular Tundra bed, but is nearly two inches deeper than its current production counterpart. Unique tail lamps pull back over the rear wheel arches for a sleek look, while the front fascia has also been redesigned.
The Tundra Stepside is powered by a 4.7-liter I-force V-8 engine that produces 240 horsepower and 315 lbs.-ft. of torque. A sport suspension package, including unique shock absorbers, sport-tuned suspension and a rear stabilizer bar, drops the overall height four inches from the stock Tundra. The bright blue paint, with its color-keyed overfenders, is accented by 20-inch three-piece chromed alloy wheels.
Concept Vehicles
Pod
The diminutive "Pod," introduced at the Chicago Auto Show has been designed to show the potential for communication between vehicles and its drivers. A joint project between Toyota and Sony Corp., Pod, which stands for Personalization on Demand, learns the driver's tastes, personality and driving skill level and provides feedback to the driver through a variety of "expressions." A display inside the vehicle as well as LEDs in its eyes (headlamps), mouth (grille) and ears (side mirrors) illuminate in different ways to show up to ten emotions. A tail-like antenna on the trunk can also "wag" to express emotion. For example, Pod wags its tail and shows bright orange illumination when the driver approaches and a surprised or fearful look if the driver is operating Pod recklessly.
A joystick-type controller combines steering, acceleration and braking into one device using drive-by-wire technology. All seating positions have their own display monitors, which can be used to play games individually or with other occupants, among other things. Other integrated technologies include the ability to select a scenic or direct driving route, send a message to the destination if it is running late and even provide the location of the nearest gas station and its prices if it is low on fuel.
------
About Tara Baukus Mello
For more about Tara, check out SheDrives.com. With over 2500 articles published during the last 12 years, Tara's work regularly appears in over 30 newspapers, magazines and Internet magazines. She is the author of multiple monthly columns and has published nine non-fiction chapter books for children, six of which are part of the Race Car Legends series by Chelsea House Publishing. Automotive accomplishments include retracing the journey of Alice Huyler Ramsey, the first woman to drive across the United States. Tara is a member of both the Motor Press Guild and the International Motor Press Association as well as the Los Angeles Car of the Year jury.
Tara has had an interest in cars since she was a teen. Her passion for automobiles flourished when she and her father built a 1932 Ford pickup street rod, which received national recognition by the National Street Rod Association in 1992. Originally from Massachusetts, Tara graduated cum laude from Harvard University before moving to the West Coast. She currently parks her '32 Ford in the garage of her Southern California home, which she shares with her husband Jeff.
© 2002, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved. |
| Similar news: | - Toyota plans to boost auto output by 11% - TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's biggest automaker, said Tuesday it will produce 11 percent more cars, trucks and vans this year, helping it close the gap with Ford Motor Co. as the world's second-largest automaker.
- Toyota plant boosts India's booming auto parts industry - Toyota Motor Corp, the world's second-biggest car seller, formally opened a fourth gearbox plant in India on Tuesday -- bringing India's near $7 billion auto parts industry closer to global markets.
- Toyota tops quality study, GM shows gains - Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus brandremained the top nameplate in an annual quality study releasedby J.D. Power on Wednesday, and 10 vehicles from the Japaneseautomaker won the highest scores in 18 segments of the market.
| | Find all news similar on What's Next for Toyota |
|
