Goodbye to an Off-Road Icon with Ultimate Edition

At a press conference, held at the 2013 SEMA Show, Toyota unveiled the 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition.

This is a memorial special final edition of the FJ Cruiser, the toughest and most efficient FJ ever. Also, it is a tribute to the iconic vehicle that will end its production run with the conclusion of the 2014 model. The production will be limited, only 2.500 will be built.  

This is an homage to the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960’s, from which the FJ Cruiser draws its jagged DNA, inspiration and design.

This vehicle was built for rugged off-roading. Once again the Ultimate Edition raises the bar for off-road capability with the new performance upgrades.

Including TRD Bilstein race, 66 mm shock absorbers with new TRD race coil springs elevate the front of the FJ just enough to level out the position and improve the approach angle. The 55 mm rear shock absorbers are equipped with remote reservoirs to reduce damping fade.

The Toyota Racing Development goodies don’t stop here. TRD developed a new front skid plate, made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum plate, which is standard for the Ultimate Edition. This not only looks great but also upgrades the approach angle and gives an increased level of underbody protection. TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and a roof complete the exterior.

The Ultimate Edition FJ Cruiser is only available in 4x4 and comes standard with Active Traction Control (A- TRAC), Crawl Control (CRAWL available with automatic transmission only), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with an ‘off’ switch and electronically controlled locking of rear differential as well as the Toyota Star Safety System, which is standard.

The final 2014 FJ Cruiser model is on sale now, and scheduled to roll into dealerships in February 2014.

More than 200,000 unites were sold since 2006. The FJ says farewell, leaving long-lasting memories as one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history.

You Know What You Can Tow, If You Are Tundra Owner

Auto Writers from Texas Noticed Toyota’s Towing Leadership in Approval SAE Standard

Being familiar with pickup trucks isn’t a big deal for Texans. But there is a question:  Do they know precisely how much they can tow safely?

The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) noticed Toyota with its Acclaimed Service Award for Toyota’s sole implementation of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2807 tow standard on its trucks and SUVs, along with the new 2014 Toyota Tundra. Apart from this, the Tundra is the industry’s only full-size truck to adopt the standard. Toyota has been flexible with J2807 since 2011.

Toyota Tundra Lease Special

Developed by the SAE, in agreement with the major automotive manufacturers, J2817 developed a single, repeatable test curriculum to resolve real world tow ratings for its body - on - frame vehicles.

“Toyota owners look to us to develop vehicles that meet the highest safety standards, and our voluntary adoption of J2807 helps us deliver on that promise,” said Mike Sweers, chief engineer of the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma. “Tundra owners can tow confidently knowing that the published tow rating has been verified by the industry’s foremost engineering authority.  With Tundra, what you see is what you get.”

For its whole towing equipped lineup, including every Toyota pick-up truck, SUV, minivan, Toyota has certifications. This SAE’s J2807 certification means that customers will know that rated Toyota vehicles have survived the rigid test methods.

“We appreciate the acknowledgement from TAWA, whose membership includes some of the industry’s most truck-savvy automotive journalists,” Sweers said. “This recognition underscores the importance of this standard in helping keep truck owners safe.”

The Toyota Tundra is assembled exclusively in San Antonio. More than 2,900 are employed in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX).

The annual Texas Truck Rodeo brings more than 40 automotive journalists to drive and evaluate pickups, SUVs and other vehicles.

Toyota’s Big Win on Unintended Acceleration Trial

Toyota won a case in  Superior Court in Los Angeles. The jury in the Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding ( JCCP) rejected claims that a  2006 Camry involved in fatal accident in 2009 was defective because it lacked a brake override system.

After four and a half days, a jury reached a defense verdict in favor of Toyota in a case brought by the family of Noriko Uno.  This accident could have been avoided  if her vehicle had been equipped with a brake override.

During this trial, Toyota’s experts were involved, pointing out that the brake override technology would not have made any difference in preventing this crash. They also rejected the theory of the prosecutor that Mrs. Uno’s foot became “stuck” between the brake and the accelerator pedals after her vehicle was struck by the co-defendant in this case Olga Bello, allegedly causing the acceleration.

As a ‘bellwether” case in the consolidated state cases confirms unintended acceleration. This case points a significant standard that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.

The case was very important, especially the result of it. This points that it was selected as a “bellwether” by the Prosecutor’s Steering Committee in the JCCP, believing that it was among their strongest cases to bring to trial.

The Toyota’s statement, concerning the case:

“We sympathize with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles as well as the family and friends of Noriko Uno.

“Regarding the verdict, we are gratified that the jury  concluded the design of the 2006 Camry did not contribute to this unfortunate accident affirming the same conclusion we reached after more than three years of careful investigation - that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle at issue in this case. As an important bellwether in these consolidated state proceedings, we believe this verdict sets a significant benchmark by helping further confirm that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.”

Riding on a Roller Coaster with Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry isn’t known as a car fun to drive. Toyota had an idea to convince people otherwise and let them have fun. How? Well, Toyota let people ride in a Camry on a roller coaster. The point was to give them real feeling like in the movies, and to film their reactions on a video with eight different points of view around the car.

The course starts off like on a real roller coaster. A wooden ramp leads passengers into a banked turn, leading to a long sweeper. Later on, the Camry stops on a turntable which rotates the car giving them the opportunity to navigate the twistiest section. Finally, driving fast through a tunnel of flashing white lights, it reaches its end.

Before entering the car, passengers talk about the Camry, their opinions, how they see the Camry.  Their attitude wasn’t so positive concerning sporty characteristics of the Toyota before their ride. The installment of cameras in the car shows their reaction during this drive. Emotions such as fear, excitement during many maneuvers can be seen. In the end, their opinion about the Sedan definitely changed.

V6 equipped model was used in the video. Check the video presented and tell us in the comment section about your opinion; tell us if you changed your point of view concerning Camry’s sportiness.