Truro Toyota

Strong retained values give Canadian drivers confidence that they can look to Toyota for quality vehicles that deliver true value

(TORONTO) – Canadian Black Book (CBB) has released its seventh annual Retained Value Awards, and Toyota and Lexus models have taken the top spot in seven categories, confirming the trusted quality, reliability and exceptionally high retained value of these vehicles.

The Toyota and Lexus winners of 2012 CBB Retained Value Awards were in the following categories:
•    Full-size car: Toyota Avalon
•    Small pickup: Toyota Tacoma
•    Full-size pickup: Toyota Tundra
•    Mid-size SUV: Toyota FJ Cruiser
•    Full-size SUV: Toyota Sequoia
•    Luxury car: Lexus GS series
•    Premium luxury car: Lexus LS series

The Toyota Avalon, Lexus LS series, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra Toyota FJ Cruiser and Toyota Sequoia each won as well in 2011.
“While most other industry accolades tend to generate headlines by focussing on the here-and-now of new vehicle models, our annual retained value awards provide consumers with excellent insight as to where they will most likely receive the best value for their money, over time,” says Kathy Ward, CEO of Canadian Black Book. “But not taking vehicle depreciation into consideration, the single greatest cost of vehicle ownership, can lead to a costly surprise at trade-in time.”
“We are proud to have seven Toyota and Lexus models recognized by Canadian Black Book for top honours in this year’s Retained Value Awards,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc. “We take great pride in having such a wide range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles being recognized for the outstanding value they deliver to Canadian drivers.”
This year, the award examines 2008 models, and winners have been chosen in 17 segments. The awards are determined from actual value retained from MSRP, measured over a four-year period.
CBB initiated the awards to help consumers identify which vehicles retain the highest percentage of their original value. Although strong retained value performance is not a guarantee of future strength, it is a strong indicator for how a vehicle should perform in the future. For the consumer, selecting a vehicle with a lower depreciation rate will reduce their overall cost of ownership.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars, SUVs and trucks. Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make all of the elements of the Star Safety System standard on every vehicle starting in 2011. The Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.

About Canadian Black Book

Founded in 1960, Wm. Ward Publishing is a Canadian company owned and operated by Kathy Ward, and is the official distributor of Canadian Black Book. Canadian Black Book is the publisher of the “Black Book” vehicle value and residual guides and is the benchmark for automobile dealers, manufacturers, financial services firms, insurance companies and other sectors with interests in the automobile industry. In 2010 it launched a consumer web site at www.canadianblackbook.ca where visitors can use proprietary online calculators to look up vehicle Trade-in Values, Average Asking Prices and Future Values.

Read More ›

Toyota continues to be an automotive leader according to consumers surveyed in this year’s Consumer Reports Car-Brand Perception Survey.

The Toyota brand took top spot in three key categories:

• Overall brand perception
• Environmentally Friendly/Green
• Quality

“Toyota takes pride in this recognition as third party accolades help our customers understand our leadership in the key areas of quality, safety and environment,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc.
The survey was conducted in December; with over 1700 consumers asked which brands they felt exemplified the traits. Overall brand perception was calculated based on the number of times a manufacturer was mentioned as exemplary across all of the categories.

Read More ›

Highest rated city fuel efficiency of any vehicle without a plug
Introduces proven hybrid powertrain at MSRP below $21,000
Wide array of available convenience and premium technology

DETROIT , Michigan, Jan.10, 2012 – Following the U.S. debut of the all-new 2012 Prius c at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, Toyota Canada Inc. plans to bring this dynamically styled, five-door hatchback to market in March of 2012, and introduce Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment.

The letter “c” represents “city” in the Prius c name, designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a combined fuel consumption rating of 3.7 L/100 km, Prius c offers the lowest L/100 km rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in 2012.
Beginning with the first generation fourteen years ago, over two million Prius units have been sold worldwide. Prius remains the world’s premier eco-vehicle brand, and has made great strides establishing consumer trust in hybrid technology. With Prius c, Toyota Canada will make the market’s most proven hybrid technology available to subcompact car shoppers with a starting MSRP below $21,000.

Unique Place in the Prius Family
A gateway product into the Prius Family, the new Prius c will find favour with younger shoppers seeking a smartly designed, fuel-efficient subcompact car packing advanced drivetrain and in-car technology. The Prius c will offer engaging driving dynamics with superior urban maneuverability. When the 2012 Prius c arrives in showrooms this spring, the all-new hatchback will offer:
• The highest rated fuel efficiency estimate of any vehicle without a plug*; at a combined rating of 3.7 L/100 km
• The most accessible Prius will feature a starting MSRP below $21,000 with proven hybrid powertrain and premium technology
• A premium subcompact car experience thanks to a wide array of available convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5¬in. full color LCD multi-information display, hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation.

The scale of the all-new Prius c becomes apparent when compared to the familiar proportions of the midsize Prius Liftback. The Prius c is smaller and lighter than its midsize Prius stable mate with 19.1 inches less length (157.3 vs. 176.4 inches OAL) and 542 lbs. less weight than the Prius Liftback (2,500 vs. 3,042 lbs.). In adapting the Hybrid Synergy Drive to the smaller Prius c platform, each of the system’s major components were re-designed to reduce weight, scale, and improve efficiency.
OAL OAH OAW Wheelbase Curb weight
2012 Prius 176.4 in. 58.7 in. 68.7 in. 106.3 in. 3,042 lbs.
2012 Prius c 157.3 in. 56.9 in. 66.7 in. 100.4 in. 2,500 lbs.

Four Grades with Generous Standard Equipment
The Prius c will be available in three trim levels offering desirable features, equipment, and enhanced capability giving consumers a compelling value proposition. Prius c provides many standard features such as automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-Information Display and Bluetooth® hands-free controls, and remote keyless entry with illuminated entry among a long list of standard equipment.

Efficient Packaging
The Prius c’s effective packaging design strategically locates key drivetrain components within the chassis to help optimize interior space and handling. The compact gasoline engine, transaxle and power-control unit are optimally placed within the vehicle to help enhance weight distribution and lower the center of gravity. In addition, the hybrid battery and fuel tank are positioned together beneath the rear seat, ideally distributing their mass within the wheelbase to improve weight distribution to help enhance handling. By locating the battery and fuel tank below the rear seat, the Prius c is able to offer 104 cu. ft. of interior volume (87.4 cu. ft. passenger volume, 17 cu. ft. cargo volume).
Prius c Hybrid Synergy Drive Propulsion

The Prius c’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system integrates the operation of components that include a gasoline engine, an electric motor within a Continuously Variable Transaxle, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a power control unit (inverter), a DC¬DC converter, a step-up converter and a hybrid control computer. The hybrid control computer governs the seamless application of gasoline engine and electric power depending on driving demands and selected drive mode.
Gasoline Engine Engine Output Electric Motor Output Total System Output
Prius 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 98 hp@5200 rpm 105 lb.-ft.@4000 rpm
80 hp (60 kW) 134 hp (100 kW)
Prius c 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 73 hp@4800 rpm 82 lb.-ft@4000 rpm
60 hp (45kW) 99 hp (74 kW)

The Prius c relies on a Tier 2 Bin 3 rated 1.5-liter in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine that utilizes an Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency. This engine produces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp.

The Prius c’s hybrid system utilizes a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that has been located under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle, and low in the chassis to help improve the center of gravity.
Prius c offers three distinct drive modes: Normal, Eco, and EV mode. Eco mode reduces overall energy consumption by governing climate control and throttle to improve vehicle efficiency. Under certain conditions, the EV mode allows the Prius c to be driven solely by electric power for a short distance (about one kilometre) while remaining below 40 km/h.

Vehicle Structure – Improved Handling and Safety
The Prius c’s body structure makes extensive use of lightweight, high-strength steel to help reduce vehicle mass and improve fuel economy. The strategic use of high- tensile-strength steel contributes to the vehicle’s ability to absorb and disperse impact energies helping enhance occupant safety. The high level of torsional rigidity afforded by the Prius c body structure allows the suspension to be more optimally tuned for ride and handling.

Suspension and Steering for Enhanced Handling
The front suspension uses a Macpherson strut design, and the rear rides on a tuned torsion beam. The coil-spring and shock-absorber characteristics of the Prius c have been tuned to enhance handling, flat turning, and smooth ride comfort. Prius c is available with 15- or 16-inch wheel-and-tire combinations. The 15-inch wheels are available in steel with wheel cover for base model or in aluminum alloy for elevated trim levels. Prius c models equipped with the available 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels enjoy enhanced handling thanks to a faster steering ratio (2.28 turns lock to lock), which helps quicken the vehicle’s dynamic response.

Youthful Exterior and Interior Design
The Prius c exterior design helps project a fun, youthful attitude for this all-new addition to the Prius family, while offering excellent aerodynamic performance. Extensive aerodynamic features were engineered into the Prius c to help achieve a 0.28 coefficient of drag. Adding character to this subcompact, the Prius c’s lower-body styling is wider below the beltline, featuring sculpted rear flares to help express a sturdy, athletic stance that communicates a more agile driving experience.
The Prius c’s available exterior colors include vibrant hues that are unique and expressive. The available colors for Prius c include three new colors – Mandarin Orange, Aqua and Lime White Pearl – along with Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, and Alpine White.
The Prius c interior design seeks to create a space that is futuristic yet passenger friendly. Using blue/grey as a basic interior color, the door trim, seat surfaces, and instrument panel feature treatments in lighter colors to help create contrast.

Display Audio ®
The 2012 Prius c will offer two audio system configurations. A base audio system features 6 speakers, and includes AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity, hands-free phone capability, phone book access, and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology.
The second audio system adds Display Audio with Navigation and SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capability.

Standard Safety Features
The Prius c is equipped with nine airbags strategically located to help protect the driver and passengers in the event of certain types of accidents. The new 2012 Prius c, like all Toyota models, is equipped with the standard Star Safety System™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).
* Estimated mileage – actual mileage will vary.

Read More ›

Toyota Canada’s product line earns more IIHS safety awards than any other automaker

(TORONTO, ON – December 15, 2011) The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced its Top Safety Pick awards for 2012 and Toyota leads the industry with 15 awards for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles.
“Canadian drivers count on third-party research to make wise choices when shopping for a vehicle,” said Sandy Di Felice, Director, External Affairs, Toyota Canada Inc. “Toyota has always taken safety seriously, which is why we’re delighted that the IIHS has awarded its Top Safety Pick award to 15 models across the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. “
All Toyota models are built to feature carefully-designed body structures that channel accident forces away from occupants, as well as full suites of airbags and other passive safety systems, and the six active safety technologies in the Star Safety System – all as standard equipment – because for Toyota, safety is not optional.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick includes three new or recently refreshed 2012 Toyota models:
•    Toyota Camry – the seventh generation of this popular sedan – provides class-leading safety in the mid-size segment with 10 standard airbags.
•    Toyota Prius v – an all-new model – introduces hybrid safety systems including an audible warning system that alerts pedestrians when the vehicle is operating in electric-only mode.
•    Toyota Yaris Hatchback – the second generation of one of Canada’s most popular subcompacts – has been completely re-designed and re-engineered with more space and more safety as standard.

In addition to these three, 12 other Toyota, Lexus and Scion models achieved IIHS Top Safety Pick awards in 2012:
•    Toyota: Corolla (built in Canada); Prius; Avalon; Highlander; Venza; Sienna; Tundra (crew cab)
•    Lexus: CT 200h; RX 350 (built in Canada)
•    Scion: tC; xB; xD.

Read More ›

The 2012 Toyota Camry has earned the highest rating – five stars – for overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency said Tuesday. The all-new Camry earned the top rating under stricter new crash-test guidelines, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side test, and four stars in the rollover test.

NHTSA introduced tougher crash tests and rigorous new 5-Star Safety Ratings with the 2011 model year. The new series of tests, called the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), includes frontal barrier and rollover crash tests as well as a combined side barrier and side pole test. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side impact crash into a 10-inch diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side. An overall rating of up to five stars is then assigned.

Read More ›

Toyota City, Japan, November 28, 2011—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will display a production prototype of the “86” compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, scheduled for launch in the spring of 2012, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011. The show, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo, will be open to the public from November 30 through December 111.

With the shared desire to provide the dream and joy of cars, TMC and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (owners of the Subaru-brand) worked together to develop the 86 as a unique rear-wheel-drive vehicle, with intuitive handling, that embodies the essence of driving enjoyment.

The 86 features the world’s first horizontally opposed D-4S engine, created by combining Subaru’s engine technology with Toyota’s cutting-edge D-4S direct injection technology. The engine is installed front mid-ship to establish the world’s only horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel-drive package. As a result, the 86 offers fun driving at a level unprecedented in earlier sports cars.
The 86, with numerous customizable parts and fresh, new potential of sports-car enjoyment suited to the times, carries on the spirit of the AE862 in it’s aim to be a car that evolves with its owner.

Vehicle Outline
A New Lightweight, Compact, Low-center-of-gravity, and Low-inertia Package Offers A New Dimension in Handling with an Exhilarating Shift Feel
The exclusive lightweight and compact rear-wheel-drive platform was designed to achieve superior handling and create the world’s smallest3 mass-production four-passenger sports car.
The power unit is located front mid-ship to create an ultra-low center of gravity and low inertia that rivals that of supercars. The transmission is available as a six-speed manual transmission or a special sports-driving six-speed automatic transmission with the feel of a manual.
World’s First Horizontally Opposed D-4S Engine Provides High Output and Excellent Environmental Performance
The vehicle’s newly developed engine realizes higher output and better environmental performance, to create exceptional output and torque performance as well as superior response at low and medium speeds.
The D-4S, with separate twin injectors for both direct injection and port injection, boasts a high compression ratio of 12.5. This provides high output and high torque over a wide range of engine speeds and contributes to improved environmental performance.
The engine’s maximum allowable speed exceeds 7000 RPM, with a maximum output of 200 horsepower (PS). The engine still realizes fuel efficiency and environmental performance that rivals that of a 2-liter-engine sedan.
The Ultimate in Sports Driving Enjoyment
By adopting an ultra-low center of gravity, the 86 has the lowest hip-point of any Toyota-brand production vehicle and creates a driving position suited for never-before-experienced driving enjoyment.
The rear seatbacks fold down to the front to create a luggage space that can accommodate four sports wheels or two golf bags.

Universal Function and Aesthetic Beauty

Exterior
Starting with a low-center of gravity and excellent aerodynamic performance in pursuit of a low, fun, and attractive car, the 86 warmly embodies advanced performance that makes driving pleasurable and seeks an enduring and universal beauty of form.
The front features a unique, sharp design that gives the impression of a predator about to pounce. The sides effuse the heritage of Toyota sports cars and a modern design style is employed in the side window designs and rear fenders. The rear view expresses a wide and sturdy center of balance despite the condensed and compact cabin.
Interior
The interior design seeks the essence of sports cars by examining driving needs in detail and emphasizing functional components and operability to optimize the form, placement and materials of each element.
The seatbacks and cushion surfaces are designed to provide support during acceleration g-forces from the front, the back and to the sides. In addition, the shape of the front seats is designed to prevent elbows from interfering with gearshift operation.
The circular steering wheel has a diameter of 365 mm, the smallest in a Toyota-brand vehicle. The wheel’s surface was optimized with exhaustive feedback from test drivers to enhance steering performance and grip.
A three-cluster meter built around the tachometer has been designed with particular attention paid to display placement, markings and typeface to enhance visibility and readability during sports driving.
Main Specifications*1 of 86 (Production Prototype)

1Press days, November 30 – December 1; special guest day, December 2; public days, December 3-11 2The AE86 model Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno (1983-1987), commonly referred to as the 86. Many users and shops enjoyed tuning and customizing this model, which is now heralded as a legendary sports car. 3By volume

Read More ›

The V is for its focus on versatility, with a sport compact expected to join the lineup early next year

By Zack Spencer, Special to The Sun November 18, 2011

THE SCOOP

When the very first generation Prius was introduced to Canada in 2000, many people, including some at Toyota, thought that it might be regarded as a novelty, something of a passing interest.

Vancouver played a huge part in legitimizing the durability and the reliability of the Prius when a Yellow Cab owner decided to use one of those original cars as a taxi.

With hundreds of thousands of kilometres on that first cab, the Toyota Hybrid system has proven its ruggedness and opened the door for other taxi owners and the general public to accept this technology.

But the Prius was not Canada’s favourite hybrid for many years – that honour went to the mid-sized Toyota Camry Hybrid, which until the current Prius model was introduced in 2009, outsold the Prius two to one. Today, the Prius is top dog. As the most recognized hybrid name, Toyota has decided to capitalize on the good name of the Prius and branch it into a brand. The car you see here is the first family member, called V (for versatility). In early 2012, the Prius C sporty compact will arrive.

THE SKIN

With more and more Canadians turning away from traditional sedan designs, even beloved compact cars, the trend is to crossover-type vehicles that can carry all of our kids and stuff with room to spare. Toyota has jumped on this trend and developed a tall wagon-style Prius crossover. Basically the back of the Prius has been extended and the roofline heightened to produce more room in the cargo area. The result is pretty good, as the shape of the regular Prius is a bit awkward, and this crossover treatment makes the V a better-looking Prius. The ride height has been adjusted slightly higher and the added windows make outward visibility better. An optional panoramic moonroof has been added, and to save weight it is made of a resin compound, making it 40 per cent lighter than a conventional glass roof.

THE COCKPIT

Toyota claims that the cargo area is larger by 50 per cent over the previous Prius. This technically might be true but the gains are thanks mostly to the height of the roof and not to length or width of the space behind the rear seats. What this does accomplish is a much larger opening into the cargo space with easy access and loading of large items. One neat trick the Prius V has is the ability to slide the rear seats forward to produce even more cargo capacity. All seats can fold, including the front passenger seat, allowing long object to slide in easily, even items up to eight feet. Not only did Toyota produce a larger car but they updated the dash with a friendlier layout. The centre console has a single button to control all heat functions and it works very well. The dash has been improved further with better-looking materials and tidier fitting pieces, making the Prius V look and feel better than the regular car. Expect this layout to migrate to that model sometime in 2012.

THE RIDE

Weight is the enemy of any hybrid car. Even with the added size of the Prius V, the weight increase was limited to 105 kg. This sounds like quite an accomplishment, but in real world driving, the added weight is noticeable. Toyota decided to keep the hybrid system from the regular Prius and add only slight modifications. The battery pack is the same size and the 1.8-litre gasoline engine works with a 60 kW motor to produce 134 hp. In regular city driving the system and power seem adequate, but at highway speeds or driving up the steep hills in old Quebec City, the car laboured. I’ve always found the Prius a bit of work to drive, especially as efficiently as possible. The lack of grunt isn’t a gripe from a power-hungry auto enthusiast. The car simply needs more drivability. If you get off on being as thrifty and smooth as possible, the Prius V will be a thrill-ride.

THE GOOD, THE BAD

The Good: The added functionality of the V might make it the most appealing Prius.

Bad: Even less fun-to-drive than the regular Prius.

ZACK’S VERDICT

Toyota has taken a very aggressive stance on the pricing with all their latest models and the Prius V is no exception. The base model starts at $27,200, making it cheaper than the 2011 Prius by $600 but comes with more features. Expect Toyota to also adjust the regular Prius price lower when they update it in 2012. Only the Honda Insight hybrid and sporty Honda CR-Z are cheaper, but their hybrid technology is of the mild variety. This Prius V competes with cars like the Kia Optima hybrid, Ford Fusion and other mid-sized cars. The reality is that Toyota has carved out a whole new category in the hybrid class and done it at a very attractive price. Toyota Canada hopes to sell 4,000 a year, but I predict that Canadians who are looking for a hybrid will be attracted to the functionality and size that the V offers. So much so that this new model might soon be the best-selling hybrid in Canada.

Read More ›