SEMA Preview: Toyota to unveil 2009 Corolla, Heavy-Duty Tundra and FJ Cruiser Convertible
by John Neff on Jul 17th 2007 at 1:28PM 
The 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas is not for another three and a half months, but Toyota is getting its ducks in a row preparing for what promises to be a big week in Sin City for the Japanese automaker. It's unveiling not one, not two, but three vehicles at SEMA, including the all-new 2009 Corolla. The current Corolla has been around the block a few more times than Toyota had planned, but still remains a popular vehicle for the company. The new model will include the familiar sedan body type, but also mark the return of a coupe/hatchback. We'll no doubt see a TRD version customized to the nines at SEMA, as well. If the fates are on our side, perhaps they'll show something rear-wheel drive (fingers crossed).
Also present at SEMA will reportedly be a heavy duty diesel dually Tundra pickup designed to be a monster tow machine. It's only a concept and yet to be named, but the HD Tundra will be there to gauge crowd reaction to a dedicated heavy hauler from Toyota. The diesel will likely come from Hino, Toyota's commercial truck division, but Popular Mechancs reports that most of its engines are just too big for the Tundra's bay. The size issue could force Toyota to debut a new, smaller 4.5L diesel V8 that it's been working on. We'll have to wait and see what powers the Tundra concept, but we'd bet our last slot token that this particular Toyota will most certainly not be a hybrid.
Finally, Toyota plans to introduce an FJ Cruiser Convertible concept at SEMA. Reportedly sporting a removable hardtop, sources say that the concept is likely a production prototype in disguise since going to all that trouble engineering a removable hardtop for one vehicle would be silly. To get an idea of what the FJ Cruiser Convertible will look like, take a peek at the aftermarket version.
So there you have it – Toyota's 2008 SEMA lineup. Now that the information's out there, hopefully Toyota will start releasing official pics soon, as well.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Just me 7:32PM (7/17/2007)
New for 2009, Corolla.
Recalled in 2010, Corolla.
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Jonathan Hicks 2:04PM (7/17/2007)
What about the 09 Matrix replacement? When will we ever see it? Just don't call it the Blade. If the HD Tundra ever gets built, the Big 3 will be in serious trouble.
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AMGoff 3:28PM (7/17/2007)
"If the HD Tundra ever gets built, the Big 3 will be in serious trouble."
Please... you probably said the same BS when the regular Turdra came out and we see how well that's turned out. If Toyota ponies up any more "incentives" on that butt-ugly thing they'd basically be giving them away.
The Big 3 have nothing to worry about in this segment. If anything Toyota needs to go back and focus on their cars a little more, that new manatee-Camry leaves a lot to be desired, especially against the likes of the Accord and the Aura. What you're seeing is Toyota over-stretching themselves in an effort to be/stay/remain #1. At this rate Hyundai will be selling more cars in NA than Toyota.
Needless to say, you made me laugh!
why not the LS2/LS7? 4:12PM (7/17/2007)
An associate of mine said "The Titan is the only truck Ford is worried about". This despite the fact that GM sells more light trucks than Ford each year.
And the Titan? Turned out to be a dud (despite being a good truck).
Why do people think that companies can just jump in and chase the domestics out of the truck market in one go? It didn't go that fast with cars, and I would say the domestics understand the truck market better than the car market.
bobin4 4:18PM (7/17/2007)
The Matrix replacement is being devoloped at the time as the Corrolla. They should come to market at almost the same time unless Toyota holds the Matrix back a couple of months.
Don 2:03PM (7/17/2007)
Hey kids! Trick out your new Corolla with that fart-can muffler you always wanted!
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Rambo 4:53PM (7/17/2007)
Top 3 Ugliest cars on the road:
1. Toyota FJ
2. Honda Element
3. Honda Ridgeline
All soon to be bumped down by the FJ Convertable!
Schmeltz 2:12PM (7/17/2007)
One would think that Toyota could've/would've brought out a new Corolla design by now to fight the Civic. What's up with that?
To add insult to injury regarding Toyota and its massive Tundra campaign and the green car crowd's diasapproval for these giants, now Toyota wants to bring out yet an even larger pick-up. You got to wonder how far the good publicity of the Prius is going to take Toyota when they really want nothing more than to sell everybody Tundras? Am I the only one who sees this contradiction in their actions vs. their alleged morals?
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NT 3:35PM (7/17/2007)
No, but you are apparently one of the few who do. The reason they haven't brought out the Matrix is because its based on the Corolla, and the reason they didn't bring it out sooner is because they were focusing on other things.
The USDM won't really worry about a HD tundra, they don't worry about the current tundra because their Trucks are still superior, almost all the reviews have confirmed this.
... 10:59PM (7/17/2007)
They have kept the current design of the corolla because it still sells well. Also, the new corolla in Japan is considered too ugly for the rest of the world(and it is). Why do you have the impression Toyota only wants to sell tundras? They want to sell all their cars. They boast their tundra because it breaks into a competitive segment of what has traditionally been an American company only game; Full size trucks.
R.Autry 2:24PM (7/17/2007)
Schmeltz...I made a comment, way back when, that American car companies don't make cars. It is their intent to make as much money as possible. I found that European and Eastern car makers actually made cars first which made money. I think my opinion must be modified. Toyota has become completely Americanized. They are in it just for the money. And I have ridden in a Camry. It is a substandard car. Sorry, it just is. It is made on the cheap. The interior materials are a look into the soul of a Camry. And it is lacking.
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KenDubya 9:39PM (7/17/2007)
If the Camry were too nice, no one would by an ES350.
... 11:15PM (7/17/2007)
Yeah, i have had the same experience with every American car. They are all substandard cars. Sorry, they just are. They are made on the cheap. The interior materials are a look into the soul of every American car. And they are lacking.
Well because you were able to say the opposite about what so many car magazines have said, why can't I? You don't really describe anything. I really doubt that you have ever ridden in one. But if there is nothing wrong with your logic, than there is nothing wrong with mine.
Sure, I was just making assumptions where your cars come from. But just ask your manufacturer if they would rather have a "thanks" from you or have you buy another one of their cars. There isn't a single business out there that is doing it "just because we want to make a good ___". PEOPLE START BUSINESSES TO MAKE MONEY! Its that simple.
djSyndrome 2:42PM (7/17/2007)
FTA: "but the Corolla range will expand to include a sportier Corolla coupe/hatchback of some sort that will be featured at SEMA as well"
This could be one of two things: either the next Matrix (think 5-door hatchback), or the return of the Corolla 3-door liftback (please, please, please be RWD).
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jamesc 2:52PM (7/17/2007)
Wow, you better pray day and night if you want a RWD Corolla, although that would be most awesome, I have to agree.
Still, I'm really glad to know that they're coming back with a coupe and hatch. I finally know where all that money I've been saving will go to in a year or two.
Now please, please, please, make it European-styled, PLEASE.
Doogs 2:48PM (7/17/2007)
That choptop FJ in the link is beyond hideous.
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KT 2:54PM (7/17/2007)
#2...you are trying to be funny with the comment about the HD Blundra, right? Even if you weren't it gave me a good chuckle, thanks.
Do you really think with all the trouble they're having trying to sell the current Blundra, they would be able to sell an even more expensive, bigger, uglier Blundra?
Get real...they're not that stupid.
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... 11:35PM (7/17/2007)
Whoa, "Blundra," you really are clever. Repeating it more often makes you seem even smarter. They aren't having trouble selling them. Sales of the new model are much larger than the old ones. If you are talking about the rebates, you could easily say the same about the other automakers. While I agree that the American automakers shouldn't worry, It will still sell, but it won't be breaking any American records yet.
Schmeltz 3:00PM (7/17/2007)
R. Autry:
Good observations. I commented on another blog when the new, Big Tundra was just brought out that this move was a sad commentary, and a very revealing sort of gesture on their behalf. Toyota is already regarded as the Hybrid masters, therefore, why not make a bold and different foray into the full-size pick-up genre by introducing a Hybrid Pick-up. Nope. Instead they bring out a V8 engine that is even more thirsty than GM's offerings! And the Toyota loyalists were all happy to overlook this "minor infraction" since they sell the Prius. Toyota will no doubt easily sell more gas-thirsty vehicles than Prii this year despite the fuel efficiency craze going on. You can just see where their priorities really are--$$$.
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Guenther 7:13PM (7/17/2007)
Some of us could care less if Toyota decided to stop selling Hybrids tomorrow. The Anyone out there in the business of , well, anything should read up on "The Toyota Way". Like them or not, they make tons of cash and their stock keeps climbing. Part of their strategy is to innovate only when absolutely necessary. That means, build what works, but refine it wherever you have expertiese. Call me a sheep, a lemming a fanboy, or whatever you want- They're makin' money.
Barney- They most certainly will be using a V8 diesel. It will be a twin-turbo version of the 4.5l on sale now in the 70 Series cruiser in Oz.