Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Toyota to offer Ironman packages for Tundra, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/toyota-to-offer-ironman-packages-for-tundra-tacoma-and-fj-cruis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/toyota-to-offer-ironman-packages-for-tundra-tacoma-and-fj-cruis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/toyota-to-offer-ironman-packages-for-tundra-tacoma-and-fj-cruis/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Ironman edition Toyota Tundra

Back in April we brought you an initial report of the upcoming "Ironman" edition Toyota Tundra, and full details have now made their way into cyberspace. The package will be comprised of a number of dealer-installed accessories and components aimed at pumping up the testosterone levels in Toyota trucks. The special-edition is named for Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, who has raced Toyota trucks to an unparalleled 10 championships and 84 career victories.

Not only will there be an Ironman Tundra, but also Ironman editions of the smaller Tacoma truck and the retro FJ Cruiser beachcomber. Whereas the previous reports suggested that engine output would remain unchanged, the Ironman Tundra will actually offer a supercharger that boosts output from 381 hp to a whopping 504, and torque from 401 lb-ft to a stump-pulling 550. The Tacoma and FJ Cruiser likewise have their power increased from 239 hp to 304 and from 278 lb-ft of torque up to 334. Other components on offer for the Ironman Tundra are a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, Bilstein shocks, Hella lamps, a Hurst pistol-grip shifter and 20-inch Alcoa aluminum-alloy rims with General tires. Similar accessories will reportedly be available for the Tacoma and FJ Cruiser as well.

With Toyota truck sales slumping, the company's performance division TRD hopes that the new Ironman packages will help boost sales. However, most buyers are not expected to pony up the $20k for the full monty, with most anticipated to spend between eight and ten grand on Ironman accessories from the pick-and-choose menu. The components are supplied directly by California-based Halo Special Edition Vehicles, which hopes to sell 500 Ironman packages this year before increasing targets to 5,000-10,000 packages in 2009.

Gallery: Ivan "Ironman" Stewart Signature Series Toyota Tundra

[Source: Automotive News]

Toyota to offer Ironman packages for Tundra, Tacoma and FJ Cruiser originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ironmanironman editionIronmanEditionivan ironman stewartIvanIronmanStewarttoyota fj cruisertoyota ironmantoyota tacomatoyota truckstoyota tundraToyotaFjCruiserToyotaIronmanToyotaTacomaToyotaTrucksToyotaTundraMon, 23 Jun 2008 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2007: FJ Cruiser Convertible]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-fj-cruiser-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-fj-cruiser-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-fj-cruiser-convertible/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image to view more pics of the Toyota FJ Cruiser Convertible

Although we've already seen what happens when an FJ Cruiser loses its top, Toyota has finally decided to perform proper surgery on its Wrangler-fighter to create a canvas convertible FJ. Although we weren't able to see how well constructed the top was inside the FJ Convertible, from the outside it looks like a pretty substantial piece of kit. According to Toyota, the construction is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to operate. No hydraulics or electronics are used, so cargo space isn't adversely affected.

Being a SEMA vehicle, it had to go through the aftermarket ringer before taking its rightful place on stage, so aside from the new cabrio setup, the FJ comes equipped with KMC 17-inch Endouro wheels wrapped in 35x12.5R17 Nitto Mud Grappler tires, ARB suspension components, a TRD off road exhaust and a Bestop Off Road Camera System.

Toyota maintains that the simple design of the FJ Cruiser convertible makes it a viable production vehicle. When we'll see it is a mystery, but if they added a removable hardtop to the options list, this FJ could be another player in the niche within a niche segment.

Toyota's full press release is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Toyota FJ Cruiser Convertible

Continue reading SEMA 2007: FJ Cruiser Convertible

SEMA 2007: FJ Cruiser Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fj cruiser convertibleFjCruiserConvertiblesematoyotatoyota fj cruisertoyota fj cruiser convertibleToyotaFjCruiserToyotaFjCruiserConvertibleTue, 30 Oct 2007 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[IIHS side crash ratings for FJ Cruiser, Ford Freestyle, Fusion, Crown Vic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/iihs-side-crash-ratings-for-fj-cruiser-ford-freestyle-fusion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/iihs-side-crash-ratings-for-fj-cruiser-ford-freestyle-fusion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/14/iihs-side-crash-ratings-for-fj-cruiser-ford-freestyle-fusion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has wrapped up its latest round of clinical crashing and, as is customary, improvements were seen on newer models, while older vehicles didn't fare quite as well.

Toyota's FJ Cruiser scored a 'good' rating due to its optional side-curtain airbags, with minimal intrusion into the passenger compartment. Joining the FJ Cruiser in the mid-size SUV category was the Ford Freestyle, which also received a 'good' score due to side-curtain airbags, but the IIHS noted that the Freestyle's structure didn't hold up as well as expected.

The Ford Fusion and Crown Victoria had the opportunity to redeem themselves after earlier evaluations ranked both vehicles as 'poor' when struck with the IIHS' movable barrier. The Fusion added side-curtain airbags and brought its score up to 'acceptable', while the Crown Vic, also equipped with side-curtain airbags, increased its score to 'marginal.'

The full report can be viewed after the jump.

Continue reading IIHS side crash ratings for FJ Cruiser, Ford Freestyle, Fusion, Crown Vic

IIHS side crash ratings for FJ Cruiser, Ford Freestyle, Fusion, Crown Vic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ford crown victoriaford freestyleford fusionFordCrownVictoriaFordFreestyleFordFusioniihsinsurance institute for highway safetyInsuranceInstituteForHighwaySafetymercury grand marquismercury milanMercuryGrandMarquisMercuryMilantoyota fj cruiserToyotaFjCruiserThu, 14 Sep 2006 09:02:00 EST