Autoblog

BMW-Toyota sports car heading towards Tokyo debut

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:44:00 EST

Earlier this year, BMW and Toyota confirmed a four-part joint venture mostly focusing on increasing improving vehicle efficiency using fuel cells, lightweight materials and better battery technology. Also tucked into the announcement was a "feasibility study" for a shared platform to underpin a future midsize "sports vehicle."

In terms of the latter, it seems that things have stepped up from the feasibility stage to the conceptual stage, as Motor Trend reports we could see a pair of new sports car concepts debut later this year in at the Tokyo Motor Show. There isn't much information about the new program, but the article suggests the sports cars could be all-wheel drive hybrids, with electric motors powering the front wheels and a gas engine powering the rear wheels. While a partnership between Toyota and BMW might not lend itself to a catchy portmanteau like "Toyobaru," here's hoping it will bear fruit that is as exciting as the ones produced by the Toyota/Subaru tie up.

BMW-Toyota sports car heading towards Tokyo debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 May 2013 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #289

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:14:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, BMW, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Volvo

2013 Ford F-150 Limited and SVT Raptor, BMW Toyota partnership, Mobius SUV, Supercharged Jaguar XJ

Episode #289 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach are joined by Mike Levine and Raj Sarkar of Ford Motor Company to chat about the F-150 Limited and 2013 Raptor. Other topics include the official announcement of a BMW/Toyota partnership, the Mobius low-cost SUV for Africa, and the switch to a supercharged V6 for the base Jaguar XJ. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #289:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2012 Volvo XC60 R-Design
2012 Honda Pilot
2012 Nissan 370Z
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Guests: Mike Levine, Raj Sarkar

Runtime: 01:13:02

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #289

Autoblog Podcast #289 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Toyota to partner on sports car and EV tech

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:48:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Technology, BMW, Toyota, Electric

If you are any other carmaker, this is really not what you want to hear on a Friday morning: The industry's 800-pound gorilla and one of its most profitable brands are joining forces. If you are an enthusiast (or environmentalist), however, the would-be products of this collaboration may have you cheering like a Miami Heat fan.

While details are admittedly scarce, the notion of BMW and Toyota throwing in on a sports car has us tickled, especially considering how well the Japanese giant's liaison with Subaru to produce the BRZ and Scion FR-S has turned out. The other aspects of this just-announced BMW-Toyota agreement - a fuel cell system, powertrain electrification and lightweighting technology - make the project sound even more like the stuff of dreams. The expansive partnership builds on a deal between the two automakers brokered in March to collaborate on next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Count us among those waiting with bated breath to see whether they come true.

For more details, scroll down to read BMW's official press release.

Continue reading BMW and Toyota to partner on sports car and EV tech

BMW and Toyota to partner on sports car and EV tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW, Toyota mulling expansive partnership

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, BMW, Toyota, Diesel

In December of 2011, BMW and Toyota signed an agreement to collaborate on lithium-ion battery development, and the deal included a provision where BMW would small-displacement diesel engines for Toyota products sold in Europe. It was brought up at the time that the partnership could expand further, and seven months later, it apparently has: Reuters reports the two companies "have now agreed several projects" in "other fields of cooperation."

The Reuters report, based on an article in Germany's Der Spiegel, said there were no more specifics but that the two company CEOS would make an announcement "in the near future." A story in Germany's Manager magazine went further, however, citing the same Der Spiegel piece and saying that BMW and Toyota would form an alliance around "joint projects in hybrid technology, fuel cells, vehicle electronics" and lightweight technology.

The announcement isn't surprising - BMW's move into the small, lightweight hybrid space with its forthcoming i sub-brand gives it all the reason to save R&D dollars by teaming up with the company considered the world's green auto leader, and the rumored expansion topics could help replace BMW's partnership with Peugeot, on the rocks ever since the French firm tied up with General Motors' Opel division. We'll know more when an official announcement is made.

BMW, Toyota mulling expansive partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New BMW-Toyota deal doesn't include diesels for Lexus

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Technology, BMW, Lexus, Toyota, Diesel

Automotive News reports Lexus won't be getting any diesel engines from BMW as part of the new collaboration between parent company Toyota and the German automaker. BMW and Toyota are set to team up on next-generation green technology, though the two will apparently stick to crafting a new lithium-ion battery instead of swapping diesel tech. BMW will serve up a few small-displacement diesel engines for use in European Toyota models, but it won't supply direct-competitor Lexus with any oil-burning lumps. Right now, European buyers can expect to see 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter BMW diesel engines to show up under the hoods of certain Toyota products soon.

That should help Toyota immensely in a market where 52 percent of all vehicles sold are diesels. Lexus, meanwhile, will continue to focus on plug-in hybrid and hybrid models to position itself as a niche innovation company. Automotive News reports Lexus has nailed down a European market share of just 0.2 percent over the past 11 months.

New BMW-Toyota deal doesn't include diesels for Lexus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota, BMW may build green cars together

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Toyota, Diesel

Toyota and BMW have reportedly begun discussions on swapping their signature green technologies. The Japanese automaker would open up its hybrid tech to BMW, while the Germans would provide diesel engines for Toyotas. This is a little different than the recent memorandum of understanding signed between Ford and Toyota, since that partnership - if it comes to fruition - would see both companies jointly developing a hybrid system for trucks.

The BMW and Toyota talks are about swapping tech to save money on "core technologies." BMW's gain would be in the U.S., where hybrids are still much more in vogue than in Europe, while Toyota's interest is in shoring up its diesel position in Europe, where hybrids aren't yet the thing and the company posted a loss through the first half of the year. For instance, of the eight family cars that Toyota sells in the UK, only three can be had with a diesel.

Only talks have begun, so there's no official deal in place while Toyota works to see if BMW diesels will fit in its cars. One also has to wonder how managers at Lexus would feel about seeing their hybrid tech behind a roundel badge.

Toyota, BMW may build green cars together originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:57:00 EST

2009 Toyota iQ - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin may not be the only premium European automaker interested in Toyota's innovative iQ microcar. According to Inside Line and Autocar in the U.K., BMW and Toyota are in talks to collaborate on future small cars based on the Mini and iQ platforms. BMW may possibly use the interior and diminutive platform from the Japanese automaker's next-gen iQ for its long-rumored Isetta revival, possibly with an electric powertrain.

In return, Toyota would gain access to the German automaker's Mini division - specifically the Coupe and Roadster that were recently shown in concept form ahead of their expected debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September - though its not currently clear what Toyota would do with them. Neither company has confirmed these reports, so we're currently taking this rumor with an appropriately large grain of salt.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ

[Sources: Inside Line, Autocar]

Rumormill: BMW in talks to use iQ platform for future models, Toyota to get Mini in return?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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