Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #281

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Buick, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota

Toyota Supra successor, Nissan Juke-R, Cadillac ATS pricing, GM Europe restructuring, Prius PHEV sales

Episode #281 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Dan, and Zach chat about the fresh rumors of a new Toyota Supra, the Nissan Juke-R heading for (very) limited production, Cadillac ATS pricing, GM Europe headed for another restructuring, and sales of the Toyota Prius PHEV. 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 #281:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Ford Flex SEL
2012 Buick Enclave

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 01:19:48

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Autoblog Podcast #281 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zipcar gets Toyota Prius plug-ins ahead of the car's official launch

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric

Want some data sharing with your car sharing? On Thursday, Zipcar added eight Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to its car-sharing fleet. The plug-in Priuses, which are not available for purchase until 2012, will be accessible to Zipcar members in Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR. Zipcar's newest additions are part of a broad pilot program aimed at assisting Toyota in obtaining real-world data prior to the plug-ins' 2012 launch. On the flip side, Zipcar hopes to analyze the use of plug-in hybrids and assess the potential for a broader fleet rollout.

Back in 2009, Zipcar teamed up with the city of San Francisco to test a plug-in Prius. That car, which utilized a plug-in conversion kit provided by A123 Systems, offered up to 40 miles of pure electric range. The battery-only range of Toyota's plug-in Prius is limited to 13 miles, but Scott Griffith, Zipcar's chief executive officer, points out that "approximately one-third of our reservations are made for trips equaling less than 13 miles," which implies that those jaunts could be made in a Prius PHEV without using a drop of gas, as long as there's enough time to rechage between rentals.

Like all of the other hybrids in Zipcar's fleet, the plug-in Prius can only be reserved by the hour, with sixty minutes of seat time costing approximately $7.00.

[Source: Zipcar]

Continue reading Zipcar gets Toyota Prius plug-ins ahead of the car's official launch

Zipcar gets Toyota Prius plug-ins ahead of the car's official launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Back in July, Toyota and Tesla announced a joint venture to bring electric vehicles to market, and the first example - the RAV4 EV - is slated to go on sale in 2012. Now, an update from Toyota says the all-electric RAV4 will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November, meaning that an on-sale date in 2012 doesn't seem all that unrealistic.

Speaking of 2012, Toyota also tweeted about its plans to bring the Prius PHEV to market in the second quarter of that year, citing May or June as a specific timeframe. When it launches, Toyota is targeting sales of roughly 20,000-plus units in North America, with the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf as the key competition.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota Prius "Alpha" MPV coming in spring 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Toyota

Toyota Hybrid-X concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Toyota gets around to expanding its Prius line-up next year, the first model to benefit from the badge will be a compact MPV reportedly badged the Alpha. The small van will apparently be based on a stretched version of the current Prius platform, will add a third row of seats and should be the first production Toyota hybrid with a lithium ion battery pack. Toyota is currently testing a fleet of plug-in Prius hybrids with lithium batteries, but those aren't slated for production until 2012.

The seven-seat Alpha is expected to be about one foot longer than the current Prius hatchback, while a shorter, five-seat version of the Alpha that may look similar to the Hybrid-X concept from 2007 and could retain the nickel-metal hydride batteries of the current Prius to keep costs down. If all goes according to plan, expect the Prius Alpha to launch around March of next year.

Gallery: Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: Toyota Prius "Alpha" MPV coming in spring 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Toyota recalls 2010 Prius and Lexus HS250h for ABS fix

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

In what is perhaps our least surprising announcement of the young day, Toyota has officially announced that it will recall 2010 model Prius and Lexus HS250h models globally along with the Toyota Sai in Japan to fix an issue the performance of their braking systems. The latest in a series of safety related problems with Toyotas became public fodder last week when Toyota acknowledged that customers of the third generation hybrid had complained of a loss of stopping power at low speeds.

Toyota has also acknowledged that it has developed a software update to improve the blending of the regenerative and
friction braking systems and implemented the update into new production models sometime in January. The automaker did not, however, order a recall of vehicles in customer hands until more than a week after reports of the issue turned up in the media.

The Prius, Prius PHEV, HS250h and Sai (a Toyota badged version of the Prius sold only in Japan) are all being recalled for the software bug fix. In total about 400,000 vehicles are involved in this recall. First- and second-generation Priuses are not included since they have a different braking system, although there are concerns that there could be performance issues with those vehicles, too.

In the same release, Toyota has also announced that it will recall about 7,300 2010 model Camry sedans to inspect a power steering hose that may sit to close to a brake hose and cause it to wear through. Official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Toyota]

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

Continue reading Officially Official: Toyota recalls 2010 Prius and Lexus HS250h for ABS fix

Officially Official: Toyota recalls 2010 Prius and Lexus HS250h for ABS fix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Truck, Etc., BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Electric

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Our friend Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com joins Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #157 of The Autoblog Podcast, bringing his vast knowledge of all that is crew-cabbed and full framed. Of course, we start off with what we're driving and dreamy talk about the Dodge Ram Power Wagon, but the real meat and potatoes news items begin with a peek at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio. Staying with Ms. Jellinek's namesake brand, the crew ponders the idea of an electric SLS supercar. Staying charged, we move right into Toyota's recent hybrid news - a tease of an all new hybrid that we'll see at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and today's announcement of a PHEV Prius. Hybrid pickups come up before we move on to the BMW's Z4 sDrive35is and then questions. One hour, thirty minutes, in time for your Tuesday pick-me-up.

For more listening pleasure check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Toyota

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery

One day, children will be taken to a Museum of Momentous Moments, and there among artist's impressions of the missing link and the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs will be an example of the first Toyota Prius. The placard next to it will declare that it is the car that turned green... green.

The standard bearer for all that makes Mother Nature smile has gone to the next level, adding a plug-in version to its bag of sticks and twigs. It isn't here yet, but when it does arrive, the Prius-with-a-cord will also be the first Toyota with a high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes on a 230-volt circuit. It'll also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity alone. And then it will do your laundry and teach your children how to be quiet on airplanes. Or something like that. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump and check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Plug-In Prius

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener

Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Prius PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's new generation plug-in hybrid Prius will be shown for the first time next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now we've got some new images and details. As expected, the PHEV Prius will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid synergy drive system has been upgraded for the PHEV allowing the Prius to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 12.5 miles. The car can apparently accelerate all the way from a standing start in EV mode, although it's not clear how quick it will be. While doing this, the Prius apparently emits about 60 g/km of carbon dioxide. The range and emissions estimates are all based on the EU driving cycle, so the numbers should be a bit more realistic than the absurd Japanese 10/15 cycle.

The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium-batteried Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.

Gallery: Toyota Prius PHEV concept

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius

Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Lexus LF-Ch joins Toyota Auris Hybrid, plug-in Prius and two iQ concepts

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota

Lexus LF-Ch concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

With just a few weeks left before the Frankfurt Motor Show kicks off in high gear, Lexus has decided its high time to let loose a single teaser image of its hotly anticipated hybrid hatchback concept. The C-Segment model carries the LF-Ch designation and not the recently trademarked CT nameplate as first thought, making us wonder if there's something else up the automaker's corporate sleeve in the near future.

"Think BMW 1 Series, but hybrid." That's how Lexus describes the LF-Ch, and you could easily add the Audi A3 and Volvo C30 to that list of competitors. Underhood will be some form of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, though the Japanese automaker has yet to release any actual powertrain details beyond that. Expect a more detailed explanation of the car's finer points in the run up to Frankfurt.

Across the showroom floor in Toyota's display will be the Auris HSD concept - which Toyota says is the first application of its hybrid technology in a mainstream model... other than the Prius, we presume - along with a plug-in version of its third-generation 2010 Prius and two separate concepts based on the diminutive iQ. Click past the break for the official press release and see the whole shebang in our gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Lexus and Toyota preview

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Lexus LF-Ch joins Toyota Auris Hybrid, plug-in Prius and two iQ concepts

Frankfurt Preview: Lexus LF-Ch joins Toyota Auris Hybrid, plug-in Prius and two iQ concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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