All Entries in the "Auto News" Category
Future Truck Rumors – August 2011 Edition
Over the past week, a lot of news has hit regarding future pickups. From Chevy to Toyota, news has been flying. Here’s a total summary of every future truck news item, starting with our favorite, the Toyota Tundra:
2014 Toyota Tundra: Will be released in 2013. Will feature a more aerodynamic and traditional look, a completely new interior, a redesigned frame, and the same V8s we have now. Look for variable valve lift and direct injection technology to add power to the 5.7L as well as boost efficiency, as well as some assorted small additions. See full article on 2014 Toyota Tundra.
2013 Toyota Tacoma: The 2012 Tacoma is a relatively minor refresh, only 2013 will see a new set of engines. Rumors are that some sort of turbocharged and/or direct injection engine will be available.
2014 Scion/Prius Pickup: As we reported back in September 2010, rumors of a 2014 Scion pickup – with a Prius hybrid pickup coming along as well – are picking up steam. According to our Toyota sources, this truck has been talked about for a long time, with doubts that consumers will buy a small unibdoy pickup being the major concern. However, if these same rumors are to be believed, this Scion pickup will be both affordable ($22-$25k target price) and fuel efficient (25mpg minimum). The Prius version could see a rating as high as 35mpg…not bad for a pickup that will haul at least 1,000 lbs and tow more than 3500 lbs.
2014 F150: PickupTrucks.com is reporting that the 2014 F15o will offer not one, but THREE EcoBoost V6s, with the V8 lineup all but being replaced. The new EcoBoosts will be 2.7L and 3.0L in size, with the 3.0L destined to replace the 3.7L V6. This means Ford will be offering as many as six F150 motors in 2014:
Scion’s Interest in Online Car Sales Hint At Toyota’s Future
When Toyota created the Scion brand, it was as much as experiment as it was an effort to sell cars. Toyota wanted to improve their image with young consumers, teach Toyota dealers how to sell accessories, and try out a new “pure pricing” sales method that was transparent and consumer friendly.
Scion investigates online sales model similar to Amazon.com
While Scion sales have been up and down (mostly down lately), the fundamental purpose of the brand hasn’t changed: it’s still an experiment. The next iteration of this experiment is likely to be an “Amazon.com” style online sales system for Scions that allows consumers to configure the car they want, arrange financing, and schedule delivery and/or pickup completely online.
Will it work – will consumers buy Scions online? That’s what the experiment is meant to determine. If the answer is yes, you can bet Toyota and Lexus will eventually follow suit.
Tell The Kids It’s OK To Touch The Windows in Your Toyota
When I was a kid, my dad would have a mini-meltdown anytime I got my greasy kid fingers on a clean surface. Window glass, TV screens, mirrors – the rule was always “don’t touch!” If the video below is a window into the future, my dad ain’t gonna like it.
Toyota Europe’s R&D division, working in conjunction with the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design, has developed a cool “augmented reality” window system that might be best explained by watching the video below.
Window to the World (CIID/Toyota) from CIID on Vimeo
What do you think? Cool, right?
The thing is, there are more questions than answers right now. It’s far too soon to expect to see this as an option on your next Toyota. However, the technology behind the system – while expensive – is readily available. It’s not like this is science fiction or anything…
You can read more about it on Gizmag.com
The Turbocharged V6 Truck Revolution Is Coming
This week’s Automotive News includes a somewhat startling fact: for the 2nd quarter of 2011, about 40% of F-150’s were sold with a turbocharged V6. When combined with Ford’s naturally aspirated 3.7 V6 (hello, fleet!), that means that Ford sold more V6 than V8 between April and June, 2011.
The surprising popularity of the EcoBoost V6 is bad news for all truck manufacturers who don't have a comparable option.
In my opinion, this represents a sea change in the truck market. For years, many so-called experts (myself included) assumed that truck buyers were likely to reject new technology simply because it was new. Just a few months ago I wrote that Ford truck buyers might be concerned about EcoBoost reliability, wondering if perhaps Ford truck buyers would stay with the tried-and-true V8 rather than go with the more fuel efficient V6.
However, the consumer has spoken. Ford’s strong sales of the EcoBoost V6 show that tens of thousands of new truck consumers are interested in buying a more fuel efficient V6 over a more traditional V8. This is great news for Ford, but obviously bad news for GM and Chrysler-Fiat, neither of whom have a working turbocharged V6 they can slap in the Sierra/Silverado or Ram. Only GM, with their new 2013 hybrid half ton, has an engine/transmission combo on the horizon that could possibly surpass the overall value of the EcoBoost.
For Toyota, the EcoBoost V6 is a threat to not only Tundra sales, but it’s also a threat to Toyota Tacoma sales.
Funny Chevy Camaro Unintended Acceleration Video
When you watch the video below, you’re likely to laugh:
The question is, why? It could very well be that this is a documented example of a Camaro with unintended acceleration. Perhaps there’s a difficult to detect flaw in the accelerator pedal assembly or engine computer that occasionally causes the Camaro to lurch out of control – even when the brake pedal is being pushed. It could be that thousands of Camaro owners are in serious, serious trouble right now because of a safety flaw in the Camaro’s design.
I think that it’s time to call ABC news and demand an investigation. I think it’s a good idea for Consumer Reports to stop recommending the Camaro. Sure sure – there’s absolutely no proof that this is anything more than a case of careless driving – but let’s assume the worst anyways.
Maybe the Secretary of Transportation could threaten GM executives and promise to “hold their feet to the fire” until they investigate this problem? Congress should get involved too – it’s not like we can let this go.
