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TOM’S Unveils New ALPHARD EV PLUS–Boosting Performance and Sustainability for 2025
ByPawaniALPHARD EV PLUS 2024.02.21(ALPHARD EV PLUS) by RAI STAR TOKYO — The automotive world is buzzing after TOM’S, Toyota’s legendary official tuner, revealed the “ALPHARD EV PLUS” at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024. Built around the idea of “tuning all hybrid cars to higher performance,” the concept highlights TOM’S ambition to combine performance engineering with…
Toyota Announces Production of the New C-HR
Toyota Announces Production of the New C-HR! Expectations rise for aggressive “hammerhead face adoption”! First PHEV to be produced in Europe
New “C-HR” to carry European electrification strategy with hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles
Toyota’s European subsidiary (Toyota Motor Europe) has already announced the design and powertrain of the new C-HR, the second-generation model.
Now, new information on production has been revealed.This is the new “C-HR”, adopting the aggressive “hammerhead” design! See the actual car that will appear shortly at the production announcement!
This is cool! New “C-HR prologue,” a concept model of the next-generation “C-HR” unveiled for the first time in the world by Toyota Motor Europe.
Toyota Motor Europe has unveiled the world premiere of the “C-HR prologue,” a concept model of the all-new second-generation C-HR, on December 5, 2022.
The new C-HR will be available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions and will strengthen the lineup of Toyota’s electrification strategy.
It will offer a wide range of electrification options and achieve carbon neutrality in the most competitive segment of the European car market.
The design of the C-HR prologue was created at Toyota’s European design and development center, ED2 (the creative center that created the current Toyota C-HR).
One of the most eye-catching features of the unveiled design is the front face, known as the hammerhead.
This is the result of a 3D architecture with various interlocking shapes and a bold lighting signature.
The front grille opening has been reduced in size to highlight the slimmed-down headlights, resulting in a design with a sharp, piercing, shark-like presence.
The diamond-cut body shape, large-diameter wheels and short overhangs give the impression of a better stance from all angles, while the interior is said to be more spacious and user-friendly.
Lance Scott, who will be the design director of Toyota European Design and Development, had this to say.
Our mission was to delve deeper into the C-HR than ever before. We are really looking forward to bringing you the new Toyota C-HR.”
TMMT will be Toyota’s first European plant to begin production of plug-in hybrid vehicles
And on January 30, 2023, Toyota Motor Europe revealed that the new C-HR will be produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT).
The new C-HR will be the first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be produced in Turkey, and TMMT will be Toyota’s first European plant to begin producing plug-in hybrids.
Commenting on the production of the new C-HR and TMMT’s commitment, Marvin Cook, Vice President of Manufacturing for Toyota Motor Europe, said, “We are very pleased to announce that TMMT will begin production of the new C-HR at Toyota’s first European plant.
We are pleased to announce that TMMT will be producing the second generation C-HR, including Europe’s first plug-in hybrid.
With the outstanding performance and dedication provided by TMMT’s employees, we are confident that this new C-HR will be just as successful as its predecessor.
In addition, the start-up of our first battery assembly line in Europe is an important step in our European electrification plan.
Odyssey & Sienna”” over Alphard is amazing!
Odyssey & Sienna”” over Alphard is amazing! And “”LM”” over 20 million yen! What are the features of the huge minivan with an overall length of over 5 meters?
More than an Alphard? What is a great minivan?
The year 2022 was a bumper year for domestically produced minivans. The middle minivans from various manufacturers have a variety of features, but they are sometimes compared to Toyota’s large minivan, the Alphard, in terms of design and high functionality.
In this context, there are several domestic minivans that surpass the Alphard. What kind of models are there?Exceeding the Alphard? New Odyssey 4-Seater Model & Over 20 Million Yen Luxury LM Interior and Exterior in 64 Images
Exceeding the Toyota “”Alphard””? What is an amazing minivan?
The minivan lineup in Japan includes the Toyota “”Sienta”” and Honda “”Freed”” as compact minivans.
As middle minivans, 2022 was a bumper year for Toyota’s Noah/Voxy (announced in January 2022), Honda’s Step Wagon (announced in May 2022), Nissan’s Serena (announced in November 2022), and the Mitsubishi Delica D:5.
And as for large minivans, Toyota’s Alphard/Vellfire, Nissan’s Elgrand, and Honda’s Odyssey, which will be discontinued in September 2022.
Against this backdrop, the November 2022 ranking of registered vehicles was the Sienna in 4th place, the Alphard in 10th place, the Step Wagon in 11th place, the Freed in 12th place, the Noah in 13th place, the Voxy in 14th place, and the Serena in 16th place, despite the recent super-delivery issue.
The Alphard is a large minivan and a luxury minivan, and its price range is higher than other models, but it continues to reign supreme in the top 10 ranking.
The Alphard is so popular in Japan, but if you look at the overseas market, there are minivans that are larger than the Alphard and have more luxurious specifications than the Alphard.
One of them is the Odyssey (North American specifications).
The first-generation Odyssey was introduced in 1994, and 433,028 units were sold in Japan over a five-year period before the second-generation Odyssey was introduced in 1999.
Since then, the Odyssey has undergone a steady stream of full model changes, but the current fifth-generation model, which was introduced in 2013, is no longer sold in Japan due to the production plant.
On the other hand, in markets such as China and North America, it has evolved in its own unique way and is still being sold as of December 2022.
In China, Honda’s local joint venture company, Guangqi Honda Automobile, has developed almost the same specifications as the Japanese model as the Odyssey, while another joint venture company, Dongfeng Honda Automobile, has developed the model as the Elysion.
Furthermore, in North America, the second generation was introduced as a model with a specially designed body measuring 5105 mm (length) x 1935 mm (width) x 1740 mm (height), in response to the feedback that the first generation was too small.
The current Odyssey’s body size is even more massive at 5212 mm (length) x 1994 mm (width) x 1735 mm (height).
The exterior design was significantly changed in a minor facelift in July 2020.
In addition to a blacked-out grille with a chrome design and LED headlights, the rear has been redesigned with a powerful new look by adding gloss black trim to the lower portion of the windows.
It is still sold today as a huge minivan with unique styling.
The interior design also differs from the Japanese version, incorporating a switch-type shift and a meter design similar to that of the Civic.
In addition, the backrests of the second-row seats can be folded forward to an almost flat position, making it possible to carry a variety of cargo depending on the seat arrangement.
Functionality has also been pursued through the addition of hooks on the back of the third-row seats and a center console with a slot for storing charging cords for smartphones and other devices.
In the same North American market, Toyota also offers a huge minivan called the Sienna. The first generation Sienna was launched in the North American market in 1997, and has undergone a series of full model changes since then.
The current Sienna is the fourth generation Sienna, which has been on sale since the end of 2020; up until the third generation Sienna, the Sienna was equipped with a gasoline engine, but from the fourth generation Sienna, only a hybrid is available.
The Sienna was developed as a minivan for the North American market, but the fourth-generation Sienna is produced at the U.S. plant and exported to Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, and South Korea. In addition, it is produced and sold locally in China.
The body size of the 4th generation Sienna (XSE) is 5184 mm (length) x 1993 mm (width) x 1770 mm (height) x 3060 mm (wheelbase).
The exterior design draws inspiration from the iconic Japanese Shinkansen bullet train to create a smooth and speedy shape.
The headlights are positioned high and stylishly designed toward the rear of the body.
The wide-opening front grille is pushed in while widening downward, and LED fog lamps are placed at the extreme end to emphasize the low center of gravity.
The fourth-generation Sienna uses the same GA-K TNGA platform as the Venza and RAV4, and the Camry and Avalon sedans, and is available in seven- and eight-passenger configurations with captain seats in the second row.
Regarding the fourth-generation Sienna and the minivan market in North America and China, a Sienna development manager had the following to say in the past.
In North America, the Sienna is a family car, and it carries the same children and other passengers as the Noah Vogt, and it has a low price because it competes with the Honda Odyssey and the Chrysler Pacifica.
In the U.S., the Sienna has also been recognized as a car for “”soccer moms”” (mothers who send their children to school), so we developed the 4th generation Sienna with the aim of creating a more stylish and cool design.
Customers in the U.S. who have purchased the Sienna say, “”First comes style, and second comes fuel economy.
In China, on the other hand, it is a completely different story, with customers saying they want more luxurious equipment in a luxury MPV for the wealthy.
In addition, the Alphard brand has been established in China, and the GL8 has been around for a long time, but the big change in the tide is that minivans have been attracting attention in China since the end of the one-child policy.
Honda also has a lineup that includes the Odyssey/Elysion, and Toyota has introduced the Sienna from the end of 2021 as its first local production.””
Odyssey & Sienna”” over Alphard is amazing! And “”LM”” over 20 million yen! What are the features of the huge minivan with an overall length of over 5 meters?
What is a minivan over 20 million yen that surpasses the Alphard in size, price, and equipment?
The Odyssey (North American specifications) and the Sienna are developed solely as minivans for the family segment.On the other hand, the LM (LM300/LM300h), based on the Alphard/Vellfire and packed with Lexus’ specialties, is being developed in some Asian regions.
The LM is a luxury minivan world premiered by Lexus at the Shanghai International Auto Show 2019.
It was developed mainly for the affluent Asian market and attracted a great deal of attention as a new flagship model for the Lexus brand.
The LM’s body size is 5040 mm (length) x 1850 mm (width) x 1945 mm (height) with a wheelbase of 3000 mm.
The exterior design expresses the Lexus character with a large chrome spindle grille, LED headlights, and L daytime running lights. The “”L”” chrome trim on the sides adds a sense of luxury different from that of the Alphard.
The seat layout is available in three rows of seven seats or two rows of four seats. The four-seat layout in the two-row version creates a space that transcends the concept of a “”mobility tool.
The rear seats are equipped with a 26-inch display that can be connected to a smartphone or tablet.
The cabinet below it (decorative board in silver ink) is equipped with a refrigerator (14 liters) that can hold two bottles of wine or other items.
In addition, privacy and quietness are ensured by the exclusive privacy glass between the front and rear seats in the 2-row version, which can be color-changed.
Lexus “”LM”” with TV and even refrigerator
Thus, in Japan, the Alphard reigns as a synonym for luxury minivan, but overseas, there are huge minivans such as the Odyssey (North American version) and the Sienna.
Furthermore, Lexus has developed the LM as a luxury minivan that surpasses the Alphard, and there were models that did more than simply satisfy the demand for a multi-passenger vehicle for the family segment.
According to some reports, there are plans to re-tailor the Odyssey sold in China to Japanese specifications and resell it in Japan.
The LM is also rumored to undergo a full model change in 2023, and is expected to have a design, features, and performance that surpass those of previous LMs.
Exciting Next-Gen Toyota C-HR Prologue Unveiled: 2023 Debut Speculation Grows
Toyota’s next-generation “C-HR” previewed! Cool shark face design! Will the stylish SUV be released in Japan? Australian introduction revealed!Next-gen C-HR revealed! Introduced in Australia in recent years, Japan yet?On December 5, Toyota’s Australian subsidiary revealed the new C-HR Prologue, a concept car, as the next model of the compact SUV C-HR.The latest Toyota face! The new Toyota C-HR Prologue, the “next C-HR” .This car was unveiled for the first time in the world on the same day by Toyota’s European subsidiary.
The “C-HR Prologue Concept,” the next generation C-HR The C-HR concept model “TOYOTA C-HR Concept” was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2014, and later made its official debut in December 2016 as a coupe-style compact SUV, which was also sold in Japan and gained popularity.The model currently on sale in Japan is a minor-changed model that will go on sale in 2019, with exterior changes such as enlarged front air intakes, the addition of a manual transmission model, sequential turn signals, and other improvements.
The body size is 4385-4390 mm (overall length) x 1795 mm (overall width) x 1550-1565 mm (overall height), making it compact and easy to maneuver.The Australian announcement states that the new C-HR PROLOG is a model that hints at the next model of the C-HR.The styling of the C-HR PROLOG was done at Toyota’s European design and development headquarters in the south of France, just like the current C-HR, and the exterior design is extremely modern, but with a friendly, human touch.
The front face features a sharp design inspired by the “hammerhead” (hammerhead shark), which is also shared by the new Prius.Although details of the body size have not been disclosed, it is said to be a C-SUV (C-segment SUV) like the current C-HR, so it is unlikely that there will be any drastic size changes.As for the powertrains, it has been announced that a “hybrid” and a “plug-in hybrid” will be available, which foreshadows that the PHEV option will be increased compared to the current model.Sean Hanley, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations for Toyota’s Australian subsidiary, commented on the new C-HR Prologue as followsToyota is looking to market the new C-HR alongside the recently launched Corolla Cross, and the concept model we have just unveiled anticipates an exciting future.The current C-HR has been well received by customers for its bold styling and unique small SUV packaging, and the concept vision for the next generation C-HR takes it to an even higher level.
We look forward to unveiling the final production version and introducing it to the Australian market in the coming years.”As of December 7, 2022, the C-HR Prologue Concept is only available in Australia outside of Europe.The release introducing the C-HR Prologue Concept states, “”Details of the new C-HR introduction and product details in Australia will be announced closer to launch,” making it clear that the model will be introduced in Australia and will go on sale within a few years.
In Japan, the C-HR has become a hot topic of conversation on social networking sites, with comments such as, “It looks cool,” “I want one,” and “When will it be introduced in Japan?Some overseas media are saying that the car will debut in 2023, but there has been no announcement regarding its introduction in Japan.
Next model for domestic sales Toyota “Hiace” !
“The Next Model of Toyota Hiace to be Sold in Japan! Bold prediction for the next model of “”200 series””! Is the CG of the luxurious impression unexpected?
Predicting the next model of Japan’s “”200-type Hiace
Toyota’s 1-box commercial van “”Hiace”” (Hiace Van) is the best-selling car in its genre, maintaining its popularity over the years.This is cool! Rendering of the next model of Toyota’s “”200 Hiace”” and the regular “”Hiace”” in 64 images.
Digimods DESIGN has created a rendering (image CG) of the next model of the Hiace and released it on their YouTube channel.
Rendering of the next model of Toyota’s 200 Hiace (Photo: Digimods DESIGN)
The Hiace is a long-selling and popular 1BOX van that is used for all kinds of purposes as a commercial vehicle, but also enjoys great popularity among individual users who enjoy outdoor leisure activities and overnight stays in their cars.
The current 5th generation 200 series Hiace sold in Japan was launched in August 2004. It has already been 18 full years since its debut, and the next model is expected to be introduced, but in fact, a successor model to the Hiace already exists.
In Japan, the 300-series new Hiace itself is not sold, perhaps because it is too large for the domestic market, while the large wagon “”Gran Ace”” based on the 300-series Hiace is in the lineup, and the 200-series The 200-series Hiace continues to be sold as is.
Digimods DESIGN has created and published a rendering of the next model of the 200 series Hiace, which will be sold in Japan, instead of the next model of the 300 series Hiace.
In the rendering, the traditional 200 Series Hiace shape is retained, but the front bumper is changed to a “”Vellfire””-like design. The headlights and grille also have an overall sharper look.
The rear is equipped with horizontal RAV4-like rear lights, and the shape of the rear bumper has also been changed.
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Digimods DESIGN has been creating renderings and posting them on their social networking sites of models such as the Hiace with the Alphard’s face transplanted and other upcoming models from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and other manufacturers.
The renderings created by Digimods DESIGN are, of course, unrealistic and have some unreasonable points in terms of shape, but we cannot completely deny the possibility of the next model as the 200 Series, since the 300 Series and 200 Series, while calling themselves the same Hiace, have significantly different sizes and are now like different models. Therefore, we cannot completely deny the possibility of the next model as the 200 Series.”
Revival confirmed! Does Honda’s new “Fit RS” have an MT setting?
“Revival Confirmed! Will the new Honda Fit RS have a manual transmission? Will the black face be “”reimported from China”” as expected?
On August 5, 2022, Honda released preliminary information on its website about the Fit, which is scheduled to undergo minor changes in the fall of 2022, and revealed that the RS will return as a sporty type.
Sporty with black face emphasis! What does the new Honda Fit RS look like? See the actual car in 21 images.
Some information about the interior, exterior, equipment, and body color has been released, though. What kind of specifications will the new Fit RS have?
The new Fit RS to be launched in the fall of 2022
The current Fit model is the fourth generation and was introduced in February 2020. The minor changes include an increase in the motor output of the two-motor hybrid system “”e:HEV”” to improve gas pedal response and, as mentioned above, the addition of a new type, the RS.
The “”LUXE”” model, which is tailored with a luxurious feel, will have a new look, while the “”NESS”” sporty model, which has been available since the fourth generation, will be discontinued and replaced by the RS.
As for information currently available on the new RS type, a deceleration selector and a drive mode switch that allows the driver to select a driving mode from NORMAL, SPORT, and ECON modes will be exclusively equipped for the e:HEV model. It can be said that the driver can now enjoy driving more actively.
On the other hand, from the viewpoint of active enjoyment of driving, it is also interesting to see if the new Fit RS will be available with a manual transmission.
The new Fit RS will be equipped with the same two powertrains as the other models: e:HEV and gasoline.
The photos of the interior of the new Fit RS that have been released to the public show a straight shift lever, but since a drive mode switch can be seen in the image, it is believed to be an e:HEV model.
It will be interesting to see what kind of transmission will be used for the gasoline model of the new Fit RS that will be announced in the future.
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The new Fit RS also features a front face with a mesh-shaped black front grille. It is similar to the “”ModuloX,”” a genuine custom-completed car that differs from the five other types.
In fact, the grille design is similar to that of the Chinese version of the Fit (sold by the joint venture Guangqi Honda Automobile) and its sister model in the Chinese market, the Life (sold by another joint venture, Dongfeng Honda Automobile).
The new Fit RS may be attractive because of its different look from the previous models, and some users may have a favorable impression of the new Fit RS.”