Vehicle Profile: 2013 Toyota Tacoma

Luxurious and Tough to Match 

The Toyota Tacoma is back for 2013 adding new enhancements for this model year. The new upgrades for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma look to increase the refinement of the vehicle. Look for the Tacoma to also sport a refreshed look for added visual appeal.

What’s New?

The new upgrades for 2013 help to add new levels of comfort to the interior , thanks to the Tacoma’s new Limited Package, which adds some improved interior features like SofTex^®-trimmed heated seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, a Display Audio System with Entune^™ and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with a rear camera display.

The exterior updates for the Tacoma under the Limited Package include 18-inch chrome wheels, a chrome grille surround and fog lamps, while adding a chrome rear bumper, exterior mirrors and door handles.

What Stayed?

Some features from the Tacoma’s predecessor carried over from last year, including the many customization options.

The Toyota Tacoma offers three cab sizes, two engine choices, available 4WD and multiple performance packages, making this a very customizable vehicle depending on your needs. The 2013 Tacoma’s engine choices include a 159-hp 2.7-liter four-cylinder that can be mated to a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.0-liter V6 produces 236 hp and comes paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.

Cabin options for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma include: a Regular Cab, Access Cab and Double Cab.

The Regular Cab and Access Cab models come standard with a 73.5-inch bed, while the Double Cab gets a shorter, 60.3-inch bed standard, though it does offer the longer bed as an option. Mileage estimates range from an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the Regular Cab 2.7-liter with the five-speed manual, to 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway for the 4.0-liter V6 4x4 Double Cab long bed with the five-speed automatic.

The 2013 Tacoma 4x2 Regular Cab features a Display Audio stereo with a 6.1-inch touch-screen, Bluetooth^® and USB capability. All Access Cab and Double Cab models get added features like power windows and locks. The Double Cab V6 models feature a more advanced version of the Display Audio system with seven JBL GreenEdge Synthesis speakers including a subwoofer.

Off Road and Safety

Looking to take this bad boy off into the dirt? Then you are looking for a little more capability than the standard 4x4 provides. If you are one of those drivers, Toyota offers the TRD Off-Road Package for V6 automatic models. The package includes Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and a switch-activated locking rear differential. HAC controls the brakes on each wheel independently to stop the Tacoma from rolling backwards or sliding sideways when climbing a grade from a stop. DAC works by using engine braking and brake control to regulate downhill speeds.

The Tacoma, like all Toyota vehicles, features the Star Safety System^™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, an Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop brake override technology. Each Tacoma also comes equipped with six airbags. To keep your Tacoma in optimal running condition, the standard Toyota Care covers all scheduled maintenance for two-years/25,000 miles. Free 24-hour roadside assistance is also included with Toyota Care.

The 2013 Tacoma’s refreshed look and luxury features give it an overall nicer feel, while at the same time maintaining all of the power and favorite features from the previous models.

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Toyota Motors Develops New Collision Avoidance Assist System

System Effective in More Than 90% of Speed Ranges in Rear-end Collisions

Toyota City, Japan— You are on your commute home from work when you suddenly rear end a driver. In the words of Homer Simpson, Doh!

Research has shown that speeds between 40 km/h to 60 km/h during the time of a rear-end collision is the range in which most fatal and injury-causing accidents increase. In response to this, Two days ago, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced it had developed a Pre-collision System (PCS) with collision avoidance assist that is effective in helping mitigate even high-speed collisions.

The newly developed PCS uses a millimeter-wave radar to detect the risk of a rear-end collision with a vehicle ahead of you. The system works by sending a system warning to the driver via sound and display alerts advising the driver to brake when such a risk is detected.  When the driver applies the brakes, PCS enables deceleration of up to 60 km/h by increasing the vehicle’s braking force up to twice the force of what an  that of the average driver. 

One cool feature to this PCS system is that even If the brakes are not applied, automatic deceleration is possible at speed of 15 km/h to approximately 30 km/h.

Toyota’s research found that more than 90 percent of rear-end collisions occur when the difference in speed between the preceding and following vehicle is within 60 km/h, thus aiming to produce a brake assist system based on real-world collision data. Toyota’s new PCS will be able to achieve rear-end-collision reducing-effects at the highest level in the industry. 

On top of releasing this PCS system and in order to help eliminate fatal traffic accidents, Toyota Motors is also conducting research and development on individual onboard safety devices and systems based on its Integrated Safety Management Concept.

Toyota’s Integrated Safety Management Concept is TMC’s approach to safety that links each individual safety technology system equipped on vehicles together to increase overall vehicle safety.  Toyota Motors has been hard at work developing safer vehicles and technologies, as well as increasing its traffic-safety initiatives by participating in the development of traffic environments and participating in educational traffic-safety activities for drivers.

The new PCS was developed to be used in a wide variety of models, and is expected to be rolled out starting with soon-to-be-launched 2013 models.

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Vehicle Profile: 2013 Toyota Avalon

Avalon redesign aims to bring it back to the top of the class

It all began this year when Toyota began hinting plans to reveal a new vehicle at the New York Auto Show (Read at: http://newtoyotanews.blogspot.com/2012/03/toyota-to-debut-new-sedan.html). After much hoopla, Toyota revealed that the new sedan would come in the form of a new and improved version of the 2013 Toyota Avalon. The redesigned Avalon raised the bar on its predecessors with new styling and the introduction of the first full-hybrid in the segment.

What’s New?

So what’s new with the 2013 Avalon? Simply put, the new 2013 Toyota Avalon is shorter, lower, and less wide than previous models, and it features a brand new design created here in America, and featuring a smooth, sleek shape with muscular lines as well as a sporting profile. In addition to being designed in the U.S., the new Avalon is also assembled in the USA, at the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.

 Under the Hood

Under the hood, the standard Avalon has seen enhanced capability and fuel economy. Toyota’s go to engine, the 3.5-liter V6, now comes matched to a more responsive, and efficient, six-speed automatic transaxle. This all-aluminum engine is able to produce 268 HP, which allows the Avalon to go from 0 to 60 mph in less than seven seconds.

The 2013 model also sees the addition of three driver-selectable powertrain modes: “ECO,” “NORMAL” and “SPORT”.

In SPORT mode, the new Avalon sees an increase in its acceleration response, as well as enhanced steering feel. ECO mode maximizes the Avalon’s fuel efficiency by altering its throttle response and reducing the energy used by the air-condition system, allowing the Avalon to achieve an impressive 31 mpg highway estimate from the EPA. The 2013 Toyota Avalon has a city fuel efficiency rating of 21 mpg.

Looking to save money on the pump?

Looking for the best possible fuel economy? Then the all-new, segment-first full-hybrid Avalon is the way to go. Award-winning Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive combines with the Avalon Hybrid’s reduced weight and more aerodynamic shape to deliver an EPA-estimated 39 mpg highway and 40 mpg city. The Avalon Hybrid features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. There is also a pair of electric motor/generators within the transaxle. 

The system has a total power output of 200 hp and has three separate driving modes: “EV,” “ECO” and “SPORT.” 

EV mode allows the Avalon to travel on pure electric energy for up to one mile at speeds up to 25 mph. This is especially useful for traveling through parking lots and residential areas. ECO mode uses the gasoline motor, but adjusts throttle response and climate control to help improve fuel economy. Sport mode, designed to take advantage of the dynamic characteristics of the Avalon, alters engine throttle and enhances steering feel.

 Safety

The Avalon comes with the Toyota Star Safety System™ and is standard equipped with Toyota Care. The Star Safety System includes a very impressive array of safety features including: Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control combined with advanced airbags. Anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Smart Stop brake override technology are also included in the Star Safety System. While Star Safety protects you, the Toyota Care complimentary maintenance program provides free factory scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles.

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