Toyota has recently launched the largest recall in its history with over 4 million Toyota and Lexus models identified with potential safety issues. Last fall the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration received a flurry of reports that driver’s side floor mats were dislodging and causing the accelerator pedal to get stuck. The problem received national attention when a highway patrol officer and his family were killed. The officer’s Lexus crashed after traveling over 120mph as a result of a stuck gas pedal. Apparently the vehicle could not be stopped by the brakes alone. Toyota responded by issuing a safety alert recommending that Toyota and Lexus owners remove the driver’s side floor mats and not replace them until Toyota could investigate the matter further. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration also issued an alert in which they strongly urged owners of these vehicles to remove mats or other obstacles that could lead to unintended acceleration. The models with potential safety issues are:
• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Toyota Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra
• 2007 – 2010 Lexus ES350
• 2006 – 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350
Toyota and Lexus service technicians have undergone training and are now equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models. Although it would seem to be an easy fix; just replace the defective floor mats with a more efficient design, Toyota wants to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Therefore, technicians will actually be reshaping the accelerator pedal and in some models will also install a brake override system. Beginning in April 2010 there will be accelerator pedal replacement part available for those customers that would like to have it installed. Toyota has begun issuing recall letters instructing owners to bring their vehicles in for repair and anticipates a deluge in their service departments. To help combat the inconvenience many Toyota Dealerships are offering rental cars to customers affected by the recall.
The official Toyota website offers more information about the Toyota/Lexus recall including overall safety of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles. For further information Toyota customers can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-255-3987.
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The horsepower wars in the truck sector have been raging off and on over the past few years. We have seen 2 generations of the Ford F-150 Lighting which put down a mere 380-hp thanks to a supercharger. There was the GM Syclone which was a small pick-up that had 280-hp of turbocharged fury. And what I thought would be the pinnacle of trucks; the Dodge Ram SRT-10 which had the drive train from the Viper including the huge V-10 engine that roasted tires with 500 all-motor horsepower. Well Toyota has one-upped Dodge with the release of the TRD Tundra.
So how do you get 504-hp and 550lb.-ft of torque? Slap a TRD Supercharger and Intercooler on an already 
potent 5.7 liter 381-hp engine and you get ridiculous results. A TRD Dual Exhaust system frees up those spent exhaust gasses. 22-inch TRD Wheels hide the 16-inch cross-drilled rotors with six piston calipers. Wow! The suspension pieces are also TRD and lower the new Tundra about 2 inches.
Do you need a 504-hp truck? Probably not; but at $40k that’s not too far out of range for real horsepower lovers. And it sprints to 60 MPH in 4.6 seconds with a ¼ mile time of 13.5 seconds. I’m definitely going for a test drive!
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Scion has hit a gold mine with the Release Series versions of their line-up. Well the Scion xD RS 2.0 has recently hit the markets with a buzz. The xD will only be offered in one exterior color: Electric Wasabi Green. And yes this color looks just like what you’d see in your local Sushi restaurant. The name tells the whole story; this car will definitely stand out! With only 1600 versions of this vehicle being offered, they will sell out fast. But what exactly do you get with a Limited Edition Release Series xD? 
First off is the sweet Pioneer Navigation Audio System. The 5.8” Nav features a touch screen, IPod connectivity, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a Rear-View Camera.
The Interior receives a couple of upgrades and accessories. The xD will get black fabric seats with some cool silver highlights. This interior color scheme is very refined and appealing. There is an interior illumination feature that has 4 different lighting options that include green, blue, orange, and white. To go with this upgraded interior are illuminated door sills that glow with the interior color of your choice. Rounding out the interior is a unique numbered holographic badge to indicate this limited edition model car. 
Moving to the outside the custom xD gets 16” Release Series Wheel covers that are specifically branded for the Release Series. Finally top this off with a color matched rear spoiler wing and you have one custom limited edition Scion xD. This car is on sale right now as a 2009 model and the price checks in at $16,590. A manual or automatic transmission is available. And of course this automobile features power everything.
Source Scion Website See Other Cool Scions
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Scion recently debuted a new Release Series auto; the latest limited-edition Scion was newly revealed on Feb. 11th2009 at the Chicago Auto Show. Ironically the 5.0 Series tC was unveiled one year after the debut of its predecessor, the tC RS 4.0, but caught much more attention. In comparison to the tC RS 4.0, Scion has made significant modifications that go beyond the new flashy exterior.
The Scion tC RS 5.0 still has the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) theme but nearly everything in the TRD parts catalog has been added to the car. This limited-edition Scion has custom 18-inch wheels in matte black, a rear sway bar, a sport muffler, lowering springs, and an optional lip spoiler.
The tC RS 5.0’s interior also includes black cloth seats with red accents to contrast how dark it is, black leather steering wheel with matching red stitching and special TRD- emblem floor mats. To mirror its limited-edition status, the Scion tC 5.0 is also individually numbered. Expect to see the new tC arriving in style. Best of all these details is that this TRD-infused car will only be an additional $2,300 to the base price of the typical tC. Manual five- speed transmission will have a retailing starting price at $17,000 and a no-hassle automatic transmission will retail at $17,800.
See the new Scion at the Palm Spings Auto Mall
Source:
http://www.nextautos.com/chicago-2009-scion-tc-release-series-50-rolls-out
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/chicago-2009-scion-tc-release-series-5-0-is-errr-i-releas/
http://www.motorauthority.com/scion-announces-tc-release-series-50-pricing.html
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Over the past year or two there have been many new features available as standard options or add-ons for many cars. Some of these features are revolutionary and exciting, some have been around in one form or another for years, and then there are those that died a quick death. Below is a list of 10 from Automobile News and some thoughts on each.
1. Ignition/Push Start Buttons – The first car to my knowledge to come standard with this feature was the Honda S2000. Although you still need to put a key into the ignition, the push button start was a great idea that caught on with manufacturers everywhere. BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus wasted no time in adding this to their line-up. But now this feature is even better; you don’t even need to put the key into any ignition, just have the key in your pocket and the car will start right up with the push of a button!
2. Navigation Systems – With the popularity of Magellan, Tom Tom, and other road map systems, it was only a matter of time before the in-dash navigation system would make its way onto current cars. I look forward to the day when I can afford a new car with the in-dash nav/DVD system.
3. Gas/Electric Hybrids – This has been the future of automobiles for years. Toyota and Honda know this, but it was just this year that U.S. automakers got their act together and started producing hybrid vehicles. Soon all cars will be hybrids, then electric, then gas will be dead forever!
4. Cylinder Cut-Off systems – This is by far my favorite new wave in the car industry. Cylinder Deactivation essentially turns a V-8 engine into a 4-cylinder by cutting fuel to half of the cylinder banks. This is a great way for big V-8 trucks and SUV’s to get reasonable gas mileage.
5. Paddle Shifters – We go from my favorite invention to my least favorite. In fact I hate the idea of paddle shifters on everyday cars. I feel they should be reserved for million dollar Ferrari’s that need millisecond shifts. Now cars as lowly as the Mitsubishi Lancer will get high tech paddle shifters. This marks the beginning of the end for clutch operated, hand shifted cars. I shed a tear.
6. Rear view Cameras – This option grew out of necessity. Supercars like the McLaren F1 which has the tiniest of rear windows relied on a camera to see what’s behind. Then big trucks and SUV’s like the Infiniti FX have caught onto the trend. Now many luxury cars offer this system. It makes reversing much safer and will definitely help in the area of parking.
7. Turbochargers and Smaller Engines – Again auto manufacturers like Volkswagen have used turbocharged 4-cylinder engines to produce as much horsepower as a V-8 while getting incredible gas mileage. I have always been a big fan of turbos’, which used the wasted exhaust gasses to power up.
8. Small Cars/Spacious Interiors – Again it is the Japanese sub-compact industry that sparked the rise of these cars in America. Hatchbacks have been around for years, and the folding rear seats allow for a ton of cubic space in a hatchback style car.
9. Capless Fuel Systems – Gas can evaporate! Yup this is news to me but very true. Ford is on the leading edge with their GT Supercar which features a capless fuel system. This internal sealing feature will be a trend we see on new cars in the future.
10. Information Systems – The Ford Sync provides real time traffic reports, an On-Star like feature that alerts authorities in the event of an accident, and a vehicle diagnostic system.
With these new features appearing on more new cars, the race is on for car manufacturers to provide the consumers with the newest technology.
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