PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota are celebrating the production of their one-millionth, co-developed minicar at their joint-venture manufacturing plant in Kolin, the Czech Republic. The Peugeot 107, Citroën C1 and Toyota AYGO, where introduced into the European market in the first half of 2005 having all received a minor facelift in 2008. The three tiny, A-Class vehicles are available in either a 3- or 5-door version and with either a petrol or diesel engine.
There have been countless efforts to replicate the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor from the 2000 blockbuster movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Nicolas Cage. We've seen Eleanor replicas based on everything ranging from a Toyota MR2 to even -the most ridiculous of all- a Smart Fortwo.
At this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, the students from Saitama University's automotive course presented their take on the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation (1993-2002) Toyota Supra sports coupe as a base.
The replica, which is called "Moto Supra", maintains the Supra's six-cylinder powerhouse, though it's not clear if the students performed any upgrades on the sport coupe's hardware. More photos after the jump.
Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron
"One million hybrids in less than nine years indicates how quickly American consumers have accepted this important technology," said Jim Lentz, TMS president. "Toyota's hybrid leadership will continue to expand in the U.S. and around the globe. With 10 new hybrid models between now and 2012 in various global markets, we plan to sell one million gas-electric hybrids per year, worldwide, sometime early in the next decade."
In 2009, the Japanese automaker will launch three new hybrid vehicles in the States: the third-generation Toyota Prius in spring, the second-generation 2010 Lexus RX 450h in the summer and finally, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h in late summer.
At next month's Goodwood Festival of Speed that runs from July 3 to 5, Toyota plans to bring a variety of race cars led by the Lexus LF-A that will be making its first appearance on British soil. The V10-powered supercar will be joined by another competition Lexus, the racing IS F that competed along with the LF-A at this year's Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race.
Panasonic Toyota Racing will be back at Goodwood with the TF108, the last F1 Toyota to be designed before FIA introduced its current restrictions on wing sizes and additional aerodynamic elements. Toyota's F1 driver Timo Glock will be present at the event to drive the TF108.
The Toyota Sprint Series will be represented for the first time on the hill climb with the 700HP Fensport Celica GT4-X AWD. Other Toyota cars that will be on show (but won't compete) at the Goodwood event include Alain Prost's Andros Trophy Auris that features a carbon fibre bodywork and a tuned version of the Lexus RX 3.0-litre V6 engine, the Aygo Crazy and iQ Gazoo plus various rally cars such as the Group B Celica Twin-cam Turbo, Celica ST185, Celica GT4 ST205 and the WRC Corolla.
The 'Auto Guangzhou 2009' motor show in China that runs from November 23 to 30 will see Toyota and Lexus exhibiting 45 concept and production vehicles including the world premiere of the new Lexus GX460 SUV that we told you about during the weekend.
Also on display will be the Chinese market Lexus ES240 powered by a 165HP 4-cylinder engine, the new Toyota Crown, which will be produced domestically with sales staring in China in December this year, the third-generation Prius and the Camry Hybrid.
Furthermore, the Japanese automaker will display several concept vehicles that we've already seen in other shows such as the compact commuter FT-EV, the FT-HS hybrid sports car and urban plug-in hybrid vehicle Hi-CT.
Sans a new grille, some minor styling/trim enhancements inside and out, and most importantly, a V8 engine, the new 2010 GX460 is in essence the U.S.-spec version of Toyota's 2010 Land Cruiser that was recently launched in Europe and other markets. Featuring a standard 7-seat configuration, Lexus positions the new GX between the brand's LX 570 premium luxury utility vehicle and unibody-based RX models.
In the States, the GX470's replacement is fitted with a new 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of peak torque, and coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift.
It comes equipped with standard full-time four-wheel drive using an electronically controlled transfer case and a TORSEN torque-sensing center differential that distributes power 40:60 under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip.
The new Lexus GX also offers a low gear range for off-road driving while the Japanese automaker claims that it retains the same 6,500-lb. towing capacity as the 263HP GX470 offered,
According to the automaker, the new GX460 returns an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined (2009 GX 470: 15 mpg).
For the first time, the GX will be offered in two trim levels, with the base carrying an MSRP of $51,970 and the higher-spec Premium, $56,765. To that you'll have to add delivery, processing and handling fee of $875.
The new GX will make its first public outing in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December with sales starting towards the end of the month.
