Toyota Owners Club

Customer deliveries of the highly anticipated Toyota LandCruiser 300 will be delayed, Toyota Australia announced today As previously advised, LandCruiser production in Japan has been halted for part of August and most of September due to COVID-19 restrictions in Southeast Asia that have led to parts shortages. However, a limited number of vehicles will be in dealerships as demonstrator models nationally from early October, giving our valued customers the opportunity to experience the new LandCruiser first-hand, including through test drives as permitted. Toyota Australia is continuing to work closely with our global production team to provide the latest information for dealers and to support our customers. Our dealers are contacting customers who have placed orders for the new LandCruiser 300 to update them on developments regarding their vehicle. Due to this evolving situation, Toyota will continue to provide updates as global production is confirmed. Toyota sincerely apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused.

Toyota is set to deliver performance car fans an early Christmas present with the upgraded GR Supra - with a power boost of 35kW With 285kW now on tap from its 3.0-litre turbo straight six, the upgraded GR Supra shaves 0.2 seconds off it's 0-100km/h time with the iconic rear-drive, two-door coupe able to cover the sprint in just 4.1 seconds. The power boost comes as part of an upgrade aimed at further improving the already potent performance of the car, including the addition of under-bonnet strut braces to improve rigidity and handling. Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said the modifications to the GR Supra would ensure it continued to deliver the pure sports car performance that was at the heart of the GR brand. "TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and our GR brand portfolio of cars is all about pushing the limits and where we can, we will deliver every ounce of performance potential," Mr Hanley said. "This upgrade for GR Supra will continue our quest to deliver ever-better cars, with more power and under-bonnet bracing that will further enhance the thrilling driving experience offered by this iconic car," he said. The retuned engine uses a lower 10.2:1 compression ratio than previously and generates a maximum power of 285kW between 5800rpm and 6500rpm. Peak torque remains the same at 500Nm but is delivered over a broader rev range between 1800rpm and 5000rpm. Despite the increased power, the GR Supra maintains the same fuel economy with a figure of 7.7l/100km1 and CO2 emissions of 177g/km2 on the combined cycle test. To complement the increased performance, Toyota has also installed a pair of strut braces under the bonnet to help prevent the chassis flexing during cornering, giving the car a more rigid structure to enhance it's agile handling. Aesthetically, the car remains as stylish as before with the only change being a Supra logo applied to the large red front callipers of the brakes for the GTS model to further distinguish its top-of-the-range status. The GR Supra re-ignited Toyota's performance car heritage when the low-slung, two seater, no-compromise sports car was launched here in 2019. Two grades - GT and GTS - are available that both share the potent 3.0-litre single-scroll, turbo inline six-cylinder engine that drives through a sports-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission with Normal and Sport modes and launch control function. To deliver the ultimate agility and performance, the GR Supra features a rigid, lightweight aluminium and steel body structure, 50/50 weight distribution and low centre of gravity, electronically-controlled limited slip differential, and fully independent adaptive suspension. Providing a very high level of safety is an extensive suite of Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features including active cruise control, pre-collision safety (PCS) system with daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane departure alert, together with reversing camera, blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and rear-end collision warning. As a premium sports car, it offers a high level of creature comforts that include dual-zone climate control, smart entry and start, leather-accented power-adjustable sports seats and a 10-speaker multimedia system. The GR Supra GTS adds sports pedals, head-up display, larger 19-inch forged alloy wheels and a 12-speaker premium JBL®3 surround sound audio system. The upgraded GR Supra is available in a choice of seven colours4 and include Fuji White, Suzuka Silver, Goodwood Grey, Monza Red, Silverstone Yellow, Bathurst Black and for GTS only in limited numbers, Nurburg Matte Grey. GR Supra pricing 5 GR Supra GT $87,126 Gr Supra GTS $97,126 Options (GTS only) Nurburg Matte Grey paint $2500 Alcantara upholstery $2500

Few cars can claim to be genuinely iconic, but Toyota’s beautiful 1960s 2000GT sports car certainly is. Now a rare example has gone under the hammer for more than $900,000 Very few 2000GT come up for sale, never mind one originally bought and owned by legendary American racing driver Otto Linton (1917-2018), so this 1967 model attracted fierce bidding when it arrived on the auction platform at RM Sotheby’s in the US. Bidding exceeded the car’s upper estimate, closing at $912,500, or approximately £696,000 last Sunday (25 October). The anonymous buyer certainly has one of the finest examples of the car to come up for sale in recent times. This Solar Red example was built in 1967 and wears chassis number MF10-10100, which means it was the one-hundredth car in the total of 351 units made during the model’s short, three-year production run. But more than that, it is one of only 62 cars made in left-hand drive for the important United States export market. Sometime in the mid-1960s, Linton acquired a Toyota dealership in Pennsylvania, which put the famous racer in the enviable position of being able to order a brand new 2000GT, a sports car he considered one of his all-time favourites. He held on to the rare coupe for more than 30 years before passing it to fellow Toyota dealer Rich Jacobsen, who added the 2000GT to his private collection. Six years later the car was acquired by Maine Line Exotics, a company which has specialised in the model since 1976 and has restored at least 53 of the 62 cars originally delivered to the United States. This example was no exception to that rule, and its full restoration culminated in it being exhibited at the 2007 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion as part of Toyota Motorsport’s 50th anniversary display. Soon afterwards, the 2000GT was sold to classic motor vehicle collector Brown Maloney, who didn’t put it away in a sealed garage but drove it as it was designed to be driven, taking part in the 2010 Copperstate 1000 road rally. Eventually, the Toyota made its way into RM Sotheby’s Elkhart Collection , where it was offered to auction at a guide price of $700,000 to $850,000. The 2000GT was born from motorsport. Following the success of the first and second Japanese Grand Prix events in 1963 and 1964, enthusiasm for all forms of motorsport was on the increase in Japan and motorists began asking for manufacturers to produce truly high-performance road cars. In response to this ambitious change in car-buying tastes, Toyota began to develop a range-topping grand touring model to showcase the technologies and manufacturing know-how it had accumulated since the 1930s. The aim was to create a practical, high-performance coupe that was comfortable for everyday use, yet with only minor modifications could be just as effective on the race track. The climax of these efforts was Toyota’s incredibly successful entry in the gruelling Speed Trials held at the Yatabe High Speed Testing Course in 1966. By the end of the 72-hour event, the yellow-and-green Tosco (now TRD) tuned 2000GT had endured a tropical storm and averaged a pace of 128.76mph around the circuit’s banked oval. It smashed three world records and set 13 new international records for speed and endurance, proving beyond doubt the effectiveness and reliability of the advanced technologies within the car. And if that wasn’t enough to send the car in to legend, the creation of two special open-top versions (Toyota never formally made a convertible) to accommodate the large frame of actor Sean Connery as secret agent 007 in the movie You Only Live Twice did the rest (see above photo). (Images taken by Darin Schnabel ©2019 courtesy of RM Sotheby’s)

Toyota Gazoo Racing earned a third consecutive overall Le Mans 24 Hours win with the TS050 Hybrid after a turbulent and ultimately successful race at the Circuit de la Sarthe Sébastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley completed over 5,000km (over 3,100 miles) of a gruelling race, held for only the second time in September, and won by five laps in the No8 TS050 Hybrid, to take the lead in the drivers’ World Championship. For Sébastien and Kazuki, this was their third consecutive Le Mans triumph and they join only seven previous drivers who have achieved that feat in the race’s 97-year history, while Brendon won for the second time following his victory in 2017. The pole position No7 TS050 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López had looked on course for their first win at La Sarthe until an exhaust problem, although they fought back to earn third place in the dramatic final 70 minutes. Today’s victory, in the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), means Toyota Gazoo Racing is crowned Teams’ World Champions, holding an unassailable 57-point lead over Rebellion Racing, its third title following those in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The race marked the final appearance at Le Mans for the 1,000PS, four-wheel-drive TS050 Hybrid which has set a new standard in terms of efficiency and performance at La Sarthe. Using 35 per cent less fuel than the first generation of LMP1 hybrids from 2012, the TS050 Hybrid performs around 10 seconds a lap faster. It holds the fastest ever lap and the race lap record alongside its four consecutive pole positions and three victories. Those achievements inspired the GR Super Sport, a hypercar born in Le Mans, so it was fitting that it made its public track debut moments before the race start. A customised development version completed a demonstration lap before returning the winners’ trophy just before the 1.30pm start, (UK time) for which the No7 lined up on pole position, with the No8 in third. Aside from 10 laps around the six hour mark, the No7 held the advantage at the front of the field, building a one lap lead by half distance. But shortly before 3am, with Kamui at the wheel, it suffered reduced power which forced it into the garage. A damaged exhaust manifold was replaced in less than 30 minutes and Kamui re-joined in fourth place, six laps off the lead and four laps behind the third-placed No3 Rebellion. That left the No8 in a clear lead, having recovered from its own troubles first with a puncture, then a debris-damaged brake duct which cost time at two pit stops before a 10 minute repair in the seventh hour. But they never gave up and fought back into second place before the issue for No7. Now with a healthy lead, Sébastien, Kazuki and Brendon controlled the rest of the race from the front, establishing a five lap lead. For the third consecutive year, Kazuki crossed the finish line to win the Le Mans 24 Hours, cementing his status as the most successful Japanese driver at La Sarthe. Mike, Kamui and José initially made up ground on third place but the No7 sustained floor damage after hitting debris, which compromised aerodynamic performance. However, the podium battle came alive in the final hour when the No3 Rebellion first crashed on track and then could not exit the pits, allowing José to earn third, taking the flag six laps behind the sister No8 car and one lap adrift of the second placed No1 Rebellion. A significant point swing in favour of the No8 crew at Le Mans means the race for the drivers’ World Championship title therefore goes down to the last race of the 2019-2020 season, on 14 November in Bahrain. The No8 car holds a seven point lead with a maximum of 39 available in Bahrain. Quotes: Hisatake Murata, Team President: “Again we have seen what a difficult challenge the Le Mans 24 Hours is; it is a true endurance test. We showed great team spirit and determination to overcome the early troubles for the No8 car and winning three consecutive Le Mans with the TS050 Hybrid is a dream come true. Well done to everyone in the team on this achievement. However, we set ourselves the target of another one-two finish and I am sorry for the No7 drivers, mechanics and engineers who worked so hard and performed so well again. We are one team, so we all feel their pain. We missed experiencing these highs and lows with the fans at the track but I hope we can meet again here next year. Congratulations to Rebellion for their podium; they pushed us and once again earned our respect. Thank you to the ACO for giving us the chance to enjoy Le Mans despite the global circumstances this year.” Mike Conway (TS050 Hybrid No7): “Le Mans hasn’t been the kindest to us over the years. We are happy for Toyota Gazoo Racing to earn its third win in succession but on our side of the garage it feels as if another win got away from us. We are sad about that, also because it changes the World Championship situation massively. This means two big hits in one race. We always come here to do a good job but some things always seem to get in our way. But well done to the No8 guys and the team for another win here.” Kamui Kobayashi (TS050 Hybrid No7): “Third is not the result we expected or wanted. We were very fast again here but the race always seems to be hard on us. We did a good job and so did the team fixing the car in the night. The problem was very unfortunate, it appeared for the first time and then in an important race like this one, but this is Le Mans and these things can happen. Congratulations to car No8 and the team who have worked as hard as they can to get two cars to the finish line.” José María López (TS050 Hybrid No7): “First of all I would like to congratulate the team and car No8. It is a big achievement for Toyota Gazoo Racing to win this big race for the third time in a row. The team has worked very hard, day and night. Everyone did a fantastic job, including Mike and Kamui, and I think I also did my part. Unfortunately it did not end as we wanted for our car. It is frustrating to be so fast but not to win the race, but we will keep trying.” Sébastien Buemi (TS050 Hybrid No8): “I feel great. My team-mates and the team have done such an amazing job. The race once again showed how quickly the luck can turn here at Le Mans. When we started the race, I had the feeling everything was against us; slow zones, punctures and a problem with the brake cooling. But then all of a sudden things started to go well and we were leading the race then soon we were leading by five laps. Le Mans again proved that you never know what will happen until the race is over.” Kazuki Nakajima (TS050 Hybrid No8): “It is special to be in the last TS050 Hybrid to win Le Mans and to achieve three victories in a row is fantastic. We had a race of ups and downs but everybody did a really good job, include our sister car. Somehow we seem to have a bit more luck than the other car. When the No7 car had the issue, it was all about winning the race for Toyota Gazoo Racing and this was quite tough. I am really happy to achieve it and be part of this team.” Brendon Hartley (TS050 Hybrid No8): “I am proud of my teammates and the whole team around us. It has been a learning curve for me coming to this team. Séb and Kazuki have helped me getting up to speed in a very fast and complex race car. Today we had some little issues at the beginning but then we had a perfect race, thanks to an amazing group of engineers and mechanics behind the scenes. Everything was executed really well, so a big thank you to Toyota Gazoo Racing.” Le Mans 24 Hours results: 1st #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing 387 laps 2nd #1 Rebellion (Senna/Menezes/Nato) +5 laps 3rd #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing +6 laps 4th #3 Rebellion (Dumas/Berthon/Deletraz) +6 laps 5th #22 United Autosports (Hanson/Albuquerque/di Resta) +17 laps 6th #38 JOTA (Davidson/da Costa/Gonzalez) +17 laps

The GR Super Sport hypercar returned to its spiritual home today to drive in public for the first time, as part of its ongoing development process, shortly before the start of the 88th Le Mans 24 Hours at the Circuit de la Sarthe Fittingly for a vehicle based on the twice Le Mans-winning TS050 Hybrid race car, a GR Super Sport development model, customized as a convertible and in GR camouflage livery, completed a demonstration lap, before participating in the ceremony to return the Le Mans trophy for this year’s race. The car was driven by Alex Wurz, the former Toyota Gazoo Racing driver. Soon after the ceremony, this year’s postponed Le Mans 24 Hours began with two Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrids challenging to win the race for the third successive year. The TS050 Hybrid has created history at Le Mans since its debut in 2016, earning Toyota’s first victory at La Sarthe as well as setting the fastest-ever lap and the current race lap record. Those performances are the inspiration for the GR Super Sport, a hypercar with race car pedigree and performance. The GR Super Sport epitomises Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitment to use motorsport to make ever-better road cars for the enjoyment of customers, and it symbolises the ever-closer relationship between Toyota Gazoo Racing race and road car products. Alex Wurz: “It was an honour to drive this development version of the GR Super Sport for the first time in public, and especially at a circuit like Le Mans which is so closely connected to this car. The GR Super Sport was born at Le Mans so this felt like a homecoming. This was my first time to drive the car, so a demonstration lap doesn’t allow me to push the limits but I could already feel that the GR Super Sport has the potential for incredible performance. I could feel the similarities between the GR Super Sport and the TS050 Hybrid in terms of performance, particularly the four-wheel drive and the hybrid system. But the engineers tell me this was only a small taste of the GR Super Sport’s true performance so I am super excited to drive it again one day in the near future.”

The Toyota Hilux has a proud history of achievement, conquering the world’s toughest environments from polar icecaps to desert wastes and live volcanoes. The future is just as impressive, as the pick-up range prepares to introduce a new, more powerful engine, significant technical updates and a chiselled, contemporary new look that’s a perfect expression of its rugged qualities Today’s Hilux is about much more than being an ultra-reliable all-wheel drive workhorse that can deal with demanding off-road conditions. Without compromising its go-anywhere character, it is equally suited to dual business and leisure use, with composed on-road ride and handling and impressive safety, comfort and connectivity specifications. The new range of Single, Extra and Double Cab pick-ups will go on sale in November, with pre-sales from 1 September for the range-leading Invincible and Invincible X Double Cab models. Exterior and interior design Hilux’s frontal design has a completely new look, with a more powerful, three-dimensional treatment of the grille and bumper, increasing the vehicle’s road presence and reinforcing its robust, all-terrain credentials. The effect is even greater on the top-of-the-range Invincible X, which comes with additional body styling and protection elements (further details below). The Invincible and Invincible X models feature new LED headlights and rear light clusters, plus 18-inch alloy wheels with a contrast machined/black finish for the Invincible and a two-tone dark finish for the Invincible X. The upgraded cabin features a new-design instrument combimeter and, on Icon and higher grade models, an eight-inch multimedia screen mounted on the centre console. New 2.8-litre engine The new 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine gives Hilux an impressive boost in power, torque and performance. Fitted as standard to the Invincible X and available as an option for the Invincible, the unit produces a maximum 201bhp/150kW– an increase of 53bhp/40kW on the 2.4-litre unit – and lifts maximum torque by 100Nm to 500Nm. The extra muscle cuts the 0-62mph acceleration time by 2.7 seconds to 10 seconds (Double Cab with automatic transmission). It can be specified with six-speed manual or automatic transmission. As well as being more powerful, the new engine is engineered for efficiency too, fitted with a stop-start system. WLTP fuel economy and CO2 emissions data will be announced closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date. Dynamic improvements Finding the right balance between ride comfort and rugged off-road ability is one of the big challenges in engineering a vehicle that serves both as workhorse and leisure/day-to-day transport. Toyota constantly seeks to improve performance and has introduced changes to the suspension to achieve smoother on-road cruising and less shock when travelling over uneven surfaces. The rear leaf springs have been updated, new bushes have been introduced and the shock absorbers have been retuned to gain better ride and handling. New automatic limited-slip differential The new Hilux’s handling systems have been extended with the addition of an automatic limited-slip differential (on Icon grade models and above), which helps vehicle control when accelerating on low-grip surfaces. Operating when the Hilux is in H2 (high-ratio, two-wheel drive) mode, it automatically sends drive torque to the rear wheel with traction, while applying brake control to the opposite wheel. A single press of the VSC Off button brings the system into play. Hilux is also equipped with active traction control (A-TRC), which maximises traction when driving on L4 (low-ratio, all-wheel drive) mode. Together, the A-TRC and automatic limited-slip differential electronic systems work more efficiently than mechanical alternatives. Further vehicle control support is provided by Hill-start Assist Control and, on Icon grade and above, Downhill Assist Control. Off-road and load-carrying capabilities New Hilux is designed to tackle the toughest off-road conditions, with a 29-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle and 293mm ground clearance (Double Cab models). It’s also capable of wading to a depth of 700mm. Payloads of up to one tonne can be carried and Hilux can tow (braked) loads of up to 3.5 tonnes. Multimedia connectivity and JBL premium audio New Hilux (Icon grade and above) comes equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen multimedia system, which benefits from faster display response to touch-commands and faster software operation. Seamless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and DAB reception is also provided. All models feature Bluetooth and a USB port, while satellite navigation is part of the standard package for the Invincible X model. The Invincible X also features a powerful new nine-speaker JBL premium sound system with a speaker array that includes a 224mm subwoofer for great bass performance, 150mm full range and 80mm wide dispersion units for a stage effect, 170mm mid-woofers and 25mm tweets. With an 800W eight-channel amplifier, the system uses Harman CLARiFi technology to gain the best sound quality from compressed audio files. Equipment specifications The changes for new Hilux include improved equipment specifications. The key addition for the entry-level Active model is the standard provision of Toyota Safety Sense, helping reduce common accident risks with a Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and Road Sign Assist. Additions for Icon grade include the latest Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with eight-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and the automatic limited-slip differential. These are in addition to established features including 17-inch alloy wheels, side steps, rear privacy glass, reversing camera, power-folding door mirrors and LED front fog lights. The Hilux Invincible gains new-design 18-inch alloys, LED tail lights, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats and a de-icing control for the windscreen wipers. Other specification highlights include LED headlights, smart entry and start and automatic air conditioning. At the top of the range, the new Invincible X packs plenty of visual impact with dedicated body styling elements in a dark matt grey finish. These include the frame for the new trapezium-shaped front grille, skid plates, side steps, tailgate and door handles and overfenders, with the front overfenders extending into the front fog light surrounds. New equipment items include ambient interior lighting and the JBL premium sound system (details above). The specification also includes two-tone dark leather seat upholstery, power adjustment for the driver’s seat and satellite navigation. Customers can choose from a wide range of accessories to personalise their Hilux and equip it to suit their specific work or leisure requirements. Items include a range of hard tops and roll covers, a locking tailgate and a 12V power supply mounted on the deck. The choice of nine body colours include a new metallic shade Titan Bronze, exclusive to the Invincible X.

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World champion driver Fernando Alonso had an early chance to experience the new Toyota Hilux, giving the latest version of the legendary pick-up a rigorous test drive during his preparations for the 2020 Dakar Rally Alonso and co-driver Marc Coma were able to push the new model to the limit, alongside their driving duties in their rally-raid-spec Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. The latest version of the “indestructible” Hilux is equipped with a new 2.8-litre powertrain and benefits from revised suspension geometry to maintain its reputation for world-class quality, durability and reliability. Following the test on a gravel and dirt special stage, Alonso said: “Hilux is an icon and I’ve always been a fan. It was good to test the new Hilux in a challenging environment and to push it to the limits. The new engine behaves well and the new suspension feels great. Even when you push it, the comfort is still there.” The test was conducted in collaboration with the rally team in the spirit of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s core philosophy of helping make “ever-better cars.” Alonso and Coma brought exceptional experience to the task. Alonso is a two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner and reigning FIA World Endurance Championship title holder with Toyota Gazoo Racing, two-time Formula 1 World Champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Coma is a five-time Dakar Rally winner in the motorbike class and six-time FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Champion. Their first Dakar entry as a pairing resulted in a creditable 13th place finish earlier in 2020. Further details about the introduction of the new Toyota Hilux will be announced shortly.

We hear from our 2020 Toyota Star Maker, Sammy White, on what she's been up to since winning in Tamworth.

The new Toyota Yaris Cross is very much a car of today in terms of its sophisticated technology, performance and exceptional safety standards. But the essential qualities of this small SUV, set for launch in 2021, have their roots in Toyota’s original RAV4, its breakthrough model of the 1990s RAV4 was the original recreational SUV, a model that reinterpreted the traditional 4×4 as a more user-friendly, versatile and dynamic vehicle that’s as well-suited to urban streets as the great outdoors. Looking at the 1994-vintage first generation model that has pride of place in Toyota GB’s heritage fleet, it is clear to see how Toyota’s ground-breaking approach to construction, ride and handling, packaging and performance continue to influence today’s lifestyle SUVs, including Yaris Cross and the compact C-HR. And just as RAV4 was initially developed with a focus on the European market, so too were Toyota’s latest SUV additions – both of which are also built in Europe. At the time of launch, Chief Engineer Masakatsu Nonaka spelled out the qualities that would distinguish RAV4 from other models. A wide track and independent suspension gave the car its essential dynamic appeal, while a multivalve engine (transverse-mounted) with a wide power band ensured rewarding performance. The styling was compact, and sporty, with short overhangs, making the car agile around tight urban streets, but rugged enough for more challenging routes. Thanks to clever packaging, the cabin was spacious, with a low, flat floor that made access easy. Kerb weight was kept down, to less than 1,200kg, and there was a focus on safety and environmental performance. These touchstone features are evident in Yaris Cross, too, which is being built on Toyota’s new GA-B platform, shared with the new Yaris hatchback. This gives it high body rigidity and a well-balanced chassis with a low centre of gravity, all of which contribute to rewarding and secure handling. The first RAV4 had a permanent, mechanical all-wheel drive system fitted as standard, with front/two-wheel drive versions being added as the model’s popularity soared. Yaris Cross is an authentic SUV in that it too offers an all-wheel drive option, but a compact, electric-driven system, AWD-i, that operates intelligently when driving conditions require extra grip. In terms of size, Yaris Cross is in fact slightly larger than the original three-door RAV4. Its 2,560mm wheelbase is 360mm longer, while overall length is greater by 475mm and width is extended by 70mm. It is a lower vehicle, however, notwithstanding its increased ground clearance compared to the Yaris hatchback. Toyota sought performance and efficiency from a 16-valve 2.0-litre petrol engine for the first RAV4. Where Yaris Cross is concerned, the principal powertrain is a new 1.5-litre full hybrid electric system that takes fuel efficiency, low emissions and all-electric driving capability far beyond anything Chief Engineer Nonaka and his team could have envisioned. Of course, RAV4 remains central to Toyota’s current SUV line-up, now established as one of the world’s best-selling vehicles. Today it is a much larger vehicle, competing in a different market segment, but like Yaris Cross it has reaped the benefits of a Toyota New Global Architecture platform and hybrid electric power – the exclusive powertrain option for UK customers. More details about the new Yaris Cross are available here, and the current RAV4 here.

Toyota GB has made available its entire fleet of hiyacar rental vehicles for London’s NHS staff and key workers, with rental fees scrapped, in a bid to support the capital’s COVID-19 relief effort. The cars listed on the car sharing service, previously used for short-term private rental, are being driven by NHS staff and other key workers to allow for safe and efficient commuting and to enable critical medical rounds to continue A total of 31 Toyota cars are available through hiyacar – a peer-to-peer car sharing service – ranging from the Aygo city car to the spacious RAV4 SUV, meaning that essential journeys can still be carried out, whether those journeys involve a safe and isolated commute or the transportation of vital equipment. As a result, to date, 571 days’ worth of free Toyota rentals have been made use of by key workers. With rental fees waived, the only cost to key workers is an insurance premium, which averages out at £9 per day. Working with hiyacar, the Toyota fleet has been positioned in locations that allow for fast access and where demand for essential personal transport, within and around London, is high. For example, today five cars have been positioned at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington; there are four cars based at Queen’s Hospital, Romford and three cars at Charing Cross Hospital. Paula Cooper, director of Toyota GB’s customer insights division, ConsumerOne, notes the company’s pride at what has been achieved and explains that the collaboration with hiyacar is part of a range of COVID-19 relief activity being undertaken by Toyota in the UK. “Our support of hiyacar’s initiative to keep key workers moving seemed like a simple gesture at the outset but to see the extent of what has been achieved with a relatively small number of cars – well over a year’s worth of loans – is really heart-warming for all of us here. “As well as enabling safe commuting, we recently learned of a nurse in Leatherhead who uses one of our cars four days each week to administer home-testing for disabled patients and we know that a wide range of key workers, ranging from pharmacists to physiotherapists, from social workers to scientists have all been able to continue carrying out their duties thanks to hiyacar’s rental fee waiver programme.” According to data provided by hiyacar, doctors have been the greatest users of Toyota cars, followed by nurses and then police officers. Records show that key workers in more than 20 areas of specialism have used Toyota’s hiyacar fleet since the rental fee waiver scheme started at the end of March. Paula continues: “Alongside what we’re doing with hiyacar, Toyota staff have worked exceptionally hard to contribute to the national relief effort and we thank them for their dedication. Technical colleagues have worked with the NHS to help maintain and refurbish medical equipment and to work on the supply of respirator hoods. I know of individual efforts, including staff who have been sewing surgical scrubs, and there are many examples from within our retailer network of donations made to charitable funds and of help provided directly to key workers.” The hiyacar rental waiver scheme is available to NHS staff and key workers and can be accessed via hiyacar.co.uk. Rental fees for key workers have been dropped, with a payment to cover insurance being the only cost. Hiyacar is able to move cars to locations such as hospitals and key worker homes to aid with essential transport requirements.

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