Toyota is bringing two different concepts of the 2013 Avalon to the SEMA show in Las Vegas

New Toyota Avalons Built for SEMA Take Divergent Paths Toward Similar Goals

Toyota's recently introduced 2013 Avalon is set to enter the market this fall with a radically new design that moves the styling needle distinctly toward passion and excitement. To demonstrate the possibilities of the new premium mid-size sedan, the company created two new concepts that are scheduled to bow on Oct. 30 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

"The new Avalon is an attractive target for performance enhancement," said Toyota Engagement Marketing and Motorsports National Manager Keith Dahl. "Tuners always want to get their hands on a great new design with strong enthusiast appeal."

2013 Avalon TRD Edition
With performance firmly in their wheelhouse, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) created a concept that builds on the strength of the new car's inherently sporty styling and dynamics by taking each a couple of steps further without losing the "sweet spot."

Using the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline-powered Avalon, TRD added one of its signature supercharger systems to bump engine power and torque substantially while maintaining smooth driveability. The cleanly integrated design also fits neatly in the Avalon engine bay.

Handling is enhanced with a spring/shock package that lowers the car about one inch to improve body control and steering response. Stiffer rear subframe bushings and modified steering characteristics also enhance control while increasing road feel. Sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on custom 19-inch wheels complete the handling picture. Braking power is substantially upgraded with a TRD Big Brake kit sporting six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers on large cross-drilled spiral-vane rotors.

Exterior changes build on the Avalon's already sporty nature with two-tone custom paint, a color-keyed grille and tinted taillights with clear lenses. Dual exhaust with polished mufflers and custom tips finish the look.

The TRD Edition Avalon also gets a major interior upgrade with gradient-design perforated leather seating plus red accent piping and stitching. Custom instrument and door panels are also leather covered, again with red stitching. And to make sure the music is as memorable as the driving, TRD installed a thumping JBL GreenEdgeTM surround-sound audio system with 15 speakers and two trunk-mounted 500W amplifiers.

TRD EDITION SPECIFICATIONS

Engine

• TRD supercharger incorporating Eaton Gen 6 TVS rotor assembly

Drivetrain

• Six-speed automatic transmission

Suspension and Brakes

• Cold-rolled steel coil springs that lower vehicle approximately one inch front and rear
• KYB gas-pressured mono-tube shocks with custom valving
• Stiffer rear subframe bushings
• Modified steering assist, damping and hysteresis characteristics
• Brake calipers: Front six-piston; rear four-piston with patented bolt-in bridges
• Brake rotors: Front 380 X 32 mm; rear 345 X 28 mm cross-drilled with patented spiral-vane design

Exterior

• 19-inch custom wheel design with three-stage paint
• 225/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
• Two-tone custom paint scheme
• Tinted taillights with clear inner and outer lenses
• Custom color-keyed grille
• Dual exhaust with high-polished mufflers and custom tips

Interior

• Graduated perforated leather with red piping and stitching
• Black technical knit headliner
• Custom door panels and instrument panel with black leather and red accent stitching
• JBL GreenEdgeTM surround sound system with 15 speakers
• Two trunk-mounted JBL 500W GTI D-class amplifiers

2013 SEMA Avalon HV Edition
The Avalon HV Edition is based on the all-new Avalon Hybrid which shares the same essential body and chassis design with its V6-powered sibling. And like the TRD Edition, the HV highlights the potential of the new car, but with a noticeable nod to hybrid efficiency in its presentation.

Bright white primary and electric blue accent colors outside speak to ambitions for a cleaner environment. The theme extends to exterior details such as hybrid-blue headlights, tail- lights and turn signals, plus a color-keyed custom grille.

The bright white and blue theme also enhances the Avalon's already contemporary interior design with blue-silver metallic leather and white perforated leather seat inserts, as well as crisp blue stitching and dashboard accents. Multi-color hybrid instrument panel and rear console interior lights are also featured. And a 15-speaker JBL GreenEdgeTM surround-sound audio system cranks up the music volume and quality.

Not to be outdone by its SEMA sibling, the HV gets a similar suspension, brake and tire package to ensure responsive handling and firmer body control. Wheels are also the 19-inch variety but with a unique design.

Starting Oct. 30, both of these new and unique Avalons can be seen along with seven other custom-built Toyota vehicles in the Toyota display booth (#24801) located in Central Hall at the 2012 SEMA Show.

HV EDITION SPECIFICATIONS

Engine and Drivetrain

• Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive

Suspension and Brakes

• Cold-rolled steel coil springs that lower vehicle approximately one inch front and rear
• KYB gas-pressured mono-tube shocks with custom valving
• Stiffer rear subframe bushings
• Modified steering assist, damping and hysteresis characteristics
• Brake calipers: Front six-piston; rear four-piston with patented bolt-in bridges
• Brake rotors: Front 380 X 32 mm; rear 345 X 28 mm cross-drilled with patented spiral-vane design

Exterior

• 19-inch custom wheel design with three-stage paint
• 225/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires
• Hybrid blue taillights with clear inner and outer lenses
• Hybrid blue front turn signal and headlight assemblies
• Custom color-keyed grille
• Dark chrome ring badge with custom blue hybrid accent

Interior

• Blue silver metallic leather with white perforated leather seat inserts
• White technical knit headliner
• Custom door panels and instrument panel with embossed white leather and blue accent stitching
• JBL GreenEdgeTM surround sound system with 15 speakers
• Hybrid instrument panel and rear console interior lights (multi-color)

 

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Our online scheduler makes it easy to book a service appointment with our expert technicians

Regular maintenance is essential to keeping your vehicle running at its best. Click here to see how easy it is to schedule your appointment.

The Toyota Venza passes an All Wheel Drive Traction Test with flying colors!

Get a great deal on this pre-owned 2010 Toyota Corolla that is priced to sell!

With low mileage and tons of safety features, this Corolla is a purchase you can feel great about. Click here to see all of its awesome features.

Toyota continues to raise the bar when it comes to creating alternative energy and reducing emissions

Toyota Powers-Up First of its Kind Stationary Fuel Cell

Furthering its commitment to alternative energy and the environment, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) activated today a new 1.1-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell generator on the Torrance headquarters campus.

The fuel cell will supply approximately half of the electricity for six headquarters buildings during peak demand, while producing zero emissions. Designed and built by Ballard Power Systems, the proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) stationary fuel cell is the largest PEM fuel cell of its kind. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen gas fed directly from a pre-existing industrial hydrogen pipeline, also a first for this technology. This direct power source allows Toyota to reduce utility grid electricity usage during peak power demand. The same hydrogen pipeline also supplies a hydrogen filling station adjacent to the TMS campus used to fuel Toyota's and other manufacturers fuel cell hybrid vehicle fleets.

'Supporting alternative energy sources like hydrogen supports Toyota's overarching commitment to lessen our impact on the environment and drive forward innovative technology,' said Bob Daly, TMS senior vice president. 'Not only will this new hydrogen fuel cell generator reduce the environmental footprint of our headquarters campus, but it showcases the power and potential of hydrogen as a fuel source.'

At 1.1 MW, the clean energy fuel cell system on average provides enough power for about 765 homes, twice the capacity of Toyota's existing solar panel system on campus. It is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.3 million pounds during summer peak period operating hours, the equivalent to taking 294 cars off the road a year.

The Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle - Advanced (FCHV-adv) is also powered by PEM fuel cell technology. PEM technology is uniquely suited for stationary applications as it provides quick power availability vs. a long 'warm up' period prior to power generation.

Hydrogen within the dedicated pipeline is provided by Air Products and created from natural gas reformation. To mitigate emissions from the reformation process, hydrogen used on Toyota's campus will be offset with the purchase of landfill generated renewable bio-gas. Operation of the stationary fuel cell creates zero air emissions.

Electricity generated by the fuel cell fuel is expected to save Toyota approximately $130,000 a year in reduced energy purchased from Southern California Edison.

'Our partnership with Toyota demonstrates the flexibility and positive impact fuel cell technology can have for high volume companies,' said Paul Cass, Ballard Power Systems vice president, operations. 'The clean energy fuel cell system provides forward-thinking companies a way to manage peak energy demand or continuously meet power needs.'

Additional project funding was provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada and California's Self-Generation Incentive Program.

 

Courtesy of Equities

With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to brush up on some fun facts!

1. Because the movie Halloween (1978) was on such a tight budget, they had to use the cheapest mask they could find for the character Michael Meyers, which turned out to be a William Shatner Star Trek mask. Shatner initially didn’t know the mask was in his likeness, but when he found out years later, he said he was honored.
2. The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips.
3. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
4. The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” In fact, wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween night.
5. 
     Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
6. Fifty percent of kids prefer to receive chocolate candy for Halloween, compared with 24% who prefer non-chocolate candy and 10% who preferred gum.
7. The owl is a popular Halloween image. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches, and to hear an owl's call meant someone was about to die.
8. According to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.
9. The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin.
10. Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds, smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds. The rules of the competition state that the pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and be carved in a traditional way, which requires at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.

Courtesy of Random Facts

This catchy tune will you have you humming along as you welcome the fourth member of the Prius family!

This brand new 2012 Toyota 4Runner is a perfect for everyday errands or unexpected roadtrips

With 4 Wheel Drive and Traction Control, you will be able to take this 4Runner on any adventure! Click here to see the rest of the amazing feature that this Toyota has to offer.

We all watched the Tundra tow the Endeavour, now find out what it took to make it happen!

How a 2012 Toyota Tundra Towed an Icon

Late Friday night, near two local icons — the notorious 405 Freeway and popular snack spot Randy’s Donuts — another icon hitched a ride to its new home. For most of the way from LAX to the California Science Center, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was going to ride on a modified version of a NASA overland transporter. According to collectspace.com, this rig had originally been used to take the Shuttles from the plant where they were built in Palmdale, California, to Edwards Air Force Base.

 

For this Shuttle’s journey, the transporter would be driven by four robotic vehicles. Overseeing it all was a guy operating a joystick used to steer all four as he walked alongside the Shuttle. There was one problem, though: the weight of the four robotic vehicles plus the Endeavour, approximately 650,000 pounds, was going to be too heavy to cross the Manchester Bridge. The California Science Center would have to figure out another way.

The Tundra in question was a bone-stock CrewMax with a 6.5-foot bed and the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8, rolling off the same line in San Antonio, Texas, as all Toyota Tundras do. This Tundra used the company’s A-TRAC system and four-wheel drive to provide the traction the truck  would need to move the Shuttle from a stop; of course, the Toyota came equipped with the tow package. Toyota had done tests ahead of time with a higher amount of weight than the Shuttle/transporter combo, and it did well there.

Sitting on Manchester Boulevard, ready to roll, there was still plenty of prep work to complete before the tow began. By the time press and VIPs arrived, the Shuttle had been disconnected from the robotic dollys and waited for its connection to the back of the Tundra, where it would be towed not with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel, but with a regular-size steel hitch. The power was disconnected at Randy’s — there would be no donuts for onlookers — and there were portable lights near and on the bridge to illuminate the move. Power lines had been raised to ensure the immense Shuttle wouldn’t snag them. Light poles and signals were rotated out of the way. Hordes of fans stood along the streets in anticipation of this event.

The dollys were so heavy they had to go over the bridge one at a time. They went over first. Then, after Toyota got video crews and GoPro video cameras set up, there were a couple of tests, and the truck was ready. Despite what people may think, this was a bone-stock Tundra. No, it was not pushed from behind. No, it did not have the advantage of going downhill. Stunt driver Matthew McBride was behind the wheel, and it was not his first time in that seat. If you recall the Tundra ad where the truck is being tested on uphill spiraling ramp in the Mojave Desert, McBride was the driver there as well.

So how did the Tundra do it? By going really, really slowly. The truck was set to take the Shuttle over the bridge at 2.5 mph, in 4-Lo. We had heard it would take about 7 minutes for the pair to get to the other side. But from our vantage point (and admittedly without a radar gun), it looked like the Tundra hauled the Endeavour faster than that.

Cheers of “USA! USA! USA!” could be heard from the crowd as the Tundra and Endeavour crossed the bridge. After hours of anticipation on this evening, and weeks of planning, the bridge crossing was over in the blink of an eye. Once it had completely crossed, the 405 reopened, Randy’s was ready to start making donuts again, and the Shuttle would be reconnected to the robotic dollys and go on the final 9 miles of its final journey. (video by Jim Gleason)

 

Courtesy of Motor Trend

Toyota made history this weekend as the Tundra successfully transported the iconic Endeavour!

Watch history unfold as the Toyota Tundra tows the Space Shuttle Endeavour!

Click here to watch the countdown, view a tour of the shuttle, and track the progress at The Tundra Endeavour's website!

There are only two days left until the Toyota Tundra takes on the job of a lifetime!

This white hot 2011 Dodge Charger SE is a must see!

With only one previous owner, this Charger is in excellent condition. Check out all of its cool features, like keyless entry and keyless start, by clicking here.

The clock is ticking for ambitious car builders in the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge

Teams Hustle to Complete their Builds on Time for the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge

Customizing a vehicle can often be broken down into a series of tasks that can then be scheduled and executed—at least until the clock runs out. Then all bets are off. And so it goes for the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge teams with time to complete their ambitious builds coming to a close in about two weeks, just before voting begins on October 20. And just like a race car, these one-off rides must be ready to go when the green flag drops.

Kyle Busch's "Rowdy Edition" Camry is "getting close." Busch's team at Detroit Speed has extensively reworked the Camry's body with strong fender flares, a NASCAR-style splitter and front and rear belly pans to direct airflow under the car. All of these parts have been custom designed and fabricated by hand—a painstaking and time-consuming process. More recently, the team has been scrambling to finish custom interior touches with completely redone seats and a custom electronic entertainment package.

Getting a complex collection of custom-built electronics to work seamlessly in his "Tekked-Out Prius" seems to be keeping Clint Bowyer's RKM Performance Center team awake into the wee hours. It's loaded with hi-tech gadgets like side-view cameras that replace the mirrors, 45 feet. of fiber optic interior lighting and a 16-speaker stereo with six crossovers and dual amplifiers. Then there's the suspension which has dropped the Prius "lower than a Sprint Cup car." And, there’s certainly no lack of team spirit as their build will sport no less than 364 copies of the Toyota logo.
Alexis DeJoria's Pre-Runner Tundra concept has her Racer Engineering team working on virtually every aspect of the truck. Long-travel suspension (20 inches in the rear), an elaborate custom roll cage wrapped in leather, and a TRD-supercharged engine are all part of her design to make a serious off-road tool. The team is also squeezing in a JBL audio system and a specially-built fuel cell. It’s all more than enough to keep them busy right up to the due date.

Some builds are more ambitious than others, and Antron Brown's “DragQuoia” is a big concept that's challenging its capable builders. The "family dragster" idea means that whatever they do has to leave room for the family to ride safely and comfortably. And they're doing quite a lot. For starters, the Motorsports Technical Center team is lopping more than 2,000 lbs. off the factory curb weight. A TRD blower and nitrous coax the 5.7-liter V8 to pump out more than 650 hp for those "quick" runs to the supermarket. Massive 21.5-inch wide rear tires put the power to the ground, which in turn need big fender mods—inside and out—to keep the hot rubber bits contained in the wheel wells. Fortunately, Junior will have a comfortable perch in the back to view the scenery rushing by, secured with his own five-point racing harness. And between runs, he can watch his favorite DVD on the seat-back media player.

Every one of the Dream Build vehicle teams has the chops and experience to deliver for their driver. The simple question on delivery day may come down to this: Which team will be the least sleep deprived.

All four of the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge vehicles will be unveiled at the Toyota display during the company's press conference on October 30 at the 2012 SEMA Show. Fans can vote for their favorite team beginning on October 20 and may vote once per day through October 29.

 

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

Getting in a wreck is a real hassle, but not at our Collision Center!

We'll take the best care of your vehicle and get you back on the road, good as new, in no time!  Visit our website to schedule an appointment with our Toyota and Scion Certified Collision Center. 

Toyota takes pride in giving America's heroes jobs

If you're in need of new tires, now is the time to buy! This tire special is almost too good to be true.

Give us a call to learn more about this great deal! 

The Radically New 2013 Toyota Avalon

Thinking about upgrading your vehicle? Get a free offer instantly on our website!

In just three easy steps you could be on the way to trading in your old car for a new one you love!  Visit our website to get started.