Toyota teases 2014 4Runner, will debut on April 27

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner appears to be getting a styling refresh that is as out of the ordinary for Toyota as the venue at which it will be debuting. Launching on April 27 at the 2013 Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, CA, the 2014 4Runner looks to be getting more of an in-your-face design. Toyota says this marks the first time it has ever revealed a new product at a music festival.
While we only see two images of the updated 2014 4Runner, the new headlights break from the rectangular shape present on the current model for an edgy, scalloped shape. Below the headlights are vertical air inlets – looking quite similar to the 2014 Subaru Forester XT – but it isn't clear if all models will get these or just special trim levels. The other image Toyota released was of the smoked, LED taillight.
As the presenting sponsor of the music festival, Toyota will have legendary off-road driver Ivan "Ironman" Stewart at the show as well as an off-road driving course for people to drive the automaker's trucks and SUVs. Scroll down for a press release giving some additional information about both the 2014 4Runner and the Stagecoach Music Festival. 

Courtesy of: Autoblog 

Wish granted...again!

 See Kaley Cuoco grant even more wishes with this Web-exclusive version of the RAV4 Genie's Big Game commercial. Tell us your #1 wish in the comments below!

Old Dog, New Tricks: Toyota Steps its Game Up with Redesigned Avalon (Look!)

It’s no secret that Toyota consistently manufactures reliable vehicles.

But designers have upped the ante with the new, sleek, and now luxurious interpretation of the Avalon car.

Long gone are the days when Toyota allowed style to take a back seat—no pun intended—to solid technology and engineering. That’s not to say these components aren’t imperative to a good car. But who wants to drive an eye sore, even if it will take you from point a to point b if the journey calls for it? Not me, says Louis Williams, the man who serves as Chief Creative Officer of Burrell Communications in Chicago, a full-service marketing communications company affiliated with the Toyota brand, and responsible for the Avalon’s new spokesperson Mr. Idris Elba.

Recent co-action between Burrell and Toyota includes, the Prius “Those Who Get It, Get It” campaign featuring singer/songwriter Raphael Saadiq,as well as the American Advertising Foundation’s prestigious Ogilvy Award-winning “Are You Venza?” and Association of National Advertisers Multicultural Excellence Award-winning “Mark and Benny” campaign for Toyota RAV4.
“The campaign for the 2013 Toyota Avalon is called ‘Only the name remains,’” Williams explained to EUR’s Lee Bailey during a Toyota promotional event in Georgetown, Kentucky, home to one of Toyota’s largest manufacturing plants. “It’s a nod to how all the design things before in the past were thrown away. The only thing we kept was the name. So [again] it’s a nod to the new radical design that we have the for car.”

Courtesy of: EurWeb.com

Monday Maintenance Tip: Headlights, brakes and tail lights

Monday Maintenance Tip: With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc.

Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.

Check out this vintage Toyota ad from the 80s

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New Drivers Gain Critical Defensive Driving Skills and Confidence Behind the Wheel from Toyota's Teen Safe Driving Program

Free Events and New Online Resources Available to Help Reduce Teen Driving Fatalities as Signature Program Moves into 10^th Year

Toyota continues to offer its free-of-charge safe driving skills program, Toyota Driving Expectations, and comprehensive online resources with the goal of reducing motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death among teens. Upcoming behind-the-wheel safety events will be held in Torrance, Calif., Denver and San Antonio for newly licensed or permitted teens and their parents to learn about defensive driving skills, crash avoidance techniques and the dangers of distracted driving during the 2.5-hour program.

Moving into its 10^th year, Toyota Driving Expectations supplements standard driver’s education to prepare inexperienced drivers for the challenges they’ll face on the road. In recognizing the importance of parents’ involvement to help their teens develop responsible driving habits, the program requires a parent or guardian to accompany their teen.

Kicking-off in Torrance, Calif., professional instructors in the Toyota Driving Expectations “On The Road” program tour lead teens through driving courses and in-classroom discussions, while encouraging continued learning at home and demonstrating safe driving habits. This year’s events will be held at:

• Torrance, Calif.on May 4-5 at Toyota headquarters. Registration now open at www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com
• Denver, Colo. on May 18-19 at Bass Pro Shops. Registration opens April 18.
• San Antonio, Texason June 8–9 at Toyota Texas Plant. Registration opens May 9.

 
“Safer drivers lead to safer roads, so Toyota is committed to helping educate and empower teens and parents around smart driving choices,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of diversity, philanthropy and community affairs. “Through our safe driving programs, partnerships and online resources, we hope more young drivers will absorb the sobering lessons of distracted driving and learn key skills to keep themselves safe behind the wheel.”

To further the connection with teens in local communities, Toyota Driving Expectations has launched teen driving assemblies in high schools and dealerships across the country. Free Toyota Driving Expectations safety clinics at select Toyota dealerships will be led this summer by professional drivers who address vehicle safety features, defensive driving, distracted driving and vehicle maintenance.

 

Courtesy of: Toyota Newsroom

This Might Be the Most Valuable Toyota on the Planet

The 1967 Toyota 2000GT is easily the best car you've never heard of—it's also one of the best-looking Japanese sports car ever made, according to us.

Developed in partnership with Yamaha, this sexy two-passenger coupe has a two-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a cast-iron block and double overhead cams, producing 150 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and a top speed of over 135 mph. 

This 2000GT, one of 351 examples made, will be selling at no reserve at RM's upcoming auction in Fort Worth, Texas. The company estimates the car will sell for between $600,000 and $850,000.

Courtesy of: Complex Rides