Plug-In Prius Coming in 2012

Toyota will begin production of a plug-in version of the Prius hybrid in 2012 and build between 20,000 and 30,000 cars per year, according to Japan’s Nikkei news. The report states the plug-in Prius will be priced at $48,000, but we find that figure pretty speculative.

The plug-in Prius will use lithium-ion batteries from Panasonic that will provide 12-18 miles of range on purely electric power. These factors weigh against the Japanese automaker, seeing as GM will be out of the gate first with the Volt, which will cost $8,000 less than that speculative price and deliver a better range using its battery.

Five hundred prototypes will be delivered to test fleets later this year, which will give us a better idea of what kind of fuel savings the plug-in Prius will be capable of. Starting at more than double the price of the regular Prius, they’d have to be pretty substantial. Much of the information in this report doesn’t sound remotely practical for Toyota to move forward with, however, and we doubt all the details are 100% accurate. However, it’s probably a safe bet they’re working on a plug-in.

Toyota to Mass-Produce Plug-in Hybrids from 2012 (Reuters via AutoblogGreen)

Toyota Developing Mind-Control Wheelchairs

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, but Toyota is serious about controlling wheelchairs with brain waves. The automaker is developing a wheelchair that operates by brain-machine interface, which means people can control the chair’s left, right, forward and backward movements just by thinking about them.

Toyota’s system uses something called blind signal separation and space-time-frequency filtering technology that allows brain-wave analysis as fast as 125 milliseconds. Basically, the results of the driver’s thoughts would be directed to the panel of the chair before he or she could even sense a delay.

The system adapts to the characteristics of each driver, as well, so it can actually learn habits and inclinations that help it sense what the driver will do. Toyota says its system has an accuracy rate of 95%, which is one of the highest rates yet for BMI.

Obviously, we have to speculate that this tech could someday be used in a car, which opens up a whole host of safety and logistical questions, as well as the plot of some kind of Keanu Reeves sci-fi movie.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Toyota Sienna

As Cars.com reviewer William Jackson points out, you don’t buy a minivan to make a fashion statement, but that doesn’t mean a minivan like the Toyota Sienna can’t be an incredibly useful vehicle and a good reason one should get past his or her minivan-fear. Read Jackson’s full review of the 2009 Toyota Sienna to find out why it ranks at the top of his minivan list.

2009 Toyota Sienna Review

2009|Toyota|Sienna

Recall Alert: 1,348 Toyota Vehicles

Toyota has issued a recall for 1,348 vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years regarding an error in labeling, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Affected vehicles include the 2009 Scion tC and xB, the 2009 Toyota Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Yaris, and the 2010 Tundra.

Vehicles in this group were not equipped with modification labels for the vehicles’ load-carrying capacity. This means the vehicles fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” The real risk is that these vehicles could be overloaded by an owner, which could increase the risk of an accident.

Toyota will notify owners and provide them with the correct label. Owners may contact Toyota at 888-270-9371 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Toyota Avalon

Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays admits up front that it’s very possible he’s a 75-year-old man trapped in the body of a young car reviewer. He also admits that he’s doing nothing to dissuade friends and co-workers from this idea by copping to how much he likes the Toyota Avalon. Does he make a few good points about the Avalon, or is his endorsement strictly a byproduct of his Benjamin Button syndrome? Read Mays’ full review to find out.

2009 Toyota Avalon Review

Toyota Venza and Lexus RX Are Top Safety Picks

The all-new 2009 Toyota Venza and redesigned 2010 Lexus RX received Top Safety Pick awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn Top Safety Pick status, vehicles must rank Good — the institute’s top crash rating — in front, side and rear impacts. They also must be equipped with electronic stability control.

The two models join 20 other Top Safety Picks in the midsize SUV category. Cars.com’s David Thomas recently reviewed the new Venza and thought it was an attractive buy for small families. Mike Hanley took on the updated Lexus, which is one of the company’s most popular models.

2010 Lexus RX 450h review (Cars.com) 
2009 Toyota Venza video (Cars.com)

Stereo Bluetooth Streaming Available Today for iPhone

Folks with tech-savvy stereos in their new cars — Toyota Venza and 2010 Toyota Prius owners, we're looking at you — rejoice. Today, Apple released its iPhone 3.0 upgrade to all current iPhone 3Gs. The upgrades will be standard on the new iPhone 3G S out Friday.

One feature is stereo Bluetooth streaming, a technology called A2DP. We've detailed this tech before in regard to the Toyota Venza. You can watch the video above for a quick look at how the technology works. The 2010 Subaru Legacy will also feature an optional stereo supporting Bluetooth streaming.

Toyota Thinks Plug-In Hybrids Have Limited Appeal

While Toyota’s third-generation Prius just went on sale, the automaker and green groups are already debating what the next Prius should look like.

Many environmentalists already view traditional hybrids as an obsolete technology and are urging Toyota to pursue plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as the way of the future.

But Toyota thinks differently. In the third annual Meeting of the Minds, a convention for environmental issues, Toyota questioned the viability of plug-in technology.

The automaker said it views plug-ins as a technology that will complement traditional hybrids, not replace them.

Toyota officials view the questionable long-term durability of plug-in batteries and American driving habits as inhibitors to the mainstream appeal of plug-in hybrids.

Subaru Will Roll Out Hybrid by 2012

Subaru is already plotting how it will meet the Obama administration’s new fuel standards, and the plan involves the addition of a gas-electric hybrid to the automaker’s lineup.

Ikuo Mori, the president and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries, which owns Subaru, told the Wall Street Journal that the automaker will use Toyota’s technology to add a hybrid by 2011 or 2012. Toyota owns a 16% stake in Subaru, but the partnership has included minimal exchanges of hybrid technology.

Still, Mori plainly stated that Subaru would “take advantage” of the alliance with Toyota to move forward on the new hybrid. The company will also develop a new diesel engine for several of its models, and the all-electric R1e seems likelier to reach the U.S. as Subaru plans to meet the new emissions rules.

Subaru Prius Coming in 2012 (Autopia)

2010 Toyota Sienna Price Holds Steady at $24,540

Toyota’s Sienna minivan has seen little change since getting a powertrain upgrade for 2007, and for 2010 the status-quo remains the same. The 2010 Sienna gets neither updates nor price increases, though we should note that Toyota has a habit of bumping up prices in the middle of the model year.

Prices hold steady at a base MSRP of $24,540, and destination adds another $745.The Sienna tops out at $37,865 for the all-wheel-drive Limited trim.

The Toyota Sienna is more expensive than a Kia Sedona or Dodge Grand Caravan, but starts for less than a Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town & Country or Nissan Quest. The new model will arrive at dealers later this month.