2012 Prius C Named Top Safety Pick

Now shoppers considering the lightest, smallest Prius—and the one with an astounding, best-in-class 53-mpg city rating—the 2012 Toyota Prius C, can have a little more peace of mind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named this five-door subcompact hatchback a Top Safety Pick for 2012—with top ‘good’ results in each of the major crash-test categories.

The Prius C earns top ‘good’ ratings in all areas of testing except for the ‘structure/safety cage’ area of the side impact test and the ‘head/neck’ region of the frontal offset test—indicating that the force loads were a little higher in some respects yet still excellent in most measurements. It also manages an impressive 5.28 times its weight in the IIHS roof strength test—relating to a lower chance of head injury in a rollover crash.

As of yet, the Prius C hasn’t been rated by the federal government. But in federal NCAP tests, other Prius models have a good record, with the 2012 Prius earning a five-star overall rating.

Overview of the 2012 RAV4

This compact SUV has great power, as well as plenty of utility. The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has great performance, a high-quality interior, and top safety features and was also named “Best 3-Row Compact SUV for the Money” by U.S. News.

There are two engine choices available for the 2012 Toyota RAV4. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 179 horsepower, while the 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 246 horsepower. The 4-cylinder engine comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission and the V6 has a 5-speed transmission. The 2012 RAV4 comes with either 2WD or available 4WD. Electric power steering and power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes also come standard on the 2012 RAV4.

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 comes with several appealing interior features. There are several seating options including fabric, premium fabric, and leather-trimmed seating with available heated seating. Along with having an optional 3rd-row of seating, the 2012 RAV4 offers a great amount of cargo space and has nearly the largest amount of cargo space in its class. The Smart Key System allows for accessing the 2012 RAV4 without a key and comes with a push-button start.

Safety features of the 2012 Toyota RAV4 are highlighted by the Star Safety System which includes an array of technology to ensure the RAV4 operates safely. The 2012 RAV4 also comes with Toyota’s driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System. Other standard safety features include an engine immobilizer, child-protector rear door locks, and a Tire Pressure Monitor System. Other available safety features include Daytime Running Lights, Hill Start Assist Control, and Downhill Assist Control.

Video of the 2013 Avalon Unveiling

Watch as Bob Carter, Group Vice President and General Manager, introduces the 2013 Toyota Avalon. The car debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The new Avalon will be designed, engineered, manufactured, sold and serviced in America. This car will be have solid performance, fuel economy, interior features, exterior design, and safety features.

Overview of the 2012 Camry

The redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry is an impressive and highly acclaimed vehicle. The Camry has the option of two powerful engines.  The new body style is sleeker, including a new grille and profile.  The new interior features can be customized to fit any personality.  The new Camry is offered in L, LE, SE, and XLE trim levels.

The standard 2012 Camry includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 178 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.  The upgraded 3.5 V6 engine generates 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed transmission is standard on all models.  The Camry receives 25 city/35 highway mpg with the four-cylinder and 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway with the V6.

The L features 16-inch steel wheels, power-folding mirrors, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth and a six-speaker CD sound system with auxiliary input and USB jacks.
The Camry LE adds auto headlamps, remote keyless entry, steering-wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, Bluetooth streaming audio and a 6.1-inch touchscreen for audio, phone and car information.

The SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated exterior mirrors, unique interior and exterior styling treatments, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, sport seats and the Display Audio system. SE V6 models get 18-inch wheels, the upgraded Display Audio system that adds navigation, HD radio, satellite radio, voice recognition and Entune smartphone and Web integration.

The luxurious XLE adds heated exterior mirrors, foglamps, a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat and the Display Audio system with navigation and Entune. XLE V6 models get a rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and heated driver and front passenger seats. A premium 10-speaker JBL audio system integrated with a 7-inch touchscreen hard-drive-based navigation system is also optional on XLE V6 models.

Toyota Entune Commercial

Cell phones are usually reliable to efficiently direct you to your destination. However, sometimes cell phone navigation or certain apps can lead you the wrong way or give you a late direction. Also, sometimes your navigating partner may not know how to properly read a map. Here is a commercial advertising the reliability of the navigation on the Toyota Entune system.

2013 Toyota Avalon Debut

The 2013 Toyota Avalon has just made its debut at the New York Auto Show.  The new Avalon has a sleeker body and new front end.  The interior includes luxurious leather and innovative technology.

The Avalon will keep the 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine with six-speed automatic transmission and the option of front or all-wheel drive.

The features include a 6.1-inch touch-screen is standard with a 7-inch system available as an upgrade with navigation. Heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and three-zone climate control are optional.

Toyota of Kingsport Welcomes the Arrival of the Prius c

Toyota of Kingsport is pleased to announce the arrival of the all-new Toyota Prius c to its dealership.  The Toyota Prius c is the latest addition to the Toyota Prius family and offers great hybrid efficiency at an affordable price. According to Toyota the Prius “c”, which stands for city, is “designed to be a more urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience and hatchback utility.”

A 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and en electric motor will provide the power for the Toyota Prius C. It will also come with a Continuously Variable Transmission and produce a
combined 99 horsepower. Toyota says that the Prius C will earn 53 miles per gallon in the city and 46 miles per gallon on the highway. Front-wheel drive will be standard on the Prius C, along with a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system.

Also contributing to the great fuel economy is the exterior design of the Prius c. This latest Prius is not as long, nor as heavy as the original Prius Liftback. The Toyota Prius c has a more exhilarating ride, thanks in-part to smaller dimensions and less weight.

Inside, the Prius c offers a modern design and several key standard features. Among these features are a 3.5-inch multi-information display, Bluetooth capability, and a USB/iPod interface. The Prius c also provides great cargo and passenger space, with a 60/40-split rear seat.

Features available on higher trims of the Prius c include a premium audio system, heated seats and mirrors, navigation system, a sunroof, and alloy wheels.

Toyota Entune System

The Toyota Entune system adds maximum convenience while driving. It is a connectivity system that is downloaded and connected to the driver’s cellphone. Entune allows drivers to search Bing by voice, find local radio stations at iHeartRadio, buy movie tickets at movietickets.com, browse dinning options at OpenTable, discover music on Pandora Radio. You can also receive sports scores, stock information, weather reports, and traffic updates.

Tennessee Professor Makes Cross-Country Trip Using 2.15 Gallons of Gas

It is possible. Middle Tennessee State  University professor, Cliff Ricketts, drove from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans on 2.15 Gallons of Gas.  His eight-member support team drove three Toyota hybrid alternative-fuels vehicles approximately 2,582 miles across country.

A 1994, four-speed Toyota Tercel and an ’05 Toyota Prius hybrid were driven from Conway and Fort Smith, AK., to Long Beach, Ricketts and another driver drove a 2007 Toyota Prius hybrid, using E95 (ethanol-gas blend) and electric (two, 10-kilowatt-hour battery packs).on Sunday from Tybee Island, Ga., to MTSU in Murfreesboro, TN., then from MTSU to Conway, AK. In the first 900 miles, zero gas was used, Ricketts said, adding that other fuel sources were solar, electric, ethanol and hydrogen from water.

Experts Terry Young of Woodbury and Mike Sims of Jackson, MI shared driving duties with Ricketts.  The rest of the team included MTSU students Travis Owens, Brett Harris, Steve Foe, Dawn Baker and Hayley Box, and Sonya D’Archangel, an Austin Peay State University student.

Toyota Gives Thanks to our Military

Many of our troops are coming home from their deployments overseas. Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services are offering lower APRs and providing rebates to qualified members of the military.

Under this Welcome Home Special APR Program, Qualified buyers will receive a 1.9% APR for up to 60 months when financing any new 2011 or 2012 Toyota Vehicle. The consumer may also be eligible for a $500 Military Rebate along with the special APR.

Lexus buyers who qualify for the Welcome Home Special APR Program can receive a 0.9% APT for up to 50 months on new 2011 or 2012 ES and IS models and 2012 RX350 vehicles. Consumers can receive 1.9% APR up to 60 months on all other new Lexus vehicles. Also, military personal may be able to receive a $750 Military Rebate.

“In appreciation for all that they have done, and continue to do, we hope these rebates and special APRs make it a bit easier for our men and women in uniform who are in the market for a new vehicle,” said Mike Groff, TFS/LFS Group Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Product Development. “We understand that it’s certainly a tough economic time right now for many military families, so it’s our hope that these special APRS and rebates, which can be coupled with other incentives, will help our troops save some much-needed and hard-earned money.”

To qualify, some of the conditions customers must meet include:
• Eligible customers must be on current active duty status in the U.S. Military (Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard and active Reserve) or U.S. Military inactive Reserve (Individual Ready Reserve, Selected Reserve, or Inactive National Guard.) Retired Military Personnel are not eligible;
• Proof of military status or proof of active service is required at time of purchase;
• Receive a salary sufficient to cover ordinary living expenses and vehicle payments
• Credit approval through a participating dealer and Toyota Financial Services/Lexus Financial Services.

The Welcome Home Special APR Program for Toyota vehicles ends on March 5, 2012 and February 29, 2012 for Lexus vehicles. The Military Rebate program ends January 2, 2013 for Toyota and March 31, 2012 for Lexus.

To learn more about the program, visit www.toyotafinancial.com/military or www.lexusfinancial.com/military. For customer service questions please call, 1-800-331-4331.