Don’t think of it as an old-school manual because it’s not. Instead, it uses a fake shifter and fake clutch, along with a three-mode selector and a controller that mimics the operation of a traditional gearbox. Some will be happy to hear that unlike cars running on gasoline, there’s no risk of stalling the engine. Ok, but how does it actually work? Allow us to explain.

Once the driver uses the transmission shifter, the electric motor’s controller decreases or increases the voltage to imitate the torque available through each gear. Toyota has engineered the manual gearbox with three operating modes, including an automatic mode that works as a regular EV. A potential production car with a manual would indeed have a clutch pedal even though it wouldn’t technically operate a clutch.

That voltage we mentioned earlier is modified to make the driver switch gears whenever there’s not enough torque. Alternatively, Toyota is developing the novel gearbox to also mimic a dual-clutch automatic transmission by allowing the driver to switch gears without having to press the clutch pedal. The Japanese automaker is willing to go the extra mile by making the gearbox learn the driver’s profile and tweak the settings accordingly for a more enjoyable experience.

We wouldn’t get our hopes up too high yet since a patent doesn’t always materialize into an actual product. Should Toyota decide to put the manual gearbox for EVs in production, it would make sense to install it in that orange sports car with Gazoo Racing branding it teased a few months ago.

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office

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Yes, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia gets the i-Force Max powertrain as standard, unlike on the Tundra where it’s available at an additional cost. The fullsize SUV is motivated by the same twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine as the pickup where it’s combined with an electric motor. With the power of the two combined, the body-on-frame sport utility vehicle offers 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque to perfectly match the truck.

Courtesy of the potent hybrid setup, the next-gen Sequoia has a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds or nearly 22% more than the model it replaces. Mirroring the latest Tundra, Toyota will sell the three-row SUV in a new Capstone trim level for those in need of more luxury. Alternatively, the rugged TRD Pro caters to those searching for extra off-road capabilities. Lesser trim levels include the Platinum, Limited, and the entry-level SR5.

The Tundra and Sequoia ride on the same platform as the Land Cruiser and Lexus LX twins, combining an independent front suspension with a multi-link rear setup. Self-leveling air suspension is available, along with adaptive variable suspension for those who will be towing regularly. For 2023, the SUV gets a newly developed rack-mounted electronic power steering, which should translate to a much-improved steering feel.

Toyota mentions its engineers have increased rigidity and ride comfort while the hybrid powertrain works exclusively with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission sending power to both axles. Wheel sizes vary from 18 to 22 inches, with Bilstein monotube shocks and springs tuned by Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

Regardless of trim level, all 2022 Sequoia SUVs get a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display as standard equipment, along with heated seats, a moonroof, and the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). Adding the optional SR5 Premium package comes along with a power third row, electric tailgate, 120-volt power outlets in the cabin and cargo area, plus the 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display instead of the standard 8-inch screen.

The Sequoia SR5 can also be configured with the TRD Sport package, in which case you get matte black TRD-branded wheels measuring 20 inches, aluminum pedals, and a red push-button start. The upper-spec Limited throws in the 14-inch center display as standard, along with ventilated seats featuring memory function and a heated steering wheel. To sweeten the deal, Toyota adds a power-folding third-row along with manual sunshades for the second and third rows of seats.

Those willing to pay more can opt for the Platinum grade featuring heated and ventilated second-row seats where there are captain’s chairs. The 14-speaker JBL sound system and a panoramic moonroof are part of the deal as well, along with a head-up display and LED headlights & taillights with sequential turn signals. The Sequoia Platinum also encompasses wireless smartphone charging and automatic windscreen wipers.

Aside from visual upgrades, the TRD Pro trim level gets an aluminum front skid plate for extra protection when you’re going off the beaten path. It also stands out courtesy of its retro-flavored front grille, dual exhaust, and off-road goodies like a selectable locking rear differential, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, and even Downhill Assist Control.

The new-to-Sequoia Capstone grade gets all the kit you can think of, including the largest wheels, finished in chrome, electrically deployable running boards, and semi-aniline perforated leather upholstery in black and white. An American Walnut trim adorns the center console and the passenger-side dashboard, while the front doors benefit from acoustic glass available only for the Capstone.

Built in Texas at Toyota’s factory in San Antonio, the 2023 Sequoia will be available this summer. The TRD Pro will be available to order in an exclusive Solar Octane paint, while Supersonic Red and Wind Chill Pearl are going to cost you extra as well. Regular hues include the following: White, Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver, Lunar Rock, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blueprint, Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic, Smoked Mesquite

Source: Toyota

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Other than the tailgate proudly carrying the “Sequoia” lettering, there’s not much to see at this point. The taillights appear to be quite wide and are interconnected through a thick metal bar positioned above the license plate. The rear bumper appears to have a glossy black trim and carries a plastic/rubber protection on the upper section to avoid scratches when you’re loading/unloading items from the cargo area.

The previous teaser image (below) released a few days ago provided a closer look at the rear quarter with the taillights extending onto the fender where a prominent character line continues onto the doors. Chunky wheel arches painted in the same color as the body hinted at a luxurious trim level. However, we are expecting plastic cladding for an off-road-oriented version that could be part of the lineup.

Logic tells us the 2023 Sequoia will be mechanically related to the new Tundra. The big pickup truck can be had with an optional i-Force Max powertrain, which is Toyota speak for a hybrid setup. It should come to the SUV as well and offer a similar if not identical output of 437 hp and 583 lb-ft (790 Nm) of torque. At the heart of the hybrid system is an electrified twin-turbo V6 engine sending power to both axles via a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

The TNGA-F architecture underpinning the 2022 Tundra is a body-on-frame platform, so you can rest assured the next-gen Sequoia will be more than capable off the beaten path. The hybrid setup should also make it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in the fullsize segment, but let’s wait for the EPA numbers to come out.

Source: Toyota

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It’s all show without any extra go as the bZ4X GR Sport consists of visual upgrades while retaining the hardware of the regular production model. To make it stand out, Toyota through its performance division has installed wider tires for better grip and has painted some of the exterior body panels in matte black. Images of the interior have not been provided, but we do know it has sports seats.

We’ll remind you the zero-emission SUV has a 71.4-kWh battery pack if you stick to the front-wheel-drive model while the AWD-equipped version gets a slightly bigger 72.8-kWh battery. In terms of power, the base model makes do with 201 hp (150 kW) channeled to the front axle while the all-wheel-drive variant has a pair of 107-hp (80-kW) motors for a combined output of 215 hp (160 kW).

In terms of performance, the single-motor Toyota bZ4X does the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 8.4 seconds while upgrading to the dual-motor setup reduces the time to 7.7 seconds. Needless to say, the FWD model is lighter by tipping the scales at 4,232 pounds, but should you want more oomph, the dual-motor SUV tips the scales at 4,420 pounds.

It’s worth mentioning Toyota has promised the battery will retain 90 percent of its capacity even after using the vehicle for 10 years. Speaking of which, the battery can be charged at up to 150 kW and the bZ4X has been engineered with a heat pump for heating and AC for extra efficiency. In the US, the front-wheel-drive model is estimated to deliver 250 miles of range.

Toyota is already selling the electric SUV in Japan and will have it at dealers across the US from mid-2022.

Source: Toyota

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Only available as the XSE Hybrid Nightshade, the latest flavor of the Avalon rides on glossy black alloy wheels measuring 19 inches and features a front mesh grille finished in piano black. To spruce things up furthermore, Toyota has given the side mirror caps a dark look, with a similar theme noticeable on the headlight bezels, badging, and the trunk lid spoiler. To set it apart from all the other trim levels, the Nightshade comes with a bespoke rear diffuser.

Rounding off the changes on the outside are the black door handles and window trim, plus a dark finish for the shark fin antenna. Customers will be able to order the Avalon XSE Hybrid Nightshade not just in Midnight Black Metallic, but also in Celestial Silver Metallic or Wind Chill Pearl. Inside, the large sedan has black perforated upholstery and Ultrasuede.

Toyota fits a power tilt/slide moonroof with a sliding sunshade as standard equipment, along with an eight-speaker sound system and a nine-inch touchscreen for infotainment system featuring built-in apps, navigation, and SiriusXM with a three-month trial. As with all the other available Avalon versions, the Nightshade has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration as standard, plus Amazon Alexa. At an additional cost, buyers can upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL sound system with 1,200 watts of power.

It’s worth mentioning the 2022 Toyota Avalon XSE Hybrid Nightshade comes fitted with the Sequential Shiftmatic technology, which mimics the feeling of shifting the gears of a six-speed automatic equipped with paddle shifters or by using the shift lever mounted on the console. However, at the end of the day, it’s still very much an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT).

Being based on the XLE Hybrid, it returns 43 miles per gallon in the city and 44 mpg on the highway for a combined 44 mpg. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and two electric motors providing a combined output of 215 hp.

Available for only one model year, the Nightshade-spec Avalon is going to set you back $40,700, plus $1,025 for destination fees.

Source: Toyota

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Technical specifications have not been disclosed, but we do know it’s a two-seater featuring a removable targa panel to turn the performance machine into a convertible. It looks quite aggressive and appears to have a compact size courtesy of short front and rear overhangs you would expect from an EV. The road-going model will arrive before the end of the decade, although the timeframe isn’t exactly clear.

Just as interesting and perhaps more surprising is the Compact Cruiser EV taking the shape of a boxy off-roader reminding us of the FJ Cruiser. The similarities between the two extend to the blue shade of the concept, which is hardly a coincidence. The angular styling is reminiscent of the rugged SUV, but now without a combustion engine under the hood. It doesn’t look too far off from what we would expect from the production model.

This one too is scheduled to arrive at some point in the next eight years to strengthen Toyota’s zero-emissions portfolio, which has certainly been lacking compared to some of its rivals. As with the sports car, the adventurous vehicle is not part of the bZ family, which leads us to believe it might not ride on a dedicated electric platform but rather on an adaptation of a current architecture intended form cars with combustion engines.

The same can be said about the electric pickup truck, which looks an awful lot like a Tacoma turned into an EV. The production-intent appearance is quite obvious and there’s a pretty good chance we’ll see it before the sports car and the FJ Cruiser’s spiritual successor. Perhaps Toyota is developing its next-generation midsize pickup truck with a purely electric derivative in mind.

Elsewhere, the trio of concepts was joined by two additional electric vehicles, one being the Small SU EV and the other a larger Crossover EV. Heading to production as well by the end of the decade, these will bolster Toyota’s SUV furthermore and will be sold alongside four dedicated high-riding EVs, including the new bZ4X and a large three-row model.

Source: Toyota

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At the bottom of the range will be a small crossover dubbed “bZ Small Crossover” destined primarily for the city. Finished in red, it looks more along the lines of a jacked-up hatchback with rugged cues such as the plastic body cladding. Toyota took a similar approach for its 2022 Aygo X, a combustion-engined little car competing in the A-segment. The new zero-emissions petite crossover has been conceived primarily with Europe and Japan in mind.

The only sedan in this initial five-member Beyond Zero family was also previewed today, simply called the bZ SDN. It aims to compete in the midsize segment and will serve as the best first car for a family, according to a statement made during the conference by Toyoda. It should be quite spacious given its bespoke EV platform, resulting in a completely flat floor and ample rear legroom.

The biggest of them all will be the bZ Large SUV, which will be spacious enough for up to seven people thanks to the adoption of a three-row layout. It has a relatively flat roofline to maximize rear headroom and adopts a sleek design with slim lights and pop-out door handles. All four concepts had the windows blacked out as Toyota isn’t revealing their cabins for the time being.

With four crossovers and just one sedan, it goes to show the Japanese automaker is projecting customer demand for SUVs will continue to grow in the years to come. Thankfully, there will also be a sedan for those interested in a more traditional body style and who do not need the extra ground clearance.

Toyota projects it will achieve 3.5 million EV sales per year by 2030, but in order to make that happen, it needs to invest a whopping $35 billion to bring those new electric models to the market in the following years. Meanwhile, it hasn’t given up on the idea of developing an internal combustion engine that runs on hydrogen.

Source: Toyota

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Currently, in its fourth generation, the Prius is nowhere near as popular as its predecessor, especially if we’re comparing it to the model that started the hybrid craze in the late 1990s / early 2000s. Despite going through a rough patch, the Prius will live to see another iteration, per the words of Toyota’s product and marketing boss.

Speaking with Autocar, Andrea Carlucci said: “It has to keep a role, and we have to make sure it will always be a front-runner with that kind of technology, so – although I can’t disclose much – we don’t want to waste our icon, even for the future.”

It’s too soon to say how the Prius will evolve for its next generation and whether it will continue to be sold both as a hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid. Carlucci only said the once hugely successful electrified model will accentuate Toyota’s image as a “leader in electrification” and an important promoter of hybrid vehicles.

A new E3 platform tailored to hybrids and EVs has been announced, but it will be used only in Europe, and we can’t imagine the Prius being discontinued in the United States. Having been around since 2015, the Prius mk4 is likely to be replaced sometime in 2023 or even sooner. Carlucci strongly hinted the model will remain for sale in Europe as Toyota sees growth potential thanks to improved charging infrastructure, suggesting the PHEV model will soldier on as well.

As a final note, perhaps Toyota missed the opportunity to call its new wave of electric vehicles Prius rather than Beyond Zero, since the bZ4X crossover doesn’t have the most exciting name while Prius is far more recognizable.

Source: Autocar

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Announced today, a new battery plant officially known as the Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC) will be built near Liberty, North Carolina where Toyota will invest a massive $1.29 billion. The factory is set to be operational from 2025 and will have four production lines, with each capable of making enough batteries for 200,000 cars annually. Eventually, the plan is to add at least two extra production lines and therefore boost annual battery capacity enough to power no fewer than 1.2 million vehicles each year.

The newly built facility will exclusively use renewable energy and the lithium-ion batteries will be installed not just in cars without combustion engines, but also in hybrids and plug-in hybrids. The site will stretch across 1,825 acres, but the battery plant itself will not occupy the entire surface. It’s unclear what the company’s plans are for the remaining area, and we also don’t know precisely which electrified vehicles will use the battery packs.

The joint venture between Toyota (90%) and subsidiary Toyota Tsusho (10%) will generate 1,750 new jobs, and according to The Wall Street Journal, local authorities are offering more than $435 million as an incentive package for the next 20 years. Based on the same report, the higher-ups in Randolph County – where Liberty is located – will pay on average approximately $62,000 each year. The automaker explains how Liberty was ultimately chosen as the winner by meeting and/or exceeding the following needs:

• An extensive and well-maintained highway system for overland logistics
• Four international airports and two seaports
• Onsite rail
• An outstanding, diverse workforce
• Renewable energy availability
• World-renowned education system
• Strong government partnership at both the state and local levels

The new battery plant is part of a larger $3.4 billion investment in electrification and the latest step in Toyota’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Source: Toyota 

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The underpinnings will not be developed from scratch as the engineers will combine elements of the e-TNGA platform exclusive to EVs with the GA-C platform tailored to hybrid compact cars. Interestingly, Toyota Europe has ruled out the production of e-NTGA-based vehicles such as the recently unveiled bZ4X pictured here, which will be shipped from Japan starting with 2022.

Instead, it will create a new family of electrified models on the E3 architecture and these vehicles are going to be assembled at Toyota’s plants in Turkey and the United Kingdom. At these facilities, the Japanese brand is already putting together several compact cars utilizing the GA-C underpinnings. The new wave of hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs will do battle in the compact segment as part of the firm’s revamped portfolio.

Automotive News Europe reports that only the Corolla hatchback and maybe the sedan will live to see a new generation in Europe as the wagon will be discontinued at the end of its life cycle. In its place, the new Corolla Cross will serve as the alternative and the compact crossover’s next generation will be built locally on the E3 platform. The swoopy C-HR will also transition to the same hardware for its second iteration.

Toyota Motor Europe CEO Matt Harrison told ANE “we are convinced that the journey to carbon neutrality will not be only electric, it will be eclectic – that is to say, it will embrace multiple technologies and fuels which all lead to the same destination.”

As you might have heard, Toyota will sell only EVs in Western Europe from 2035, be they battery-powered or hydrogen-fueled models. Speaking of hydrogen, the company’s engineers are also working on something quite interesting, an internal combustion engine fueled by hydrogen rather than fossil fuels. It’s just an experiment for the time, so it’s too premature to see whether production vehicles will follow at some point.

Meanwhile, the first E3-based Toyotas will enter production and hit the market in the latter half of the decade.

Source: Automotive News Europe

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