First Images of GPR Motorsport's Toyota Avensis BTCC Racer

While Toyota has no plans to re-enter the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with an official works team, the Japanese automaker has lent its support to GPR Motorsport that is building a new racing concept based on the European market and British-built Avensis sedan.

Read more »

Toyota Announces Details on Recalled European Models, Says up to 1.8 Million Vehicles May Be Affected by Sticky Accelerator

Less than 24 hours after Toyota Motor Europe announced that it would be investigating potential accelerator pedal issues on its European models, the Japanese automaker released details on the affected vehicles. The recall involves a total of eight models. These are listed below:

-AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
-iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
-Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
-Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
-Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
-RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The company said that precise number of involved units is still under investigation, but may reach up to a total of 1.8 million vehicles in the Old Continent, adding that no Lexus or other Toyota models are affected by the recall to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue.

"Toyota's policy is to put its customers first, in all circumstances", said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers."

According to Toyota, there is a chance that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms on the affected models may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position

Toyota said that the issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms concerned may become worn.

The Japanese automaker added that only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe, and that the company is not aware of any accident resulting from this issue.

Earlier this week, Toyota suspended sales of eight vehicles in the U.S. due to the sticky accelerator problem while the firm also added another 1.1 million vehicles to last fall's recall of 4.3 million vehicles in the USA.

Toyota Avensis gets 132HP 1.6L Petrol and 2.0L Diesel with Auto Transmission

Toyota has enhanced its engine line-up for the UK market Avensis with the introduction of two new powertrains, a 1.6-liter gasoline (already offered in other European countries) and the 2.2-liter D-CAT diesel with a 6-speed automatic transmission - the firm's first diesel automatic passenger car. The 1.6-liter Valvematic petrol produces an output of 132 horsepower and is linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox accelerating the Avensis sedan from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 10.4 seconds and the Tourer in 10.6 seconds.

The new entry-level Avensis returns 43.5mpg UK (36.2mpg US or 6.5 lt/100 km) in combined cycle driving, with 152g/km CO2 emissions. Available in T2 and TR grade saloon and tourer models, the Avensis 1.6L is priced from £16,485.

For the first time, Avensis buyers may also opt to combine Toyota's 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder unit produces 150 HP at 3,600rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm between 2,000 and 2,800rpm, enabling 0 to 62mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds for the sedan and 9.8 seconds for the Tourer while returning 44.1mpg UK (36.7mpg US or 6.4 lt/100km) in combined cycle driving (42.8mpg UK Tourer).

Prices for the Avensis 2.2 D-CAT Auto start from £21,515.