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Toyota reveals latest autonomous tech test bed

Toyota revealed its latest autonomous technology effort Friday, a sophisticated Lexus LS 600hL prototype that showcases its plans to advance in the emerging field. The Lexus is the first developed entirely by the company's in-house Toyota Research Institute and it will focus on the car's ability to learn and see behavior on the road. Toyota is showing the car at the Prius Challenge event at Sonoma Raceway. The Lexus uses Lidar, radar, and sensors, which potentially reduce reliance on mapping. The prototype advances Toyota's last concept vehicle shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2013. This one is said to be more flexible and it will focus on Toyota's two autonomous tech pillars, called Guardian and Chauffeur. Guardian is meant to improve safety features, while Chauffeur moves toward full autonomy. "We believe Guardian can probably be deployed sooner and more widely than Chauffeur, providing high-level driver-assist features capable of helping mitigate collisions and save lives, sooner rather than later," Toyota Research Institute Gill Pratt said in a statement. Related Video: Green Lexus Toyota Autonomous Vehicles Luxury Sedan lexus ls

Cosworth announces Power Packages for Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S with up to 380 hp [w/video]

Cosworth stands on the list of the most famous engine tuners in the world with its DFV engine engine dominating Formula One for a time in the '70s. So when it teases plans to take on the FA20 engine from Subaru and Toyota found in the BRZ, Scion FR-S and Toyota GT86 abroad, our interest is indeed piqued. Cosworth is promising to take the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine from its current 200 horsepower all the way to 325 hp and even 380 hp in a future track version through a series of staged Power Packages. At the moment, only the first stage is available that takes the mill to a potent 230 hp.
Cosworth says that its new strategy is to offer its upgrades in kits rather than individually so that it can be sure that everything works and fits when owners receive it. The Stage 1 Power Package emphasizes helping the FA20 breathe better and includes a nearly complete replacement for the stock exhaust system. There is a sports exhaust with four-inch, diagonally cut, polished tips and Y-shaped muffler, an overpipe front pipe with a spherical resonator and a new manifold header that is 22 percent lighter the standard unit. In addition to that, the kit comes with a software reflash, low temperature thermostat, Cosworth badge and plaque.
The stage one kit is available now, and stages two and three go on sale later this summer, according to its website. Autoblog contacted Cosworth for pricing information for the kits. We will update this story, if we hear back. The company also released a video showing off the exhaust upgrades. Scroll down to watch it and read the full release, below.

Toyota and Mercedes begin the Super Bowl ad teases with dads and hares

Advertising Age says pregame buzz is where Super Bowl advertisers really build momentum for their Big Game commercials, so let the teasing continue. We've seen the 30-second spot for the Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are next out of the tunnel with campaigns that focus on a fable and fathers, respectively. The Mercedes tease gets former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice lining up a talking-heads debate with eight-year-old Andrew Hunter about whether Hunter's hare could beat a tortoise in a race, but it's a disaster before it even begins. In what will be a continuing storyline, a social media component lets people side with #TeamTortoise or #TeamHare, with "a Big Race viewing party" going to a lucky winner. Mercedes also promises there'll be a hero at the end, which we imagine will something in the Three-Pointed-Star family as opposed to the Testudinae or Leporidae families. Toyota's all about the biological family, rolling out a series of tweets and Vine videos showing off ex-NFL'ers and their kids to hype the "One Bold Choice Leads to Another" campaign for the Camry. The profiled paterfamiliae will be examples of those "who have contributed to their families' lives in bold ways." A 60-second spot during the pre-game will feature Paralympic athlete Amy Purdy, then those stand-up dads will get their own 60 seconds during the second quarter. The social media tag for this one is #OneBoldChoice. You can watch Mercedes' opening salvo above, and check out a Toyota tweet with ex-quarterback Kurt Warner below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req., Mercedes-Benz, Toyota via YouTube (M-B), Twitter (Toyota) Celebrities Marketing/Advertising Mercedes-Benz Toyota Super Bowl Commercials Videos