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Mini Minor to be co-developed with Toyota

It was back in 2011 when Mini first showcased the prospect of an even smaller hatchback with the Rocketman concept at the Geneva Motor Show. In the nearly four years since, parent company BMW has hemmed and hawed on the possibility of putting it into production, but the latest word from Europe has it that the project is a go. According to Automobile magazine, Mini is realigning its product portfolio into five pillars: the essential hardtop we've already seen (available in two/three- and four/five-doors), the convertible, the upcoming new Clubman wagon (coming this summer with full-size auxiliary suicide doors on both sides), the next-gen Countryman crossover in 2016 and two new model lines. One will be the production version of the Superleggera roadster concept, earmarked for 2018. The other will be the Minor, a smaller city car reviving a long-gone model name and presaged by the aforementioned Rocketman concept. But for that last one, Mini won't go it alone. To develop the mini Mini, BMW will reportedly turn to its partnership with Toyota. The relationship is already set to yield a new Supra and Z4 and share fuel cell and other technologies. But this would broaden the partnership to include a small hatchback. However rather than use the existing (or next-gen) Aygo, which is already built under joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen (with which BMW previously had a joint engine venture), word has it that the BMW and Toyota will develop a new platform for the project – one that will be used by both partners. The new product plan doesn't leave much room for the Mini Coupe and Roadster (which have already been discontinued), for the Paceman three-door crossover (which will suffer the same fate) or for the projected seven-seater minivan. But the addition of the new Superleggera roadster and super-mini Mini aren't likely to leave us wanting for either. Related Video:

2014 Toyota 4Runner priced at $32,820*

Toyota has announced pricing on its facelifted 2014 4Runner. The rough-and-tumble SUV will be available in three grades: base SR5, upmarket Limited and off-road-ready Trail. Depending on the trim level, buyers will have the choice of rear-drive or one of two different four-wheel drive systems. The sole engine is Toyota's 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6.
Entry-level buyers can get an SR5 for $32,820. That includes 17-inch wheels, fabric seats and Toyota's Entune infotainment system. Adding four-wheel drive bumps the price by $2,920, while the Premium Package (SofTex faux leather seats, navigation, sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors and power passenger seat) adds $1,875. All model prices listed do not include $860 for destination and tax.
The Trail starts at $35,725, while the Trail Premium bumps the price to $38,645, adding the same suite of equipment found on the SR5. While it boasts the same standard equipment as the SR5, the Trail is better suited for going off road. A multi-terrain response system comes standard, as does hill-start assist and Toyota's Crawl Control. For an extra sum, buyers can opt for the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which automatically disconnects the sway bars for better articulation and trail holding.

Toyota wants 30 percent of China sales to be hybrids

Two years ago, China set tough fuel economy standards for passenger cars, taking another step toward addressing its smog and pollution problems; average fuel consumption was mandated as 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers (about 34 miles per gallon) by this year and five liters per 100 km (47 mpg) by 2020. Toyota wants more of its fleet to help its numbers there, and is working to make 30 percent of its sales by 2020, according to a report in Japan's Nikkei. The Japanese carmaker sells 21 passenger cars and vans in China but only two of them are hybrids, the Prius and the Camry Hybrid (in the US Toyota sells 20 passenger vehicles in but seven of them are hybrids). It unveiled two more hybrids at the Shanghai Motor Show that will be built in China, the Corolla Hybrid (pictured) as part of its joint venture with FAW Group, and the Levin HEV as part of its joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC). There is also an electric vehicle on the way as part of the GAC partnership, to be sold under the China-only Lingzhi brand. It will still be a gigantic hurdle to make that 30-percent target even after doubling the hybrid line-up. Toyota sold 1.03 million vehicles in China in 2014, but has sold only 90,000 hybrids in total during the ten years the Prius has been on the market and five years of the Camry Hybrid. News Source: Nikkei, Nikkei Green Auto Shanghai Toyota Electric Hybrid