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Autoblog Minute: New Prius, Bentley Bentyaga, Rolls-Royce Dawn

Bentley and Rolls-Royce both introduce new luxury vehicles and Toyota revealed its latest Prius. Autoblog senior editor Greg Migliore reports on the Weekly Recap edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] Bentley and Rolls-Royce both introduce new luxury vehicles and Toyota revealed its latest Prius I'm Senior editor Greg Migliore and this is your Autoblog Minute Weekly Recap. With a top speed of 187 mph Bentyaga will be the fastest production SUV on the road when it hits the market. Eventually, Bentley intends to launch a seven-seat version, a higher performance Speed model, and more efficient diesel and hybrid variants of its new luxury SUV. Dawn is the new four seater convertible from Rolls-Royce. While the car looks to the past for its name it boasts lots of modern tech including Rolls-Royce's Zed F eight-speed automatic transmission for imperceptible gear changes and a silently operating, six layer, canvas top. The launch of Toyota's latest Prius marks the fourth generation of the popular hybrid. Prius has gone from a niche product to one of the industry's most important vehicles. Toyota hopes its new Prius will redefine the category it helped to pioneer. We're expecting fuel economy to increase by 10 percent and this is the most tech laden Prius ever. Those are the highlights from the week that was. Be sure to check out my full recap this Saturday. Plus, some insight on the new Cadillac XT5. For Autoblog, I'm Greg Migliore. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Bentley Rolls-Royce Toyota Convertible SUV Hybrid Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video rolls-royce dawn

Toyota FT-86 Open Concept leaves us feeling flushed

When last we checked in on our topless would-be hero, the Toyota FT-86 convertible had been reportedly placed on "indefinite hold." That was back in early October, not long after Toyota had trotted out the rear-wheel-drive canvasback to Scion dealers as a possible future product carrot if they decided not to turn in their franchises. And yet, we're here at the Tokyo Motor Show, where Toyota has taken the time to at least repaint the FT-86 Open Concept in "Flash Red," if not build a whole other car (the original Geneva showcar was white). It's enough to make our heads spin like a teenager on the verge of a breakup. Will they? Won't they?
At this point, we still don't know any more than you do - the last word we heard out of Toyota was not encouraging, although the story was that the program could still be fast-tracked if management had a change of heart. As the car has never been seen before in Japan, perhaps Toyota is merely extending its domestic audience a courtesy view before it lines this showcar in mothballs, or maybe they're still trying to make a decision on its fate and gauging public reaction on the homefront.
Interestingly, in a new story published today, Automotive News quotes Subaru brand boss Yasuyuki Yoshinaga downplaying the likelihood of a production model, saying flatly "We make the car, so if we don't make it, it can't happen." The executive went on to note, "Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change." Given that such a car would probably trade in rather small volumes, that sounds like a significant hurtle.

Toyota Alphard and Vellfire JDM minivans look weirder than ever

Around these parts, if you want a Toyota minivan, you'll be looking at the Sienna. But in its domestic market, the Japanese automaker offers an entirely different line of passenger vans. And now it's updated one of its larger models. Or two, we should say. Since Toyota operates parallel dealership networks in Japan, the minivan you see here is sold as the Alphard through Toyopet dealers and the Vellfire in its Netz showrooms. They also get subtly different designs, especially at the front. But stylistic and distribution differences aside, these two models are essentially the same. They're smaller than the Sienna we know in every dimension but height, but larger than the Voxy/Noah and Esquire, and come in a variety of trims and configurations: with a 2.5-liter four, a 3.5-liter V6 or a hybrid powertrain, in seven- or eight-seat configurations, with or without handicapped accessibility, and in trim levels that can more than double their price from the base model to the top Executive Lounge. Initially launched in 2002 and redesigned for 2015, the new Alphard and Vellfire also benefit from a redesigned suspension, better NVH insulation and a more accommodating and upscale interior with new technologies (including a new Panoramic View Monitor, Intelligent Parking Assist and collision-avoidance systems) to make them more comfortable, safer and easier to operate. Between the two models, Toyota expects to sell 7,000 units each month in Japan alone (3,000 Alphards and 4,000 Vellfires) before other markets across Asia are even taken into account. Related Video: Toyota Launches New 'Alphard' and 'Vellfire' Minivans in Japan Toyota City, Japan, January 26, 2015-Toyota Motor Corporation today launched the redesigned "Alphard" and "Vellfire" minivans through dealers across Japan. The vehicles were developed to incorporate the idea of a roomy and luxurious saloon space with a new and unprecedented sense of refinement. The new Alphard and Vellfire possess unshakeable presence with a comfortable ride, exceptional handling stability, and a roomy interior. The Alphard exterior emphasizes luxury, while the Vellfire exterior emphasizes boldness. In addition to high body rigidity, a newly developed double-wishbone suspension was adopted for the rear to achieve a luxurious ride and exceptional handling stability. Extensive sound and vibration dampening and an aerodynamic wind-noise reducing body shape realize a quiet ride at all speeds, befitting of a luxury vehicle.