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Dutch Toyota dealer has plans for old Prius batteries as solar backup

A Toyota dealer in the Netherlands is looking to the sky for power. The Louwman Hague Toyota dealership has put almost 1,000 solar panels on the roof, and there might be some Prius hybrid batteries involved. Our Dutch isn't as good as it could be and our questions to Toyota in the US haven't turned up any definitive answers, but there is some mention that these solar panels are will someday be feeding power into a bank of Toyota hybrid batteries. The 1,000 panels make up 1,600 square meters, about the size of 4.5 IMAX movie screens, and is the largest in the area. They generate around a quarter of a megawatt of energy [as our readers point out, this is what the translation says, but it doesn't make sense, so we think it might mean a quarter MW of power a day], which is enough to power 80 homes. The excess electricity will go into the battery packs that have (possibly) already been used in a Prius or another of the company's hybrid. There are many examples of automotive batteries being tested as stationary back-up power sources, and maybe this Dutch solution can be used as a guide when Toyota sets up its new US headquarters in sunny Texas.

10 most memorable cars and SUVs of 2019

It's no surprise that a car reviewer will drive a large number of cars over the course of a year. Indeed, when the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31, I will have driven 75 new cars, trucks and SUV this year (and one old Peugeot) over the course of weekly evaluation loans and first drive events. That sure seems like a lot. Some definitely got more attention than others, and some came and went without leaving much of an impression – I completely forgot I drove a Kia Forte. Yet in the spirit of this day, I thought I'd pick the 10 that I would love to see under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning. You know, just in case you were looking to get me something. I'll also throw in a couple disappointments that were memorable for the wrong reasons. They'd get sent back to the store on Boxing Day. Lexus LC 500 Pictured below and resplendent in its Flare Yellow metallic paint, the car that would reach highest on my list is the divine Lexus LC 500. As a devout lover of GT cars, the LC ticks all the boxes. Muscular and characterful engine? V8, check. Beautifully made and memorable interior? It's gorgeous, to hell with Remote Touch. Check. Comfortable and reasonably practical? Superb seats and, uh, yeah. Makes me want to stand there and stare at it? You bet. Though I long figured my heart would say LC but my head "Porsche 911," after this go-around, that's no longer the case. LC, pretty please. 2020-lexus-lc500-f34-2 View 19 Photos Polestar 1 I actually feel lucky that I got to drive the Polestar 1. Only 150 will be produced each year, and it's a far more special thing than it would initially appear. And that's despite initially appearing to be a beautiful, classic two-door GT car with a roof so rakish it's only possible because it's made of carbon fiber. That itÂ’s a massively powerful plug-in hybrid with more all-electric range than any other PHEV is a thick dollop of whipped cream on a slice of Toscakaka. You know, Swedish dessert, Swedish car. Fine, I'll stick to Ikea references.  Polestar1_Launch_SanFrancisco-0014 View 44 Photos Volvo V60 Cross Country Speaking of Sweden, did I drive this car off the road there? Sure did! And despite this, the V60 Cross Country scratches that certain wagon itch and looks sensational to boot. I wish it were available with the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, but it's best not to get greedy at Christmas.

Toyota rolls out all-new HiLux pickup Down Under [UPDATE]

Never heard of the Toyota HiLux? That could be because it's not sold in America. But it's been around in other markets for 47 years now, over the course of which it has sold over 16 million units. Suffice it to say, then, that the HiLux is a vital product for the Japanese automaker, so the introduction of the new model you see here is a big deal on a global scale. The eighth-generation HiLux is the first all-new one in a decade, and benefits from some substantial improvements. It's touted as tougher and more capable than the ten-year-old model it replaces, but also safer and more comfortable. It boasts more interior space, a larger fuel tank and greater hauling capabilities. In the right spec, it'll tow more than 7,700 pounds and carry up to 2,700. There's a staggering array of configurations to choose from: 31 in all, resulting from two drivetrains, two transmissions, four engines, three cabin sizes and three levels of trim (in Australia at least - see update below). The top 4.0-liter V6 carries over and the 2.7-liter four has been upgraded for higher output and efficiency, but there are two new common-rail turbo-diesels on offer: a 2.4 with 164 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.8 with 174 hp and 332 lb-ft. They're mated to new six-speed manual and automaker transmissions, and buyers in the many markets where the HiLux contends will also be able to select a new Hi-Rider model that combines two-wheel drive with the ride height of the 4x4. The new HiLux is being introduced today in both Thailand and Australia, which are hardly random choices for the new model's debut. Though the truck is manufactured in six countries around the world, the Thai plant alone accounts for 70 percent of its production. And in Australia, the HiLux has not only been the top-selling commercial vehicle for the past 17 years running, but stands as the country's most popular vehicle of any kind – making it Oz's equivalent to our Ford F-150. UPDATE: While the HiLux is clearly a vital product for Toyota in the land Down Under, that's not the only place where it will be sold - and the details listed above will change from market to market. "Specs will differ across the globe, including engine availability," a spokesman for Toyota in Europe told Autoblog. The company's Australian PR rep confirmed that "Each region has its own unique requirements. Engine specs change based on emissions requirements for instance.