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Next-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ confirmed

Toyota and Subaru jointly announced today that they would be continuing and expanding their alliance. Toyota will be taking a larger stake in Subaru, bringing the total to 20%, and Subaru will respond in kind by buying shares equal to the value of those purchased by Toyota. In terms of product, the two companies will reportedly swap knowledge in the development of all-wheel-drive systems, battery-electric powertrains and connected/autonomous driving technologies. Oh, and there will be a next-generation Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. Despite less-than-stellar sales, the two companies confirmed that the rear-wheel-drive Toyabaru twins will be returning for a sequel. No details about them were provided, but a second-generation has widely been speculated and reported, with Australia's Motor quoting Supra chief engineer Tatsuya Tada confirming as such. "We have a new 86 team," he told Motor. "We have to make a new 86 that surpasses the Supra ... that is what the customer expects." Beyond that, there is rampant speculation of where the rear-drive platform will originate (a derivative of Toyota's TNGA platform, something boosted from Mazda, aliens), as well as what might find its way under the hood (virtually anything would be better than what's there now). A Japanese publication even suggested it might even be previewed next month at the Tokyo Motor Show.  In any event, expect the next-generation Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 to be a continuous source of interest for the next few years.  Subaru Toyota Coupe Future Vehicles Performance

See how Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car is made [w/videos]

Toyota kicked off production of the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell sedan at its Motomachi factory campus in December, and at the time the company had orders for 200 of them. In just the few months since then, demand has already jumped to requests for at least 1,500 of the potentially revolutionary vehicles. For the first time, the Japanese brand is taking viewers into the innovative model's production process and showing the sedate pace of putting them together. The line used for the Mirai was formerly home to Lexus LFA production. Like that low-volume, cutting-edge supercar, Toyota is prioritizing quality and precision for its fuel cell vehicle. At the moment, it's building just three of the sedans per day with a tight, dedicated team. According to Automotive News, there are just 13 people assembling the cars right now, and at most they could only complete 10 per day. The production process for the Mirai is more akin to a boutique sportscar than the high-volume efficiency Toyota usually shows. There's no belt moving them along, and instead each one is pushed between areas. With so much riding on these models, this approach is meant to guarantee an attention to quality. "These facilities are not so advanced. Rather, we rely on the work of our skilled employees. This is similar to how things were when Toyota was just starting out," said Toyota President Akio Toyoda during a ceremony at the plant, according to Automotive News. Toyota has released a gallery of images and five videos showing the major steps in the Mirai's production process, including the complicated installation of the fuel cell stack. All of the clips are embedded below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

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.