2014 Toyota Prius C One on 2040-cars

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Toyota's new turbodiesel engines are stronger, lighter, cleaner [w/video]

Think about turbodiesels and trucks, and companies like General Motors and Dodge/Ram might spring to mind. Toyota? Not so much. Hybrids are its thing. Still, the Japanese automaker is looking to alter that image a bit, at least overseas. Toyota is touting its new line of turbodiesel mills that went into the HiLux pickups that started being sold in Thailand and Australia last month, and in the Land Cruiser Prado that debuted in Japan last week. Toyota's breaking out fancy terms like "Thermo Swing Wall Insulation Technology" (TSWIN) and "Selective Catalytic Reduction" (SCR), but the upshot is that the engines boost torque up 25 percent, and, more importantly, fuel efficiency by 15 percent. Additionally, the engine's configuration can cut as much as 99 percent of NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions. Asia's new version of the HiLux offers two turbodiesels: a 2.4-liter version with 164 horsepower, and a 2.8-liter mill with 174 hp. Toyota says that by the end of next year, it'll be able to make 700,000 of the engines a year and will make them available in 90 global markets. Scroll down to check out Toyota's 90-second explanatory video, and get more details from the official press release. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Toyota's Revamped Turbo Diesel Engines Offer More Torque, Greater Efficiency and Lower Emissions New engines feature next-generation advanced thermal insulation diesel combustion1 World-first2 use of Thermo Swing Wall Insulation Technology (TSWIN3) Top-class maximum thermal efficiency of 44 percent4 15 percent more fuel efficient; 25 percent more maximum torque Eliminates up to 99 percent of NOx emissions Production of 700,000 units a year; available in approx. 90 markets by the end of 20165 Toyota's newly developed direct-injection turbo diesel engines raise the bar for fuel efficiency, power and quietness. The world's first use of Thermo Swing Wall Insulation Technology (TSWIN) makes the 2.8-liter 1GD-FTV engine one of the most thermally efficient in existence, with a maximum thermal efficiency of 44 percent. Despite smaller engine displacement in comparison to the current KD engine, maximum torque is improved by 25 percent and low speed torque improved by 11 percent, while fuel efficiency has received a 15 percent boost.

Honda scores big in Automobile Advertising of the Year Awards [w/videos]

This year the Detroit Auto Show didn't just celebrate the automobile, it celebrated how we find out about the automobile, too. Partnering The One Club, this year introduced the 2014 One Show Automobile Advertising of the Year Award to Cobo Hall, celebrating winners in five different categories of advertising: broadcast television, online, interactive, experiential, and print/outdoor. Winners in those categories were judged by 50 creative directors and journalists, while a Public Choice category was chosen from among nearly 20,000 online votes.
Honda walked off with three of the six awards, its Hands spot taking Broadcast honors, its Sound of Honda getting the Online category and Illusions winning Public Choice. Hyundai made the grade in Interactive with Driveway Decision Maker, Fiat captured Print/Outdoor with its "Letters" ad, and Toyota's Tundra Endeavor Campaign spot and BMW's A Window into the Near Future were co-winners for Experiential.
You can watch all of the press release and winning videos below or check out all of the finalists, announced last month, for a refresher.

Cleanliness of Toyota Mirai fuel cell exhaust depends on air quality

Is the water vapor coming out of Toyota's first production fuel-cell vehicle drinkable? If you're driving through the Sierra Nevadas? Probably. Cruising through Beijing? Not so much. Toyota executive Seiji Mizuno discussed whether the water vapor emitted from the Toyota Mirai is safe enough to drink and, according to Automotive News, the short answer is "yes," since the slightly-acidic vapor has "fewer organic impurities" than milk. The catch, though, is that the vapor immediately gets mixed with the surrounding air. That means that there's always the chance that something funky gets mixed in with the air intake, especially if the Mirai's driving through a smog-infested city. That makes the idea of swigging off the tailpipe a slightly riskier venture, so it's best to keep that reusable bottle full of tap water handy. Toyota, which recently showed the Mirai off at the Los Angeles Auto Show, confirmed earlier this month that the Mirai would start sales in California in 2015 with lease rates starting at $499 a month. While the model's MSRP will be $57,500, federal and state incentives could bring that number to less than $45,000. Fewer than 200 Mirai vehicles will be available in the US by the end of next year.