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Eiji Toyoda dead at 100

Toyota has had number of chiefs over its 76-year history, but none ever served as long as Eiji Toyoda. The younger cousin of the company's founder served as president of the automaker from 1967 to 1982 and as chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation for another ten years following the unification of the manufacturing and sales divisions.
During his 25 years at the helm, Eiji Toyoda (pictured above in 1967) was credited with establishing the company's headquarters in Toyota City, spearheading the development of the Prius, expanding production overseas for the first time, launching the Lexus brand and turning Toyota from a minor player into one of the largest automakers in the world.
Even after his retirement in 1992, he remained an honorary chairman and close advisor to his successors, and chaired the company's museum. He died of heart failure, ending a 100-year life that started on September 12, 1913, before the company that bore his family's name (albeit slightly modified) had even started building automatic looms, let alone automobiles. We extend our condolences to the Toyoda family and our congratulations on an accomplished life.

Toyota C-HR stays sharp from prototype to production

Scion is dead. While the troubled brand was given 13 years to make a case for itself, it never quite succeeded. And that's a shame, because we're pretty confident that this, the production-spec Toyota C-HR would have been one of its biggest hits. Instead, when it arrives in the US, it will be as a Toyota... where it will still likely be a big hit. The new small CUV made its debut after literally years of teasing concepts, the most recent of which was shown late last year in Los Angeles, where it was badged as a Scion. After seeing that car, it's quite clear that Toyota has strained itself to translate its style to the real world. Up front, there's clear inspiration from the Toyota Auris/Scion iM. But aside from the front, the C-HR's biggest inspiration appears to be the Nissan Juke. View 14 Photos It's like Toyota has tried to go even further, though. Its wheel arches are flared even more aggressively and they feed into a strong character line on the lower portion of the doors. In back, Toyota's designers seem to have just rotated the Juke's taillights 180 degrees while they sit below an extremely fast rear window. Said window is integrated into today's latest design trend, a floating roof. Mechanically, the C-HR rides atop Toyota's New Global Architecture, which is Japan's answer to Volkswagen's MQB architecture. Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain, good for a relaxed 120 horsepower. If you don't want hybrid power, Toyota will sell the C-HR with the Euro-market Auris' turbo 1.2-liter engine, but we almost certainly won't see that here in the US. Instead, American drivers will probably be left with nothing but a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder. That engine will be exclusively paired with a continuously variable transmission that sends power to either the front- or to all four wheels. So there's Juke inspiration, but not in the driving character. Toyota says it will build the C-HR Hybrid in Turkey. We don't know if that facility will handle US-market vehicles or just Europe, but we wouldn't be surprised to see additional facilities come online to produce this stylish little bugger. Related Video: TOYOTA C-HR Toyota's Fresh New Take on the Crossover 2016 Toyota Motorshow Geneva Making its world debut at the 2016 Geneva motor show, the C-HR gives Toyota a powerful new presence in the crossover market.

Paul Walker's Supra sells for $185k

The Fast and the Furious certainly didn't create the import car hobby, but the 2001 film played a role in popularizing it among a mass audience. Among the biggest automotive stars to come from the movie was the customized orange Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker's character, Brian O'Connor. One of the stunt cars that portrayed that now-famous vehicle recently crossed the auction block at Mecum Auctions' sale in Indianapolis and sold for $185,000. This stunt car was showcased throughout the film, including in the final drag race against Dom's Dodge Charger, according to Mecum's listing. However, don't expect to be successful at living a quarter-mile at a time with this Supra, because under the hood there's a 220-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline six and five-speed manual. It certainly looks the part, with a full body kit, big wing at the back, wild graphics, and orange paint. Two Holley Performance nitrous oxide bottles are in the rear, but they aren't hooked up. For safety, there's a roll cage inside. The auction was estimated to fall between $150,000 and $200,000, which was right on the money. Following Walker's tragic death in 2013, cars related to him and the Fast and Furious franchise seem to be showing up for sale more often. His Nissan Skyline GT-R from Fast & Furious jumped in price afterward, and Barrett-Jackson auctioned his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution from 2 Fast 2 Furious in 2014. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.