2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid-touring Pkg Bluetooth-rear Cam-46mpg, Extremely Clean on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Toyota confirms all-wheel drive V8 hybrid for TS040 LMP1 car in 2014

The 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship is gearing up to be one of the most exciting seasons of endurance racing in recent memory. All of the factory-entered LMP1 class cars are using hybrid powertrains, and Porsche is returning to the top class of the sport after a 16-year absence. Don't count out Toyota, though. The team has just revealed the first official details about its 2014 TS040 LMP1 car, and it has a big surprise - all-wheel drive.
The TS040 will follow Audi's lead and will use a combination motor and generator to power the front wheels. The system will generate power under braking and will use it up when accelerating to give a boost in traction over last year's rear-wheel-drive Toyota TS030. Toyota will stick with a gasoline-fueled, naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 to feed the rear wheels and will take on Audi's diesel, turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 and Porsche's gasoline-fueled, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Sadly, there are no real pictures of the TS040 yet. Toyota is holding off on unveiling the car until the end of March at the WEC test at the Paul Ricard circuit, and the racing season doesn't begin until April 20 with the 6 Hours of Silverstone. You can read the whole press release about the TS040 below.

Ryan Tuerck's Ferrari-powered Gumout GT4586 debuts at SEMA

Las Vegas is famous for its shotgun marriages, but the only Sin City nuptials we're interested in is the one officiated by Ryan Tuerck between a Toyota GT86 and the V8 engine from a Ferrari 458 Italia. The insane Gumout GT4586, as it's called, is probably one of the most well-known of the 2016 SEMA Show's stars, after video popped up showing the rear-drive Frankenstein firing up and spitting flames through its weird, front-mounted exhausts. The day after we published that video, which showed the GT86 in mostly bare frame, Gumout and Tuerck posted a second clip showing the Japanese-Italian coupe literally running rings around a 458 while wearing its sheetmetal and yellow-tinted headlights. The car's look in that second video carried over to the Las Vegas Convention Center floor, where the GT4586 showed up sans hood, ludicrously wide tires, and a huge wing and rear diffuser. It's clearly a good-looking car. You can check out our full SEMA gallery above, or, click the video below for a second look at Tuerck's Ferra-yota in action below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Toyota recalling 342k Tacomas due to faulty seatbelt pretensioners

Toyota is voluntarily recalling 342,000 Tacoma Access Cab pickups, produced between 2004 and 2011. The wide-ranging recall is due to faults in the screws that attach the belt pre-tensioner to the belt retractor. There are concerns that the screws can loosen themselves over time, especially if the access door is opened and closed with too much force. It's important to note that the recall only covers the driver and front passenger seat, and is limited to just the Access Cab trucks. Other body styles aren't affected.
If the screws come loose, the pre-tensioner and retractor spring could separate from the belt entirely, which would be bad news in a crash. There's no mention of injuries or accidents due to the faulty pre-tensioners. Owners affected by the recall will be notified soon, and asked to come in for recall service.