Check Out Toyota's Custom Concepts for the SEMA Show

For a second year in a row, Toyota is organizing the Dream Build Challenge competition for the SEMA Show, but whereas in 2012 it had four of its own race car drivers build a one-off model, this time, it called in athletes from other sports as well.

The four competing models (in Toyota's own words) are the following:

-BMX rider Drew Bezanson with partner Skullcandy created the “Crusher Corolla” inspired by music and BMX.

- Supercross stars Justin Brayton and Josh Grant with partner Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross, built “Let’s Go Moto Tundra” for desert competitions and training

- Freestyle skier Simon Dumont and partner Oakley will showcase the “Ultimate Dream Ski 4Runner” complete with customized ski racks and a grill.

- NASCAR driver Parker Kligerman and partner Kyle Busch Motorsports built the “CamRally” capable of handling rougher terrain

You can vote on which one you like more at the ToyotaDreamBuild site for the next few days ahead of their SEMA Show reveal on November 5 in Las Vegas.

In addition to the aforementioned concepts, the Toyota brand will also showcase a couple more custom models, including a Triathlon-Themed RAV4 and the DC Shoes Tacoma truck.

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Toyota Camry, Prius V and RAV4 Lose Consumer Reports Recommendation

Consumer Reports pulled its recommendation for three of Toyota’s cars, including the popular Camry sedan, due to poor crash test results. Although Lexus, Toyota and Acura were ranked as the U.S. auto industry’s most reliable brands in Consumer Reports’ annual new-car reliability survey, the magazine withdrew its recommendation for the Camry, Prius v and RAV4 because they received poor ratings in the latest IIHS crash tests.

“Honestly, we don't take this lightly, but virtually every vehicle now in the family sedan category has been tested and the only one that has gotten a 'poor' is the Camry," said Jake Fisher, director of auto testing at Consumer Reports. “At this point, we don't feel we can continue to recommend people buy a Camry when there's other good choices out there that do better on the test,” he added.

Last year, the IIHS included crashes that involve only a front corner of a vehicle in its tests. Consumer Reports waited to see how the entire industry was affected by the test before adjusting its buyer recommendations. Traditionally, the magazine does not recommend consumers to buy a car that gets poor crash test results.

The Camry was the third best-selling vehicle in the U.S. through September, behind two full-size pickup trucks. Sales were up 1.3 percent from the same period last year to 318,990 cars.

Toyota says it has made changes to the Camry to improve its performance in the crash tests and IIHS is planning to retest the car in December.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Consumer Reports via Reuters

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Toyota Adds New 2.0L Diesel AWD Version to RAV4 in Europe

Toyota has introduced a new all-wheel drive version of the RAV4 in Europe for the 2014 model year that combines a Euro 5 compliant 2.0-liter D-4D turbodiesel engine with Toyota’s Integrated Dynamic Drive System AWD technology.

Just like on the FWD version, the diesel engine develops 124PS (122hp) at 6,000 rpm, and 310 Nm (228 lb-ft)) of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the powertrain generates CO2 emissions of 136 g/km. Toyota didn’t provide fuel consumption figures, but on the front-wheel drive RAV4 the same engine averages 4.9 l/100 km (48 mpg US) and emits 127 g of CO2 per kilometer.

The Integrated Dynamic Drive System allows front to rear torque distribution to vary from 100:0 to 50:50, with front-wheel drive (100:0) automatically engaged under normal driving conditions to improve fuel consumption.

Besides the new AWD diesel version, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 brings new exterior and interior color and trim designs, including a new Dark Brown Metallic exterior paint color. There’s also a new 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel design available, while a range of 18-inch wheel designs is now available for front-wheel drive models as well.

There are four-color schemes available for the interior, Black, Grey, Terracotta and new Beige, while the Black fabric and Grey leather interior designs have been retained.

Equipment upgrades include the updated Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system featuring a new, 6-inch full colour WVGA touch screen with improved resolution, a new Drag and Flick function, and six additional languages, plus new optional equipment including the Smart Entry and Start system, power-operated tailgate, and an 8 channel, 9 speaker, 440 Watt JBL Premium sound system. The new Geneva ‘Premium’ Pack adds a rear under-run and chrome finish on the side sills and the tailgate.

Finally, the new available Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system alerts the driver for approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space.

By Dan Mihalascu

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