Video: Toyota Auris goes further off the rails with "Spanking Orchestra"

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota

How do you follow up androgyny? With a Spanking Orchestra, obviously. Proving that the 2013 Toyota Auris has depths we haven't begun to comprehend, Toyota's Japanese ad agency has followed up the head-turning spot with Stav Strashko by kitting an Auris out with "spanking machines" and putting it on display at the Daikanyama Art Street festival.

The machines are computer-controlled hands that tap (or spank, if you prefer) the car to the programmed beat. As if that weren't enough, two pairs of free-standing hands, with arms, clap time at either end of the car. If there's a meaning to it, we're not aware of it, but it's fascinating to watch.

It isn't often - actually, never - that we get to say, "Ladies and gentlemen, we present The Spankers." You'll find them below, and the action begins in the first video at the 2:40 mark.

Continue reading Toyota Auris goes further off the rails with "Spanking Orchestra"

Toyota Auris goes further off the rails with "Spanking Orchestra" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Toyota, Middle East

This wrapped-up crossover appears to be the next Toyota RAV4. It was first found on a Toyota fan forum in Saudi Arabia, and was later picked up by the automotive gumshoes at CarScoop. All indications point to this being the next RAV4, but obviously nothing has been confirmed.

From what we can tell by these photos, it has a front fascia similar to that of the Toyota Camry, and has more streamlined proportions than the outgoing model. It's hard to determine if the roof has a significant slope to it, or it is just the angle of the camera. If it is the former, than the silhouette seems to ape the Hyundai Tucson, one the RAV4's competitors.

Most of the exterior is covered with white wrapping, save the windows, which allowed for a clean shot of the interior. We can see a smart looking dash, something that once again has a similar look and feel of the Camry. The screen in the center stack is likely home to the latest version of Toyota's Entune, and we can also see clever cubby spaces above the glovebox and in the center console.

CarScoop has asserted that because the wrapping is the same type used to cover a new car on its way to a dealer that this is the real thing, and an actual production RAV4. Only time will tell if its the real deal, and not a overseas-only Toyota model. In the meantime, click on the gallery above to see what may be the next Toyota compact crossover.

Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch Toyota racer Anthony Davidson's terrifying airborne crash at Le Mans

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Safety, Videos, Toyota, Racing

The LMP1 racer standing on its nose is the No. 8 Toyota TS030 driven by Anthony Davidson, having just recently begun his driving stint and only five hours into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while the red car next to it is the No. 81 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia driven by Piergiuseppe Perrazini. Davidson took the inside line down the Mulsanne Straight, and based on the vantage point in the video, it looks like Davidson had got a decent chunk of the Toyota ahead of the Ferrari when Perrazini turned into him.

The result were hard runs into the tire wall and the end of the race for both drivers. Davidson got out on his own but was sent to the hospital for observation until Monday morning, but thankfully Toyota has released a statement saying Davidson shows "no signs of any injuries." However, reports indicate Davidson has fractured two vertebra, and he soon tweeted from the hospital "Well that was a big one! Lying in a French hospital with a broken back wasn't what I had in mind at this stage in the race..."

The safety car came out while the accident was cleared, but the Toyota team's woes were compounded when the No. 7 TS030 driven by Kazuki Nakajima drove into the Nissan DeltaWing of Satoshi Motoyama on the restart. The contact sent the DeltaWing into the wall (and despite efforts to revive it, out of the race) and the No. 7 Toyota headed back to the pits for repairs and a steep drop down the order. As of this writing, Audi's brace of R18 E-Tron Quattro racers appear to have the inside track on a victory.

Scroll down to watch videos of both Davidson's crash and the DeltaWing accident (along with aftermath footage).

Continue reading Watch Toyota racer Anthony Davidson's terrifying airborne crash at Le Mans

Watch Toyota racer Anthony Davidson's terrifying airborne crash at Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Toyota, Middle East

Toyota has officially launched the company's GT 86 sportscar in the United Arab Emirates. The Japanese automaker rolled out the rear-drive hero with a fancy new video shot in the hills around Fujairah. With plenty of drifting, tire smoke and slow motion, the clip serves as a proper introduction to the lightweight coupe. Judging by the quick video, there are a few market-specific changes to the UAE Toyota GT 86, including the availability of one very massive rear wing. The piece has more than a passing resemblance to the exaggerated aero work found on the lusty Subaru WRX STI sedan.

Will the Toyota GT 86 find favor in the UAE? We certainly think it's got a shot. If there's a more car-obsessed culture on this planet than the one found in the U.S., it lies in the well-funded Middle East. You can check out the launch video for yourself by scrolling below, or head over to the Toyota UAE Facebook page for a little more information.

Continue reading Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86

Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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