Car Throttle

Toyota Prius and performance. Now those aren't two words that go together. They couldn't be farther apart right? Well, apparently Toyota doesn't agree as it has announced a Plus Performance Package for the Prius. No, this isn't a joke. TRD, Toyota's performance-focused division, worked on the new package. Exterior changes consist of an aerodynamic kit with new, more aggressive (heh) front and rear fascias, side skirts and a rear diffuser. There also is a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels riding on lower-profile low-resistance 215/45R17 tires. The aerodynamic changes help to reduce the car's coefficient of drag, while also managing to make the car look better at the same time. Those that opt for the Prius Plus Performance Package will have their choice of

We know all about the Pony Car Wars. Mustang vs. Camaro vs. Challenger (or Charger) has been a war that has raged on since the 60's. Each one is emblematic of the company and rivalry that once was between the "Big 3". Well, for Toyota and Honda they're working on creating their own battle between the two. Enter the "Hybrid Wars". The Honda insight was a warning shot fired to Toyota was ready to become a serious player in the hybrid market. Billed as the "Hybrid For Everyone", it no doubt stole Toyota's thunder, becoming the best-selling vehicle in Japan, the first hybrid to take that title. Needless to say, Toyota was alarmed.  An affordable hybrid was Toyota's trump card. The company heavily invested in Hybrid Synergy Drive, and

The Prius price cut that Toyota recently announced is having a huge effect! That move was in response to Honda and it's "hybrid for the people" the Insight. Recently the Insight became Japan's top selling vehicle, the first ever hybrid to take that top stop.  No doubt that was a huge achievement!  Everyone speculated the Insight would leave the Prius in the dust with such low pricing. I guess that might not be the case! After the price cut, the Insight reign as number 1 may not last long, considering these numbers coming out of Toyota. I wrote an article recently stating that Toyota was expecting 40,000 preorders for the Prius when all was said and done. Well they blew past that estimate!  Japanese newspaper the Nikeii is reporting 75,000pre-orders for

Remember my article on the Prius price slashing going on over in Japan? Looks like that might be having some big effects on sales and orders. Honda expected to make it's big splash with the Insight and Toyota is trying to douse that fire with the Prius price cut. Thanks to AutoblogGreen for the colorful picture! I just couldn't include one of the drab, low quality photos that Toyota had with the car's press release. The report on Prius sales comes from Reuters via local Japanese newspaper Chunichi and Nikkei who broke the information on Prius orders. Orders already received are over 20,000 and Toyota expects that number to increase to 40,000 before the car's official on-sale date. Think the price cut had anything to do