New Toyota Supra DOA and FJ to be discontinued.

**redorange** · August 17th, 2008 10:12 AM

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/t...735x1200421451

A report by Automotive News detailing Toyota's future products reveals that the automaker's focus will be realigned to meet new fuel efficiency standards and limiting high-powered and niche offerings.

On the hybrid side, the new Prius will debut in Detroit, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The nickel-metal hydride battery will remain, and because of that, the plug-in model will be delayed until a lithium ion battery is offered. The new Prius will be packing the Corolla's 1.8-liter four cylinder and the car will be an inch wider and a half-inch longer. The second hybrid model might not come to Detroit, but development is currently under way and sales will be limited to Japan.

The Supra revival has been shelved due to high mpg requirements, allowing Toyota to focus on its RWD coupe, jointly developed by Subaru. Also, there's only room for one body-on-frame SUV from the automaker, so the 4Runner will be re-engineered for the 2010 model year, will debut in either New York or Chicago, and the FJ Cruiser will complete its lifecycle and be dropped in the next few years.

The Sienna and Venza will be equipped with hybrid drivetrains in 2012, with the Sienna receiving a facelift late next year, along with more cargo space and room for third-row occupants.

The report goes on to state that the Corolla will be redesigned in 2013, along with the Matrix, the next Camry will receive a facelift in 2010, with the new model debuting in 2012, and the new Avalon will debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.

**empy** · August 17th, 2008 11:27 AM

good show Toyota...you havent been known as a maker of fun cars in more than a decade, so why not get serious and completely take all the fun out of your lineup altogether?

this move will allow them to focus all their R&D on cheap, fuel efficient, reliable (boring) commuter cars

**drey** · August 17th, 2008 12:16 PM

empy,

this move will allow them to focus all their R&D on cheap, fuel efficient, reliable (boring) commuter cars

reliable, boring commuter cars

A reliable car doesn't always have to be boring.

Oh well, I guess this news will make Johnny Smith (5th Gear) sooo much of dissapointment.

**Mile2** · August 17th, 2008 12:53 PM

Weird design for the FJ cruiser having two sets of spark plugs of different brands but equivalent.

Stock plugs when you roll out FJ cruiser from factory - 3 plugs having an NGK LFR6C-11 on one side and the other 3 plugs having a Denso K20HR-U11 on the other side????

What's the reason behind this? Ignition problem?

**overdrayv** · August 17th, 2008 01:33 PM

**empy** · August 17th, 2008 10:01 PM

drey - agreed

Honda makes reliable cars today that are fun, and Nissan and Mazda do too to some extent.

Toyota used to also - i'm a former MR2 Turbo owner.

but now their cars are boring...engineered more for comfort and value. nothing wrong with that but not the cup of tea for most enthusiasts.

i guess their performance "halo" car will now be the Lexus ISF for the foreseeable future

**empy** · August 17th, 2008 10:02 PM

drey - agreed

Honda makes reliable cars today that are fun, and Nissan and Mazda do too to some extent.

Toyota used to also - i'm a former MR2 Turbo owner.

but now their cars are boring...engineered more for comfort and value. nothing wrong with that but not the cup of tea for most enthusiasts.

i guess their performance "halo" car will now be the Lexus ISF for the foreseeable future

**niky** · August 18th, 2008 10:14 AM

*overdrayv: all rumors and artists concepts... besides... this news is newer than that magazine... unfortunately.

Too bad... and WTF?

On the hybrid side, the new Prius will debut in Detroit, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The nickel-metal hydride battery will remain, and because of that, the plug-in model will be delayed until a lithium ion battery is offered. The new Prius will be packing the Corolla's 1.8-liter four cylinder and the car will be an inch wider and a half-inch longer. The second hybrid model might not come to Detroit, but development is currently under way and sales will be limited to Japan.

Now just a frikking minute... the current Prius already does 0-100 in 10 seconds... so it's not fast, but it's not slow... and now they'll have a 1.8 liter Prius? So... what? So you can drink fuel faster on the highway? Doesn't make any sense at all.

**blitzmage_89** · September 11th, 2008 04:23 PM

it was pointless from the start to release two supercars that are badges Toyota and Lexus. The new sports car from Toyota would probably be released as a Lexus. Well it was a good move though because with high oil prices very few would now buy a gas guzzler anyway. I just hope they make the RWD coupe good