Automotive World

But why spend a fortune to try to develop a new technology when there is already one available? In August, Ford made a deal with Toyota to collaborate on hybrid technology.

For some reason Toyota has decided to name the car simply 86 in Japan and GT 86 in Europe, while the same or possibly slightly different variant with the Scion badge will be marketed as the FR-S in North America.

The key facts about the 86 include a front-mounted Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter boxer engine pushing 200-horses towards the rear axle through a short-shift six-speed manual gearbox (or a 6-speed automatic) and an available limited slip differential.

Toyota has not yet released full specifications, but a leaked brochure revealed that the JDM version tips the scales at 1,210kg (2,668 pounds) in basic trim and at 1,230kg (2,711 pounds) in the second trim level.

The two Japanese companies are now combining forces once again with a joint display of two concept models at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show to highlight their new collaboration in the development of communications-linked next-generation vehicles.

And while the star of Toyota's booth will be without doubt, the new 86 coupe (formerly known as the FT-86), Japan's top-brand has plenty more in store for us including the Fun Vii concept study.

The first clip is from a quick spin around the Fuji Speedway racetrack, while the second video includes a more comprehensive test drive from a Japanese car magazine that provides us with a more in-depth look at the sights and sounds of the 86 as well as in a wider palette of colors.

Toyota is highly optimistic about the '86', which it describes as an "entirely driver-focused sports car, designed to recapture the fundamental joys of motoring".

The Japanese firm's recipe includes a 200HP naturally-aspirated engine mounted up front matched to a six-speed manual (or 6sp automatic) and a limited slip differential driving the rear wheels, and a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution.

In Europe, the new Toyota will be called the GT 86 in tribute to the Japanese firm's GT car heritage and especially the Corolla GT (or Levin) AE86, which inspired its creation. The Japanese domestic market version will be aptly called 86.

The GT 86 is the result of a joint Toyota and Subaru development programme that will spawn two more models, the global Subaru BRZ that will also make its debut in Tokyo next week in production trim, and the North American market Scion FR-S.

All three cars will share the same platform and mechanical hardware including the Subaru-sourced flat-four, with only minor styling differences between them.

The story of the GT 86 began in October 2009 with the unveiling of the first FT-86 Concept in Tokyo and was followed by the almost production ready FT-86 II concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show this past March.

According to an announcement made today, the Japanese automaker will invest €265 million (US$355 million) to produce the replacements of the Auris 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks at its UK assembly plant and add C-segment sedan production in Turkey.

We're going to give you the good news first: the Japanese company has just published a new promotional video on its upcoming rear-wheel drive coupe model. The bad news is that it doesn’t really show anything that we don't already know about the FT-86…

Aside from some kids playing around with first generation RWD Celica and 2000GT toy cars, the clip includes scenes shot from the development phase of the FT-86 as well as quick glimpses of the production model, which we've already seen through a series of leaked brochure shots.

Toyota hopes to further increase its share in the region with the launch of the next generation Camry, which began production on Monday at the company's Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia (TMMR) plant in St. Petersburg, Russia.

You can watch the short clip right after the jump.

The FCV-R is a next-generation fuel-cell concept model fueled by hydrogen that Toyota says is planned for launch in 2015.

According to the Japanese automaker, the fuel-cell unit is located beneath the specially designed body thus saving space with the concept being able to accommodate up to four passengers and their luggage.

The next generation fuel cell stack consists of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, which said to provide a driving range of approximately 700 km or about 435 miles.

At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which opens its doors on November 30, the Japanese brand will preview a pure-electric version of the Toyota/Scion/Aston Martin iQ mini with the FT-EV III Concept.

With the Prius C, Toyota expands its lineup of Prius-badged hybrid models that already includes the regular Prius, the new plug-in Prius PHEV and the Prius V minivan. The new five-door hatchback model takes its place as the base model of the Prius family.

At 3,995mm (157.3-in.) long, 1,695mm (66.7-in.) wide, and 1,445mm (56.9-in.) tall with a wheelbase of 2,550mm (100.4-in.), the Prius C is marginally bigger than the latest generation of the Yaris (153.5" long, 66.7" wide, and 59.4" tall with a 98.8" wheelbase).

The Prius C features a compact and lightweight hybrid system that combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a high-output electric motor.

The 2012 Camry Hybrid is available in two trim levels, the LE that starts at $25,900, which is a $1,150 decrease from the 2011 model, and the XLE, priced from $27,400, which represents an $800 decrease from a similarly equipped 2011 model, always according to Toyota.

According to the company, there is a possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise and/or trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

No one knew who the man behind the wheel was. Only after he stepped out and formally introduced himself did they learn that it was the company’s CEO, Akio Toyoda. “I asked them if they like cars”, said Toyoda. “If they didn’t, they shouldn’t bother joining.”

When he assumed his duties in June 2009, the 55-year old grandson of Toyota’s founder said that he wanted his company to build cars that “made people happy”.

He did not know it at the time, but it was a rather unfortunate choice of words. Less than six months later, Toyota, which up to this point had built a reputation as a manufacturer of reliable cars, had to face the unintended acceleration safety issues in the U.S. that sprouted massive and costly recalls.

The 2012 Corolla L grade model gains color-keyed power side mirrors, along with power windows with driver’s auto-down, power door locks and remote key-less entry, while the better equipped LE trim adds standard 16-inch wheels and steering wheel audio controls. The higher-end S model gains a double-stitch accent to its seats for 2012.

IHS Automotive analyst Tracy Handler said: “Both Toyota and Honda won’t be able to expand production as planned until the first quarter of 2012. They’ve been really unlucky this year.”

As emission regulations become tougher though, even Toyota is looking for ways to offer even “greener” cars. All-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf are one option. But Toyota wants to go the extra mile and launch a new fuel cell model in Europe by 2015.

The refreshed mid-size model that is available in two body styles, sedan and station wagon, will begin reaching European showrooms in the beginning of next year, but Toyota's UK arm has already announced pricing details.