Lexus Announces Fix for 2011 GX460's Stability Problems

Lexus has released an update to fix its recalled GX460, and if you're an owner they should be contacting you shortly.

"Our dealers began contacting customers yesterday offering to make arrangements to perform the update, and we expect them to get in touch with most GX owners within one week."

Now that everything with the GX appears to be in order, sales will be back on track. While the safety aspect is definitely important, I fail to see how the GX's performance will be "even better". After all, it's still a top-heavy SUV. If anyone from Lexus would care to clarify, that would be great.

Lexus said that it will be continuing to offer courtesy vehicles for people worried about driving to the dealerships themselves.

By Phil Alex

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Lotus puts Toyota's Venza on a Strict Diet

Lotus just released a concept based on the Toyota Venza where the goal was to trim the fat, ultimately reducing CO2 emissions. Officially, the project was meant to showcase a "viable mass reduction strategy" on two representative models: a 2017 near-term version and a 2020 long-term version.

Comparing the Lotus Venza versus the off-the-lot Toyota Venza, overall mass was reduced by as much as 38% on the 2020 (minus power train) at only a 3% increase in component costs. The 2017 model's mass reduction was 21%. All this was done using processes and tech that should be available and affordable by 2020.

Power train included, the 2020's mass was still decreased by 33%, which the US Department of Energy says should be good for a 23% increase in fuel economy.

The process of lightening the two models seems fairly straightforward: take them apart, catalog the parts, evaluate how to reduce mass, and upon reassembly maintain all the standard features (vision, sight line, comfort, etc.).

Key components of the body-in-white have been reduced from 400+ to 211. While the original Toyota used 100% steel in its construction, Lotus's 2020 Venza uses aluminum (37%), magnesium (30%), composites (21%) and high strength steel (7%). No idea where the remaining 5% went, but it may just be regular steel.

The bumpers remain the same, albeit using an aluminum brace beam versus the a steel one (magnesium proved too expensive).

Any hinged parts (originally, again, 100% steel) and fenders were replaced with parts made up of magnesium (33%), plastic (21%), steel (18%), and aluminum (6%). The remaining 22% is made of "other materials".

Inside, the instrument panel was removed and both driver and passenger have "modules containing all key functional and safety hardware". Both the shifter and parking brake have migrated to the touch-screen interface, and lightweight foam front seats get a futuristic floating treatment by being mounted to the center tunnel and side sill (cutting the need for brackets).

Also, full-floor carpeting gets the ax in favor of removable carpet squares. Lotus says "this reduces mass and allows cost effective upgrading of the carpet quality."

Underneath, all chassis and suspension components have been upgraded to account for the updated mass, keeping this a good exercise in future product development.

By Phil Alex

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Breaking News: Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sales of 2010 Lexus GX 460

It looks as if Consumer Reports' GX 460 "Safety Risk" story (click here for details) is picking up steam in a bad way. Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, has just added a little bit to Lexus' press release regarding the GX's rollover stats.

Here's what Templin-san has to say: "At this time we have asked our dealers to temporarily suspend sales of the 2010 GX 460."

Furthermore, he adds that Lexus engineers are "vigorously" reevaluating the GX SUV using the same testing methods used by Consumer Reports "to identify how we can make the GX's performance even better."

Owners, now's the time to call: 1-800-255-3987.

As one website put so well, it seems like Toyota has hit rock bottom and then found a shovel.

By Phil Alex

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Consumer Reports Labels 2010 Lexus GX 460 as a "Safety Risk"

Consumer Reports claims people shouldn't buy the Lexus GX 460; no, not because of its fugly looks, but because the publication deems that it tends to roll over when performing evasive maneuvers (or "emergency handling"). That means it has been labeled as a "Don't Buy vehicle" and a "Safety Risk".

According to Consumer Reports, "the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control. We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident."

They go on to explain that nothing else in their garage is as poor as the GX in regards to the lift-off oversteer test (i.e. its ESC is slow-reacting), including its Toyota 4Runner platform-mate.

The test is meant to emulate scenarios such as turns that are too tight or avoiding obstacles while turning, both situations in which a driver's "natural impulse is to quickly lift off the accelerator pedal."

Toyota's expected response was that they were "concerned", that they have run "similar" tests without the same results, and that they will try to reenact Consumer Reports' test methods to see if there's a problem.

If anyone owns one of the new 2010 Lexus GX 460s and is concerned, the Lexus service number is 1-800-255-3987.

For reference, the last time anything this bad occurred was when CR tested the '01 Mitsubishi Montero Limited (the SUV that looked like it would tip over in a breezy parking lot).

By Phil Alex

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2011 Scion iQ Production Model Debuts at New York Auto Show

Toyota today unveiled the working class version of the Aston Martin Cygnet North American version of its iQ mini that will be marketed under the Scion brand in the United States at the New York Auto Show.

With the exception of the darkened headlamps and tail lamps, and the newly designed front bumper with modified upper and lower grilles, Scion's model is identical to the Toyota iQ sold in other regions of the world including Europe.

With an overall length of only 120.1-inches (more than 30-in. shorter than the Toyota Yaris), width of 66.1-inches and a 78.7-inch wheelbase, the iQ is the smallest model in the Toyota Group's North American lineup.

Available exclusively as a three-door hatchback, the iQ has seating for 3+1 in an asymmetrical configuration with the driver's and front-passenger's seats being slightly off set. The golf-kart's car's rear seats feature a 50/50 split and the ability to fold flat, creating enough space -according to Toyota- to accommodate up to two golf bags.

Like its European twin, the 2011 iQ is offered with a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces over 90 horsepower and is combined with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Toyota said that it expects the iQ to achieve a combined fuel economy in the high 30s (mpg).

According to the Japanese automaker, the iQ will come standard with 10 SRS airbags a six-speaker audio system with USB and auxiliary ports. Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Traction Control (TRAC).

The iQ will go on sale in the States in early 2011, with prices to be announced closer to launch.

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Mazda Licenses Prius Hybrid Technology from Toyota, First Model to go on Sale by 2013

As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them... Not wanting to be left out of the modern craze for all things hybrid, Mazda reached an agreement with Toyota to license the (hybrid) technology used in the Toyota Prius.

The deal, announced on Monday, will allow Mazda to use the key components of the hybrid system found in the top-selling Prius on its own series of models.

The Japanese automaker said that it plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY engine(s) that is currently under development, and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan with sales set to commence by 2013.

In the joint statement, Toyota said that it will consider requests from other companies to supply hybrid technology.

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Global Recall for 2010 Toyota Prius and Lexus HS250h Over Software Glitch in the Braking System

First of all, let us tell you that the above picture isn't a Carscoop chop, but an official advert for the Lexus HS 250h that's shown here in the U.S. and is supposed to highlight the use of sustainable materials on the car. And now that we've got that out of the way, let's concentrate on Toyota's latest recall.

Following the NHTSA's investigation on owner complaints of momentary loss of braking on the third-generation Prius, Toyota decided to issue a voluntary safety recall on approximately 400,000 vehicles worldwide to update software in the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Aside from the 2010 Prius, the recall also affects the 2010 Lexus HS 250h and its JDM only sibling, the new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan, as all three models use the same components for the ABS system.

Toyota said that the recall is being taken in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel during slow and steady braking on bumpy or slick road surfaces when the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is actuated.

The company added that the affected cars are safe to drive because pressing hard on the brake pedal when the ABS is activated will stop the vehicle.

Toyota has been criticized by the media and consumers for taking its time to issue this recall as the automaker had introduce a running production change on the new Prius built from January 2010.

The Japanese automaker said that it will begin mailing letters to Prius owners included in this recall next week and HS 250h owners within the next few weeks, to inform them when to bring their vehicles into a dealership.

According to the company, the software update will take approximately 40 minutes using standard test equipment in use at all authorized Toyota service centers.

The latest safety campaign for Toyota comes after a string of other recalls, mainly about the faulty accelerator pedals / killer mats, that concern 8.1 million vehicles worldwide since October of 2009.

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