2015 Toyota Yaris DUB Edition

The Toyota Yaris is the smallest car in Toyota’s American lineup, but that didn’t stop it from getting an extensive mid-cycle refresh, complete with an aggressive new look and a redesigned interior that belies its small-car status. The arrival of the 2015 Yaris earned the car a lot of positive press, including from aftermarket publication DUB Magazine, who promptly picked the Yaris as one of its two showcase models at the 2014 SEMA Auto Show.

I’ve seen the Yaris up close and I can attest to its attractive appearance. It’s a far departure from the previous version, which admittedly looks bug-eyed compared to its meaner, present-day mug. Like its past SEMA works, DUB Magazine wasted little time giving the Yaris a dramatic makeover, highlighted by an aggressive profile, a racing interior, and a massive audio system that can make your ears bleed.

Through it all, the Yaris carries all the upgrades with aplomb. You wouldn’t have been able to say that with past versions of Toyota’s little-car-that-could, but the new Yaris is brimming with a high level of confidence that’s beginning to earn a reputation as an aftermarket favorite.

Exterior

Two-tone paint finishes seem to be a thing with a lot of SEMA-bound vehicles this year. The Yaris Dub Edition is no different, thanks to a steady combination of matte-pearl white on the body and gloss-black paint occupying the rear section. The two-tone color is further emphasized by a new wide-body kit from Custom TS Designs while the tinted windows and smoked rear taillights add stealthy styling to the Yaris.

Interior

A majority of DUB Magazine’s work on the Yaris lies in the massively overhauled interior that seems to put a lot of emphasis on the car’s hidden racing pedigree and its potential to become a four-wheeled boom box. The racing element manifests itself with the addition of Sparco racing seats and the custom pearl-white roll bar. Added aggressive styling like the black, ultra-suede headliner and the numerous red accents are further indications of the Yaris’ incredible transformation from a small and cutesy city car to an all-conquering madhouse on wheels.

Pop open the Yaris DUB Edition’s trunk and you’ll see where the real magic is. A complete DUB Edition audio system was installed and by complete, I’m talking about three amplifiers, two subwoofers, two massive speakers, and a fiberglass enclosure with leather and painted accents. An iPad was conveniently placed between the two speakers, serving as the control center where the audio madness can be unleashed.

Drivetrain

For all the aggressive upgrades the Yaris received, the custom-tuned hatchback has a noticeable lack of engine upgrades. This means that the Yaris Dub Edition is stuck with a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder that wheezes out 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. Doing the cog changing is a five-speed manual transmission.

Despite its lack of engine addi-ons, this Yaris does come with a modified suspension system that drops the car’s height and a set of 20-inch Dropstars DS643 gloss-black, concave wheels wrapped in Nitto Invo tires. Doing the stopping is a set of StopTech rotors and a TRD Big Brake kit.

Conclusion

It’s the Yaris like you’ve never seen it before, which is saying a lot considering how a lot of people seem to fancy the 2015 model. But once Dub Magazine got its hands on the Yaris, the magazine was able to tap into levels of awesomeness even I didn’t think the Yaris was capable of reaching.

Source: topspeed.com

2015 Toyota Corolla - Review

The 2015 Toyota Corolla keeps with this model's reputation for basic, frugal transportation -- while adding a lot more appeal over the Corolla of two years ago.

With a redesign last year, Toyota showed, at last, that the Corolla can be more than a penny-pinching, trouble-free economy sedan. Although the Corolla has been one of the best-selling small sedans in the U.S. market -- for decades -- the automaker really stepped up its game with the current 2015 Corolla, bringing in the sharper, sportier looks, the quieter cabin, and the in-car technology that today's small-car shoppers expect.

And what it's ended up with, in this 2015 Corolla, is a vehicle that's more than just thoroughly competent, but actually delightful at times -- a model you might choose for reasons other than the bottom line and watching your dollars. Yet one thing the Corolla doesn't stray away from is its low pricing and high value.

The 2015 Toyota Corolla doesn't blow past any boundaries for what a Corolla should be; but it does shed some of its conservative, bare-bones appearance in favor of something more vivid and aesthetically appealing. The Corolla's new look is described by the automaker as more athletic, and we won't argue with that. The core design concept, of ‘Iconic Dynamism,’ might be a little tougher to make sense of, as we see bits and pieces of various other current compact-car models in the overarching design as well as styling details -- too many to call it iconic.

The proportions of the 2015 Corolla are what make its design so successful. About three inches longer than the pre-2014 model, the current Corolla offers a longer wheelbase, with the wheels farther out near the corners of the car -- elements that together give more visual appeal, with a sportier stance, plus more interior space. Some great details, like LED headlamps and running lamps, finish off the design. The sporty Corolla S models stand distinct from the rest; they get a blacked-out grille in front with fog lamps flanking a more aggressive airdam; the look of the S is further sharpened by an integrated rear spoiler that visually lifts the tail. For 2015, LE and LE Eco models are easier to distinguish from base L models, as Toyota has tweaked that front-end appearance somewhat, with a new painted front grille, including dark gray 'Argent' painted surrounds for the grille and fog lamps.

The 2015 Toyota Corolla lineup continues to offer two different 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines; and rest assured that with either version, you'll get approximately the same level of performance and fuel efficiency. L, LE, and S trim Corolla models are powered by a base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. The LE Eco trim, with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, has Valvematic, which has a broader range of continuously variable valve timing, for better fuel economy as well as a boost in engine output, to 140-horsepower. In most Corolla models (LE, S, and LE Eco), there's a continuously variable transmission (CVT); with it, Toyota has managed to tune in a reassuring, almost linear feel during light and moderate acceleration, while minimizing the 'drone' that plagues CVTs used in other small cars. S models get a special version of the CVT that pretends it's an automatic, with seven simulated gear ratios and steering-wheel paddle-shifters to click through them. The Corolla S (perhaps at odds with its own mission) is the model you should move toward if you enjoy driving; it gets a suspension tune that's buttoned-down in the way you might normally expect of a sport sedan—with a special Sport button that firms up the steering, and a ride that feels firm yet absorbent and nicely damped. Other models in the lineup remain a bit springy and pillowy.

The Corolla might have been considered mid-size just a few model years ago. With its redesign last year, the Corolla gained nearly four inches in wheelbase, and that almost directly translates to some meaningful increases in back-seat space. Even those six feet tall can now ride behind other six-footers—an almost unhead-of feat among small cars. There were improvements in front-seat comfort, too, with more adjustability and longer cushions than before, or than what you'll find in some rival models. Trunk space is abundant, too, with a long, flat floor, plus flip-forward rear seatbacks in all models.

Overall, the look and feel of the Corolla's cabin is more conservative than the contemporary exterior might suggest. Although last year's redesign brought upscale materials and a two-tier dash design that really helps maximize the sense of space in front, the impression is that the Corolla is aiming less for a sporty compact-car feel and more for a cabin that almost rivals mid-size interiors. A soft-touch material now covers the dash; S models have leather-like Softex bolsters and coarse, contrast-toned seat upholstery, while pinstriped accents are strewn about the cabin on the dashboard and door panels.

The 2015 Toyota Corolla offers an impressive safety set, as well as some (mostly) good crash-test ratings; although it's missing some of the advanced active-safety technology that's fast becoming the norm for this class of vehicle. It includes eight standard airbags along with Toyota's Star Safety system, which includes vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist.

Across the lineup, Toyota now offers infotainment systems that aren't just competitive, but among the better systems in this class of affordable car when you consider their interfaces, ease of use, connectivity, and sound. Toyota's latest Entune system, featuring navigation and apps in some models, lift the automaker's inexpensive-car cabins out of the dark ages, and they're widely available in the lineup.

That lineup remains comprised of four 2015 Toyota Corolla trim levels: L, LE, S, and a new LE Eco model. The base L model features standard LED low-beam headlights with LED daytime running lights, in-glass AM/FM antenna, color-keyed outside door handles, color-keyed outside mirrors, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, power locks, doors, and mirrors, along with air conditioning, Bluetooth, and eight airbags. Equipment on all LE, S, and LE Eco Premium models now for 2015 includes the same so-called Driver Convenience Package, with a moonroof, Smart Key entry, Navigation, Entune Premium Audio, and the App Suite.

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2014 Toyota Corolla Review : Pricing, Features & Specs

The Toyota Corolla has been one of the best-selling small sedans in the U.S. market for decades, and its penny-pinching, trouble-free reputation is what's buoyed that. Meanwhile, the small-car field has evolved rapidly, with more seductive looks, loads of in-car technology, and sharper handling. Surprisingly, Toyota has stepped out of its comfort zone and stepped up; with the all-new 2014 Corolla, it's doing more than just punching in at the clock—with a thoroughly competent, even delightful compact sedan you might actually choose for reasons other than the bean-counting bottom line.

Throughout the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla, you'll find serious change, including improvements in styling, comfort, and features. Most importantly, perhaps, this stalwart model looks poised to shed some of its stolid, conservative appearance in favor of something more aesthetically appealing and lively.

Toyota calls the Corolla's new look more athletic, and we definitely won't argue with that. The automaker points to ‘Iconic Dynamism’ as the core concept, and that might be the stretch as we see bits and pieces from other current small-car models in the Corolla's design to call it iconic. In any case, it's geared this time for the Gen Y demographic—people who are just settling down to have kids, or looking for a basic sedan for a growing family. Proportions are a big part of what makes the new Corolla's design successful. The new Corolla is about three inches longer than the previous version, with nearly four inches of additional wheelbase—altogether placing the wheels farther out to the corners and giving the Corolla a far sportier stance. And LED headlamps and running lamps really put a nice finishing touch on the focused, rakish design.

Sporty Corolla S models stand distinct; they get a blacked-out grille in front with fog lamps flanking a more aggressive airdam. There’s also an integrated rear spoiler that visually lifts the tail and sharpens the look a bit.

Under the hood of the Corolla you'll find one of two 1.8-liter four-cylinder engines. The L, LE, and S trim Corolla's are powered by a base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Those seeking maximum fuel efficiency will want the LE Eco trim with its 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine featuring Valvematic, which has a broader range of continuously variable valve timing and increases fuel economy and engine output by more than five percent to 140-horsepower. While the base Corolla soldiers on with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission, the LE, S, and LE Eco models all use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It operates smoothly, with a reassuring, almost linear feel during light and moderate acceleration, while minimizing the 'drone' that plagues CVTs in small cars. S models have the CVT, but it pretends it's an automatic, with seven simulated gear ratios and steering-wheel paddle-shifters. The Corolla S model is the one you should pick if you enjoy driving (if, paradoxically, you're a driving enthusiast even considering a Corolla); it gets a suspension tune that's considerably more buttoned-down than the other models—think strong and well-damped, while the other models are still more springy and pillowy. Along with that, the S offers a Sport button that sharpens throttle response and firms up the steering; altogether it's the model in the lineup that may have you stepping out and checking the model badge in disbelief.

Inside the Corolla is more conservative than that exterior might suggest; yet it takes a step forward with improved materials and a two-tier design that effectively pushes the corners of the cabin outward, for an immediate impression of increased space. The dashboard is now a soft-touch material, while pinstriped accents are strewn about the cabin on the dashboard and door panels. S models instead have seats that combine leather-like Softex bolsters with coarse, color-toned fabrics in between.

What matters most, though, is that a nearly four-inch gain in wheelbase almost directly translates to more back-seat space. Front seats have been improved, with more adjustability and longer bottom cushions, and the S seats have strong side bolsters that rival those in some sport sedans. In back, there's now plenty of legroom for adults, although headroom remains limited. A roomy trunk with a low, flat floor, as well as flip-forward rear seatbacks in all models, altogether amount to a very useful small sedan—one that would have been considered mid-size just a few model years ago.

On the safety front, the 2014 Corolla has eight standard airbags along with Toyota's Star Safety system, which includes vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist. There's also Toyota's standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

Feature-wise, the big news is that Toyota is stepping up its infotainment game the Corolla, and bringing it out of the dark ages with the availability of Toyota's latest Entune infotainment system, featuring navigation and apps in some models.

The Corolla is offered in four trim levels: L, LE, S, and a new LE Eco model. The base L model features standard LED low-beam headlights with LED daytime running lights, in-glass AM/FM antenna, color-keyed outside door handles, color-keyed outside mirrors, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, power locks, doors, and mirrors, along with air conditioning, Bluetooth, and eight airbags. Depending on the trim level, available options include a smart key system with push button start, automatic climate control, leather-trimmed tilt and telescopic three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters and audio controls, multi-information display, Bluetooth hands-free phone voice-command controls, and SofTex-trimmed heated front seats.

In all, one thing the Corolla doesn't stray away from is its low pricing and high value. A fully loaded LE still runs just $22,570, and includes a moonroof and nearly all of those mentioned features. The frugality's still there--just with a little more flair. 

http://www.thecarconnection.com/

2015 Toyota Camry Review, Specs, Great ...

An all-new 2015 Toyota Camry already? That’s what some current Camry owners might think, as the current generation of this longtime best-selling sedan model has only been around for three model years. Yet today the Camry faces even stronger competition from recently refreshed versions of the Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, and others.

Toyota is in effect not resting on its laurels; it’s given what it calls a sweeping redesign to the Camry for 2015—with a completely new look for the interior and exterior, added noise insulation, and upgraded driving dynamics.

While the change in appearance isn’t radically different, it looks updated, more refined, and more contemporary inside and out. And the most significant change are under the skin. The Camry gets what Toyota calls an aggressive front-end appearance, with LED front running lamps plus available LED auto-leveling lamps for the low and high beams. Taillights get a new design that tapers in with the side sheetmetal, and a ‘decorative garnish’—read chrome bar—runs across the trunk. Toyota calls that cue sporty, although it’s a generic cliche.

The somewhat downmarket look and more ‘chunky’ feel of the outgoing Camry’s dash have been wiped away, with a ‘high-tech’ look for the center stack and a newfound attention to materials and details. Upper dash areas now have soft-touch trims, and the area just ahead of the shift knob gets an enclosed bin for personal electronics, with a USB port and available wireless charging pad (as in the larger Avalon).

In all, it's not quite all-new, but as much so as mid-cycle updates ever get. The 2015 Camry has nearly 2,000 new parts (out of more than 6,000 total, for those who want to contextualize) compared to the 2014 model. Toyota says that everything is new except the roof. Toyota claims to have made some significant changes to improve the Camry’s responsiveness. While the existing MacPherson strut, multi-link rear suspension layout does carry over into the 2015 Camry, a new calibration for the electric power steering and a retuned brake-booster system make the Camry a better-driving car. So should a stiffer body structure and additional spot welds; in the cushy Camry XLE especially, it all adds up to a more sophisticated experience, much like what the Avalon received a couple of years ago; while in the sporty SE and XSE the stiffer body helps make more of it. As well, Toyota has added noise insulation at the floor, improved window and door seals, and redesigned the side mirrors for better airflow.

What’s under the hood carries over, mostly. The 2015 Camry will remain powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or 3.5-liter V-6—both hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission—or in the Hybrid model, a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and Hybrid Synergy Drive system. New to the lineup this year is a new sporty SE version of the Camry Hybrid. Overall, we'd say that the Camry V-6 and Hybrid stand out as enjoyable, engaging cars, considering all the rest of the improvements this model's been given, although the base 178-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine feels lackluster among present-day rivals, as it lacks direct injection or turbocharging—as well as the more.

by thecarconnection.com