Toyota's incoming chairman wants new Supra

New Supra-like sports car developed with BMW could be in the automaker's future.

Toyota Motor Corp.'s incoming chairman said he wants the sports car the company is developing with BMW to be a midsized vehicle comparable to the discontinued Toyota Supra.

Toyota's next sports car should be like the Supra so that it doesn't overlap with the 86 coupe, Takeshi Uchiyamada said in an interview today in Osaka at a gathering of members of the Keidanren, Japan's biggest business lobbying group.

Still, such decisions are up to engineers, Uchiyamada said.

"That's what I want but it's not me who makes the decision," said Uchiyamada, who's known within Toyota as the "father of the Prius" for his work developing the world's best-selling gasoline-electric car.

"It's futile if we make something similar" to the 86, he said.

Toyota and BMW announced this year they will jointly produce a midsized sports car as part of a broader collaboration between the two. Should Uchiyamada, who's leading the negotiations with BMW, get his wish, Toyota would be reviving a model that was last produced in 1999 after a 20-year run.

Toyota spokesman Naoto Fuse declined to comment beyond saying nothing has been decided.

Uchiyamada, 66, is scheduled to become Toyota's next chairman at the company's annual shareholders' meeting this week, replacing Fujio Cho, who will become honorary chairman.

Author: editorial.autos.msn.com By AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG Given A Makeover By Brabus

 

Brabus recently gave the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG a makeover, boosting its power while increasing the width of its body.

The Brabus B63-620 Widestar is another high-performance SUV from the tuning specialist from Germany. The output of the 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine of the GL63 AMG was increased to 611bhp through the PowerXtra plug-and-play software of Brabus. This also made the acceleration of the vehicle from 0 to 62 mph faster by 0.2 seconds compared to the standard variant of the vehicle. Its speed also tops at 174 mph.

In addition to the enhancements on the engine, Brabus also lowered the ride height and increased the width of the GL63 AMG. These modifications enhance the grip and minimize lift, which result to better handling and aerodynamic performance.

Butterfly vales are featured on the exhaust system of the vehicle, which increases engine volume while on the move. Sound is also reduced in the “Coming Home” mode of the vehicle. The Brabus B63-620 Widestar also features 23-inch platinum alloy wheels from Brabus.

In addition to these enhancements, Alcantara and leather hand-stitched seats were also added into the interior of the GL63 AMG. The enhancements by Brabus are expected to increase the base price tag of the Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG by twofold.

Author: benzinsider.com By Peter Parcon

Learn How To Buy The Right Car Or Truck For You!

 

Car shopping is a process that is very exciting for some but frightening for many. In order to demystify the car buying process, a bit of advance research and study can be extremely helpful. Begin by using the following tips and soon, you will successfully get the car you need.

You can save a lot by negotiating and asking for a price lower than what your salesperson first offers. In fact, you should never purchase a car for the listed price. They are priced for negotiations and this should be taken advantage of.

Have a mechanic look over any used car you are considering. If the dealer does not cooperate, go to another dealer. You need a mechanic to give you an objective opinion about the car's condition and check for damages, submersion in water or other problems some dealers try to hide.

If you buy a vehicle from an individual, make sure that you have it checked out by a mechanic first. If the person doesn't want you to do that, you need to think of that as a warning. There may be hidden problems that can be expensive to repair. Investing in a car isn't worth it when it's a lemon.

Try to bring someone with you if you are going shopping for a vehicle. Your friend can listen for things you might have missed and they can give you advice if they think you shouldn't buy the car you are looking at. The person could be your spouse, a good friend or even a parent.

If you are shopping for a car, spend some time at the dealer. The only way to come to a decision that you are comfortable with is to take your time. If you can, use the entire afternoon. If for some reason you need to leave the dealership before you are ready, don't panic. It is best to come back when you have more time.

If you are looking for a new car, you need to find one that is safe. The car must have ABS or anti-lock brakes. Air bags are also essential. It is vital that your car is safe.

Don't roll up to the dealership in an expensive car. Once salespeople see your expensive vehicle, they will not accept any of your offers and try raising prices because they will assume you can afford to spend more on a vehicle.

Do not talk about trade-ins, down payments or incentives until after you have a firm price on the car you want. These things should all be taken off the bottom line price. You will end up with a better price if you negotiate the deal first, then discuss these "extras".

Most people would agree that buying a car is not their favorite activity. The truth is, if you prepare before setting out onto car lots, you can have an enjoyable experience. Now that you've read the great tips and advice above, you should be all set to head out and find your next vehicle.

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