Toyota Sienna Honored at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

RAV4 Wins Previously Owned Vehicle Award at Technology Conference

With up to 150 cubic feet of cargo space, the Toyota Sienna has plenty of room for storage. Which is good because it is acquiring a growing load of hardware – and awards can be bulky!
 
The 2015 Sienna took home the Best in Class Minivan Award at the fifth annual New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) Technology Conference, organized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NEMPA.
 
Toyota’s award haul from the NEMPA conference includes the WheelsTV Previously Owned Vehicle Award for the 2006-2012 RAV4, which was chosen from a group of ten finalists. The RAV4, redesigned in 2013, has a history of providing owners the comfort that has long been associated with Toyota vehicles. It was one of the first small SUVs and remains a leader in the intensely competitive compact crossover segment.
 
This year’s conference focused on green vehicle technology and included a panel of experts who examined fuel economy, emissions reduction, and innovation in green vehicle technologies beyond tax rebates, mandates and the pressure of high oil and gas prices. Robert Wimmer, Director of Energy & Environmental Research at Toyota Manufacturing North America, shared details about Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology.
 
The 2015 Sienna holds true to its “Swagger Wagon” credentials. A more stylish interior – including a more comfortable and entertaining cockpit area, functional usage of cargo space and intelligent infotainment system – makes everyone a VIP. The exterior is refreshed with a restyled front grille and updated headlights and taillights. The Sienna is the only minivan in its class to offer available All-Wheel Drive.
 
And with EPA-estimated 18/25 mpg (city/highway), the Sienna will get you where you need to go – maybe even before someone in the back seat says, “Are we there yet?”

Toyota Flips the Switch to Sustainable Power at Yellowstone National Park

Lamar Buffalo Ranch Renewable, Zero Emission Energy System Is Now Online
 
System Features 208 Re-used Camry Hybrid Batteries

The lights are on where the buffalo roam.

At the Lamar Buffalo Ranch field campus in Yellowstone National Park, an innovative distributed energy system that combines solar power generation with re-used Camry Hybrid battery packs is now online. The result: reliable, sustainable, zero emission power to the ranger station and education center for the first time since it was founded in 1907.

Announced in June 2014, the partnership among Toyota, Indy Power Systems, Sharp USA SolarWorld, Patriot Solar, National Park Service and Yellowstone Park Foundation is an innovative effort to extend the useful life of hybrid vehicle batteries while providing sustainable power generation for one of the most remote, pristine areas in the United States. 

Solar panels generate the renewable electricity stored within the 208 used Camry Hybrid nickel-metal hydride battery packs, recovered from Toyota dealers across the United States. 

“Through our long-standing partnership with Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Park Foundation, Toyota has helped preserve Yellowstone for future generations,” said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer, Toyota North America.   “Today, our relationship with Yellowstone continues, as more than 200 battery packs that once powered Toyota Camry hybrids have found a new home on the range.”
 
On an annual basis, the solar system generates enough electricity to power six average U.S. households for a year, or plenty of power for the five buildings on the Ranch campus.  The hybrid batteries provide 85kWh of energy storage to ensure continuous power, as the system charges and discharges.  Onsite micro-hydro turbine systems, capturing energy from a neighboring stream, are scheduled to join the power mix in 2016. 

The Yellowstone system is the first of its kind to use recovered hybrid vehicle batteries for commercial energy storage. Each battery pack has been disassembled and tested, and every piece that could be was repurposed. New components were also designed and built by Indy Power Systems specifically for this application, including an onboard battery management system for each battery pack. The battery management system is designed to maximize battery life and will also provide important insights into real-world performance.  These insights will help Toyota design future battery performance and durability improvements. 

“Toyota’s innovative response to solve a difficult problem has helped Yellowstone move closer to its goal of becoming the greenest park in the world,” said Steve Iobst, acting superintendent of Yellowstone.

Hybrid batteries typically reach the end of their usable life in automobile-grade applications with significant remaining power storage capacity. While Toyota has a robust hybrid battery recycling program in place, the Yellowstone project reflects ongoing efforts to extend the life of existing hybrid batteries.  Engineers expect this type of use to double the overall lifespan of the hybrid batteries. 

The Lamar Buffalo Ranch project is just part of Toyota’s extensive work with Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Park Foundation, including providing hybrid vehicles to support park operations, and green building expertise and financial backing for the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, which opened in 2010.

“As exemplified by the Lamar Buffalo Ranch project, Toyota’s mission-driven philanthropic focus and expertise in sustainability will make a difference in Yellowstone for generations to come,” said Karen Bates Kress, president of the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

To learn more about Yellowstone National Park sustainability initiatives please visithttp://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/sustainability-contents.htm.  
 

Details on the Yellowstone National Park Sustainability Project Energy Storage and Management System
 

• Power Generation: 40kW solar system producing ~67,900 kwH annually. (40kW propane backup generator onsite for emergency use only)

 

• Storage Array: 208 repackaged battery packs, each internally re-wired in parallel and arranged in series in four arrays of 52. Each array provides a nominal 375 volts.  Total storage capacity of 85kwH.

 

• Power Management: Indy Power Systems’ Energy Router™ manages and optimizes generation and use of energy between solar energy, battery storage, and/or propane generators (if emergency generator is needed).

Should You Buy a New or Used Toyota Camry?

Everyone knows that Toyota Camrys are some of the best new vehicles on the road and then best used vehicles on the road. Over at the Wheels for Wishes website they came up with this great infographic to help you with the comparison. 

Check it out and then come by Burien Toyota to check out our great inventory of new and used Toyota Camry cars!

by Wheels For Wishes

New Style, Safety, Sounds and Sales Price For 2016 Scion FR-S

Scion’s FR-S performance sports coupe is getting its style on for the 2016 model year. With interior improvements, two new colors, a new standard audio system and a rear-view back up camera, the next FR-S also sports a new price.
           
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the six-speed manual transmission FR-S is $25,305 while the six-speed sequential automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology is $26,405. This price excludes the destination, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $770. 
           
The 2016 FR-S has a new premium feel with bright silver interior accents on the steering wheel bezel, shift bezel, door grip, and along the sides of the center console.  Also inside the FR-S is a new standard audio system with a large 7-inch touch-screen display and voice recognition technology.
           
For added safety, comfort and convenience, a rear-view backup camera has been integrated into the FR-S, as well.
           
Adding to the new look, two new colors will be available with a new red called Ablaze and a new blue called Oceanic.
           
The 2016 FR-S will be available in dealerships beginning in June.

Toyota Flexes RAV4 Muscle with New Rally America Series Entry

Renowned Off-Road Driver Ryan Millen to Drive RAV4 Rally Car in 2015 Rally America 2WD-Open Class

Toyota unveiled its RAV4 rally car at the Monster Energy Supercross Championship finale this weekend at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Ryan Millen, who won the 2014 Baja 1000 in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, will drive the RAV4 rally vehicle at various rally races including some of the 2015 Rally America 2WD-Open Class season. The muscled-up RAV4 was unveiled live between races to all in attendance and was on display in the pits throughout the event.
 
A RAV4 competing within a professional racing series is rare.  It is even rarer to see the unibody-construction, Small-Sport Utility Vehicle (SSUV) go head-to-head with Rally America’s modified street cars. Toyota’s entry into Rally America is a modified 2015 Toyota RAV4 LE.  The vehicle sports a stock transmission and a stock 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam engine that pushes 176-horsepower and 172-pounds of torque. Millen and his crew removed more than 500 pounds of stock weight, while adding a roll cage, BFGoodrich all-terrain DOT 215/75R15 tires, and upgrading to a front and rear TEIN suspension.
 
“I’ve driven just about everything Toyota has to offer,” said Millen. “And I’ve been very impressed with the RAV4’s tight, compact body and smooth handling. I’m looking forward to putting it through the paces this season.”
 
The RAV4 literally created the SSUV category when it was introduced by Toyota in 1994. At that time, the notion of a unibody construction Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) was unheard of. Since its introduction, unibody-construction SUVs have become a standard offering across the automotive industry. 
 
While widely known as a practical version of the more-cumbersome SUV, RAV4’s lighter and leaner design allows it to perform and handle quite effectively for desert, beach and other outdoor excursions. It’s for this reason that Toyota is showcasing the RAV4 so dynamically in the form of this entry in the Rally America Series.
 
“Over the years, RAV4 has become known more for its benefits as a practical family-vehicle alternative to a larger SUV, and we felt it was due time that its performance and handling characteristics were put on display,” said Alex Du, RAV4 Vehicle Marketing & Communications Manager. “That will undoubtedly be the case with Ryan Millen at the wheel of this incredible Rally RAV4.” 
 
Son of off-road legend Rod Millen, Ryan Millen has been involved in Toyota Racing since childhood. From chasing for Ivan Stewart and racing in MTEG Stadium races at nine-years old, to racing the FJ Cruiser in the Baja 1000, he has poured his life and professional racing career into Toyota.

Additionally, SiriusXM and Wienerschnitzel have joined Toyota’s marketing efforts in and around the rally events.

Millen Adventures will be entering into numerous races including some of the Rally America West Series where he’ll be competing in the 2WD stock class with the rally built Toyota RAV4.

Tentative Schedule

• Idaho Rally - June 13-14
• Mendocino Rally - July 18-19
• Rally Utah - August 7-8
• Gorman Ridge Rally - August 22
• Prescott Rally - October 2-3
• Mt Hood Rally - October 17

 
For more information on the Rally RAV4, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Consumer Reports Lists Top 10 Cars to go 200,000 Miles, Toyotas are 5

Seattle's King 5 News reported on a Consumer Reports investigation into the top ten cars that are mostly likely to reach 200,000 miles.

Half of them are Toyotas.

According to the article, "Consumer Reports says the choices are based on results of its annual research survey, which encompasses responses on 1.1-million vehicles. The high-mileage cars are all plain-Janes — no luxury models. Even the fancier versions of the models listed sometimes got them booted from the list."

Here are the Toyotas listed:

• Toyota Prius

• Toyota Camry

• Toyota Corolla

• Toyota Sienna

• Toyota Highlander

"Here at Burien Toyota, we have plenty of each of the cars listed," said general sales manager Ted Klarich. "Toyota is known for making long-lasting cars and this Consumer Reports investigation shows that."

Stop by Burien Toyota today to take one of these long-lasting Toyotas for a test drive!

Toyota Mirai: Coming This Fall to Showrooms Near…?

Want a Mirai? All those in favor, say aye! California trailblazers waiting to get behind the wheel of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, the Mirai, now have a destination for pick up and pre-order. 

In October 2015, Mirai will roll into select Toyota dealerships in the Golden State. Northern California drivers will meet Mirai at San Francisco Toyota, Roseville Toyota, Stevens Creek Toyota or Toyota of Sunnyvale. Farther south, Longo Toyota, Toyota Santa Monica, Toyota of Orange and Tustin Toyota will welcome Mirai customers. These initial dealers were selected based on advanced technology vehicle sales experience and proximity to hydrogen infrastructure.   
  
But why wait until October? Beginning this summer, California customers can request a Mirai by visiting www.toyota.com/mirai.  Production of the Mirai is limited and vehicles will be placed with select, eligible customers. Therefore, drivers are encouraged to make their requests early to save a potential parking spot in transportation history. Customers can visit www.toyota.com/miraitoday to sign up for more information and notification of exact order request launch timing in the coming months. All Mirais will be sold and delivered through the authorized Mirai dealer of the customer’s choice.  

Mirai U.S. sales volume is planned for approximately 3,000 units through 2017.

Toyota Sienna Named Best 3-Row Vehicle for Families

Atlanta, Ga., May 5, 2015 -- Parents love the new Sienna minivan for its upscale style and features, comfort and safety. Kids enjoy the 16.4-inch widescreen entertainment center. But auto writers are a much tougher group to please.

As it turns out, the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) finds the Sienna to be quite pleasing as well.

The 2015 Sienna was named the Best 3-Row Family Vehicle by GAAMA at the association’s annual Family Choice Challenge held. After putting the Sienna and six other three-row competitors through two days of testing at Lake Lanier Islands in Georgia, journalists from across the Southeast chose the Sienna for the award for its more aggressive styling, upscale interior, enhanced driving dynamics, new features and the abundance of space and comfort available for seven passengers.

“Our experts considered factors like styling, safety, comfort and efficiency, and the results reflect the best in both innovation and execution,” said GAAMA President Jim Tucker. “The overall winner and each of our category winners are must-drive models for anyone shopping for a new family car.”

Sienna was refreshed for 2015 with a more expressive exterior design and upgraded interior comfort and styling. Sienna oozes fun and function, and it has something for every member of the family. Kids enjoy Sienna’s Blu-Ray Dual View Entertainment Center while parents easily communicate with them through Toyota’s Driver Easy Speak system, which uses the vehicle's built-in microphone to amplify the driver's voice through the rear speakers. For parental peace of mind, Sienna was named a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick + and is the only van in its segment to offer all-wheel drive.