Toyota

Toyota Automobile Museum – Japan

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The giant Toyota brand origins are around Nagoya in Japan and they have a number of fantastic car and technology museums in the region. The Toyota Automobile Museum in Aichi Nagoya is a huge showcase of the iconic vehicles of the 20th century. The museum features cars from around the world and not only Toyota there are over 120 automobiles all glistening like jewelry in a huge modern showcase featuring 46700 m2 of display. The museum also features children’s education area, a automotive library, cafeteria, function and theatre facilities and one of the best auto gift shops around.

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Cousin IT drives one – and I can see why

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Everyone’s favorite spooky family the Adams Family’s weird Cousin It drives a KR200 Messerschmitt and you have just got to look at our photo to see why. It is bizarre! Messerschmitt were a famous German aircraft manufacturer but after the war they were not allowed to produce any more aircraft so they got into the car/bike business. The vehicle had a rear mounted 191 cc Sachs single cylinder two stroke engine and three wheels, and handle bar steering. It had a top speed of just over 60mph with good handling but the brakes were another thing, many needed brake upgrades just to make the machine stop. Later the company made 4 wheel version, and they also made prefabricated houses before being allowed to manufacture aircraft again in 1968. Cousin It wasn’t the only celebrity to drive one of these funny little vehicles, the King of Rock n’Roll Elvis Presley also had a red one in his extensive automotive collection. We took this picture at the Toyota Automotive Museum in Nagoya Japan where they have a huge showcase of iconic vehicles.

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The Toyota PM for Personal Mobility

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Toyota has recently made a few interesting personal travel vehicles as concept show cars and the PM is no exception. Toyota’s vision is to join vehicles together as a mobile community communicating wirelessly with one another in an effort to assist safety and ease congestion and work in a series using auto pilot. The car even has emotions with led technology changing colour when the vehicle is in a particular mood. The cabin is built for one person and at lower speeds and for exit and entry to the vehicle the cabin is more upright like the photo we took at Toyota’s massive MegaWeb in Tokyo. When the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds the carriage lies back more giving it a more racing feel. The vehicle features a electric engine and is steered using a joystick. To enter the vehicle the whole bonnet and windscreen lift open a bit like a cocoon. The turning circle is rather impressive being able to do a donut in 1.2 metres. It will be interesting to see how long it will be before we are all driving around in these weird vehicles.

A20/35 1st Series Toyota Celica GT

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The Celica has been one of Toyota’s best loved sports inspired cars spanning over 30 years and seven generations. The 1st generation has become a real classic with its Mustang styling cues. The car made its debut at the 1970 Tokyo Motorshow and went on to conquer the word. The GT was the sportiest of the Celica range with body striping, and mean hood vents. The pillar less windows on the coupe gave the car a fresh and timeless style and have become a sought after collectors car in recent years. This lovely yellow example of the GT coupe was photographed on display at the magnificent Toyota Automotive Museum in Nagoya, Japan.

Toyota’s smart little Crayon

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The tiny Toyota Crayon is a short range transport system which is being ran by Toyota in Toyota City which is just outside Nagoya in Japan. These cute little vehicles are electric and are used as share cars throughout the city. This ingenious trial uses a fleet of the Crayon cars which can be hired for short trips through Toyota City. There are stations all over the city where the vehicles can be left and charged for the next user. Toyota is also experimenting with high technology like self driving systems on these vehicles; people can take a ride on one of these IMTS (Intelligent Multi Mode Transit System) Crayon vehicles on a special test track at Toyota’s huge showroom, Toyota MegaWeb at Odaiba on Tokyo’s waterfront.