Nascar & Toyota

NASCAR^® used T.H.U.M.S. to help analyze high-speed impacts, leading to better seat structure design and 2010 rule book changes.
Crash test dummies are fine for showing certain aspects of an impact, but they don't have the soft tissues and organs to better imitate the internal injuries of the human body. To extend the science, Toyota created T.H.U.M.S. software for more in-depth simulations.

NASCAR worked with Toyota to analyze all of their crash data between 2003 and 2009 to improve driver safety. The software helped NASCAR discover more about accidents on the racetrack, resulting in driver’s-seat shape changes and even two changes to the rule book to promote NASCAR driver safety.

WALTERS NISSAN

We are very happy to announce the addition of another dealership to the Walters Auto Group! We are now up and running at Walters Nissan! We are located at 36 Venters Lane in Pikeville KY and welcome everyone to come and see what we have to offer! Please visit the new website at http://www.waltersnissan.com/ to view our new and pre owned inventory!

Thanks As Always!

New 2011 Corolla Unveiled!

Already the top-selling compact car in America, the Toyota Corolla has been refreshed for the 2011 model year and looks ready to defend its crown against the best the competition has to offer.
To help achieve that goal, Toyota designers provided the Corolla with an enhanced interior and nuanced exterior makeover that includes upgrades to the car’s front bumper, radiator grille, front lower grille, headlamps, trunk lid, rear combination lamp and rear bumper. The changes add another level of sportiness to the Corolla’s athletic appearance, which is further emphasized by a new 16-inch wheel design for the Corolla S. At the same time, much attention to detail was spent in tailoring the Corolla’s exterior for reduced wind noise. Windshield moldings, wiper-blade covers and more have all been fine-tuned for a quieter cabin. And that comprehensive approach to improving the entire ownership experience is on display throughout the 2011 Corolla.
For example, the Corolla also boasts a perky and responsive 1.8-liter I4 engine with dual variable valve timing and other cutting-edge technology for both competitive power ratings—132 hp and 128 lb.-ft. of torque—and strong EPA numbers. The Corolla can achieve EPA ratings of up 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with a five-speed manual transmission or 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway when relying on its four-speed automatic. In addition, that autobox also features standard manual-shifting functionality for added driver control.
Toyota’s approach to safety is worth noting as well. The Corolla boasts the automaker’s Star Safety System as standard content, leveraging protective technologies like vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, brake-force distribution, brake assist and the Smart Stop system. This feature, standard on all Toyotas, automatically reduces engine power under certain conditions when both the brake and the gas pedal are pressed at the same time. Further evidence of Toyota’s commitment to vehicle quality can be seen in the company’s move to add complimentary maintenance service to the 2011 Corolla—and its entire lineup.
Covered is all normal factory-recommended maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, tire rotations, lubrication of key chassis components, a 19-point inspection, and 24-hour roadside assistance for lockouts, flat tires, tows, jump starts and other important services.
In other words, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is certain to remain a big seller in the compact car segment after it debuts at local dealerships this December.



The New Prius V

                              The New Prius V from the Detroit Auto Show!

 

What's New for 2010

The 2010 Toyota Prius has been fully redesigned. Key improvements for this third-generation model include more power, better fuel economy, enhanced steering feel, more conventional interior controls and sleeker styling.

Introduction

The last Toyota Prius flipped the automotive world on its head, changing the purchasing priorities of American car buyers seemingly overnight. Attracted to its sky-high fuel economy, practical body style and green image, consumers came to the Prius for many new car searches (regardless of their actual motoring needs). What was once an automotive oddity relegated to hemp-wearing greenies, the Prius grew to become the country's 13th-best-selling vehicle in 2008. Now there is the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius. It's poised to keep the hybrid revolution going, but with key changes to make it more appealing to an even wider audience.
A quick look at the 2010 Prius will reveal a familiar shape, but it's a little sleeker and a tad (dare we say) sportier than its predecessor. Visually, it looks smaller, but it's an optical illusion that creates a more streamlined appearance. Indeed, the 2010 Prius is less than an inch longer and wider than last year's model. The interior is a different story, as headroom has been reduced by a fraction of an inch. This wouldn't seem to be a big deal, but in our testing we found that taller rear seat occupants had their hair grazing the roof, and that wasn't the case before.
Under the hood resides a revised version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. There's a larger and more powerful gasoline engine now, but instead of providing quicker off-the-line acceleration, it allows more effortless highway cruising. A smaller electric motor contributes less torque to the overall powertrain dance, but it improves efficiency. There are other mechanical changes, too, but the end result is a jump in fuel economy, from last year's EPA-estimated 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway to this year's 51/48 mpg.
Toyota has also addressed other previous Prius faults. A more rigid chassis and a revised electric-assist steering system help to improve steering feel and driver confidence -- the old Prius' steering had a disconnected, video-gamelike feel. While the Prius still isn't exactly fun to drive, its straight-line stability is a lot better now, and in general it feels more like a normal car.
The latest Prius might even seem like a small, ultra-efficient luxury sedan depending on how you equip it. Luxury-themed items like heated leather seats, a solar-powered sunroof (cools the interior when parked), a navigation system, radar-based adaptive cruise control (matches your speed to the car ahead), a pre-collision system (retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes if a crash is unavoidable) and a lane-departure warning system for inattentive drivers are all available. Also, the automated self-parking system you've seen in Lexus commercials makes its way onto the Prius' options sheet.
The Prius has been a huge success, and with such success comes added competition. The all-new Honda Insight looks similar to the Prius, has similar fuel efficiency and costs less, but it's smaller and less sophisticated. The Ford Fusion Hybrid's more traditional body style and more involving driving dynamics should appeal to those who want their hybrid to be a little more like a normal car. The Camry Hybrid is another possibility, as is the limited-availability Altima Hybrid. Regardless, when it comes to an ultra-practical, ultra-efficient automotive choice that, depending on equipment, can be anything from an economy car to a luxury car, the 2010 Toyota Prius cannot be beat.

The Plural of Prius

2011 FJ Cruiser to Conquer in Comfort

by Toyota in the News on October 26, 2010

What do you get when you mix a striking heritage-based design with the amenities of a modern-day SUV and anytime, anyplace off-road abilities? None other than the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, revised and enhanced to make getting the best of all worlds even better.
Drivers who like to play dirty can enjoy a rough-and-ready Trail Teams Special Edition that offers both new style and new capabilities. These range from a unique appearance that showcases an Army Green exterior, set off with black bumpers, front grille and door handles, to significant hardware upgrades. The Trail Teams’ Off-Road Package boasts a beefed-up chassis, trail-tuned Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Toyota’s Active Traction Control system, alloy wheels from Toyota Racing Development, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and robust engine, fuel tank and transfer cases. But this is more than just a hard-core rock crawler.
The special edition also offers amenities like a premium JBL 10-speaker sound system, remote keyless entry, cruise control, rear privacy glass and both 12- and 120-volt outlets. That audio system, standard on the Trail Teams edition, is also a new option on the rest of the FJ Cruiser lineup as just one of the many comfort advances provided in this tough Toyota.

For example, the standard stereo setup now features MP3 playback capability, six speakers, a USB port for iPod connectivity, hands-free phone functionality, music streaming and a free 90-day trial subscription to XM Radio, and it’s all now controllable via the FJ Cruiser’s now-standard steering-wheel-mounted controls. Accessing that interior is easier, too, thanks to significant improvements in rear-seat access via the Cruiser’s rear clamshell-style doors. The doors open a full 90 degrees, while the front-passenger seat now folds further forward to make it easier for back-seat passengers to enter and exit.
And everyone will benefit from Toyota’s standard STAR Safety System, an integral part of every Toyota product on sale in the U.S. This comprehensive suite of safety features includes vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags. These units can detect a potential rollover situation and signal the vehicle’s stability control system to help reduce lateral skidding.
The 2011 FJ Cruiser is set to cruise into Walters Toyota later this fall!