Tag Archives: Toyota

News

Toyota Woven City Expands Innovation Network with 12 New Inventors Ahead of September Launch

In a bold step toward redefining the future of mobility and urban living, Toyota Motor Corporation and Woven by Toyota, Inc. have announced the addition of 12 new Inventors to Woven City, the company’s groundbreaking prototype city located in Susono, Japan. Set for its Phase 1 launch this September, Woven City is fast becoming a global hub for mobility innovation, human-centric technology, and collaborative experimentation.

A Living Laboratory for the Future

Unveiled as a concept at CES 2020, Woven City has steadily evolved from blueprint to reality. Phase 1 construction was completed in October 2024, and the project is now in the final stretch of preparation before welcoming its first full wave of residents, researchers, and developers.

Woven City isn’t just a tech park—it’s a real-world test course for future mobility, designed from the ground up to rethink how people live, move, and interact. It’s a place where cutting-edge ideas are not only developed but tested in daily life, thanks to close collaboration between Inventors and the city’s residents—referred to as Weavers.

The New Inventors: A Growing Ecosystem

The 12 newly announced Inventors join a growing community dedicated to co-creation and innovation within Woven City. Notably, Interstellar Technologies Inc. and Kyoritsu Seiyaku Corporation are the first non-Toyota Group companies in this latest cohort, reflecting a growing openness to diverse industry participation.

The remaining 10 Inventors represent key Toyota Group affiliates, including:

  • Toyota Industries Corporation
  • JTEKT Corporation
  • Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.
  • Toyota Tsusho Corporation
  • Aisin Corporation
  • DENSO Corporation
  • Toyota Boshoku Corporation
  • Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc.
  • Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
  • Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.

They join an initial group of Inventors announced in January 2025, which featured non-automotive innovators such as Daikin Industries, DyDo DRINCO, Nissin Foods, UCC Japan, and Zoshinkai Holdings—a strong indication of Woven City’s cross-sector appeal.

With these additions, the total number of Inventors now stands at 19, forming an eclectic and increasingly influential community shaping the future of mobility, AI, sustainability, and human experience.

Innovation at the Intersection of Hardware and Software

Woven City offers Inventors unique access to Toyota’s manufacturing legacy and Woven by Toyota’s advanced software platforms, such as Arene—an open vehicle development environment—and next-gen AD/ADAS technologies. Through this fusion of hardware and software, Inventors are empowered to rapidly prototype, iterate, and deploy new technologies in collaboration with real users.

This collaborative model is expected to accelerate breakthroughs in safety, connectivity, urban logistics, and well-being, with a focus on real-world usability and human feedback.

Accelerator Program and the Road Ahead

In a move to further democratize access to its innovation platform, Woven by Toyota will launch an Accelerator Program, inviting startups, universities, and research institutions to apply for a chance to co-create within Woven City. Applications open August 25 via the official Woven City website.

This program is poised to attract fresh talent and ideas into the fold, positioning Woven City as a global innovation magnet and a new model for public-private collaboration in smart urban development.

Mobility Reimagined

At its core, Woven City aims to redefine mobility not just as transportation, but as a broader concept encompassing the movement of people, goods, data, energy—and even emotion. It’s a place where mobility becomes a medium for human connection, sustainability, and progress.

With the upcoming launch of Phase 1 on September 25, Toyota is poised to make a bold statement about the role of mobility in society’s future. More than just a corporate showcase, Woven City represents a visionary shift toward integrated, human-centric urban ecosystems—and one that other automakers and tech leaders will be watching closely.

Source: Toyota

Tuning

A First-Gen Toyota Celica Reimagined as a 700-HP Monster

Bringing back an icon is one thing. Reinventing it with a screaming V12 and modern engineering sorcery? That’s a whole different beast.

While Toyota has been dropping breadcrumbs about reviving the Celica nameplate—potentially with a punchy, turbocharged inline-four—it turns out that the most radical homage to the original Celica has already arrived. And it didn’t come from Aichi, Japan, but from a Florida-based garage with a wild streak and an eye for mechanical artistry.

Meet the first-generation Celica like you’ve never seen it before: a meticulously reworked 1970s coupe that now breathes fire through twelve velocity stacks and revs to 10,000 rpm.

A Classic Reinvented

This outrageous build is the handiwork of Attacking The Clock Racing and its mastermind Shawn Bassett, who initially dreamt of stuffing a Lexus LFA’s V10 into Toyota’s original pony car. When sourcing that powerplant proved unworkable, he pivoted to something even more ambitious: a 5.0-liter 1GZ-FE V12 from a Toyota Century—Japan’s most discreetly regal limousine.

But this isn’t a stock V12. No, this one has been fully built to churn out 700 horsepower (707 PS), capped with stunning dovetailed velocity stacks that pierce through the hood like chromed crown jewels. The engine not only sings to a sky-high 10,000 rpm but is also backed by a transmission setup as wild as the engine itself.

Clutch Pedal Meets Modern Tech

The ZF8HP automatic, widely used in everything from the BMW M2 to the Toyota Supra, is an unlikely pairing for a vintage Celica—especially one with a clutch pedal. Yes, you read that right.

Thanks to clever engineering, the ZF’s internal clutch packs can now be manually engaged via a traditional foot pedal, allowing for clutch kicks, rev holding, and launches usually reserved for manual gearboxes. Yet when the mood strikes, the car can settle into docile cruising—just as easily as any modern GT.

Engineering Artistry, Inside and Out

This build doesn’t just impress under the hood. Peer closer and you’ll see painted and exposed carbon fiber, vintage BBS E55 wheels fitted to custom center-lock hubs, and a bespoke pushrod rear suspension—visible through the rear parcel shelf like a mechanical sculpture.

The cabin? It’s a masterclass in balance—British Racing Green paint on the outside, tan leather and carbon fiber Tillett Racing seats on the inside, accented by custom Speedhut gauges that fuse modern tech with retro aesthetics. It’s track-ready but far from stripped-down—a tasteful homage to both Toyota’s past and a very wild future.

Missed at SEMA, But Not Forgotten

Though this Celica build debuted at SEMA 2024, it somehow slipped under the radar. Now, with the 2025 show season heating up, it’s the perfect time to revisit one of last year’s most audacious creations. Not just a restomod, but a full-blown reinterpretation of what a JDM icon can become when limits are ignored.

As Toyota flirts with a future Celica revival, projects like this serve as a reminder: sometimes the wildest dreams live outside the factory walls—and scream through twelve open stacks.

Source: Attacking The Clock Racing

NEW CARS

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: Big Space, Big Style, and Big Versatility

Toyota is raising the bar once again in the three-row SUV segment with the announcement of the 2026 Grand Highlander—a flagship people-hauler that blends performance, practicality, and premium features in a thoroughly modern package. Entering its third model year, the Grand Highlander continues to serve families with a compelling mix of space, tech, and powertrain variety—now with new styling touches and expanded options for the new model year.

Big on Space, Built for Comfort

At first glance, the 2026 Grand Highlander strikes a bold, confident stance. Its hammerhead front fascia, flared fenders, and available two-tone 20-inch wheels make an immediate impression. But it’s the functional form behind that eye-catching design that makes the biggest impact.

Inside, Toyota’s designers have created a true sanctuary. Thanks to a generous 116.1-inch wheelbase, the cabin offers best-in-class third-row accommodations—33.5 inches of legroom and 37.2 inches of headroom—ensuring even adults will ride comfortably in all three rows. Cargo is equally impressive: fold the rear seats flat, and you’ll open up a cavernous 97.5 cubic feet of space.

From leather-trimmed seats with heating and ventilation to ultra-quiet acoustic glass and up to seven USB-C ports, the Grand Highlander is built for both comfort and convenience, regardless of where you sit. Two second-row configurations—captain’s chairs or a bench—give families flexibility to choose between seven- or eight-passenger setups.

Powertrain Variety for Every Lifestyle

One of the standout traits of the 2026 Grand Highlander is its trio of available powertrains, each aimed at a different kind of driver:

  • 2.4L Turbocharged Gas: 265 horsepower, up to 28 MPG combined
  • 2.5L Hybrid: 245 horsepower, up to 36 MPG combined
  • Hybrid MAX: A performance-focused setup producing 362 horsepower and 27 MPG combined

Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Control AWD, Electronic On-Demand AWD, and Full-Time Electronic AWD (on Hybrid MAX) provide traction and stability for any road condition. The Hybrid MAX, in particular, delivers rear-biased power for sharper handling, paired with a 6-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission for a sportier feel.

All variants come with selectable Sport, Eco, and Normal drive modes, and AWD-equipped models add Multi-Terrain Select for snow, sand, mud, and dirt.

Tech That Moves With You

Tech-savvy families will find a lot to love in the 2026 Grand Highlander. Every model features a standard 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, while top trims bring in a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, JBL® 11-speaker premium audio, head-up display, and a panoramic view monitor for 360-degree awareness.

Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system is powered by intuitive voice commands via “Hey Toyota” activation and supports Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. A Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices, digital key, and Remote Connect via smartphone app keep drivers connected on the go.

Safety First, Always

As with every Toyota, safety is paramount. The Grand Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
  • Lane Tracing Assist
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
  • Proactive Driving Assist
  • Road Sign Assist, and more

Platinum trims introduce Traffic Jam Assist, which can control acceleration, braking, and steering at low speeds, easing the burden of stop-and-go commutes.

Trim Walk: From Everyday Utility to Premium Elegance

Toyota offers five grades across the three powertrain options: LE, XLE, Limited, Platinum, and the sleek new Hybrid Nightshade edition. Highlights include:

  • LE: Fabric seating, 18″ alloy wheels, Toyota Safety Sense, and a starting price of $41,360 (Gas LE FWD)
  • XLE: SofTex® seats, power front seats, wireless charging, and sunshades
  • Limited: Leather-trimmed interior, ambient lighting, JBL audio, ventilated seats
  • Platinum: All the luxury – Ultrasuede®, panoramic moonroof, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display
  • Hybrid Nightshade: Blacked-out exterior and interior detailing with all the key Limited-grade tech and comfort features

Built in the USA, Ready for the Road Ahead

The 2026 Grand Highlander is proudly built at Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana plant, alongside the Highlander, Sienna, and Lexus TX. Starting this fall, models will begin rolling into dealerships with pricing ranging from the low $40,000s to the mid-$50,000s depending on trim and powertrain.

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure, a cross-country trip, or just a daily school run, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander makes every mile count—with space, tech, and style to spare.

Toyota’s largest SUV continues to evolve, offering something for everyone—from growing families to tech lovers and long-haul travelers. The 2026 Grand Highlander proves that a three-row SUV doesn’t have to compromise. It can be everything.

Source: Toyota