Cologne (dpa) – Toyota will compete in next year’s 24 hour Le Mans race with a hybrid racing car, the company’s motor sport division based in Germany has announced.
“We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology,” said Tadashi Yamashina, the Toyota Motor sport chairman.
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TOKYO (AP) — Honda has developed a new fuel-efficient motorcycle engine that will be showcased in a scooter that goes on sale globally next year.
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Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., today announced that Lexus intends to conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 39,000 2003-2007 Model Year LX 470 vehicles to address a steering shaft condition. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this safety recall.
This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on July 29, 2010.
Lexus has determined that the construction of the steering shaft on involved LX 470s is such that the snap ring on the shaft may disengage when the vehicle experiences an unusually severe impact to the front wheels, such as striking a deep pothole. If the snap ring becomes disengaged and the steering wheel is then repeatedly turned to the full locked position, the steering shaft may disengage over time.
Lexus is not aware of any accidents related to this condition.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it intends to conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 373,000 2000-2004 Model Year Toyota Avalons sold in the United States to address the possibility that the vehicle’s steering lock bar could break under certain conditions. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in this recall.
This action follows an announcement made by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan on July 29, 2010.
Because of improper casting of the steering lock bar, which is a component of the steering interlock system, there is a possibility that a minute crack may develop on the surface. Such a crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the lock bar could break. If this occurs, the interlock system may become difficult to unlock when stationary.
If the vehicle while being driven is steered to the right with sufficient lateral acceleration, a broken and loose lock bar may move toward the steering shaft. If the engagement hole in the shaft happens to line up at the specific time the broken lock bar has moved, this could cause the steering wheel lock bar to engage, locking the steering wheel, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda is all set to make a “green” return to the 24 hours of Le Mans with the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE. Le Mans is adding a new highlight to its event by providing a glimpse at the future of motoring using eco-friendly means. Hence, the entry of the Mazda RX-8 seems to be perfect as it will be using a dual-fuel Renesis rotary engine where the driver can switch propulsion sources at a touch of a button.
Two hydrogen fuel tanks are installed in the trunk and are pressurized to 35 MPa, the current standard for hydrogen fueling stations. Making its debut back in 2004, this RX-8 is available for lease in Japan and Norway.
