Toyota Announces 2013 Corolla LE and S Special Edition Models

Industry trends are moving to smaller engines for improved fuel economy, and the 2013 Toyota Rav4 is no different -- which is one reason the 269-hp V6 engine option has been dropped. Low sales were another. Associate editor Blake Z. Rong reviewed the new Rav4 and said the V6 made up only 10 percent of 2012 model sales. For 2013 only the 2.5-liter four-cylinder will be offered. According to Blake, the 176 hp and 172 lb-ft. of torque this engine puts out keeps the ride feeling sporty enough -- especially in sport mode. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission complements the engine. The main goal is to improve fuel efficiency, but sport mode attempts to liven things up by giving drivers more revs to play with. All-wheel drive continues to be available on all three Rav4 trims at an additional cost. Comparing Rav4 to the current competition, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 all offer similar engine/transmission combinations.

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Toyota will present its new FT-86 Open concept for the first time at the Geneva motor show, a car created to test the water for the possible introduction of a convertible version of its globally acclaimed GT86 sports coupe. The concept has been designed to deliver the lively, highly engaging and accessible performance and dynamic abilities of the GT86 with the added appeal of top-down motoring. Its external dimensions match those of the coupe (length 4,240mm, width 1,750mm, height 1,270mm), with the fixed hard-top replaced by a multi-layered fabric roof with a glass rear screen. Inside it has the same 2+2 seating format, with the roof folding down behind the fixed rear seats, with minimal impact on the space available for luggage.