Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R - 414 Horses Worth of Green Power

The Race Car of the Future

There has been a lot of buzz in the hybrid world of late centering on the possibility of real race and performance cars being developed with actually muscle and power to rival traditional, fossil fuel powered vehicles. Part of me believes this mainly has to do with the fact VW has made the thus-far unsubstantiated claim that it will rise to the top of the green car gang by the end of the decade but who knows.

No Battery?

One truly interesting aspect of the Yaris Hybrid-R is its conspicuous lack of a battery. In its place Toyota has developed the so-called Super Capacitor which is supposed to be able to supply more power for longer spurts than the traditional hybrid power cells. I guess much remains to be seen but it is an intriguing and encouraging development to be sure.

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VW Proclaims It Will Lead the Electric Car Race by 2018

VW Wants to Be the King of e-Cars

In an announcement that left many in the automotive world shaking their heads, Volkswagen has declared that it is making a commitment to take the lead in electric cars by 2018. What gives the claim more weight than it might otherwise have is the fact that it was issued as a press release from CEO Martin Winterkorn. When asked, Winterkorn stated that they felt that they were "starting at exactly the right time." This retort was obviously a defensive, knee-jerk reaction to a question which implied that VW had long since left the field to Japanese competition such as Toyota who is a leader in hybrid cars and the likes of Carlos Ghosn's Nissan-Renault partnership with the Nissan Leaf.

A Bevvy of Hybrids and Electrics for 2014

Winterkorn went on to state that the company will market 14 hybrid and all-electric vehicles by the closing of 2014. A number of these will be available in both the European and US markets with the notable exception of the Volkswagen e-Up battery-electric mini car.

Despite Claims, Many Still Skeptical

Despite the grandiose claims of VW many are still skeptical of its resolve and ability to race to the front of the hybrid/electric pack. At present, there are no game-changing vehicles in planning and VW has no track record here. We wish them the best of luck but only time will tell if they are simply blowing green smoke or if they mean what they say.

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The Toyota Prius in Carbon Fiber Trim - Green Style

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28qBUdBOSlQ]

Body Styles and Trim Options

As any enthusiast is sure to know, the Toyota Prius was completely redesigned for the 2004 model year and so was Rvinyl's custom dashboard kit. For the second generation, the Prius was sold only as a four door hatch (I guess that's not considered a wagon anymore) but there are a host of options available. The standard features are surprisingly ample and include the following:

• power windows
• locks and mirrors
• air conditioning
• tilt steering wheel
• six-speaker CD stereo
• trip computer
• 15-inch aluminum wheels

And what's more, you get all of this for under $20K.

The Exterior - Surprisingly Aerodynamic

Most people don't equate the Prius with speed or aerodynamics but, according to Toyota’s executive engineer, it has a drag coefficient of 0.26 which makes it one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world. This remains true despite the fact that the length of the Prius has increased by about 5-inches and has added 90 pounds to its weight. But it is precisely the shape of the five door lift-back that gives it its impressive cargo hauling capability and room for four adults.

The Interior - Space Age Meets Tree Hugger

Although a large part of the design cues from the original Prius were carried over to the second generation, it must be said that Toyota put some thought into updated the overall look and giving the Prius a more sophisticated appearance. The addition of metallic accent trim on the dash vents and center console helps to add to the futuristic appeal and the over sized gauge cluster gives the cockpit an almost cartoonish feel. Push button start completes the feel of being in a space car and the overall layout of the dash and controls only contribute to the effect.

Custom Dash Kits for Your Prius

Rvinyl custom dashboard kits for the 2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius come pre-cut with all of the accent trim any restyler would want. In addition, we offer a huge variety of styles and colors to choose from. Whether you're looking for a burlwood dash kit or a gloss red kit we have just what you need. Other benefits of Rvinyl dash kits include:

• Full online diagram of each dash kit which clearly shows the pieces included in the kit
• Discounted replacement pieces offered on site
• Rvinyl dash kits are semi-permanent and can be removed at will without causing damage

Now that we've covered the basics, let's get to the real reason you're here, the customer installation photos. Thanks for stopping buy and don't for get to check out our other Toyota accessories before you go.

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41 Innovative Environmental Projects Win Over $1 Million In Funding From Audubon And Toyota

Toyota and the National Audubon Society today awarded over $1 million inTogetherGreen Innovation Grants funding to 41 innovative environmental projects nationwide. This year’s winning projects involve more than 150 conservation, environmental justice and community organizations working collaboratively on habitat, water and energy conservation. Many of the projects focus on engaging audiences that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from landowners to religious communities to inner-city students.

“Groups that won Innovation Grants this year have ingenuity and creativity on full display. And that’s what it takes to tackle the environmental challenges we face today,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. “I’m proud to partner with these innovators in creative approaches to achieve healthier communities and big conservation results.”

Sample projects that will receive 2012 funding include:

• Habitat: In Connecticut, Audubon Connecticut and the Connecticut Student Conservation Association will create Audubon WildLife Guards, a Coastal Stewardship and Youth Conservation Training Program inBridgeport, Conn. The program will provide green job training, mentoring and employment opportunities for high school students who will work to protect threatened beach nesting birds on Pleasure Beach, the largest intact barrier beach in the state.
• Water: In Kansas, Friends of the Kaw, Inc., along with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Topeka Audubon Society and Jayhawk Audubon Society will launch the “Save Soldier Creek” campaign to minimize stormwater runoff  in the rural Soldier Creek watershed – reducing pollution and improving water quality and bird habitat).
• Energy: In Arizona, Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center and Arizona Interfaith Power & Light will broaden its Footprints of Faith campaign to African American and Latino churches in Phoenix and Tucsonpromoting steps congregations can take to reduce their carbon footprints.
• Engaging diverse audiences in conservation: In North Carolina, Wild South and its partners North Carolina Audubon Society, High Country Audubon Society, National Forests of NC and the Western North Carolina Alliance will reach out to military servicemen and women and nearby Asheville residents to involve them in controlling non-native invasive plants, monitoring bird populations, and educating the public on environmental issues. The goal of the project is to preserve the wilderness character and rare species habitat of the Linville Gorge Wilderness, one of the most rugged and scenic areas in the East.

“Toyota and Audubon really share in the belief that environmental change starts at the grassroots level,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of national philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation. “We’re so proud to support this year’s Innovation Grants, which embody TogetherGreen’s commitment to conservation, innovation and diversity.”

Courtesy of US Politics Today