Toyota at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show

Next week, the 64^th International Motor Show (IAA) - better known as the 2011 Frankfurt motor show - opens on 13 September. With not one but two world premieres from Toyota as well as a European debut, it promises to be an exciting show indeed.

You’ve seen the teaser image on Facebook, and now we can tell you what you can expect from the new Avensis, the first of Toyota’s world premieres. The tourer, built in Burnaston, UK, features revised exterior styling, including a bold new frontal design that follows Toyota’s new design language. The interior is far from overlooked with improvements to quality, look and feel, while strategic changes have been made to the powertrain and driving dynamics. We can’t wait to see this new Avensis on the road.

At the 2011 Geneva motor show earlier this year, Toyota revealed Prius+, Europe’s first full hybrid seven-seat vehicle, while Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept has been on trial in the UK and across Europe. Now, the two production versions of these vehicles, along with the updated third-generation Prius, are united as a family for the first time anywhere in the world at Frankfurt. This marks a new chapter in Prius’ already exciting history, as Prius becomes the first full hybrid to be offered as a complete, stand-alone model range.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the most technically advanced Prius yet, with CO2 emissions potentially as low as 49g/km. Prius+, meanwhile, is the first vehicle in Europe to offer the versatility of seven seats with the benefit of a full hybrid powertrain, and will deliver sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

World debut of the new Toyota Avensis at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show

Last week we brought you the teaser image on our Facebook page and now we bring you the new ToyotaAvensis in its full glory. Making its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, the substantially revised model builds on the spaciousness, practicality and fuel efficiency of the current, third-generation car. The new Avensis features a bolder, more refined exterior design and improvements to the finish quality.

Designed and engineered in Europe and built exclusively at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in the UK, the new Avensis has a more refined front grille, displaying the new Toyota family ‘face’. A key element in this is a change in the proportion of the upper and lower grilles, with the emphasis now on making the lower grille larger for a more assertive, dynamic look. The new grille design is flanked by narrower headlamps which emphasise the elegant proportions of the new styling and the headlamps now incorporate daytime running lights.

Celebrating the launch of the new 2012 Toyota Hilux with Toyota’s global network

While we still have a little while to wait until the new 2012 Toyota Hilux launches here in the UK, our friends Toyota Australia, Toyota New Zealand and Toyota South Africa have kicked off their advertising campaigns for this all-conquering, ‘indestructible’ 4×4 pick-up.

Click on the videos below, and let us know which of these very funny ads is your favourite.

Toyota Australia - ‘Unbreakable’

iQ Customisation: grand designs on a small scale

There’s no doubt the unique iQ has captured the world’s attention since it was launched in the UK in 2009. From the wild GRMN iQ racing concept in Japan to the Scion iQ in Canada – not to mention the exclusiveAston Martin Cygnet – the world’s smallest four-seat car is firmly established as a true trendsetter.