Toyota gets interactive at Chicago Auto Show

Growing up in Chicago, I came to realize just how big this fine city is. I would stand on a north-side beach and gaze south down the shoreline where Lake Michigan’s vast (freezing) waters swept up to the foot of Chicago’s powerful skyline. When my father set up booths at McCormick Place, I used to love seeing those huge expanses, empty, like playgrounds for giants. When the Auto Show came through every year, McCormick Place came alive. Though we as patrons were permitted to tour our favorite cars, never did we test them out. This year, the Toyota Drive Center will provide Auto Show visitors the opportunity to do just that.
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Toyota Tundra test drive

As the last wisps of summer fade into the chilly fall and winter winds, Chicagoland will turn into a frozen tundra over the coming months. Icy, windy driving conditions will soon lure drivers into Kenosha Toyota dealers to test-drive a vehicle with power and finesse, one that can handle the harshest of driving conditions but will remain stalwart in roominess. Well, I was lucky enough to test-drive the brand new Toyota Tundra, a full-size truck that contends well with quality competitors like the Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram and Ford F-150.

The 2010 Toyota Tundra’s new 4.6-liter V8 is the most significant upgrade to the already high-performance vehicle, replacing its predecessor’s five-speed unit with a six-speed automatic to promote better fuel economy.

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Prius Based Sport Coupe in Works?

The Prius has been one of Toyota’s biggest sellers for years now. And with its unbeatable fuel efficiency, who could blame buyers for being attracted to it? But to a buyer with horsepower, speed and a little danger in mind, the Prius may not be the best fit.  But not to fret, Toyota is out to win the hearts of all with the possible first-ever sports coupe based on the the wildly popular Toyota Prius.  Toyota Gurnee dealers have announced that a Prius based sport coupe is in the works as a 2012 model, which will add more power and more style to the most fuel efficient vehicle out on the road today.

When I stopped in to find out more at a local Toyota dealership, Gurnee dealers assured me that this new Prius coupe will have plenty to offer everyone. While the interior will keep many of the same traits as the current Prius, the exterior will get a whole new look.  Likely to be a two door, it will boast a unique and fresh style, but will look faster and more sleek than before.

But it will also be faster and more sleek than before. The new coupe will keep the same 1.8 liter engine as the current Prius, but is expected to get more horsepower than before, delivering an even more exciting ride. But with more horsepower comes less fuel efficiency, right? Maybe. The Prius coupe will still be equipped with the Hybrid Synergy Drive, so even with the extra oomph, this new coupe will be extremely green.

If you already own a Prius, Waukegan dealers are sure that you are already excited about this new coupe.  This new model will be a dream to drive, and it will keep your “green” friends from nagging you about the environment, which is enough to throw a party for. So stop in to your local Waukegan dealer to find out more about this new Prius-based sport coupe, a car that will keep everybody happy.

Lola the Corolla

My very first car was a Toyota Corolla. It was my parents car originally. When I turned 16 they got a new one and gave me the Corolla, which I soon thereafter named Lola. I loved Lola the Corolla more than any other I’d driven or any other makes and models my friends carted around in. She was simple and gave me everything I needed, as long as I gave her everything she needed. Needless to say, after five years of driving her, combined with the years my parents drove Lola, her time had passed. I moved on to a 1995 Camry named Ned. He was great, but I always longed for Lola’s simple, warm embrace. I’ve moved on to larger cars over the years as I have needed room for family, and I was afraid I’d never feel another Corolla cuddle again. … Continue Reading

Camry Most American Car

It’s that time of year again. When three-legged races and watermelon seed spitting contests are all the rage. Fourth of July is just past us, and everyone is feeling super patriotic. And with such a supercharged American feeling in everyone, we’re all looking to help the economy, as bad as it is right now. So naturally, those of us looking for cars are looking for the American ones.

But when you think of three-legged races and watermelon seed spitting contests, the next thing that comes to your mind probably isn’t a Camry. But maybe it should be. At your local Toyota Gurnee dealership, you can find the car that Cars.com rated the most American, along with many others that fell into the list.

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