Toyota RACTIS
Stylish, Easy-to-Use and Fun-to-Drive
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced the nationwide launch in Japan of the new Ractis*1 compact passenger car through Toyopet and Toyota Corolla dealers.
Meant to allow four adults to experience driving in comfort, not only in the city, but also on the highway, the Ractis was designed with “high-speed, high-capacity styling” as its theme, paying particular attention to performance, function and styling. It has a high level of performance that allows for spirited driving, as well as a comfortable and easy-to-use interior and a stylish exterior.
Despite its compact size, the Ractis combines a roomy interior—the biggest in its class*2—with styling that makes the car look nimble. New features aimed at making driving fun combine with superb driving performance for an exhilarating experience. Furthermore, a high level of versatility, the use of class-surpassing, high-quality equipment, and class-leading safety and environmental performance make the Ractis a “one car does it all”, top-quality compact car.
The Toyota Ractis is also available in a Welcab. Welcabs are specially equipped versions of Toyota production models with factory-installed features designed specifically for disabled people. Welcabs have a broad range of applications, and feature numerous specifications that make the most of the base vehicle’s features.
*1 Derived from “runner with activity and space”
*2 By comparison with vehicles of similar engine displacement
*3 Specified by the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy
Stylish Design and Spacious, Convenient Interior
Exterior
Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy “Vibrant Clarity”, the one-motion form that extends from the front pillar to the roof line, while still allowing for a roomy interior, combines with the taut side windows to produce creative proportions and a sense of action.
The sharp front end, the contoured triangular hood and front grill merge into a wide bumper for a sporty front end that also evokes a sense of stability.
The long wheel base, wide track, 16-inch wheels and extended wheel arches create a rear that conveys stability.
Overall Package and Convenient Utility Functions
The long wheel base, wide track and low floor provide a comfortable cabin and large cargo space.
Front-wheel-drive models feature easily stowed rear seats with backrests that fold in a 60/40 split and can be folded flat to create a large, flat cargo space. Four-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with one-touch, double-folding rear seats with backrests that fold in a 60/40 split, providing for a variety of different seat arrangements that can be tailored to specific needs.
The opening to the luggage space is low to the ground, making loading and unloading of cargo easier, and ensures that the space has an even surface.
Equipment that Enhances the Joy of Driving
Featuring a fuel-saving Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent), which contributes to a smoother driving experience, a new Active CVT System achieves both high fuel efficiency and a quiet and comfortable ride. The seven-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic transmission with a paddle shift-type shift lever is easily operated and provides the feel of a manual transmission. The CVT Sport mode provides high responsiveness.
A 1.3-liter or 1.5-liter VVT-i (Variable Value Timing-intelligent) engine achieves compatibility between high driving performance and high fuel efficiency.Large-diameter brakes provide excellent braking performance and feature superior control and a high-quality braking feeling.A new suspension design gives the Ractis brisk maneuvering and cruising
Cont’d stability, as well as a flat ride.Rigid body construction ensures steering responsiveness and quiet operation.
Class-exceeding High-quality Interior and Equipment
Optitron Meters, seats with a comfortable and stable feel and a single-surface instrument panel with no depth variations and virtually no gaps between components convey the high quality of the interior.
The roundish form of the dashboard extends from the central instrument cluster and its enclosure and flows outward toward the door trim, creating a feeling of being comfortably surrounded. A panoramic glass roof, which is the largest in this class, provides a sense of openness. The cruise control, door mirrors with turning signals and 16-inch wheels go beyond the standard for the class. The panoramic instrument cluster ensures good visibility by requiring little change in the driver’s line of sight while driving. The Smart Entry & Start System employs a Smart Key to lock and unlock the doors and a push button to start the engine—all one needs is to have the vehicle key on one's person. An automatic air-conditioner with a pollen-removal mode filters out pollen, dust and other impurities from the air around the vehicle occupants.
Class-leading Safety and Environmental Performance
The GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) construction has been further evolved to create a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact. During collision tests, the speed was increased to 55 km/h from the previous 50 km/h, with collision energy also increased approximately 20%, and the Ractis was subjected to omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests under stricter-than-normal collision standards. Through the use of a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and dummy injury.
The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been evolved to further reduce pedestrian head injuries, pursuing the world’s top level of protection in its class.
The seat structures are based on the WIL (Whiplash Impact Lessening) concept, providing stronger seat frames and possessing greater backrest give, and were designed based on analyses using THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety), incorporating structural design that reduces stress on the neck during low-speed impacts from the rear.
All front-wheel-drive vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles, and boast fuel efficiency that exceeds by 5% the level called for by the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards.
Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)—Toyota’s original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system—was implemented to achieve efficiently as possible the overall reduction of environmental impact of the Ractis, from initial development to disposal, throughout its entire lifecycle. LCA (Life-cycle Assessment) was also carried out, aiming at reductions of CO2 and other atmospheric pollutants, not just during the use stage, but also during the entire lifecycle of the Ractis, from manufacture through to disposal.
A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts in the Ractis resulted in a reduction in the amount of volatile organic compounds used, and, thus, a reduction in the discomforting odors emitted from such compounds.
Welcab: Specially equipped vehicles with factory-installed features for disabled people
Wheelchair-adapted models (Type I, Type II) can load and unload wheelchairs, and can accommodate one wheelchair and three passengers. For the first time in Japan, Type II specifications position a wheelchair behind the front passenger seat within reach of the driver—in case the driver needs to administer any care. Welcabs are manufactured on the same production lines as the base vehicles, which keeps costs down.
The Welcab Lift-up Front Passenger Seat model (Type A, Type B) and Welcab Rotating and Sliding Passenger Seat model (Type A, Type B) are designed to make use easier for elderly and disabled passengers.
Welcab Friendmatic Seat models (Type I, Type II) allow for the installation of a specialized driver’s seat and devices that facilitate driving, enabling people without use of their legs to drive with only their hands.
[Read more!]
The new RX350 (there might be a 3-litre engine for some markets) and RX450h hybrid have improved powertrains. The RX 450h gets an enhanced Hybrid Drive system with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which delivers a total system output of 295 bhp, 27 bhp more than the powerplant in the RX hybrid before.
The new RX offers a number of Lexus-first technologies that are intended to enhance the ownership experience. Customers can order a Hard Disk Drive-based navigation system with a "Remote Touch" controller that is both intuitive and ergonomic. Positioned on the centre console, it is as natural to the driver's hand as a computer mouse. While the RX will feature voice recognition as standard, the new navigation system will also include a new casual language voice-recognition system that acknowledges conversational commands.
The Grand Livina is a mid-size 7-seater MPV, designed and engineered in the Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, Japan, first introduced in China in 2006 followed by Indonesia, Taiwan & South Africa this year. 
The ultra-versatile 2008 Honda Element SUV offers a spacious interior that quickly adapts to people or cargo, while three unique exterior styles range from rugged on the Element LX, to refined on the Element EX, to sporty on the "street custom-styled" Element SC. For 2008, available Element SC exterior color options expand to include Royal Blue Pearl (exclusive to the SC).
The 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine connects to either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time 4WDTM, available on the Element LX and EX, enhances all-weather traction.
