Toyota Announces Details on Recalled European Models, Says up to 1.8 Million Vehicles May Be Affected by Sticky Accelerator

Less than 24 hours after Toyota Motor Europe announced that it would be investigating potential accelerator pedal issues on its European models, the Japanese automaker released details on the affected vehicles. The recall involves a total of eight models. These are listed below:

-AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
-iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
-Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
-Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
-Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
-Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
-RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009)

The company said that precise number of involved units is still under investigation, but may reach up to a total of 1.8 million vehicles in the Old Continent, adding that no Lexus or other Toyota models are affected by the recall to solve a potential accelerator pedal issue.

"Toyota's policy is to put its customers first, in all circumstances", said Tadashi Arashima, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"We understand that the current situation is creating concerns, and we deeply regret it. We would also like to reassure customers: the potential accelerator pedal issue only occurs in very rare circumstances. The announced action is a preventive measure aimed to guarantee the highest safety standards to all customers."

According to Toyota, there is a chance that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms on the affected models may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position

Toyota said that the issue is caused because the accelerator pedal mechanisms concerned may become worn.

The Japanese automaker added that only a limited number of incidents have been reported in Europe, and that the company is not aware of any accident resulting from this issue.

Earlier this week, Toyota suspended sales of eight vehicles in the U.S. due to the sticky accelerator problem while the firm also added another 1.1 million vehicles to last fall's recall of 4.3 million vehicles in the USA.

Toyota “Aygo Crazy”: 200Hp RWD Concept to Premiere in London

Making its public debut at the British International Motor Show in London at the end of July, the Aygo Crazy that we first told you about here is a one-off model, fettled with the same 1.8 VVT-i unit that powered the final generation Celica and MR2 Roadster, rear-mounted and driving the rear wheels through the Roadster’s five-speed manual gearbox. The addition of a Toyota Motorsport turbo conversion kit boosts power output to 200Hp and torque to 240Nm

The Aygo Crazy gets no electronic handling aids, no power steering and no ABS. What it does get is a set of custom-made body, 17-inch alloys and beefy Goodyear 225/45 rubber along with a carbon fibre rear wing taken directly from the 200mph race cars in the American Champ Car series, purpose-built sports seats with four-point safety harnesses and a full roll cage. The suspension comes straight from the MR2 Roadster, with MacPherson struts front and rear qand adjustable Tein dampers while the front and rear track are one inch wider than on a standard Aygo. -Continued

Weighing in at just 1,050kg (approx 2,200 lbs), Aygo Crazy is capable of going from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.7sec and on to an estimated top speed of 127mph or 204 km/h.

AYGO CRAZY vs AYGO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE		AYGO CRAZY	AYGO
Type		Rear-mounted four-cylinder 1.8 VVT-i with TMG turbo conversion kit	Front-mounted three-cylinder 1.0 VVT-i
Valve mechanism		DOHC 16-valve	DOHC 12-valve
Displacement (cc)		1,794	998
Bore x stroke (mm)		79.0 x 91.5	71.0 x 84.0
Compression ratio		10.0:1	10.5:1
Max. power (DIN hp @ rpm)		200 @ 6,700	68 @ 6,000
Max. torque Nm @ rpm		240 @ 3,400	93 @ 3,600
TRANSMISSION
Clutch type		Uprated Helix	Dry, single plate
Gearbox type		Five-speed manual	Five-speed manual
Gear ratios	1st	3.166	3.545
	2nd	1.904	1.913
	3rd	1.310	1.310
	4th	0.969	1.027
	5th	0.815	0.850
	Reverse	3.250	3.550
BRAKES
Front		328mm ventilated discs with 4-pot Brembo callipers	247mm ventilated discs
Rear		280mm ventilated discs	200mm drums
SUSPENSION
Front		MacPherson strut	MacPherson strut
Rear		Dual-link MacPherson strut	Torsion beam
Dampers		Tein, adjustable
STEERING
Type		Rack and pinion, electric power assisted	Rack and pinion
Ratio (:1)		13.2:1	16.5:1
TYRES AND WHEELS
Wheel size (in)		17x7.5	14x4.5J
Tyres		Goodyear 225/45R17	155/65 R14
DIMENSIONS
Overall length (mm)		3,500	3,405
Overall width (mm)		1,800	1,615
Overall height (mm)		1,500	1,465
Front track (mm)		1,475	1,420
Rear track (mm)		1,460	1,410
WEIGHTS
Kerb weight (kg)		1,050	790-890
PERFORMANCE
Max speed (mph)		127 (est)	98
0-62mph (sec)		5.75	14.2

Toyota Aygo Crazy: One-Off Race Model with Mid-Mounted MR2 Turbo Engine

For those of you who think that the Aygo is just another cute mini car that feels more appropriate in female hands, you’re probably right. However, this one-off special edition Aygo developed by Toyota has nothing feminine about it. Dubbed Aygo Crazy, this evil offspring is a stripped down version of the Aygo equipped with a mid-mounted 197Hp turbocharged 1.8-litre engine from the MR2 that sends power to the rear wheels, a full roll cage, a sparco steering wheel and four-point harnesses backet seats.

And if that’s not manly enough for you, the Aygo Crazy has no power steering, traction control, brake servo assistance or ABS. According to guys at Autocar Magazine who had the chance to take the insane Aygo for a spin, the car weights a tad over 1,000 kg or 2,200 lbs anf it can go from standstill to 60mph or 96 km/h in less than 6,0 sec and on to an estimated top speed of 127mph or 204 km/h. Autocar claims that Toyota spent close to £100,000 ($200,000 or €125,000) το develop this one-off Aygo and there are no plans to produce another one.

Via: Autocar