Report: Toyota 'Gs' performance division in the works
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/aftermarket/" rel="tag">Aftermarket</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/scion/" rel="tag">Scion</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/toyota-g-sports-series-0/#12"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/02-ft-86-hi-live-630op.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Toyota G Sports FT-86 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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Be still our hearts. A <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/toyota/">Toyota</a> post that doesn't involve a recall. Instead, we've got an unsurprising report about ToMoCo's plans to start a new, in-house performance division dubbed "Gs" sometime in 2010.<br />
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Earlier this month, Toyota trotted out <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/toyota-launching-g-sports-series-cars-at-tokyo-auto-salon-w-vid/">three models wearing a new line of performance parts</a> at the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tokyo-auto-salon/">Tokyo Auto Salon</a> under the "Toyota G Sports" moniker. While a bodykitted <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/prius">Prius</a> isn't exactly our cup of Earl Grey and the tuned Mark X is about as interesting as a fire-breathing <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a>, the (supposedly) turbocharged <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ToyotaFT86/">Toyota FT-86</a>, fitted with a complete aero kit, suspension and brake mods kicked our salivary glands into overdrive.<br />
<br />
Unlike the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/28/report-vw-to-announce-formation-of-r-performance-division-in-ge/">forthcoming Volkswagen R line</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a>'s M division or <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mercedes-benz/">Mercedes-Benz</a>' AMG unit, the Gs line would be a joint collaboration between Modelista - which has been developing and supplying exterior components to the automaker - and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/TRD/">TRD</a>, which will handle engine, suspension and brake development with the help of Gazoo, the firm that helped to create the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/15/tas-2010-toyota-mr2-sports-hybrid-concept-packing-400-hp-3-3-li/">hybrid Mk. III MR2</a> for TAS.<br />
<br />
G's will focus more on high-end components developed for the street and will likely sold as either a complete model (think Toyota FT-86 Gs) or available as separate components, similar to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/lexus/">Lexus</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FSport/">F Sport</a> line.<br />
<br />
Whether these components or full models will make it Stateside remains to be seen, but when the FT-86 makes it to U.S. shores, we'd suspect Toyota - or more likely <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/scion/">Scion</a> - will offer similar equipment.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/">Toyota G Sports Series</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/01-ft-86-live-abjp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/02-ft-86-live-abjp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/03-ft-86-live-abjp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/05-ft-86-live-abjp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyota-g-sports-series-0/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/04-ft-86-live-abjp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/01/toyota-planning-to-create-gs-performance-division.html">InsideLine </a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-toyota-gs-performance-division-in-the-works/">Report: Toyota 'Gs' performance division in the works</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-toyota-gs-performance-division-in-the-works/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19337939/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/report-toyota-gs-performance-division-in-the-works/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" align="right" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/caj0082opt.jpg" class="right border" alt="" /></a>With <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall/">Toyota's woes</a> seemingly multiplying by the day, you knew it was just a matter of time before the lawyers arrived on scene. Cue two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, that are joining forces in a bid to sue Toyota's pants off. <br />
<br />
The suit hopes to attain class action status and is "intended to benefit all residents of the United States who purchased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the recalls." How many cars is that? We don't have a total off the top of our head, but considering the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a> has been the best selling car in the U.S. for all six of those years, and the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/corolla">Corolla</a> has been number three or four over the course of that same time frame, we'll go ahead and say the answer is a staggeringly large number. <br />
<br />
But hang on one minute: Since all the affected cars have been recalled by Toyota and will (eventually) be repaired, what could the two law firms possibly be suing ToMoCo for? Away we go:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><em>[Parker Waichman Alonso] and the [Becnel Law Firm allege] that, as a result of these recalls, Toyota owners lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress. The complaint charges Toyota with breach of implied warranty and negligence, and seeks compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief. It also asks the Court to enjoin Toyota from implementing any fixes in the accelerator pedals of the subject vehicles without approval from the NHTSA.<br />
</em></div>
</blockquote>There you have it. And yes, they really did mention emotional distress.<br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html">The Auto Channel</a> | Image: Corbis]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/">ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19338933/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" align="right" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/caj0082opt.jpg" class="right border" alt="" /></a>With <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall/">Toyota's woes</a> seemingly multiplying by the day, you knew it was just a matter of time before the lawyers arrived on scene. Cue two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, that are joining forces in a bid to sue Toyota's pants off. <br />
<br />
The suit hopes to attain class action status and is "intended to benefit all residents of the United States who purchased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the recalls." How many cars is that? We don't have a total off the top of our head, but considering the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a> has been the best selling car in the U.S. for all six of those years, and the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/corolla">Corolla</a> has been number three or four over the course of that same time frame, we'll go ahead and say the answer is a staggeringly large number. <br />
<br />
But hang on one minute: Since all the affected cars have been recalled by Toyota and will (eventually) be repaired, what could the two law firms possibly be suing ToMoCo for? Away we go:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><em>[Parker Waichman Alonso] and the [Becnel Law Firm allege] that, as a result of these recalls, Toyota owners lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress. The complaint charges Toyota with breach of implied warranty and negligence, and seeks compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief. It also asks the Court to enjoin Toyota from implementing any fixes in the accelerator pedals of the subject vehicles without approval from the NHTSA.<br />
</em></div>
</blockquote>There you have it. And yes, they really did mention emotional distress.<br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html">The Auto Channel</a> | Image: Corbis]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/">ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19338933/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mazda/" rel="tag">Mazda</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/reviews/" rel="tag">Reviews</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1mazdaspeed32010revie w.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> <small>2010 Mazdaspeed3 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
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Last summer, our man Damon Lavrinc <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/first-drive-2010-mazdaspeed3-the-five-door-sports-car-evolved/">drove the then-brand-new 2010 Mazdaspeed3</a> around California's legendary Laguna Seca Raceway and then Caramel Valley's world-class back roads. And he loved it. I mention this because we're sure that under similar, near-ideal conditions, I would have been nearly as smitten. But reality has a funny way of tossing monkey wrenches at even the most lovely picnics. To wit: I had the Speed3 in Los Angeles during the recent torrential downpour/tornado warnings, then drove to Phoenix through a monsoon the same day/night that <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/22/strong-winds-cause-russo-and-steele-auction-tents-to-collapse/">Russo and Steele got their tents blown across a freeway</a>. Ideal? Hardly. Informative? Keep reading and decide for yourself.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/">Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/01mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/02mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/03mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/04mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/05mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Phot os by <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotograp hy.com/">Drew Phillips</a></small></strong></em><em><strong><small> / </small></strong></em><em><strong><small>Cop yright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/">Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19340644/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Report: NHTSA says it has "no reason to challenge" Toyota throttle fix
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyotas-recalled-pedal-assembly-close-up/"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/toyotapedalaolautos001-1265127826.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Toyota's recalled pedal assembly close-up - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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That's right, more <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall">ThrottleGa te</a>! Even though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn't have to approve <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide#multimedia">Toyota' s solution</a> to fix its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/toyotas-remedy-for-recalled-pedals-announced/">recalled gas pedals</a>, the NHTSA could offer up an objection. 2.3 million Toyota cars and trucks have been affected by the pedal recall in the U.S., with other pedals being <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/toyota-gas-pedal-recall-woes-spread-to-peugeot-citroen-in-euro/">recalled in other cars</a> around the world. <br />
<br />
Since Toyota's remedy is not being challenged, this gives the green light for the Japanese car-building giant to resume production of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/breaking-toyota-temporarily-halts-sales-of-selected-models/">eight vehicles halted</a> by the recall. The target date for this is February 8. Additionally, Toyota dealers should be able to resume selling the eight prohibited models, including the hottest-selling Camry and Corolla, one they get the parts. And finally, NHTSA says that customers who receive a fixed pedal now will be eligible for a new pedal once said pedals reach dealerships. We're not sure if Toyota's down with that claim, though company president Jim Lentz did indicate that customers could <a href="http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lentz-dont-like-the-gas-pedal-fix-insist-on-replacement/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm _medium=twitter&utm_sourc e=twitter">work with dealers on a case-by-case basis</a> if they want an all-new pedal instead of the fix.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide"><img hspace="0" height="55" width="630" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/ab-recall-banner-sm-1265128031.png" /></a><br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100201/OEM01/302019811/1147">Automotive News</a> - sub. req. | Images: Adam Morath - <a href="http://autos.aol.com/gallery/toyota-pedal-close-up">AOL Autos</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/">Report: NHTSA says it has "no reason to challenge" Toyota throttle fix</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:44:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19341548/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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