Hasta La Gadget!

Got a Toyota with Entune? Then keep an eye on your mailbox. We’re getting word that a free upgrade has started to be sent out to customers. The refresh adds some of the apps we first heard about back in January last year: iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable. As well as being able to enjoy more radio, book movie tickets and restaurant tables, a new voice recognition update means you can do even more while keeping your eyes on the road. Toyota says that it’ll be upgrading most models, if you want to know for sure, tap up the more coverage link for the breakdown.

[Thanks, Nate]

Toyota sends out free Entune upgrade, adds three apps and voice control originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota can’t seem to catch a break from cars that are desperate to accelerate, with the Japanese company recalling a further 144,000 vehicles after spotting issues with mats jamming the gas pedal. Two models of 2010 Lexus SUV – including Toyota’s hybrid version – have been added to an existing recall over concerns that the floor mats could inadvertently cause the accelerator pedal to jam.

The 2010 Lexus RX 350 and the 2010 Lexus RX 450h – amounting to approximately 131,800 vehicles and 22,200 vehicles respectively – are the cars in question. Owners should expect a safety recall notification by first class mail in early August 2012, Toyota says.

This latest batch of cars adds to hundreds of thousands of existing Lexus recalls for the same floor mat accelerator issue. Back in February 2011, Toyota voluntarily recalled around 20,000 2006 and early 2007 GS 300 and GS 350 AWD sedans so as to modify the plastic pad set into the carpet around the accelerator.

At the same time, it also recalled around 760,000 earlier RX models, and added a further 1.4m cars from its Lexus and Toyota stables – including RAV4 and 4Runner models – to a 2009 recall for a similar mat issue.

Toyota says that, if Lexus owners experience a problem with a stuck accelerator before the recall amendments can be made, drivers should brake and guide the car to the side of the road, putting it into neutral.

144k Lexus recall adds to Toyota’s stuck-accelerator woes is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

BMW and Toyota have inked an extension to their collaboration agreement, working together on fuel cells, electric powertrains, lightweight components and, most excitingly, “a future sports vehicle.” The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) will see the German and Japanese companies team up for “long-term strategic collaboration” with BMW bringing its sportscar prowess and Toyota its green technologies expertise to the table.

“BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars. We respect each other. And I think this is shown by our taking the next step only six months since the signing of our initial agreement” Akio Toyoda of Toyota said in a statement today. “Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW’s strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship.”

The initial co-development agreement was signed back in December 2011, with BMW and Toyota starting joint research into future motor technologies. It also included an engine-sharing deal, that will see BMW-made 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines show up in Toyota cars on sale in Europe from 2014.

A follow-up addendum in March this year focused on electric vehicle battery research. Although both firms already have hybrid cars on the road, the new deal would see them work on increasing the performance and capacity of lithium-ion battery cells using new material combinations for the cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes.

Today’s announcement throws lighter chassis and other components into the mixture, along with working together on efficient electric powerplants and fuel cell systems. There will also be collaboration on “joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle” though there is no timeline for when we might see the fruits of that project shared publicly.

BMW and Toyota working on new sports car and eco-tech is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.