2008 Toyota Highlander Preview

What it Is

2008 Toyota Highlander - 2007 Chicago Auto Show Preview: Smart in, strong out. That’s a tagline Toyota is using with one of its new rides, but if you’re thinking it’s the newly-brawny Tundra, think again. It refers to the 2008 Highlander. That’s right, Toyota is aiming to associate strength with a model based on the Camry/Avalon platform, albeit one available with four-wheel drive. However, Toyota cites data which suggest that Highlander owners and prospective buyers want added size and power, so when the 2008 Highlander arrives in July it will sport 270 horsepower, added size in nearly every measurable dimension, a host of clever and desirable interior features, and a markedly muscular appearance.

Why it Matters

Since its debut for the 2001 model year, the Highlander has been a great seller for Toyota, attracting buyers with its utility, comfort, and promise of Toyota reliability. But, even so, six years is a long time for a vehicle to go without any major updates, especially when the vehicle is playing in the emerging, and hence increasingly competitive, crossover market. Couple this with Toyota’s own data indicating a need for a larger and more powerful Highlander, and its clear to understand why this rendition of one the brand’s most popular models is so important. Plus, the recently overhauled Toyota RAV4, now sporting up to three rows and nearly 270 horsepower, places the current Highlander on the border of redundancy.

What’s Under the hud

As Toyota officials tell it, previous Highlander buyers, as well as Highlander shoppers who ultimately opted for a different vehicle, have requested added size and power from the next-generation model. All should be satisfied when the 2008 model hits the streets in July. Replacing the current Highlander’s 215-horsepower 3.3-liter six-cylinder will be a 3.5-liter V6 boasting 270 horsepower and 249 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission will put the power to the pavement, and both front- and four-wheel-drive variants will be available. Each Highlander will also employ Toyota’s STAR safety system, including ABS, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic brake assistance, and stability control.

What it Looks like

Well, one thing’s obvious – the 2008 Toyota Highlander has grown. In fact, the redesign resulted in an extra three inches in the wheelbase, a one-inch higher ground clearance, four inches of added body length, and three inches of newly-developed width. On the scales, all that extra Highlander equals another 500 pounds of curb weight, though it also translates into more than 12 cubic feet of added interior volume. Outside, sculpted wheel flares and a wide, tall front grille and fascia treatment lend the new Highlander a more pronounced and aggressive appearance. Likewise, the tail has been reworked with restyled, wedged lamps and a redesigned fascia with integrated lower lenses. The interior is accented by pronounced gauges, soft shapes, and large control dials.restyled, wedged lamps and a redesigned fascia with integrated lower lenses. The interior is accented by pronounced gauges, soft shapes, and large control dials.

What’s Inside

Inside the 2008 Toyota Highlander’s all-new and larger interior are features buyers are sure to appreciate. Among them are seven standard airbags, including side-curtains spanning all three rows and a driver’s knee airbag, a rear-view camera that can be ordered separate from the navigation system, and a keyless entry and ignition system. Other interesting items include a rear DVD system with a nine-inch monitor, a tow package pushing capacity to 5,000 pounds, and a Bluetooth-capable JBL audio system. Another neat feature is the second-row Center Stow seat – when used, it connects two bucket seats to create one bench, but when not used it can be packed under the front center console, allowing for a storage spot or walk-through area to the third row.

What Toyota Says

According to Don Esmond, Toyota’s senior vice president of automotive operations, “Highlander holds a unique distinction within the Toyota brand and within the industry. Along with the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser, it anchors one of the industry’s only three-vehicle, midsize SUV lineups.” Esmond goes on to say, “The 2008 Highlander takes the car-based SUV concept to a new level. I say that with conviction, because it’s a category we invented. As you can see, the new Highlander has raised the bar significantly.”

What We थिंक

As soon as we drove the redesigned, V6-powered, three-row RAV4, we knew the existing Highlander’s days were numbered. With the RAV4 essentially edging its big brother out of its own space, the Highlander had no choice but to move up a notch in terms of power and size. Such a move makes sense, and better positions the Highlander to compete with the myriad of crossovers that have emerged since its introduction six years ago. We’re talking about models like the Saturn Outlook, Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9, all of which offer more power and arguably more contemporary styling than the current Highlander. However, with added power, an aggressive look, and Toyota’s reputation, the 2008 Highlander just might stave off the competition for another six years.

Photos courtesy of Toyota and Thom Blackett

(www.car.com)

2008 Honda Accord Coupe Spy Photos

Accord Coupe – 2008 Spy Photo: Shown lightly disguised behind a flurry of white tape is the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe। Due to debut in the fall, our clearest view yet of the production version confirms that it closely resembles the Accord Coupe Concept shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Minor changes in front include a grille opening with more chrome and a shorter lower horizontal, while the lower grille loses its production-silly strakes in favor of a more traditional opening. The fog light recesses are covered, but may retain the show car's deep light treatment, and the headlight cluster is slightly different as well. The wheels on this test car and its single exhaust outlet (not shown) tell us that this is a four-cylinder version.

This is our clearest view yet, at all really, of the new Accord’s interior। The Honda-typical black-over-tan theme remains, and from what we can see there is nothing unconventional about the gauge layout – no two-tiered Civic stuff here. We can see chrome rings around the speedo and tachometer, which are now the same size and side by side, and the new upside-down-“A” Honda steering wheel is included. We’re curious about the big secondary hood in the middle of the dash. We can’t see what’s under it, but seeing as how it’s in the traditional navigation screen spot, we wonder if Honda’s cooking up a surprise there. A bigger screen perhaps?

From the rear, changes from the concept appear even less dramatic। The lower bumper loses its exhaust ports, and the rear brake light moves from the trunk lid to inside the rear glass, but that’s pretty much it. From the side we can see that the concept is essentially unchanged, as the swelled fenders, accent line under the door handle and rising lower sill line are all in place. It looks to us that the aggressive roofline, along with the sharp forward kick of the concept’s rear glass, also make it to production. From what we see, Honda will have a solid competitor for the sexy new Nissan Altima Coupe.

The next Accord will have some mighty big shoes to fill। It is a perennial bestseller for Honda, and is the company’s best selling single nameplate. It is also debuting into the hottest market there is. Sure, crossovers and SUVs get the attention, but the midsize family sedan (and by extension, the coupe versions) is still one of the biggest segments in the market. As some competitors move away from the coupe, Honda hopes to get a bigger share of that pie. Considering that many think that the 2007 Accord is still the best in its class, five years after its introduction, expectations are high for the replacement.

When we first saw the Accord Coupe concept at the Detroit auto show in January, we thought there was a lot of Hyundai Tiburon in its design। As the car moves toward production, we’re seeing less Hyundai, but a little more Scion tC. Either way, it’s an improvement over the inoffensive but dull styling of the current Accord coupe. At the concept’s introduction, John Mendel, Honda’s senior vice president of auto operations, said that “with a powerful stance, long hood, deeply sculpted lower body, and a fast roofline, we think what you see here today represents a bold new styling direction for the entire Accord lineup.” With our clearest look yet at the production coupe, we think he may be right.

(www.car.com)

2008 Honda Accord Sedan Spy Photos

Accord Sedan – 2008 Spy Photo: Barely disguised under a few strips of duct tape, the 2008 Honda Accord Sedan has been captured in the wild undergoing testing. While we’ve seen the coupe numerous times in both show car form and in spy photography, the sedan has heretofore been unseen. Not surprisingly, the sedan appears to be a taller and less aggressively styled version of its coupe cousin while still sharing the overall styling language. Changes are everywhere, with a completely fresh design that corrects some of the current car’s somewhat unfortunate styling distinctions. The headlights and grille on the 2008 sedan are larger and more upright than those of the coupe, but are a distinct improvement over the current model’s, with just a hint of the previous-generation Lexus IS 300.

From the rear, it’s clear that the 2008 Accord won’t be blazing new styling trails, but the cleaned up rear end is a welcome improvement. While not as stylish as the coupe, the car exhibits some definite cribbing from vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series, especially around the rear pillar, door handles and the character line along the side. From the smallish wheels and single exhaust outlet we can assume that this is a four-cylinder model; the V6 will likely have two outlets and bigger wheels. Note that this prototype also has the large center-dash hood we spied in the coupe, increasing our speculation of a new navigation system, possibly with a larger screen than we’ve previously seen.

It’s hard to find anything bad to say about the Accord, be it a coupe or a sedan. The current-generation model has been Honda’s biggest seller, with a roomy interior, excellent seats, and driving dynamics to keep enthusiasts satisfied, if not thrilled. The fact that the current car is still widely regarded as at or near the top of its class a full five years after its introduction speaks volumes for the fundamental goodness of the vehicle. It also means that the new car has some big shoes to fill. It’s not a slam-dunk, either. Remember that Honda miscalculated dramatically with the 1994-1997 Accord, going smaller and sticking with four-cylinder engines when the rest of the competition went larger and adopted powerful V6s. The company is unlikely to make the same mistake twice, though.

The other factor in the Accord’s success is competition। We don’t just mean from the Camry, although the Accord’s longtime rival is enjoying unprecedented success at this time. However, a resurgent General Motors is also in the hunt with its Saturn Aura, which was crowned North American Car of the Year. At the same time the new Accord is introduced, Chevrolet will introduce the 2008 Malibu, shown here. While previously an also-ran in the segment, the new ‘Bu promises more power and sophistication than we’ve ever seen in a mid-grade GM sedan before. With so many good sedans headed our way, 2008 promises to be a horn of plenty for family sedan buyers.
(www.car.com)