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Toyota rushed the 5.7-liter engine into production in time for the Tundra’s February launch. The 5.7-liter initially was scheduled to arrive this summer. But Toyota dealers and product planners told the manufacturing arm that the Tundra needed the big V-8 at launch because the 4.7-liter V-8 would not make a strong enough statement. The 5.7-liter represents more than 70 percent of the engine mix. Toyota’s top executives repeatedly have stated their concern that Toyota is growing too quickly to keep quality at past high levels. – Automotive News

Underway, the Prius is quieter and its more powerful electric motor (67bhp compared to the Civic’s 20bhp) is happier to provide the sole drive around town. Not that the Civic is unrefined: wind and road noise is kept to acceptable levels and, at a cruise or under light acceleration, the 1339cc petrol engine is relatively hushed. Ask for a lot of acceleration, though, and it’s boomy; louder than a Prius, and with less-impressive acceleration. In terms of drivetrain refinement, the Toyota gets the nod. But not when it comes to enjoyment. The Civic is no driver’s car, but it corners neatly, with quick and accurate, if lifeless, steering and decent agility. But this is not a fun car: it’s more entertaining than a Prius in the same way that eating liver is preferable to eating fish heads. – Autocar Online

The new Toyota Tundra follows the same recepie as Nissan adopted with the Titan (and most everything else it sells): if you want to be accepted in the American car market you need to be bigger and more powerful than your competitors.

Fortunately Toyota knows a thing or two about refinement as well.

This article from automobile takes a cursory look and makes an interesting point in the process:

it’s hard to imagine that the Tundra won’t guzzle copious amounts of fuel. This makes for an interesting juxtaposition when viewed in context with Toyota’s recent advertising meant to convice the world that its Hybrid Synergy Drive vehicles, such as the Prius and Camry Hybrid, are the best thing to happen to the environment since rainwater. The Tundra’s thirst, then (as well as that of the next-gen SUVs it is sure to spawn), ensures that any damage caused by Toyota’s hybrids to the oil companies’ bottom lines will be repaid several times over.

Click here for images of the RAV 4 as its sold in the rest of the world (America gets the stretched limo version).

Here’s an excerpt from Auto Express’s coverage:

power jumps 26bhp to 215bhp…The supercharger combines well with the unit’s variable valve timing, too, filling in the gaps in the powerband at low revs. It’s refined, but doesn’t sound sporty and some characteristic supercharger whine would liven things up

One catch: it’s only available in the European Corolla (for now).

UPDATE: Now that 4Car has sampled the engine, here’s what they have to say:

a supercharger… boosts the T-Sport’s power by around 15% to a heady 215bhp and maximum torque by 19% to 158lb ft. An added bonus of fitting the supercharger to the T-Sport variable valve timed 1.8-litre engine is that the sweet point in the rev range – where torque and power are at their peak – is lower, at 4,000rpm, meaning you don’t need to rev the engine all the way to the 8,000rpm limiter to make decent progress. You wouldn’t actually want to venture too high up the rev range though, as the aural accompaniment isn’t exactly tuneful…

Click here for a preview of Toyota’s next generation of airbag design…

(Forgive me for questioning where their inspiration for a more nurturing cradle for one’s face came from).

The new Hyundai Sonata is the first in a series of heavy hitting products from the company. Filled with thoughtful touches and engineering excess, it makes the Honda and Toyota offerings seem like overgrown economy cars. The car’s few flaws can be traced to its front drive layout.

It seems Hyundai recognizes what most companies are trying to deny – that with the advent of traction and stability control a swing back to rear wheel drive is desirable and inevitable. Two new rear wheel drive sedans are being readied for introductions sometime between the 2007 and 2009 model years – one to compete with the 5 series and another the 7 series. Motor Trend reports that cars will have a large 3.8L V6 and possibly a 4.5L V8 co-developed with Mitsubishi.

(Yes. We’re serious.)