Toyota Launches Redesigned Porte and New Spade Mini MPVs

Responding to increased demand for subcompact cars with minivan-like features in its home market of Japan, Toyota has given its Porte model a makeover while also introducing a second variant of the series named Spade. The two cars, which are similar in philosophy to the Peugeot 1007 (2004-2009), differ only in their exterior appearance with the Spade sporting a boxier front end with sharper lines and headlamps and bespoke tail lamp graphics and rear bumper trim.
Both models are equipped with a single, remote-controlled electric sliding door (1,020 mm wide by 1,250 mm tall) on the passenger side and two conventional doors on the driver's side, and measure 3,995mm long (157.3 inches), 1,695mm (66.7 inches) wide and 1,690mm (66.5 inches) tall, while riding on a comfy 2,600mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase.
The five-seater cabin comes with all sorts of practical features ranging from a front passenger seat that folds down completely to form a table and which can be adjusted back and forth 700 mm, to a 60/40-split rear seat with seat cushion tip-up functio, and hooks for hanging shopping bags to specially designed tissue holders front and back.
Powertrain options include 1.3-liter and an updated 1.5-liter petrol engines coupled to a Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.
Prices for the Toyota Spade and Porte in Japan range from 1,450,000 Yen to 1,910,000 Yen (US$18,450 to US$24,300 / €15,100 to €19,900).

2013 TOYOTA PORTE

2013 TOYOTA SPADE

Totoya new cars

Early Thursday morning in Tokyo, Japan, Toyota officials said that the automaker was considering "some kind of measure" that could include the recall of 270,000 vehicles worldwide involving eight models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

As of Thursday morning, however, Toyota had not alerted US safety regulators of a recall of Toyota and Lexus models for possible engine stalling while driving.

No accidents or injuries have been reported in relation to the engine problems.

Toyota said that decisions by government regulators would determine if a recall was necessary in this instance for the eight models, which include the Lexus LS460 and Toyota Crown. The models involved have 3.6-liter and 4.6-liter engines.

This engine issue is just the latest in a series of safety issues that have been plaguing the world's top automaker since last September. The biggest issue to date has been one involving potential acceleration. To date, 7.3 million vehicles have been recalled in Toyota's largest market - the United States

Totoya new cars

Early Thursday morning in Tokyo, Japan, Toyota officials said that the automaker was considering "some kind of measure" that could include the recall of 270,000 vehicles worldwide involving eight models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

As of Thursday morning, however, Toyota had not alerted US safety regulators of a recall of Toyota and Lexus models for possible engine stalling while driving.

No accidents or injuries have been reported in relation to the engine problems.

Toyota said that decisions by government regulators would determine if a recall was necessary in this instance for the eight models, which include the Lexus LS460 and Toyota Crown. The models involved have 3.6-liter and 4.6-liter engines.

This engine issue is just the latest in a series of safety issues that have been plaguing the world's top automaker since last September. The biggest issue to date has been one involving potential acceleration. To date, 7.3 million vehicles have been recalled in Toyota's largest market - the United States