Four Celebrities Who Also Enjoys Driving A Toyota

You may have heard that Toyota has a new patent, and it's something we've all been waiting for. The automaker recently got a patent for a flying car. If you're looking for the cars of tomorrow, you may – or may not – see it sooner than you think. The Team There have actually been a few patents granted to Toyota for flying vehicles. We don't know a lot about the team coming up with these designs, but the patent was granted to Gandhi, et al. The inventors named in the newest patent are Umesh N. Gandhi and Taewoo Nam. It's likely there will be an entire team of dreamers working with them, however. On a previous flying car patent, Dr. Gandhi worked with Robert Roe. Unfortunately, no one who knows anything more than this is talking about the team designing these vehicles. more The Car The current patent offers a futuristic look at a basic sedan. The vehicle seems to fly by using a rear-mounted propeller that pushes it forward. This car patent offers a vehicle that can both fly and drive on the road, and according to the patent, uses shape morphing to go between flight and ground. Part of the morph includes a flexible frame and retractable wings. One thing that is unclear is how the car morphs – does it use shape memory material, hydraulics, or something completely unknown? According to the patent, the car is powered by a battery pack, fuel cell, internal combustion turbine, or other similar devices. The Dream It's obvious that Toyota has hired a very talented and highly imaginative team, which offers up dreams in the way of patent applications. This currently approved patent was actually filed with the United States Patent Office in 2014. Many people have been dreaming of flying cars for decades, and these patents filed by Toyota and approved by the patent office give a bit of legitimacy to the idea. In fact, the patent seems to be well thought out, if still a little clunky. The Reality Unfortunately, the reality of a truly flying car – while a real possibility in the future – is still likely several years, if not decades, away. There are other auto manufacturers and independent companies working on flying vehicles, as well. There are no known prototypes of the flying car even made yet, pushing that timeline even further. While the ideas are solid, they are not yet as efficient as they would need to be. However, with so many people dreaming of flying cars, and many scientists and inventors actually working toward the goal, it's likely that this is somewhere in our future. It's important to remember that just because the patent was approved doesn't necessarily mean the car will ever be built. It's good to see that a large company like Toyota is working toward the future of vehicles, however. With so many great ideas about flying vehicles coming out, it likely isn't too far in the future until we see a working prototype of one of these vehicles. Image via Pixabay

Toyota introduced its first version of the 4Runner in 1984. The manufacturer certainly thought it had built an SUV that would appeal to drivers throughout North America. The company's designers, however, couldn't have possibly imagined that they had created a vehicle that people would still love 30 years later. The 4Runner has undergone plenty of changes since its first generation. Once you understand the vehicle's history, you'll have an even deeper appreciation for its most recent incarnation. First Generation 4Runner (1984-1989) The first generation 4Runner was intended to give drivers a way to explore off-road environments. The earliest version featured a four-cylinder engine and plentiful cargo room for camping equipment. Over the next several years, Toyota updated the SUV's suspension, engine, and interior giving it a smoother ride and more luxurious interior features. more Second Generation 4Runner (1989-1995) The second generation continued these improvements. Toyota also added more diversity to the 4Runner's lineup. Starting in 1990, buyers could choose between two-door and four-door models. They could also opt for a two-wheel-drive version if they didn't want four-wheel-drive. Third Generation 4Runner (1995-2002) Toyota completely redesigned the third generation 4Runner. Buyers could now choose between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that created 150 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.4-liter V6 that offered 183 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of torque. The design overhaul also gave the 4Runner a plush interior, especially with upper trim levels. The increased power and consumer options, however, make it stand out from previous versions. Fourth Generation 4Runner (2002-2009) After seven years of production, Toyota decided to build a new model of the 4Runner. The company increased the 4Runner's wheelbase and length to give it more stability on and off the road. Toyota dropped the four-cylinder engine and created new V6 and V8 engines. The updated V6 generated 245 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. The V8 offered slightly less horsepower at 235 hp, but its 320 pound-feet of torque made it a monster on trails. Fifth Generation 4Runner (2009-present) Not surprisingly, the 4Runner's latest generation is superior to earlier models. The 2016 model comes loaded with impressive standard features like: Rearview camera Heated exterior mirrors Rear privacy glass LED taillights Keyless entry Toyota has dropped the V8 engine, but the V6 is stronger than ever. The 4.0-liter generates 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough for exploring trails. The 4Runner now comes in more trim levels than ever. The base SR5 has trail-worthy features, but the Trail, TRD Pro, and Limited models pile on premium features and technology. While some of the features are purely cosmetic, others have a remarkable impact on performance. The Trail model, for instance, has a Dynamic Suspension System that automatically adjusts to rough, uneven terrain. The 4Runner has a long history of helping people explore the outdoors. With the advances included in the latest model, you have more reasons than before to leave the pavement behind for an off-road adventure.

Offering buyers a combination of exceptional gas mileage, great value for money, and one of the largest dealer networks in the world, it is no wonder the Toyota Corolla has become one of the best-selling cars in the world. When you look back over the course of the past 40 years, Corolla sales have averaged one vehicle every 40 seconds. What might surprise most people is that the Corolla earned this title as early as 1974 and by 2013 had sold over 40 million units. The Corolla has sold more units than the venerable Volkswagen Beetle, the Mini Cooper, and the Ford F150. Affordability is Only Part of the Picture While there are many reasons why the Toyota Corolla continues to endure and enjoy such incredible sales, many compare it to the Model T Ford in that it has always been intended as an affordable car. It not only comes with a low initial purchase price, but it also has low operating costs. Operation costs are gauged on more than one level. They include fuel economy, the cost of maintenance and repairs, and, of course, durability. However, as with any automobile, the initial outlay is typically the first thing most buyers look at, and the Corolla has long been one of the least expensive entry-level vehicles. The first Corollas came off the production lines way back in 1966 when the KE10 Corolla rolled into special dealerships in Japan. more Reliability is the Key to Success Whether you are talking about an automobile, a NASA spacecraft, or a fancy ballpoint pen, there is one very important reason one brand sells more and achieves the level of success that a car like the Corolla has managed: reliability and the ability to do exactly what the manufacturer has stated its product is capable of. The Toyota Corolla might historically have been one of those cars that seemingly hides in the background. However, if you keep producing a vehicle that continues to perform in exactly the same way as it was intended for 50 years, at some point, it will find its way into the limelight. It's products like this that seem to outlast all others. Innovation in its Simplest Form Just because the Corolla is an entry-level car does not mean it can't be ahead of the curve in design and features. Over the course of the past 50 years, the Corolla has gone from a rear-wheel-drive platform to front-wheel drive and even comes in all-wheel drive to meet the many driving conditions buyers are likely to encounter. Today's Corolla might no longer be the quiet, simple car that hides in the background. Instead, it offers sleek sporty styling, LED lighting, alloy rims, the Entune audio pack, and the latest 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system. With sales surpassing 43 million, the Corolla continues to be the best-selling car in the world and has a long future ahead of it.