Cars - Toyota Highlander

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	Cars - Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander (called Kluger in Japan and Australia) is a model of SUV assembled by the Toyota Motor Corporation under the Toyota brand name in its Kyushu, Japan assembly plant. The Highlander/Kluger was introduced in 2001 to fill the market segment between the Toyota RAV4 and the Toyota 4Runner.

A new larger redesigned Highlander is expected in fall 2006.

Overview

The Highlander shares the Toyota Camry platform with its Lexus RX/Toyota Harrier cousin and comes in 5 and 7-seater configuration.

Engines:

2001-2005 2.4 L 2AZ-FE I4, 160 hp (119 kW)
2001-2003 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6, 220 hp (164 kW)
2004-2005 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, 230 hp (172 kW)

The 3.0L powerplant was able to propel the car from 0-60 mph in approximately 8.8 seconds. In 2004, the Highlander/Kluger was given a new 3.3L V6 engine to compete with the more powerful V6 offerings from its competitors, mainly the Nissan Murano and the Honda Pilot. The 3.3L powerplant made it possible for the Kluger/Highlander to achieve 0-60 mph time in 8.0 seconds.

In addition to the 3.3L engine, 2004 V6 models were equipped with a new 5-speed automatic transmission, while the 4-cylinder models continue to use the old 4-speed automatic transmission. The unibody on the 2004 models were slightly modified behind the rear seats to include a depression on the trunk floor to accommodate the optional 3rd row seating. On models without 3rd row seating, the depression on the trunk floor was made into a storage compartment. Headlights were also redesigned for this year along with the addition of a centre console extending from the front dashboard.

The depending on the engine configurations, 4 cylinder Highlanders were offered only as FWD, while the V6 models had fulltime 4WD. Hybrid models are equipped with part-time 4WD which Toyota referred to as "4WD-i".

Drive is transmitted to all four wheels (US market some two wheel drives sold) through a five speed automatic transmission. Base models are equipped with a limited slip differential with an electronically controlled stability and braking control providing slip control for more expensive derivatives.

Typical fuel economy using the Australian standard testing regime is 12.3l/100km.

Hybrid

Initially, the Highlander/Kluger was a regular SUV driven by an internal combustion engine, but later Toyota introduced a hybrid version, the Highlander Hybrid. The Highlander Hybrid was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. It uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Toyota began offering the Highlander Hybrid to the public in July 2005 (with a model year of 2006).

The Highlander Hybrid is priced starting at US$33,030, or US$8,750 more than the base price of the regular Highlander. This price includes additional equipment beyond just the hybrid drive mechanism. A Limited model starts at US$37,890. All wheel drive adds US$1,400 to the price of either the standard or limited edition.

The hybrid model of the car uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Toyota Highlander ]

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Cars - Toyota Highlander

Overview

Hybrid

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