Contract Formula One team Williams with Toyota was ended??

Formula One team Williams will have a new engine supplier next season after its contract with Toyota was ended.

An extension of the Toyota deal was signed earlier this year but it was mutually agreed to terminate the deal.

Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina said Wednesday: "We respect the wishes of Williams to look for other opportunities and wish them well for the future."

Renault and Cosworth are considered the most likely contenders to supply Williams in 2010.

Williams had used Toyota engines since 2007 but never won a race with them. Team principal Sir Frank Williams said he appreciated Toyota stepping in at a time of "great difficulty" after a series of reliability failures when using Cosworth engines in 2006.

Toyota Wish UMW - 2.0

One car that puts the Toyota design right at the top, would be the Toyota Wish. The Toyota Wish which is sold in Malaysia through UMW Toyota, is fully imported from Thailand. Overall its a modern and sporty looking vehicle with great substance in driving performance, that can cater for 7 persons comfortably or the additional space when needed.

To me, the greatest characteristics found in this great vehicle would be its appealing exterior and interior design that is accepted by most car lovers. Launched first in the year 2003 in Japan and “officially” by UMW Toyota, in May of 2006 in Malaysia. This model has done tremendously well in the market. After having a test drive on the Toyota Wish, you would definitely find it to be some what an outstanding driving experience.

The closest and most usual competitor for the Toyota Wish would be their constant brand rivals, the Honda Stream. But if you look into the specifications of the Toyota Wish, you would notice that its larger and a more spacious vehicle. Compare the exterior of the Toyota Wish which is at 1,745mm and the Honda Stream’s exterior of 1,695mm, thats a wider space of 50mm. Interior wise the Toyota Wish has a length of 2,670mm compared to Honda Stream’s interior of 2,560, that’s 110mm of extra length.

Toyota has not left out styling when they designed the Wish, as the exterior has a style that stresses sportiness as well as improving the vehicle’s aerodynamics. For most young executives its a practical choice as the Toyota Wish has features that enhances the modern and upmarket image that they can relate to.

There are so many advantages that you will be able to find in the Toyota Wish, one such advantage is their ability to transform their seats into different modes of operation, such as the; 7 passenger mode, Space Mode, Limousine Mode (5-passengers), Long Space Mode, Relax Mode and the Table Mode (good when go out for your picnics) .

Technicals aspects in this vehicle is also maintained as with all their other vehicles, where the main source of power coming from their 2.0S (1,998cc) 1AZ-FE engine which is a In-line 4-cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC, VVT-i provider. This engine compared to the Honda Streams i-VTEC offers a better acceleration and response which are essential for city driving with higher torque and comparable engine output. To define this take the example of a 0-100km/h test, where the Toyota Wish would take 11.11 seconds compared to Honda Streams 11.96 seconds. And we did a Standing Start Acceleration Test 0-400m, and found the Wish to reach it by 17.89 seconds compared to Streams 18.33 seconds.

The transmission found in the Toyota Wish is a 4 speed automatic sequential type. This enables the car to be driven in a manual transmission like way. Once the gear is set at “S” position, the shifting occurs by choosing either “+” (upshift) or “-” (downshift).

Macpherson Strut Suspensions with Stabiliser is used in the front and the rear is installed with Double Wishbone with Stabiliser, which in the end provides good handling and great ride comfort. To complement the ABS system, the Wish comes with 15″ ventilated disc brakes for the front and 15″ solid disc brakes for the rear.

Various other cutting-edge technology features are also adopted to prevent accidents from happening, like their active safety modes; VSC with TRC, ABS with EBD, BA (Brake Assist) as well the passive safety mode; GOA Body, Dual Front SRS Airbags, Front Seatbelts with Pretensioner and Force Limiter.

The audio system included in the Toyota Wish has a capability of playing CD/MP3/WMA disc’s, where sound is distributed through six speakers.

Currently if you are planning to purchase a Toyota Wish, get ready to make a selection from five different colour choices - Super Red, Black Mica, Champagne Metallic, Silver Metallic and Pacific Blue. As with all the Toyota vehicles sold through UMW in Malaysia, these vehicles come with a 3 year warranty or 100,000km (whichever comes first). Browse my earlier topic on “Toyota - June Promotion” to see what’s in store for the intended buyer. Starting Price is at RM152,686.10 (without insurance)

2009 Toyota Wish gets CVT and Valvematic Engine

The Toyota Wish is due to be replaced soon, and in light of the current economy situation and Toyota’s expected first loss in a long long time, it’s going to be built on the same platform as the outgoing with but with some improvements and a new set of engines, in Japan at least. These leaked brochure images here reveal to us how the new Wish will look like. There are a few improvements such as the A-pillars which are now thinner to improve visibility. The Japanese Wish will enjoy a new range of Dual VVT-i and Valvematic engines, the latter which first debuted on another MPV, the Toyota Noah.

The top of the line 2.0 liter Wish in Japan will get the 3ZR-FAE engine equipped with Toyota’s latest Valvematic variable valve lift technology. It produces 158 PS at 6200rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The lesser engined sibling will be powered by a 1.8 liter unit producing 144 PS at 6,400rpm and 176Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. Both are mated to a Super CVT-i transmission.

There will be four variants – the 2.0Z, the 2.0G, the 1.8S and the 1.8X. The brochures also reveal that Toyota will be differentiating the different variants of the Wish with different exterior looks. For example, there are at least three different levels of prominence with the wheel arches, and the results are 3 different widths in the dimension sheets of the brochure. The “narrowest” most tame-looking Wish is only 1,695mm wide but the widest 2.0Z variant is 1,745mm wide. The Wish 1.8S in somewhere in between at 1,725mm. The red unit you see here is the 2.0Z.

The Wish was an immensely popular model in Malaysia, but for a very long time 100% of sales were enjoyed by the grey importers as it was not brought in officially by UMW Toyota. Only later did UMW bring it in but by then all the Wish owners were already Wish owners. It’s safe to say with this new Wish, UMW will be selling it right from the start. But don’t be surprised if you see the same old 2.0 liter and 4-speed automatic installed instead of the modern Valvematic and CVT transmission.

2009 Toyota Wish Revealed (JDM)

Toyota put the new Toyota Wish minivan on showroom floors in Japan today, marking the first change to the Wish line since the 2005 facelift. The compact seven-seater will hit Toyota's domestic market with force, as the company expects to sell nearly 6,000 units every month.

The six different trims are available with one of two engines. With the ultra-efficient base unit, the customer gets a 1.8-liter engine that pulls the car for 16 kilometers per liter of fuel (6.25l/100km). It comes standard as a front-wheel-drive, but can be upgraded with either a more responsive CVT Sport Mode, four-wheel drive, or both.

Not enough power for your family? You can also step up to a 2.0-liter engine which is available with Dynamic Sport Mode. DSM uses traction control and electric power steering to give better responsiveness. Unfortunately, with this option you lose one seat, but at least you will still feel like a man when you plow through corners with five whiny kids in the car complaining about Dora the Explorer's new look.

On the contrary, the driver can pick the included Eco Drive Mode, which saves energy by reducing the power sent to the air conditioner, and optimizes use of the accelerator. This comes with indicators that tell the driver when he or she is driving efficiently.

Although engine choices do not particularly differ from the last generation, several physical upgrades have been made both in and out. Exterior changes include stronger front bumpers, redesigned lighting, front pillars that have been brought to the front, new color choices, and an all-around sportier stance. Improvements inside include a trunk space that has been widened by 95mm, titanium or silver finish around the center console, better ergonomics, and increased legroom.

Prices on the second generation Toyota Wish begin at ¥1,840,000 ($18,482), including consumption tax. Once you start adding options, the price easily tops ¥2,300,000 ($23,102).

Toyota Wish 2009 Generation

People interested in the next generation Toyota Wish may have, for lack of a better term, gotten their wish. A brochure for the company’s compact people-mover leaked out on the internet, and we have some details to bring you.

As it stands, the vehicle will have a choice of two engines both upgrades from the vehicle’s current offering. The first, Toyota’s 2ZR-FAE, is a 1.8-liter DOHC engine that produces 142 hp and generates up to 130 ft-lb of torque. Also found on the Corolla and Matrix, this engine improves on the current Wish base offering by nearly 22 hp, and 8 ft-lbs.

The second engine is a two-liter version of the same engine, producing 158 hp and 145 ft-lb of torque. This is a smaller power improvement, only 3 hp, over the old offering. Torque matches the current higher-valued engine choice.

Length of the new body is increased by 40 mm, and height remains the same. The width of the MPV either remains the same, or increases by 50mm, depending on the trim level. Wheelbase is constant, at 2,750 mm. Inside, the vehicle will feel 10mm longer, and now has 5140 liters of interior space.

There will be four trim levels, with two featuring each engine. Those getting the bigger engine, will also get a push button ignition. Several different wheels will be featured, as well as either a standard or multi-function steering wheel.

The 2009 Toyota Wish is expected to go on sale soon, with deliveries beginning in the 2nd quarter of the year.

2009 Toyota Wish with Valvematic Unveiled

Toyota has unveiled a redesigned version of the popular 7-seater Toyota Wish MPV. The Wish goes on sale in Japan first and will probably come to Malaysia soon.

In Japan, the Wish receives Toyota’s new Valvematic engines. Valvematic is a continuously variable valve timing and valve lift mechanism, while VVT-i which affects timing. The engines are the 2ZR-FAE for the 1.8L model and the 3ZR-FAE for the 2.0L.

The 2.0L makes an impressive 158 PS at 6,200rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,400rpm (of course the king of the hill is still the Optima facelift’s 163 PS), while the 1.8L units either put out 144 PS and 176Nm of torque or 133 PS and 164Nm of torque. The lower figures are for models equipped with the 4WD drivetrain.

All engines are mated to the Super CVT-i transmission, and some have manual paddle shifting for 7 virtual CVT gear ratios.

Fuel consumption is said to have improved and exceeds Japanese 2010 standards by 20% for the 1.8L model, and 15% for the 2.0L model. The 2.0L unit gets 15.2km/l based on the Japanese 10-15 cycle, and the 1.8L model gets 16.0km/l.

In terms of practicality, the maximum luggage capacity has had its width increased by 95mm. The slimmer seatbacks for the seats increase legroom for the rows behind it. Front diagonal visibility is better by attaching the side mirrors to the door panels and reducing the width of the A-pillars. Seat covers have been treated with an anti-mite agent, and the climate control system has the Camry’s Plasmacluster air-purifying technology. The steering wheel is both tilt and reach adjustable.

The Wish also adds an improved version of VSC called S-VSC, which also uses the electric power steering system to apply appropriate steering torque to help stabilize it. High spec models get features such as keyless entry and start via a push button starter. The Wish has a parking assist system that tells you when to turn the steering wheel and when to back up during parallel parking, but doesn’t turn the wheel for you itself. There is also a 10-speaker Wish Panoramic Live Sound System for surround sound audio.

Look after the jump for a video and a fully featured photo gallery of the new Wish with lots of focus on the small details all over the interior.