Appointments are encouraged, but not required.

Call 216-932-2400 today to earn rewards points on your other vehicles as well.

Don’t forget, the Motorcars Tire Center located on St. Clair near downtown can also service all makes and models.

To review the specs of the Fit, its electric motor is derived from the one installed in Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel-cell EV and pumps out 123 hp and 189 lb-ft of torque. The motor is fed by a 20-kWh, air-cooled lithium-ion battery pack made by Toshiba. Range on the unadjusted, highly optimistic LA4 driving loop is 123 miles, but the adjusted EPA range on the window sticker should be closer to 76 miles. That’s based on a consumption figure of 29 kWh per 100 miles; the Nissan Leaf uses slightly more energy at 34 kWh per 100 miles.

The battery pack is mounted underneath the car. It’s a decision that resulted in a floor that’s three inches higher than the conventional model’s, but the Fit’s cathedral ceiling meant that we didn’t notice the reduced headroom. The trick Magic Seat, whereby the seat bottom can flip forward, also is lost in the switch to electrification, although the rear seatbacks will still be able to fold flat and allow for various other configurations for increased utility.

Other interior modifications are more noticeable, such as the revised instrument cluster. In the EV, the rightmost pod houses a large battery-capacity gauge and two gauges that indicate accessory draw: one for the HVAC system and one marked “others” for everything else. In the middle is a digital speedometer with a smaller digital range indicator underneath; below that is a familiar Honda multifunction display. The left pod shows instantaneous energy flow, whether you’re using power or recharging. The Fit EV has three drive modes: econ, normal, and sport. In sport mode, the car’s electric motor unleashes more of its fury, and the availability of that anger is shown in the instrument cluster as an extended band on the power meter.

As mentioned, our preview drive was short—only a few miles around the grounds of Twin Ring Motegi. Based on our limited exposure, though, the Fit EV shows potential. After all, the basic car has won multiple 10Best awards. The EV version mostly feels like the standard Fit, although the heavy battery pack—Honda won’t tell us exactly how much it weighs—imparts a bit of wobble to the handling. As in the Leaf, the steering lacks feel, but the Fit’s setup has much better weight to it, which helps accuracy. We didn’t reach the 90-mph top speed, but the motor continues to pull strongly even at higher velocities, which is where EVs such as the Leaf tend to fall off. Normal and econ driving modes are essentially the same; the latter simply dulls accelerator response. Sport mode offers the most aggressive pedal setting, and the extra power is definitely noticeable.

As already announced, Fit EV production will be limited to 1100 cars available only in select U.S. markets. All will be leased at an estimated cost of $399 per month starting next summer. That’s a shame, because this Fit is good enough to satisfy a larger audience.

“We want to convey the new spirit of Toyota,” Stephen Beatty, managing director of Toyota Canada, said Sunday during a preauto show media reception at Caesars Windsor.

“When you look back over the last couple of years, there was a need for us to demonstrate that the company is on the move, that we haven’t walked away from the core qualities of durability, reliability and fuel efficiency.”

Toyota has been fighting to regain market share in both Canada and the U.S. following production disruptions stemming from the March 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami that devastated the supply chains of the carmaker as well as its Japanese rivals.

During 2010, Toyota grappled with serious quality issues resulting from sudden acceleration problems in some of its top selling brands.

However, a revitalized Toyota has emerged from its challenges, said Beatty.

“There’s passion, energy and excitement in our brands as well, and that starts right at the top with Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota Motor Corp. He calls it heart pumping and adrenalin racing and he’s wanting to make sure that every vehicle we produce now has that sense of style, passion and excitement to the lineup.”

That attitude will be embodied by Toyota and Lexus vehicle launches in Detroit, he said.

“The introduction of new vehicles that incorporate that spirit – the Scion FRS, the new GS from Lexus and two concepts, one on the Lexus side, one on the Toyota side,” said Beatty.

By the spring, the carmaker will have 10 small cars in its lineup. “That’s more than most of our competitors put together,” he said.

“From our standpoint, what we’re able to do is offer everything from the most fuel-efficient, conventionally powered car, with the Scion IQ subcompact, to the latest member of the Prius family with its new technologies.”

Last year, the carmaker sold about 200,000 new vehicles. Beatty said he was reluctant to make “forward projections.

“But I’m feeling pretty optimistic.”

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Toyota+prove+itself+auto+show/5965604/story.html#ixzz1l9JHCGkx

In addition to the new drop off and pick up lanes, the additional 6 quick service bays will provide the ultimate in express service to customers who need basic service work done, often with no appointment necessary. These bays are almost complete and should be ready for customers by the start of March.

Finally, the service department isn’t the only place that Motorcars has seen renovations. The showroom has received quite the update as well. An all new Scion showroom has been installed to feature the unique product line. And soon customers will enter the showroom through Toyota’s signature portal. Look for new pictures of that next month.

Why Toyota and the Camry? Aside from the Japanese automaker’s unmatched success in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Spring Cup Series, and NASCAR Nationwide Series, the Camry has actually been featured as the official pace car at several races already. Tracks that have featured the Camry as a pace car include the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Dover International Speedway, California’s Infineon Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, Richmond International Raceway, Wisconsin’s Road America, and Watkins Glen International.

Besides, doesn’t it make sense to have the best the best-selling car in America for 13 out of the last 14 years running the race? That kind of sales force proves that drivers in the greater Cleveland area and beyond hold the mid-size sedan in high regard, making it a clear choice for the job.

Of course, Toyota also knows that the barebones Camry isn’t quite fully equipped for the job either, which is why they fitted it with RS 8.5 x 19 wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric tires, Simpson racing seat belts, a roll cage, Whelen LFL Liberty LED lightbar, and an easily accessible fire extinguisher in case things get really ugly.

Motorcars Toyota, located in Cleveland, OH, is looking forward to watching the Camry pace car at the 54^th annual Daytona 500, and invites you to get in on the action by test driving the 2012 Toyota Camry today. But, please make sure to leave the breakneck speeds to the professional drivers.

A survey from nonprofit group US Green Building Council found the Honda HQ in Torrance, CA and Anna, OH powertrain facility are both “Green Building” approved. Honda’s Canada HQ in Markham, Ontario, earned a certification from the Canada Green Building Council.

The first Honda LEED-certified building was designated back in 1999 – the company’s Gresham, OR parts and service training facility.

“Honda is focused on reducing the environmental impact of all its operations, not just its products,” said Honda spokesman Marcos Frommer. “With our LEED announcement we’re highlighting our leadership in an area of growing concern, which is the sustainability of corporate facilities. Not only is this type of activity the right thing to do, but we also believe consumers are looking for companies that are taking a holistic approach to reducing their environmental impact.” ¹

LEED facilities or ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’ are for buildings designed to minimize energy use and their carbon footprint. LEED certification is a popular award for major corporations – companies receive government tax breaks and grants in order to transform their buildings into eco-friendly environments

Source: ¹http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_18998428

With college football bowl season upon us, what better place to take in a game that Buffalo Wild Wings on Mayfield Road?  Just present your rewards card and receive 15% off your total food bill.  And the best part is there’s no limit on how many times you can use this discount.  With 30 bowl games in the next 30 days, you’ll have plenty of chances to exercise this discount.