Toyota Wish as Taxi!

Yup. It's finally official. JDM Toyota Wish Taxis will be plying the roads of Singapore.



Besides, the Toyota Wish, Honda Stream and Airwave will also be part of the fleet. These vehicles will be converted to CNG instead of the normal petrol option.

As such, the third row seats of the Toyota Wish will have to be taken out to accomodate the tank. This means that the 7 seater can now take only 5 passenger. What a waste! With the average family of 4 plus 1 maid, Singapore really needs taxis that can take more than 4 passengers. Obviously a lack of foresight for a niche market.




Anyway, looks like the new taxis will be black with yellow top. Perhaps I should sticker/paint my top to yellow as well. I just might stop for a sweet young thing. Payment will have to be in kind as I don't have a taxi meter.

I'm sure with plenty of Wish owners will bitch about the "devaluation" of the image of the car and indirectly, the pricing. We'll see...

Cheers,

Taiwan Launches Face Lifted Toyota Wish

Last week, Grant and I went to look at the newly launched face lifted Taiwan Toyota Wish in the flesh!

All minor changes, mostly cosmetic. They've dropped the weired looking Wish logo and have chosed to use the JDM version instead.



Yup. It was decorated with bows and ribbons. I had to control my laughter when I first saw it. As you can see, the side door garnish is now lowered. At first, I didn't quite like it, but I suppose it grows on you. Head/tail lights have been changed. Bonnet and front grill and bumper also changed. Side mirror has been changed too.



Interior changes not radical. Steering wheel. Speedometer have been changed. 2 types. Angle adjustable armrest for driver's side. But it seems that the motorized seats options were taken out. Anyway, I've always loved the ash grey wood panelling. Aircon panel now looks like the JDM NFL model also.



Oh. They've change the handles to the two tone type! But unfortunately, not the LEXUS LS 430 type. It's the Camary version. Shame!!



No visible changes in the engine bay.

I'm sure there's lots more accessories coming. Just you wait!!

Cheers,

Taiwan launches NFL Wish

Taiwan will launch their minor face lift Toyota Wish on 20 Mar 2007. Here are some sneak pictures of the Z model.



Externally, the head and tail lights are different as with the bonnet grill. The back door garnish have been replaced by the JDM version. That would mean that the logo will now be unified for all Toyota Wish. Good news! I believe they have opted to use the PFL JDM fog light set instead of the NFL one. Shame.



The four spoke steering wheel is a nice touch as is the 3 ring 240 aerosports type meter. Perhaps I will consider this, but let's see how it goes. More importantly, Wish seems to be available in 209/202 black now! Easier for me to buy accessories in the future. Also, The ash gray trim are a nice touch. Classy!

Cheers,

More Toyota Wish!!

Sunday Times, Lifestyle, 10 Dec - Parallel Expansion

"Over 5,500 Wishes were sold in the first 10 months, up sharply from around 2750 for the whole of last year...The hot model has outsold the combined sales of all MPVs here."

That's more than 8250 for 2005/2006 alone, excluding the 2003/2004 figures. Conservatively, there should be more than 10,000 units on the road. No wonder Toyota Wish owners get such a bad reputation. There's simply too many of them!

With that kind of numbers, it's interesting that there aren't too many specialised workshop to tap on this pool. Or perhaps we just don't know about them.

Cheers,

New Toyota Wish Commercial

Looks like there is a new TV commerical for Toyota Wish again in Japan, featuring Nakata as usual...



The blue X Aerosports makes it appearance again!

Cheers,

Singapore MotorShow 2006

It's here again. In 4 days time to be exact. The Singapore Motor Show 2006. 10 days of madness and squeezing to look at rides that you will probably never buy. Obviously, loads of unrelated exhibitors as usual, from various banks selling credit card services, to Insurance Companies selling insurance (obviously), to companies like Osim, selling massage chairs. The exhibitors' list looks quite miserable.




The show is from 10 Nov to 19 Nov 2006. Should be able to catch it as I'll be in town from 11 Nov. Besides, the show end around 9 to 10 pm.

Anyone going? Are we planning a date to go together?

Anyway, more information at the official website.

http://www.motorshow.com.sg/index.htm

Cheers,

TOYOTA WiSH 願いの先へ。

This is the original TV commercial for the launch of the 'new styled Wish', featuring a grey X Aerosports.

Here's the new TV Commercial for the new face lifted Toyota Wish. Featuring the X Aerosports as well as the 'X' limited at the end of the 30 seconds spot.

Cheers,

2ZR-FE replaces 1 ZZ-FE Engine

Great! Just shortly after I got my car, Toyota announces a replacement for my engine. Don't feel great driving around with an obsolete engine.

The new 1.8 liter 2ZR-FE engine replaces the 1ZZ-FE in Toyota’s line-up. The 2ZR-FE has a few enhancements over the 1ZZ-FE found in our Toyota Wish 1.8 X, X'E, X Aerosports and X limited models. The new 2ZR-FE has Dual VVT-i which varies valve timing optimally for various engine speeds and loads on both the intake and exhaust valves. The 1ZZ-FE engine only has variable valve timing on the exhaust valves. Maximum torque has increased from 170Nm at 4,200 rpm to 175Nm at 4,400 rpm. Horsepower has increased from 132hp at 6,000 rpm to 136hp at 6,600 rpm. Fuel efficiency is supposed to be 5% higher compared to conventional engines.

Official Toyota announcement here.

Anyway, we'll see how it goes...

Cheers,

Defensive parking

Interesting term. Defensive parking.

SDN1010 posted this in the Toyota Wish forum and it seems to make sense..

When POSSIBLE: Do NOT park next to:

1) Commercial vehicle (Taxi, pickup, van etc)

2) Heavy vehicle (Lorry etc. this one obvious right?)

3) a Continental/European Make car

4) a Honda

5) a Mitsubishi

6) a Subaru

7) a car with only 2 doors (coupe etc.)

8 ) a car with head in backside facing out

9) motorcycle lots

and try to park with a Pillar on your left.

And the reasons for the above:

No. 3 because those cars the doors are thicker and heavier. Even an unintentional knock on your door will result with a dent.

No. 7 is because cars with 2 doors, normally their doors are longer than normal. Chances are, they will hit your car when they open the door.

No. 8 refers to cars who parked head in instead of the normal reverse in. Can be any cars not necessary foreign cars. The reasons are quite complex though no research and evidence to prove the theory:

• If you park head in, chances are you are a 'impatient' person. When you are impatient, you tent to be 'careless' when opening your door or driving out.
• People who park head in may belong to the group who prefers 'sweeterner first and suffer later' vs the chinese saying of 'suffer first and sweeterner later' (Xian Ku Hou Tian). There is no right or wrong in either type of attitude in life. But the first group tend to be more carefree and sometimes 'careless'. when 'careless',.....
• If you look at a car, only the front wheels turn. Today's design of car is such that the front is longer and ther boot is shorter. This makes you easier to turn out of a lot or U-turn as by the time you turn the back of the car is almost out and won't hit other car, pillar, curb etc due to the short boot. But if you park head in, you will have to reverse quite a lot before you can turn your steering, else your car front will bound to hit something. And again if the driver doesn't not reverse far enough or cannot see clearly as he need to turn his head to see the back, he may hit your car who is parked next to his.

For parking next to a pillar:

• A car will always have a driver, but not necessary has a passenger. So if you park next to a pillar on your left, there could only be one car on your right. And it is the passenger side that is next to you. You reduce the chance of people openning door next to your car.
• There is no car on your left as it is a pillar.

Food for thought...

Cheers,

Toyota Wish in Malaysia

Casual surfing for any information on the Thailand made 2.0 L Version of Toyota Wish that Borneo Motors is currently importing for Malaysia. Nothing much, but did come across a picture taken from the recent KL motorshow which I missed. I know Lim when there, but he didn't mention about this TRD dressed up Toyota Wish on display.

Photo is taken by a chap called Wenghun and more can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/wenghun/.

Pity about the girl getting in the way of such a beauty. Shame. Anyway, those looking for the front bonnet garnish with the Toyota logo will be pleased. It's now available in Malaysia.

Cheers,

Toyota Recalls 1 Million Cars

TOKYO : Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corp said on 31 May 2006 it was recalling 565,756 vehicles in Japan to replace their intermediate shafts and sliding yokes. Vehicles outside of Japan are also affected.

The vehicles to be recalled were manufactured under the brands of Wish, Isis, Prius, Corolla, Corolla Runx, Corolla Fielder, Corolla Spacio, Allex and Ractis made between September 2002 and November 2005.

The recall followed 31 complaints filed with Toyota between March 2004 and April this year but there has been no accident reported and attributed to the defective parts, the company said in a statement. The intermediate shaft and the sliding yoke connect the steering wheel to the gear box. The steering wheel could become uncontrollable if the connecting section is broken or dislocated under a strong force due to an unusual steering movement, Toyota said in a report.

For Toyota Wish, these are the range of chasis affected..

ZNE10-0001028 - ZNE10-0279365

ANE10-0001003 - ANE10-0024562

Here's the original link to Toyota Japan's site. http://toyota.jp/recall/2006/0530.html

Thank goodness my car is just outside of this range..

Chris Longhurst's car bible site

Saw this site a while back but never got around to browse it till recently. It's great for newbies like me!

http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/

Basically, it has everything you need to know about cars, including Suspension, Wheel and Tyre, Engine oil, Fuel and Engine, etc.

A godsend for car dummies like me.

Cheers,

Mod culture

Just about in every country, there are car fanatics who are interested to modifying (MOD) their cars. Some for power and performance, other just for a more unique look. And some of these modification are EXTREME!!! The car hardly looks recognizable from the original stock version. I've seen quite a few examples in Thailand and here a Toyota Wish from Japan with 'gull wings' doors.





For those in Singapore, the stringent LTA ruling on vehicle modification pretty much curtailed the opportunities for most car owners (except for a brave few). As such, most of the MOD fans here have been reduced to dolling their rides with add on accessories and a few parts replacement such as crank pully, strut bars, filters and coolers. Nothing radical like their overseas counterparts. Besides, the numerous road humps and speed bumps are a killer for most body kits. What a shame.

So effectively, there is really no car modification culture here, just car personalisation through accessories. Boring!

Cheers,

Now there's a limited edition!

Great! Just 2 weeks after I get mine, they have a 'limited' edition. I'm a sucker for 'Limited' editions.

Announced on 17 April 2006, there is now a X "Limited" edition for Toyota Wish. Mostly comestic enhancements.


No visible difference from the outside.


Ash grey wood panelling with leather gear shift knob and steering wheel! I like!!


7 seater configuration with double arm rest

And also HID lights, suede like microfibre fabric seats and interior doors trimings.

Standard 1.8 X model retails for 1,806,000 yen while this 'Limited' edition retails for 1,827,000 yen in Japan. A difference of 21,000 yen, which is about S$286.23 based on today's exchange rate of 1 JPY = 0.0136301 SGD. Anway, I suppose we won't be seeing it on our shores anytime soon.

No sun roof option as at press time. Thank goodness!

Details at the following site: http://toyota.jp/wish/xlimited

Press release here:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/06/Apr/nt06_017.html

Check it out!

Cheers,