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Independence Day is finally here, and we don't know about you, but we're ready to celebrate! Whether you want to go all out or stay low-key this July 4 weekend, there are tons of options for you to explore in the Central Florida area. Check out some of our faves below and remember - stay safe, and ALWAYS have a designated driver if you're going to indulge in adult beverages. Awe-Summer at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Red, White & BOOM This star-spangled event takes place at LEGOLAND Florida Resort from Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4. Not only will there be Americana-themed LEGO displays all over the park, but there will also be a fireworks show at 9 pm each night during which you can don 3D glasses to see the fireworks turn into LEGO bricks in the sky. The event is included in park admission! Fireworks at the Fountain Don't miss the annual Fireworks at the Fountain celebration at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando! The event is from 5-10 pm on Sunday, July 4. There will be live bands and music, food trucks, drinks available for purchase, family activities, and a grand finale of fireworks that kick off over the lake at 9:15 pm. Admission is free, and you can bring your own picnic blanket and chairs as well as a cooler with nonalcoholic drinks and snacks. Plus, dogs are welcome - Mr. Toyota approves. Disney Fireworks Disney fireworks are back just in time to celebrate our nation's birthday! Fireworks will take place nightly this weekend at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot, giving you a spectacular themed show to check out at the end of your day at the parks. On a budget and don't want to miss out? You can still see the show (albeit a little farther away)  if you head to the resorts! Star-Spangled Sanford Sanford is getting patriotic this weekend on Sunday, July 4 from 7-10 pm! You can spend the day walking downtown and trying different restaurants and bars, and the fireworks show will start just after sunset. Bring chairs and picnic blankets! Monumental 4th of July in Kissimmee This Independence Day event takes place at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from 5-9:30 pm - head out for family fun, fireworks, and more along the lake shore! Red, White, and Blue Americana in Downtown Winter Garden Live on the west side of town? Head to downtown Winter Garden this weekend! They're having live music on the plaza from 7-9 pm on Friday, July 2; a Farmer's Market celebration from 8 am - 1 pm on Saturday, July 3, and tons of activities on July 4, including an All-American Kids parade and a fireworks display on Lake Apopka at Newton Park at 9:15 pm. However you celebrate, do it safely, and have a happy July 4th!

Independence Day is finally here, and we don't know about you, but we're ready to celebrate! Whether you want to go all out or stay low-key this July 4 weekend, there are tons of options for you to explore in the Central Florida area. Check out some of our faves below and remember - stay safe, and ALWAYS have a designated driver if you're going to indulge in adult beverages. Awe-Summer at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Red, White & BOOM This star-spangled event takes place at LEGOLAND Florida Resort from Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4. Not only will there be Americana-themed LEGO displays all over the park, but there will also be a fireworks show at 9 pm each night during which you can don 3D glasses to see the fireworks turn into LEGO bricks in the sky. The event is included in park admission! Fireworks at the Fountain Don't miss the annual Fireworks at the Fountain celebration at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando! The event is from 5-10 pm on Sunday, July 4. There will be live bands and music, food trucks, drinks available for purchase, family activities, and a grand finale of fireworks that kick off over the lake at 9:15 pm. Admission is free, and you can bring your own picnic blanket and chairs as well as a cooler with nonalcoholic drinks and snacks. Plus, dogs are welcome - Mr. Toyota approves. Disney Fireworks Disney fireworks are back just in time to celebrate our nation's birthday! Fireworks will take place nightly this weekend at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot, giving you a spectacular themed show to check out at the end of your day at the parks. On a budget and don't want to miss out? You can still see the show (albeit a little farther away)  if you head to the resorts! Star-Spangled Sanford Sanford is getting patriotic this weekend on Sunday, July 4 from 7-10 pm! You can spend the day walking downtown and trying different restaurants and bars, and the fireworks show will start just after sunset. Bring chairs and picnic blankets! Monumental 4th of July in Kissimmee This Independence Day event takes place at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from 5-9:30 pm - head out for family fun, fireworks, and more along the lake shore! Red, White, and Blue Americana in Downtown Winter Garden Live on the west side of town? Head to downtown Winter Garden this weekend! They're having live music on the plaza from 7-9 pm on Friday, July 2; a Farmer's Market celebration from 8 am - 1 pm on Saturday, July 3, and tons of activities on July 4, including an All-American Kids parade and a fireworks display on Lake Apopka at Newton Park at 9:15 pm. However you celebrate, do it safely, and have a happy July 4th!

Yup, you read that headline correctly. In its latest ad, Toyota is literally launching a new 2021 Toyota GR Supra off a ramp, 100 feet through the air, into a pile of cardboard boxes. It's the culminating stunt in a five-minute ad that showcases the sports car's superior handling, maneuverability, and speed in different scenarios. (We're living for this spot - watch it below.) While we definitely don't recommend trying this at home, we thought it would be interesting to share that the Toyota GR Supra did, in fact, make that jump and land in a pile of cardboard boxes. Our Orlando Toyota dealership has the details! So... how did a Toyota Supra actually fly through the air? One of the sports cars featured in this fun new spot is built by Papadakis Racing. They're a California-based racing company that builds out custom race cars and also has a pretty intense YouTube channel if you like to see cars do the seemingly impossible. They produced the stunt in San Pedro, California, which is about 10 miles from Long Beach. And although the jump is just one scene in the video, it took a fair amount of planning, production, effort to make it happen. Andy Bell - a renowned stuntman for Nitro Circus - was behind the wheel of the Toyota for the big jump. The Toyota Supra chosen for the stunt was mostly stock (but don't get any ideas, y'all) besides a padded roll cage custom-fitted to the interior just in case the stunt went south. It was also a concern that the nose of the sports car would take a dive mid-air, so the production crew put around 270 lbs of free weights into the rear hatch to help balance things out. Additionally, the car was painted a hot orange color that's not available in regular production. Before they even tried a test run, the proper speed to make it happen was calculated carefully and then the car was tested driving next to the ramp to ensure it could meet the right speed in the right amount of time. So what happened? It was a success (obviously) and the Toyota GR Supra did catch air off the ramp to nosedive into the over 500 cardboard boxes waiting for it. However - and this is why we said don't get any ideas - when it landed it busted several of its tires AND its rear suspension. You can watch the behind-the-scenes video below. See this amazing sports car in person at Toyota of Orlando So here's the thing - we don't condone you trying ANY of the above at home whether you drive a new Orlando Toyota Supra or not, but we DO condone you making this new Toyota sports car have a permanent place in your driveway or garage. Why not see it in person today? Come on down to Toyota of Orlando. We're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and we're open seven days a week. Call us ahead of time at (407) 298-4500 to learn more and schedule your appointment!

Yup, you read that headline correctly. In its latest ad, Toyota is literally launching a new 2021 Toyota GR Supra off a ramp, 100 feet through the air, into a pile of cardboard boxes. It's the culminating stunt in a five-minute ad that showcases the sports car's superior handling, maneuverability, and speed in different scenarios. (We're living for this spot - watch it below.) While we definitely don't recommend trying this at home, we thought it would be interesting to share that the Toyota GR Supra did, in fact, make that jump and land in a pile of cardboard boxes. Our Orlando Toyota dealership has the details! So... how did a Toyota Supra actually fly through the air? One of the sports cars featured in this fun new spot is built by Papadakis Racing. They're a California-based racing company that builds out custom race cars and also has a pretty intense YouTube channel if you like to see cars do the seemingly impossible. They produced the stunt in San Pedro, California, which is about 10 miles from Long Beach. And although the jump is just one scene in the video, it took a fair amount of planning, production, effort to make it happen. Andy Bell - a renowned stuntman for Nitro Circus - was behind the wheel of the Toyota for the big jump. The Toyota Supra chosen for the stunt was mostly stock (but don't get any ideas, y'all) besides a padded roll cage custom-fitted to the interior just in case the stunt went south. It was also a concern that the nose of the sports car would take a dive mid-air, so the production crew put around 270 lbs of free weights into the rear hatch to help balance things out. Additionally, the car was painted a hot orange color that's not available in regular production. Before they even tried a test run, the proper speed to make it happen was calculated carefully and then the car was tested driving next to the ramp to ensure it could meet the right speed in the right amount of time. So what happened? It was a success (obviously) and the Toyota GR Supra did catch air off the ramp to nosedive into the over 500 cardboard boxes waiting for it. However - and this is why we said don't get any ideas - when it landed it busted several of its tires AND its rear suspension. You can watch the behind-the-scenes video below. See this amazing sports car in person at Toyota of Orlando So here's the thing - we don't condone you trying ANY of the above at home whether you drive a new Orlando Toyota Supra or not, but we DO condone you making this new Toyota sports car have a permanent place in your driveway or garage. Why not see it in person today? Come on down to Toyota of Orlando. We're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road, and we're open seven days a week. Call us ahead of time at (407) 298-4500 to learn more and schedule your appointment!

We all know (especially here in Orlando) that intense heat isn't the greatest for your car. It makes your engine work harder to keep cool, can cause your interior to fade and crack over time, and can fade and damage your exterior paint and finishes. However, if you own a hybrid car, the heat is hard on one part especially - the car battery. And believe it or not, this can actually affect your Orlando Toyota hybrid's fuel efficiency, too. We're here to explain. Toyota of Orlando explains Heat makes batteries work harder (similarly to how it makes your car engine work harder). In nickel-metal hydride batteries, excessive heat can actually cause bulging or bubbling. This leads to electrolytes inside of the hybrid car battery evaporating, which in turn means your battery loses its ability to recharge properly. Long story short, this shortens the length of your car battery's life and in a hybrid, this is especially bad - hybrid car batteries aren't cheap to replace. It could run you anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the make and model you're driving. On top of that, excessive heat + your car battery = lower fuel efficiency. If your battery isn't charging properly, it means it's working less efficiently and can't store as much energy. This, in turn, lowers your MPGs so you're not getting the fuel economy you deserve. Help your hybrid car battery stay cool this summer So what can you do to beat the heat for your hybrid car battery? Here are some easy tips from our Orlando Toyota service specialists: Get routine car maintenance. This will allow our Toyota of Orlando techs to do their multi-point inspection, during which they'll do a once-over of your hybrid car battery to ensure it's in good physical condition. The more often you check it, the more likely you are to nip any issues in the bud before they become too costly. Keep the interior of your car cool. Remember, in hybrid cars the battery is usually located under the back seats as opposed to under the hood of the car. If you keep the cabin of your car cooler by running the A/C when it's hot outside, you'll do your battery a favor. Tint your windows. Things heat up quickly inside of your car when you're not in it and the A/C isn't running. Getting your Orlando Toyota hybrid's windows tinted can help keep temperatures down inside the cabin; you can also throw up a sunshade in the windshield to block the rays and try to keep things cooler. Pick your parking wisely. Park in the shade when you're out and about if at all possible, or try to score a covered parking spot. Keeping your car in the garage at home (or at least under a carport) will help ward off the sun and keep things cooler for your car. Think you need hybrid car battery maintenance or want to have our techs take a look at your car? Call us! Toyota of Orlando's service center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

We all know (especially here in Orlando) that intense heat isn't the greatest for your car. It makes your engine work harder to keep cool, can cause your interior to fade and crack over time, and can fade and damage your exterior paint and finishes. However, if you own a hybrid car, the heat is hard on one part especially - the car battery. And believe it or not, this can actually affect your Orlando Toyota hybrid's fuel efficiency, too. We're here to explain. Toyota of Orlando explains Heat makes batteries work harder (similarly to how it makes your car engine work harder). In nickel-metal hydride batteries, excessive heat can actually cause bulging or bubbling. This leads to electrolytes inside of the hybrid car battery evaporating, which in turn means your battery loses its ability to recharge properly. Long story short, this shortens the length of your car battery's life and in a hybrid, this is especially bad - hybrid car batteries aren't cheap to replace. It could run you anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the make and model you're driving. On top of that, excessive heat + your car battery = lower fuel efficiency. If your battery isn't charging properly, it means it's working less efficiently and can't store as much energy. This, in turn, lowers your MPGs so you're not getting the fuel economy you deserve. Help your hybrid car battery stay cool this summer So what can you do to beat the heat for your hybrid car battery? Here are some easy tips from our Orlando Toyota service specialists: Get routine car maintenance. This will allow our Toyota of Orlando techs to do their multi-point inspection, during which they'll do a once-over of your hybrid car battery to ensure it's in good physical condition. The more often you check it, the more likely you are to nip any issues in the bud before they become too costly. Keep the interior of your car cool. Remember, in hybrid cars the battery is usually located under the back seats as opposed to under the hood of the car. If you keep the cabin of your car cooler by running the A/C when it's hot outside, you'll do your battery a favor. Tint your windows. Things heat up quickly inside of your car when you're not in it and the A/C isn't running. Getting your Orlando Toyota hybrid's windows tinted can help keep temperatures down inside the cabin; you can also throw up a sunshade in the windshield to block the rays and try to keep things cooler. Pick your parking wisely. Park in the shade when you're out and about if at all possible, or try to score a covered parking spot. Keeping your car in the garage at home (or at least under a carport) will help ward off the sun and keep things cooler for your car. Think you need hybrid car battery maintenance or want to have our techs take a look at your car? Call us! Toyota of Orlando's service center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001.

When it comes to driving in different types of weather, you need to be prepared for anything. Here in Florida, we face everything from extreme heat, to heavy rains, to high winds. Driving in all of these conditions is challenging, but today we're focusing on driving in high winds. Check out our Orlando Toyota tips below! Five tips for driving in high winds Tip #1: Go the speed limit. The speed limit is there for a reason, and especially when driving in weather conditions that are less-than-favorable. When driving in high winds you'll want to stick to the speed limit (or even go a little bit slower if you feel the need) so you can have better control of your vehicle. Our Orlando Toyota dealership advises against using cruise control in windy weather, too - you want to have complete control over your car. Tip #2: Remove anything on the exterior of your car. Unless you absolutely need them, you should try to stow exterior accessories on your car when you're in situations with high winds. This means bike racks, luggage racks, etc. - anything that the wind can grab and possibly even rip off of your car (which means it then turns into a projectile). Stow your accessories until things die down! Tip #3: Avoid driving near large trucks. Large trucks like semis and dump trucks have a lot of surface area, which means more area for the wind to hit. This makes them more prone to being blown all over the road and in turn, being blown into your vehicle. Avoid driving next to them as much as possible when driving in high winds. Tip #4: Leave plenty of space. When driving in high winds, there's always a risk that you're going to be blown off course a bit. That's why our Orlando Toyota dealership recommends that you keep your distance from other vehicles - don't follow too closely if you can help it, and hang back if you find yourself driving into a "wolf pack" (a.k.a. a big clump of cars). You also want to give yourself plenty of time to react and get out of the way if the car in front of you or next to you is pushed into your path. Tip #5: Keep your hands on the wheel. You never know when you'll have to react or make a sudden movement, so keeping both hands on the wheel at all times is in your best interest (i.e. put down your phone). This will give you the ability to react quickly and efficiently and hopefully avoid an accident should another vehicle or debris be blown into your path. And remember, you want to be up-to-date on essential service like tires and brakes before driving in high winds. You want the maximum stopping power on your side and you also want to ensure that your tires have the best traction possible so they can properly grip the road, even when your car is being buffeted by wind. Get your car ready for any weather at Toyota of Orlando Need auto service or have questions? Call Toyota of Orlando today! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.

When it comes to driving in different types of weather, you need to be prepared for anything. Here in Florida, we face everything from extreme heat, to heavy rains, to high winds. Driving in all of these conditions is challenging, but today we're focusing on driving in high winds. Check out our Orlando Toyota tips below! Five tips for driving in high winds Tip #1: Go the speed limit. The speed limit is there for a reason, and especially when driving in weather conditions that are less-than-favorable. When driving in high winds you'll want to stick to the speed limit (or even go a little bit slower if you feel the need) so you can have better control of your vehicle. Our Orlando Toyota dealership advises against using cruise control in windy weather, too - you want to have complete control over your car. Tip #2: Remove anything on the exterior of your car. Unless you absolutely need them, you should try to stow exterior accessories on your car when you're in situations with high winds. This means bike racks, luggage racks, etc. - anything that the wind can grab and possibly even rip off of your car (which means it then turns into a projectile). Stow your accessories until things die down! Tip #3: Avoid driving near large trucks. Large trucks like semis and dump trucks have a lot of surface area, which means more area for the wind to hit. This makes them more prone to being blown all over the road and in turn, being blown into your vehicle. Avoid driving next to them as much as possible when driving in high winds. Tip #4: Leave plenty of space. When driving in high winds, there's always a risk that you're going to be blown off course a bit. That's why our Orlando Toyota dealership recommends that you keep your distance from other vehicles - don't follow too closely if you can help it, and hang back if you find yourself driving into a "wolf pack" (a.k.a. a big clump of cars). You also want to give yourself plenty of time to react and get out of the way if the car in front of you or next to you is pushed into your path. Tip #5: Keep your hands on the wheel. You never know when you'll have to react or make a sudden movement, so keeping both hands on the wheel at all times is in your best interest (i.e. put down your phone). This will give you the ability to react quickly and efficiently and hopefully avoid an accident should another vehicle or debris be blown into your path. And remember, you want to be up-to-date on essential service like tires and brakes before driving in high winds. You want the maximum stopping power on your side and you also want to ensure that your tires have the best traction possible so they can properly grip the road, even when your car is being buffeted by wind. Get your car ready for any weather at Toyota of Orlando Need auto service or have questions? Call Toyota of Orlando today! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.

Did you know that by keeping your car on an auto service schedule, you're saving yourself a ton of money? It may not feel like it - after all, you do have to pay for routine car maintenance so it can feel like you're simply spending rather than getting a return on your investment. But sticking to a routine car care schedule can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road. Our Orlando auto service experts are here with tips - check out these five car care appointments you should never skip if you want to save money. Don't skip these auto service appointments if you value your bank account #1: Oil changes: You should never skip your routine oil changes at Toyota of Orlando. Oil changes ensure that your oil stays clean and is always at the right level. If you skip them, debris will start to work its way into the oil and the oil level will drop. This leads to thinner, less effective oil, which in turn can lead to the oil not lubricating the engine properly. All in all, you can end up with an overheated, seized up engine, which can cost thousands to replace. Schedule your oil changes! #2: Brake pad replacement: Your brake pads play a critical role in bringing your car to a stop. When they start to wear too thin, you have to replace them in order to protect your car's rotors. When the pads are too thin, you can actually do permanent and irreparable damage to the rotors, resulting in needing replacement rotors to the tune of hundreds of dollars. #3: Engine air filter replacement: You know that your car engine sucks in air in order to get up and running and complete the combustion process. The engine air filter prevents dirt and debris from being pulled into the engine as well. When the engine is too dirty, it can cause clogs and prevent enough clean air from being pulled into the engine. This can result in interior engine erosion, reduced performance capabilities, and low fuel efficiency. #4: Timing belt replacement: Luckily, you don't need to replace your timing belt very often. It's usually an auto service reserved for high mileage vehicles and you shouldn't need to do it more than a time or two. The timing belt synchronizes all of the movements in the engine so when it breaks, you're going nowhere fast. It can actually even break parts of the engine if it it snaps mid-performance. Replace it when recommended! #5: Tire rotations: It's critical to schedule tire rotations on a routine basis. Without them, your tires will wear out faster, drop your fuel efficiency, and be more prone to blowouts (which can lead to collisions). We're sure you see where we're going. Get on an auto service schedule for this item. Schedule your car care today! Need to schedule Orlando auto service appointments or get on a schedule? Call us! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

Did you know that by keeping your car on an auto service schedule, you're saving yourself a ton of money? It may not feel like it - after all, you do have to pay for routine car maintenance so it can feel like you're simply spending rather than getting a return on your investment. But sticking to a routine car care schedule can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road. Our Orlando auto service experts are here with tips - check out these five car care appointments you should never skip if you want to save money. Don't skip these auto service appointments if you value your bank account #1: Oil changes: You should never skip your routine oil changes at Toyota of Orlando. Oil changes ensure that your oil stays clean and is always at the right level. If you skip them, debris will start to work its way into the oil and the oil level will drop. This leads to thinner, less effective oil, which in turn can lead to the oil not lubricating the engine properly. All in all, you can end up with an overheated, seized up engine, which can cost thousands to replace. Schedule your oil changes! #2: Brake pad replacement: Your brake pads play a critical role in bringing your car to a stop. When they start to wear too thin, you have to replace them in order to protect your car's rotors. When the pads are too thin, you can actually do permanent and irreparable damage to the rotors, resulting in needing replacement rotors to the tune of hundreds of dollars. #3: Engine air filter replacement: You know that your car engine sucks in air in order to get up and running and complete the combustion process. The engine air filter prevents dirt and debris from being pulled into the engine as well. When the engine is too dirty, it can cause clogs and prevent enough clean air from being pulled into the engine. This can result in interior engine erosion, reduced performance capabilities, and low fuel efficiency. #4: Timing belt replacement: Luckily, you don't need to replace your timing belt very often. It's usually an auto service reserved for high mileage vehicles and you shouldn't need to do it more than a time or two. The timing belt synchronizes all of the movements in the engine so when it breaks, you're going nowhere fast. It can actually even break parts of the engine if it it snaps mid-performance. Replace it when recommended! #5: Tire rotations: It's critical to schedule tire rotations on a routine basis. Without them, your tires will wear out faster, drop your fuel efficiency, and be more prone to blowouts (which can lead to collisions). We're sure you see where we're going. Get on an auto service schedule for this item. Schedule your car care today! Need to schedule Orlando auto service appointments or get on a schedule? Call us! We're open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

When you think of the new Toyota Prius, the last thing that probably comes to mind is speed. After all, it was built to be green and efficient but certainly not to hit the track... until now, that is. Did you know that Toyota has a new Toyota Prius rally car? Toyota of Orlando has the details on this interesting variation of the popular hybrid. What makes this hybrid car rally-ready? As noted, the Orlando Toyota Prius was developed for one main purpose - to offer a clean and fuel-efficient way for drivers to hit the road. Performance is important in respect to eco-friendliness, but this hybrid isn't exactly track-ready. Toyota turned that notion on its head with this new rally car model, and here are some of the details we've gleaned so far. It's a 2020 Toyota Prius and believe it or not, it's already started participating in American rally car races (and doing well, we must say). However, it's just been racing in the exhibition class because no one is really sure how to classify it. The interior has been stripped of anything unnecessary to make it as light as possible, and the glass windows have been replaced with Plexiglass. There's also a roll cage and racing seats with six-point harnesses to keep the driver and passenger safely in place, as well as a roof-mounted scoop to pull cold air in since the A/C is no more. Not much is left in terms of the dash - where tons of features and gadgets once sat now lies just a gauge cluster and transmission controls (so don't expect to be able to fire up Apple CarPlay or anything). This new Toyota rally car has 15" wheels (the standard size for rally cars) and Cooper rally tires that measure 195/65R15. A lot of parts were borrowed since there's never been a rally-version of this new Toyota hybrid before. Suspension parts were borrowed from the RAV4 TRD model, and front springs came from a Toyota Camry while rear springs came from a Toyota Avalon. This new hybrid rally car has a 1.8L Atkinson-cycle inline-4 gas engine and a permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor, which means you get electronic all-wheel drive. However, it still gets 51/47 mpg and 121 horsepower just like the original model. A new vinyl wrap helped to get this Orlando Toyota rally-ready and more LED lighting has been added to the exterior to amp up visibility AND make it look a whole lot cooler. Test drive an Orlando Toyota Prius today We'll likely never (and we say that with complete confidence) see this rally-ready Toyota Prius at Toyota of Orlando. That doesn't mean you can't get your hands on the original, though! Check out what the lean, green, hybrid machine has to offer you today. Swing by and see it in person at 3575 Vineland Road, or give us a call for more info and to schedule a test drive! (407) 298-4500

When you think of the new Toyota Prius, the last thing that probably comes to mind is speed. After all, it was built to be green and efficient but certainly not to hit the track... until now, that is. Did you know that Toyota has a new Toyota Prius rally car? Toyota of Orlando has the details on this interesting variation of the popular hybrid. What makes this hybrid car rally-ready? As noted, the Orlando Toyota Prius was developed for one main purpose - to offer a clean and fuel-efficient way for drivers to hit the road. Performance is important in respect to eco-friendliness, but this hybrid isn't exactly track-ready. Toyota turned that notion on its head with this new rally car model, and here are some of the details we've gleaned so far. It's a 2020 Toyota Prius and believe it or not, it's already started participating in American rally car races (and doing well, we must say). However, it's just been racing in the exhibition class because no one is really sure how to classify it. The interior has been stripped of anything unnecessary to make it as light as possible, and the glass windows have been replaced with Plexiglass. There's also a roll cage and racing seats with six-point harnesses to keep the driver and passenger safely in place, as well as a roof-mounted scoop to pull cold air in since the A/C is no more. Not much is left in terms of the dash - where tons of features and gadgets once sat now lies just a gauge cluster and transmission controls (so don't expect to be able to fire up Apple CarPlay or anything). This new Toyota rally car has 15" wheels (the standard size for rally cars) and Cooper rally tires that measure 195/65R15. A lot of parts were borrowed since there's never been a rally-version of this new Toyota hybrid before. Suspension parts were borrowed from the RAV4 TRD model, and front springs came from a Toyota Camry while rear springs came from a Toyota Avalon. This new hybrid rally car has a 1.8L Atkinson-cycle inline-4 gas engine and a permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor, which means you get electronic all-wheel drive. However, it still gets 51/47 mpg and 121 horsepower just like the original model. A new vinyl wrap helped to get this Orlando Toyota rally-ready and more LED lighting has been added to the exterior to amp up visibility AND make it look a whole lot cooler. Test drive an Orlando Toyota Prius today We'll likely never (and we say that with complete confidence) see this rally-ready Toyota Prius at Toyota of Orlando. That doesn't mean you can't get your hands on the original, though! Check out what the lean, green, hybrid machine has to offer you today. Swing by and see it in person at 3575 Vineland Road, or give us a call for more info and to schedule a test drive! (407) 298-4500