Yesterday I was at the toyota dealer in las vegas and when I asked about the 2008 hilander hybrid here is what I was told: The 2008 highlander will be a new body design and the hybrid will be avalible in the new trim. Nothing else. Does anyone have any more info on this???? JOE

 

The new Toyota Highlander platform will be a 2008 model according to Motor Trend.

http://www.motortrend.com/future/spi...gen_volvo.html

 

The Highlander and the Lexus Rx SUV are essentially the same vehicle in the same way the Camry and the ES are the same. The emphasis is reversed for the two segments.

The Camry is always intro'd first as Toyota's primary vehicle and the ES350 takes a backseat and is intro'd later.

The Rx SUV is Lexus' primary vehicle and the Highlander takes a backseat and is intro'd later. It makes sense that the Highlander will be a year or so behind the Rx350 which is debuting now.

The HUGE question is.... what are the ICE's for each vehicle? For engineering and production it makes sense to make both the Rx and the Highlander the same, both with 3.5L ICE's. However for the hybrid versions does it make more sense to give the Rx a performance slant using the 3.5L +HSD getting above 300 hp while giving the new HH a fuel economy slant by using the 2.4L +HSD from the TCH getting only 190 hp but maybe 33 mpg on average? I am intrigued.

 

Most of what I have seen (which has been very little) says that this will be a strong influence:

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/ftsx.html

Don't be deceived, the size of this thing is supposed to be bigger than the current Highlander. I'm waiting to see what that does to FE in hybrid form, and what it will do with THS II in 2008. Oh to have a crystal ball right about now...

 

Not a crystal ball, but here's a glimpse.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006..._introduc.html

It would be nice if they offered a 4 cyl. engine.

 

geez... I hope not. Looks like cross between a station wagon and a mini-van. Wouldn't be caught dead or alive in one of those...

 

I kind of like the look. One of my issues with Toyota in the past has been they seem to lack a certain amout of personal style. Most of their designs are very safe and sterile to me. The vehicle above, to me, has a little bit more pizzaz. It does however remind me of the Murano.

 

I took a look at it a while back and I think the current model has a classic SUV frame and i wouldnt want an 'enlarged hatchback' model. Ive seen many automakers do this. It gets to the point where the car is just a hatchback with 4 wheel suspension. They dont even look like a truck anymore.

 

We picked up plates for our new camry hy and talked to the head sales person about any new models , He said: the 2007 highlander will be the same as our 2006, But half way thru the 2007 year, the new design (2008 Highlander) will be showing up at showrooms No clue what it will look like......JOE

 

There is a lot of talk on hybrid.com about the 08 highlander (new design) due out in march 07. ButI have yet to see a actual picture of one. If anyone comes across a new pic please post it...JOE