Toyota And Lexus Bring High Technology, Heritage And High-Jinks To The Heart of London
Toyota and Lexus models will be making a big contribution to a cavalcade through the heart of London this Sunday as a curtain-raiser to the British International Motor Show. The line-up will represent contrasting dimensions of the two brands’ automotive heritage, from the groundbreaking Corona saloon which introduced Toyota to the UK 40 years ago, to the world-leading hybrid power models of today.
Making its way from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square, the 100 Years of Cars Parade will take place in prime territory for the hybrid power Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 400h and GS 450h models, all of which are exempt from the central London congestion charge. And the slow pace of the event will enable them to run for periods on their electric motors alone, thus producing no harmful exhaust emissions.
Although famous for its advanced environmentally-focused technology, Prius is also a proven performer in international motor sport. Joining the regular road-going version in the parade will be the Rally Prius, which made history as the first hybrid car to complete an internationally-recognised event, the gruelling 5,000-mile Midnight Sun to Red Sea Rally in 2002.
Further Toyota sporting success will be represented by the ultimate Japanese muscle car, the Supra. A double champion in top-line Japanese GT racing, the Supra has achieved further fame with millions of game players as the four-wheeled icon of the original Gran Turismo for Sony’s PlayStation. Just like its computerised counterpart, the parade car is presented in full Castrol racing livery. It also has lowered suspension, a full sports body kit and an awe-inspiring sound system with a 2,000-watt amplifier.
Completing the line-up will be two of the famous Top Gear footballing Aygo hatchbacks, which will be showing off their skills at playing keepy-uppy with a giant ball along the parade route.
The parade will set off at 2.30pm this Sunday. The British International Motor Show, at ExCeL in London’s Docklands, will open to the public on 20 July.
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