DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Toyota NS4 Concept

Seeking to cement its place as a leader in the hybrid car market, Toyota has taken the wraps off its NS4 'advanced plug-in hybrid'. The new concept showcases Toyota's next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in technology but also aims to improve the relationship between car and driver.

Expected to be incorporated into Toyota's next tranche of hybrid vehicles, including the growing range of Prius models, the NS4's improved Hybrid Synergy Drive system features smaller component sizes and reduced overall weight, while achieving gains in several important areas: fuel economy, acceleration, charging time and electric driving range.

Improving on the fundamentals of its hybrid technology will fortify Toyota's standing in the green car market, but the NS4 concept also alludes to an interface upgrade for future hybrids.

Toyota has teamed up with Intel and Microsoft to "explore the creation of seamless vehicle interfaces with commercial technologies". Designed to be more user-friendly the NS4 concept's HMI (Human-Machine Interface) makes use of a multi-touch screen "with the look and feel of a smartphone".

Occupants of the NS4 concept can access information - whether from the car, Internet or other road users - with minimal input, and menus are rapidly minimised to reduce driver distraction. The HMI system is said to be able to 'learn' driver habits and anticipate requests.

According to Toyota, "...connected vehicles are the third-fastest growing technological device, behind smartphones and tablets."

Toyota North America CEO, Jim Lentz, explained that car connectivity will become an increasingly important aspect for new car buyers.

"In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity. NS4 demonstrates Toyota's take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society."

Other features on the four-door liftback concept include a number of glass technologies designed to improve the driving experience including:

-- Hydrophobic coating – A fluorine coated glass that causes rain drops to form into smooth droplets for improved visibility and rain drop elimination (also used on the roof solar panel)

-- Anti-fog film – An advanced resin material with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability

-- Ultraviolet (UV) absorbing glass inner-layer – Helps remove 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays

-- Anti-solar film – This coating features radio-wave transparency that reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality

Design wise, Toyota has created a sleeker, lower and more contemporary take on the classic Prius with the NS4 concept, though whether the bold new design influences future Toyota models remains to be seen.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.