TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Toyota's Tokyo quinella
Toyota announces five world premieres for next month's Tokyo Motor Show, including the prototype of its new compact sports carToyota has announced it will unveil five new models at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show, including a fuel-cell-powered hatch, two petrol-electric hybrid models and an all-electric concept model.
The Japanese manufacturer will also allow visitors the opportunity to participate in various hands-on activities – including test drives of some of the display vehicles – at the nearby Mega Web facility.
Making its world premiere in Tokyo, the Prius C (for compact) will be one of two Prius models to take to the Toyota stage. Less than four metres long, the Yaris-sized city car is set to be launched in Australia next year (2012), bringing what Toyota says is a fun-to-drive hybrid experience to a much wider audience.
The Toyota Prius C is powered by the combination of electric motor and 1.5-litre petrol engine that can deliver average fuel consumption as low as 35 to 40km per litre in Japanese testing. The engine and driveline components are arranged such that the centre of gravity is kept low down in the car, improving road holding.
With seating for five, Prius C measures 3995mm (L), 1695mm (W), 1445mm (H) and rides on a 2550mm wheelbase. It will be sold as the Toyota Aqua in its home market.
The second Prius model to debut in Tokyo is a plug-in hybrid version of the current petrol-electric hatch. Capable of operating on electric or petrol-electric power, the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid features a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that can be charged from a standard domestic power outlet.
Slated for production early next year, the car can travel up to 23km solely on electric power.
Staying with environmentally themed vehicles, Toyota will also premiere a (hydrogen) fuel-cell-powered vehicle dubbed FCV-R. Scheduled for launch in 2015, the vehicle will offer seating for four passengers while still offering adequate luggage space.
The car is powered by a fuel cell stack consisting of a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank that should offer a cruising range of 700km. Key dimensions are 4745mm (L), 1790mm (W), 1510mm (H) with a 2700mm wheelbase.
Toyota's fourth world premiere at the Tokyo show is the latest in a series of concept electric vehicles known as FT-EV III. The ultra-compact, lightweight model is powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery, which Toyota says offers a cruising range of 105km from a single charge.
Obviously suitable over shorter distances, the zero-emissions Toyota FT-EV III measures 3110mm (L), 1680mm (W), 1500mm (H) and rides on a 2000mm wheelbase. The car can seat four passengers.
Finally, a “quirky concept” vehicle dubbed Fun-Vii will premiere; heralding what its maker says is “a future where people, cars and society are linked”. Fun-Vii is essentially an all-electric version of the sub-Yaris Toyota iQ (not sold in Australia).
Of course, Toyota will also feature its highly anticipated rear-wheel drive sports car known until now as the FT-86. Developed in conjuction with Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), the coupe is celebrated as the spiritual successor to models including Sprinter (known elsewhere as Trueno), Celica, MR2 and Supra.
The new coupe is due in Australian showrooms towards the middle of next year.
The Tokyo Motor Show begins on December 3.
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