The Tokyo Motor Show will be held from November 30 through to December 11 and Toyota Motor Corporation will be unveiling several concept cars at the show, including a Prius Plug-in Hybrid, a Fuell-cell vehicle, and a compact-class dedicated hybrid.
The company said that it is aiming “to make fresh proposals concerning the dream and joy of motor vehicles under the concept ‘Fun to Drive, Again’.”
Included in the six cars which Toyota will unveil at the show is the Aqua, or the Prius C as it will be labelled outside of Japan. A compact-class car with a suitably compact price-tag is said to offer a “groundbreaking” fuel efficiency of approximately 35 kilometres to the litre, according to the JC08 test cycle.
Toyota describes the car as providing “the joys of hybrid vehicle ownership, such as superior fuel efficiency, user friendliness and fun, to as many people as possible” in a body that, at less than four metres in length, “offers outstanding handling.”
Five other cars will be shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show:
- Toyota Fun-Vii (world premiere)
A concept vehicle that heralds a future where people, cars and society are linked.
- Compact Rear-Wheel-Drive Sports Vehicle (world premiere)
The prototype model of a compact rear-wheel-drive vehicle jointly developed by Fuji Heavy Industries and TMC.
- Prius Plug-in Hybrid (Japan premiere)
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid, an environment-friendly vehicle that combines features from both pure-electric vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, is equipped with a new, high-capacity lithium-ion battery that can be charged from a household outlet. Able to operate as an electric vehicle on short trips and as a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle on medium to long trips, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid can be used regardless of battery charge status or charging infrastructure availability.
With this vehicle, TMC aims to address environmental issues such as the reduction of fossil fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollution. A production model is planned for launch by TMC in early 2012 with fuel economy exceeding 57 km/L*3 and an EV cruising range*4 (on fully charged battery) of 23.4 km, positioning the plug-in hybrid as a leading next-generation eco-car coming after gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.
- FCV-R (world premiere)
A practical sedan-type next-generation fuel-cell concept vehicle fueled by hydrogen, a promising source of CO2 emission-free energy that can be produced from a variety of sources and can be easily stored and transported. This concept model is a highly practical fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) that is planned for launch in about 2015.
With the fuel-cell unit located beneath the specially designed body, the vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and boasts impressive luggage space. The fuel cell stack, consisting of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, has been improved to provide a cruising distance of approximately 700 km or more (under the JC08 test cycle; according to TMC).
- FT-EV III (world premiere)
Electric vehicles (EVs), with zero CO2 emissions, are important future eco-cars that have promise to replace cars fueled by gasoline. The FT-EV III is an electric concept vehicle with an ultra-compact and lightweight package suitable for short-distance trips.
TMC is developing EVs with the aim of launching a vehicle suitable for short-distance travel in 2012. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery, the FT-EV III achieves an estimated cruising range of 105 km on a fully charged battery.
If you’re heading to the Tokyo Motor Show, or are simply in the area, make sure to head along to the nearby Mega Web where Toyota will be showing off their cars and allowing a special few test drives and hands on. If you’re not able to make it though, stay tuned to the Tokyo Motor Show portal site where there’ll be a heap of information available throughout the show.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
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