2010 Toyota FT-CH

The fuel efficient Japanese automaker Toyota plans to offer a wider variety of electrically assisted vehicles then just simply the conventional gas/electric hybrid vehicles. As a preview of what is to come, in the way of plug in hybrids (PHVs), battery electric (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) Toyota unveiled the FT-CH city car, which stands for compact hybrid, at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Joining the fun to drive FT-86 in Toyota’s new compact family, the CH will offer all the efficient amenities of a Prius in a package that measures 22 inches shorter in length inorder to weave through congested urban centers. However the FT-CH is only about an inch narrower then the best selling hybrid meaning that the city car concept will offer just as much room for passengers on the inside. Compared to the current 50 MPG Prius, the FT-CH weighs less and is even more fuel efficient. And it’s going to be cheaper too. With the concept’s fun and innovative features, colorful and stylish design, Toyota hopes that this high energy hybrid will have a strong appeal to younger shoppers.

Toyota to offer hybrid Scion iQ in sedan, five-door

Scion iQ Concept - click above for hi-res image gallery

You know that Toyota iQ your cousin's seen running around Europe and Japan? It's making its way Stateside, first to next week's Detroit Auto Show, then to a Scion dealer near you as a hybrid. This is according to a scoop by Inside line. We've known for a while now that the iQ will be showing up as a Scion, just not for certain as a hybrid. Also, according to IL, the fate of the brand hangs in the balance. Also-also, they might (yay!) drop the name iQ.

That's right, the diminutive Toyota with the silly name is going to greet us as a youth-branded Scion. In multiple flavors, too. First will come a five-door hatchback, followed next by a four-door sedan. The latter is almost a little puzzling – who on earth wants a four-door sedan version – but then we recall all the other cars PR types tell us the American market forces into four-door guise and we're not surprised one bit. The Scion iQ will also come as a three-door hatch. Expect the five-door to show up first, towards the end of 2011.

The engine options are pretty interesting. If you so desire, a 1.3-liter four-banger will produce 93 horsepower. However, most folks will probably opt for the hybrid version. First of all, the gas and electric propulsion is so cheap that Toyota will be able to sell it for $15,000 or less. Second, expect a 1.5-liter four and some sort of electric motor to produce between 100 and 120 hp and return 60 mile per gallon. Not bad at all. Again, Inside Line ends their scoop explaining that if the iQ doesn't get youngsters buying Scions, nothing will. Er, make that nothing will have a chance to, as Toyota is likely to fold the brand.