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.

New Car: Toyota FT-86 Concept

The FT-86, a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, provides driving joy and excitement. Compact design gives driver greater control, while body’s lightness and low center of gravity allow racecar-like handling. Both power and environmental performance provided by 2-liter boxer engine and light body.

Flash Red body color contains hint of blue; interior expresses modern feel with minimal coverage of the highly refined structural components evoking enthusiasm for cruising This year, the Toyota-brand exhibit continues its theme from the previous Tokyo Motor Show: “Harmonious Drive—A New Tomorrow for People and the Planet”. This theme expresses TMC’s commitment to making cars that brim with individuality but that are also in harmony with society.

The Toyota-brand display will include a compact rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle that embodies the joy of driving and the pleasure of ownership—the fundamental appeal of motor vehicles. The display will also feature environmentally friendly concept vehicles including a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), the type of vehicle considered best suited for widespread use to effectively meet CO2 emissions restrictions and the diversification of energy, and an electric vehicle (EV) suitable for short-distance trips.

Source: Babez

New Car Toyota 1X Concept

The Toyota 1/X concept vehicle made its North American debut today at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. Developed by Toyota Motor Corporation, the Toyota 1/X compact hybrid offers a glimpse into the next era of automotive technological design. The Toyota 1/X redefines from its very roots the idea of what it means to be environmentally considerate. Pronounced 1/Xth, the name is derived from its vehicle mass, fuel consumption and emissions output, each totaling a fraction of that of other vehicles in its class.

The 1/X features an aerodynamic ultra-lightweight design that maintains the interior space of the Toyota Prius hybrid and is approximately one-third the weight of the Prius. Its low 926-pound curb weight is partially achieved through the use of a light but very strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame.

The aerodynamic shape of the 1/X and unique cabin design result in smaller pillars, allowing passengers more visibility and helping to create a greater sense of openness and freedom with its outer surroundings for driver and passengers. The CFRP material is lighter and stronger than traditional metals, creating a shock-absorbing like structure with cross-sections that help absorb energy during an impact.

The 1/X roof is produced from a bio-plastic made from environmentally-responsible material derived from kenaf and ramie plants. The result is a roof that improves heat insulation, emits less carbon dioxide, increases the amount of light entering the cabin, and reducing noise.

On the inside, the 1/X employs four ultra-lightweight seats made of polyester fiber that is knitted three-dimensionally for added comfort. The material functions like a spring or damper that helps create a cushion-like feel for all occupants.

The ultra-lightweight stature of the 1/X also helps contribute to a fuel efficiency target that would double that of the Prius and allow the 1/X to operate with an ultra-small hybrid powertrain located under the rear seat. The system combines a home rechargeable plug-in hybrid unit with a small 500cc 0.5-liter flexible-fuel engine that is 1/4th of the total weight of the Prius powertrain. The hybrid plug-in concept is designed to accommodate a lithium-ion battery that would be rechargeable at home. The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling over 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving the acceleration performance that is equivalent to the Prius.

In consideration of pedestrians and oncoming traffic, the 1/X is equipped with non-glare headlights. The front of the 1/X is dominated by an LED lighting system that sweeps under and across its large front windshield. The LED system helps eliminate glare emanating from the headlights. At sunset, the entire surface of the LED system softly illuminates the entire front surface. With the headlights on, the LED system surrounds the headlights with a soft light, helping to prevent glare from striking oncoming cars and nearby pedestrians.

The light weight of the Toyota 1/X allowed designers to equip the vehicle with smaller and thinner wheels that help reduce splashing while driving in wet conditions. The tires are designed with central grooves that further help prevent water from splashing in the direction of pedestrians.

The 1/X concept is one more example of Toyota's commitment to designing clean, safe and innovative vehicles. The Toyota 1/X concept made its world debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Mercedes-Benz ESF 2009

2009 is a year in which Mercedes-Benz celebrates several anniversaries in the safety field: in August 1939 the safety pioneer Béla Barényi started his work in Sindelfingen. He invented for example the principle of the crumple zone, a trailblazing innovation which entered series production at Mercedes-Benz in 1959.

With the help of its in-house accident research function, which was founded in 1969, Mercedes engineers in the following years have developed several groundbreaking innovations in passenger car safety. Now it is time for a look behind the scenes, and in this anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz is using the ESF 2009 research vehicle to reveal what its safety spe-cialists are currently working on – with a time horizon that often extends well into the future. The ESF 2009 is the first Experimental Safety Vehicle to be built by Mercedes-Benz since 1974. Like its historic predecessors, it illustrates trail-blazing innovations in the field of safety and makes the progress achieved clearly visible.

These amazing but by no means crazy ideas include inflatable me-tallic sections which give more stability to structural components within frac-tions of a second, as well as the so-called “Braking Bag”. This airbag housed within the vehicle floor is deployed when a crash is deemed to be unavoidable, and uses a friction coating to support the vehicle against the road surface. The ESF 2009 will be premiered on 15 June 2009, at the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Conference in Stuttgart.

“Safety is a central element of the Mercedes-Benz brand. In this respect we have been setting the pace in the market for almost 70 years. For the benefit of our customers and for road users in general. The ESF 2009 shows that we still have plenty of ideas and the absolute will, to lead the automobile in-dustry in this field even in future”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The ESF 2009 was developed and built completely in the test vehicle work-shops in Sindelfingen. This safety research vehicle based on the Mercedes S 400 HYBRID features more than a dozen safety innovations, most of which are fully functioning in demonstration mode. “With the ESF 2009, we have chosen this particular time to clearly demonstrate the innovative strength of Daimler. Anybody examining the ESF 2009 in detail will recog-nise that more safety and improved energy efficiency are not necessarily a contradiction in terms. We want to make progress in both fields with new, trailblazing ideas “, says Dr. Tho-mas Weber, the member of the Daimler Executive Board responsible for corpo-rate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The following five innovations on the basis of the S 400 Hybrid are among the highlights of the ESF 2009:

PRE-SAFE Structure: The inflatable metal structures save weight or increase the stability of structural components. When at rest, the metal section is in a folded state to save space. If its protective effect is re-quired, a gas generator builds up an internal pressure of 10 to 20 bar within fractions of a second, causing the section to unfold for signifi-cantly more stability.

Braking Bag: This auxiliary brake accommodated in the vehicle floor is a new type of PRE-SAFE® component. If the sensor system con-cludes that an impact is unavoidable, the Braking Bag is deployed shortly before the crash and stabilises the car on the road surface by means of a friction coating. The vehicle’s vertical acceleration in-creases the friction, and helps to decelerate the vehicle before the im-pact occurs.

Interactive Vehicle Communication: The ESF 2009 is able to com-municate directly with other vehicles, or via relay stations. Using “ad hoc” networks and WLAN radio technology, it is e.g. able to receive and transmit warnings of bad weather or obstacles in the road.

PRE-SAFE Pulse: This further development of PRE-SAFE® is able to reduce the forces acting on the torsos of the occupants during a lateral collision by around one third. It does this by moving them towards the centre of the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres as a precautionary measure. As an ac-tive restraint system, it uses the air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests.

Spotlight lighting function: This partial LED main beam specifically illuminates potential hazards. If the infrared camera of Night View As-sist PLUS e.g. detects deer at the roadside or pedestrians on the road, these can be briefly illuminated beyond the normal area covered by the main beams, as if by a spotlight.

Mercedes-Benz is also presenting an innovative PRE-SAFE Demonstrator at the 21st ESV Conference. For the first time this simulator uses a linear motor for this purpose, in order to accelerate the vehicle cabin to up to 16 km/h within a distance of four metres before the impact occurs. The linear drive system, which is similar to that used by the Transrapid train, is freely programmable and also works in the opposite direction. This enables various acceleration profiles and also a rear-end collision to be demonstrated.

The special feature of this sys-tem is that the ‘vehicle occupants’ experience the effect of the PRE-SAFE® functions live, e.g. belt pretensioning, NECK-PRO and the inflatable side bolsters of the seats. Mercedes-Benz is continuing a longstanding tradition with the ESF 2009: for the ESV Safety Conferences held in 1971 to 1975, the safety experts in Stuttgart built more than 30 experimental vehicles and subjected them to crash tests to satisfy the visionary safety requirements of that time. Four of these ESFs (Experimental Safety Vehicles) were presented to the public, and many of the revolutionary ideas such as ABS or the airbag first entered series production at Mercedes-Benz.

Wallpaper : Mercedes-Benz

Source : babez.de

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Something Funny

New Toyota chief to race in Nurburgring 24

Toyota scion (pun intended) and new company president Akio Toyoda will don a helmet and Nomex late next month as his company returns to Germany to compete in the annual Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. Toyoda will be part of the four-driver lineup taking the wheel of the Lexus LF-A (hey, remember that?) as part of its ongoing (and seemingly endless) development. Unlike last year, when the LF-A showed up to race in plain 'ol development-mule matte black, Toyota's got a more proper race livery planned for this year's event (see above). After all, we can't have the boss rolling like every other test engineer, can we? Thanks, Dom!

Gallery: 2009 Lexus LF-A Nurburgring 24 Livery

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New Car - 2009 Toyota HC-CV

Toyota Australia revealed today the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle), a concept that will be revealed at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

The hybrid Camry uses a four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a powerful electric motor. It produces more power than a conventional petrol-engine vehicle while delivering better fuel economy.

"HC-CV is our expression of the contemporary hybrid sedan." The front of the car is characterised by expressive, sharp lines and taught surfaces. It echoes the latest Toyota Hybrid styling cues, with vertical fog lamps, larger lower opening and a streamlined upper grille.

The headlights are symbolic of Toyota’s hybrid image with a blue hue. They fuse technical elements with natural forms. Some lenses have a waterfall impression, while others are functional, lightweight and technical in appearance. The rear LED lamps, also with a blue hue, provide an unmistakable hybrid look.

The body colour is unique - a satin white pearl with subtle blue highlights to provide a serene, calm feeling. The paint allows intricate detailing and features to show through.

Geneva Motor Show-world premiere of the new Toyota iQ

KEY POINTS

* First appearance of Toyota’s radical and sophisticated new urban car
* Less than three metres long, but three adults plus a child or luggage carried in comfort
* Space-saving design breakthroughs include a flat under-floor fuel tank, new differential and asymmetrical dashboard
* Strong environmental performance anticipated, from 100g/km
* Designed to meet five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety standard
* Production to start late 2008 with UK sales from spring 2009

Toyota has given the production design of the new iQ its world premiere at the Geneva motor show. First presented as the Concept Car iQ at the Frankfurt motor show last year, the new model will go into production late in 2008 with UK sales scheduled to start in spring 2009.

The new iQ is a sophisticated car, delivering a refined mode of urban transport. Thanks to ingenious and revolutionary packaging, it measures less than three metres long, but has a flexible interior that allows up to three adults, plus a child or luggage, to travel in comfort.

The name iQ represents what the car embodies: “i” stands for individuality, innovation and intelligence and “Q” for quality.
DESIGN

iQ is designed for buyers who want more than just urban mobility, but who are also looking for space, refinement and a vehicle that is kinder to the environment.

Its revolutionary packaging is achieved through six space-saving, interlinked engineering innovations that represent a break-through in Toyota’s vehicle development.

“The iQ story started a few years ago when we at Toyota began thinking about the environmental impact of automobiles,” explained Kazuo Okamato, Executive Vice President in charge of Research and Development at Toyota Motor Corporation.

“We concluded that, in order to ensure a sustainable future, there was a need for a radical change in vehicle packaging. We needed to create a breakthrough, away from the traditional belief that small is basic. Our answer is the Toyota iQ.”

Robust and refined for the urban environment

iQ has a self-assured “super stance” with the four wheels positioned at the extremity of each corner, with robustness further enhanced by tough-looking bumpers and five-spoke, 16-inch alloy wheels that fill the bold wheel arches.

The exterior styling blends dynamism and stability: prominent crease lines define the high belt line, while the V-line of the A-pillar creates tension across the wheel arches. Smooth lines flow from the front bumpers, curve smoothly up through the front pillars to meet the roof and sweep back down towards the rear hatch where they are replaced by edgier, well-defined lines. The rear is defined by strong vertical lines, with bold lamp lenses cut into three segments by horizontal lines.

At the front, smoked headlamp units are set deep into the bonnet and wings. Refined appeal is further reflected in the door mirrors with integrated turn indicators.

Techno-organic Interior Styling

Toyota has created a “techno-organic” design for the interior, which fuses geometric precision with inner beauty. This is demonstrated in the floating “V” centre console that dominates the asymmetrical dashboard and the matt silver door handles, which have a flowing, manta ray shape.

The steering wheel has a flat bottom to give the driver greater legroom and audio controls are positioned on the wheel to save space on the centre console and make operation easier for the driver.

The ultra-slim seatbacks are formed in a one-piece moulding that enhances iQ’s edgy feel, while also helping free up additional passenger space. A storage tray is concealed below the rear seat, another feature that does not sacrifice cabin space. For extra luggage room, the 50:50 split rear seats can be folded flat.
TECHNOLOGY

Creating more passenger space in such a compact vehicle was a key challenge for the Toyota design team. iQ’s interior is surprisingly spacious, made possible by six interlinked engineering innovations.

Achieving this milestone in vehicle development required a drastic change of mindset. The engineers have to reconsider the location of various components, rather than simply redesigning parts to a smaller size.

The result is a breakthrough in “small yet spacious” packaging, which at the same time has been designed to meet Euro NCAP’s top five-star safety rating.

iQ is 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high. Its compact ingenuity lies in its comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase.

New differential saves engine compartment space

A newly developed differential allows iQ to have a more compact engine compartment and front wheels placed at the very corners of the car, with very short overhangs. This yields more than 100mm extra cabin length, compared to Yaris.

Flat Under-floor Fuel Tank and Rear-angled Shock Absorbers

Designing a flat under-floor fuel tank has allowed shorter rear overhangs to be developed, helping reduce the car’s overall length.

A flat fuel tank has traditionally been considered difficult to engineer, because of the variance in fuel surface levels depending on the angle of the vehicle. Persistent engineering efforts to downsize and find the best position for functional parts have enabled such a tank to be developed, delivering significant space savings.

Smaller heater/air conditioning unit

Toyota engineers have significantly reduced the size of the heater/air conditioning unit, without sacrificing performance.

As a result, the front passenger area can be moved forwards towards the base of the windscreen, freeing up additional cabin space.

Asymmetric Dashboard and Sliding Seat Configuration

iQ’s innovative asymmetric dashboard is designed to open up the passenger area. Its pushed-forward, step-like structure gives sufficient space for the front passenger when the seat is in its most forward position, while comfortably accommodating an adult in the rear seat.

Combined with a shoulder-to-shoulder distance between driver and passenger that is similar to a C-segment model, the unique 3+1 seating configuration creates enough room for three adults, plus either a child or luggage carried behind the driver.

Centre Take-off Steering Gear

Toyota has given iQ a centre take-off steering gear, positioned higher in the engine bay. The gear, engine and differential could then be repositioned, giving the car a shorter front overhang.

Slim Seat Design

The slim seatbacks release a further 40mm of rear passenger room at knee height. With an all new frame structure and optimal adjustment of ancillary parts, the designs save space without sacrificing comfort.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

New iQ, together with the new Urban Cruiser, plays a key role in Toyota’s drive to reduce emissions. Both vehicles are essential to meeting the challenge of the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association’s (JAMA) 140g/km voluntary commitment by 2009.

iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. These, together with the compact design, low weight and aerodynamic shape of iQ, will contribute to outstanding fuel economy and exceptionally low CO2 emissions, which are anticipated to start at around 100g/km.

Production will commence during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected worldwide in the first full year.

High resolution Toyota iQ images

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Geneva Motor Show : Toyota unveils Urban Cruiser

KEY POINTS

* Stylish new five-door compact SUV for the urban all-roader market
* Builds on a distinguished Toyota 4x4 heritage
* Room for five inside, plus generous luggage space
* Bold, muscular styling
* Strong fuel economy and expected CO2 emissions below 140g/km
* On sale in the UK in the first half of 2009

Toyota has given its new Urban Cruiser small SUV its European debut at the Geneva motor show, the latest addition to its distinguished 4x4 vehicle heritage.

The new model is aimed firmly at the urban all-road market, where European sales have almost doubled since 2002. Scheduled to go on sale in the UK during the first half of 2009, it responds to customer demand for stylish SUVs with lower fuel bills and CO2 emissions: Urban Cruiser is expected to come in below the 140g/km emissions benchmark.

Urban Cruiser draws on Toyota’s rich history of SUVs, which began in 1951 with the launch of the legendary Land Cruiser and went on to feature the landmark RAV4 in 1994 – the model which created the European compact SUV market.

The new Urban Cruiser is designed as an aspirational urban SUV that is very close in spirit to the discontinued three-door RAV4 with its compact dimensions, clever packaging, practicality and four-wheel drive transmission.

Muscular Styling

Urban Cruiser has the rugged, muscular appearance expected of an SUV, but with five-door practicality and compact dimensions that make it suitable for driving around town. It measures 3,930mm long, 1,725mm wide and 1,540 tall, with spacious accommodation for five inside, plus ample luggage space.

A high belt line, additional bumper protection, prominent lower door sills and pronounced wheel arches give the vehicle a robust appearance. The headlamps flow back from the front grille, out towards the wings, further accentuating the car’s wide and tough road stance.

Turn indicators are recessed into the door mirrors and the rear lamp units extend into the rear wings and tailgate. The show car is fitted with five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and a special Ice Blue paint finish.

Urban Cruiser will play a significant role in cutting the overall emissions of Toyota’s model range to an average 140g/km by 2009.

High resolution Toyota Urban Cruiser images

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SEMA-New Toyota Venza Sportlux by Street Image

The new 2009 Toyota Venza underwent a unique transformation by Street Image resulting in the creation of the SportLux Venza performance show car. The Venza SportLux will be displayed at the Toyota exhibit throughout the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas from November 4-7.

The conceptual vision of the Toyota SportLux Venza by the Street Image design team was centered on a vehicle which could be offered as a factory tuned model. Taking cues from European tuners, Street Image added an assortment of subtle, yet aggressive, body kit modifications including a six-piece lip kit enhancement, rear hatch spoiler, custom grille and integrated hood scoop.

Its performance driven stance reflects the Toyota SportLux Venza's substantial boost in power output. Among its many performance modifications are several components from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) including a supercharger kit. The SportLux Venza's power surge is complemented with a height adjustable coil over tuned suspension and rides on Chrome Cognac No 20 Wheels measuring 24-inches and Toyo Proxy 4 performance tires. The massive wheels are controlled by 15-inch front and 13.6-inch rear TRD Big Brakes with forged calipers.

Street Image added appropriate interior comfort and convenience modifications to the SportLux Venza including special Black & Burgundy leather seating. A state-of-the-art Eclipse entertainment system features a premium navigation system and includes front and rear video and high-powered audio. The overall effect gives passengers a refined sports car feel without sacrificing the utilitarian appeal of the Venza.
TOYOTA VENZA SPORTLUX Designed by Street Image

Exterior Modifications:

•Six piece lip kit enhancement
•Rear hatch spoiler
•Integrated hood scoop
•Flash window film
•Custom grille
•Mirror turn signals
•Chrome Cognac No 20 wheels
-Front 24" x 9.5"
-Rear 24" x 10.0"
•Toyo Proxy 4 performance tires
-Front 255/30ZR24
-Rear 275/30ZR20
•Dual center exiting stainless steel exhaust

Interior Modifications:

•Seating in black and burgundy leather upholstery
•Accent upholstery in black suede
-Headliner and sun visors
-Pillars
•Steering wheel upholstered in black leather
•Accent lighting
•Color matched accents

Engine and Bay Modifications:

•TRD supercharger, oil filler cap and high pressure radiator cap
•Cold air intake system
•Hose Techniques silicone vacuum hose, couplers and t-bolt clamps
•Color match accents
•Polished accents pieces and hard lines
•Optima D34/78 Yellow Top deep cycle battery
•Counter sunk stainless steel metric hardware

Suspension Modifications:

•Height adjustable coil over suspension

Brake Modifications:

•TRD Big Brakes
-Front 15" diameter
-Rear 13.6" diameter
•TRD forged calipers
-Front 6 piston
-Rear 4 piston
•Braided stainless steel brake lines
•Motul RBF 600 brake fluid

In Car Entertainment:

•Eclipse AVN6620 - In-dash navigation with 7" wide TFT display and dual DVD multi-source receiver x 1; SIR-ECL1 - Sirius Satellite Radio tuner x 1; MRE-700W - 7" wide screen monitors x 2; XA4200 - 1000 watt 4 channel class D amplifier with channel flex crossover x 1; ZA1200 - 1500 watt 1 channel class D subwoofer amplifier x 2; SC8355 5 ?" component 3-way speaker system x 1; SC6500 6 ?" component 2-way speaker system x 1; and SW8000 10" dual coil subwoofer x 2

•Cascade APS90 continuous power supply

•Headrest mounted monitors for rear passenger entertainment

•Custom false floor subwoofer enclosure

•Black suede trunk area upholstery

High resolution Toyota Venza images

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