Toyota i-TRIL Concept

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Toyota i-TRIL Concept

Toyota i-TRIL Concept

The new i-TRIL Concept has been developed by Toyota Motor Europe in collaboration with its ED2 design studio in the South of France. It showcases innovative aspects of Toyota’s research into how the company can deliver ever-better and more engaging mobility that is kinder to the environment.

The concept vehicle, which makes its world debut at the Geneva motor show, has a one-plus-two seating layout and features Active Lean technology, similar in concept to that used by the Toyota i-Road.

The i-TRIL has been developed as a viable alternative to city cars, small hatchbacks (A and B segment), other all-electric EV models and motorcycles for people who still want to have fun when driving, even at slower, urban traffic speeds.

Toyota sees the i-TRIL as a model that can help change the way people perceive EVs, true its waku-doku (translating as “beat of the heart”) philosophy for bringing more passion and driving pleasure to its vehicles. It has been designed with a specific kind of user in mind – parents who live in small or medium-size towns who need an agile and urban-friendly family vehicle that’s ideal for both chores and for social trips.

Toyota i-TRIL: Active Lean technology

The Toyota i-TRIL is powered by an electric motor and weights just 600kg. It measures 3,000mm long and 1,510mm high, with front and rear tracks at 1,200mm and 600mm respectively. A hinge between the rear axle and the cabin allows the body and front tyres to lean while the powered rear wheels stay perpendicular to the road surface at all times.

The front wheels and wings are separate from the main bodyshell, with the cabin rendered as a dark, cocoon-like central space with no belt line or door handles. It is covered in a wrap which seamlessly changes from the body colour (also used for the front wheel arches) to a transparent glazing for the cockpit, while emphasising the powerful sense of forward motion generated by i-TRIL’s silhouette.

The butterfly-opening doors are hinged on sloping front pillars to maximise the openings for easy cabin access for driver and passengers. The doors’ design is such that they can be opened within a regular parking space – no extra room is needed.

The rear of the cabin is wider to accommodate a two-seat bench. The strong vehicle architecture is expressed by a full-width rear combination light, positioned above the visibly separate rear axle structure; the axle unit also houses the electric motor drive system.

Toyota engineers, building on their experience with Active Lean technology, determined that an angle of 10 degrees is ideal for securing better stability and grip, more driving enjoyment and a more comfortable ride for passengers.

In conjunction with 25 degrees of front wheel steering, this gives i-TRIL a four-metre turning circle (similar to that of the Toyota iQ). This means it’s not only engaging to drive, even at modest speeds, but also very much at home on congested urban streets.

It is capable of operating fully autonomously, but having been conceived to be fun to drive, it’s more likely that owners will want to drive for themselves most of the time. Its target driving range is more than 185 miles (300km) between charges.

Toyota i-TRIL: driving position and operation

To help secure the “relaxed engagement” experience they wanted for i-TRIL, the concept development team asked target customers to sample a range of different driving positions. The showed a preference for a higher, yet relaxed and laid-back position, almost like in a go-kart, allowing for good engagement with the steering system.

The latter point is important, because i-TRIL has no pedals. This means the driver can stretch out their legs in comfort and wear whatever kind of shoes they want without compromising their control of the vehicle. The driver’s seat cushion has a central rib to provide a snug, comfortable fit.

Steering, acceleration and braking are all controlled by drive-by-wire technology. Operation is by left and right-hand control nodes that work like computer mice or games controllers. These extend towards the driver’s hands beneath the stretch fabric that covers the manual driving module.

When i-TRIL is operating in autonomous mode, the left or right side of the instrument panel will automatically light up when the vehicle is about to enter a corner, letting everyone on board know which way the cabin is about to lean.

There are no other controls or switchgear, and no driver’s instrument binnacle. In manual driving mode, a simple head-up display gives the driver all the information they need. Taking a new approach to HMI design, the focus is on voice activation: the driver communicates with the vehicle’s artificial intelligence to control the multimedia and infotainment systems.

Toyota i-TRIL: seating layout

The Toyota i-TRIL has a one-plus-two seating layout that takes a new approach to realising interior space and spaciousness. Current interior design thinking centres on everything being built around the driver, with less priority given to rear seat passengers.

The i-TRIL interior, allied with the Active Lean technology, lets those sitting at the back become much more involved in the driving experience; it also lets children sit much closer to the adult driver without getting in the way.

More than that, they are also given a much better forward view, without head restraints blocking their sightline. The front seat headrest is fixed to the roof and pivots down when the vehicle is switched on. As there is plenty of legroom either side of the driver’s seat, i-TRIL can accommodate three adults.

Careful attention has been paid to making it as easy as possible for the driver to enter and exit the vehicle. When the doors open they also remove a section of the floor, creating a smaller footprint and allowing the driver to step out with a shorter stride. Also, the front seat can be swivelled through up to 20 degrees.

The cabin has been design specifically to avoid an overtly automotive feel. The Alcantara-like trim, rear bench seat upholstery and wooden floor finish – all made from recycled materials – create a comfortable environment that is styled more like a comfortable living space in the home.

The bench seat fabric has a ribbed texture that radiates outwards to emphasise the width of the rear cabin space. In addition, the tread pattern on the Goodyear tyres (19-inch front, 20-inch rear) has been cut exclusively to match the interior trim design.

Although there is a clear separation between the front and rear sections of the interior, the space is still unified by the overlapping of the front seat and rear bench upholsteries, and by the ducting system which distributes ventilation airflow.

courtesy: blog.toyota.co.uk

Prius tops Japan’s car sale chart

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priusIt sold 22,292 Prius vehicles in June, from 6,231 in the same month a year earlier and from 10,915 in May said the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

A new model had helped bolster sales, analysts said.

In May the Prius had already become the top-selling car – a category that excludes popular mini-vehicles with engines of up to 660cc.

Honda’s Fit was the second most popular vehicle in the June, with sales of 13,016 vehicles. The firm’s Insight, a hybrid marketed as a cheaper alternative to the Prius, was ranked fourth.

Tax breaks

Hybrid cars are powered by both by petrol and electricity.

High oil prices and growing concern about emissions blamed for global warming has encouraged Japanese carmakers to lead the global development of hybrids.

The sale of fuel-efficient vehicles has also been helped by the government making them tax free.

The car industry hopes that hybrid cars will re-energise the flagging market, which has suffered in the global economic downturn.

Toyota to launch sedan from small car platform

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toyota-iq-small-car-photo-black436Toyota Kirloskar Motors, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese giant, Toyota Motor Corporation, will make multiple use of the new compact platform its parent company is developing for the launch of a small car in India later next year.

Since the company is developing a completely new platform from scratch, it will use it to build a sedan, in addition to other models, which perhaps could be compact cars.

Toyota is launching a compact car by the end of next year from its new production facility close to its existing plant in Bangalore, a senior company official said today on the sidelines of the launch of the new Land Cruiser, a luxury sports utility vehicle.

Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director (marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motors, said” “We can make more than just the small car from that new platform. We will bring out a sedan based on that platform, apart from other options.”

Experts say the use of a common platform amongst cars brings down the cost of development of a new vehicle substantially. Toyota will be able to position the new sedan at an attractive price, lower than its current model, the Corolla Altis (priced at Rs 9.65 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai, for base variant), experts said.

The company wants localisation content of at least 70 per cent for the small car, which will be ramped up later. It also said today that the decision of having an engine manufacturing plant in India is pending.

“Earlier there was a plan of sourcing the engines from outside India, but after putting up the second car plant with such a huge capacity, it does not make sense to not make the engines for the small car here. However, we are yet to take a final call on that,” added Singh.

The company has an installed capacity of about 100,000 units at the new plant, where Toyota has invested Rs 3,000 crore. However, the company recently informed that it has reduced its targeted capacity to 70,000 units, following the slump in the auto sector, without any reduction in capital expenditure.

Hiroshi Nakagawa, managing director of TKM, said: “All our global (new) projects were frozen due to the meltdown, except the Indian project. The Indian market is showing signs of recovery and we are expecting great potential from India.”

TKM was also forced to bring down its production levels by 20 per cent last year, to little more than 50,000 units from the 65,000 units at its current plant, to adjust to falling demand. The company sells four models in India – Innova, Corolla Altis, Camry and Prado.

However, with demand slightly better than in earlier months, Toyota is raising monthly production from about 4,000 to 5,500 units. It has set itself a target of selling at least 50,000 units this year. Last year, the company sold 51,800 units.

The Land Cruiser, launched today in two versions, is the most expensive vehicle from the company, priced at Rs 81.64 lakh and Rs 83.10 lakh. The model will be brought to India in a completely built unit (CBU) and initially sold through only select outlets in the metros.

Toyota FT-EV Battery Electric Vehicle

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Toyota_FT-EV_Electric_Car

Toyota_FT-EV_Electric_Car

Seems shrinking gas prices haven’t deterred Toyota’s need for hybrid developin’ speed. Starting with the third generation Prius and the new Lexus hybrid, the HS250h, which are being unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the car company has announced that it will launch as many as 10 new hybrids by the early 2010’s.

Some of highlights from the incoming hybrid lineup? News that the Plug-in Prius will launch by the end of this year, and confirmation that Toyota will release a Battery Electric Vehicle, the FT-EV urban commuter vehicle, by 2012.

Plug-in Prius Comes Early
The much-anticipated Plug-in Prius, which was originally slated for launch in 2010, will now be arriving a year early. The lithium ion battery-powered Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle will hit US shores by the end of 2009, though only 150 will be placed with U.S. lease fleet customers.

The FT-EV Battery Electric Vehicle Only Years Away
Even more intriguing is the prospect of Toyota’s BEV, the FT-EV, which is evidently only 3 years away from a US arrival.

According to Toyota,

“The FT-EV concept shares its platform with the revolutionary-new iQ urban commuter vehicle. Already a huge hit in Japan, the iQ is lightweight and seats four passengers in comfort and security, while delivering exceptional mileage, sporty performance, unique refinements and a fun, youthful image.

Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail. Although, for now, the FT-EV remains a pure concept, it represents a natural pairing of product strategies.”

Sounds great, but will American consumers take to the compact electric car as readily as the Japanese have?

A Hybrid Future
Toyota just revealed a concept for a compressed natural gas powered Camry Hybrid at the LA Auto Show in 2008. We’ll have to keep our ears peeled for further details on both it and the promising FT-EV.

So that makes five out of ten—what other kind of hybrid-ery does Toyota have in store for the next few years? Time will tell, but the company is forecasting selling at least a million gas-electric hybrids by the early 2010s, so we can bet there’ll be a decent consumer-friendly variety.

Toyota unveils Land Cruiser

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toyotaToyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) on Tuesday launched its internationally successful premium sports utility vehicle (SUV), the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The eighth generation Land Cruiser, which offers superior four-wheel-drive and is loaded with advanced technology and comfort features, was unveiled here by TKM Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa. Mr. Nakagawa said, “not only is the Land Cruiser a global benchmark in automotive engineering, it is also the ultimate lifestyle statement of luxury, comfort and best-in-class safety features. Our aim is to bring to our customers the world’s most admired SUV, backed by Toyota’s countrywide assured sales and service support.”

The new Land Cruiser will be available in two options. One will 9 nine speakers and the other will have an advanced 6 DVD, 14 JBl premium speaker system with EMV screen and a Moonroof. These options will be available at Rs. 81.64 lakh and Rs. 83.10 lakh (ex-showroom, Thane), respectively.

TKM Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh said that in spite of the recent slowdown, the premium SUV segment had witnessed a growth, driven largely by the introduction of new models. “We will execute comprehensive training programmes at our dealerships to provide the necessary sales support and create the desired impact among our high end customers. We will also implement a focussed marketing campaign (including print, magazines, hoardings, direct marketing, web and SMS) to inform all our customers about Toyota’s capabilities in advanced technology and over-powering performance demonstrated in the Land Cruiser.”

The multi-terrain ABS (anti-lock braking system) continually monitors engine revolutions and vehicle speed, instantly adjusting wheel-slippage regardless of surface conditions. The hill assist control further contributes to smooth hill starts making the Land Cruiser suitable for mountainous terrain. And as always, passenger safety and security has been prioritised by providing 10 airbags with seat position sensors, active traction control, vehicle stability control and clearance and back sonar (to assist in cornering/reversing).

The new Land Cruiser has the world’s most advanced four zone air-conditioning system where each passenger has an independent temperature control facility.

TKM is a joint venture of Toyota and the Kirloskar group with Toyota holding an 89 per cent stake. In 2008, the company made 54,327 units. TKM’s plant on the outskirts of Bangalore has a capacity to make 60,000 units and it now makes the Corolla Altis and the Innova. TKM imports the Camry and Prado models as completely built units (CBUs). As of March 2009, the company had 3,287 employees.