Toyota explores its Hybrid future
October 7, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Toyota will unveil three cars that explore new frontiers in hybrid technology when the doors are opened at the Australian International Motor Show on Thursday morning.
The cars represent vital steps in Toyota’s quest to develop the ultimate in environmentally friendly motoring, but so far this pic is the only snippet we have.
We do how ever have a brief run down on what the three vehicles entail:
Hybrid X – This vehicle will be an evolution of today’s Prius and proposes creative solutions that will potentially become signature points of Toyota’s hybrid identity. The vehicle’s purpose is to showcase ’sustainable mobility for modern families’.
Hybrid Supra HV-R – The first hybrid car to win a motor race this concept vehicle has helped Toyota engineers develop future hybrid models from better understanding lighter, more efficient and more powerful systems which eventually filter down for common use.
Hybrid Camry – Perhaps the one we’ve all been waiting for, this LHD Camry has been flown in specifically for AIMS (and evaluation purposes). In just over a year the Camry will become the first Australian produced hybrid vehicle. Toyota plans to extend the Hybrid Synergy Drive concept vehicles across their entire vehicle range by the early 2020s.
These three vehicles, along with the rest of Toyota’s extensive line-up, will be on show at AIMS and as always CarAdvice will be there to bring you all the action.
Print it: 
I recall that in the latest isuue of wheels They did a quick test drive of the Hybrid Camry and it was 4 seconds faster around the track than the normal Camry despite being heavier because of the batteries etc
Thats interesting, wonder if they revised any other parts of the car… e.g. suspension, gearing. The electric motor only adds 30kw.
because old people love racing
If anybody gets a chance, check out the Prius ads on national Geographic channel. It says in no means terms “a car that produces clean air while it drives”.
We all know that is bollocks, but for the non-car tree-hugging fraternity the Hybrid Synergy Drive is the answer to all of their prayers…or thats the way the ad depicts the car anyway, so no wonder Toyota have sold so many and will continue to do so.
Toyota are the best at making hybrid cars,all of there cars are part cars,part fridge.
Oh Phil, you crack me up.. your subtle wit and irreverent comedy are the highlite of my day…
Top me if you heard the one about the boring Toyota.. oh wait you stopped me…
God help me from stereotypes… kind of a shortcut to thinking..
bloody mouthbreather.
Well, that’s all well and good, but electric cars are only for tree hugging hippy types.
what about the V8, fire breathing, petrol head bogans..?
they don’t want a hybrid do they?
give me a V8 any day i’ll pay the stinking petrol bill stuff the ozone layer lol…
OHHHH, another Toyota bash!
Must hurt when you love a V8 and the world is being taken over by smart technology. You know their were people who did not like this idea of plans, or thought a human would melt if driven in a car at a speed greater than 20kph.
Evolution, unfortunately does not always favor intelligence.
But intelligence prevails each time, as history shows us.
Lap it up while you can in the big motors, as they will soon to be extinct and will all be driving fridges….
I recently read an article on Autoblog about Toyota trying to Lobby US congress for buyers of the Prius to get the same tax breaks/credits as those who buy a Chevy Volt.
The attempt apparently failed because the batteries in the Prius don’t produce half as much power as the more compact batteries in the Volt.
Which could explain why the article also mentioned that Toyota are in talks with GM inorder to utilise GMs more advanced more user friendly and more powerful Plug In Technology.. as used in the Chevy Volt
So it could be that Toyotas Hybrid Future means Joining Forces with their arch rival
I agree Salesman – the end of the big V8 is approaching. However; I don’t think we will be driving fridges just yet. Because both Ford and GM-Holden have plans to release new cars with smaller engines such as 3.5 and 3.8 litre V6s which are capable of producing as much power as a V8.
For instance the new FPV F6 is a perfect example only 7Kw off the V8 GT…. And the DITTO V6 which will be in the new “Torana” is also expected to produce 300Kw+
Yet even if GM or Ford do go out of business there will still be other car companies for car enthusiasts to choose from before having to go anywhere near a bland boring yaris or Corolla or Camry.. or Prius!
How successful has Toyota been with the Aurion?
Isn’t that supposed to use under 9ltrs per 100klm?
I don’t think they have had allot of success convincing the buying public.
Holden and Ford would find this path just as difficult I believe.
And Toyota had a better start advertising its formula one heritage influence in the engine technology. Ford and Holden can only boast V8 supercars (not known for their economy)
WHEELNUT,
Nice try on the batteries but NO. The volt batterie supplier hasn’t even been decieded. Plus GM in it’s current form wont even be here in 2012.
Toyota owns denso and was the first F1 team to have there KERS sytem up and running… They dont need help from anyone…
The Salesman:
F1 cars, also, arn’t know for their economy :)
Speaking of the Aurion, I happend to run into the back of one just a few weeks ago as the happy chap who just rented it, accidently used that lovely foot-activated hand brake as a clutch at a modest 80km/h.
It wasn’t pretty…
BO,
Funny never been a problem for a Mercedes..
Who looks for a clutch in an auto?
This sounds like a phurphy to me….
BO,
They are known for the efficient use of fuel.
Sunbird Torana used to have the foot activated handbrake. Old mate probably shouldn’t be licensed
That maybe so Danman but Chev have listed on the specifications sheet that the cars batteries will produce twice as much power as those in the Prius is exactly the same as BMW or Lexus stating their future models will have a quad cam direct injection twin turbo 4 cylinder engine with displacement on demand capable of producing 240kw and use 8 litres per 100km
Sure the car hasn’t even been built yet However for Chev to make such a statement menas that either the technology exists or their research and development program will mean that it will be available by the time the car is released.
BTW have you read the article on CA about the Volt? it already has a waiting list of 30;000 buyers. But then I guess waiting lists are very rarely associated with Toyotas
Toyota don’t need help from anyone?… then why did they need to steal someone elses idea in terms of the operation system for the Prius?
I mean to use someone elses research or ideas without giving them due credit is wrong..They know they did it but the tried to get away with it and got caught just because they wanted to be the first to bring a revolutionary new Hybrid to the market.
Whereas others such as Ford GM and BMW have waited and used their own R&D budget to come up with new more efficient means of power and operation for their Hybrids…. and they have recognised those who helped with the project
Then of course there’s Tesla
DanMan – Its just a bit of fun and did you know what sort of magnetts the new Toyota Prius uses in its electric motor?Fridge magentts what else.
Salesman, Ummmm I think you might find that Ford are actually more heavily involved in more classes of motor sport than you are prepared to give them credit for. They also have more wins and trphies and records than you are letting on.
As for alternative technologies, what manufacturer holds the land speed record for a Hydrogen powered motor vehicle? How many manufacturers actuallly have at least one Hydrogen powered passenger vehicle running around in Europe? How many manufacturers have Hybrid vehilces being used as Taxis? (and have been for over 4 years).
No I am not pro Ford, I just like pointing out that there are more things happening outside of Australia than some people might realise. When you go to Korea, if you get a chance to see the future projects section you might realise that other companies have a lot up their sleave :-)
Frontman,
I will report back to my fellow bloggers on anything i find that is relevant.
What are you talking about WN?
Yes i know Ferry Porsche made an electric car in 1920’s but he is dead..
‘Then of course there’s Tesla’
Then of course there is strapping an electric motor to an Elise vs 1,000,000 hybrids made and sold… and counting.
‘ already has a waiting list of 30;000 buyers’
So does narcotics in most large North American cities..
Fools and their money?