Comments on: Toyota explores its Hybrid future

By: DanMan

DanMan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:57:15 +0000

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?

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:29:01 +0000

Frontman,
I will report back to my fellow bloggers on anything i find that is relevant.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:02:52 +0000

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 :-)

By: Phill

Phill — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:50:24 +0000

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.

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:45:19 +0000

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

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:36:54 +0000

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

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:02:54 +0000

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

By: DanMan

DanMan — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:19:14 +0000

BO,
Funny never been a problem for a Mercedes..
Who looks for a clutch in an auto?

This sounds like a phurphy to me….

By: burnouts

burnouts — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:51:47 +0000

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…

By: DanMan

DanMan — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:46:16 +0000

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…

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:27:32 +0000

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)

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:15:43 +0000

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!

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:05:44 +0000

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

By: The Salesman

The Salesman — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:39:31 +0000

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….

By: Stoojn

Stoojn — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:19:59 +0000

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…

By: DanMan

DanMan — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:38:44 +0000

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.

By: Phill

Phill — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:08:44 +0000

Toyota are the best at making hybrid cars,all of there cars are part cars,part fridge.

By: Fenno

Fenno — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:35:34 +0000

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.

By: pg

pg — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:32:09 +0000

because old people love racing

By: Joober

Joober — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:20:17 +0000

Thats interesting, wonder if they revised any other parts of the car… e.g. suspension, gearing. The electric motor only adds 30kw.