Toyota Prius C News

Toyota will display three concept cars based on the Prius C (called the Aqua in Japan) at the Tokyo Motor Show. A drop top Aqua Air concept and a crossover Aqua Cross concept will join the sporty Aqua G concept, all based on the Toyota hybrid hero.The Aqua air appears to retain accommodation for four or five, but with a sportier interior than the standard Prius C. Red accents jazz up the interior, with deeper cushions hinting at a sportier ride.This could bring the Aqua Air in line with the Aqua G concept, which uses sports suspension, 17” alloys and other dynamic and visual enhancements. However none of these upgrades are confirmed on the open-top concept, with full details expected to be revealed at the show later today.All three concepts are likely to use the standard Prius C 1.5-litre engine mated to an electric motor, delivering 74kW in total. A CVT-like automatic continually varies the amount of electric and petrol power from both power plants to the front wheels.Aqua Cross’s taller suspension and plastic cladding protecting the undercarriage suggest it could be all wheel drive.The Aqua G is likely destined for production, at least in Japan, where its bigger sibling (Prius) is already available in a very sharp sports guise. However there are no plans to take the convertible or soft-roader version to the showrooms yet. But with Toyota keen to inject more fun and personality into its line-up, the two concept cars could well be gauging interest before a production go-ahead.

The first one I tried, a Toyota Prius, could happily measure the gaps and reverse into place provided I took care of work on the brake and accelerator, and that's a familiar package now for a range of cars including the Ford Focus.But there are also cars that can parallel park, and even reverse safely out into traffic using a range of radar-style sensors. Some people say the rise of self-parking cars is all about our increasing laziness and the ability of technology to take over the menial, or annoying, tasks in our day-to-day lives.Others might, more controversially, draw a link between self parking cars and the inability of many women to do the job. Before you get too carried away, I should point out that this has now been scientifically proven by a study in the UK that I read about in a book called 'Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps'.The book is by Allan Pease - the body language man - and his wife Barbara, and includes the parking research in a section devoted to women's relative lack of 'spatial awareness'. This apparently affects their ability to read maps, and park, but is offset by greater peripheral vision that makes it easier for women to spot things in a fridge than men.But, moving along, I've also recently heard about a new incentive for self parking cars. It comes as Audi accelerates its work on cars that can valet park themselves, linking electronically to a system inside a carpark that identifies open slots and then guides the car into place. They can then be summoned out of hibernation as needed.There is currently only one self-parking garage in the world, not surprisingly at Audi's headquarters in Germany, although work is progressing at other sites and on other cars. But the idea is that cars which can park themselves will free up extra space for parking. After all, when you park - often with other people in the car - you need clearance to open the doors for access. It's the same for head space, as well as clearance to open a hatchback boot.But if the cars can park autonomously, think about all the extra space in the world. It's something that occurs to me nearly every week as I head to the airport or my local shopping centre and wonder where the space has gone. Cars are obviously getting larger, and SUVs are making an increasing land grab, but am I the only one who thinks that parking slots are being shrunken to get a bigger car - and cash - return on the available space?Then again, there are cars that cannot be helped. In Britain - where 1950s garages designed for tiny Austins now look ludicrous in the face of even a humble Ford Fiesta - I was once driving a long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantom. When I drove into the supermarket to buy some fruit I was shocked to discover that the brutally brilliant limousine actually required four standard-sized parking spots, as it was both too long and too wide for anything less.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

It's called the Aqua there, but is the Prius C we will get here in the first half of 2012. Toyota Australia says the Prius C is "designed to bring the pleasure of hybrid vehicles to an even broader range of consumers". Whether or not it fulfils the pleasure promise, the Prius C is the latest culmination of 17 years of Toyota expertise and technology in the development of mass-produced hybrid vehicles. Prius C has a small, light and efficient hybrid system that achieves excellent fuel efficiency.A 1.5-litre engine forms the basis of the state-of-the-art Toyota hybrid system with reduction gear.A selectable electric-vehicle mode (EV Mode) enables driving with only the electric motor. Aerodynamic styling provides a comfortable interior in a compact body. The hybrid battery has been placed under the rear seat for maximum occupant and luggage space.The hybrid unit and engine are positioned to create a low centre of gravity for easy manoeuvring.

Both cars are based on the Prius drivetrain and will appear in the first half of 2012 as a small, Yaris-based hatch and then later in the year as a stretched Prius platform that allows seating for seven people.So important are the new hybrid models to its future that Toyota has deliberately pushed its hot FT-86 coupe to one side.The two hybrids will escort a new Camry Hybrid - with its engine now made in Australia - and the ongoing Prius five-door hatchback through 2012.News of the two new Australia-bound hybrids preface the Tokyo motor show where Toyota will show five new hybrid, fuel-cell or electric vehicles.One car - the fuel-cell FCV-R sedan - is confirmation that Toyota is advancing on the development of an alternative automotive power source.Its appearance at the show - and expected 2015 launch - is the first time the fuel-cell technology has been seen in a passenger car. Previously, the drivetrain was hidden in a Kluger-Highlander SUV mule.It is unlikely Australia will see the FCV-R until its hydrogen fuel is more readily available. The first market for this car will be California which has hydrogen refuelling stations.Japan this month starts selling a plug-in version of the Prius that drives 24km on its batteries alone - but the car, like the FCV-R, isn't planned for launch in Australia.PRIUS C- Australian launch: First quarter, 2012- Price: About $25,000- Fuel economy: about 3.9 L/100kmThe Tokyo motor show represents the world premiere of the compact, Yaris-based hatchback. Toyota says the sub-4m body length is perfect for the city, its platform is designed for nimble handling and its shape seats four adults and enhances aerodynamic performance. It is powered by a lightweight hybrid system of a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a high-output electric motor. Toyota claims 2.5 L/100km on the Japanese test cycle, equating to about 3.9 L/100km on the more demanding Australian test. It will be launched in Japan next month as the Aqua.FCV-R- Australian launch: perhaps 2020- Price: n/a- Fuel economy: n/aThis is the world premiere of the fuel-cell drivetrain that has been tested for the past five years in a Kluger-Highlander SUV. It is planned for launch in 2015 in markets that have hydrogen fuel supplies. The hydrogen is regarded as a promising source of CO2 emission-free energy that can be produced from a variety of sources. The fuel-cell unit is beneath the passenger compartment. Toyota claims a 700km range with its 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen fuel tank.FT-EV III- Australian launch: concept only- Price: n/a- Fuel economy: n/aThis is the latest in a series of Toyota's electric concept cars and is based on the iQ city car now on sale in Europe. It is also marketed as an Aston Martin Cygnet. The FT-EV III is designed for short-distance trips and has a lithium-ion battery with an estimated cruising range of 105km. Though this is a concept, Toyota is known to be working on an electric version of the iQ that could be on the market in Europe as early as mid-2012.TOYOTA FUN-Vii- Australian launch: concept only- Price: n/a- Fuel economy: n/aToyota says this world premiere of its "quirky'' concept vehicle heralds a future where people, cars and society are linked. Radical. It is a key exhibit for the 42nd Tokyo motor show, which is being staged under the theme "Mobility can change the world''.PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID- Australian launch: perhaps 2020- Price: est. $35,000- Fuel economy: 3 L/100kmThis Prius Plug-in Hybrid goes on sale in Japan this month. It is heavily based on the existing Prius but has a new, high-capacity lithium-ion battery that can be charged from a household power outlet. This allows it to operate as an electric vehicle on short trips (up to 23km) and as a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle on medium to long trips. It can operate regardless of battery charge status or the availability of charging infrastructure.

The good news is that the cars of the future are not boring electric "golf carts" but sleek and sexy machines.Take for example the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, or even the updated Toyota Prius C. Just as smart, but also featuring powertrain technology that is much further down the line, is the Hyundai Blue2 Concept, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, or the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV with a plug-in hybrid system that extends the use of the vehicle in electric mode.Here is a sample of the green vehicles on the stands at this year’s show:BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept: Making its Australian debut, this is the concept for the coming BMW i8. A conventional 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel mated to a pair of electric motors powers this four-wheel-drive 2+2 sports car. The hybrid combination pumps out 265kW of power and 800Nm of torque, and can run on electric power alone for up to 50km, diesel only for 645km or a combination of both. The lithium-ion battery packs charge in just 2.5 hours from AC mains or 44 minutes on quick charge.Ford: The new Liquefied Phase Injection LPG technology in the Ford Falcon EcoLPi has improved power and torque and decreased fuel consumption (12.5L/100km) and CO2 emissions (203g/km). Ford will also show its long-awaited diesel Territory with a 2.7-litre V6 boasting fuel economy of 8.2L/100km.Holden: The Ecoline Series II Cruze range with a new generation 2.0-litre turbo diesel (5.6L/100km) is Australia’s most fuel-efficient locally-built car. The stand will also feature the Cruze 1.4-litre intelligent turbo induction (1.4 iTi) petrol engine (6.4L/100km manual) and other Ecoline models, including the Commodore E85 flex-fuel and Spark Ignition Direct Injection V6 powered Commodores and Captivas.Honda hybrids: Honda will show the stylish Honda CR-Z coupe petrol-electric hybrid that arrives here later this year, as well as its second-generation Insight hybrid.Hyundai Blue2 Concept: This is the Korean company’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen. It delivers power of 90kW and fuel economy of 2.8L/100km. Being a concept car, it comes with a host of future electronic aids, such as an automatic opening door system, roof and side cameras to replace mirrors, and a motion sensor-operated infotainment system.Lexus LF-Gh Concept: This concept features the hybrid system already in the Lexus fleet, but is the first time the spindle-shaped grille that will become a feature of future designs will be seen here, and hints at a future grand touring sedan. Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb says the LF-Gh reaffirms that hybrids can be sleek and stylish.Mazda Minagi: This is a crossover concept specifically engineered to be the first with frugal SKYACTIV technology diesel and petrol engines and transmission. The car is an insight into the coming CX-5.Mercedes-Benz C-Class: The range now includes the updated 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission for improved economy. Diesel models come with the ECO start/stop function as standard, and the C250 diesel coupe boasts economy of 5.1L/100km. At the top end of the Benz range, the S350 diesel BlueTec luxury saloon has economy figures of 7L/100km.Mitsubishi ?i-Miev-based electric vehicle concepts: The i-MiEV is about to hit the showrooms and Mitsubishi already has an SUV variant, which will be on its stand. The Concept PX-MiEV has a plug-in hybrid system with fuel economy better than 2L/100km. It is powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors and a 1.6-litre MIVEC engine. The PX-MiEV also features Smart Grid technology that allows the battery to power home appliances during a blackout or at peak times when electricity tariffs are high.Nissan Leaf: The all-electric Leaf hits showrooms next year. The World Car of the Year features a satnav system linked to the "Global Data Centre’’ in Japan so you just press a button to find the closest recharging stations.Toyota Prius C concept & Prius V: The latest in the Prius family are a funky coupe concept (C) and a people mover (V). The Prius C concept shows how stylish the Prius can be and the V shows how spacious it can be. The V also features a lightweight-resin panoramic moon roof, weighing about 40 per cent less than a regular glass roof of the same size. It will be the first to feature Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system with mobile internet and Microsoft’s Bing search engine. The system will offer live weather and traffic updates, along with monitoring the best fuel prices in town.Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion: The BlueMotion has the same 1.6-litre engine with the same output at 77kW and 250Nm as the 77TDI, but its fuel use is just 3.8L/100km compared with 5.12L/100km (77TDI) and CO2 of 99g/km (133g/km 77TDI). The gains are made from a lower idle speed, stop/start technology, aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres.Volvo V60 diesel plug-in hybrid: The world’s first diesel hybrid plug-in goes into production next year. The driver can choose from three modes: Pure, which is all-electric with a range of up to 50km, Hybrid with an average fuel consumption of 1.9L/100km and CO2 of 49g/km, and Power, which boosts total diesel and electric power to 200kW and 640Nm of torque with acceleration to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. The turbodiesel drives the front wheels and an electric motor drives the rear axle. It can be recharged via a regular power socket in 4.5 hours on 10A charge.PLUS: There will also be displays by infrastructure companies including Better Place EV, which has announced plans to begin rolling out infrastructure in Canberra this year.