Toyota goes all hybrid for Frankfurt Motor Show; Yaris Hybrid-R concept, fuel cell update
19 August 2013
|
|
| Teaser sketch of Yaris Hybrid-R concept. Click to enlarge. |
At the upcoming 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Toyota stand will be devoted entirely to hybrids, the company says. Toyota’s hybrid portfolio, built over the past 16 years, comprises 23 models sold in 80 countries. As of the end of July 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation has sold more 5.5 million hybrid products—more than 10% of which have been sold in Europe.
Toyota will also use the venue to unveil further potential technology directions in the future of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles with the world premiere of the Yaris Hybrid-R concept, as well as the latest status of its fuel cell technology development, due to be launched in a production car by 2015.
Yaris Hybrid-R concept. The Yaris Hybrid-R is a concept car created as a showcase of possible ideas for the development of hybrid technology for maximum performance and increased driving pleasure, Toyota says.
Based on the Yaris 3-door, the Yaris Hybrid-R concept hybrid powertrain combines the 1.6-liter Global Race Engine (GRE) developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) for rallying with two electric motors to provide an intelligent electric four-wheel drive capability.
Just as in the TS030 HYBRID (earlier post), the energy recovered during the braking phase is stored in a supercapacitor, particularly suitable for a sports car because of its high power density and quick charge and discharge speeds. The result is a highly focused concept car dedicated to maximizing driving pleasure on road and on track.
In August 2012, TMG unveiled the entry-level TMG Yaris R1A car. TMG developed the TMG Yaris R1A specifically to provide an affordable entry into rallying. The FIA’s R1A regulations permitted only limited performance modifications to the standard 1.3-liter gasoline-engined, three-door Yaris. TMG’s upgrade kit included racing exhaust and catalytic converter system, shorter final drive gear, motorsport suspension with adapted springs and adjustable ride height.
Moving forward, Toyota plans to introduce 16 new or updated hybrids by the end of 2015.
Fuel Cell. Toyota reiterated its belief that the solutions to energy and emissions issues offered by the Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) make it the closest technology yet to the ultimate zero-emission car, with hydrogen as an ideal, ultra-clean energy carrier. Before the launch of its production car by 2015, Toyota will display the latest status of its technology development.
Obvious really (in retrospect) - use supercap based regenerative braking for a race/rally car.
You don;t need the power for city driving, but you do need it for racing.
Have to add as much glamour to the hybrid image to move beyond the "goodie two shoes green types" if you are to expand the market.
(Also, you have to reduce the cost premium so that it "hurts very little" to buy a hybrid.
Then everyone could have one.
So well done Toyota.
Posted by: mahonj | 19 August 2013 at 03:48 AM
The toyota prius will greatly benefit from having both batteries and ultracapacitors (unless the new lithium ion batteries can accept the 60 KW of regenerative power the electric motor can produce when operating in generator mode). Frequently, the amount of regenerative power when I drive my prius is insuficient. For those who have not figure it out yet, you get the maximum energy recovered when using your cruise control to slow down, not the standard brake. This is true only as long as you have enough distance to slow down the car using cruise control.
Posted by: Freddy Torres | 19 August 2013 at 08:06 AM
Freddy - what if you lift off the throttle and shift into "B" mode to slow? Wouldn't that increase the recuperation rate of the regeneration mode? Stopping distance would decrease and be much more repeatable compared to using cruise so it should become second nature and very predictable.
Try it.
Any other Prius owners on GCC use this method to maximize regen power?
Posted by: Trevor Carlson | 19 August 2013 at 09:21 AM
The B shift mode in Prius enables engine based breaking, so it reduces regen. I think it can be used to reduce break-pad wear in a long descent when the battery is already full.
Posted by: TexasDesert | 19 August 2013 at 10:11 PM
Toyota is fully qualified to select, design and mass produce the most appropriate technologies for their future improved hybrids.
Using combined ultra-cap/lithium batteries will maximize energy recovery, extend batteries useful life and increase vehicle performances?
Posted by: HarveyD | 21 August 2013 at 10:11 AM
For maximum regen and electric power boost for maximum engine downsizing, use a PHEV.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 21 August 2013 at 12:54 PM