|
|
Posts Tagged ‘Hybrid Powertrain’
Sunday, October 2nd, 2011
Toyota has been a worldwide innovator in vehicle manufacturing for a long time. They proceeded to solidify their greatness with their launch of hybrid vehicles. Toyota’s first hybrid, the Prius, is already in its third revision even though other auto companies have yet to make their first. The reasonable price and excellent fuel-efficiency has made the Prius four-door hybrid a premier choice for consumers. In addition, Prius is one of the best in terms of low tailpipe emissions. Hybrid cars use a combination of electric motor and internal combustion engine that’s driven by gas. The electric motor made way for a reduced amount of toxic emissions and better fuel economy. If you are looking for a couple of good automotive websites, car invoice price and Car Cost Canada are great resources to facilitate your car searching experience.
Toyota established their reputation on consistency and continues to achieve this with the Prius. The hybrid automobiles by Toyota continue to be a good value although they are used. When the Prius was first released, many questioned how long they could last, but it’s been proven to be pretty durable after all these years. One challenge with a used Prius is the sophisticated nature of the vehicle, may make future repairs quite expensive. The Prius has not gone through any major design changes as it continues to be a four-door hatchback that sits five people.
A 1.8-liter gas engine, producing 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque, accocunts for the hybrid powertrain of the car. There’s a couple of electric motors that work with the gas engine, along with a continuously variable transmission. When traveling at full acceleration, maximum power is supplied by both resources working together. Fuel-efficiency is maximized in stop and go traffic by operating on electrical power without recourse to the traditional gasoline engine. Braking normally loses energy, however the depleted heat is turned into electricity, which charges the battery pack.
 On the freeway, the new Prius has better pick-up compared to earlier types, but still lags from traffic stomps. The Prius improved its already impressive fuel economy to around 50 miles per gallon. The interior was improved to include a more traditional center control set-up. The vehicle display is near the digital speedometer, high on the instrument display. The climate controls in addition to the stereo have physical buttons, as opposed to a touchscreen. Tall people ought to have it a little easier with a more adjustable seat and a telescoping steering wheel. The Prius has an appeal that goes over and above fuel-efficiency, and the hatchback style gives lots of room for plenty of cargo.
Toyota continues to make the Prius an outstanding automobile with good fuel economy and versatility. There’s really no reason why a Prius would not be a choice since they drive like traditional cars. Though you do have other options, the Prius remains the recognized standard for great hybrid cars.
Tags: Auto Companies, Car Cost Canada, car invoice price, Economical Hybrid Car, Fuel Economy, Fuel Efficiency, Gasoline Engine, Hybrid Automobiles, Hybrid Car Standard, Hybrid Cars, Hybrid Powertrain, Internal Combustion Engine, Number One Hybrid Car, Pound Feet, Prius Toyota, Sophisticated Nature, Tailpipe Emissions, Third Revision, Toxic Emissions, Toyota Prius, Traditional Gasoline, Variable Transmission, Worldwide Innovator
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
The new Toyota Prius has clinched its first major award, voted Japan Car of the Year by a panel of distinguished motoring journalists and industry experts at the Tokyo motor show. The accolade is a formal acknowledgement of the advances Toyota has made with the third generation Prius, which delivers more power yet even better fuel efficiency and lower emissions from its full hybrid powertrain.
Prius’s advanced but eminently user-friendly technology is also winning the hearts and minds of its most important critics, drivers themselves. In Japan Prius has been the nation’s top selling new car for the past five months in a row – every month since the car first arrived in showrooms. And with more than 31,000 sales in September alone, new Prius last month accounted for almost 11 per cent of the entire new car market.
New Prius is also making a big impact with motorists here in the UK, with more than 4,000 customer orders received since its launch in August. In September its sales performance moved it up to become Toyota’s third best-seller, after Yaris and Auris.
Source: Toyota GB
 
Tags: Accolade, Auris, Better Fuel Efficiency, Car Market, Car Of The Year, Customer Orders, Formal Acknowledgement, Friendly Technology, Hearts And Minds, Hybrid Powertrain, Industry Experts, Japan Car, Prius, Sales Performance, Showrooms, Third Generation, Tokyo Motor, Toyota Gb, Toyota Prius, Winning The Hearts And Minds
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
   The new Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept, presented publicly for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show, marks a significant milestone in Toyota’s plan to equip its mainstream European models with full hybrid technology. Toyota is committed to making the environmental benefits of its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) accessible to a wider customer base and it is on track to offer a hybrid version of every model in its range by the early 2020s.
A five door hatchback is the best selling type of car in Europe and consequently the installation of HSD in Auris is the logical first step in deploying full hybrid technology across Toyota’s entire European model line-up.
By introducing the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept, Toyota also aims to shift customer perceptions of hybrid technology. The obvious advantages are exceptional fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions, but customers will also experience smooth and sophisticated driving unlike any other family hatchback, thanks to the everyday usability, comfort and quietness of the Toyota full hybrid powertrain.
The Auris HSD Full Hybrid will be built by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) at the Burnaston factory, near Derby, with sales scheduled to start during the second half of 2010.
The news that Europe’s first hybrid production model will be built in the UK has been welcomed by the British Government. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “I’m delighted Toyota has chosen the UK to build its first hybrid vehicle in Europe. When I visited the Burnaston plant in July, I saw for myself the energy and commitment of Toyota and its workers. The unveiling of the new car at the Frankfurt Motor Show brings the vision of making the UK the best place in the world to develop low carbon vehicles a step closer. I look forward to seeing the cars roll off the line next year.”
Exterior design
The design of the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept reflects the installation of a full hybrid powertrain in a mainstream package. Subtle changes have been made to Auris’s styling to improve aerodynamic efficiency and blue hybrid badging identifies the car as a member of Toyota’s full hybrid fleet.
The front end is designed to optimise airflow and so help maximise fuel efficiency. The front and rear bumper corners have flat surfaces, a feature that not only accentuates the car’s wide and solid stance, but also smoothes the flow of air over the vehicle’s flanks, minimising turbulence and drag.
The ride height is lower by 20mm compared to the conventional Auris, and underbody panels and a rear diffuser have been fitted to smooth and control airflow beneath the car. The bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels are designed to cut air turbulence in the wheel arches and are shod with low rolling resistance tyres. A larger, more efficient rear spoiler is also fitted. These aerodynamic elements target a drag coefficient of 0.28.
Interior design
The cabin has a number of special features that are linked to the car’s full hybrid status.
The seats and upper dashboard are finished in blue Gaucholino leather with light blue accent stitching. To complement the exterior body colour, the centre console and side air vents have a tactile, pearl white finish.
The instrument cluster has hybrid blue illumination, with a design that combines high technology with easy-to-read displays. Alloy pedals reinforce the performance dimension of HSD technology and the steering wheel has a flat bottom section for easy driver access and better legroom.
Sequenced entry and exit lighting is provided, including puddle lights integrated in the door mirrors and ambient illumination of the footwells and headlining. Thick carpeting raises the on-board comfort and refinement levels and also contributes to a marked improvement in cabin quietness.
Refined driving experience
Using the same powertrain as the latest generation Prius, the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept is the first mainstream model in Europe to benefit from Toyota’s refined, smooth and quiet Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The car will accelerate from nought to 62mph in around 10 seconds, while returning class-leading combined cycle fuel economy and sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. It offers four driving modes, three of which can be selected on-demand by the driver: ECO mode maximises hybrid system efficiency and fuel economy; Power mode boosts performance; and EV mode – a feature only available with a full hybrid system – allows for ultra-quiet running on electric motor power alone for up to 1.25 miles (2km) at speeds up to 31mph, with zero fuel consumption and zero CO2 and particulates (PM) emissions.
Building on the inherent quietness of HSD, particular attention has been paid to further NVH reduction measures to achieve a calm, quiet cabin environment at all speeds. Road and engine noise have been suppressed by comprehensive use of soundproofing materials, and full thickness glazing and an acoustic windscreen reduce wind noise at cruising speeds.
Environmentally efficient technology
Using technology that was first brought to the market in the latest generation Prius, the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept marks a further development of solar powered ventilation, with solar panels covering the entire roof.
Similar technology is used inside the cabin, with solar panels on top of the dashboard that generate sufficient energy to recharge mobile phones or portable music plays mounted in purpose-designed charging trays. In the future, Toyota aims to advance this technology to provide solar powered recharging of the hybrid battery.
Further energy-saving measures include the use of LED technology for the front and rear lights.
Outline technical specifications
|
ENGINE
|
|
|
Displacement (cc)
|
1,798
|
|
Max. power (bhp)
|
97
|
|
Acceleration 0-62mph (sec)
|
~10 (target)
|
|
MOTOR
|
|
|
Type
|
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
|
|
TRANSMISSION
|
|
|
Type
|
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
|
|
HV BATTERY
|
|
|
Type
|
Nickel-metal hydride
|
|
EXHAUST EMISSIONS
|
|
|
CO2 (g/km)
|
<100
|
|
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
|
|
|
Overall length (mm)
|
4,245
|
|
Overall width (mm)
|
1,760
|
|
Overall height (mm)
|
1,515
|
|
Wheelbase (mm)
|
2,600
|
Source: Toyota GB  
Tags: British Government, Co2 Emissions, Customer Perceptions, Environmental Benefits, European Model, European Models, Frankfurt Motor Show, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Powertrain, Hybrid Production, Hybrid Synergy Drive, Hybrid Technology, Hybrid Vehicle, Hybrid Version, Mandelson, Model Line, Production Model, Quietness, Tmuk, Toyota Motor
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
|
|
|
|
|
| |
