Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative
Toyota Fine-X concept turns on a dime, literally
Toyota has a lot of interesting concepts coming up. One of the more interesting concepts is the
Fine-X, which combines fuel cell technology and four wheel independent drive wheels. Besides the typical
people-friendly technologies found on Toyota concepts, the Fine-X is driven by an electric motor at each wheel.
This allows the Fine-X to rotate on its axis. This technology is the ultimate illustration of what
independent electric motor drivetrains can offer. We're waiting for someone to apply similar
technologies to a performance vehicle. Toyota and Peugeot both have offered concepts with independently driven drive
wheels. Mitsubishi has also created a version of their EVO with four hub mounted electric motors. There are more
details after the jump.
The Fine-X
A revolutionary, new concept and a glimpse of the automobiles future, providing the environmental performance of a
fuel cell hybrid system and featuring an ease of movement through four-wheel independent drive control and a large,
steering angle mechanism
? The revolutionary package is beautifully formed under a design
philosophy of Vibrant Clarity and realizes an external size similar to that of the Toyota ist, with cabin space more
in keeping with the Camry.
? The vehicle aims for a sense of hospitality through variable lighting
intensity in the interior and through power Welcome Seats that move in and out of the car as the gull-wing doors open
widely to assist getting in and out of the vehicle.
? Completely new operational performance, including on-the-spot rotation,
and the ability to easily perform parking and U-turns, is afforded by the combination of four-wheel independent drive,
four-wheel independent steering and a large-steering-angle steering mechanism with electric in-wheel motors housed in
each of the four wheels.
? In the area of environmental performance, a fuel cell hybrid system is
employed as a matter of course. In addition, TMC is also pursuing a carbon-neutral system by using plant-based
materials, which grow by absorbing the CO2 in the natural environment, for interior and exterior components. As a
result, even if these components are incinerated upon disposal (thermal recycling), there will be no overall addition
to the amount of CO2 in the environment.
? The latest IT/ITS peripheral-monitoring technology makes driving
easier.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A_B 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I blame David Cross for making me post the following pedantic comment, but the car cannot "literally" turn on a dime. It doesn't rise up into the air and balance on one wheel with a contact patch the size of a dime and then turn.
It just rotates in place.
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Fabulo 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I think what makes the "turning on a dime" possible is the "four-wheel independent steering", not the one electric motor per wheel. Cuz that amounts to 4wd.
There's been attempt to add 4w steering in the past, I'm not sure these were too successful (I remember a GMC truck, high end trim, and even more vivdly, I remember the cow pictured in the commercial) A much longer time ago, there was a peugeot (or was it citroen?) sedan with the same feature too. Not a big seller either.
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SN 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
You know, I am not a GM fan, but they came out with an S-10 pickup with motors at each wheel a few years ago. The response was not "revolutionary." The commented on the issues with the unsprung weight at each wheel which made handling an issue. Funny, no mention here. Who says the press tells it as it is? They are all blind by the mighty Toyota...
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Zeke 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Wavecrest labratory (www.wavecrestlabs.com) has been developing these hub motors for several years now. While they definetly arent ready for prime time yet, general improvements in motor materials are making hub motors increasingly more realistic.
If you dont believe the materials will make for lighter motors in the near future (10-20 years), just think of how lighter materials have become increasingly more common in all vehicles in the last decade. All aluminum cars, magnesium dashboard supports, ceramic turbos... all the tip of the iceberg.
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md 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I still prefer jeep's idea in regards to four wheel sterring: the Hurricanne
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2005-Jeep-Hurricane-Concept.htm
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eric 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
i work at a toyota dealer and the first time i see this thing on the sales lot im going to be the first in line to buy this thing.
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Paul 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Mitsubishi recently built a 4WD Evo 9 with 50kw hub motors to enter an EV rally in Japan. No reports on performance but with over 2000Nm of torque from 0 rpm and 200kw I'm betting it could set a new world record 0-60mph for any type of road car.
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