The Japanese-market Estima debuted in 2001 as the world's first hybrid minivan, and on Monday Toyota launched a completely redesigned version of the seven-seater hybrid.
The Estima powertrain features the Toyota Hybrid System II (a version of its Hybrid Synergy Drive), a gasoline-electric system optimized for use on a minivan. The Estima Hybrid comes standard with Toyota's E-Four (electric AWD) system, with separate front- and rear-wheel electric motors. The E-Four drivetrain is married with a vehicle stability system, dubbed Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, that "optimally balances drive power, steering and braking."
More after the jump...
The THS II system adds a reduction gear system to the front electric motor, effectively amplifying the torque delivered to the front wheels. The front motor does most of the work, putting out about 140 hp and 200 ft-lb of torque, compared to the rear motor's 66 hp and 95 ft-lb. The second-generation system also features greater peak power, using a booster circuit in the power control unit to boost on-demand voltage to the motors from 245V to 650V, accompanied by a higher output NiMH battery pack tucked under the center console.The Estima Hybrid's gasoline engine is a high-efficiency 2.4-liter four, good for more than 145 hp and 140 ft-lb of torque. Performance is respectable for a minivan, with a 0-100 km/h time of 10.8 seconds, which Toyota claims exceeds the performance of a conventional FWD gasoline engine vehicle in the same class.
Toyota has launched a minisite for the Estima (in Japanese) here.
[Source: Toyota]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bryan @ Jun 13th 2006 3:28PM
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/spy-shots-2008-chevrolet-silverado/
And you wonder why GM is failing???
;-)
Carlton @ Jun 13th 2006 3:43PM
#1 Bryan,
What does this have to do with GM pickups? In case it wasn't entirely obvious to you, they are 2 different vehicles for 2 entirely different purposes.
I'll be happy to draw you a picture if you like-crayon should be about your mental level.
Bryan @ Jun 13th 2006 3:55PM
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/13/toyota-doubling-hybrid-model-range/
:-P
PJ @ Jun 13th 2006 4:27PM
I could be totally wrong about this, but a hybrid minivan seems like the kind of thing that could sell well in the States. If a buyer is choosing a minivan over an SUV to begin with, chances are they're more concerned with practicality and efficiency. Being able to get 35 MPG could only sweeten the deal.
That said, I don't think this particular van would be a hit Stateside, considering its odd samurai-helmet face. But who knows... seven seats, adequate performance, and small-car mileage would be a very tempting combination for families.
Robert Aitchison @ Jun 13th 2006 4:45PM
Were there a hybrid minivan offered here it would almost certianly be our next vehicle, even if it cost $40k or more, as long as it got at least 35Mpg (real world).
Currently we have a 2001 MPV, even with a small minivan with a small (for the U.S.) engine (2.5l 170Hp) it still gets well under 20Mpg consistently.
Despite our strong desire for a minivan for it's funcionality & practicality we are looking to get a non-minivan when we replace the MPV in a few months. The only minivan on the list is the Mazda5 but I suspect it won't be roomy enough. The rest of the cars wer'e considering are among the slim pickings that are mid & full sized wagons today, cars like the Subaru Forrester, Chevy Malibu Maxx, Dodge Magnum.
Even with the wagons we'd be giving up the option of carrying more than 5 people or anything really bulky, but at least we can get gas mileage close to 25Mpg.
Bob @ Jun 13th 2006 4:53PM
Bryan is an idiot. Toyota would trade GM's sales of trucks anyday in exchange for its hybrids.
Toyota loves to build big trucks. They are just not as good at it, so they sell a tenth of what GM sells.
Spaced @ Jun 13th 2006 5:04PM
Bring back the Buick Roadmaster with a Corvette motor and a heavy duty suspension. Those things could tow 7000lbs, carry 5 people easy and get 26 mpg hwy.
Bryan @ Jun 13th 2006 5:26PM
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/11/04/147471.html
Bobby, Toyota would no way in hell trade their profitability for GMs.
Now...who is the idiot again?
Your Mama.
;-D
chewy @ Jun 13th 2006 6:37PM
A link for people to look at.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060605/FREE/60601044/1111
Neal M @ Jun 13th 2006 7:25PM
The Highlander Hybrid already has VDIM. Toyota touts it in California-market radio ads.
Glenn A. @ Jun 13th 2006 7:25PM
Chewy, it may be interesting to read that a compact diesel (Jetta) presumably with manual shift, got 47 mpg (at $2.90 per gallon) vs. a mid-sized automatic (Prius) which got 42 mpg (at $2.75 per gallon) but I'm not sure it's news. Plus we know from thousands of drivers who've been reporting MPG averages for the new Prius, that 47 mpg is about normal - day in, day out.
Plus let's not forget the equation of pollution - Prius; about 9 times cleaner than required for sale in California. Diesels - significantly dirtier, and as such, not available in California (nor available in the US from the end of this year).
I think Bryan's point is that Toyota are busily moving toward the future with hybrids, you might say they are about midway through hybrid High School (especially when you consider the next generation Prius will get 100 mpg, and cost about $2000 less than the current car, according to Toyota's plans) - while GM simply are still drawing with crayons in light hybrid kindergarten. Honda are in Jr. High wondering whether to skip high school for college (fuel cells). Nissan are the delinquent in kindergarten, ready to jump right into 4th grade (after having copied Toyota's kindergarten graduation test). At least Ford has managed to get through most of elementary school and is working on Jr. High (assuming they exist in two or so years). DCX is still in hybrid preschool... along with the rest of the european diesel-philes. Subaru, Hyundai and Kia are still trying graduate kindergarten while still in hybrid pre-school. ("Promises, promises - where are the cars?!")
Toyota, may I make a suggestion? "Facelift" this Estima hybrid minivan, do a LHD version, and sell a (no-TV) version in a very limited test-market comprised of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania (aimed at Mennonite families) and Utah (aimed at Mormon families). This way, a few thousand cars per year can be test-marketed in specific family-oriented areas, and area specific marketing can be done for the vehicle as a family vehicle representing excellent stewardship of resources.
My Mennonite friends are fascinated by my Prius, and I call it my "good-stewardship-mobile" which strikes a chord with them.
Glenn A. @ Jun 13th 2006 7:30PM
Oh yeah, sorry for the double post, but gasoline was what, 15 cents a gallon less than diesel in the test Chewy linked in his blog? This is about right for my area, too. Maybe diesel is 10 cents more expensive at times, than gasoline. But it's more.
chewy @ Jun 13th 2006 7:54PM
Fuel economy for the Jetta was more than 10% higher than for the Prius. It also ran a 20% biodiesel blend. Particulate traps will catch all of the soot when new VW diesels come around. Also, I have seen a brand new Honda Civic hybrid with a very "sooty" tailpipe. BTW, Co2, the most "dangerous" exhaust gass, can only be limited by with less consumption.
risingsun @ Jun 13th 2006 8:18PM
Just a side comment, the bottom 6 inches of the bumper look like the bottom of a G6 bumper, cept for the fog lights.
And good school analogy. Maybe I'll see Honda at the next Frat party.
m @ Jun 13th 2006 9:26PM
go Previa!
Hunter @ Jun 13th 2006 9:30PM
It would be nice if they sold that van here in this country.
m @ Jun 14th 2006 9:29AM
ok people, hybrids are not just about fuel economy, they are about EMISSIONS!! you can barely compare a typical modern common rail diesel to a typical gas/elec hybrid