Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept-features-funky-looks-zero-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept-features-funky-looks-zero-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/23/tokyo-2009-toyota-ft-ev-ii-concept-features-funky-looks-zero-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Toyota FT-EV II concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has revealed its latest plug-in electric concept car here at the Tokyo Motor Show. The FT-EV II is a followup to the iQ-based FT-EV that we saw in Detroit earlier this year but appears to be a ground-up design that takes advantage of the electric drive architecture. The iQ is promoted as a 3+1 layout because the presence of the steering column and instrument cluster force the driver's seat to be further back - limiting the already small rear seat behind it.

The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front, which conspire with the very thin-shell seats to offer decent room inside. The car also has sliding doors on both sides. It's not known if this concept represents a design direction for an urban BEV that Toyota will likely build to meet ZEV mandates in the next five years, but it would seem to make sense for Toyota to do a custom design such as this.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-EV II concept features funky looks, zero emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>tokyotokyo 2009Tokyo Motor ShowTokyo2009TokyoAutoShowTokyoMotorShowtoyotaToyota ft-evtoyota ft-ev iiToyota FT-EV II ConceptToyotaFt-evToyotaFt-evIiToyotaFt-evIiConceptFri, 23 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Electric Toyota iQ to get bespoke body]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/report-electric-toyota-iq-to-get-bespoke-body/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/report-electric-toyota-iq-to-get-bespoke-body/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/report-electric-toyota-iq-to-get-bespoke-body/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Toyota FT-EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota surprised the audience by showing off a fully electric version of its diminutive iQ city car called the FT-EV. According to Autocar, a production version of the EV should be on the market by 2010, which, if true, would be an impressive feat indeed. We're not sure how these plans to along with Bill Reinert's assertion that electric cars "just aren't plausible right now," but we're happy to see EV technology progressing at the automaker regardless.

Hiroki Nakajima, chief engineer for the iQ, tells the British motoring mag that the electric iQ - known internally as BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) - will not share sheet metal with its gas-powered sibling. "We wanted to position the iQ as premium," he said, "but not so the BEV." That being the case, expect the Goldmember-style accents from the concept to be dropped in production form.

Following successful tests of the technology in its plug-in Prius fleet, the BEV will be the first production application of lithium ion batteries in a Toyota and the target range is 93 miles (150km). Charging time is quoted at eight hours, but that's surely dependent on the specific outlet serving up the charge. Power will come from one electric motor per wheel, potentially making this an all-wheel drive electric vehicle.


Gallery: Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV Concept


[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Electric Toyota iQ to get bespoke body originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 toyota ft-ev2010ToyotaFt-evgreentoyotatoyota bevtoyota ft-evtoyota ft-ev concepttoyota ftevToyotaBevToyotaFt-evToyotaFt-evConceptToyotaFtevWed, 29 Jul 2009 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Scion iQ headed for America by early 2011 with a few changes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/report-scion-iq-headed-for-america-by-early-2011-with-a-few-cha/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/report-scion-iq-headed-for-america-by-early-2011-with-a-few-cha/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/29/report-scion-iq-headed-for-america-by-early-2011-with-a-few-cha/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Scion iQ Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

As expected, Toyota's youthful Scion division will indeed get a version of the diminutive iQ for the North American market, possibly by either the end of 2010 as an '11 model or in early 2011 as a '12 model. According to Motor Trend, the car will cost about the same as the Yaris and get the usual modifications for the American market, such as slightly extended bumpers and recalibrated airbags.

Fortunately, the Big Wheels body kit fitted to the conceptual Scion iQ shown off at the New York Auto Show won't come to the States as standard equipment. We're not entirely sure what powerplants Toyota plans to use in the American iQ, but in other markets it's available with three engines displacing between 1.0- and 1.4-liters, and no hybrid iQ is currently planned due to cost and packaging considerations.

Interestingly, MT also reports that the Toyota FT-EV electric car concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show, based on the iQ minicar, will hit the market by 2012. At this time, the Japanese automaker may still be deciding between tried-and-true nickel metal hydride batteries or more powerful but unproven lithium ion units. Regardless, Toyota's aiming for a 50-mile range and an eight-hour recharge from a standard wall outlet.


Gallery: New York: Scion iQ Concept


[Source: Motor Trend]

REPORT: Scion iQ headed for America by early 2011 with a few changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 scion iq2011ScionIq2012 scion iq2012ScionIqgreenscionscion iqScionIqtoyota ft-evtoyota ft-ev concepttoyota iqToyotaFt-evToyotaFt-evConceptToyotaIqMon, 29 Jun 2009 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/toyota-ev-coming-to-the-u-s-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/toyota-ev-coming-to-the-u-s-in-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/toyota-ev-coming-to-the-u-s-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click on the image above for a high-res gallery of Toyota's FT-EV concept
Toyota has announced that they will be selling a new pure electric vehicle in the U.S. by 2012. We're guessing that it could be a production version of the FT-EV concept that Toyota showed at the Detroit Auto Show. Based on the iQ urban runabout sold overseas, the diminutive city car could meet some of Toyota's stated goals pretty easily. Toyota's national alternative-fuel vehicle manager, Bill Reinert, said the company is "looking for a 50-mile range right now," even when features like the defroster, heater, windshield wipers and stability control are in operation.

The car is expected to be powered by lithium-ion batteries. Reinert wants a charge time of about six hours using a conventional 110-volt household outlet or about two hours using a 220-volt outlet. Toyota still hasn't decided whether or not the car will be available for purchase or if it will be lease only. Where and for how much they'll be sold hasn't been ironed out yet either, but we'll be sure to fill in some of the details as they are issued.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV Concept


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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