Toyota Fine-X concept turns on a dime, literally

Toyota Fine-X conceptToyota 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 automobile?s 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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