Toyota’s current green scheme

[xcel]

Toyota has a new compact six-speed MT and two gasoline-powered engines -- a 1.3-liter and a 2.5-liter -- featuring stop-start technology ready for release in 2008.

Colin Ryan - LA Times - June 15, 2008

Japanese Yaris (called the Vitz) uses a 1.3L ICE w/ Toyota’s Stop/Start called Intelligent Idling Stop System. The 12V is a compact Li-Ion 12V system.

The Prius news is old hat but the new 6-speed and a 1.3 with Stop/Start? The Yaris is going mild! Or is that wild -- Ed.

We’re hurting every time we drive onto a gas station forecourt and it’s only going to hurt more in the near future (at least). So what is Toyota doing about it? The company has promised two new hybrid vehicles, a third-generation Prius and a good long look at batteries.

Prius the Third is due out next year and is rumored to be bigger and cleaner, with smarter packaging of its nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack and hybrid drivetrain. It should be faster too. A new 1.8-liter engine is expected to succeed the current 1.5-liter unit (that can only earn the compliment of workmanlike). Power would then jump from 75 horsepower to 100 hp. In tandem with a new-generation electric motor, the combined ‘muscle’ could rise from 110 hp to about 160. Hardly scary-fun, but that’s not the point… [Read More]

[kmactavi]

Every time I see a post for a Euro/Asian car, I feel like moving. Or importing - that might be easier... How much would it cost to buy a Yaris, and drop an imported Vitz engine/drivetrain into it? I know, I know, not worth the fuel it saves. I can dream, can't I?

Kirk

[BailOut]

3 steps forward, 2 steps back. *sigh*

Why make the Prius bigger? Why give it a larger engine when it' been doing just fine and flying off the lots faster than it can be built as it is?

Why make the first Toyota PHEV even bigger than the new bigger Prius?!

For crying out loud, this "buildbiggeritis" has got to stop.


Wayne,

I know the Vitz, at least in Asia, has the 1.3L and IS options, but the article makes no mention of it nor that it is coming to the USA so I'm curious where your Editor's note and choice of photograph came from?

[xcel]

Hi Brian:

___Colin makes mention of both IISS and the 1.3 coming here. We have reported on IISS in the past so I was expecting that a while ago. The 12V Li-Ion? That might be a while as it is probably pricey?

___The 1.3 is a bit small for the Corolla in the US which can only mean one thing. The Yaris gets what the Asians have had for almost 3 years. That being the 1.3 Toyota is pretty good about testing this stuff in their home market before it goes to the rest (think about the 97 Prius) and the 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5L Vitz (Yaris now) w/ Start/Stop was released in the JDM bak in 2005 IIRC. Thus its coming! The inexpensive Start/Stop on their least expensive model is a gimme if they are going to release it as reported.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[c0da]

I like the sound of this, but could they please move the gauges infront of the driver? I hate how it's set up right now and that's one of the reasons I didn't get one.

[Radio_tec]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Brian:

___Colin makes mention of both IISS and the 1.3 coming here. We have reported on IISS in the past so I was expecting that a while ago. The 12V Li-Ion? That might be a while as it is probably pricey?

___The 1.3 is a bit small for the Corolla in the US which can only mean one thing. The Yaris gets what the Asians have had for almost 3 years. That being the 1.3 Toyota is pretty good about testing this stuff in their home market before it goes to the rest (think about the 97 Prius) and the 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5L Vitz (Yaris now) w/ Start/Stop was released in the JDM bak in 2005 IIRC. Thus its coming! The inexpensive Start/Stop on their least expensive model is a gimme if they are going to release it as reported.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Well, that's one thing you could do with it. If, on the other hand, you weren't bothered by range you might try this electric conversion dubbed, Electric Yaris, which was so beautifully done it looks like it was factory made. That's what I plan to do with mine when I get it.

http://www.electricyaris.com/

[Radio_tec]

Originally Posted by BailOut

3 steps forward, 2 steps back. *sigh*

Why make the Prius bigger? Why give it a larger engine when it' been doing just fine and flying off the lots faster than it can be built as it is?

Why make the first Toyota PHEV even bigger than the new bigger Prius?!

For crying out loud, this "buildbiggeritis" has got to stop.


Wayne,

I know the Vitz, at least in Asia, has the 1.3L and IS options, but the article makes no mention of it nor that it is coming to the USA so I'm curious where your Editor's note and choice of photograph came from?

Looks like marketing trumps engineering again. Slap HYBRID-ELECTRIC on a barge and it becomes magically green overnight.

[ATL]

Originally Posted by Radio_tec

Looks like marketing trumps engineering again. Slap HYBRID-ELECTRIC on a barge and it becomes magically green overnight.

barges are currently the most fuel efficient form of freight transport

[Radio_tec]

Originally Posted by ATL

barges are currently the most fuel efficient form of freight transport

Except when their counterparts are driven on land.

[voodoo22]

I agree with Bailout. It seems like Toyota is showing their true colours abit with the build biggeritis. I'm disappointed that they can't break this mould and make smaller more efficient cars with smaller engines available here. Even a Prius is a little too big for my comfort if you live in Japan, so hopefully the home front will pressure Toyota into developing something like a Yaris Hybrid or electric. The little Mitsubishi electric is going to be a big hit in Japan I think, if Mitsu can get the trust of the Japanese back.

Hopefully by the time we need a new car there will be some good options hovering on the 100mpg marker, but for now there is no reason why the 1.0l Toyota engine shouldn't be here now! IMA!