The future is looking better with every tick of the clock.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Sept. 25, 2012
While just a simple release, its consequences to its competitors are clear. Toyota is continuing to rely on its R&D in order to stay ahead of the curve instead of “in the pack” as most find themselves today.
21 Hybrids to be Launched by End of 2015
Toyota announced the progress of its near term future propulsion technologies and vehicle deployment plans through 2015. The aim is to conserve energy by improving fuel efficiency, and by diversifying fuel sources including electricity, hydrogen and other alternative energies.
Toyota has developed a
gasoline engine that achieves maximum thermal efficiency at the world’s highest levels, a high-performance clean diesel engine and a high efficiency transmission.
In the area of fuel diversification, a newly developed Toyota electric vehicle (EV) boasts the world’s best electric power consumption rate
Toyota has developed a new battery cell (
in-house) that offers substantially improved output density over all-solid-state batteries. They are also working on wireless battery charging for future PHEVs and BEVs.
Energy Conserving Gasoline engines
An enhanced 2.5L AR gasoline engine for use in hybrid vehicles adopts the Atkinson cycle and the D-4S system straight out of the all-new GSh program. The enhanced engine achieves the world's highest maximum thermal efficiency of 38.5 percent for a gasoline engine, realizing both high fuel efficiency and high output. Hybrid vehicle models equipped with the engine will be launched starting 2013.
Starting in 2014, TMC plans to launch a vehicle with a new 2.0L turbo-charged AR engine, also based on the 2.5-liter AR gasoline engine design. The new engine’s smaller displacement will provide higher fuel efficiency while the turbocharger will improve output. Hmmmm, next year’s Camry?
Diesel Engines
Europe only of course as increases fuel injection pressures and the adoption of a compact, high-efficiency turbocharger have allowed the 1.4L ND diesel engine for passenger cars to achieve both high fuel efficiency and high driving performance. Something we will never see here but will shale and bake a standard gasoline fueled hybrid on the highway like nothing ever seen before.
Vehicles equipped with the new diesel engines meeting Euro 6 NOx and PM regs are planned for launch starting 2015. Hopefully SCR and a lightweight DPF?
The 3.0L KD diesel engine for commercial vehicles uses i-ART, the world's first injection system to maintain a high level of injection precision at high pressure, achieving high fuel efficiency and low emissions. It was first installed the engine in the “Hilux” pickup truck for the Brazilian market in April 2012.
Transmissions
A newly developed continuously variable transmission called Super CVT-i has achieved both improved fuel economy and smooth acceleration thanks to its unsurpassed transmission efficiency, improved integrated engine control and reductions in both size and weight. The transmission,
first installed on the Corolla for the Japanese market in June 2012, is planned for use on additional models, particularly in the compact segment. How much you want to bet we see it in the upcoming all-new Corolla for the US?
A new front-wheel-drive eight-speed, automatic transmission—as compact and lightweight as a six-speed automatic transmission—provides smooth and highly receptive acceleration with highly responsive gear shifting, as well as superior fuel efficiency. The new transmission was first installed on the Lexus “RX 350 F Sport” SUV for the Northern American market in August 2012.
Hybrid Vehicles
With its plan to launch 21 new hybrid models between now and the end of 2015, Toyota expects to maintain a high level of sales with at least 1 million units a year from now through 2015.
Initiatives for Fuel Diversification
PHEVs
Toyota plans to enhance the appeal of the “Prius PHEV” by expanding available vehicle grades and by offering an accessory outlet designed to use the hybrid system as a power supply that can also be used in times of emergency.
If they can somehow knock of f a few more thousand, it will make it even better as the addition of 3 kWh of Li-Ion over the standard NiMH do not add up to $6,000 USD
BEVs
Toyota’s newly developed high-performance, compact electric vehicle— the “eQ” —
features a new high-output Li-Ion battery that uses a minimum amount of space and boasts improved electric power consumption rate at 104 Wh/km. Despite its small capacity of 12 kWh, the battery enables a driving range of 62 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 77.5 mph. With a 200 V AC outlet, the battery can be fully charged in approximately three hours. Starting December 2012, Toyota plans to offer the eQ to local governments and selected users in Japan
and the U.S. on a limited basis. Oh is that going to be fun!
FCVs
After steady advances, Toyota’s proprietary FC stack for use in the sedan-type FCV scheduled for launch around 2015 is said to provide the world's highest FC power output density of 3 kW/L. This is more than twice the density of the FC stack currently used in the "FCHV-adv" fuel-cell hybrid prototype and is said to be approximately half the size and weight. That is “WOW”!!!
Toyota has also developed a high-efficiency boost converter. Increasing the voltage has made it possible to reduce the size of the motor and the number of FC cells, leading to a smaller FC system with enhanced performance at reduced cost.
The automotive world is changing so quickly it is hard to keep up! And Toyota is ensuring not only its survival but its profitability well into the future with near term programs like these. The day is quickly approaching when the average man and woman will be able to drive an affordable, comfortable and very well designed automobile for the family or themselves and not have to touch the handle of a gas pump. How cool is that
Linear Mode
