Toyota NS4 Hybrid Concept

Toyota today revealed the NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The NS4 presents a Toyota vision for future mobility with a focus on connectivity and the human interface.
Toyota engineers were challenged to design a new mid-sized concept for potential global market introduction by 2015.
The NS4 concept is a dedicated plug-in hybrid, separate from the Prius family, designed with future mobility requirements in mind.
"In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity," said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
"NS4 demonstrates Toyota's take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society.
"The continued success of our conventional hybrid vehicles has laid strong groundwork for market acceptance of future advanced technologies.
"NS4 demonstrates Toyota's ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency and convenience of future mobility for people everywhere."
NS4's advanced powertrain targets a next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in system that is smaller and lighter with improved fuel economy, better acceleration and longer electric range, while maintaining a short charge time.

The NS4 concept signals a new styling direction for Toyota, aimed at creating an emotional connection with consumers.
Styling lines reflect a new take on aerodynamics with a low vehicle height and cabin-forward tilt.
The distinctive open trapezoid grille is accented by a floating lower spoiler and wing-like daytime running lights wrapping around to a sculpted fender.
Rear lamps wrap around the sides of the vehicle to quarter sections layered into blistered fenders, while the rear lamp wings create a sharp edge and the effect of a rear spoiler.
The A-pillars are ultra thin for improved driver visibility while maintaining roof-crush integrity. The roof-line profile, liftback design and powered swan-wing doors create greater accessibility and efficient functionality.

The NS4 concept has a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that is built around a multi-touch screen with the look and feel of a smartphone.
Simple and intuitive, it conveys information quickly with minimum distractions and maximum driver awareness. It will also direct air-conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions.
The HMI system is even capable of "learning" driver preferences and habits to anticipate driver responses in specific environments and situations.

The NS4 introduces a next-generation Pre-Collision System (PCS) with lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision-avoidance technologies designed to predict collisions under certain circumstances and help avoid them.
Using millimetre-wave radar, stereo cameras and near-infrared beams, it can help avoid collisions by applying the brakes and manipulating steering.
Adaptive Driving Beam headlights help prevent blinding glare to oncoming drivers and pedestrians at night.
NS4's pop-up bonnet structure automatically raises the rear of the bonnet to increase the space underneath, helping to reduce pedestrian head injuries caused by a collision with the front of the vehicle, within certain speed ranges.
A Blind Spot Monitor detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane and visually alerts the driver with indicators in the upper dash.
NS4 introduces four new glass technologies to improve driver visibility and reduce fuel consumption:
Hydrophobic coating - Fluorine-coated glass causes rain drops to form into semi-spherical shapes for improved visibility.
Anti-fog film - A high-performance resin with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability.
High ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inner-layer - Removes 99 per cent of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Anti-solar film with radio-wave transparency - Reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality
Inner and outer rear-view mirrors have been replaced with cameras that provide the driver with a wider view than conventional rear-view mirrors.

Toyota

Smart For-Us pick-up concept

With its exterior dimensions (length/width/height: 3547/1506/1701mm) it could almost go unnoticed on the loading area of a typical pickup, and it also anything but ordinary under the body. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. It will celebrate its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (14 - 22 January 2012).

smart CEO Dr. Annette Winkler says "We at smart love pick-ups – if they are small on the outside, large on the inside, very safe and extremely comfortable. With the smart for-us a petrol station is no longer required!”

Like car2go, the globally successful car sharing initiative from smart for more flexibility in city traffic, the smart for-us is a mobility concept. It has plenty of room for two people and space for two smart ebikes behind them. Thanks to the docking station on the cargo area of the smart for-us their batteries are always charged, and smart for-us drivers can also reach destinations that are out of bounds for cars – for example traffic-calmed zones in the city or isolated park trails.

Compared with the series-produced fortwo the smart for-us makes a powerful statement and its appearance plays with the martial image of conventional mega-pickups. Nevertheless, it greets the viewer with a friendly yet assertive face. It features convex and sensuously shaped body surfaces. The large brand emblem is proudly sported on the grille, and the front has a pronounced three-dimensional design with an underride guard finishing off the lower part of the front end.

The longer wheelbase (2480 mm/plus 613 mm) and the track that has been widened by 50 mm on each side also emphasise the robust look of the study. At the same time the extremely short overhangs at the front and rear make it exceedingly compact.

The tailboard at the rear of the smart for-us is electrically driven. When it opens first of all the cargo floor including tailboard retracts by 280 mm, then the tailgate slides down in a parallel position. The cargo on the 900 mm cargo area is then extremely easy to access.

Sleek, taut surfaces in mother-of-pearl white combined with precisely designed technical functional elements in brushed aluminium – the interior is characterised by contrasts. Like in the smart forvision, the whole cockpit boasts aerodynamic styling for interior ventilation. In place of a conventional rear-view mirror the smart for-us features a smartphone accommodated in a holder on top of the instrument panel support. The driver can see what is happening on the road behind with the help of an integrated video camera.

Stylish, uncomplicated, highly functional and easy to individualise – the two seats in the concept car are typically smart. The seat shells, which are open in the middle, are covered with a soft yellow fabric throw giving them a hammock-like seating feel.

The electric drive of the smart for-us is based on the innovative drive concept of the smart fortwo electric drive, which will be launched in the spring of 2012. Thanks to the 55 kW magneto-electric motor the smart for-us is agile and lively to drive. With 130 Newton metres of torque it boasts powerful, lag-free acceleration and it can overtake other vehicles with the greatest of ease. The maximum speed exceeds 120 km/h. The lithium-ion battery has capacity of 17.6 kWh.

Smart

Toyota GT 86

- Entirely driver-focused sports car, designed to recapture the fundamental joys of motoring
- World's most compact four-seater sports car, delivering very low centre of gravity and excellent power-to-weight ratio
- A return to Toyota's sporting roots, with a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive package
- Powertrain combines 197bhp 2.0-litre flat-four boxer engine with torque-enhancing D-4S injection technology
- Design achieves outstanding aerodynamics while recalling Toyota's sports car heritage
- New car to be called the GT 86 in Europe, in tribute to Toyota's GT car heritage
- On sale in the UK in June 2012

The anticipation is over: Toyota's new GT 86 sports car makes its world debut at the Tokyo motor show on November 30. The compact 2+2 model, one of the most keenly awaited new cars of the coming year, will go on sale in the UK in June 2012.

The GT 86 has been conceived as an entirely driver-focused machine, designed to deliver the core qualities of the classic sports car experience. That means precise, instant response to the smallest throttle and steering inputs and the kind of performance that appeals to those for whom driving is a passion, not a necessity.

The GT 86 is built on a new platform, with a highly aerodynamic bodyshell stretched tight over the car's mechanical elements. Rather than fitting a heavy, large capacity powertrain, Toyota has opted instead to go back to its sporting roots, installing a compact, front-mounted, free-revving petrol engine that drives the rear wheels.

This four-cylinder "boxer" unit generates 197bhp at 7,000rpm and maximum torque of 205Nm at 6,600rpm, giving the GT 86 brisk, engaging performance.

The powertrain is matched to the world's most compact four-seat design to create a car that benefits from light weight, low inertia and a low centre of gravity to achieve the best possible power-to-weight ratio. For the driver that means lively, accessible performance and dynamic character with minimal intrusion from electronic systems.

The GT 86 measures 4,240mm long, 1,285mm high and 2,570mm wide, dimensions which make it the most compact four-seater sports car available today.

Both the powertrain and the driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to achieve the best balance: the car has a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution. The flat-four engine format and the driver's hip point – the lowest of any current Toyota production model – together give the GT 86 an ultra-low centre of gravity, at just 475mm.

The GT 86 makes the most of a light kerb weight, making it easy for drivers to exploit its nimble handling and cornering poise. The suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. The car rides on 17-inch wheels and is fitted with ventilated disc brakes fore and aft.

The GT 86's engine is the result of a joint Toyota and Subaru development programme that brings together their technical know-how and mutual passion for sports cars.

Toyota has added its D-4S injection technology to Subaru's new, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated 1,998cc four-cylinder boxer engine. This system features separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection, and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, increasing power and torque across a wide range of engine speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance.

The flat-four engine has equal bore and stroke of 86.0mm and drives through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts using a tactile, short-throw lever; the automatic transmission can be controlled using paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.

Power is distributed to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential to give the best possible grip in all driving conditions. The ABS and switchable vehicle stability control systems have been tuned specifically to deliver dynamic stability at the limit of the car's performance envelope with minimal electronic intervention to help preserve the purity of the driving experience.

The design of the GT 86 successfully works within the technical constraints of achieving the most compact dimensions possible, a low centre of gravity and aerodynamic performance inspired by motorsport technology, while also displaying evocative, sweeping styling that recalls Toyota's sports car heritage.

Toyota's new design language informs the styling, as in the way attention is focused on the lower part of the car with the large lower grille. Elsewhere the "keen" approach can be witnessed in the clear, expressive lines.

The lower grille's "scorpion" look gives the GT 86 a more powerful appearance, with further sporting details including the model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, twin exhausts and the "86" piston logo that denotes the car's special powertrain configuration.

On board, the ergonomics and function of every element the driver interacts with have been scrutinised to make driving the car as natural, instinctive and rewarding as possible. For example, the steering wheel has a 365mm diameter, making it the smallest ever fitted to a Toyota, and it is trimmed in buckskin, developed from exhaustive feedback from test drivers on how to achieve the best steering performance and grip.

The three-meter instrument cluster is arranged around a large tachometer, its design benefiting from close attention to the positioning of the displays, markings and typeface. The result is the best possible visibility and readability. The driver-focus of the cockpit is further reinforced by the carbon-effect trim, all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation-style rocker switches and lightweight, aluminium pedals.

The GT 86 may be launched as the world's only current sports car to feature a front-mounted, horizontally opposed engine and rear-wheel drive, but it cannot claim to be the first. That honour is held by Toyota's two-cylinder boxer-engined Sports 800, which the company began developing in 1962. Since then, Toyota has established a long history of producing exciting, driver-focused sports cars with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive format that have proved as popular with the public as they have been successful in competition.

The beautiful 2000 GT, a coupe powered by a 2.0-litre straight-six engine, was first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo motor show and helped establish Toyota's global reputation as a sports car manufacturer.

Launched in 1971, the first Celica models featured rear-wheel drive powertrains and were praised by enthusiasts for their agility. All four Supra generations came with straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive, while from 1984 the MR2 won recognition as one of the best handling sports cars in motoring history.

The inspiration for the GT 86, however, is the Corolla GT (or Levin) AE86, a car with an enduring reputation for delivering sheer excitement and capturing the fundamental joy of driving. Its front-engine, rear-wheel drive package, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable balance and superior power-to-weight ratio made it a must-have choice for rallying and circuit driving throughout its production life, from 1983 to 1987. Here in the UK the GT claimed two British Touring Car Championship titles and a series of top-level rally victories.

The GT 86 is a genuinely lightweight machine that offers the intimacy and involvement of a car that can be driven as though an extension of the driver's body. In this way, it perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the last of the AE86. And, with numerous customisable parts, its shares its predecessor's aim to be an affordable car that will evolve with its owner.

Toyota

Subaru BRZ

SUBARU BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports car featuring the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. It was developed as a joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation, to bring to the world a sports car with superior steering response and driving pleasure that everyone can experience. The Subaru Boxer engine in BRZ was positioned even lower than other Subaru models so that BRZ has one of the lowest possible centers of gravity on the market today. This low center of gravity produces astonishing handling character and combined with a light weight chassis BRZ realizes Subaru’s aim for “Pure Handling Delight” the driving experience taken to a new level.

The product concept of BRZ is “Pure Handling Delight". The Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine has inherent qualities of low center of gravity, lightweight, and compactness. These attributes are maximized by placing this engine even lower and closer to the center of the chassis. These factors contributed to BRZ's low center of gravity - one of the lowest possible. BRZ is a fun sports car that any driver can enjoy driving with peace of mind.

“Ultra-low Center of Gravity Package”BRZ has a low-mounted Boxer engine on a specially designed chassis layout that forms an “ultra-low center of gravity package”. With this arrangement, BRZ achieved a low driving position typical of a sports car. It has a low and wide body of a stylish coupe with overall height and width of 1,300 mm and 1,775 mm respectively. Yet, it allows for 2+2 seating and a trunk with ample space. Not only is BRZ a sports car, but it can also be a suitable partner for long tours with its unexpected utility.

Subaru aimed for a sports car design that instinctively conveys its fun-to-drive character. In addition, it was detailed to be instantly recognizable as a Subaru. The“ ultra-low center of gravity package” also allowed a low hood design. This low hood and bulging front fenders raise expectations for BRZ’s driveability. Also, to communicate the Subaru identity, the Subaru six-star ornament, headlights and hexagon lower grille follow the Subaru design motif common across new Subaru models.

The low center of gravity enhances BRZ’s sensuous beauty with its shapely fender flares. The aesthetic beauty is combined with functional beauty that advances aerodynamics through such areas as the C-pillar shape, rear glass inclination and trunk lid layout. As would be expected from a sports car, the front and rear overhangs were shortened to express BRZ’s liveliness. The front fender is accentuated with a distinctive garnish. The projecting rear wheel arches sit by way of contrast to the compact cabin and emphasize the beauty of BRZ’s rear view.

Details were carefully designed to allow a new level of fun-to-drive experience in which the driver and vehicle become one. The steering wheel was made smaller to achieve sports car maneuverability. A tachometer with digitally-displayed speedometer is placed in the center of the gauges so that the driver can instantly see information without diverting attention from the road. Bespoke sports car seats were designed to hold the driver and passenger and feature lowered sitting positions to match the “ultra-low center of gravity package”.

Making full use of the design concept of the new-generation Boxer engine, the newly developed engine made exclusively for BRZ is highly efficient with superior output and environmental friendliness. It realizes an exhilarating high revving nature of a naturally-aspirated sports engine. It has square bore and stroke of 86 × 86 mm. Due to the joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota’s direct injection and port injection technology “D-4S” was incorporated in BRZ’s power unit. To achieve the “ultra-low center of gravity package”, the engine as a whole has been made more compact by such means as adopting the shorter intake manifold and the shallower oil pan.

The joy of sports car driving was realized through a transmission that focuses on shift feel and response. The 6-speed MT employs a short stroke shift lever. The lever was optimized in rigidity,shift quality and weight application in its pursuit of a superb shift feel. The 6-speed AT has “S mode” for better shifting response and “M mode” for optional shifting. Also, with the paddle shift and downshifting blipping control, this model can respond faithfully to the driver’s inputs.

The lightweight yet highly-rigid body was developed exclusively to maximize the advantages of the “ultra-low center of gravity package”. Low center of gravity and low driving position were achieved by the perimeter type body frame layout. The body has a rigid and durable frame structure that also works in balance with the vehicle’s light weight. The rigidity is optimized for high drive ability and appropriate durability is maintained for collision safety. High tensile steel was used in the body for weight reduction. Effective use of this material in the upper structure of BRZ contributed to its low center of gravity. The front hood employs aluminum for lightness. The structure was fine-tuned for a low styling that also improves pedestrian protection performance.

Excellent maneuverability and stability of the“ ultra-low center of gravity package” offer direct and sharp response to steering and enhance the driver’s connection to the car. The front suspension employs struts for light weight and high rigidity while a double wishbone layout is adopted at the rear for better shock absorption. To gain a low front hood from the “ultra-low center of gravity package”, the front strut mount was lowered while maintaining the stroke. The tires are 215/45R17 (average value) combined with lightweight and highly rigid aluminum wheels. All BRZ models are equipped with electronic stability control to provide both driving pleasure and safety.

Subaru