Toyota Turning Up The Heat With Hybrid Technology
As the automotive hybrid technology leader, Toyota is taking the next step in hybrid advancements -- high performance. After much research and development, Toyota has developed two hybrid concept vehicles that deliver the efficiency of hybrid technology in a high-performance package.
The power trip begins with the Highlander Hybrid. Through collaboration with BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems, Toyota created the world’s first hybrid turbocharged SUV, which debuted at the SEMA show in November. With this creation, Toyota has expanded the boundaries of what a hybrid can be, and demonstrated the versatility of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system.
The system highlights the feasibility of forced induction in a hybrid vehicle. Boost is provided by an AirWerksTM hybrid turbocharger developed specifically for this application, and features a forged billet compressor wheel, a ni-resist turbine housing, and a water-cooled bearing housing to increase longevity. Early testing of the Highlander Hybrid Turbo has shown that vehicle power has increased by close to 20 percent, or 305 hybrid system net horsepower.
This exploratory collaboration will no doubt contribute to the goal of creating a hybrid for performance enthusiasts. But SUVs are only the half of it.
That’s exactly what inspired Toyota’s latest concept -- the FT-HS hybrid sports concept.
The FT-HS, which debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is the epitome of the next generation of sports cars. Brainchild of Calty, Toyota’s North American-based research and design center, as well as the Advanced Product Strategy Group, the FT-HS combined what we all love about the sports car with a hybrid powertrain.
“Drivers today are not satisfied with cars that are simply fast,” states Kevin Hunter, vice president of Calty Design Research. “In addition to driving enjoyment, today’s drivers are concerned about safety, ecology and social responsibility.”
Going from zero to 60 mph in four seconds is not a feat usually associated with hybrid vehicles. Powered by a 400-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, the FT-HS marries low emissions with superior efficiency and performance. What more could you ask for in a sports car?
One look at the FT-HS and “attainable” is the last thing that comes to mind. Freeform geometry and a minimalist style produce a lightweight look, while a rear-wheel drive and front engine handle the performance. Yet perhaps the most surprising feature of all? Its mid-level pricing. The FT-HS is an “attainable exotic” with 21st-century performance.
Other noteworthy aspects include seating for four that converts to seating for two when the roof retracts and a telescoping hubless steering wheel, which enhances driver focus in the cockpit.
The FT-HS is an overachiever’s answer to the question, “What is a suitable sports car for the 21st century?” Toyota takes another giant leap forward in the hybrid movement.
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