STUD or DUD: Toyota REVEALS Its FIRST Fuel Cell Sedan — Is It Quirky Or TOO WEIRD To Put In YOUR Driveway?

STUD or DUD: Toyota REVEALS Its FIRST Fuel Cell Sedan — Is It Quirky Or TOO WEIRD To Put In YOUR Driveway?

Toyota's press release follows:

Toyota City, Japan, June 25, 2014?Toyota Motor Corporation has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan, first unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.

The car will launch in Japan before April 2015, and preparations are underway for launches in the U.S. and European markets in the summer of 2015.

In Japan, the fuel cell sedan will go on sale at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships, priced at approximately 7 million yen (MSRP; excludes consumption tax). Initially, sales will be limited to regions1 where hydrogen refueling infrastructure is being developed. U.S. and Europe prices have not yet been decided. Likewise, more detailed information, such as specifications, exact prices and sales targets, will be announced later.


Toyota FCV



Toyota’s commitment to environment-friendly vehicles is based on three basic principles: embracing diverse energy sources; developing efficient, low-emission vehicles; and driving real and positive environmental change by popularizing these vehicles.

Hydrogen is a particularly promising alternative fuel since it can be produced using a wide variety of primary energy sources, including solar and wind power. When compressed, it has a higher energy density than batteries and is easier to store and transport. In addition to its potential as a fuel for home and automotive use, hydrogen could be used in a wide range of applications, including large-scale power generation.

Toyota has been developing fuel cell vehicles in-house for more than 20 years. Toyota’s fuel cell system includes a proprietary FC Stack, which generates electricity from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and high-pressure hydrogen tanks. In 2002, Toyota began leasing the “Toyota FCHV”, a fuel cell SUV, on a limited basis in Japan and the U.S.

Significant improvements have been made to the FC system since 2002. The fuel cell sedan Toyota revealed today, for example, features performance similar to a gasoline engine vehicle, with a cruising range2 of approximately 700 km (according to Toyota measurements taken under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s JC08 test cycle) and a refueling time of roughly three minutes. When driven, it emits only the water vapor produced by the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

Fuel cell vehicles contribute to the diversification of automobile fuels, emit no CO2 or environmentally harmful substances during operation, and offer the convenience of gasoline-powered cars. Toyota believes they have a great deal of potential, and are ideal environment-friendly vehicles for promoting a sustainable mobility society.

Toyota Group3 companies are also engaging in other hydrogen-related initiatives, such as developing and testing fuel cells for use in homes, and developing fuel cell forklifts and fuel cell buses.



Toyota FCV




































TheSteveTheSteve - 6/26/2014 7:38:41 AM
+1 Boost
It's a sign that with respect to styling, Toyota has lost it. This could explain why today's Lexuses look like they do :-(


leejleej - 6/26/2014 8:48:49 AM
+3 Boost
It's ugly as hell. It looks like a concept car from the late 1950s.


MattDarringerMattDarringer - 6/26/2014 9:18:11 AM
+1 Boost
The Greener than thou will worship the styling as they save the Earth's blood.


pepito66pepito66 - 6/26/2014 9:21:06 AM
+1 Boost
DUD I am pretty sure designer team was sick with headaches , dizziness , stomach pain and diarrhea , embarrassing why they need to make this thing so so ugly and weird.


gkearns56gkearns56 - 6/26/2014 12:15:54 PM
+1 Boost
Please tell me what in the dang world is this UGLY a@@ thing. It's the Pontiac Aztec or AMC Pacer reincarnated as this awful looking mobile called a car. What is that "thing" with the wide opening in the front? Though it would be close decision, I'll take an Acura bird beak cars over this. Let's ALL say: (heavy) "R E B A T E" in 1 year on this crap if they build it.

@Matt: Would you honestly PAY to drive this beast?


nguyenvuminhnguyenvuminh - 6/26/2014 9:27:54 AM
+7 Boost
It's a different kind of car with different technology, it should look different. Given how many people hated the way the Prius look and drive, and yet it was a huge success, I think this one will do just fine. So to those that hate it, feel free to do so, but I think its success will keep those haters scratching their head for a long time.


Agent00RAgent00R - 6/26/2014 10:57:55 PM
+1 Boost
You're on the money.


Dexter1Dexter1 - 6/26/2014 10:17:07 AM
+4 Boost
QUIRKY? No, just plain ugly. There isn't a good looking line in the entire design. And I didn't know they still make what looks like 13" rims/tires anymore.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 6/26/2014 10:51:06 AM
0 Boost
Great future car......


ScirosSciros - 6/26/2014 10:53:21 AM
+2 Boost
Just as hideous as when I first saw it a while back. TOYOTA WTF!!! They need to fire ALL of their designers. Every last one. I don't remember the last time a Toyota came out that I gave a shit about because they're like the dumbest looking cars on the road. Every single one has a front fascia that looks like it needs to feed all the air in the world to a turbocharged V-10 but for real it's some 4-cylinder and the rest of the car is beyond boring.

As for this particular visual tragedy, I don't really know what they're even thinking. Does nobody realize that the reason something like the Tesla Model S is sought after isn't purely because it is high tech and electric, but because it LOOKS REALLY GOOD? It is a beautiful car.

If you want HFC stuff to catch on, you need to package it in something desirable instead of outright revolting.


ScirosSciros - 6/26/2014 10:54:09 AM
+1 Boost
Also Toyota should stop using lawnmower wheels on its cars. They look pathetic.


ScirosSciros - 6/26/2014 10:57:57 AM
+1 Boost
Also that last comment I made about "if you want X to catch on you have to package it in something desirable" is wishful thinking. Sometimes it's true, but a lot of people have really bad taste or no taste at all so they will think this car looks just fine. Nobody will say it's a looker but they won't necessarily be offended by it. Enough folks like the Prius, enough liked the PT Cruiser, etc. I just wish I could look forward to seeing more attractive vehicles on the road instead of more eyesores.


ParadoXParadoX - 6/26/2014 1:20:20 PM
+1 Boost
The styling over the rear wheel arch could use a re-do, but aside from that I actually think it looks pretty good. I like the overall shape of the vehicle, and that front end is pretty good too.


gkearns56gkearns56 - 6/26/2014 2:49:53 PM
0 Boost
Front End looks like SHIT; big ass gaping air dam; for what. There no v-8 in it or some 600 HP engine. Over stated UGLY front end vehicle!!


Dr550Dr550 - 6/26/2014 1:45:51 PM
+2 Boost
Ugly. Three or four pictures would have been enough. I scrolled down and wanted the pictures to stop. Looks like a vehicle from "Monsters Inc."


gkearns56gkearns56 - 6/26/2014 2:52:46 PM
+1 Boost
Maybe we should all put in $5 bucks for a pool - who has the closet "date" for when the REBATES will beginning on this. Even the folks that drive the Prius will have a hard time with this UGLY mug.


jackpulsjackpuls - 6/26/2014 7:17:43 PM
+2 Boost
Good Lord... Betting it still looks better than it drives. Brought to you by the same folks who have NEVER designed even a remotely pretty car... It's a travesty, it's a sham, it's a mockery. It's a TRAVERSHAMOCKERY!!


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 6/27/2014 12:56:30 PM
+2 Boost
oh boy. looks like toyota is taking up the mantle of the pontiac aztek. scary.


gkearns56gkearns56 - 6/27/2014 1:51:25 PM
+1 Boost
That's what I said......a reincarnated Pontiac Aztec and AMC Pacer combined. If this is the "design" direction Toyota is headed, they will move ahead of Acura's bird-beak debacle.


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