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Yaris T Sport
Aygo For Sports
RAV4 Sports
Urban Cruiser
Fine-T
i-swing

TOYOTA AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

KEY POINTS

·  Three world premiere concepts – Yaris T Sport, Aygo For Sports and RAV4 Sports
·  Urban Cruiser mini-SUV concept
·  Fine-T concept advances Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle technology
·  i-swing personal mobility concept using robotics technology
·  Presentation of the TF106  Toyota Panasonic Racing F1 car

INTRODUCTION

Toyota is unveiling three new sports-themed concepts of Aygo, Yaris and the RAV4 at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on current production models, the show cars display a broad spectrum of innovative design thinking and engineering.

Looking ahead to new opportunities in the mini-SUV segment, Toyota is also presenting the Urban Cruiser, a stylish and rugged concept created by Elvio d’Aprile at the ED2 European design studio.

Key advances in powertrains and highly versatile personal mobility vehicles are represented by two new concepts: the Fine-T, the latest stage in Toyota’s development of Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles; and i-swing, a one-person machine that can mingle with the crowd on two wheels, or take to the open road as a three-wheeler.

Toyota will also pave the way towards its 2006 Formula 1 campaign with the new Toyota Panasonic Racing TF106 race car.

YARIS T SPORT CONCEPT

·  Concept leading the way for production Yaris sports model in 2007
·  New 1.8-litre petrol engine
·  Extensive sports body styling features
·  17-inch alloy wheels

The Yaris T Sport is a design exercise that points towards a production sporting Yaris that is scheduled to arrive in showrooms during 2007, powered by a new 1.8-litre petrol engine.

The key reference point for Toyota’s development team was to create a refined sports hatch, compact in size with fun-to-drive qualities to appeal to younger buyers, but also with high equipment levels and comfort appropriate for both day-to-day driving and longer trips.

The sports styling is bold, with a black mesh grille at the front that adds emphasis to the deep bumper with integrated fog lights. There is a redesigned bumper at the rear, too, plus deep side skirts and a tail spoiler.

The T Sport is fitted with 17-inch wheels for sharper ride and handling, while new-look tail lights, a chromed exhaust pipe and a T Sport badge on the front grille add the finishing sports touches. The concept car is finished in a dedicated body colour, Storm Grey.

AYGO FOR SPORTS

·  Open-top Aygo for Sports designed for fun and freedom
·  Two-seater with twin arched rails, but no roof
·  Radical use of interior trim materials, including teak and Neoprene
·  17-inch wheels and LED light clusters

Aygo has brought a welcome breath of fresh air to the city car market. Now the wild Aygo for Sports concept version, created specially for Geneva, shows how those on board can enjoy a blast of healthy ozone and blaze a trail to the beach.

Off comes the roof and out come the rear seats to create an open-top machine that’s focused on fun. In place of the roof, Aygo for Sports has a pair of elegant but strong side hoops that curve over the car like a twin tribute to the new Wembley Arch. Massive 17-inch rims shod with 205/45 R17 tyres and LED light clusters add to the look-at-me styling, together with a special bright  Ocean Blue paint finish.

Inside, the sculpted seats are finished in light blue Neoprene with beige leather inserts, with matching Neoprene detailing on the steering wheel. And to emphasise this Aygo’s beach party credentials, the floor is covered in teak in the best tradition of classic speedboats.

RAV4 SPORTS

·  High-performance sports conversion
·  Based on flagship RAV4 T180 with D-4D 180 engine tuned to deliver 201bhp (204 DIN hp) and 450Nm of torque
·  Aerodynamic body kit
·  Lowered suspension and larger brakes

There is no mistaking the intention of the RAV4 Sports concept, with a beefed-up exterior that includes new bumpers, grille and integrated front fog lights. At the front there is large intake set in above the front protection plate, with a matching plate at the back housing the neatly faired-in exhaust.

To the side there are deep side skirts for enhanced aerodynamic performance and the 21-inch alloy wheels fill the wheel arches to the limit, fitted with 255/35 R21 tyres front and rear.

The 175bhp (177 DIN hp) 2.2-litre D-4D 180 common rail diesel engine, which in standard form is already the most powerful engine in its class, is specially tuned for the RAV Sports to deliver 201bhp (204 DIN hp) and 450 Nm of torque.

To meet the demands of the uprated engine, air cooling capacity is increased with a larger front grille and additional air intakes in the bonnet. Braking performance is also greater, with perforated discs with six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston callipers at the rear. The suspension is stiffer and lower compared to the regular T180, with reinforced shock absorbers to ensure the Sports can take the rough as well as the smooth.

Dark tinted glass ensures privacy for those on board, while the Liquid Metal exterior colour has been created exclusively for the model.

TOYOTA URBAN CRUISER

·  A new generation mini-SUV concept
·  Created by Elvio d’Aprile at Toyota’s European design studio
·  Designed according to Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity principles
·  Interior inspired by contemporary furniture,  styled by Yi Jeong Jae

The Urban Cruiser is a vehicle concept exploring the opportunity for a mini-SUV that could bring a new dimension to the segment.

It draws heavily on Toyota’s strong SUV heritage with models such as the legendary Land Cruiser, the RAV4 – Europe’s most popular 4x4 – and the ultra-tough Hilux. The Urban Cruiser’s styling incorporates established Toyota design cues, but also exhibits its own dynamic flair and rugged originality.

The Urban Cruiser was created at ED2, Toyota’s European design studio in the South of France, by chief designer Elvio d’Aprile. D’Aprile worked for Porsche and Pininfarina before joining Toyota in Japan in 1994, moving to ED2 when it opened in 2000. He was the chief designer of the Toyota Verso, a model that has earned particular praise for its dynamic and robust design.

“Typical mini-SUV customers are urban individualists,” said d’Aprile. “They want a rugged look within a compact body and want to stand out from the crowd. The Urban Cruiser concept is a car that will allow them to freely express their personality.”

The Urban Cruiser is the latest model to be developed according to the Vibrant Clarity design philosophy that defines current new Toyota products. Its principles combine Vibrant Form, which represents dynamism and energy, and Clarity of Function, which takes in more rational values, such as simplicity and logic.

Fresh, robust exterior

The Urban Cruiser displays clear design similarities with other models in the Toyota range and reflects the company’s long-established SUV heritage.  This is clearly seen in the trapezoidal design element in the front bumper, grille and lower door panels, and is also evident in the side window, evoking a design cue common to the Aygo, Corolla, Verso and new RAV4.

The SUV character is emphasised by the massive wheel arches, which converge towards the geometric centre of the car to give a compact, agile shape, while disguising the relatively long wheelbase, which itself ensures excellent interior space.

All the elements of Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity design philosophy are captured in the Urban Cruiser, defined within the four P.A.S.S. principles: Proportion, Architecture, Surface and Special Touch.

In addition to these elements, the Urban Cruiser makes a significant break from conventional styling by using a satin finish body paint, rather than the usual gloss.

Fashion-led interior

 Just as the exterior design of the Urban Cruiser breaks from the conventional, the interior adopts a new approach, too. The aim was to move away from the traditional look to introduce influences from outside the car industry, such as contemporary furniture.

The interior was created by Korean designer Yi Jeong Jae, who also created at the Toyota Motor Triathlon Race Car, shown at Geneva last year.

“I was inspired by the designs in modern, fashionable furniture,” said Jae. “The interior features several different surfaces, which are treated as different, independent layers, for example in the seats, the door panels and the dashboard.”

Inside the vehicle there is a sense of spaciousness, in keeping with the roomy but compact concept. The seats have a thin, elegant design that is both space-saving and comfortable and are finished in modern, premium quality materials.

Notable interior features include specially formed door handles for easier use and a transparent curved panel integrated into the centre console, through which the navigation screen is viewed.

TOYOTA FINE-T

·  The latest step in Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) development

·  Efficient packaging gives interior space of an Avensis within a body of Yaris-like dimensions

·  High-tech but welcoming interior environment

·  Easy access with movable seat and gull-wing doors

·  Equipped with Toyota’s latest fuel cell stack and 700bar hydrogen storage tank

·  Four-wheel large-angle steering and drive through in-wheel electric motor assembly

·  Innovative components layout gives low centre of gravity and moment of inertia

·  360-degree camera coverage gives new level of active safety

·  Extensive use of carbon-neutral materials

Toyota’s vision of automobile manufacturing aims to minimise environmental impact, while maximising what people expect from a vehicle and achieving ever greater levels of safety. The Fine-T was developed according to this vision, with a fuel cell system that ensures excellent environmental performance. Thanks to a four-wheel independent large-angle steering system, with an electric motor in each wheel, it also offers unprecedented manoeuvrability. As a concept, it marks the completion of another stage in the evolution of Toyota FCHVs.

Exterior design

The Fine-T’s design is based on Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity principles and embraces concepts of beauty and advanced technology. The compact, “one-form silhouette” shape gives the car a changing appearance when viewed from different angles.

By locating the compact fuel cell unit under the vehicle floor and using in-wheel electric motors, the designers achieved interior space that matches a an Avensis, yet the exterior dimensions approximately match those of a Yaris.

Interior design

The interior is designed to give a sense of spaciousness while feeling snug at the same time, using the guiding principle of giving something high-tech a more warm and welcoming feel. This can be seen in the area around the driver’s seat, with low instrument panel giving a good, broad view of the large multi-information display. The relaxed, calming atmosphere is further emphasised by variable lighting intensity, over the instrument panel and door trim.

Ease of entry and exit is another important quality: as the gull-wing doors open, the driver’s seat rotates outwards; once the driver is seated, the seat automatically moves back to the regular driving position.  When ready to leave the vehicle, the driver presses a button to move the seat to the exit position. The drive-by-wire steering automatically stows away, the door opens and the driver simply stands up.

Advanced fuel cell hybrid system

Toyota’s state-of-the-art fuel cell hybrid system shows how far engine technology has come towards having a zero effect on the environment. Hydrogen supplied from Toyota-built 700bar storage tanks reacts chemically with oxygen from the air to produce electricity in the fuel cell stack (the Toyota FC stack). The stack, like the vehicle’s storage battery (when required), drives the electric motors that power the vehicle. A power control unit ensures efficient management of the two power sources.

To fit within the Fine-T’s compact size, a new Toyota FC stack has been developed that is smaller and gives higher performance. It uses an alloy catalyst, which considerably reduces the amount of precious metals used. The units are mounted beneath the vehicle floor, freeing up more space in the cabin, while also giving a radically lower centre of gravity and low inertia moment that contribute to a spirited driving experience and large steering angles.

Unparalleled manoeuvrability

The Fine-T makes big advances in easy manoeuvring when driving on narrow roads or parking, thanks to independent four-wheel large-angle steering and independent four-wheel drive, using in-wheel motors with integrated drive power and wheel turning-angle control.

These drive systems contribute to the vehicle’s notably low centre of gravity and low moment of inertia, giving the Fine-T an extremely strong balance between driving pleasure and stable handling.

The drive-by-wire steering connects the driver controls to actuators that operate the vehicle function, giving an unprecedented degree of freedom when manoeuvring. For example, in front/rear axle turning mode, the Fine-T can be turned around from the front or rear, something that is particularly useful when moving into or out of parallel parking spots.  In directional change mode, continuously variable steering of the front and rear wheels allows a change of direction of almost the entire length of the vehicle in four directions, allowing for easy U-turns and exits from tight parking spaces.  On-the-spot turning mode allows the vehicle to rotate through 360 degrees on its own axis.

Preventing accidents

The Fine-T is equipped with peripheral monitoring cameras and a large display screen. A front-view camera is positioned above the number plate and a rear-view camera below the Toyota badge on the back of the vehicle. Left and right side cameras are located by the door handles. Together, these cameras monitor the area right around the vehicle, giving the driver clear sight of any obstacles or hazards, eliminating blind spots.

Carbon-neutral materials

The strong environmental performance of the Fine-T extends to a substantial proportion of plant-sourced materials being used in the interior fittings. Plants are considered carbon-neutral, as they absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis when growing. This means that even if they are burned, the net amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere remains constant over their entire life cycle.

Toyota looked at the possibilities of using carbon-neutral materials over a wide range of interior elements, processing polylactic acid (PLA) from sugar cane, kenaf and other plant fibres for use in making the door trim, the suede-like headlining, seat nets and floor mats.

i-SWING

·  Toyota’s fourth personal mobility concept, following p.o.d., PM and i-unit

·  More direct human-machine interaction, using latest robotics technologies

·  Minimalist exterior shape with detachable panels give high customisation possibilities

·  Artificial Intelligence system learns driver’s behaviour

·  Driver and vehicle can keep in constant contact through mobile telephone or personal computer

While striving for technological advances and innovations, Toyota seeks to expand personal mobility opportunities, based on people’s changing lifestyles and values.

The p.o.d., shown in 2001, was a vehicle that could express different emotions, like a member of the family or friend. It showed how, by using information technology, vehicles could take on human-like characteristics and learning abilities. Following the PM in 2003, Toyota exhibited the i-unit at Expo 2005 in Japan, a concept that used the least amount of energy required to transport one person, giving both freedom of movement and strong environmental performance.

The latest in Toyota’s series of personal mobility vehicles is the i-swing. With a small, flexible body, it can easily be stored at home; it gives excellent freedom of movement; and it can be changed in appearance to suit personal taste, almost like a clothes outfit. With two-way communication through a range of advanced devices, it has capabilities that are far more advanced than conventional vehicles to promote individual expression and social interaction.

Product concept

The i-swing is Toyota’s proposal for a new form of mobility based on more direct human-vehicle interaction. Using robotics technologies, it goes beyond the conventional view of a car as a means of transport to open up a whole new range of possibilities for self-expression.

Exterior design

The vehicle body – which feels more like you are wearing it than riding in it – is styled less like a car and more like a living form. When seated in the i-swing’s “minimum-size open-face body”, the occupant’s eye level is about the same as when standing, which means you can converse easily with anyone you meet along the way. The body is made of shock-absorbing, low-rebound polyurethane, with some sections partly covered in fabric.

Customisation

The fabric sections on the exterior can be detached and changed, allowing the i-swing to be customised to suit the season or personal taste. In addition the door on the front, which opens and closes in sections, and the triangular back panel have a built-in colour LED display matrix. The user can personalize the display by loading their own video or still images, co-ordinated to suit mood or time or place.

Driving dynamics

The i-swing offers two driving modes: two-wheel or three-wheel. The two-wheel mode enables confident and safe driving when moving among people around town. Three-wheel mode gives the i-swing highly manoeuvrable performance when driven on the same roads as conventional traffic. Vehicle control changes according to the mode, to give the appropriate level of comfort and dynamic performance.

As a three-wheeler, i-swing is driven through the two rear wheels, with the front wheel used for steering. Under acceleration and deceleration, the entire vehicle body tilts backwards or forwards to change the centre of gravity as appropriate.

When turning left or right, the body tilts inwards, so that the pressure on the driver is always applied downwards, along the body axis

Normally a high centre of gravity, a short wheelbase and narrow track would make a vehicle like the i-swing difficult to handle, but the centre of gravity, the balance of weight on each wheel and the power are automatically controlled, much like the natural movement of the human body when running, turning and stopping. The result is excellent dynamic performance and a natural ride feel.

In three-wheel driving, the i-swing offers two operating modes to suit the driver’s skill and purpose.

In Comfort mode, two linked joysticks are all that is needed to control the vehicle. Vehicle attitude (position of the centre of gravity), front wheel steering and left-right wheel power are adjusted simply by moving the joystick in the intended direction of travel.

Lifting the joystick diagonally forwards switches the i-swing to Active mode. The driver leans forwards for more agile movement with the vehicle – the feeling is not unlike skiing, with the driver adopting the best position in sequence for accelerating, braking and turning. In this mode, the sensitivity of the joystick is increased and foot pedals can be used to control vehicle attitude. With training, drivers can even develop their control skills to make the vehicle ‘dance’.

In two-wheel mode, the front wheel stows away between the rear wheels and a gyrosensor provides inverted control. The driver can switch to this mode when the i-swing is stationary, or moving at low speed.  In three-wheel mode, operating the joystick moves the i-swing forwards or backwards, in the same direction as the centre of gravity. Turns are achieved through the different rotational speed of the left and right rear wheels.

As the driver’s head is located centrally in respect to the vehicle axle, turning on the spot feels like a completely natural movement, just like turning your own body around. When stationary, the controller maintains the centre of gravity above the centre of the vehicle axle, so even if the driver shifts position, the vehicle will remain in place. The driver’s posture also remains constant, even when the vehicle is travelling up or down gradients.

When two i-swings are brought together, they can travel side by side, with one becoming the master vehicle. Joystick inputs from the master are transmitted through short-range communications to the second vehicle, which then responds in the same way, giving perfect co-ordination of movement.

Artificial Intelligence communications

The i-swing uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to communicate with the driver. This takes the form of a virtual character which appears in pop-up displays at left and right shoulder level and which changes according to the driver’s personality. Even after leaving the vehicle, the driver can remain linked to it via a mobile telephone or personal computer.

AI lets the vehicle learn the driver’s behaviour patterns and provide the right information at the right time and place, sourced from its memory or the Internet.

PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING

·         New TF106 is F1 ’s first 2006 race car to be launched

·         New chassis and rear end integrated with monocoque and suspension from the TF105B

·         All-new RVX-06 V8 engine ready to race after full year of testing

·         Bridgestone introduced as new team partner

·         Driver line-up comprises Ralf Schumacher, Jarno Trulli and Ricardo Zonta

Renowned for being ahead of the game, Toyota set the standard again this year by being the first team in Formula 1 to launch its 2006 race car, more than three months ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Technical Director Mike Gascoyne believes this head start could give the Cologne-based team a significant time advantage over its main rivals.

“We have been working the TF106 since the end of 2004,” said Gascoyne, “and the introduction of the car at such an early stage is a testament to the work of the team and shows that we are able to react and push forwards at the rate required to be at the forefront of Formula 1.”

The TF106 marries a brand new rear end, designed to carry Toyota’s new specification V8 engine, with a development of the monocoque and front suspension of the interim TF105 car that was brought in for the final two races of 2005 and which achieved pole position and podium-scoring performances.

“The TF106 that ran in Barcelona at the end of November marked the first stage of development for this car, with continuous improvements planned in the run-up to the first race. We adopted a similar schedule to last season by testing the car early. This allows us to develop the mechanical side of the car thoroughly, before we introduce a new aero package in time for the first race. This strategy helped us to be extremely competitive at the start of 2005 and we are confident the same will happen in 2006,” said Gascoyne.

“The front end of the TF106 is an evolution of our TF105B that raced in Japan and China, but the major design change for 2006 is the implementation of the V8 engine, in line with new technical regulations, requiring a redesign of the rear end.”

Developing the new V8 engine

Panasonic Toyota Racing recorded just one engine retirement in 19 race weekends in 2005, an impressive statistic given the two-race reliability demands introduced for last season. This enviable record and the strong performance of the Toyota V10 in its comparatively short F1 history have provided invaluable foundations for the development of the new V8 power unit, according to Technical Director Engine, Luca Marmorini.

“With such stringent reliability rules, we cannot afford to make jumps in the dark,” said Marmorini. “We cannot compromise the performance of the engine, so we have concentrated on reducing the performance loss. We have a strong core team of engine engineers here at Toyota, built up from six years of F1 engine development. This impassioned teamwork is our advantage and our strongest asset.”

Mike Gascoyne backs up this opinion: “Luca and his team have done an exceptional job, which has had a positive knock-on effect for the chassis department, a benefit enhanced by being based at the same factory, under the same roof. Having a pair of TF106s at our disposal for winter testing means that the development of our mechanical package will be significantly advanced.”

The new Toyota RVX-06 V8 engine was bench-tested for the first time on 21 March 2005, the day after the team scored its first podium finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Since its first track run at the end of July, the V8 has completed 291 laps over eight days – a distance of 2,143km (1,332 miles).

“A lot of teething problems have been solved through our ability to get the V8 testing at an early stage,” added Marmorini. “We have gathered a lot of data, both on the track and in the factory. On 3 November, we completed the required two-race weekend mileage on the dyno for the first time, and that has let us start our winter testing programme with a fully ‘raceable’ RVX-06 unit. Now our job is to redefine the limits of our engine and push back the boundaries as much as we can before the new season.”

Bridgestone recruited as new tyre partner

The initial four-day test in Barcelona in November and December also marked Toyota’s debut with Bridgestone tyres, following the contract announced for the 2006 season.

Toyota’s Motorsport President John Howett said: “The Bridgestone agreement was only concluded recently and it is important to get the partnership working as quickly as possible, to build up a strong technical relationship and to develop the chassis and the Potenza tyres together in preparation for 2006.

“The fact that we can test the new mechanical package and suspension, together with the V8 engine and Bridgestone rubber, will surely give us a valuable head start. It is too early to have any clear indication of our relative competitiveness, but development of the TF106 will be relentless in order to extract all the benefits ofrom our maxim of ‘continuous improvement’.”

2006 driver line-up

In the driving seat for the TF106’s debut will be the 2006 race drivers Ralf Schumacher, from Germany, and Italian Jarno Trulli, who finished sixth and seventh respectively in the 2005 drivers’ championship, helping Toyota Panasonic to secure fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

Joining Ralf and Jarno will be Brazilian driver Ricardo Zonta, who has signed a one-year contract extension to be the team’s third and reserve driver for 2006. Frenchman Olivier Panis will also continue in an important test drive role in 2006, his fourth consecutive season with Panasonic Toyota Racing.

ENDS

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