Toyota readies Yaris HSD (hybrid) Concept for Geneva

Toyota is apparently going to show a hybrid concept of the new Yaris, with the name Yaris HSD Concept, at Geneva. It seems a bid odd to me, as Chief Engineer Yamamoto Hirobumi was asked during the launch in Japan whether Toyota plans to bring out a hybrid version of the new Vitz, and the answer was no (earlier post). It could be that the hybrid version will not be sold in Japan...?

Live photos of Vitz G's Concept!

Niiiiiice!!!

More photos after the jump!

Toyota's other concepts and production models presented at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota, except from the GRMN iQ Racing Concept, the Prius G's Concept and the Vitz G's Concept, has a number of other concepts and production models on display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Concepts:

• Auris GT CONCEPT by TRD
• Toyota Sports EV-Twin by Toyota Technical College Tokyo (powered by a horizontal opposing twin motor and an Li-Ion battery. It can travel up to 100 km per charge and reach a top speed of 160 km/h)
• TES Concept T-Sports by Toyota Engineering Society (a lightweight and compact FR sports concept)

Production models:

• Noah G Sports
• FJ Cruiser JAOS Selected by Modellista
• Ractis Modellista version
• Vitz Modellista version

Toyota Prius and Vitz G's concepts presented at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota's WRC comeback in 2012!!!

According to a Japanese publication, Toyota's long rumoured WRC comeback will happen in 2012. The car to compete in WRC will be the new Vitz (aka Yaris) powered by a 1.6 L turbocharged engine. Hmm, any help from Subaru there? In any case, welcome back Toyota... it was about time!

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Stop/Start system's battery life is...

The adoption of a Stop/Start system is a good way in reducing the fuel consumption of a car, especially when spending a lot of time in traffic, and although it's not something new as a concept, there are a lot of design challenges. Apart from reducing the number of parts and thus the cost, as Daihatsu has done (earlier post), the durability of the system is another important factor. For example, a system like that requires a battery capable of a high number of charge/discharge cycles. So, as I was reading an article about Vitz' system (earlier post) on Response's website, I came across with an interesting fact. Toyota claims that the life of the battery used in the new Vitz is 15 years / 200,000 km.

MODELLISTA body kits for new Toyota Vitz

Following the previous post showing some MODELLISTA options for the new Vitz (aka Yaris), here are some more images showing the body kits. In total, there are three different packages, MODELLISTA for RS (モデリスタバージョン for RS); MODELLISTA I (モデリスタバージョンI) and MODELLISTA II (モデリスタバージョンII). You can visit the official webpage by clicking here.

Just some thoughts about the new Vitz, Toyota and Honda...

Honda is my favourite Japanese manufacturer, while Toyota has been so far a big let down in my eyes, but things seem to change fast. The financial meltdown has forced manufacturers to change their strategies and now Toyota looks much more promising, with Honda having lost its edge.

In my point of view, everything started with pulling out from F1 and canceling the NSX project. Those decisions left Honda with its "green machines", but in the case of the Insight (earlier post), it didn't work out that well. Then, Honda decided to bring out the Fit Hybrid (earlier post). Well, this could be a move in order to utilize the electrical and oily bits of the Insight, since it didn't prove to be successful and somehow, the development cost had to be covered. But, I am not sure if there is much point in that.

I don't know whether the new Civic will be any good or not, but by judging from the spy shots, I don't reckon that it will have the same impact as the current generation had when it was launched. Then again, it's the Type R... is there going to be a new one? And if there is, will it come with a 1.6 L turbocharged engine (earlier post)? If Honda goes ahead with an engine like that, I will be seriously disappointed. Honda is about high revving engines... let the Europeans play with their fancy turbos. And I won't mention the S2000... I have read so many rumours about its successor and I just hope that Honda will not mess with it and put electrical bits in it.

On the other hand, Toyota that has failed miserably over the last few years in bringing out anything exciting, somehow looks so promising (OK, there is Lexus' LFA which is amazing, a car to cry about, but it's a little bit above my bugdget...). There is the new FT-86 (related posts) which will bring an inexpensive sports car to the masses with all the right "ingredients". Low weight, rear wheel drive, 2.0 L naturally aspired engine producing around 200 hp, sharp styling and the important fun to drive factor!!!

In the meantime, we will get the new Vitz / Yaris. Ah, a car I never liked looks now spot on! It looks much sharper, without any drama in its design, but with a clean and aerodynamic design. What really caught my attention though was the interior design. It looks elegant, yet simple. No drama, no complicated stuff in order to impress the ladies. So far, the only interior I liked in this segment was the one of Mazda's 2, but now it's Toyota taking the lead IMO. Oh, and no hybrid version!!! A wise move from Toyota, since good fuel efficiency can be achieved in other ways as well. What's the point of making a small car heavy and complex in order to achieve great mileage? Low weight is the key factor and in the case of such a small car, a hybrid system is out of place. 

If Toyota comes up with a decent Corolla (... come on, make it "spicy"!) and perhaps a hot version of the new Vitz with Gazoo Racing being involved, then Toyota will definitely be back from the dead.

I have already a brand new Honda keyring from Japan, but I will keep it sealed since it may take a few years until I use it... as I guess my next car will be a Toyota!

Engine idling system dates back to Starlet era

Here is another interesting piece of information. During the presentation of the new Vitz  yesterday, Chief Engineer Yamamoto Hirobumi (山本博文) mentioned that the idea of an engine idling system dates back to the Starlet (スターレット) era. Yes, you read it right. The idling technology had been tested at the time, but the time required to start the engine was about 0.7 seconds, therefore there was not much difference in time compared to just turning the ignition key. Just for the records, the new Stop / Start system (earlier post) requires just 0.35 seconds and the cost of it, in the case of the new Vitz, is 60,000 ¥.

[Source: Response]

No plans for hybrid version of new Toyota Vitz / Yaris

During the press conference yesterday, Chief Engineer Yamamoto Hirobumi was asked whether Toyota plans to bring out a hybrid version of the new Vitz, which would compete with Honda's Fit Hybrid. Although Toyota plans to introduce 11 new hybrid models by the end of 2012 (earlier post), the answer was no. The weight reduction that has been achieved (30 kg compared to the previous model), the use of eco-tyres and the adoption of a Stop / Start system have enabled Toyota to achieve the best fuel efficiency in its class.

Video of new Toyota Vitz - Jewela and RS versions (Japanese language)

Video showing new Toyota Vitz's Stop/Start system in action (Japanese language)

Even more photos of Toyota's new Vitz RS

[Source: carview]

... and some more photos of new Toyota Vitz (RS + MODELLISTA)