Saturday, December 31, 2011
Compact hybrid Toyota Aqua unveiled
The 1496cc Atkinson engine uses cooled exhaust-gas recirculation and a battery-powered water pump to reduce friction and belt losses. The electric motor, control unit and transmission form one unit, mounted low down in the engine bay, while the heavy nickel-metal hydride battery is under the rear seat to help keep the centre of gravity as low as possible and still allow for a 305-litre boot.
The Aqua has a selectable battery-only mode but Toyota doesn't quote its range, or the capacity of the battery, so it's unlikely to be more than a couple of kilometres.
Using both power sources, the Aqua will hit 100km/h in 10.7 seconds from standstill and, more importantly in the real world, accelerate from 40-70km/h in 3.6 seconds.
ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, and an electronic stability programme with traction control and hill hold, are standard, as is auto aircon, with an electric compressor, so the system can run even with the car switched off.
The strikingly geometric dashboard layout has colour-coded switchgear with a liquid-crystal display providing a variety of eco-driving information, such as Eco Judge (which ranks your driving on a 100-point scale) and Eco Wallet, which shows money saved as compared with other levels of fuel efficiency.
The Aqua is also available with TRD and Modellista packages; the TRD set-up includes a new front bumper with lower apron and LED running lights, side skirts, new rear bumper with diffuser, special rims, firmer damping and a special stainless-steel exhaust system with dual tailpipes.
The Aqua has a selectable battery-only mode but Toyota doesn't quote its range, or the capacity of the battery, so it's unlikely to be more than a couple of kilometres.
Using both power sources, the Aqua will hit 100km/h in 10.7 seconds from standstill and, more importantly in the real world, accelerate from 40-70km/h in 3.6 seconds.
ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, and an electronic stability programme with traction control and hill hold, are standard, as is auto aircon, with an electric compressor, so the system can run even with the car switched off.
The strikingly geometric dashboard layout has colour-coded switchgear with a liquid-crystal display providing a variety of eco-driving information, such as Eco Judge (which ranks your driving on a 100-point scale) and Eco Wallet, which shows money saved as compared with other levels of fuel efficiency.
The Aqua is also available with TRD and Modellista packages; the TRD set-up includes a new front bumper with lower apron and LED running lights, side skirts, new rear bumper with diffuser, special rims, firmer damping and a special stainless-steel exhaust system with dual tailpipes.
Toyota has launched a new hybrid car in Japan that is aimed at the Honda Fit. The hybrid is called the Toyota Aqua in Japan and when it makes its way to the US the hybrid will be called the Prius C. The car will hit the US as a 2013 model. Toyota is claiming some really big fuel economy figures for the car at 83mpg. That is on par with some EVs that are out there.
The car is also inexpensive with a price in Japan working out to $21,793 in the US. In Japan, the car racked up 83mpg on the JC08 test cycle and 94mpg on the official 10-15 test cycle. The car has a small 1.5L 4-cylinder engine under the hood with 72hp. The car uses an electric motor rated at 45kw giving the vehicle a combined power output of 98hp.
The small car will accelerate from 0-60 in 10.7 seconds. The battery inside the car is a nickel metal hydride pack. Toyota hopes to sell 12,000 Aquas monthly at home. The car will come in three versions dubbed the L, S, and G. The high-end version will sell for $23,756. There will be a TRD sporty version of the Aqua too with a body kit, lowered suspension, larger wheels and more.
The car is also inexpensive with a price in Japan working out to $21,793 in the US. In Japan, the car racked up 83mpg on the JC08 test cycle and 94mpg on the official 10-15 test cycle. The car has a small 1.5L 4-cylinder engine under the hood with 72hp. The car uses an electric motor rated at 45kw giving the vehicle a combined power output of 98hp.
The small car will accelerate from 0-60 in 10.7 seconds. The battery inside the car is a nickel metal hydride pack. Toyota hopes to sell 12,000 Aquas monthly at home. The car will come in three versions dubbed the L, S, and G. The high-end version will sell for $23,756. There will be a TRD sporty version of the Aqua too with a body kit, lowered suspension, larger wheels and more.
