Toyota reveals Tokyo Motor Show concepts

Mon, 04 Nov 2013

Toyota is getting ready for the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, and to tease us, the Japanese automaker has released photos and information about the concept vehicles it'll be bringing to the show. In all, there'll be five world premieres from Toyota (six if you split the Voxy and Noah minivan concepts), including some vehicles that'll be released in the near future, and others that need more time to incubate.

Let's get the world premieres out first. Toyota is a pioneer of gasoline-electric hybrids, but it's also pursuing hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. The clearest indication of this is the FCV concept, a hydrogen-powered sedan in the same vein as the the FCV-R that will bow at the auto show. (Read more about the FCV, here.)

Other world debuts include the FV2 concept (pictured), a unique, one-seat future vehicle that emphasizes the "Fun to Drive" philosophy; the JPN TAXI concept, a next-generation taxi concept designed with Japanese hospitality in mind; and the Voxy and Noah concepts, next-generation minivans that differ most in exterior design cues and are scheduled to launch in the Japanese market in early 2014.

The Aqua G Sports concept, based on the Prius C, will debut at the show and is a hybrid sports car that's scheduled to launch in the Japanese market later this month. The i-Road, an electric trike that's already been confirmed for production (check out our recent test, here) will also be on display.

We've been waiting for this next concept since the Toyota GT-86/Scion FR-S was launched, and we've already seen it in person, but Toyota will debut the FT-86 Open Concept again, calling it a "world premiere." Toyota says it "was created to explore future sports car variations," and while it hasn't changed since our last viewing, the car now wears a new paint color: Flash Red. Since the paint was created specifically for the auto show, we can only guess that this is why Toyota considers it a world premiere, unless we find out otherwise.

Take a look at the press release and photo galleries below to study up on Toyota's latest concept vehicles, which we'll be covering at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month.

Toyota to Display New Concept Vehicles at Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo, Japan, November 5, 2013-Toyota Motor Corporation will display seven concept cars in
its Toyota-brand exhibit at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show. The show, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight
in Koto Ward, Tokyo, will run from November 20 to December 11.

Under the slogan "Fun to Drive, Again,"2 the concept vehicles are aimed to convey Toyota's
vision of a future mobility society that values the joy of driving. The Toyota-brand vehicles on
display will underline Toyota's efforts to contribute to society while creating ever-better cars that
exceed expectations.

Toyota FCV Concept
The Toyota-brand display will include a concept version of the fuel cell vehicle scheduled for
launch around 2015, as well as next-generation taxi designed with usability in mind and a
concept car that connects with its driver in an easy-to-use, intuitive manner.

Overview of Toyota-brand Display Vehicles to Debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

Vehicle name: Description
1. Toyota FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) Concept: Next-generation fuel-cell vehicle
2. Toyota FV2 (Fun Vehicle 2): Future car that connects with drivers
3. JPN TAXI Concept: Next-generation taxi
4. Voxy and Noah Concepts: Next-generation spacious minivans
5. Aqua G Sports: Compact hybrid sports car

The booth will also feature the "i-Road," a personal mobility vehicle which made its world debut
at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, and the "FT-86 Open Concept," a
rear-wheel-drive sports convertible.

1. Toyota FCV Concept (world premiere)

The Toyota FCV Concept is a practical concept of the fuel cell vehicle Toyota plans to launch
around 2015 as a pioneer in the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles. The concept
boasts a driving range of at least 500 km and refueling times as low as three minutes, roughly
the same time as a gasoline vehicle.

The vehicle's exterior design takes cues from a catamaran and evokes flowing water. The front
view features air intakes on each side that symbolize the "taking in air, emitting water" function
of the cutting-edge technology. The side view conveys this air-to-water transformation with its
flowing-liquid door profile and wave-motif fuel cap, while the rear view conveys a catamaran's
stern.

With Toyota's proprietary small, light-weight FC Stack and two 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen
tanks placed beneath the specially designed body, the Toyota FCV Concept can accommodate
up to four passengers.

The Toyota FC Stack boasts power output density of 3 kW/l, more than twice that of the current
"Toyota FCHV-adv" FC Stack. In addition, the FC system is equipped with Toyota's
high-efficiency boost converter. Increasing the voltage made it possible to reduce the size of the
motor and the number of FC cells, leading to a smaller FC system with enhanced performance
at reduced cost.

FCV Concept specifications:
Length: 4,870mm. Width: 1,810mm. Height: 1,535mm. Wheelbase: 2,780mm. Occupancy: 4.

2. Toyota FV2 (world premiere)

The Toyota FV2 is a concept car that maintains the "Fun to Drive" philosophy even in a world
where automated driving technology has proliferated. As a vehicle that can be "understood by
the driver intuitively", the concept links people and vehicles through the body and the heart, and
becomes more fun to drive the more it is used.

Connecting with the driver's body: Rather than using a steering wheel, the Toyota FV2 is
operated by the driver shifting his or her body to intuitively move the vehicle forward and back,
left and right. In addition, by using ITS technology to connect with other vehicles in the area and
traffic infrastructure, the Toyota FV2 supports safe driving by providing advance warnings about
vehicles in blind spots at intersections and other safety information.

Connecting with the driver's heart: Toyota envisions a driver-vehicle relationship similar to the
relationship that a rider might have with a horse. By incorporating technology from the "Toyota
Heart Project," both the driver and the Toyota FV2 can grow together. The vehicle uses voice
and image recognition to determine the driver's mood and uses that assessment and
accumulated information on driving ability and history to suggest destinations as a co-pilot that
helps the driver better experience the joys of driving. In addition to an augmented reality (AR)1
display on the windshield, the body color and exterior display are changeable at will, creating a
more intimate relationship with the driver..

Reference: Toyota Heart Project

The Toyota Heart Project is a new communication research project with the theme of "Inspiring the Heart, Inspiring You." The Kirobo and Mirata humanoid communication robots, which incorporate technologies for communication and artificial intelligence, are also part of this research.

In addition to simply talking and listening, humans and artificial intelligence will be able to engage in emotional communication, including expressions, gestures, and recollection of past events, thanks to research through the open innovation2 method.

The Toyota Heart Project is also conducting research to realize artificial intelligence that grows together with people, intelligence that is understood to have feelings and evokes fondness and trust. The aim is to inspire people, achieve a rapport between humans and machines, and make life more enjoyable and enriching.

An exclusive smart phone application (available for iPhones3 and Android4 phones) that enables users to experience the mobility of the future envisioned by the Toyota FV2 is scheduled for release on November 5. The application can be downloaded free of charge from the AppStore3 and Google Play4 application platforms.

TOYOTA FV2 (Driving mode) specifications:
Length: 3,000mm. Width: 1,600mm. Height: 990mm (parking mode)/1,780mm (driving mode). Wheelbase: 2,360mm. Occupancy: 1.

3. JPN TAXI Concept (world premiere)

The JPN TAXI will be a vehicle that everyone wants to use; a next-generation taxi concept car
created with Japanese hospitality in mind; a car that will change the nature of city streets. The
JPN TAXI Concept has been created in line with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's promotion of barrier-free buses and taxis tailored to regional needs.

The JPN TAXI Concept is a next-generation taxi package that offers ease of ingress and
egress and a comfortable interior space with a body size that allows for outstanding
maneuverability. The large electrically operated doors and low, flat floor enable passengers to
board and exit in comfort, taking use by children and seniors into consideration. The open,
roomy interior has been designed to ensure ease-of-use at all times.

The JPN TAXI Concept uses a new, economical liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system
with excellent environmental performance and is optimized for taxi driving patterns.

The design features familiar taxi proportions, with an electrically operated sliding door on the
passenger-seat side. The display panel and lamps were selected with visibility and safety in
mind.

The interior design aims to convey hospitality, placing priority on universal design principles
and modern expression. A large monitor displays information useful to passengers, such as
the route to the destination and taxi fares. Air conditioning and lighting have also been
optimized to provide the most comfortable space possible. The driver's seat features
instruments and gauges of use to a taxi driver.

JPN TAXI Concept specifications:
Length: 4,350mm. Width: 1,695mm. Height: 1,700mm. Wheelbase: 2,750mm. Occupancy: 5.

4. Voxy and Noah Concepts (world premieres)

The Voxy and Noah Concepts are next-generation spacious minivans that provide the roomy
interior needed by families and integrate higher levels of fun, utility, and fuel economy. A new,
low-floor package creates a class-leading roomy interior with outstanding ease of ingress and
egress. These seven-seater vehicles feature ultra-long sliding Captain Seats1 in the second row,
a first for its class, providing a diverse range of seating arrangements.

A 2.0-liter gasoline engine variant and a 1.8-liter hybrid variant with a class-first full hybrid
system have been created for both the Voxy Concept and the Noah Concept. Optimal
placement of the hybrid battery makes it possible to maintain the spacious utility of a minivan and achieve exceptional class-leading fuel efficiency and cruising ranges.

The vehicles share "Emotional Space" as their design concept, and the vehicle bodies convey
the roominess of the interior even from the outside. Both vehicles create distinct and alluring
impressions. The front view of the Noah Concept presents sophistication as a compact minivan
with standard parts, while the Voxy Concept employs exclusive aerodynamic parts to
emphasize the low center of gravity, impressive wide-body, and the overwhelming sense of
presence.

Wheelchair-adapted versions of the Noah and Voxy Concepts ("Welcabs"2) are equipped with a
forward ramp and custom installed seat. The two concepts propose a new style of Welcab that
can be used as an ordinary vehicle in situations where a wheelchair is not needed. They are
compatible with a variety of wheelchair types including wheelchairs with a tilt-down mechanism
to facilitate comfortable wheelchair mobility.

The Noah and Voxy concepts are scheduled for launch in the Japanese market in early 2014.

Voxy Concept (gasoline vehicle; aerodynamic design) specifications:
Length: 4,710mm. Width: 1,730mm. Height: 1,825mm. Wheelbase: 2,850mm. Occupancy: 7.

Noah Concept (hybrid vehicle) specifications:
Length: 4,695mm. Width: 1,695mm. Height: 1,825mm. Wheelbase: 2,850mm. Occupancy: 7.

5. Aqua G Sports

The Aqua G Sports is a fun-to-drive compact hybrid sports car that boasts powerful, sleek and
inspiring styling while achieving excellent fuel efficiency. The concept is a sports conversion
model that has been fully tuned by GAZOO Racing* drivers to offer a wider range of consumers
a taste of racing and the joy of driving.

The Aqua G Sports concept is scheduled for launch in the Japanese market in late November
2013.

*GAZOO Racing is a vehicle development and motorsports support program created by GAZOO, which also operates the GAZOO.com customer participation portal site launched in 1998, the "GAZOO Mura" driving promotion program, and the Gazoo Metapolis virtual community.

Aqua G Sports specifications:
Length: 4,055mm. Width: 1,695mm. Height: 1,420mm. Wheelbase: 2,550mm. Occupancy: 5.

6. i-Road

The i-Road is an ultra-compact mobility package that provides the convenience of a
motorcycle and the comfort and stability of a car, offering an enjoyable riding experience
unlike either a car or a motorcycle.

With a length of 850 mm and a compact closed cabin, the i-Road adopts a newly developed
active lean system that raises and lowers the left, right, and front wheels to automatically
optimize the vehicle angle, ensuring a stable ride and providing an unprecedented feel of unity
with the vehicle.

In 2014, the i-Road will be used in verification tests of the Ha:mo urban transport system in
Toyota city, Aichi Prefecture, as well as an ultra-compact urban EV car-sharing project to be
conducted in the city of Grenoble, France.

i-Road specifications:
Length: 2,350mm. Width: 850mm. Height: 1,445mm. Wheelbase: 1,700mm. Occupancy: 2.

7. FT-86 Open Concept (World Premiere)

As a study model based on the rear-wheel-drive "86"3 sports car, the FT-86 Open Concept
was created to explore future sports car variations.

As a convertible boasting an electrically operated soft top, the car lets the driver feel at one with
nature while maintaining the 86's joy of driving and sense of oneness with the vehicle. A new
"Flash Red" body color, used specifically for the Tokyo Motor Show, gives a new twist to the
iconic sports car red.

FT-86 Open Concept specifications:
Length: 4,240mm. Width: 1,775mm. Height: 1,270mm. Wheelbase: 2,570mm. Occupancy: 4.

By Damon Lowney