Toyota keen on Sports Cars, looks to Hybrid tech
11-12-07, 06:25 AM
#1
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Toyota keen on Sports Cars, looks to Hybrid tech
Toyota may be the most successful carmaker in the world but this success is based on developing bland vehicles that appeal to a wider audience rather than creating cars that generate passion and excitement. A lack of serious performance models has convinced many that Toyota is a brand for cardigan-wearers but this is an image officials are hoping to change.
The first step is rebuilding Toyota’s performance image by developing new sports models. The other step is to capitalize on its reputation as a leader in hybrid technology by building a high-performance hybrid sports car. “We want to make a hybrid sports car reality,” Toyota R&D Chief Kazuo Okamoto explained to reporters from Automotive News.
The first of these new sports models will likely be based on the previous FT-HS Concept (pictured), which many are predicting will be released as a successor to the Supra. Other cars in the pipeline include a MR2 successor and a new RWD budget sports car.
Holding back the release of such cars is battery technology. Current nickel-metal hydride batteries are too heavy and inefficient for high-performance hybrids but lightweight lithium ion batteries are still some years away, says Okamoto.
The other major problem is convincing buyers that hybrid can also mean performance. Electric motors have the instantaneous torque ideal for sports driving but lack the classic throaty growl of a big block V8 or even a powerful V6.
The first step is rebuilding Toyota’s performance image by developing new sports models. The other step is to capitalize on its reputation as a leader in hybrid technology by building a high-performance hybrid sports car. “We want to make a hybrid sports car reality,” Toyota R&D Chief Kazuo Okamoto explained to reporters from Automotive News.
The first of these new sports models will likely be based on the previous FT-HS Concept (pictured), which many are predicting will be released as a successor to the Supra. Other cars in the pipeline include a MR2 successor and a new RWD budget sports car.
Holding back the release of such cars is battery technology. Current nickel-metal hydride batteries are too heavy and inefficient for high-performance hybrids but lightweight lithium ion batteries are still some years away, says Okamoto.
The other major problem is convincing buyers that hybrid can also mean performance. Electric motors have the instantaneous torque ideal for sports driving but lack the classic throaty growl of a big block V8 or even a powerful V6.
11-12-07, 08:59 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
"Other cars in the pipeline include a MR2 successor."
At least the claim that a MR2 successor is also in the pipeline is new, IIRC.
But yeah they've really got to show more real progress than talks.
At least the claim that a MR2 successor is also in the pipeline is new, IIRC.
But yeah they've really got to show more real progress than talks.
11-12-07, 09:13 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
So instead of just building a sports car that people want using a powerful v-8 or turbo v8/v6 now they are just going to keep waiting a couple years until the technology for hybrids gets better to where it will be somewhat competitive to v-8 and hope in the future people will accept a hybrid high performance sports car which seems very doubtful. Sounds like a recipe for not building a real sports car in a very long time and if they do it will be using a powerplant that is poor a choice for a sports car and won't be competitive to other sports cars aside from a good 0-60time. They are trying to go a route with hybrids that nobody is asking for. Save hybrids for sedans, small coupes, and SUVs. They are not suited for high performance sports cars and nobody is asking for one. If they want to do a high performance hybrid 2 door then due it but do not make it the only choice of a high perf Toyota sports car or a Supra replacement. Why can't they take the engine from the ISF, tune it a little more and put it in a sexy sleek sports car like the last Supra.
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11-12-07, 10:20 PM
#8
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If they want to do a high performance hybrid 2 door then due it but do not make it the only choice of a high perf Toyota sports car or a Supra replacement. Why can't they take the engine from the ISF, tune it a little more and put it in a sexy sleek sports car like the last Supra.
So here's how I like at it. Turbochargers allow for smaller displacement, yet you can still get the power of a 6 cyl, 8 cyl, etc. with the idea being you get better gas mileage than a car with a bigger engine. However, that isn't always true anymore thanks to DI, valve timing, active fuel management. So you could look at a hybrid sports car as having a smaller engine and electric motors that add horsepower just the way a turbo would, just with more impressive fuel economy. Does the extra weight of the batteries affect the car's performance? Guess we will have to wait and see.
11-13-07, 10:28 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
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A sports car with heavy nicad batteries is an oxymoron.
11-13-07, 04:32 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
"Capacitor technology" refers to using capacitors instead of batteries in a gas-electric hybrid, which is good for frequent and fast charging and discharging situations but not so good for normal road use where hard acceleration and hard braking are less frequent and prolonged discharging is needed.