Speculating on Toyota's new hybrid and hybrid plans

Toyota's next hybrid-only vehicle?

So, by 2009 Toyota plans to begin selling another hybrid-only brand. Will it be completely unique? Will it be a Prius derivative, such as a larger Prius or a smaller city Prius, as Toyota has previously discussed? Maybe it will be something even far more interesting, such as the FT-HS hybrid concept?

O.K., Toyota's new hybrid will not be the FT-HS, as Toyota has already stated that it would develop this concept vehicle as both a hybrid and a conventional vehicle.

Still, whatever vehicle it is, it proves that Toyota is not just serious about hybrid cars, but dead serious about selling 1,000,000 hybrids per year starting around 2010. So, what is this new hybrid and how does it fit in with Toyota's hybrid plans?

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The FT-HS hybrid coming?

Built on the GS450h hybrid powertrain?

After the Chevy Volt, Toyota's FT-HS hybrid concept was my favorite hybrid at the North American International Auto Show. This potential Supra replacement is nearing reality according to the Winding Road and rumors out of Japan.

The 400 hp FT-HS will probably be built on the GS450h hybrid powertrain - possibly utilizing the next generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, and thus lithium-ion batteries.

Is this Toyota's Hybrid X?

Is the FT-HS hybrid concept Hybrid X?

Earlier this week I mentioned that Toyota will debut the Hybrid X at the Geneva Auto show next week and I wondered whether the Hybrid X is the FT-HS concept, or a derivative of this concept. I just don't know.

Also, recently, Toyota claimed that the third generation Toyota Prius, and all of Toyota's hybrid cars, will utilize lithium-ion batteries, rather than the NiMH batteries used today. This development - this revolution - promises much lighter vehicles and greater energy capacity - two things that should increase both the performance and the fuel efficiency of Toyota's hybrid vehicles. At the same time, Toyota claimed this will also reduce the price of hybrid technology.

So is this Hybrid X? More on Hybrid X.

Tundra launch a good time for a hybrid?

Why not a Tundra hybrid?

When I walked into the Toyota section of the LosAngeles Auto Show, I was almost appalled. This is the king of hybrid cars, I wondered, as huge gas-guzzling trucks loomed everywhere. Consequently, I wasn't surprised to find the same scene at NAIAS in Detroit. At least in Detroit, however, Toyota was also displaying the FT-HS hybrid concept, which made me a bit more forgiving.

While I realize that Toyota needs to challenge America's Big 3 in this pickup truck segment, I don't understand why Toyota didn't include a hybrid version.

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Hybrid Vehicles and the Geneva Auto Show

Hybrid rumors and more

The Geneva Auto Show opens March 8th to the general public, but media days begin on the 6th and there are already some interesting hybrid developments. The biggest hybrid premiere at the Geneva Auto Show is the Honda Hybrid Sport Concept, at least according to publicly announced premieres. This new hybrid car from Honda will be a compact hybrid sports car, but few other details have been released. Also, there are rumors that the Kia Rio hybrid will also be displayed at the Geneva Auto Show. Additionally, according to AutoWeek, "Toyota will introduce a hybrid concept, the Hybrid X. The concept previews a new design language for hybrids while also acting as a technology showcase."

The Toyota hybrid concept sounds an awful lot like the FT-HS hybrid concept. Has the name changed? Is there an even newer, more interesting hybrid development coming from Toyota?

While I'm excited about Honda's hybrid reveal, it is Toyota's hybrid which is most intriguing. Is the king of hybrid cars prepared to up the hybrid ante? We'll find out soon.

Hybrid sales growth? Yeah, whatever!

It's an emerging technology, stupid

Boy! Why do hybrid cars receive so much attention? I mean, if you are interested in buying a hybrid car, I understand why you would pay attention to hybrid issues. However, hybrid vehicle sales are such a minuscule percent of overall vehicle sales, there can't be that many potential buyers, can there?

Well, maybe there can. Otherwise, why does any hybrid story, such as the slowing of hybrid vehicle sales growth, seem to dominate the headlines of much of the auto media?

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Ford to develop plug-in hybrids

Ford's HySeries Drive: For Plug-in Hydrogen Vehicles

While Ford is admitting interest in plug-in hybrids, it was a bit ironic to hear Nancy Gioia, Ford's head of hybrids, also claim that lithium-ion technology is "cost, weight and package prohibitive." (more)

Of course it is. Even lithium-ion technology for cell phones and notebook computers was once "cost, weight and package prohibitive". Yet, how can Ford be 'iffy' on plug-in technology when it is the core of their future, of their HySeries Drive?

Moreover, Toyota is pushing the cost-limits of at least first generation lithium technology with its FT-HS hybrid concept. So, the industry is getting very close to real world lithium powered vehicles.

Perhaps Ford was using the podium to steal a little thunder from GM's Volt?

Could batteries be more important than ethanol, hydrogen and fuel cells

President Bush at Johnson Controls

Just before the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota started hyping its FT-HS hybrid concept, a next-generation hybrid produced with lithium-ion batteries. As a result of these new batteries, Toyota was able to develop a hybrid sports car capable of achieving speeds of 0 -60 in less than 4 seconds, yet using the fuel of only a 4 cylinder economy car.

Likewise, GM announced the future was electric, plug-in hybrids were coming, and lithium-ion battery contracts had been awarded. Then at NAIAS GM upped the ante and debuted the Volt plug-in hybrid concept, an auto capable of achieving up to 40 miles per charge on pure electricity and up to 150 mpg if traveling 60 miles or less between charges. Additionally, the vehicle has a range of more than 600 miles.

In both cases, lithium-ion batteries enable each of these hybrid vehicles to achieve such amazing results. Consequently, batteries are beginning to emerge as one of the most important technologies behind the automotive revolution.

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Is the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive almost production-ready?

0 - 60 in 4 seconds with 4 cylinder fuel efficiency! What are we waiting for?

I've already stated that I want the FT-HS hybrid concept to become a reality, and I've also stated that the technology behind the FT-HS hybrid is more important than the vehicle itself. Obviously, this begs the question, "When is some of this new hybrid technology going to find its way into Toyota's current hybrid cars?"

Already, Toyota has contemplated a city Prius, for example. Why not put FT-HS technology into a smaller Prius - say one with only a 3 cylinder engine - that would achieve greater fuel efficiency, yet still be capable of amazing bursts of speed or power.

Also, why not a sporty version of the Camry hybrid? Couldn't this new hybrid technology provide more torque and/or towing capacity for the Highlander hybrid?

Since Toyota has claimed the FT-HS is basically a production-ready vehicle, one has to assume the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive has to be almost production-ready as well. So, why not give consumers a little taste?

Can the Toyota FT-HS hybrid be taken seriously?

While Toyota seemed more interested in promoting trucks, rather than its fantastic line of hybrid cars, the FT-HS hybrid concept was still an incredible hit at NAIAS. Still, with a name like FT-HS, can this concept be taken seriously? This amazing sports concept was built with an amazingly advanced hybrid powertrain to achieve phenomenal performance in terms of speed, power and fuel efficiency. Moreover, it is essentially production-ready. So, what's the problem? How about a better name and a launch date?

Can Toyota achieve hybrid goals for 2007?

Toyota is hoping to leave all other automakers in the rear view mirror when it comes to hybrid vehicles. According to Just-Auto, Toyota "plans to sell 250,000 to 300,000 hybrid cars in the US in 2007, up from 192,000 in 2006."

With gas prices dropping, are such sales figures a reality, especially when Toyota's reduced hybrid tax credits are considered?

I hope Toyota is correct, and I hope that Congress extends the tax credit for Toyota hybrids. Toyota's success has made all automakers take another look at hybrid technology and serious competition is brewing. Congress should help keep it brewing by ensuring that hybrid technology remains accessible to consumers - regardless of automaker and regardless of dipping gas prices.

This Toyota FT-HS hybrid concept, pictured above, demonstrates what hybrid investment can accomplish, and this is just the beginning.

Plastic composites ready for prime time?

I was very excited to hear that Toyota was using carbon fiber composite materials to design its new FT-HS hybrid concept. More important, it appeared that Toyota wasn't just using composites to help with design - as many automakers do - but as a first step towards carbon-fiber composite vehicles. As carbon fiber is so light, it can provide significant improvements in fuel economy simply by reducing the weight of a vehicle without any loss in safety. Still, carbon fiber is very expensive.

Carbon fiber, however, isn't the only composite being used in automobiles.

A group of GE reps let me know about GE's plastic composites during the debut of GM's Volt electric concept vehicle. Currently, these plastic composites are far cheaper than carbon fiber composites. In addition to reducing weight, plastic composites provide car designers with a revolutionary tool to sculpt vehicle design into elegant, beautiful and extremely aerodynamic works of art and science. More important, plastic composites are already being used. Even better, GE's new plastic composites are being developed using recycled water bottles.

GM shocks NAIAS

When GM offered to pay my ticket to the Detroit Auto Show, I was excited. Sure, I was interested in GM's electric concept vehicle, the Chevy Volt, but I was really interested to see the FT-HS. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see the FT-HS hybrid until tomorrow, but I don't even really care right now.

Nonetheless, the Chevy Volt electric completely blew me away, and I MEAN completely.

This beautifully designed, super aerodynamic electric-gasoline hybrid vehicle, rather than gasoline-electric hybrid, is simply astounding to behold, and GM car tsar, Bob Lutz, adamantly stated that GM is absolutely serious about producing this vehicle. In fact, Lutz called the Volt the most exciting project he's ever been involved with in his 40 plus years in the auto industry.

While this vehicle is a concept vehicle, there is a visible path to this electric auto's reality. It starts with the dual-mode hybrid powertrain, then a plug-in dual mode hybrid, then the Volt. GM is already working towards the plug-in hybrid and the technology behind plug-in hybrids will help power the advancements needed in lithium battery technology - a key to Volt success.

It's going to be a few years before this concept has any chance of hitting the real streets of America, but the Volt electric demonstrates that GM is heading in the right direction. Hopefully, they won't become too distracted along the way.

Fuel efficiency and hybrid launches at NAIAS?

So, most automotive executives believe that fuel efficiency is becoming the most important consumer concern. If so, how well will this issue be addressed at the upcoming North American International Auto Show?

All of the pre-show hype regarding hybrid cars, for example, has thus far focused on the FT-HS hybrid sports concept and a couple of clean diesels. While there are rumors that GM will debut some concept vehicles in this space, they are now just rumors. On the other hand, I've heard few hybrid or next generation fuel efficient technology rumors coming out of Ford or Honda, for example.

In my opinion, the FT-HS represents a revolution in both automotive technology and hybrid technology. Will all other automakers simply concede this space to Toyota for now? In reality, the hybrid revolution is probably 3 years away from fruition - the time when next generation batteries become mass-production reality. So, it wouldn't be surprising to see automakers idle their hybrid concepts in the short term.

On the other hand, it is as important as ever for automakers to be ready for the hybrid revolution - there really isn't that much time left to prepare. Consequently, I believe there are going to be a number of major hybrid concept launches at NAIAS by multiple automakers.

At least I hope so.

Off to NAIAS

I'm heading to NAIAS this weekend and I'll be back in LA on Monday night. I wish I could spend a little more time at the show, but I can't complain. Still, I've heard about some very interesting concept cars, such as the FT-HS hybrid concept, that I can't wait to see. Other concepts, from GM, I'm not able to discuss until Sunday night. Since GM was kind enough to sponsor my trip to the show, I must acquiesce with that request.

I'll definitely have a few things posted by late Sunday night, and I'll probably publish additional pictures and video throughout next week on Soultek.com.

I hope the FT-HS hybrid concept isn't a "pipe dream"

When I saw the headline Pipe Dream? on AutoWeek regarding Toyota's newest hybrid concept, I couldn't wait to read the article. What possible negative arguments could AutoWeek have about one of the most interesting concept vehicles in years, I wondered. Whether Toyota builds the FT-HS hybrid or not isn't really very relevant. It's the technology. It's the fact that the FT-HS uses carbon fiber and an advanced hybrid powertrain. It's the fact that the FT-HS can go 0-60 in 4 seconds with 4 cylinder economy car fuel efficiency. Most important, it's the fact that the FT-HS was built upon a real production platform.

Then, of course, I read the article and realized there wasn't any negativity. Then again I guess I hope the FT-HS isn't a pipe dream. Then again, however, it isn't really about the FT-HS, it's about the technology producing the FT-HS.

Watch out! Toyota's N Platform

Toyota is developing a new production platform called the N Platform. The N Platform is a production-ready platform for both the next-gen Lexus IS and GS sedans, as well as the platform for a few Japan-only Toyotas, in addition to the hybrid FT-HS sports concept vehicle. This new front-engine, rear drive flexible component production platform can be used for conventional-engined vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Additionally, as with the FT-HS, this platform can also accommodate carbon-fiber paneled automobiles.

So what! So what?

Imagine a $60,000 sports car that goes from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, yet achieves the fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder compact car available in a T-roof with a hubless steering wheel using drive-by-wire technology. Imagine how much of this N Platform technology could revolutionize the Toyota Prius, for example.

Toyota's N platform is a shot across the bow of every other automaker in the world, a warning that Toyota isn't going to become complacent with success. Instead, Toyota is going to push their efficient production process to the next generation. Watch out world, Toyota is stating, the best is yet to come.

"Hybrid-clever and Ferrari-fast"

Wow! That's the first word that comes to my mind after reading Angus MacKenzie's take on Toyota's newest hybrid concept car, the FT-HS. While this is a concept vehicle, it is also a production-ready concept according to what Toyota has told MacKenzie. There are so many larger implications for the auto industry brought forth by this hybrid sports car and I don't know where to even begin. So, I'll get back to those issues later. For now; however, check out the Angus article, it's absolutely a must-read for hybrid fans.

First Look: Toyota FT-HS concept