Speculating on Toyota's new hybrid & 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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Where is my American-made hybrid?

Chevy's foreign oil dependency fighter?

Many SUV fans believe that hybrid SUVs are more important than hybrid cars. These SUV advocates argue that converting the most inefficient vehicles into hybrids results in the greatest fuel savings.

While I see the logic in this belief, I don't agree. Yes, hybrid SUVs are extremely important, but they are not more important than smaller hybrid cars.

For instance, if I'm single, and I want to have the greatest impact on foreign oil dependency, it is far better to buy a Toyota Prius or a Civic hybrid, rather than a Tahoe hybrid.

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Toyota's FT-HS hybrid closer to reality?

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.

What is 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.

Batteries: The key to the automotive Revolution? Part 1

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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How long before FT-HS hybrid technology finds other Toyota hybrids?

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?

Will Toyota produce the FT-HS concept?

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?

Toyota sees huge hybrid growth in 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.

A composite future: Is plastic the key?

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.

Will fuel efficiency matter at Detroit Auto Show?

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.

Is the FT-HS 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.

Everything in place for carbon fiber plug-in hybrid vehicles

I love Toyota's hottest concept vehicle, the FT-HS hybrid sports car because it uses carbon fiber and next generation hybrid technology. While the FT-HS isn't a plug-in hybrid, the fact that it utilizes lithium-ion technology demonstrates that plug-in technology is close at hand, as lithium-ion battery technology will be key. More important, the fact that the 0-60 in 4 seconds FT-HS hybrid could be sold for $60,000 further highlights the fact that ultra-light, advanced hybrids don't have to be ridiculously expensive. Add this technology to a Prius, not so focused on speed and power, and the costs will be far less. The technology to build carbon-fiber plug-in hybrid vehicles that could increase U.S. fuel economy by more than 50 percent is basically available today and the technology pays for itself via fuel economy.

Toyota's N Platform: A shot across the bow of every automaker

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.

FT-HS hybrid sports car: "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

Check out Toyota's hybrid sports car

So, you've heard about the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept that is supposed to debut at the Detroit Auto Show. A 0-60 mile per hour in 4 second hybrid sports car with 400 hp can claim the attention of both many hybrid fans, as well as sports car fans. What really has me interested about this vehicle, however, is the use of carbon fiber. With its ability to cut the weight of many automobiles in half, but also making them stronger, carbon fiber holds great potential. Carbon fiber plug-in hybrid vehicles, for example, could essentially end the need for liquid fuel for most in the U.S., enabling the far majority of drivers to drive purely powered by electricity. Of course, you'd still be able to fill up with liquid fuel when needed.

Anyway, for some cool pictures of the FT hybrid, check out Winding Road.