Toyota will bring together its past achievements and future plans for hybrid power in a Frankfurt motor show presentation devoted entirely to its industry-leading technology when the show opens on Sept. 10. Since it introduced the original Prius saloon in Japan in 1997, Toyota has sold more than 5.5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide and continues to extend its portfolio, currently offering 23 models worldwide. According to Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief Representative of Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “Toyota's commitment to environmental leadership is reflected in our concerted efforts at developing viable hybrid technologies for everyday use. Given the need to nurture a clean and sustainable environment driven by environmentally conscious customers and governments, we will continue to work towards developing innovative hybrid vehicles including fuel cell driven vehicles to expand our product lineup to create vehicles that are popular with consumers.” Frankfurt will mark the world debut of the new Yaris Hybrid-R concept, created as a showcase for possible future hybrid development ideas that can deliver greater performance and driver rewards. Based on the three-door Yaris, Hybrid-R features a 1.6-litre GRE (Global Race Engine) developed by Toyota Motorsport, combined with two powerful electric motors that give the car intelligent all-wheel drive capability. Using technology like that featured in Toyota's TS030 Hybrid race car, energy recovered under braking is stored in a super capacitor, a unit that's particularly suitable for use in a sports car thanks to its high power density and quick charge and discharge speeds. The result is a highly focused machine, designed to deliver the maximum driving pleasure, both on road and track. Toyota will show the latest status of its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) technology at Frankfurt, ahead of the market launch of a production car by 2015. Toyota considers the energy and emissions benefits make this the best technology yet to deliver the ultimate zero-emission car, with hydrogen as an ideal, ultra-clean energy source. Toyota has been researching and developing environmentally efficient transport solutions for more than 40 years, building world leadership in the design and production of full hybrid powertrain technology. It made the science a marketplace reality in 1997, when the first Prius went on sale in Japan. Since then, Toyota Motor Corporation has amassed sales of more than 5.5 million hybrids and today has a portfolio 23 different models – four times more than any other competitor – available in 80 countries and regions around the world. As of June 2013, worldwide cumulative sales of the “Prius” gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle passed the 3-million mark. The Prius was the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle at the time of its launch. Toyota calculates that its global hybrid fleet has already saved 12 billion liters of fuel and 34 million tons of CO2 emissions, compared to the same number of equivalent, conventionally powered vehicles. The story does not end here: by the end of 2015 Toyota will have introduced a further 16 new or revised hybrid models. TMC will continue to conduct R&D and invest in facilities for the development of hybrid and other cutting-edge technologies and achieve sustainable growth by deploying these developed technologies across the globe. In line with this commitment, in 2012 TMC also brought hybrid technology to the racetrack by returning to endurance racing as a full-time entrant with a hybrid LMP1 car making history by becoming the first manufacturer to build a team entirely around a hybrid powertrain. The car had a successful first season winning three of the six races it entered. — SG
