The recently-previewed Toyota
NS4 Advanced Plug-In Hybrid Concept certainly raises a few eyebrows, and
answers a few pending questions
regarding its maker. It was unveiled at the 2012 North American International
Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
From a design point of view the NS4 really captures the eye, and whether it
pleases it or not is a question for the individual. I like it; the coupe-like
body silhouette, those sharp eyes on
the front end, the upstanding rear
end. It has similarities with the
current Prius, but at the same time looks like no other Toyota today. That’s
called progress, and one the company
really needs right now.
Toyota is currently evaluating
if it will bring it to market, but has decided that should a positive answer be
agreed to on that question, dealers will have units by 2015. By extension I would assume South African dealers would be looking at a similar time frame for
their stock.
Besides the fact that it’s a plug-in hybrid, which means it has a small petrol/ diesel engine running alongside an electric motor that can
be recharged either by the engine while it goes or by an electric plug at home, nothing else was said on the powertrain. Oh, also that it’s lighter than current systems, features
better fuel economy and a longer distance
travelled (range) in battery-only
mode. Instead the bulk of the matter lies in technologies employed.
Like everyone else, Toyota believes the future lies in connectivity, in how cars interact with
people, the road, and indeed, other cars too. It’s all about mobility. Partnerships have been forged
with Microsoft (who incidentally
also have one with Fiat Group) and Intel among others, to develop technologies
that will best effect this belief.
One thing the car will apparently be able to do is to “learn” the driver’s preferences as well
as habits in order to determine the best possible responses in certain situations. Another is the Pre-Collision System or PCS which will
anticipate collisions before they occur and be able to do something to either
prevent them or minimise the subsequent damage.
The car’s Human-Machine
Interface (HMI) is a touch-screen-based system with
colourful display that looks and feels like a smart phone. So it’s kinda like interacting with your BlackBerry or iPhone or Android phone
while driving, but in a safe and legal
way. The three rear view mirrors (inside and out) are replaced by cameras whose image output is displayed
in front of the driver. Toyota says the system provides a wider view than the
cameras.
Finally for a hot-climate
country like Mzansi there’s a high ultraviolet
absorbing inner-layer that supposedly removes 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, as well as an anti-solar
film that reduces the temperature inside the cabin. We could use this
feature right about now actually.
2 comments:
I thought Lexus was the most hi-tech Toyota in the world? LoL
Funnyman Neville but truth is, Lexus is a different brand. Anyways for me Toyota is coming back to the front end of things. I do wish them well personally.
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