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Toyota Introduces Redesigned Estima Hybrid Minivan in Japan
12 June 2006
 |
| Estima Hybrid G |
Toyota announced today the nationwide sales launch in Japan of the completely redesigned Estima Hybrid minivan. (Earlier post.) The new Estima Hybrid offers fuel consumption of 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) on the Japanese 10-15 cycle and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km.
Toyota introduced the first Estima Hybrid in 2001 as the world’s first hybrid minivan with the first use of the E-Four (electric four-wheel-drive) system on a mass-production vehicle.
The new Estima Hybrid features an application of Toyota’s THS II system, optimized for use on a minivan, as well as an exhaust heat recovery system that uses thermal energy from the exhaust to heat engine coolant. This reduces engine warm-up time, which enables the engine to shut off earlier when idling, contributing to further improvements in actual fuel economy.
The hybrid powertrain consists of three main elements: the engine, the THS II front motor, and the E-Four rear motor.
The Estima hybrid uses a 2.4-liter engine—the smaller of the two powerplants offered with the redesigned conventional Estima—with enhanced intake and exhaust systems and enhanced engine control to increase engine speed and reduce friction for higher maximum output and better fuel efficiency. The engine delivers 110 kW (147 hp) of power and 190 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The front motor offers 105 kW peak output and is coupled with a speed reduction gear to amplify torque. With the speed reduction gear, the front motor delivers maximum torque of 270 Nm.
The rear E-Four motor offer maximum output of 50 kW and maximum torque of 130 Nm. The E-Four motor assists the engine and front motor as needed and continuously optimizes the allocation of power between the front and rear wheels. The Estima hybrid offers an all-electric mode.
A 245V NiMH battery pack provides the energy storage. The variable voltage system of the power control unit uses a booster circuit to increase the voltage supplied from the battery to the motors from 245V to 650V, increasing the power output of the front and rear motors. The battery pack is mounted within the center console, enabling versatile seat arrangements, equivalent to those of a regular gasoline-engine Estima, and a comfortable interior space.
Emissions of both NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) are 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.
Prices start at ¥3,633,000 (US$31,770), consumption tax included.
| Estima Hybrid | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| THS II with motor speed reduction device | Engine | Displacement | 2.363 liters |
| Maximum Power | 110 kW (147 hp) | ||
| Maximum Torque | 190 Nm | ||
| Front Motor | Maximum output | 105 kW | |
| Maximum torque | 270 Nm | ||
| Reduction gear ratio | 2.478 | ||
| Battery | Rated voltage | 245 V | |
| E-Four | Rear motor | Maximum output | 50 kW |
| Maximum Torque | 130 Nm | ||
| Overall system | Maximum output | 140 kW (188 hp) | |
| Fuel consumption | 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.8 sec | ||
June 12, 2006 in Hybrids, Japan | Permalink | Comments (40) | TrackBack (1)
Comments
Posted by: Jeff | June 12, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Uh,
I think EDF is doing that thing called...uh...sarcasm. If not - putz ;-)
My least serious post of the year!
Peace,
Cosmo
Posted by: Cosmo | June 12, 2006 at 08:26 PM
Toyo -
the exhaust heat recovery system announced here is a heat exchanger for the engine coolant mounted in the exhaust. Its purpose is to help heat up the engine block quickly, after which time it is bypassed.
The Prius already includes a small insulated tank for storing hot coolant for the same purpose, but evidently Toyota considers the new system to be better in some way.
Do not confuse these engine temperature management components with a co-generation concept like BMW's turbosteamer.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | June 13, 2006 at 03:54 AM
For those of us who still have winter, heating up the engine block could be very helpful. Improving the gas mileage for those first few miles would certainly be useful, especially for those who take short trips in winter. I know Prius has the hot coolant tank but how long can the car be parked before the coolant cools down?
Posted by: t | June 13, 2006 at 07:03 AM
Every vehicle should incorporate a method to hasten the initial heat up of the engine. Cold start emissions are just awful. Just make sure the heat is pulled from the exhaust far enough away from the catalyst so that you don't cause it to take too long to get to operating temperatures.
Posted by: Patrick | June 13, 2006 at 07:51 AM
The Estima is what we in the US called the Previa. Smaller exterior and larger interior than the US only Sienna. It left this market because of tariffs and to a lesser extent, crashtesting. I doubt it will return.
Posted by: Nemo | June 13, 2006 at 12:47 PM
wow, that's a pretty low price, with 4 wheel drive, too! i mean, an AWD sienna costs roughly 1K less. and great mileage, even on the japanese test. after all the AWD sienna only gets 17/23 mpg.
Posted by: lensovet | June 13, 2006 at 03:45 PM
Coolant in the Prius thermos stays hot for about 3 days. The first generation version used a hydrocarbon trap that operated until the cat was hot, then the trapped HC was re-routed to be burned in the cat.
Posted by: Erick | June 13, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Rafael ... you're right. My point still stands though, that this is a sign of things to come for the 3rd gen Prius. I am fairly confident that Toyota will soon come out with a "true", or more elaborate exhaust heat recovery system, where the exhaust heat will be captured as energy into the hybrid system, and used to help power the vehicle.
Posted by: toyo | June 13, 2006 at 10:56 PM
>A 245V NiMH battery
I wonder why we have not seen LiIon batteries?
Is there a problem with LiIon's use in vehicles?
I know that SMART cars use them for their setup.
One more thing if you dumped the engine how
many more batteries could you fit in this thing
and how far will it go?
As far as oil is concerned the longer its high the more
likely there will be a Eureka tech that will eliminate the
need for oil. Hydrogen is cool but hast had that moment yet. The Air car is impressive but I do not know how fast it can accelerate. Maybe a combination of gas and air? Or electric and compressed air? Thats an interesting combo.
Posted by: Robert | June 14, 2006 at 03:44 AM
It probably allows the plugin for a recharge, as shown in the picture on the top right of this webpage. The picture says "an overnight 1-way recharging module, AC 100V to 240V." The blue arrow indicates it's providing the electricity from the house to the car. It's very well thought of.
Posted by: dr.hsu | June 14, 2006 at 03:57 PM
I love this car. Living in Tokyo, I went to the local dealer to pick up all the brochures. I am planning to test drive it next week.
Not only is this car good for the environment, but it is full of cool technologies that make driving a joy.
Posted by: Brendan | July 21, 2006 at 02:22 AM
Could you order a toyota estima hybrid minivan, and have it shipped to the U.S?
Posted by: Baltazar | April 21, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Toyo and others:
Where is your $40/barrel oil now?
Posted by: | May 06, 2008 at 06:30 AM
ESTIMA HYBRID CAR IS EXCELLENT CAR THAT I LOVE IT VERY MUCH, AND I BEEN USED FOR 3 YEARS NOW THAT I BOUGHT FROM SECOND HAND CAR EX-FACTORY 2002.
BUT NOW I GOT PROBLEM FORM REPAIR, NO ONE CAN HELP IN HONG KONG, WOULD ANYONE GOT REPAIR BOOK FOR HELPING HAND ?
APPRECIATED.
Posted by: C M Lui | June 24, 2008 at 06:39 AM
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Toyota first introduced the Estima hybrid minivan in 2001. At the time it, was the first hybrid minivan and the first mass-produced vehicle to use an electric four-wheel-drive system. The new redesigned Estima was... [Read More]
Tracked on Jun 13, 2006 5:44:11 AM
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