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Toyota To Introduce Ultracompact Based on iQ in Europe
24 September 2007
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor will launch a fuel-efficient ultracompact car in Europe around 2009 which will be based on the iQ concept car Toyota introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show. (Earlier post.)
Despite its small size, the iQ-based car is expected to offer enough room inside for four people. It will likely be powered by a 1-liter-class gasoline engine, but a diesel option may be offered. Toyota has yet to determine the price.
The ultracompact will be produced in Japan, starting at around 100,000 units a year. It may also be sold in Japan.
Subcompacts represented 35% of the 14.62 million passenger cars sold in 18 major European countries in 2006. Toyota sold 1.17 million vehicles in Europe that year, with the Yaris accounting for 250,000 (21.4%) and the Aygo accounting for 100,000 (8.6%).
September 24, 2007 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
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Posted by: toyo | September 24, 2007 at 01:50 PM
I assume this is all about regenerative braking, stop/start and efficient city transport - could be one to watch if they get it right.
They might then be able to add the technology to the Auris and Yaris to generate a set of city optimised small cars which would be world beating - from an economy and pollution point of view.
Watch this space!
Posted by: mahonj | September 25, 2007 at 03:11 AM
I assume this is all about regenerative braking, stop/start and efficient city transport - could be one to watch if they get it right.
This is purely ICE, so no regen braking. They could implement stop/start, but not as efficiently as hybrid since ICE has to power take off. Efficiency presumably comes from low weight and 1-liter ICE.
Posted by: Scott | September 25, 2007 at 06:43 AM
You could use regen to charge the battery and reduce the need to run the alternator - saving fuel in this way. Why else would they use supercaps - they must be capturing something.
The whole idea would be to capture the energy from braking in town use, which will be quite a bit - and supercaps will be very good for this.
Posted by: mahonj | September 25, 2007 at 01:25 PM
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If the production car looks like the iQ, and has the same innovative use of interior space then it will make waves in the market and will cause headaches for Toyota's European competitors.