Future Hybrids, fun and more from Toyota at Geneva
KEY POINTS
- First reveal of the production-ready Yaris Hybrid, Europe’s first full hybrid supermini at the Geneva motor show
- First European appearance of the production-ready GT 86
- World debut for the FT-Bh concept, showcasing a “total vehicle” approach to reducing emissions in an affordable city car
- European premiere for the NS4 and FCV-R concepts, exploring next-generation plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicle design
- Toyota diji concept shown in Europe for the first time, taking vehicle personalisation to a new level
The rejuvenation of Toyota can be witnessed “in the metal” at the Geneva motor show, with a display of future showroom and concept models, shown in Europe for the first time.
Yaris Hybrid will be shown for the first time in its production-ready form, ahead of going sale in June this year. Powered by a re-engineered Hybrid Synergy Drive, it will be Europe’s first full hybrid supermini, opening up the technology to a new customer group. It will deliver quiet, smooth performance with the lowest emissions in its segment, while maintaining the small-but-spacious quality for which Yaris is renowned.
GT 86, Toyota’s all-new sports coupe, arrives in Geneva on a wave of enthusiastic advance media acclaim and public interest. Due to reach the road this summer, GT 86 rediscovers the pure passion and excitement of sports car driving, at an affordable price.
Geneva marks the world debut of the FT-Bh concept, an ultra-lightweight, full hybrid city car study, designed to achieve low emissions within an economically viable production framework. The team that produced FT-Bh purposely avoided expensive materials and complex manufacturing processes, working instead only with those that are already commonplace in the auto industry.
Toyota’s NS4 and FCV-R concepts are also being shown in Europe for the first time. NS4 is a next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle, designed to address customer demand for added value from hybrid motoring, together with advanced design and a more involving drive. FCV-R represents Toyota’s next step towards mass production of hydrogen-powered vehicles, paving the way for the launch of a saloon-type fuel cell vehicle by 2015.
The Toyota diji concept – previously shown at last year’s Tokyo motor show as the Fun-Vii – is all about personalisation. The entire body, inside and out, serves as a display, with the driver being able to change colour and content at will. The process of displaying images or information is as simple as downloading an app. The car can also link to nearby vehicles and infrastructure to create an even more connected driving experience.
Press conference
Toyota will host a press conference on its stand at the Geneva motor show at 9.15am on Tuesday, 6 Mach.
ENDS
Note to editors: details of Lexus’s activities at the Geneva motor show will be announced shortly.
