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Toyota: Environmentally Friendly / Green Hybrid Cars |
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9.11 Toyota
- Prius: The 1.5 litre Prius model produced by Toyota from 1997 to 2001 was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car.
- The car, designated NHW 10, could be powered by its petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) or a battery, or both, and employed a “Toyota Hybrid System” (THS).
- An improved 1.5 litre Pirus model (NHW 11) was produced from 2000 to 2003.
- In 2004 the company produced another improved 1.5 litre Pirus model (NHW 20), a 5 seater car which was fitted with the Toyota designed “Hydrid Synergy Drive” (HSD) system.
- At slow speeds, at traffic lights, decending long hills, etc., the car can run on battery only (the “stealth mode”).
- The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are charged by the petrol engine and also by regenerative braking. Solar panels can also be used to provide additional energy to the batteries.
- An average fuel economy figure for the 2004-05 Prius of just under 50 mpg (US) has been achieved.
- By mid 2006 half a million Prius cars had been sold, over 50% in the USA.
- The DHW 20 model has a top speed of 105 mph (168 kph) or 42 mph (67 kph) when in the battery only “stealth mode”. The engine is rated at 76 hp (57 kW), the motor at 67 hp (50 kW), with a nett power rating of 110 hp (82 kW).
- Technical Note: The Toyota’s Hydrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is a drive-by-wire system. There are no direct mechanical connections between the engine and its controls.
- Signals from the accelerator pedal, gear lever, etc being sent by wire to the car’s on-board computer.
- HSD replaces the usual geared transmission. It is described as E-CTV (Electronically-controlled ContinuouslyVariable Transmission).
- Estima & Alphard: The Estima (2000/2006) and the Alphard (2003) were both hybrid minivans. In 2005 Toyota introduced the Kluger/Jighlander Hybrid.
- Camry Hybrid: In 2006 the company introduced the petrol/battery powered 2.4 litre, 147 hp (110 kW) Camry Hybrid.
- The car is fitted with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
- 40 hp (30 kW) of power for the electrical motors being provided by a 150-pound nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
- The car typically achieves 43 mpg (US) city driving and about 33 mpg overall.
- The car has a curb weight of 3,640 lbs (1,655 kg) and a top speed governed to 117 mph (187 kph).
- Lexus RX 400h: In 2005 the company introduced a 3.3 litre, 211hp (157 kW) hybrid. In Japan it was called the Toyota Harrier.
- A Lexus Hybrid Drive system (also called the Hybrid Synergy Drive) produces a maximum of 272 hp (203 kW).
- Two electric motors, powered by a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, aid the petrol powered engine. The Ni-MH battery being charged during deceleration.
- One motor drives the front wheels, the other drives the rear wheels.
- Normally only the front motor and/or the petrol powered engine are used, the rear motor only operating when the car is under full acceleration or when the front wheels lose their grip.
- The car’s engine is automatically switched off when stationary, decelerating or at slow speeds (hence fuel economy is better in city/town driving).
- Another version, the GS 450h hybrid, has been produced. It has a 3.5 litre engine and a combined hybrid power of 339 hp (253 kW).
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