Toyota Displays Hybrid Synergy Drive® Versatility With CNG-Powered Camry Hybrid Concept

[Danny]

Toyota Displays Hybrid Synergy Drive® Versatility With CNG-Powered Camry Hybrid Concept At 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show



11/19/2008
November 19, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today highlighted the versatility of its Hybrid Synergy Drive® system by showing a compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept vehicle at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
"In the near future, growing demand for liquid petroleum simply and effectively will exceed supply," said Chris Hostetter, group vice president, TMS Advanced Product Strategy. "Before that occurs, automakers must look to vehicles powered by alternative fuels. We believe CNG will be one of those alternatives."
The current CNG benefits are amplified by rapidly changing market conditions and an increase in consumer environmental awareness. As a transport fuel, natural gas is a clean and safe gasoline alternative. It can potentially reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil and reduce vehicle operating costs. Currently more than 99 percent of natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic & other North American sources. Proven worldwide natural gas reserves are estimated to last until 2100 and have the potential to last until 2200 through improved advanced production methods.

Natural gas also produces lower particulate emissions, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG), and less CO2 per unit of energy when compared with gasoline. In addition, it has a higher flash point (ignition temperature) than gasoline, can run at a higher compression ratio and is quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, should a leak occur.
The CNG Camry Hybrid concept was designed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, Calif. To convert the stock Camry Hybrid to a CNG vehicle, the gasoline fuel system was replaced with a CNG system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area.
The exterior of the vehicle also received some sporty ‘concept' touches. A sleek custom front fascia and front bumper cover eliminate the grill opening, while a custom rear bumper covers the tail pipe and visible exhaust system. The vehicle is fitted with 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza 225/35ZR19 run-flat tires to accommodate the lack of a spare tire. The overall ride height is lowered while new side body skirts and "Compressed Natural Gas Hybrid" graphics complete the unique look.
In 1999, Toyota marketed a CNG-powered four-cylinder Camry to fleet customers in California. Due to relatively low gasoline costs at that time, customers were not attracted to a vehicle that required special refueling techniques and a limited refueling infrastructure. The program was discontinued a year later. Today there are less than 1,000 CNG refueling stations nationwide, with less than half open to the public.
"Toyota believes CNG has huge potential, both in the U.S. and globally," said Hostetter, "but CNG is just one of the many alternative fuels we're exploring in our ongoing advanced technology research and development."
TOYOTA CNG CAMRY HYBRID CONCEPT
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive®
Gasoline fuel system replaced with CNG system
ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY (mpg)
City/Highway/Combined = 32/34/33
(Gasoline Camry Hybrid = 33/34/34)
NET HORSEPOWER (Engine + Electric Motor + Generator + Power Storage)
170 hp
CNG SYSTEM
•Two (2) Lincoln composite Type 4 tanks - plastic liner with carbon fiber wrapped exterior
•Tanks installed in spare tire well area
•Maximum 3,600 psi
CAPACITY
Proposed 8 gallon gasoline equivalent
RANGE
250+ miles
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 191.2
Overall Width: 71.7
Overall Height: 57.5
Wheelbase: 109.3
Wheel Size: 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels



Additional photos over on Toyota's Flickr page: 2008 L.A. Auto Show: Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept - a set on Flickr

[bedrock8x]

Nice concept, but who will buy a car without a trunk or a trunk good enough for two grocery bags.

[usbseawolf2000]

I want CNG Prius.

[zenMachine]

Originally Posted by bedrock8x

Nice concept, but who will buy a car without a trunk or a trunk good enough for two grocery bags.

This is only to illustrate how the HSD system can be fueled by CNG, using an existing Camry as the mule. It's not meant for grocery shopping.

[priusuk2008]

The economy figures are worse than the gasoline Camry, not by much admittedly, but still worse. Now if they had been at or over 40mpg irrespective of the price and availability of CNG nationally, it would make quite a few people sit up and take notice.

And a range of 250 miles isnt exactly going to get most people though the week without one stop at a filling station either.

Nice try Toyota, but keep on down the Prius PHEV route please for now.

Anyway, where's the hydrogen cell Prius if you want future concept cars ?

[Rybold]

Awesome!!! I've been seeing "CNG ---> " road signs all over Orange County over the past few months, and I know the refilling stations are definitely already in place. I also see about two or three CNG vehicles on the road every week. I've been saying for about a year now that automakers need to combine hybrid-electric drives with other alternative fuel sources. Obviously, CNG and biofuels are the first thought to come to mind. I'm glad to see that Toyota has created this car. I will be even happier when they put it into production.

I am going to the LA Auto Show tomorrow evening. I'll take pics of hybrids if I see anything new or worthwhile.

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by priusuk2008

The economy figures are worse than the gasoline Camry, not by much admittedly, but still worse. Now if they had been at or over 40mpg irrespective of the price and availability of CNG nationally, it would make quite a few people sit up and take notice.

And a range of 250 miles isnt exactly going to get most people though the week without one stop at a filling station either.

Nice try Toyota, but keep on down the Prius PHEV route please for now.

Anyway, where's the hydrogen cell Prius if you want future concept cars ?

It's always good to have more than just one resource in your portfolio. The more avenues and areas that you explore, the better prepared you will be for any unexpected changes that may come in the future. Also, keep in mind that this is CNG and not LNG. This is just the first generation. The reporters are definitely correct that there are trillions of cubic meters of methane deposits in North America, mainly under the Appalachian Mountains. Stored in the gas state, it might not be as energy dense as gasoline, but it sure is the answer to energy independence (STOPPING the outflow of our money to the Middle East, Russia, and Venezuela). When we can figure out a way to get the more dense LPG into vehicles (the problem is the filling stations - the transfer of methane in the liquid state requires much more controlled conditions), your "mpg" will be [almost] just as good as gasoline.

And keep in mind that as hybrid technology evolves and improves, the need for enough "fuel" will be less of a concern.

[dipper]

from what I have heard of the Civic CNG. The pistons do not even have any gunk after 100k miles. It is that clean.

[Flying White Dutchman]

nice i like the look! nice front grill blocking
and a good thing this is happening with cng

[SageBrush]

I don't think CNG cars have any future beyond the couple dozen required to meet CARB ZEV requirements. It's a CARB loophole that should have been closed a long time ago, so that the auto industry either comes up with something completely unexpected, or gets down to the business of building electric cars.