Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by ken1784

I believe SAI is for Japanese market only, like Crown Hybrid.

In the US and Canada, you guys already have the same engine Camry Hybrid.
The differences are...
- SAI/HS250h is shorter wheel base than Camry Hybrid.
- SAI/HS250h have the exhaust heat recovery system.

Ken@Japan

the name pretty much confirms that

what about something REAL!! a mini-van and sub compact??

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by nerfer

Ummm, no. The TCH has the same sheet-metal as the standard Camry on which it was based, same engine area, etc. They just rearranged the guts to fit in a hybrid powertrain. Like you say, the battery pack was tacked in rather oddly, rendering the fold-down seats nearly useless (particularly the left one). It all works the way it is, but if they designed it as a new car to be a hybrid, the trunk at least would look a lot different. Probably some changes to the aerodynamics. Are the hood and trunk lid aluminum like the Prius?

Yes but when the Camry was redesigned, they already had a hybrid in mind so the body and the chassis and all the other hidden stuff were designed to take in a hybrid system. It's not like the Camry already came out and then they decided to snap on the HSD.

Yes they are but I've noticed there's less aluminium in the trunklid than the old Camry.

[ken1784]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

what about something REAL!! a mini-van and sub compact??

Vitz(Yaris) Hybrid will be in 2011.
Also, a rumor said Prius mini-van (three row seats) with Li-ion battery is coming.

Ken@Japan

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by ken1784

Vitz(Yaris) Hybrid will be in 2011.
Also, a rumor said Prius mini-van (three row seats) with Li-ion battery is coming.

Ken@Japan

That's exciting news, Ken!

[hill]

Originally Posted by ken1784

Vitz(Yaris) Hybrid will be in 2011.
Also, a rumor said Prius mini-van (three row seats) with Li-ion battery is coming.

Ken@Japan

Maybe the mini-van part of the rumor will com to pass ... but Li-ion?
Toyota ends three-year lithium-ion tests, Decides to stick with NiMH for the future (for now).
Toyota says no.
.

[ken1784]

Originally Posted by hill

Toyota says no.

My understanding is Toyota won't use Li-ion on hybrid vehicles now.
However, I'm sure there are possibilities to use Li-ion on future hybrid.

Ken@Japan

[asj2009]

The HS barely sold 1000 units in September, even though Toyota was hoping it would sell at least 24k units per year (not sure whether there were supply constraints or not, but it sure isn't generating that much of a buzz). That thing, like the HS, looks like a Corolla but probably with a much higher price tag. if it ever comes here (and it looks like it won't) it'll sell some, but not as many as you might think.

[Rybold]

It's been officially unveiled/announced now:

Toyota unveils new hybrid-only model - Yahoo! Finance

[bestmapman]

I am awaiting for a plug in coupe. Lower to the ground with a lower roof due to lower seats. With the same HSD as current Genn III, that could mean a significan higher hwy MPG due to less frontal area.

Ah, wishful thinking

[wintechsw]

Originally Posted by Rybold

It's been officially unveiled/announced now:

Toyota unveils new hybrid-only model - Yahoo! Finance

More news here:

Toyota thinks electric