Toyota FT-Bh Concept – the hybrid car of tomorrow
This
is the Toyota FT-Bh, a hybrid concept that gets 134.5 mpg, that is
approximately 57 kilometre per litre. The Concept was conceived to show
how to build a Toyota Yaris-sized hybrid for maximum efficiency without
using exotic materials that would drive up prices. Weighing a scant
1,700 lbs., and sculpted for aerodynamics, the FT-Bh's power comes from a
1-liter, two-cylinder engine -- a smaller mill than what you find in
large motorcycles.

This
is the Toyota FT-Bh, a hybrid concept that gets 134.5 mpg, that is
approximately 57 kilometre per litre. The Concept was conceived to show
how to build a Toyota Yaris-sized hybrid for maximum efficiency without
using exotic materials that would drive up prices. Weighing a scant
1,700 lbs., and sculpted for aerodynamics, the FT-Bh's power comes from a
1-liter, two-cylinder engine -- a smaller mill than what you find in
large motorcycles.
Toyota’s
new FT-Bh concept is a vehicle designed to take the efficiency of full
hybrid vehicles to new heights. Making its debut at the Geneva motor
show, it is an ultra-light concept, weighing less than 800kg, which
demonstrates what can be achieved in terms of fuel consumption and CO2
emissions in an affordable family supermini.
Those
figures are from a vehicle that is close in size to today’s Yaris, at
3,985mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,400mm tall, with a 2,570mm wheelbase.
The emissions are about half the level of those produced by a 1.0-litre
Yaris.
n
their mission to achieve the best possible fuel economy and emissions,
the design team focused on five key areas: reducing weight; driving
resistance (including aerodynamic and tyre performance); powertrain
efficiency; thermal energy management; and electricity savings.
Toyota
recognises that a real-world reduction of total global vehicle CO2
emissions can only be brought about if an affordable, ultra-low
emissions vehicle can be manufactured and sold in sufficiently high
volumes. That made it important that the concept did not require exotic,
expensive materials or complex manufacturing procedures, but used
instead only those that are already commonly available in the motor
industry.
The
way in which the cabin merges seamlessly into the rear of the vehicle,
with an uplifted rear bumper and chevron-shaped corner elements, helps
achieve the best possible aerodynamic performance and deliver a drag
coefficient of just 0.235
The
front end of the car broadcastsToyota’s current design language with
its large lower grille, together with a sculpted bonnet and headlamps
that are integrated into the front wings. Ultra-slim A and C-pillars
maximise the glazed area for better visibility and a greater sense of
space in the cabin.
The
way in which the cabin merges seamlessly into the rear of the vehicle,
with an uplifted rear bumper and chevron-shaped corner elements, helps
achieve the best possible aerodynamic performance and deliver a drag
coefficient of just 0.235.
Such
a large saving in the weight of cabin parts has had a ripple effect in
weight reduction in the rest of the vehicle. For example, it means there
is less load applied on the body structure and suspension, allowing
components to be downsized. And less weight means a smaller displacement
engine can be used, further saving weight and thermal energy losses.

Powertrain FT-Bh’s
full hybrid drive system is a masterpiece of powertrain downsizing.
With substantial weight savings in every driveline component, it is
almost 90kg lighter than theHybrid Synergy Drivesystem used in today’s
Prius.The lightweight, two-cylinder, 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol
engine combines high efficiency with low thermal capacity and benefits
with detailed measures to increase combustion efficiency and reduce
friction. As a result, FT-Bh achieves an average fuel consumption of
134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 49g/km.The car’s light weight makes
it agile and responsive to throttle and brakes, and thanks to its
electric motor delivering maximum torque from standstill, it is nimble,
too.

FT-Bh
demonstrates the adaptability of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy
Drivetechnology. It serves as a study for how even greater fuel
efficiency might be achieved in the medium term by using two alternative
powertrains: a compressed natural gas hybrid (CNG-HV), with 38g/km CO2
emissions; and a Plug-in hybrid (PHEV), emitting just 19g/km.
Powertrain FT-Bh’s
full hybrid drive system is a masterpiece of powertrain downsizing.
With substantial weight savings in every driveline component, it is
almost 90kg lighter than theHybrid Synergy Drivesystem used in today’s
Prius.The lightweight, two-cylinder, 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol
engine
Thermal energy management and electricity saving Further
goals for FT-Bh were improvements in the recovery of thermal energy and
a 50 per cent reduction in electricity consumption. The cabin uses
thermally efficient components and the air conditioning focuses only on
parts of the car where people are sitting.


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