Toyota to halve cost and size of hybrid synergy drive, skip diesels
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Toyota has made it clear that they aren't interested in building anything like the range-extended EV system used in the Chevy Volt. Instead they are continuing to refine the design of their existing hybrid synergy drive system. Toyota Executive Vice President Kazuo Okamoto spoke to reporters in Tokyo for the big Motor Show their and said the next-generation Prius will have a hybrid system that is half the size and cost of the current version. Although no time-line was given for when it be available, Okamoto did confirm it would use an upgraded nickel metal hydride battery rather than lithium ion.
Okamoto also acknowledged that diesels offer superior efficiency to hybrids in highway cruising conditions while the gas-electric systems offer an advantage in urban driving. He did say that future hybrids would close this gap. While Nissan and Honda are both working on new diesel engines that they will promote in the Japanese market, Toyota has no plans to follow suit.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
steven 12:55PM (10/26/2007)
Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but how come the conclusion is not Diesel hybrids? Or increase the performance of the hybrid portion so you can decrease the size of the engine so ti is even more efficient as highway speeds?
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audiman 1:04PM (10/26/2007)
Not thinking of diesel hybrids? Hm. Either they know something that we don't or - No, they're simply deluded.
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Kardax 1:11PM (10/26/2007)
Hybrids increase the costs. Diesels increase the costs. Put the two together, and the costs go up quite a lot. That's why nobody's doing it right now.
I think eventually someone will, though, when gas prices are high enough.
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Throwback 1:24PM (10/26/2007)
I am surprised Toyota would just write diesels off. Diesel VW, Citroens, Fords etc get comparable and sometimes better mileage than a Prius. PSA is working on diesel hybrids, a smart move for Europe where diesel fuel is less expensive than gas.
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David 2:20PM (10/26/2007)
Seems to me Toyota just wants to milk their current hybrid design as long as they are able to.
The basic design plan for the Volt will definitely be lower cost eventually (when Li-ion batteries are mass produced). Especially since the resulting automobile will have FAR fewer moving mechanical parts and can achieve better mpg off an onboard generator (range extender) since power from an electric motor is more efficiently directed to the wheels than with current auto design.
Toyota is just upset they are not coming out with the Volt first.
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Rick 4:49PM (10/26/2007)
I wonder how Toyota's refusal to jump into Diesel engines will play out 10 years from now. One wonders if they are being stubborn like domestic makers were this past decade and if that will catch up to them.
After seeing the Audi TDI specs, I'm looking at diesel to learn more.
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Evan 2:31PM (10/26/2007)
While I do not agree with all the Toyota Bashiing as of late, I do think this is a grave mistake. First of all, to truly be competitive in the full size truck market Yota needs a diesel. Secondly, the green revolution is going to be reliant on a myriad of technologies and fuels, they need to realize this. Also, as one commentor above already mentioned, imagine the possibilities of diesel combined with Hybrid Synergy Drive. A 50 horse diesel could easily push mileage into the 100's. Of course this type of thinking is why GM is no longer number one. Not paying attention to the end consumer...
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Tim Russell 3:27PM (10/26/2007)
I agree with Evan on Toyota building a diesel for their large pickup. GM is working on a smaller diesel for their ligher fullsize pickups, why not Toyota?
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Chris M 3:22AM (10/27/2007)
Toyota already makes diesels for certain markets, but also see the emission problems inherent to diesels. Toyota probably looked at the extra costs involved for "clean diesels", and decided they could get similar performance and less emissions for less cost with their hybrids.
Toyotas "plug-in Prius" will probably come to market well before GMs Volt. While the Volt may have fewer moving parts, the Hybrid Synergy design is more efficient due to reduced conversion losses, thus can achieve better fuel milage when running on gasoline.
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