REPORT: Electric Toyota iQ to get bespoke body
Toyota FT-EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota surprised the audience by showing off a fully electric version of its diminutive iQ city car called the FT-EV. According to the Autocar in the UK, a production version of the EV should be on the market by 2010, which, if true, would be an impressive feat indeed. We're not sure how these plans go along with Bill Reinert's assertion that electric cars "just aren't plausible right now," but we're happy to see EV technology progressing at the automaker regardless.
Hiroki Nakajima, chief engineer for the iQ, tells the British motoring mag that the electric iQ – known internaly as BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle... clever, no?) – will not share sheetmetal with its gas-powered sibling. "We wanted to position the iQ as premium," he said, "but not so the BEV." That being the case, expect the Goldmember-style accents from the concept to be dropped in production form.
Following successful tests of the technology in its plug-in Prius fleet, the BEV will be the first production application of lithium ion batteries in a Toyota, with a target range is 93 miles (150km). Charging time is quoted at 8 hours, but that's surely dependent on the specific outlet serving up the charge. Power will come from one electric motor per wheel, potentially making this an all-wheel drive electric vehicle.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David Martin 3:28PM (7/29/2009)
Toyota seem determined to nay-say plug-in and electric cars, what with their emphasis on fuel cells and now this:
'"We wanted to position the iQ as premium," he said, "but not so the BEV."
Why not?
They seem to think oil supplies are infinite.
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Nick P. 3:57PM (7/29/2009)
I'm pretty sure Toyota has a plan B in case EVs start gaining real momentum. They will not allow Nissan to beat them at building a successful green car.
Never mind what they say in public. They have shareholders and they *will* have to compete in the upcoming EV market.
It's just that they want to sell as many Priuses as possible in the mean time -- which explains the double speak.
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Sean C 4:02PM (7/29/2009)
I agree. I've alway's maintained that Toyota will eventually get in line and start producing great EV's. They may be quietly preparing a large program that will come online if Nissan has success. But Nissan is well ahead, especially with the annoucement of their battery plants in the US. Nissan seems to have had a complete religious conversion in regards to EV's. It is a big gamble, but that's what being a leader is all about.
Yanquetino 4:18PM (7/29/2009)
Huh. The article says that the BEV will be "Toyota’s first all-electric car." Duh-uh. I wonder what the owners of RAV4-EVs would have to say about that.
I suspect that Toyota is announcing this now simply to take a bit of the limelight away from Nissan, due to release its EV in just a few days. Nor does it surprise me. Toyota and Honda like to play their cards very close to their chests, and it wouldn't surprise me if they've got all kinds of EV models secretly in the works.
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markr 4:52PM (7/29/2009)
I don't know if I'm just part of a very tiny market slice, but I'll buy the first 4WD BEV or PHEV that hits the market. I need it for snow. Audi had a nice concept, but I haven't heard about it lately. I thought Peugeot was also planning something. Anyone else? If Toyota is out with this in 2010 at a somewhat reasonable price, fantastic.
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Chris M 1:19AM (7/30/2009)
Well, rumor is that the Tesla Model S will have a 4wd option. Not clear exactly when they'll come to market, probably late 2010 or 2011, depending on what roadblocks they run into.
Snowdog 8:32AM (7/30/2009)
I can't imagine they will go AWD in this class of car.
Increasing the motor count increases cost. You will need more motor controls and they motors themselves. Even the i-Miev gave up on in wheel motors and when with a single motor likely to save costs (and the i-Miev is still $40K).
But yes 4 independent motors driving all the wheels is certainly appealing in something like a Subaru Impreza/Outback. Especially with no differentials and computer control you get 4 wheel independent traction control, 4 wheel independent regen ABS braking (Regen braking alone could stop a car very quick if you dump the excess current into a resistor bank). It is the ultimate in bad weather control. Every wheel giving it utmost traction both accelerating and decelerating. You would be glued to the road.
But when it is eventually offered I expect it will be an expensive option. It is essentially doubling (or even quadrupling) the motor/controller count. Also for sports cars, this might be ruled out because of the negative effects of in wheel motors on unsprung weight.
NeilBlanchard 6:20AM (7/30/2009)
Boy, between this and the Nissan EV announcement in a few days, I'm getting all excited!
Sincerely, Neil
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Kid Dynamic 7:58PM (7/30/2009)
PS: google define: bespoke -- I think you're misusing that word. Unless each owner gets to customize the body of the car they buy, in which case, sweet.
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