I’m not going to slag off Toyota and when I say its cars have been just a bit boring over the years, I mean it in the best possible way.
In fact, I have reason to believe that dogs don’t chase Toyotas because there’s no excitement in it. I’m told that nobody steals a Toyota’s hubcaps, because they tend to become invisible when mounted on a pub wall.
“How do you like my Toyota hubcaps?”
“Uh, where?”
I’ve always had a healthy respect for Toyota products and have owned two Hilux four-wheel-drive bakkies. Those things were so tough, you would have to take them out and shoot them to be rid of them. And they were not too shabby-looking either, for a bakkie.
Let’s face it, Toyota cars over the years have been less than exciting in the looks department. More like the bishop than the actress.
But I sat up so quickly that I almost got my back out of joint when I saw a picture of their latest plug-in hybrid concept, the NS4.
Toyota unveiled this stunner at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. And according to the chaps from Nagoya, the NS4 signifies Toyota’s vision for future mobility with a focus on connectivity and the human interface.
Toyota engineers were challenged to design a new mid-sized concept for potential global market introduction by 2015. The NS4 concept is meant to be a dedicated plug-in hybrid, separate from the Prius family, designed with future mobility requirements in mind.
“In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota US president and chief operating officer.
“The NS4 demonstrates Toyota’s take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society.”
That’s heavy stuff. I’m sure old Freddy Nietzsche would have approved.
The NS4 is said to have an advanced power train with a next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in system featuring reductions in component size and weight with improved overall fuel economy, better acceleration and longer all-electric range, while maintaining a short charge time.
Which is all very nice.
But here’s the thing, though: the Toyota people also say the NS4 concept “signals a new styling direction for the Toyota brand aimed at creating an emotional connection with consumers”.
The car’s lines reflect a new take on the aerodynamics of the modified triangle, with a low height and cabin-forward tilt.
The distinctive open trapezoid grille is accented by a floating lower spoiler and wing-like daytime running lights wrapping around to a sculpted fender.
Rear lamps wrap around the sides to quarter sections layered into blistered fenders, while the rear lamp wings create a sharp edge and the effect of a rear spoiler.
The A-pillars are ultrathin, which should allow the driver a better all-round view of the road and surrounds, but have been designed to be strong enough to maintain roof strength. The roof line profile, lift-back design and powered swan-wing doors are meant to allow easier access to the vehicle.
Traditional vehicle development cycles average four years, but this is rapidly changing in the digital age. Vehicles have become another communication hub in the connected consumer’s lifestyle and car makers must integrate the latest technologies into their product offerings. Toyota boffins say connected vehicles are the third-fastest growing technological device, behind smartphones and tablets.
Toyota has formed special alliances with technology leaders such as Microsoft, Intel and Salesforce to explore the creation of seamless vehicle interfaces with emerging technologies. These alliances will help ensure Toyota is at the forefront of this emerging sector of the automotive market. The NS4 concept’s Human-Machine Interface provides a user interface built around a multitouch screen
with the look and feel of a smartphone. The simple, intuitive operation conveys information quickly while minimising distractions and maximising driver awareness, they say.
The multimedia and vehicle-controls enhancement also direct the air conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions. This system is even capable of “learning” driver preferences and habits to anticipate driver responses in specific situations.
The boffins say the NS4 introduces the next-generation pre-collision system with lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision-avoidance technologies designed under certain circumstances to help avoid crashes.
Adaptive driving beam headlights help prevent glare to oncoming drivers and pedestrians. Using a camera mounted behind the front grille and partial shielding inside the headlights, they allow the driver to maintain near-high beam illumination to improve night-time visibility.
The pop-up hood structure automatically raises the rear of the hood to increase the space underneath, helping to reduce pedestrian head injuries caused by a collision with the front of the vehicle, within certain speed ranges.
Using sub-millimetre wave radar, the blind spot monitor is designed to detect a vehicle in the adjacent lane.
Four new glass technologies are integrated into the windshield and front triangle, door, and rear windows to improve visibility, fuel range and electric driving mode mileage efficiency:
HYDROPHBIC COATING: Fluorine-coated glass causes raindrops to form into semispherical shapes for improved visibility and raindrop elimination.
ANTI-FOG FILM: High-performance resin with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability
HIGHT ULTRAVIOLET-ABSORBING INNER LAYER: Removes 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays.
ANTI-SOLAR FILM WITH RADIO-WAVE TRANSPARENCY: Reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality.
Inner and outer rear-view mirrors have been replaced with cameras that provide the driver with a panoramic rearward view.
The rearward image is displayed on a screen and provides a wider view than conventional rear-view mirrors do. The rearward panoramic camera view, working in combination with the blind spot monitoring system, enhances driving visibility.
“The continued success of our conventional hybrid vehicles has laid strong groundwork for market acceptance of future advanced technologies,” said Lentz.
“The NS4 demonstrates Toyota’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and convenience of future mobility for people everywhere.”
Calvyn Hamman, senior vice-president for sales and marketing at Toyota SA, said there would soon be a Toyota hybrid “to suit every taste and pocket”.
Hybrid or not, let us see that shape hit the road. And soon. - Cape Argus