Toyota Kirloskar Motor showcased its modern, tech-laden, and environment-friendly vehicles, along with technologically-advanced hydrogen fuel-cell elecetric, plug-in hybrid electric, Hydrogen and Petrol engine, Battery electric and self-charging hybrid powertrains at the Auto Expo 2023. Here is a detailed list of cars and technology that was showcased at the Toyota Auto Expo Pavilion.
Along with battery electric and self-charging hybrid electric technology, Toyota was keen to display hydrogen fuel-cell, plug-in hybrid, and H2 Concept, i.e., the combination of hydrogen fuel cell and petrol engine. It has put in its decades of experience into developing these efficient, future-proof, reliable and sustainable powertrains.
What is a self-charging hybrid?
To put it simply, Toyota’s cutting-edge self-charging hybrid powertrain uses a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor. In this case an electric motor propels the car, thus saving fuel and emitting lesser emissions. In fact, the electric motor and engine are designed to work in tandem in various driving situations. In everyday driving situations, the electric motor provides optimal support to the engine, whereas both offer maximum performance for exciting highway drives. While a plug-in hybrid system needs to be charged everytime the battery gets depleated, the self-charging system relies on braking regeneration energy to recharge the battery. Under certain conditions, it also charges itself while running on the road. The newly launched Innova HyCross, Camry, Vellfire and Urban Cruiser Hyryder comes with this high-tech, efficient, and powerful self-charging hybrid powertrain.
How does plug-in hybrid technology work?
There is no denying that Toyota has mastered hybrid technology with its decades of experience in developing them. A plug-in hybrid electric powertrain comprises a petrol engine paired with a large battery pack, and an electric motor. This plug-in hybrid electric system is not only efficient but provides the best of both worlds – ICE and BEV. What’s more? It provides more than sufficient EV-only range and supports home and quick charging. The all-new Toyota Prius is the perfect example of such a technology that is powered by 2.0-litre and 1.8-litre engines linked to the new-gen plug-in hybrid system and a 13.6kWh battery pack. This updated system promises a 50 per cent more range than the previous system. Thus, ensuring comfortable ride in city as well as long journeys.
How does Toyota’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) stand out?
There are tons of new electric vehicles (EVs) coming into the market as every carmaker wants to be the front-runner in the EV race. However, only a few have the experience and expertise to develop unique BEVs with EV-specific architecture and powertrains – Toyota is one such brand. The bZ4X is the first-ever dedicated Toyota EV that uses the brand’s e-TNGA platform. With its innovative hardware and software blend, the bZ4X has a WLTP-certified cruising range of 516km and superior power consumption of 128Wh/km. And it can be charged at speeds of up to 150kW – 0-80 per cent top-up in just 30 minutes. More importantly, the bZ4X offers a world-leading battery capacity retention ratio, which is 90 per cent even after 10 years of usage. Not to mention, the advanced heat management system ensures only a modest drop in driving in sub-zero temperatures.
What is fuel-cell electric powertrain technology?
While most people think that EV is the only alternative to ICE to achieve carbon neutrality, a fuel-cell vehicle cannot only be as environmentally friendly as an EV but can also be a better substitute for petrol and diesel engines. Toyota is one of the few carmakers in the world that has been persistently working on fuel-cell vehicle technology. In this case, a fuel-cell powertrain generates electricity using hydrogen and the air from outside. Its powertrain consists of hydrogen tanks, motors, and a small battery pack – which stores energy recovered via braking regeneration. It takes about 5 minutes to fill up the hydrogen tanks. Toyota’s Mirai is a fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) with a cruising range of up to 650km. This is going to be a major breakthrough in attaining carbon neutrality.
Toyota global line-up at the Auto Expo 2023
Toyota Mirai – A hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle (FCEV)
Unlike battery electric vehicles, the Mirai uses hydrogen and oxygen from the air to generate electricity via a sophisticated process. With this, this car offers a driving range of 650km. If you are wondering about hydrogen, well the hydrogen refuel time is just about five minutes. Above all, the byproduct of this fuel cell system is nothing more than pure water.
bZ4X – A modern electric SUV
The bZ4X is Toyota’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV). It is the first vehicle based on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform. Not only it has a WLTP-tested range of 516km but also supports 150kW DC fast charging. Therefore, to charge it from 0-80 per cent takes just 30 minutes. The futuristic design, feature-rich cockpit, and range are not only the highlights of the electrified SUV as it also features a solar roof that generates electricity equivalent to 1,800km of driving distance per year.
Prius – New-gen PHEV
The new-generation Prius recently made its global debut. The new Prius bears a completely overhauled design, bringing a youthful appearance. Moreover, its all-new cabin comes with large screens and high-grade upholstery. The highlights of the new Prius are its updated 2.0-litre and 1.8-litre engines that are paired with Toyota’s fifth-gen hybrid electric system. The 2.0-litre motor now makes 196PS and promises an improved fuel efficiency of 28.6kmpl. Whereas, the 1.8-litre unit returns a mileage of 32.6kmpl.
Corolla Altis – Flex-fuel hybrid Electric Vehicle
The Corolla Altis is a flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle which uses a 1.8-litre engine, which is compatible with petrol, ethanol, and electric powertrain. It can run on ethanol blending, ranging from 20 to 100 per cent. Not only that, there is also a 1.3kWh battery pack, which is similar to the self-charging hybrid system used in the all-new Urban Cruiser Hyryder.
Corolla Cross – H2 Concept
The Corolla Cross H2 concept is a revolutionary model from Toyota that shows a new possible way to achieve lesser emissions. A hydrogen combustion powertrain is the crux of this concept model. It gets a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with motorsport-derived high-pressure hydrogen direct ignition engine technology and tank packaging similar to the already established Mirai FCEV.
Toyota India line-up
The all-new Innova HyCross
Toyota recently launched the all-new Innova HyCross. From a new bolder design to Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), this generation update has brought significant changes to India’s most popular MPV. Not to mention, it is powered by a highly efficient petrol engine and self-charging hybrid electric powertrain.
The Urban Cruiser Hyryder
The Urban Cruiser Hyryder is one of the few cars in the country, offering powerful and efficient self-charging hybrid powertrain technology. It also boasts plenty of modern-day features, such as smartwatch connectivity, a heads-up display, and a large panoramic sunroof.
The Vellfire
The Vellfire is a blend of luxury and sustainability. The Powered Ottoman Seats offer lounge-like comfort and luxury features at the touch of the fingers. The highlights of the Vellfire include a mesmerising dual-pane sunroof, rear-seat entertainment, premium leather upholstery, three-zone temperature control, a rear ceiling display, and 17 speakers JBL sound system. Meanwhile, it gets a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a self-charging hybrid electric system comprising a battery pack and two electric motors.
Modified Hilux – The extreme off-road concept
The Hilux is one of the most popular and best-selling pick-ups worldwide. Toyota has brought a modified version of the Hilux to the Auto expo. If the Hilux can go off-roading, its modified version with beefier tyres and lifted chassis can climb steep rocks. It was a dream to see the Hilux in this new avatar.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s auto expo stall also displayed its seating-type, standing-type, and wheelchair-link battery electric vehicles. These battery-powered EVs are designed to cater to the personal mobility needs of people who face difficulty in walking and the ones using wheelchairs. Whereas, the standing-type EV has been built for staff and security personnel to travel within large premises.
Keyword: Toyota showcased modern and sustainable technology range at Auto Expo 2023