Toyota to Showcase Hybrids, Sports Cars at Tokyo Show

TOKYO – Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show next week will showcase its new Aqua, the domestic version of the Prius C, and Prius Plug-In Hybrid, the newest additions to the auto maker’s growing hybrid lineup.

The Aqua is designed to compete head-on with the Insight, Honda’s best-selling hybrid.

Because of its smaller size and weight, the model will achieve an industry-best 82 mpg (2.9 L/100 km) under Japan’s JC08 test cycle.

The model is 4.3 ins. (10.9 cm) longer than the Vitz subcompact and 2.2 ins. (5.5 cm) lower. Its interior space is equivalent to that of the Corolla.

The Aqua will go on sale in Japan in late December. The Prius C version is scheduled for a spring launch in the US. Toyota will build the car at its Iwate Kanto Auto Works plant in northeastern Japan.

The plug-in Prius, due in early 2012, will make its Japan premiere at the Tokyo show. The car achieves 134-mpg (1.8 L/100 km) fuel economy.

In EV mode only, its range is 15 miles (23.4 km). Toyota plans yearly sales of 50,000 units but gives no timeframe for reaching that level.

Also on display will be the FT-EV III, an electric version of the tiny iQ scheduled to go on sale next year through Toyota’s Scion channel in the U.S.

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Additionally, the FCV-R fuel cell-powered sedan will make its world debut. Toyota plans to launch the model, which will have a cruising distance of more than 437 miles (700 km), in 2015.

The FT-EV III, with a smaller battery pack than the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, has an estimated cruising range of 65 miles (105 km).

Using a 100V outlet, it takes just three hours to fully charge, compared with eight hours for the Leaf and seven for the i-MiEV.

Toyota’s Lexus luxury brand will show off the new GS 450h and GS 350F Sport, both due out in early 2012.

The GS 450h hybrid is powered by a new 3.5L V6 engine mated to a rear-wheel electric motor.

Engineers claim the improved power-control unit and hybrid transmission, featuring a new 2-stage motor speed-reduction device, contribute to quick acceleration and improved fuel economy.

The Sport, powered by the same 3.5L V-6, employs the auto maker’s new 6 Super ECT transmission and dynamic handling system that integrates variable gear-ratio and dynamic rear steering.

Both the hybrid and Sport have adopted Toyota’s new spindle grille developed for the auto maker’s L-finesse design concept.

Toyota also plans to display the LFA Nurburgring Package and FT-86 II concept sports car, both scheduled for a 2012 launch.