Toyota started localising production of electrified mobility drives in 2018, lining off the 1.8L e-CVT transaxle for the 4th generation hybrid powertrain at TMMP’s Wałbrzych site. Three years on, with a strong focus on the future of electrified mobility, Toyota continued to invest in the European production of electrification powertrain components, as well as the latest generation of engines built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).

Today, the company has three production lines each for TNGA hybrid engines and hybrid transaxles in Poland, which translates to a hybrid capacity increase of 76%. TMMP production line-up has also expanded to the motor generators which are an integral part of the hybrid electric transmission.

Employment at TMMP is now 3,300 on two production sites in Walbrzych and Jecz-Lazkowice, Lower Silesia, near the German and Czech borders.

This transformation is driven by two factors: Toyota’s commitment to carbon neutrality and increasing customer demand for affordable carbon-reducing hybrid vehicles.

Towards the goal of zero-emission mobility, Toyota is preparing a full line-up of battery electric vehicles. In Europe, the company aims to be ready to reduce tailpipe emissions of its new car sales by 100% by 2035, provided the charging or refuelling infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles is available and customer demand follows. In the meantime, hybrid vehicles can reduce CO2 emissions significantly, and indeed, hybrid sales have been very strong for Toyota and Lexus across Europe – enabling Toyota Motor Europe to increase its market share whilst posting industry-leading fleet CO2 reduction.

In the last three years, while TMMP advanced its transformation, Toyota’s hybrid electric sales achieved remarkable growth - the hybrid mix increased from 30% to 60% in total European sales, and reached 70% in the Western Europe. Toyota’s hybrid growth in Poland has been equally strong – both hybrid sales volume and hybrid mix doubled, and the hybrid mix stands at over 55% today. The hybrid market in Poland has almost tripled, and almost 70% of Polish hybrid customers have picked a Toyota hybrid vehicle so far this year.

Globally, Toyota sold more than 18 million hybrid electrified vehicles 1997 to July 2021, realising equivalent of CO2 emissions reduction by 5.5 million battery electric vehicles.

TMMP’s hybrid engine & transmission production capacity

Projects related to hybrid technology implemented in TMMP factories

TNGA architecture

Toyota New Global Architecture is the global architecture in which all new Toyota models are currently designed. This platform stands for common principles for the construction of individual chassis types and bodies, as well as drivetrains for various models. Its characteristic feature is a lower center of gravity and a stiffer car body, which translates into a high level of passive safety and greater driving comfort. From the production side, TNGA means designing automated production lines, and thus higher efficiency, a modular structure of the line enabling the production of various types of components or drives on one production line, as well as better work ergonomics and lower environmental impact.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP)

TMMP has two plants located in Lower Silesia. The factory in Wałbrzych produces hybrid electric transmissions for low-emission hybrid cars with a 1.8-liter engine, 1-liter gasoline engines as well as manual and semi-automatic transmissions. Its current annual production capacity is 525,000 hybrid electric transmissions, 413,000 engines and 633,000 transmissions. The plant in Jelcz-Laskowice produces 1.5 L and 2.0 L TNGA gasoline engines, and its production capacity is 312 thousand engines per year. TMMP factories supply assembly plants of Toyota cars and the PSA Group and Lotus companies, operated by European companies in the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Turkey and Russia, and outside Europe: in South Africa and Japan. 

Brands and model performance

Toyota sales volume grew by +21% to 805,181 between January–September 2021 with a 6.4% market share up +0.7% year-on-year in passenger cars. The brand’s top sellers include Yaris, the Corolla Range and RAV4 which represented 57% of total volume, with a combined hybrid electric mix of 78%. Toyota’s overall hybrid volume increased by +38% year-on-year to 470,712, accounting for 59% of the brand’s total mix.

Lexus sold 59,723 in this period, a volume increase of +17% year-on-year. The brand’s extensive SUV line-up of RX, NX, UX, GX and LX represented 86% total sales with its SUV hybrid mix at 60%. The highest year-on-year sales growth was achieved by LC (+113%), LS (+41%) and UX (+40%) which introduced the new UX 300e battery electric model. The brand’s line-up is further updated with the current launch of the new NX SUV in both Hybrid electric and Plug-in Hybrid electric versions.

TME highlights January- September 2021:

• Total sales: 864,904 (+21% year-on-year)
• Market share: 6.7% (+0.6% year-on-year)
• Total hybrid sales: 507,987 (+36% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 70% - East Europe*: 28% - TTL: 59%

Toyota highlights January- September 2021:

• Toyota sales: 805,181 (+21% year-on-year)
• Top sellers: Corolla Range (163,872); Yaris (162,078); RAV4 (130,630)
• Top hybrids: Yaris Hybrid (130,986); Corolla Hybrid Range (129,895); Toyota C-HR Hybrid (91,454)
• Total hybrid: 470,712 (+38% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 69% - East Europe*: 28% - TTL: 58%

Lexus highlights January- September 2021:

• Total Lexus sales: 59,723 (+17% year-on-year)
• Top sellers: NX Range (16,931); UX Range (16,839); RX Range (14,431)
• Top hybrids: UX Hybrid (14,394); NX Hybrid (12,090); RX Hybrid (4,713)
• Total hybrid sales: 37,266 (+14% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 93% - East Europe*: 8% - TTL: 62%

Sales for January - September 2021 are listed below:

(1) Toyota Motor Europe is responsible for all Western, Central and Eastern European countries including Turkey and Russia as well as Israel and a number of Central Asian markets (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan).

*East Europe includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Ukraine, Turkey and Israel.

Models listed in italics are produced locally at Toyota’s European manufacturing facilities.

(2) EU C02 fleet refers to average emissions of cars registered in EU28, Iceland and Norway. Reference to target achievement here is for Toyota + Lexus sales, based on preliminary internal data ahead of the regular release schedule of official figures by the EU Commission.

Brands and model performance

Toyota sales volume grew by +6% to 268,607 in the first quarter with 6.4% market share up +0.4% year-on-year in passenger cars. The brand’s top sellers include Yaris, Corolla Range and RAV4 which represented 59% of total volume with a combined hybrid mix of 71%. Toyota’s overall hybrid volume increased by +15% year-on-year to 148,671 and accounting for 55% of the total mix.

Lexus sold 19,071 vehicles in the first three months, a volume increase of +4.0% year-on-year. The brand’s overall European hybrid mix was 62%, rising to 93% in Western Europe. Its SUV line-up of RX, NX, UX, GX and LX represented 80% total sales with a SUV hybrid mix of 58%. The highest year-on-year sales growth was achieved by LC (+212%) and ES (+35%).

TME highlights Jan- Mar 2021:

• Total sales: 287,678 (+6% year-on-year)
• Market share: 6.6% (+0.1% year-on-year)
• Total hybrid sales: 159,163 (+13% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 67% - East Europe*: 27% - TTL: 56%

Toyota highlights Jan- Mar 2021:

• Toyota sales: 268,607 (+6% year-on-year)
• Top sellers: Corolla Range (59,288); Yaris (58,944); RAV4 (41,014)
• Top hybrids: Yaris Hybrid (45,677); Corolla Hybrid Range (44,996);Toyota C-HR Hybrid (28,799)
• Total hybrid 148,671( +15% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 66% - East Europe*: 29% - TTL: 55%

Lexus highlights Jan- Mar 2021:

• Total Lexus sales: 19,071 (+4% year-on-year)
• Top sellers: UX Range (4,789); RX Range (4,265); NX Range (5,203);
• Top hybrids: UX Hybrid (4,008); NX Hybrid (3,614); RX Hybrid (1,303)
• Total hybrid sales: 11,748 (-6% year-on-year)
• Hybrid mix: West Europe: 93% - East Europe*: 9% - TTL: 62%

Sales for Jan - March 2021 are listed below

(1) Toyota Motor Europe is responsible for all Western, Central and Eastern European countries including Turkey and Russia as well as Israel and a number of Central Asian markets (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan).

*East Europe includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Ukraine, Turkey and Israel.

Models listed in italics are produced locally at Toyota’s European manufacturing facilities.

(2) EU C02 fleet refers to average emissions of cars registered in EU28, Iceland and Norway. Reference to target achievement here is for Toyota + Lexus sales, based on preliminary internal data ahead of the regular release schedule of official figures by the EU Commission.

Demand for Toyota’s best-selling Yaris is at an all-time high, the B-segment model which made up over 20% of Toyota’s European sales last year, is manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) and from later this year at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech. TMMP’s output of hybrid electric powertrains will receive another boost when the new Yaris Cross begins production later in 2021, also at TMMF.

TMMP’s latest expansion forms a key part of Toyota Motor Europe’s strategy to further localize the production of hybrid electric drives to help meet the company’s ambition of selling 1.4M vehicles a year by 2025, 90% of sales will have electrified powertrains for its hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric and fuel cell vehicles. As part of its increased European investment, TME has expanded TMMP’s Wałbrzych Plant to accommodate a new casting line, additional processing lines and a new assembly line.

At the same time, TMMP also begins the first European production of the MG1 electric motor which forms an integral part of the hybrid electric transmissions, and to meet the increased demand for hybrids, the Wałbrzych plant will launch a twin production line for hybrid electric transmissions in autumn 2021. From 2022, it will start a second production line of 1.5L TNGA gasoline engines, effectively doubling TMMP’s hybrid electric powertrain production capacity for Toyota Yaris and Yaris Cross models.

Once these new projects are fully up to speed in 2022, the factories in Wałbrzych and Jelcz-Laskowice will have a total of six production lines for the main hybrid components, including three lines of hybrid electric transmissions and three lines of TNGA combustion engines.

This increased localisation of production of hybrid electric components in Europe follows TMMP’s establishment of a Hybrid Drives Testing and Evaluation Department in 2020. Including the recently completed projects , the level of investments in both plants will increase to almost PLN 6 billion (or c. €1.3 billion) by the end of 2022, enabling a production capacity of 1.65 million components per year and employment to over 3,000 people.

Toyota's low-emission hybrid technology

Hybrid cars use two sources of power - gasoline and electric. During braking, the kinetic energy of the hybrid car is recovered and converted into electricity, thanks to which the vehicle consumes less fuel. Toyota sees hybrid technology as an important step towards full electrified mobility. Toyota’s hybrid technology reduces emissions, fuel consumption providing an accessible and affordable mobility solution for its customers. Toyota has located in Poland the first center for production and development of hybrid drives in the world outside of Asia. It supplies the hybrid electric transmissions and the associated TNGA hybrid gasoline engines for the group's low-emission vehicles manufactured in Europe.

Projects related to hybrid technology implemented in Polish Toyota factories

TNGA architecture

Toyota New Global Architecture is the global architecture in which all new Toyota models are currently designed. This platform stands for common principles for the construction of individual chassis types and bodies, as well as drivetrains for various models. Its characteristic feature is a lower center of gravity and a stiffer car body, which translates into a high level of passive safety and greater driving comfort. From the production side, TNGA means designing automated production lines, and thus higher efficiency, a modular structure of the line enabling the production of various types of components or drives on one production line, as well as better work ergonomics and lower environmental impact.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP)

TMMP has two plants located in Lower Silesia. The factory in Wałbrzych produces hybrid electric transmissions for low-emission hybrid cars with a 1.8-liter engine, 1-liter gasoline engines as well as manual and semi-automatic transmissions. Its current annual production capacity is 350,000 hybrid electric transmissions , 258,000 engines and 633,000 transmissions. The plant in Jelcz-Laskowice produces 1.5 L and 2.0 l TNGA gasoline engines, and its production capacity is 312 thousand engines per year. TMMP factories supply assembly plants of Toyota cars and the PSA Group and Lotus companies, operated by European companies in the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Turkey and Russia, and outside Europe: in South Africa and Japan.

Nicolás Jiménez explained that he has opted for a Toyota hybrid electric car because he needs to enter the center of Madrid.

President and CEO of Toyota Spain, Miguel Carsi, was present at the handover of the new Corolla Hybrid GR SPORT to Mr. Jiménez at the Toyota Retailer, Comauto Sur in Madrid:

TME started selling hybrid electric vehicles in 2000 with Prius. Today, customers can choose from a range of 20 different HEV models across the Toyota and Lexus brands in Europe, which in 2019 accounted for 52% of the total sales volume, and 63% in West Europe.

Toyota’s long-term strategy to focus on hybrid electric powertrains across most of its range has allowed the company to become the leader in meeting ever tougher emissions regulations in Europe, the full hybrid technology being incredibly effective at running without emissions for the majority of the time in cities.

Worldwide the company has sold already more than 15 million full hybrid vehicles, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 120 million tonnes globally. The Toyota Hybrid technology is also the foundation of Toyota’s multi-powertrain electrification strategy which includes BEV, PHEV and FCEV.

The range of available hybrid electric vehicles at the global level from Toyota and Lexus now reaches 44, far eclipsing the original flag-bearer that remains the symbol of the company’s early and visionary foray into mass electrification.

Toyota’s decision to develop hybrid electric vehicles started over 25 years ago when Takeshi Uchiyamada led a team to develop a car for the 21^st century, one which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful pollutants. The first-generation Prius was launched in 1997 around the time of the Kyoto Protocol signing, which gave new momentum to the environmental movement. Today, 15 million hybrid sales later, Toyota has made a significant contribution to the environment as its hybrid electric technology has reduced CO₂ emissions by more than 120 million tonnes worldwide to date compared to sales of equivalent petrol vehicles.

The company’s original vision has allowed Toyota to be the leader in meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations around the world.

Across this period, Toyota has seen demand for its hybrid electric vehicles soar as the company has combined this innovative technology with emotional design enabled by the roll-out of its TNGA global platforms. Beyond the current 4^th generation hybrid system, Toyota is continuing to refine its hybrid technology to achieve even lower emissions and ever-better fuel efficiency. Today, hybrid electric vehicles are affordable, accessible and convenient for customers across a broad spread of European markets.

Hybrid naturally leads to BEV and FCEV

While Toyota believes that HEVs are an essential part of the future overall mix of electrified vehicles, two decades of electrification experience also feed into the company’s mutli-powertrain strategy. The company provides and will continue to provide various types of electrified vehicles to reduce emissions based on regulations, market infrastructure and ultimately customer demand. Toyota does not see a one ‘winner takes all’ scenario but a future where the different electrified technologies, including hybrids and plug-ins (PHEV), fuel cell (FCEV) and battery electric (BEV) vehicles, all play a part.

As a result of its long hybrid electric vehicle experience, the company has deep transferable expertise in the core electrification technologies which are common across all form of electrified powertrains, putting them in pole position for an electrified future. Over two decades of continuous development of electric motors, batteries and power control units has taught Toyota how to manage and reuse energy efficiently, providing a range of electrified options for Toyota and Lexus customers through HEVs, PHEVs, BEVs and FCEVs.

To realise this vision in Europe, Toyota is planning to launch 40 new or updated electrified vehicles by 2025, across all technologies, including at least 10 ZEVs. Its hybrid electric vehicles will remain a core part of the powertrain mix meeting customers’ needs and helping drive down emissions together with other types of electrified vehicles. That has been the company’s goal ever since it launched the first Prius over 20 years ago, with the ultimate ambition to achieve zero emissions in a widespread and sustainable way.

First, Quality, durability and reliability have always been part of Toyota’s DNA, and will remain their firm commitment to their customers.

Second, for more than 20 years Toyota has developed, improved and democratised their self-charging hybrid technology. With more than 2 million hybrid vehicles sold in Europe to date, Hybrid technology is, and will remain Toyota’s key differentiating technology.

In the first 8 months of the year, Hybrid models represented 46% of total Toyota sales in Europe – and 59% in Western Europe. This is more than any other region in the world.

Toyota is only exhibiting hybrid vehicles in Paris – from the compact Yaris, to the new Generations of Corolla and RAV4 and the all-new Camry Hybrid that will be introduced into Europe next year.

Third, together with Hybrid technology, Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) forms the solid basis of Toyota’s new product and powertrain offer. More than a platform, TNGA is an engineering and design philosophy that delivers more emotional design and excellent driving dynamics.

Toyota remains confident of increasing sales and hybrid mix towards its 2020 targets: 1 million Toyota and 100,000 Lexus sales, over 50% Hybrid mix whilst further improving financial performance.

At the same time, the automotive industry is entering a once-in-a-century transformation and Toyota is preparing for it. Toyota Connected Europe – established this April – will steadily and progressively provide Connectivity and Mobility services in Europe, to offer ever better mobility for all.

The TOYOTA FCV PLUS is another vehicle that makes its European debut. With this concept, Toyota examines how future hydrogen cars can contribute to society.

Furthermore, a large section of the stand will be reserved for a full Toyota C-HR display. This C-segment crossover makes its full public debut at Paris, after the exterior design was revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show.

And finally, the Toyota booth will celebrate the launch of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the entity that now unites all Toyota motorsports activities under one umbrella, with the aim of placing motorsports central in Toyota’s pursuit to build ever-better cars.

The Toyota booth is located in Hall 4, and will also be the scene for the Toyota Press Conference, scheduled to take place at 13:15 on September 29th.

Data gathered from more than 2,200km of driving on a typical Rome commuting journey reveal that the test Prius cars spent an average 73.2 per cent of the journey time (62.5 per cent of the journey distance) producing no tailpipe emissions. These figures included periods when the car was stationary, with the engine automatically switched off. 

The results were even better in urban areas, where noise, pollution and air quality are of special concern. On these sections of the route, Prius achieved zero emissions for 79.4 per cent of the journey time and 76.3 per cent of the route distance. 

This level of performance was possible thanks to the quality of Toyota’s latest Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. Almost 45 per cent of the car’s drive power was sourced from the electric motor, with 34.3 per cent of its energy to the wheels produced by the regenerative braking system. Thus, more than one third of the power used to drive the wheels of the test cars was produced simply by the act of braking or slowing down. 

The study project, commissioned by Toyota Motor Italy, used a team of 20 drivers, evenly divided between men and women in age groups up to and over 35. There was an equal balance between those who had driven a hybrid car before, and those with no experience. Each participant drove the same 37km route across Rome and back, at three different times of day – morning, afternoon and evening – using a standard Prius Style model on 17-inch wheels. For each journey the Eco drive mode was selected and the air conditioning was switched off; speed limits were observed at all times. 

Thanks to Toyota’s leadership in developing hybrid technology, the new Prius has achieved the greatest leap yet in emissions and fuel economy performance between successive generations of the world’s best-selling hybrid. Prius’ achievements go beyond increasingly impressive efficiency, however; 18 years on from the launch of the original model, today’s Prius is designed and engineered to deliver an all-round feel-good driving experience that is intuitive, quiet and responsive. 

With advanced styling and genuinely rewarding handling, supported by the first use of the new Toyota New Global Architecture-based platform, it redefines what a 21st century hybrid vehicle can offer, supported by a formidable record of lasting, reliable quality and more than nine million worldwide sales.

TOYOTA KIKAI takes the machinery normally hidden beneath a vehicle’s bodywork, and reveals it. Throughout, the componentry on display has been painstakingly detailed to celebrate the intricacy and mechanical elegance of its construction, whether simple or complex in nature.To that end, the bodywork of the mid-engined concept has been kept to a bare minimum, simply enclosing the structural core of a central, three-seater cabin. Housed within exposed aluminium sub-frame members, all other components are uncovered; the vehicle’s inner workings becoming part of the exterior.

At the front, the KIKAI’s radiator, steering system, brakes and elegantly cast aluminium front suspension members are all on display. To the rear, the suspension members, brakes, fuel tank, chromed exhaust system and the notably compact packaging of Toyota’s full hybrid powertrain technology are all open to view.

The KIKAI’s hybrid system combines an electric motor with a 1.5 litre, 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine. The latter includes an electric water pump, a low-friction distribution chain, an intake manifold made of a composite material and a compact exhaust manifold.

As with all Toyota hybrids, the KIKAI stands out for its silent running, comfort and easy handling, particularly in urban areas where the hybrid system allows the car to run solely in electric mode or with a limited - and therefore silent - use of the combustion engine. The automatic transmission ensures a smooth drive without any jerkiness, giving a comfortable and reassuring driving experience, both for the driver and his two passengers.

Accessed via sliding doors, the three-seat cabin layout features a central driver’s seat, placing the driver at the heart of the car. The triangular seating layout creates a congenial, on-board communication space, whilst the use of unique, analogue-feel instrumentation continues the concept’s theme of celebrating the simple beauty of mechanical technology.

Expansive cabin glazing not only offers outstanding all round visibility, but also offers occupants a novel and engaging visual dialogue with the machinery in operation. For instance, the movement of the front suspension upper control arms is visible through the windscreen, and small windows by the driver’s feet offer a unique view of tyre and suspension movement, and the road surface speeding by beneath...

So, whilst most vehicles conceal their inner workings beneath smooth sheet metal, TOYOTA KIKAI actively encourages to appreciate the beauty of automotive mechanical engineering. More broadly, it hints at the visual, aural and tactile appeal of the warmth brought by the analogue and the physical in an increasingly digital age.

The new model builds on the strengths and achievements of its predecessors and is set to establish new benchmarks in fuel economy, emissions and efficiency. Each successive Prius has delivered improvements in these areas, but the new model is aiming to make the biggest leap yet in performance, with a target of improving CO₂ emissions by 18 per cent*.

This achievement is only one aspect of a product that has evolved to acquire new capabilities and greater driver appeal. Powered by a new generation of Toyota's full hybrid powertrain, the new Prius marks significant advances in highway fuel economy and provides a much more rewarding driving experience. Acceleration is smoother and more responsive, and, at higher speeds, is quieter and has a more linear feel that is better aligned to engine speed.

The new car's dynamic capabilities are rooted in the use of the first Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. At a stroke, this endows the car with a lower centre of gravity for improved handling response and stability. It also gives the designers a freer hand to craft a car that has richer visual appeal, with lower lines overall and a more athletic profile. TNGA also helps define the "peace-of-mind" interior, with its excellent packaging, driving position and comfort. Load space is also improved thanks to the use of a smaller, more energy-dense hybrid battery and a new double wishbone rear suspension system — features which do not intrude in trunk capacity.

The Prius remains Toyota's technological ambassador, a showcase for new, relevant technologies that raise levels of safety, convenience, performance and comfort.

Safety remains a priority, with the TNGA chassis optimised for excellent impact performance. The scope of the Toyota Safety Sense package is extended in the new Prius with addition of radar-managed Adaptive Cruise Control and a Pedestrian Detection function for the Pre-Crash Safety system.

The full hybrid powertrain has undergone extensive revisions to improve efficiency, reduce weight and sharpen performance. Detailed design changes to the engine have achieved more than 40 per cent thermal efficiency — world-best performance for a gasoline unit. Other hybrid system components have been made more compact and have been repositioned for optimum packaging, further contributing to the car's lower centre of gravity. The new nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery is more compact while its durability and charging performance have been significantly improved.

In combination, these changes and innovations confound the popular notion of what an eco-car should be like to drive and to look at. The new Prius demonstrates the genuine rewards that remain to be enjoyed from Toyota full hybrid technology, advantages that will steadily feed through to new generations of other Toyota hybrid models.

Prius Heritage

In 1997 the original Toyota Prius was launched with the declaration "just in time for the 21st century". As the world's first mass-produced hybrid-powered car, it was true to the Latin roots of its name in being ahead of its time.

That first car was a small four-door sedan, powered by a new hybrid system featuring a combination of 1.5-litre VVT-i Atkinson cycle gasoline engine and 33 kW electric motor. Headline efficiency figures were 120 g/km CO₂ emissions and an average 5.1 l/100km fuel consumption. This initial package was comprehensively redesigned and improved in the second generation model in 2003, with considerable gains in power and efficiency, plus a larger, more stylish, comfortable and practical hatchback design. The improved hybrid system adopted a hybrid battery pack that was smaller and lighter and offered a higher energy density. The fuel economy improved by 15 per cent to 4.3 l/100km and CO₂ levels fell to a new low of 104 g/km.

The current Prius made its debut in 2009, delivering an even stronger combination of power and efficiency. The hybrid system's output was now more than a third greater than in the original model, while at the same time CO₂ emissions had fallen by a quarter and fuel consumption was 23 per cent better.

The first generation Prius created the hybrid vehicle market, the second generation raised the model's popularity with a more advanced image, and the third generation secured mass-market success, helping Toyota progressively roll out hybrid power into its mainstream model ranges.

In its first 18 years, the Prius has reshaped the motoring landscape, bringing hybrid technology into the mainstream market and helping focus the attention of industry and consumers on how cars can be made cleaner and more efficient. The way in which people have come to understand, appreciate and adopt Toyota hybrid power is witnessed by more than eight million cumulative sales of Toyota hybrids worldwide since 1997, including more than 3.5 million Prius. The growth rate has accelerated in line with the technology's higher visibility and the availability of an increasing range of vehicles covering different market segments. The fourth generation Prius will add further impetus to hybrid's market appeal, achieving its strongest environmental performance yet, while delivering much improved styling and driving dynamics.

Toyota's experience with the Prius has been central to its development of hybrid as a foundation technology for alternative powertrains, not just with conventional gasoline and diesel engines, but with biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells as well. The basic technical premise that gave Toyota its breakthrough with Prius continues to support development of new mobility solutions, from the all-electric urban i-Road to Mirai, Toyota's first hydrogen fuel cell saloon.

The Market

The new car market has changed greatly in the 18 years since Toyota introduced the original Prius and set in motion its hybrid technology programme. Growing awareness of environmental issues and the need to protect natural resources have not only shifted people's perceptions of how a vehicle should perform, they have been reinforced by national and international legislation requiring manufacturers to reduce vehicle emissions.

These changes have helped Toyota hybrids establish themselves in markets worldwide and have also given impetus to other manufacturers in the development of rival hybrid systems and other alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel engines, such as all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

Hybrid has become Toyota's key competitive advantage, the principal quality that differentiates it from other manufacturers and which gives it a specific strength in the marketplace. This is reflected in the fact Toyota hybrids make up more than 50 per cent of all the alternative powertrain vehicles sold in Europe — more than all the other hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles combined.

The way in which hybrid has become a driver for Toyota's success in Europe's core new car market segments is evidenced by sales figures for 2014 which show hybrids accounted for 55 per cent of all Auris sales and 33 per cent of Yaris sales. Furthermore, hybrid is bringing more new customers to Toyota, with these models attracting significantly high levels of conquest sales from other brands — up to 63 per cent for Yaris Hybrid and 51 per cent for Auris Hybrid.

Toyota believes hybrid's market potential will increase further, with more people taking up the technology as the emissions performance of conventional gasoline and diesel engines come under closer scrutiny and legislative control. At the same time, more manufacturers are following Toyota by introducing their own hybrid models, increasing competition and giving customers a wider choice.

Toyota will continue to enjoy the advantage of offering a full hybrid system, in which the electric motor can operate independently of the petrol engine. This allows the car to be driven in all-electric EV mode when possible, with zero fuel consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. These benefits are not available in "mild" hybrid systems, in which the electric motor can be used only to support the performance of a gasoline or diesel engine.

Toyota believes that continuous improvement of its full hybrid technology will enable it to strengthen its market position, ahead of the wider uptake of alternatives such as plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. Key challenges in securing this growth are to strengthen environmental performance while increasing the attractiveness of hybrids as desirable cars that are fun to drive. These qualities are fundamental to the new Prius, which sets new benchmarks for environmental performance while making a stronger emotional connection with customers through improved styling, quality and driveability.

THE THREE PILLARS OF THE NEW PRIUS

The new Prius is founded on outstanding hybrid technology, delivering unprecedented efficiency and environmental performance. But beyond these credentials it embraces stronger emotional and performance qualities that give it wider and greater appeal to customers who appreciate eye-catching, original styling, high levels of sensory quality, practicality and a driving experience that is genuinely fun and rewarding.

The realisation of these qualities in the new Prius is based on three pillars: the Toyota New Global Architecture, design and styling, and a new generation full hybrid system.

Toyota's First TNGA Platform

The new Prius is the first model to use a Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. This plays a defining role in the car's essential fun-to-drive quality, giving new Prius a lower centre of gravity compared to the current model, which in turn allows for an improved driving position.

It makes a significant contribution to improved driving dynamics — beyond what might be expected of an eco-car. This quality is further supported by a body that is 60 per cent more rigid than before thanks to extensive use of high-strength steels and additional reinforcement to the centre pillars' lower structure and the panel connection. The result is superior, direct and responsive handling, without having to use firmer suspension settings.

Double wishbone rear suspension

The new double wishbone rear suspension plays a significant part in this, producing one-third the level of shock when driving on uneven roads compared to the current Prius. To achieve better handling with more direct response, the front MacPherson strut suspension has been revised with an increase in the incline angle of the shock absorbers and the use of slant bearings.

The chassis is fully able to harness the more responsive acceleration provided by the new full hybrid system. Greater stability is maintained, body roll is much reduced in high-speed lane changes and performance is smoother on rough surfaces. On winding roads, new Prius holds easily to the driver's intended line and there is outstanding straight-line stability when driving at speed.

Improved safety with TNGA

Safety is a key consideration in the development of the new TNGA platforms, not just in terms of secure, stable handling, but also in improving the driver's vision. The view from the steering wheel of new Prius is significantly wider and deeper than in the current model and rearward vision is improved by the wider curve of the rear glass.

The platform has been optimised for excellent performance in independent international crash testing, including Euro NCAP.

Styling and Design

New Prius is not simply "another green car," its design and high quality throughout give it greater emotional appeal and a powerful, desirable presence, underpinned by the fundamental strengths of the new TNGA platform. As Toyota's most advanced car, it is appropriate that it is an image leader and the intention has been to produce a design that makes an immediate impact.

The car's new low-slung stance — made possible by the TNGA platform — suggests an excellent driving performance, supported by a distinctive new body silhouette that is both athletic and aerodynamically efficient. The result is a "human-tech" design with strong emotional quality, fully exploiting the opportunity presented by the car's lower centre of gravity.

Exterior

The design theme for the new Prius has been to capture in the contrast created between the rich curves and hard surfaces of the bodywork. The result is a new form that stands out with its smooth yet sharp use of lines.

The frontal design is true to Prius's heritage in making the Toyota emblem a strong focal point, but it also makes an impactful visual statement about its more advanced design and performance with a much lower hood height. New headlights have permitted slimmer, more striking headlamp units to be designed and these combine with an intricate but unfussy treatment of the fog lights and air intakes to give the car a distinctive and intelligent appearance

In profile, the Prius displays a silhouette that is lower and more athletic. The TNGA platform has allowed for significant reduction in height in key areas to create a lower, more dynamic appearance. The overall height has been reduced by 20 mm compared to the current Prius, to 1,470 mm. The peak of the roof has been moved forward, and the belt line has been dropped, emphasising the car's stronger dynamic qualities. The new model retains the 2, 700 mm wheelbase of the current Prius, but is 60 mm longer overall at 4,540 mm. It is also 15 mm wider at 1,760 mm.

New Prius has a unique aerodynamic treatment to the rear section of the roof, which supports the clean flow of air over and away from the vehicle. The new TNGA platform is also designed for the smoothest possible airflow beneath the car. In combination, the car's low wind resistance features secure a world-class coefficient of drag.

The rear end design flows strongly from the rear spoiler down through the bumper, with the wheel placement further emphasising the car's firmly planted stance. The slim, striking combination lamps have been moved to the outer edge of the car, following a sharp angle that is accentuated by the distinctive, unbroken line of the red LED tail lights.

Toyota has produced a vibrant colour palette for new Prius with seven exterior finishes available, including a new shade, Emotional Red.

Interior

"Peace of mind" is the theme for the cabin, which is designed to be a welcoming, quiet and comfortable space, with a dashboard that wraps gently around the driver and which flows almost seamlessly into the door panels. The number of different parts that make up the instrument panel has been reduced, for example the piano black section is now a single unit. This creates a strong visual contrast with the areas of the dashboard and door panels, finished in a high-quality white material that is soft to the touch and scratch-resistant.

The fine attention to detail can be seen in elements such as the air vents, while the high ergonomic quality extends to intuitive positioning and range of adjustment of the seats. The high sensory quality of the interior is further emphasised by a pleasingly tactile leather steering wheel trim. Two interior colour choices have been created for the new Prius — cool grey and black. Overall the cabin environment is light and spacious.

Quietness has always been a distinguishing characteristic of Toyota's hybrid vehicles and the new Prius provides a cabin environment that exudes a genuine sense of luxury in exceptionally low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. New Prius's improved ride is further supported by a new front seat design that provides more comfort and wraparound support.

New Hybrid System

The New Prius heralds the next generation of Toyota's signature hybrid powertrain. This new family of powertrains builds on the two pillars that have made Toyota hybrids popular with drivers across the globe: on the one hand their fuel efficiency, and on the other the relaxed and carefree drive that they provide.

Toyota has focused its efforts on making this next generation of hybrids even easier and more intuitive to drive. They have been set up so that they give a natural, immediate, but smooth response to any accelerator pedal input. Refined and confident, they deliver the right level of performance.

But of course, fuel economy has been improved as well. The new hybrid systems will come in a more compact package, that is lighter in weight and lower in cost. This new generation will reflect significant advances in battery, electric motor and gasoline engine technologies.

The batteries will offer higher energy density, which means more output from units of the same dimensions and weight.

The electric motors will be smaller in size, yet also provide a better power-to-weight ratio.

And the thermal efficiency of the gasoline engine — at 38.5 per cent already very high on the current Prius — is increased to more than 40 per cent — a world's best for a gasoline unit.

As a result, applied to the new Prius, this new hybrid system targets an 18 per cent* improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the current car .

PRIUS: TOYOTA'S HIGH-TECH AMBASSADOR

The Prius has always provided a reference point for Toyota's development of useful, intuitive high-tech features and that remains true for the fourth generation model, which benefits from a number of innovations that support safety, convenience and better, more sophisticated HMI (Human Machine Interface) performance.

New Prius Chief Engineer Koji Toyoshima explains: "Prius is the ambassador for Toyota technology, a brand vector pulling hybrid sales of our core models."

Toyota Safety Sense with additional functions

The new Prius will make a significant advance in active and preventive safety measures with the adoption of Toyota Safety Sense. This package of safety features will be further extended in the new Prius with the addition of radar-governed Adaptive Cruise Control and a pedestrian recognition capability in the Pre-Collision Safety system.

In the current Prius range, only around two per cent of vehicles are sold with the Pre-Crash Safety system. In the new Prius this is one of the standard features of Toyota Safety Sense, together with Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam and Road Sign Assist.

Extra sensors for safety and convenience

The technologies Toyota has developed for successive generations of the Prius have always served a clear purpose. This continues in the new model with an increase in the number of sensors to provide the driver with more comprehensive information, improving safety and convenience. In effect, new Prius becomes a driver's sixth sense, recognising and anticipating things they might not notice themselves.

* According to New European Cycle (NEDC)

]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1523.png?10000 https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1523.png?10000 https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-at-frankfurt/ https://newsroom.toyota.eu/toyota-at-frankfurt/220395

At the forthcoming IAA motor show in Frankfurt (Press day September 15-16, Public days September 19-27^th), two dominant themes will shape the Toyota stand. One is the relentless expansion of Toyota's hybrid line-up. The other is the continuation of the roll-out and democratisation of the Toyota Safety Sense active safety technology.

The unmistakable star of the Toyota display will be the new Prius, which celebrates its motor show World-Premiere at Frankfurt. But the show also marks the European Premiere of the new RAV4 Hybrid, and the global debut of the second TOYOTA C-HR Concept hybrid crossover.

As Toyota continues the roll-out of Toyota Safety Sense across its range, the second iteration of the system premieres at Frankfurt, with Pedestrian Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control being added to system's existing features[1].

The Toyota Press Conference takes place at 12:45 on Tuesday September 15^th, on the Toyota stand in Hall 8.

Currently, charger installation in Japan is carried out at the discretion of commercial and non-commercial facilities, and there is no established method of recuperating installation costs. To address this, national and local governments have set numerical and deployment schedule targets for chargers with the aim of promoting the widespread adoption of next-generation vehicles, such as PHVs and EVs.

The tests will examine optimal charger deployment locations as well as operational and billing methods and are aimed at facilitating the establishment of a comprehensive charging infrastructure, which would enable the widespread acceptance of next-generation vehicles and lead toward the realisation of a low-carbon society.

The tests will focus on standard chargers able to be used for both PHVs and EVs, helping operators keep installation costs low. In particular, the following three areas will be examined:

1. A new coin-operated standard charger based on the "G-Station" charger, developed by Toyota Media Service Corporation, will be developed and deployed to explore the feasibility of different billing methods and pricing structures.
2. Approximately 20 new standard chargers will be installed at commercial hubs, public facilities, pay-by-hour car parks and similar locations, to analyse usage patterns and assess deployment locations and operation methods.
3. The provision of a variety of information will be tested through the G-Station's Wi-Fi connectivity, with the usefulness of different kinds of information evaluated. The information may include business operating hours and events at commercial facilities, as well as disaster updates from the Aichi Prefectural government.

Through this kind of initiative, TMC aims to propose a framework for appropriate charger deployment and to help operators recover overhead costs. Furthermore, TMC intends to further the development and market penetration of PHVs, EVs, and other next-generation vehicles as well as to contribute to the improvement of charging infrastructures.

¹ A type of charger for electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that provides a 100 V (similar to a regular household outlet) or a 200 V power supply.