Toyota showcases innovation at Frankfurt

• Commitment to innovation and the environment

• Celebrating 10 years of hybrid technology

• Introducing radical new small car concept

• Continuing to update current popular models

Toyota’s role as a global leader in automotive innovation and environmental concern is highlighted at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It has long recognised its corporate responsibility for the environment and for the communities in which it operates. This commitment translates into a comprehensive vision of sustainable mobility.

Toyota’s extensive research and development programmes examine every aspect of vehicle design, performance, safety and the information infrastructure that will underpin driving tomorrow. As a result, Toyota clearly continues to demonstrate its commitment to finding and implementing solutions that make cars less of an environmental burden.

10 years of hybrid

Toyota’s world-leading hybrid technology is at the core of this strategy. The company is celebrating 10 years of commercial success with hybrid technology and the world’s most popular low emissions hybrid car, the Toyota Prius.

As a result of its success, the Toyota group plans to double its hybrid vehicle line-up by the early part of the next decade and is targeting one million hybrid vehicle sales a year worldwide (Toyota and Lexus combined).

This focus on hybrid technology is one key element in Toyota’s commitment to minimising fleet average CO2 emissions in Europe.

Expanding small car sales

But Toyota innovation and development is not confined to hybrid technology. The company is committed to expanding its small car sales to reduce CO2 emissions and can present radical solutions to the challenges of urban transport.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota presents a vision of an ultra compact, yet highly specified and modern urban car with the unveiling of a new small car concept in a revolutionary design.

Updates to popular models

Toyota also uses the Frankfurt Motor Show to showcase the latest updates in some of its most popular models in Europe.

Two new models will be introduced into the Yaris line-up, enhancing the car’s image and with specification designed to broaden its customer attraction. The new Yaris 1.0-litre will showcase Yaris intelligent technology for smart urban driving, with its economical and easy-to-drive style.

The new Yaris mid-range grade offers more refined sportiness with a choice of petrol or diesel engines and hi-tech equipment levels, including an integrated, full map navigation system.

The iconic Toyota RAV4 continues to set the benchmark for the highly competitive SUV market in Europe with outstanding driving performance, great versatility and even more sophistication and refinement.

Now, with the new RAV4 Cross Sport, customers can enjoy new levels of stylish design and premium quality with a sport, customers range of enhancements for the 2008 model year. These further emphasise the sophisticated and urban design themes of RAV4 across the range.

Few cars on the market have achieved the legendary status of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Built to withstand some of the toughest driving conditions on earth, Land Cruiser also offers remarkable driving pleasure.

Now Land Cruiser gets extra specifications to further enhance passenger comfort. The fresh exterior styling of Land Cruiser adds a more dynamic look to reflect the superior quality of the model range.

Information on the full range of Toyota models in Europe can be found on the Toyota stand in Hall 8 of the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and during the Toyota press conference.

Toyota celebrates 10 years of hybrid success

• Hybrid at the core of future development
• 1 million in cumulative hybrid vehicle sales
• Environmental responsibility in vehicle development and manufacturing

Today, Toyota is celebrating 10 years of commercial success with hybrid technology and the world’s most popular low emissions hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, which is sold in over 44 countries world-wide. During that period Toyota has become a world leader in hybrid powertrain technology and now puts hybrid systems at the core of its drive for the ultimate eco-car.

As a result of its success, the Toyota group plans to double its hybrid vehicle line-up by the early part of the next decade and is targeting one million hybrid vehicle sales a year worldwide (Toyota and Lexus combined). In May 2007, Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales have surpassed the mark of 1 million in cumulative sales.

This focus on hybrid technology is one key element in Toyota’s commitment to minimising fleet average CO2 emissions in Europe. At the same time Toyota accepts responsibility, through innovation and vehicle planning, to create clean manufacturing, reduced emissions and promote the use of recycling and reusing waste material.

Toyota’s eco-vision

• Comprehensive vision of sustainable mobility• Tackling every aspect of the lifecycle• Moving towards zero net emissions

As one of the world’s leading global vehicle manufacturers Toyota has long recognised its corporate responsibility for the environment and for the communities in which it operates. This commitment translates into a comprehensive vision of sustainable mobility.

Toyota’s extensive research and development programmes examine every aspect of vehicle design, performance, safety and the information infrastructure that will underpin driving tomorrow.

Toyota recognises motor vehicles interact with the environment throughout their entire lifecycle – from their initial design and the way they are manufactured, to their use on the road and their eventual disposal when no longer needed. For Toyota, minimizing these kinds of environmental impact has long been a top priority at every level of the company’s organisation and activity.

And building completely recyclable cars with zero net emissions is Toyota’s foremost challenge for the years to come.

Long history of hybrid technology

• Prius launched in 1997
• Hybrid systems dating back to 1965
• Development of Toyota Earth Charter

The first basic policy of Toyota’s Earth Charter, developed as long ago as 1992, states: “in order to contribute towards a prosperous 21st century society, aim for growth that is in harmony with the environment and challenge achievement of zero emissions throughout all areas of business activities”.

Indeed, when Toyota unveiled the first Prius, in 1997, it already had decades of background research when it started investigating the feasibility of using gas turbines to power an electric drive system for cars back in 1965. The system was actually displayed in a Toyota Sports 800 gas turbine hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1977 that promoted the philosophy: performance with respect for the environment.

It is still the same philosophy being followed today with Toyota’s award winning Hybrid Synergy Drive®.

A commercial success story

• More than 750,000 Prius sold worldwide
• Top of customer satisfaction ratings
• European Car of the Year 2005

From launch, Prius was an immediate commercial and critical success; the most technically advanced production car in the world and placing Toyota as a world leader in low emissions and hybrid technology. In the space of three years Prius gathered no less than 20 prestigious awards including the 1997 Japanese Car of the Year.

Launched in Europe in 2001, Prius moved into the second generation with Hybrid Synergy Drive® in 2003 and was further revised at the start of 2006 to offer a fresh face and improved interior comfort and quality. At the same time, sharper driving dynamics were introduced with a series of chassis, suspension and steering enhancements.

Since launch, more than 750,000 Prius models (May YTD) have been sold worldwide and more than 66,000 are on the roads in Europe. Rising fuel prices and increasing environmental awareness plus, to a certain extent, preferential tax and city driving incentives are facilitating the change.

But customers who switch to Prius are not just doing it for lifestyle reasons; they are also extremely satisfied with their choice and the driving pleasure it offers. Toyota Prius has just topped the 2007 JD Power Customer Satisfaction survey in the UK and France, and the current generation Prius was named European Car of the Year 2005.

Prius has won the ADAC Eco-Test in Germany in 2004 and 2005, and in 2007, the 1.5-litre petrol engine of the Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive® was named “International Engine of the Year” and “Best New Engine” in the International Engine of the Year awards. For the last four consecutive years, it has also won the “Best Fuel Economy” award.

Research shows that around 20% of customers switching to Prius have previously owned a luxury car. They are attracted by the environmental benefits of Prius but do not want to sacrifice performance or driving pleasure. Instead, they embrace the new technology and have high expectations of comfort and safety which Prius must satisfy.

Continuously improving performance

• Matches performance of conventional family cars
• Hybrid Synergy Drive® emissions amongst cleanest in the world
• Class leading aerodynamics
• Silent driving experience

Over the past 10 years, Toyota Prius has been continuously improved and refined. This process has ensured Prius offers not just reduced harmful emissions but also excellent driving dynamics and driving pleasure.

Today, the current Prius matches the performance of many conventional family cars with a top speed of and 0- acceleration in 10.9 seconds. Meanwhile Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology achieves exhaust emissions that are among the cleanest in the world.

The first generation Prius, with the Toyota Hybrid System (THS), showed a level of improvement for carbon dioxide emissions of around 20% compared to conventional powertrains. For the second generation Prius, with Hybrid Synergy Drive®, these emissions have again further fallen by 15%, from 120 g/km down to 104 g/km.

The latest generation Prius produces about 55% less CO2 and nearly half the nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons of other cars of comparable size equipped with modern standard exhaust treatment systems. Compared with an average D-segment cars on the market, driving a Prius can save up to one tonne of CO2 emissions per year (calculation based on the combined EC cycle, with annual driving distance). The official fuel consumption on the EC combined cycle is 4.3 l/100km. And, when it does eventually reach the end of its useful life, owners can be confident that Prius is 90% recyclable.

World-leading aerodynamics play a significant role in helping improve fuel consumption, reduce wind noise and allow increased performance. The reduced frontal area of Prius means it cuts through the air more efficiently and the car’s smooth underbody reduces overall drag and resistance.

The Prius features a class leading aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26 resulting in excellent high speed stability and quietness.

The Prius can furthermore run on electric motor only at a low speed and up to two kilometres distance, offering a completely silent driving experience.

Suspension and chassis refinements as recent as 2006 have been designed to improve driving pleasure still further while also enhancing ride comfort and high speed stability. The developments have focused on specific areas of chassis stiffness to improve dynamic stability, suspension tuning for better ride comfort and steering control for increased response and feel.

Advanced comfort and safety

• Spacious and versatile cabin
• Premium quality trim and finish
• High levels of active and passive safety
• Available in a new exterior colour

Not only is Prius the most technically advanced car on the market, it is also one of the safest, most refined and most comfortable. Despite the battery size, cabin space is comparable to a large family saloon, with excellent leg and head room. For maximum versatility, the rear seats fold flat, have a 60-40 split and provide ample space and comfort for adult passengers.

For the ultimate comfort, a high quality leather trim package is available with genuine leather seats and a leather trimmed steering wheel. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist are standard equipment, along with VSC+, a stability control system that co-ordinates with steering torque assist.

Eight airbags are standard equipment, with improved knee protection for the driver. EuroNCAP has recognised Prius’ high levels of passive safety, with a 5-star adult occupant rating, together with the highest score ever in terms of child protection – 43 points (4 stars).