The Japanese manufacturer has just revealed the 2010 Toyota Auris HSD – Hybrid Synergy Drive with full details and photos ahead of its public unwrapping at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow.
The Toyota Auris HSD is a full hybrid that will be able to run three modes: petrol, electric, and both combined while fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are expected to be 74.3mpg and 89g/km respectively.
The Toyota Auris HSD uses a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine together with a powerful electromotor, a generator, a battery pack and a power control unit. The petrol engine delivers 97 BHP @ 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm while the 60 kW electric motor produces a maximum of 207 Nm between 0 and 13,000 rpm. Power is sent to the wheels via an electric continuously variable transmission.
The 2010 Toyota Auris HSD price was not announced but market availability in UK is expected to start in July.
Toyota press release :
Exclusively designed for the European market, the Auris HSD (Hybrid
Synergy Drive) introduces full hybrid technology to a core model at the
heart of Toyota’s model line-up. It marks the first step in the
deployment of HSD technology across the company’s entire European model
range by the early 2020s.
Built in Britain at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston
factory, it targets an important shift in customer perceptions of full
hybrid drive technology.
The prospect of Britain – and Europe’s – first home-manufactured
full hybrid model was welcomed by the UK Government. Business Minister
Ian Lucas said: “I’m delighted that Toyota has chosen its UK plants to
produce the first European Toyota hybrid car and I look forward to
seeing it when I’m in Geneva for the Motor Show. Toyota’s commitment to
reduce CO2 emissions gives fresh impetus to our vision for the UK to lead in the design, manufacture and use of low carbon cars.”
Going beyond the benefits of exceptional fuel efficiency and low CO2
emissions that are inherent in Hybrid Synergy Drive, the new Auris HSD
will deliver everyday usability, driving comfort and remarkable
quietness for a smooth and sophisticated driving experience that is
unlike anything else in the C-segment.
Auris HSD will be available in two levels: 89g/km and 92g/km, both offer the lowest CO2
emissions and strongest fuel economy in their class. HSD will thus play
a significant role in further reducing Toyota’s European whole-fleet
average CO2 emissions. These have already fallen by 14g/km
between 2008 and 2009 to 132g/km, thanks to the introduction of Toyota
Optimal Drive technology.
Exterior design
Auris HSD adopts the new exterior styling introduced across the Auris
2010 model range, including a completely redesigned front-end. It also
displays a number of model-specific features which help improve the
car’s aerodynamic efficiency and reference the presence of Toyota’s
Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.
The opening in the upper front grille has been optimised to promote
a smooth flow of air over the upper half of the body, and the lower
grille has been made larger to reduce airflow resistance and improve
engine cooling efficiency.
With a revised foglamp configuration, the flat, vertical surface of
the corners of the front bumper corrects the airflow as it passes over
the front wheels, helping minimise turbulence in the wheelarches.
Further improvement in aerodynamic efficiency is achieved by a ride
height reduced by 5mm; purpose-designed alloy wheels with integrated
aerodynamic caps; low rolling resistance tyres; and a large,
roof-mounted rear spoiler. Working together to smooth and control the
flow of air over the car, these HSD-specific design modifications
reduce the coefficient of drag from Cd0.290 to 0.283, contributing to
reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Interior design
The interior features a number of modifications, including a revised
instrument binnacle in which the tachometer has been replaced by an Eco
Drive Assist Monitor. The centre-dial information panel includes
additional HSD-specific information such as Energy Flow and Eco Drive
Result monitors.
A hybrid blue smart start button has been added to the side of the
instrument cluster and the centre console incorporates switches for the
Parking Control and EV, ECO and Power drive modes, and a shift-by-wire
gear lever.
The illumination is changed to display greenish-white numbers on a
hybrid blue background on the meter panel, audio and heating controls,
and the Smart Start, Drive Mode and Parking Control switches.
A choice of upholsteries specific to the model will also be
available: a blue-flecked fabric or Alcantara panels with leather
surrounds.
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Auris HSD is a full hybrid capable of operating in petrol and electric
modes alone, or a combination of both. Its Hybrid Synergy Drive system
delivers the energy-saving qualities of a series hybrid, combined with
the performance benefits of a parallel hybrid.
The technology delivers impressive, seamless acceleration and
remarkably quiet running, with class-leading fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from 74.3mpg and 89g/km.
Toyota’s latest generation Hybrid Synergy Driver uses a 1.8-litre
VVT-i petrol engine, a powerful electro motor, generator, high
performance battery and a power control unit. A power split device with
a planetary gear system combines and reallocated power from the engine,
electric motor and generator according to the car’s operational
requirements.
The key to the successful installation of the system in Auris’s
front-engine platform is the fact the electric motor, generator and
power split device are housed in a single transmission casing that is
the size of a conventional gearbox. The seamless E-CVT electric
continuously variable transmission is controlled by shift-by-wire
technology via an electric shift lever.
The lightweight and compact four-cylinder, 1,798cc Atkinson Cycle
VVT-i engine develops 97bhp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at
4,000rpm. The high performance permanent magnet synchronous 60kW
electric motor generates a maximum 207Nm between zero and 13,000rpm.
Powered by the hybrid battery, the electric motor works in tandem
with the petrol engine to boost acceleration in normal driving. When
the car is operating in EV (electric vehicle) mode, it alone powers the
driven wheels.
During deceleration and under braking, the electric motor acts as a
high-output generator to effect regenerative braking, recovering
kinetic energy that would normally be wasted as heat for storage as
electrical energy in the battery.
In combination, the petrol engine and electric motor generated a
maximum system power output of 134bhp, giving performance to match a
conventional 2.0-litre petrol or diesel hatchback. Conversely, Auris
HSD lower CO2 emissions and significantly lower NOx emissions than diesel-powered cars of comparable performance.
Furthermore, when operating in its switchable EV mode, it cuts CO2
and NOx emissions to zero, driving for up to 1.3 miles (2km) at speeds
up to 31mph (50kph), depending on the level of battery charge and
driving conditions.
Auris HSD eco driving experience
Auris HSD has four driving modes, including three that can be selected
”on-demand” by the driver to maximise the HSD powertrain’s capabilities
and provide comprehensive eco driving support for those who want to
adopt a more environmentally efficient style of driving.
EV mode allows for ultra-quiet running on electric motor power lone,
giving zero fuel consumption and emissions. ECO mode maximises
efficiency and fuel economy, and Power mode boosts system performance.
In addition, an Eco Drive Monitor helps driver’s maximise the HSD
system’s efficiency.
The driver can monitor the flow of energy around the HSD system in
each mode, via the multi-information display in the instrument panel,
which helps promote an easy, fuel-efficient driving technique. There is
also a clear and simple power consumption gauge that shows how much
power is being used or generated at any given time.
Taking advantage of the inherent quietness of Hybrid Synergy Drive,
Toyota has paid special attention to NVH reduction measures to create a
calm and quiet cabin environment at all speeds. Road and engine noise
have been rigorously suppressed with extensive use of sound-proofing
materials. Full-thickness glazing and a multi-layer acoustic windscreen
further reduce noise for quieter performance at cruising speeds.
Auris HSD in the UK
Auris HSD is scheduled to go on sale in the UK in July. Further details
of performance, technical specifications, model grades and equipment
features will be announced nearer the launch date.
