Lexus announced the LF-Ch compact hybrid concept, which had its world premiere at the Frankfurt Auto Show, will be on display for the first time in North America at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

As the latest concept hybrid vehicle from Lexus, LF-Ch offers dramatic style, premium features, an innovative drivetrain with low emissions, and impressive fuel economy in a sporty yet versatile five-door package.

“Lexus has been leading the luxury hybrid market ever since we came out with the RX 400h in 2005,” said Mark Templin, Lexus division group vice president and general manager. “To continue raising the hybrid benchmark, we need to continue exploring hybrid technology in different segments. The LF-Ch concept gives us the opportunity to gauge consumer reaction and help us determine whether or not this would be viable for production.”

The LF-Ch concept was designed by Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota’s North American-based research and design center located in Newport Beach, Calif., and will allow the brand to study the needs of young urbanites and consumer values in a compact luxury vehicle.

“The LF-Ch concept is the next evolution of the compact luxury vehicle,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty. “We were able to create a beautifully designed hybrid with a deep sense of mystery and intrigue.”

Designers created an intriguing contrast between the powerful, machine-like surfaces, fluid forms and details that appear hand-sculpted.

The exterior of the LF-Ch concept exudes strength and simplicity with a wide stance, broad and high-shoulders, an arching roofline that flows into the rear spoiler, and sheer surfaces wrapped in a contemporary yellow paint. To give the sporty five-door concept the illusion of a sleek coupe, designers cleverly blackened the B-pillar and hid the rear door entry button in the chrome molding.

An aggressive grille with a wide front bumper and air dam gives the hybrid concept a powerful personality in keeping with its dynamic lines. Efficient and bright LED taillights and headlamps also add to the vehicle’s personality. The concept is marked with hybrid details including its blue Lexus logo, which is shared across the Lexus family of hybrids, and hybrid side badging.

Inside, designers created an elegant cabin that is contemporary, and functional with metal and leather trim. Metal surfacing stretches the length of the asymmetric dashboard and blends with leather trim to provide a luxuriously handcrafted and soothing environment. The artistic leather, and metal detailing is also visible on the door panels, instrument panel and seats.

A blue headliner light, that borders the roof and contrasts with the yellow exterior, turns on to reveal an ambient pattern reminiscent of a sophisticated lounge. A wide grip steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters makes for a spirited driving experience. The instrument panel features two, large twin dials with a uniquely embellished turbine blade design.

The LF-Ch is powered by the latest generation of Lexus Hybrid Drive technology. A drive mode-switch allows the driver to select between four modes: Normal, Eco, and EV plus a Sport mode that amplifies throttle response for the most enthusiastic drivers.

Lexus’ Remote Touch controller with user-adjustable haptic feedback, also currently found on the 2010 HS 250h hybrid and RX luxury utility vehicles, allows the driver or front passenger to operate the navigation, audio and climate systems.

The LF-Ch has four sport seats that feature trim lighting along the cushion’s edge for cabin illumination. Rear passengers can enjoy headrest-mounted iPhone® docking capability for audio and video entertainment. In addition, the LF-Ch has storage in the rear seat armrests for small items such as iPods®, PDAs and cell phones.

“We look forward to hearing feedback on the LF-Ch,” said Templin. “We hope consumers like what they see so we can change the luxury hybrid marketplace again.”

Demonstration Program Begins in U.S. Late 2009

The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) Concept vehicle made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Based on the third-generation Prius, the PHV Concept expands Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, utilizing first generation lithium-ion battery technology and enabling electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than conventional hybrids. When fully charged, the vehicle is targeted to achieve an electric-only range of approximately 12 miles and will be capable of achieving highway speeds in electric-only mode. For longer distances, the PHV concept reverts to “hybrid mode” and operates like a regular Prius. This ability to utilize all-electric power for short trips or hybrid power for longer drives alleviates the issue of limited cruising range encountered with pure electric vehicles.

Beginning in late 2009, Toyota will begin global delivery of 500 Prius PHV vehicles. Of this initial fleet, 150 will be placed with select U.S. lease-fleet customers for market and engineering analysis. This program will allow Toyota to gather real world driving feedback and understand customer expectations for plug-in technology. In addition, the program will allow evaluation of the first generation lithium-ion battery’s durability, reliability and performance.

“The greatest hurdle in bringing to market a reliable lithium battery is mass production. We must have a production process that guarantees each battery will be identical in performance and quality,” said Irv Miller, TMS group vice president, environmental and public affairs.

The vehicle’s first-generation lithium-ion battery will be built on a dedicated PEVE (Panasonic EV Energy Company, LTD) assembly line. PEVE is a joint-venture in which Toyota owns 60 percent equity. The first generation lithium-ion batteries were developed in-house by Toyota Research and Development, and a dedicated battery development team is already working on the next battery “beyond lithium.”

The 150 demonstration vehicles will be placed in strategic clusters around the U.S., allowing development of charging infrastructure and communications support for program participants. Each placement scenario will have a variety of ‘use cases’ or driving conditions (ie: commute length, usage type, access to charging) to gain maximum input to vehicle performance and customer needs.

“Although we like to be first to market with these technologies, it’s more important that we are best to market,” said Miller. “This demonstration program will ensure that the vehicles we bring to market will not just meet customer expectations, but exceed them.”

The Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) achieved an estimated range of 431 miles on a single full tank of compressed hydrogen gas, and an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg (approximate mpg equivalent) during a day-long trip down the southern California coast.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Savannah River National Laboratory (SNRL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), approached Toyota to participate in a collaborative evaluation of the real world driving range of the FCHV-adv. On Tuesday, June 30, two fuel cell vehicles, two Toyota Technical Center engineers, an SRNL engineer and a NREL engineer completed a 331.5 mile extended round trip drive between Torrance, California and San Diego.

“This evaluation of the FCHV-adv demonstrates not only the rapid advances in fuel cell technology, but also the viability of this technology for the future,” said Jared Farnsworth, Toyota Technical Center advanced powertrain engineer.

The route encompassed a variety of drive cycles, including high speed highway driving, moderate highway driving and stop and go traffic on surface streets, in an effort to capture a typical commute. Each vehicle was outfitted with a data collection system that captured vehicle speed, distance traveled, hydrogen consumed, hydrogen tank pressure, temperature and internal tank volume.

Driving range data from each vehicle was calculated by SRNL and NREL engineers. The results were averaged for an estimated range of 431 miles, with an average fuel economy of 68.3 miles/kg.

For comparison, the 2009 Toyota Highland Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated rating of 26 mpg combined fuel economy and has a full-tank range of approximately 450 miles. With premium grade gasoline currently priced at about $3.25, the gasoline-powered V6 Highlander hybrid is estimated to travel approximately 26 miles at a cost of about $3.25. Currently, hydrogen gas pricing is not fixed, but DOE targets future pricing at $2 to $3 per kilogram. Therefore, the FCHV-adv is estimated to travel approximately 68 miles at a projected cost of about $2.50 – more than double the range of the Highlander Hybrid, at equal or lesser cost, while producing zero emissions.

SRNL and NREL analyzed all data gathered during the evaluation and prepared a formal report to DOE verifying range results and miles per kilogram achieved. This report will assist regulators and government research programs to accurately assess the status of the fuel cell industry and viability of the current technology.

“Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology has advanced rapidly over the last two years,” said Irv Miller, TMS group vice president, environmental and public affairs. “In 2015, our plan is to bring to market a reliable and durable fuel cell vehicle with exceptional fuel economy and zero emissions, at an affordable price.”

The Toyota iQ is on track for North America- a relatively fast track at that. First introduced as a concept car in 2007, the iQ became available in Japan in 2008 and in Europe in January, 2009. A version of the iQ made its American debut as a Scion-badged concept car at the New York Auto Show in April.

Rumor has it that the iQ will become the first in a series that will include the Scion iQ as well as a hybrid version. It is also rumored that the iQ platform will also be the basis for the next generation Toyota Yaris.

New strategies from Toyota tend to support (at least some) of these rumors. Toyota has announced new versions of the iQ that will soon be available in Japan and a joint venture with Aston Martin that will use the iQ platform.

Soon available in Japan will be new versions of the iQ. These will be limited edition, customized versions in much the same way that Scion markets its vehicles in America. Among the versions that will be available as early as November will be a sporty version. Following that are plans for a version tailored to younger consumers and one that will be marketed toward women.

Meanwhile, a joint venture with Aston Martin will produce an iQ-based car called the Cygnet. Aston Martin is based in the UK but will market the Cygnet throughout Europe.

Though Toyota has yet to confirm any rumors, it clearly has shown commitment to the iQ platform and a willingness to move the iQ quickly from concept to production.

Don’t expect an “economy” car like the Kia Forte with a low sticker price. General consensus among car makers is that such vehicles sell poorly due to poor perception of quality and have a low profit margin- a combination that spells disaster. Rather, expect any version of the iQ to be more moderately priced but trendy and “green”.

Toyota showed the Scion iQ concept for North America at the New York Auto Show. Details.

Toyota demonstrated a new compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept vehicle at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show today.

As a transport fuel, natural gas is a clean and safe gasoline alternative. It can reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil, as more than 99% of natural gas used in the U.S. comes from North America. Worldwide natural gas reserves are estimated to last until 2100 and have the potential to last until 2200 through improved advanced production methods.

Natural gas also produces lower particulate emissions, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG), and less CO2 per unit of energy when compared with gasoline. In addition, it has a higher flash point (ignition temperature) than gasoline, can run at a higher compression ratio and is quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, should a leak occur.

The CNG Camry Hybrid concept was designed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, Calif. To convert the stock Camry Hybrid to a CNG vehicle, the gasoline fuel system was replaced with a CNG system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area.

Today there are less than 1,000 CNG refueling stations nationwide, with less than half open to the public.

The CNG Camry Hybrid uses a 2.4 liter engine and is estimated to have a gas mileage equivalent of 32 mpg city, 34 highway. Net horsepower including the motor is estimated at 170 hp. The CNG system, using two type 4 tanks, has a maximum pressure of 3,600 psi and can hold the equivalent of 8 gallons for a 250 mile range.