Toyota Unveils Its Priciest Hybrid
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Toyota Unveils Its Priciest Hybrid
original story here: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1
May 17 02:05 PM US/Eastern
By YURI KAGEYAMA
AP Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) - Toyota's commitment to hybrid automobiles was on full display Thursday when it unveiled its most expensive gasoline-electric vehicle yet—the $124,000 luxury sedan Lexus LS.
Executives at Japan's No. 1 automaker are fully convinced that hybrid cars are the way of the future. And they're betting that growing consumer concern about the environment—and higher gas prices—will lure even wealthy buyers to the new model, which went on sale Thursday in Japan for 15 million yen and will arrive later elsewhere.
Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto denied hybrids were "a transitional technology" that will be replaced by more advanced ecological technology in the future.
"As long as cars exist, the need for hybrid technology will remain," Takimoto said.
Toyota Motor Corp., which introduced its first hybrid, the Prius, 10 years ago, sold about 300,000 hybrids worldwide last year, and it plans to sell a million hybrids a year sometime after 2010.
Although all the world's automakers are working on hybrids, Japan's No. 1 automaker has dozens of patents on the technology and has sold more hybrids than any other automaker.
The most common hybrids today switch between a gas engine and electric motor to deliver better mileage and reduce emissions that cause global warming.
But Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said the technology for hybrid systems can be applied to power other types of vehicles, which run on fuel other than gas, including biofuels and hydrogen.
"The hybrid system is a core technology that can be applied anywhere," Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters.
Toyota, which has introduced two other hybrid Lexus models, said the hybrid LS went on sale in Japan Thursday.
Starting next month, it will roll out gradually in Europe, North America and Asia, including China, and other regions.
Toyota expects to sell 7,000 Lexus LS cars in 2007, including 4,000 in Japan. The company did not give other regional breakdowns.
The success of hybrids has been a big plus for Toyota's image at a time when concerns about the global environment and soaring gas prices are growing. Watanabe said he hopes hybrid Lexus models will further enhance Toyota's value.
By YURI KAGEYAMA
AP Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) - Toyota's commitment to hybrid automobiles was on full display Thursday when it unveiled its most expensive gasoline-electric vehicle yet—the $124,000 luxury sedan Lexus LS.
Executives at Japan's No. 1 automaker are fully convinced that hybrid cars are the way of the future. And they're betting that growing consumer concern about the environment—and higher gas prices—will lure even wealthy buyers to the new model, which went on sale Thursday in Japan for 15 million yen and will arrive later elsewhere.
Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto denied hybrids were "a transitional technology" that will be replaced by more advanced ecological technology in the future.
"As long as cars exist, the need for hybrid technology will remain," Takimoto said.
Toyota Motor Corp., which introduced its first hybrid, the Prius, 10 years ago, sold about 300,000 hybrids worldwide last year, and it plans to sell a million hybrids a year sometime after 2010.
Although all the world's automakers are working on hybrids, Japan's No. 1 automaker has dozens of patents on the technology and has sold more hybrids than any other automaker.
The most common hybrids today switch between a gas engine and electric motor to deliver better mileage and reduce emissions that cause global warming.
But Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said the technology for hybrid systems can be applied to power other types of vehicles, which run on fuel other than gas, including biofuels and hydrogen.
"The hybrid system is a core technology that can be applied anywhere," Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters.
Toyota, which has introduced two other hybrid Lexus models, said the hybrid LS went on sale in Japan Thursday.
Starting next month, it will roll out gradually in Europe, North America and Asia, including China, and other regions.
Toyota expects to sell 7,000 Lexus LS cars in 2007, including 4,000 in Japan. The company did not give other regional breakdowns.
The success of hybrids has been a big plus for Toyota's image at a time when concerns about the global environment and soaring gas prices are growing. Watanabe said he hopes hybrid Lexus models will further enhance Toyota's value.
they're cheaper than a S65. I wouldn't mind having one either! 
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LOL.
Cue the rich people who will buy this thinking they are the shiz for saving the environment and saving gas, when it reality, they're doing neither
Toyota's really killing their credibility. Hybrids? Please. Just give us damn diesels already. Then we'll talk, mmkay?
Cue the rich people who will buy this thinking they are the shiz for saving the environment and saving gas, when it reality, they're doing neither
Toyota's really killing their credibility. Hybrids? Please. Just give us damn diesels already. Then we'll talk, mmkay?
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Toyota's really killing their credibility. Hybrids? Please. Just give us damn diesels already. Then we'll talk, mmkay?
You can use any heat transfer machine to create the electricity, the important thing is the symbiosis between said heat transfer machine and the electric motor-generator. And that's what Toyota is perfecting.
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^^ uhm.. aren't things about Toyotas bringing about new diesels next year? or other car companies too..
i think alot of car companies are mentioning that new diesel technology that's been devoloped will allow that to possibly happen next year. even yes.. in Cali..
i know i've been aching for a diesel car.
i think alot of car companies are mentioning that new diesel technology that's been devoloped will allow that to possibly happen next year. even yes.. in Cali..
i know i've been aching for a diesel car.
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Yeah, for 2007 there is only one diesel available, a single MB model using a technology they call "bluetec". It pretty much cleans up the diesel as or before or after it burns it some how.
We don't have the low sulfur diesel widespread throughout the states yet, but it's comming.
And keep in mind, this was in the early to mif 90's (or thereabouts) when Toyota was making those decisions to direct research, and at the time we weren't really that concerned with milage, mostly becuase gas was only about 1.30 or so. Nobody could have predicted what happened over the past 5 or so years, so things are starkley different now.
We don't have the low sulfur diesel widespread throughout the states yet, but it's comming.
And keep in mind, this was in the early to mif 90's (or thereabouts) when Toyota was making those decisions to direct research, and at the time we weren't really that concerned with milage, mostly becuase gas was only about 1.30 or so. Nobody could have predicted what happened over the past 5 or so years, so things are starkley different now.
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Interesting wording there, not exactly sure what you mean by that?
Anyway, what GM tried to pass off in the 70's as "diesel" was a joke. They tried in vein to convert their existing engine fleet into diesel options. Everybody knows you simply can't do that. Now is it because of GM's flawed experiment that we all know this or did the engineers try to warn the marketing idiots? I'm not sure, but one thing that is as set in stone as Euler's theorom, diesels have to be designed and built from the ground up with the idea that the engine will be running diesel fuel. There are no shortcuts to doing it.
When I was selling Dodges in the early 90's we had two vehicles with competive advantages: the Cummins heavy duties (despite the fact that the truck itself looked like it came straight out of the 50's), and the Caravans. When somebody who wanted to tow a lot wanted to look at trucks, I'd always bring them to the Cummins powered 250/350's. More than 1/2 the time they'd object to the diesel before you could get the word out. What I would inform them is that it took Mercedes about 50 years to perfect the diesel motor, and it only took GM about 6 months to completely ruin that idea.
GM diesels in the 70's/80's: Worst motors ever built in the history of ever.
Anyway, what GM tried to pass off in the 70's as "diesel" was a joke. They tried in vein to convert their existing engine fleet into diesel options. Everybody knows you simply can't do that. Now is it because of GM's flawed experiment that we all know this or did the engineers try to warn the marketing idiots? I'm not sure, but one thing that is as set in stone as Euler's theorom, diesels have to be designed and built from the ground up with the idea that the engine will be running diesel fuel. There are no shortcuts to doing it.
When I was selling Dodges in the early 90's we had two vehicles with competive advantages: the Cummins heavy duties (despite the fact that the truck itself looked like it came straight out of the 50's), and the Caravans. When somebody who wanted to tow a lot wanted to look at trucks, I'd always bring them to the Cummins powered 250/350's. More than 1/2 the time they'd object to the diesel before you could get the word out. What I would inform them is that it took Mercedes about 50 years to perfect the diesel motor, and it only took GM about 6 months to completely ruin that idea.
GM diesels in the 70's/80's: Worst motors ever built in the history of ever.
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Originally Posted by scionofPCFL
Toyota's really killing their credibility. Hybrids? Please. Just give us damn diesels already. Then we'll talk, mmkay?
However, I understand businesses have to respond/be in line with market demands... and that people on this country probably wouldn't be willing to accept a diesel.
Originally Posted by SquallLHeart
^^ uhm.. aren't things about Toyotas bringing about new diesels next year? or other car companies too..
i think alot of car companies are mentioning that new diesel technology that's been developed will allow that to possibly happen next year. even yes.. in Cali..
i know i've been aching for a diesel car.
i think alot of car companies are mentioning that new diesel technology that's been developed will allow that to possibly happen next year. even yes.. in Cali..
i know i've been aching for a diesel car.
And yes, the GM diesels of the 70s were horrendous. It is responsible for the bad, undeserved image diesels have in this country.
Also, I've been thinking about that emissions issue. Even for an older diesel (which yes, "pollutes" more than their gasoline counterparts). But, people would be going significantly further on a give gallon of diesel than gasoline... so there has to be some sort of "evening-out" somewhere.
But honestly, even ignoring fuel efficiency, diesel engines in general are vastly more efficient, and a MUCH better match at the American driving style. In this country, its not really horsepower that helps you - its low-end torque. How many times do you have to reaccelerate from something like 20-40? Who cares if you have a million horsepower... what you want is to be able to quickly "get up and go," which is why low-end torque makes a lot more sense on this country's roads.
That's my "two cents," anyway
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But, people would be going significantly further on a give gallon of diesel than gasoline... so there has to be some sort of "evening-out" somewhere.
Oh, and not only are they more efficient and naturally more torquey, diesel motors last a lot longer than gas motors. Probably because they have to be built to such higher standards to deal with the compression, but I'm not for certain.
Oh, and not only all of that, but because there is a LOT less refining of oil --> diesel than oil --> gasonline, there's a tremendous trade off for all the smoke you see comming out of some of those diesels, although modern diesels don't smoke anymore.
As far as diesels not being performance oriantated, Audi is doing it's best to destroy that notion with their diesel race car. Not sure how it's doing right now, but last I checked, it was doing quite well.
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Diesels not performance minded???
Just the other day I watched a video on youtube with a 5.9L cummins dodge diesel smoking the ____ out of a twin turbo viper... it never had a chance.
and I saw a truck in a diesel magazine that had 1400 hp.
how much more performance do you need? haha
( and yes, I understand they are trucks )
Just the other day I watched a video on youtube with a 5.9L cummins dodge diesel smoking the ____ out of a twin turbo viper... it never had a chance.
and I saw a truck in a diesel magazine that had 1400 hp.
how much more performance do you need? haha
( and yes, I understand they are trucks )
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Diesels not performance minded?
And I can understand completely on the Viper being toast, you can't get one of those hook up for skit, and adding more power doesn't help that fact. What were the times just out of curiosity?
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[quote="scionofPCFL"]
As far as diesels not being performance oriantated, Audi is doing it's best to destroy that notion with their diesel race car. Not sure how it's doing right now, but last I checked, it was doing quite well.
Ah yes! The Audi R10 :D
It actually tends to finish first in just about anything it does (not to mention the fact it doesn't have to stop as often to refuel)! Definitely leading the way
A quick shot of our new hero
I've heard that the R10 is actually just about silent. You can barely hear the engine at all.. only tire and wind noise going over the body! Yet another diesel misconception out the window :D
And I hear you about the analogy on logic and emotion
Although I'm not the person you're talking to here (heh), I have seen some videos on YouTube of modified F250's dynoing at like 1500 lb-ft of torque and getting 9 second 1/4 miles! 
As far as diesels not being performance oriantated, Audi is doing it's best to destroy that notion with their diesel race car. Not sure how it's doing right now, but last I checked, it was doing quite well.
It actually tends to finish first in just about anything it does (not to mention the fact it doesn't have to stop as often to refuel)! Definitely leading the way
A quick shot of our new hero
I've heard that the R10 is actually just about silent. You can barely hear the engine at all.. only tire and wind noise going over the body! Yet another diesel misconception out the window :D
And I hear you about the analogy on logic and emotion
Originally Posted by scionofPCFL
And I can understand completely on the Viper being toast, you can't get one of those hook up for skit, and adding more power doesn't help that fact. What were the times just out of curiosity?
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[quote="paul34"]
As far as diesels not being performance oriantated, Audi is doing it's best to destroy that notion with their diesel race car. Not sure how it's doing right now, but last I checked, it was doing quite well.
Ah yes! The Audi R10 :D
It actually tends to finish first in just about anything it does (not to mention the fact it doesn't have to stop as often to refuel)! Definitely leading the way
A quick shot of our new hero
I've heard that the R10 is actually just about silent. You can barely hear the engine at all.. only tire and wind noise going over the body! Yet another diesel misconception out the window :D
And I hear you about the analogy on logic and emotion
Although I'm not the person you're talking to here (heh), I have seen some videos on YouTube of modified F250's dynoing at like 1500 lb-ft of torque and getting 9 second 1/4 miles!
Originally Posted by scionofPCFL
As far as diesels not being performance oriantated, Audi is doing it's best to destroy that notion with their diesel race car. Not sure how it's doing right now, but last I checked, it was doing quite well.
It actually tends to finish first in just about anything it does (not to mention the fact it doesn't have to stop as often to refuel)! Definitely leading the way
A quick shot of our new hero
I've heard that the R10 is actually just about silent. You can barely hear the engine at all.. only tire and wind noise going over the body! Yet another diesel misconception out the window :D
And I hear you about the analogy on logic and emotion
Originally Posted by scionofPCFL
And I can understand completely on the Viper being toast, you can't get one of those hook up for skit, and adding more power doesn't help that fact. What were the times just out of curiosity?
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Originally Posted by scionofPCFL
Toyota's really killing their credibility. Hybrids? Please. Just give us damn diesels already. Then we'll talk, mmkay?
You can use any heat transfer machine to create the electricity, the important thing is the symbiosis between said heat transfer machine and the electric motor-generator. And that's what Toyota is perfecting.
The diesel hybrid would have been sick!
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