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• DaimlerChrysler presents F 400 Carving research vehicle with dynamic chassis technology at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001
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• Chevrolet Introduces The "Cruze" Compact Lifestyle Vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001, Jointly Developed By GM, Suzuki
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• Porsche invests approx. 250 million marks in Leipzig
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• Toyota and Daihatsu Announce Plans for Tokyo Motor Show
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• Andrej Barcak To Take Over European Remarketing And Used Vehicles
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• Seita Kanai and the new Mazda 6
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• Ford Reports Third Quarter Loss
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• GM, Ford And DaimlerChrysler Go After Parts Counterfeiters
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• Valeo announces a plan to close its Baumenheim plant in Germany
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News of  October 24, 2001
.

Toyota and Daihatsu Announce Plans for Tokyo Motor Show

• Toyota and Daihatsu to Present "New Dream-filled Mobility"

• "35th Tokyo Motor Show Concepts to Include Super Fuel-saving ES3 and UFE"

Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) and DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. (Daihatsu) plan to exhibit 85 vehicles at the coming 35th Tokyo Motor Show (Oct. 27-Nov. 7) in Makuhari, Chiba, under the inspiring theme "New Dream-filled Mobility".

While giving full play to the genuine automotive allures of the joy of mobility and the excitement of driving, TMC and Daihatsu will showcase innovative environment-benefiting and other technologies in everything from minicars to large passenger vehicles.

The scheduled display lineup, comprised of 29 concept cars and 56 production vehicles from 40 vehicle series, can mostly be classified into one of the following categories: ecology, sports, new concept and motorsports. TMC and Daihatsu will also present numerous exhibits concerning the environment, safety, information technology (IT) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

TMC and Daihatsu will demonstrate their efforts to make cars that reflect concern for the global environment by presenting ecology-minded vehicles featuring revolutionary environmental technologies for easy recycling, cleaner emissions, high fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.

Toyota ES3 (E-S cubic)

The ES3 is a four-seater concept that brings together technologies centered on providing high recyclability and low emissions, while realizing an ultra-high fuel efficiency of 47 km/liter (in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle in in-house tests). Its name is intended to indicate its multidimensional approach to being a car full of "Eco Spirit".

Ultra-high fuel efficiency

A lightweight aluminum and resin body keeps curb weight down to only 700 kg, while an outstanding aerodynamics Cd value of 0.23 decreases running resistance. Further fuel savings are made by combining a high-performance 1.4-liter direct-injection diesel turbo engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Two key hybrid technologies -- "idling stop" and regenerative braking - help cut down on energy waste. With "idling stop", the engine automatically shuts off when the vehicle comes to a rest. Meanwhile, regenerative braking is used to recover energy during deceleration.

Cleaner emissions

TMC’s proprietary Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System (DPNR), a new catalytic converter technology, makes emissions from the ES3’s diesel engine just as clean as those from J-LEV (Japan-Low Emission Vehicle)-level gasoline-powered vehicles.

Toyota fuel cell hybrid vehicles

Two different types of fuel cell hybrid vehicles (FCHVs) featuring the Toyota FC Stack and energy regeneration will be displayed: the FCHV-4, which uses high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, and the FCHV-5, which features a clean hydrocarbon fuel (CHF) reformer.

While the FCHV-4 is based on the premise of a future pure-hydrogen society, the FCHV-5, out of consideration that certain regions may experience delays in the expansion of a hydrogen infrastructure, is fueled by CHF, which can be obtained not only from petroleum, but also from natural gas, coal and other sources. The FCHV-5’s on-board creation of hydrogen from reformed CHF allows it to immediately contribute to wider use of fuel-cell-powered vehicles. At the same time, because clean-burning CHF can also be used in conventional internal combustion engines, it can play an important role in making internal combustion engines more Earth-friendly.

Daihatsu UFE

The UFE (which stands for "Ultra Fuel Economy") is a four-seater hybrid minivehicle that achieves an ultra-high fuel efficiency of 55 km/liter (in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle) and features an Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) system.

An ultra-lightweight aluminum and resin body results in a curb weight of only 630 kg, while an aerodynamics Cd value of 0.25 keeps running resistance to a minimum. The hybrid system is comprised of a 660cc direct-injection gasoline engine, two motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Daihatsu MOVE FCV-K-II

Following up on the world’s first fuel-cell-powered (methanol-reformer type) minivehicle, which it displayed at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu presents the MOVE FCV-K-II, the world’s first four-seater fuel-cell minivehicle that uses a high-pressure hydrogen storage tank system. (The "K" in its name comes from the Japanese word used to denote minivehicles.)

At the heart of the MOVE FCV-K-II’s fuel-cell system is a 30 kW version of the high-performance Toyota FC Stack, which is installed beneath the floor at the rear of the vehicle. The car also has a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, as well as an electric motor and a CVT, and achieves a high rate of energy regeneration.

Daihatsu ATRAI HYBRID-IV

The ATRAI HYBRID-IV is a four-seater hybrid minivehicle that links a 660cc gasoline engine with an electric motor and incorporates TMC’s hybrid technologies to achieve high fuel efficiency and a significant reduction in emissions.

Equipped with an "idling stop" function and regenerative braking, the ATRAI HYBRID-IV gets about 30% better fuel economy than conventional minivehicles. Its emissions levels comply with ULEV (ultra low emission vehicle) standards.

Sports

Under the concept of sports come TMC and Daihatsu new-type sports cars that pursue the true appeal of automobiles: beautiful styling and the joy of driving.

Toyota FXS

The FXS (short for "Future Experimental Sports") is a two-seater V8 roadster with a six-speed sequential manual transmission and plenty of sex appeal.

A highly rigid open body, a 4.3-liter V8 engine, a six-speed sequential manual transmission and a four-wheel double wishbone suspension come together for driving and handling fun.

Toyota RSC

The RSC (short for "Rugged Sport Coupe") is a crossover 4WD off-road sports car that merges a "two-plus-two" sports car with an SUV and features a rugged, rally car-minded style. Its impressive "mechanical form" exterior styling brandishes clear cut edges and muscular wheel flares paired off with large-diameter tires. A sequential shift lever and full bucket seats with carbon frames give the RSC a simple but functional interior.

Daihatsu COPEN

The COPEN (coined from "compact" and "open") brings new excitement to the minivehicle arena by being the first mini-roadster with an electrically operated hard top. Its two-seater silhouette with an original cabin-in-forward design creates a rich feeling, while its performance is honed through a quick-response 660cc twin-cam four-cylinder turbo-charged engine and a precisely tuned suspension for an exciting and direct-sensation driving experience. The retractable aluminum top enables an active driving experience regardless of the weather or season.

New Concepts

Representative of new concept vehicles will be TMC and Daihatsu cars meant to enhance the inherent value of automobiles through the inclusion of IT-enabled communication and other functions suitable for the new century.

Toyota pod

Developed in collaboration with Sony Corporation, the pod is a near-future, IT-centered vehicle that proposes new relationships between cars and people. It takes the car from being just a tool, to being a partner -- as the car-user relationship deepens, both the automobile and the people using it can grow.

The pod (the name of which is based on the concept of gently enveloping and protecting the car’s occupants) is personified to help it detect the feelings of the driver and to express itself. It comes with a portable terminal that can be used to start the ignition before even entering the car. Using various sensors that detect and store information on the drivers’ preferences at home and at work, driving conditions, etc., the car can gauge the driver’s level of skill and degree of huriedness and provide feedback, thereby contributing to driver growth.

Toyota DMT

The DMT (short for "Dual Mode Traveler") is a minivan-sized special-purpose vehicle that has appeal, both in motion and at rest.

The cabin, with its cruiser-style high eye-point for excellent visibility, and a wide-opening roof offer unprecedented driving pleasure. The DMT boasts several ITS attributes, including an advanced radar cruise control system that maintains vehicle-to-vehicle distance even during crawl-pace traffic jams, as well as an ability to automatically pay parking fees and road tolls.

Toyota ist

The ist is a new-genre compact car that combines the active feel of an SUV, the utility of a station wagon, the stylish sense of a specialty car and the essence of a premium-class automobile.

On the outside, large-diameter tires -- and the emphasis placed on them by the exterior styling -- put forth an active feel, while the ist’s cab-forward form and the visual effects of its windows blend smoothly into the rear to express solidity.

On the inside, the ist (which gets its name from the suffix "-ist", indicating someone who creates or performs) comes with a show-window-like internally lit "illumination multi-box" storage space in the center cluster, as well as, among other touches, instrument panel and door trim featuring a geometric motif and finished in metallic paint for a sense of luxury.

Toyota Voltz

Equipped with a high-utility luggage area, the Voltz (from the word "voltage") is a new class of vehicle -- a small "SU wagon" – that combines the powerful style of an SUV and the sportiness of a coupe for a versatile and electrifying experience.

WiLL VC

All photos: Toyota

The WiLL VC is a five-door hatchback based on the WiLL concept of "a sense of fun and authenticity" and equipped with an innovative "G-Book" information terminal to achieve the creation of a new mobile space suitable for the IT era.

The WiLL VC can be hooked up to network services such as Internet access, e-mail and real-time navigation. It also comes with such features as SD (secure digital) memory audio and provides non-intrusive two-way voice support that allows for voice-recognition operational commands, the reading aloud of received information and hands-free phone operation.

Exterior styling revolves around a "cyber capsule" theme, while the interior design seeks to evoke a sense of attachment by repeating the use of circular elements.

Daihatsu FF Ultra Space

The FF Ultra Space is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive next-generation new-concept car that provides a personal zone for relaxation in a minivehicle-size package. On the outside it presents a unique and stirring "one-motion" form, while the interior takes on a bright and open-space ambiance thanks to a full glass roof.

Passenger car-like easy ingress and egress and riding comfort, combined with station wagon-like interior spaciousness, create a new level of value and economy for minivehicles.

Daihatsu MUSE

The MUSE (coined from "magic" and "use" to denote a car with magical appeal) is a next-generation premium minivehicle ideal for people with their own concept of taste. Its trapezoid shape, with stately, sturdy, high-quality doors, provides a sense of stability. Its universal design makes handling easy for just about anyone, and on-board IT devices fast-forward the present to the near future. All in all, the MUSE’s quality and comfort make it a pleasure to own and drive.

Daihatsu U4B

The U4B (short for "Urban 4x4 Buggy") is a stylish four-wheel drive minivehicle with a new sensibility that merges the comfort of a passenger car and the functionality of an SUV. An endearing and massive round form creates an exterior that emphasizes harmony with nature. At the same time, a high-quality modern-yet-casual atmosphere prevails on the inside. The U4B’s compact body and large-diameter tires provide nimble and sure-footed handling during off-road maneuvers.

(Oct. 17, 2001)

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