Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Toyota Teases B-Segment FT-Bh Hybrid Concept with Pics, Video [Geneva Auto Show]

Toyota FT-Bh hybrid concept

Toyota is bringing the funky-looking FT-Bh small hybrid concept to this year's Geneva auto show. The automaker released some teaser images and video of the FT-Bh, as well as a few morsels of info.

Toyota FT-Bh hybrid conceptThe concept's name stands for "Future Toyota B-segment hybrid," which pretty much sums up what you need to know: The FT-Bh is a B-segment-sized, gas/electric vehicle. The video reveals little, but does show enough to portend a radically styled hatchback—just check out the wild taillights and the undulating pillars at the rear. It's not clear yet if the car has three or five doors, but Toyota claims it will offer interior space similar to that of a five-door B-segment car.

According to Toyota, the FT-Bh was designed around five key fuel-efficiency-boosting tenets: mass reduction, aerodynamic optimization, powertrain efficiency, thermal-energy management, and electrical efficiency. As a result, the FT-Bh apparently weighs less than a three-door Toyota Aygo (which the company says comes in at roughly 1800 pounds). As for the success of the other tenets, at this point Toyota presumably expects us to use our imagination until more info becomes available.

Interestingly, the company says the hybrid's low weight was accomplished without using fancy materials. No specifics were given regarding the FT-Bh's "downsized full hybrid powertrain," but we expect to know more when the concept hits the Geneva show floor.


2012 Geneva auto show full coverage



from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com




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