Three new Toyota concepts for Tokyo

14 October 2003: Toyota will be using the Tokyo Motor Show to show three vehicle concepts that demonstrate how advanced technology to protect the environment no longer needs to compromise driving performance.

The PM (Personal Mobility) is a one-person vehicle where the driver sits inside a pod-like cabin that is equipped with twin pistol grip controls for by-wire steering, braking and acceleration. Power is from a rear-mounted brushless electric motor.

A visual communication system keeps the car in touch with other PMs so the vehicles can share information and "chat" about experiences. The PMs are social machines and can move in groups (platooning), one taking the lead and the others following at safe intervals on auto pilot. Only the car in front needs to have the destination programmed into its navigation system.

The Fine-N has a hydrogen fuel stack that is just 150mm tall and is housed in the floor of the car, along with the lithium ion battery. The smaller dimensions of the fuel cell have been achieved partly by storing the compressed hydrogen under greater pressure (70mpa or about 700 atmospheres).

Instead of a conventional drivetrain, the Fine-N uses by-wire steering, braking and throttle controls. With no mechanical constraints, the steering wheel and pedals can be positioned to suit the preferences of any driver and the Fine-N has cabin space greater than that of a Camry, contained within a body that is about the size of a Corolla.

Each wheel is equipped with its own 25kW motor, and the driving range is up to 500km (312.5 miles).

The NLSV is two-box design that features large, single electric sliding doors on each side, and a low floor that is completely flat and the ceiling is high, giving the NLSV a walk-through facility.

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