High-performance cars of tomorrow Aida Sevilla-Mendoza Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 03, 2009
(Second of three parts)
PURSUING THE 41ST Tokyo Motor Show’s (TMS) sustainable mobility theme, Toyota Motor Corporation manifested its leadership in the development of tomorrow’s eco-friendly cars by displaying the Plug-in Hybrid Prius, the hybrid-only 2.4-liter Sai sedan and the all-electric urban commuter FT-EV II. At the same time, the world’s largest auto maker balanced its environmental technology showcase with fun-to-drive cars by premiering, together with its luxury brand Lexus, high-performance concept vehicles that have long been anticipated by car connoisseurs.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda, grandson of the founder of Toyota and a big fan of high-performance cars, gave the go signal for these concept vehicles to finally hit production. In a speech in Tokyo last month, Toyoda said that the company plans to put greater effort from now on into building “more emotional cars” and that these high-performance concepts are just the first in a long line.
Toyota marked its return to the creation of exciting cars with the world premiere at the 41st TMS of the FT (Future Toyota)-86, a flash red compact rear wheel drive sports concept powered by a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder boxer engine supplied by Subaru that produces 150 hp max and is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The highly anticipated successor to the popular Corolla AE-86 “Hachi Roku” coupe of the 1980s (if not the Celica or the Supra MR-2) is a “Toyobaru,” a joint Toyota/ Subaru concept with a 2+2 layout, ADVICS brakes, a low center of gravity and an aerodynamically designed, lightweight body—elements that give it the quick acceleration, road-hugging stability and handling of a race car.
Hot hybrid While the Toyota FT-86 will be an affordable sports car with a conventional internal combustion engine scheduled for production in 2011, the Lexus LF-Ch concept is a full hybrid 5-door luxury compact hatchback, Lexus’ rebuttal to hardcore driving enthusiasts who regard hybrids as slow and boring.
Billed as a “BMW 1 Series, but hybrid,” this hot hybrid hatchback will grab market share from the BMW 1, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 in the most demanding premium compact segment. Powered by the latest Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the LF-Ch can be driven in a fully electric EV mode for virtually silent urban motoring with zero emissions. The LF-Ch has four drive settings: Normal, Eco for maximum fuel efficiency, EV and the Sport mode that amplifies throttle response and delivers dynamic acceleration on the highway.
The LF-Ch’s styling, evolved from the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy, features a bolder Lexus grille and a bulging front bumper with a trio of air intakes. The sharply sculpted aerodynamic front fenders, wide track, long wheelbase, 20-inch wheels and low center of gravity suggest a perfect balance of precision and power while the calming blue interior illumination contrasts with the lively yellow exterior finish to express the harmonious synergy of the design. Inside, a Remote Touch interface lets the driver control and customize a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.
Supercar But the real star of the show was the LFA, the flagship of the Lexus “F” sports car series, which made its world debut at the 41st TMS after being tested in the grueling Nurburgring 24-hour race. The LFA’s front mid-engine layout, long wheelbase, short overhangs and snug, low-slung driver-centered cockpit identify it as a supercar. More than nine years in the making, the rear-wheel-drive Lexus LFA is powered by a mid-mounted 4.8-liter V10 that generates 552 bhp and 354 lb-ft of torque for a zero to 100 kph dash in 3.7 seconds toward a top speed of 325 kph, faster than the Nissan GT-R and at par with a Ferrari 599.
The engine can rev to an extraordinary 9,000 rpm redline and is mated to a 6-speed paddle-shifted automated sequential gearbox mounted on the rear axle for an optimal 48:52 front-to-rear weight distribution. Together with the double wishbone/ multilink front/ rear suspension, this balance contributes to the LFA’s blistering performance and stability, especially in cornering.
To keep weight to a minimum and to allow shapes, curves and edges not possible with metal, 65 percent of the LFA’s body is made from light but strong carbon fiber reinforced polymer. Carbon ceramic brake discs, aluminum suspension components and 20-inch forged wheels keep unsprung weight down, too. By integrating the numerous vehicle dynamic functions, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management ensures vehicle stability and preventive safety without interfering with the driver’s enthusiastic driving style.
At the 41st TMS last month, Lexus began accepting pre-orders for the LFA, only 500 of which will be built and sold worldwide for $375,000 each. All 500 LFA supercars will be hand-assembled to custom order at a rate of 20 units per month in Toyota City starting in Dec. 2010.
