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Toyota Reveals NS4 Advanced Plug-In Hybrid Concept
'Vision of the Future' Concept Vehicle Powertrain Advanced Features, Human-Machine Interface and Safety Features.
DETROIT, January 10, 2012 - Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS), today revealed NS4 sophisticated plug-in hybrid concept vehicle at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. NS4 marks Toyota's vision for the future of mobility with a focus on connectivity and human interface.
Toyota engineers are challenged to design a new medium for the introduction of the concept of global potential market by 2015. The concept of NS4 is dedicated plug-in hybrid, the Prius apart from family, designed with mobility requirements of the future in mind.
"In this digital age, the car becomes another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity," said Jim Lentz, TMS president and chief operating officer. "NS4 shows Toyota is taking the human relationship to the car with technology that consider both emotional and rational relations, person-to car and car-to-society."
NS4's advanced powertrain target generation Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in system displays a reduction in component size and weight by increasing the overall fuel economy, better acceleration and more all-electric range, while maintaining the cost of a short time.
Sleek styling, Futuristic
NS4 concept signals a new styling direction for the brand Toyota aims to create an emotional connection with consumers. NS4 lines reflect the new style took the aerodynamics of the triangle is modified, with a low altitude and the cabin-forward tilt. Trapezoidal grille accented by distinctive open lower spoiler and wing-like floating daytime running lights wrap around for sculpted fenders. Rear lights wrap the sides of the vehicle to the quarter-coated blister fenders, while the rear wing lights create the effect of sharp edges and a rear spoiler.
A-pillars are ultra thin to improve driver visibility while maintaining the roof
destroy the integrity. Profile roofline, raised back design and powered swan-wing doors creating greater accessibility and functionality efficiently.
Improved Connectivity
Traditional vehicle development cycle an average of four years, but this is rapidly changing in the digital age. Vehicle has been a center of communication in consumer lifestyles and the connected-car must integrate the latest technology into their product offerings. In fact, the vehicle is a device that connects the third fastest growing technology, behind smartphones and tablets.
Toyota has formed special alliances with technology leaders like Microsoft, Intel and Salesforce to explore the creation of a vehicle interface seamlessly with the technology. This alliance will help ensure that Toyota is at the forefront of this emerging sector of the automotive market.
Human-Machine Interface Concept's NS4 (HMI) provides a user interface built around multi-touch screen smartphone with the look and feel. Operation is simple, intuitive convey information quickly and minimize disruption and maximize driver awareness. Improved multimedia and vehicle-control will also direct air-conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions. HMI system is even capable of preference drivers "learn" and custom drivers to anticipate responses in certain environments and situations. This concept is a vehicle that really connected, which offers the latest technology in a package that is responsible and comfortable.
State-of-the-Art Safety Features
NS4 introduced the Pre-Collision System generation next (PCS) with a lane departure, rear-end and pedestrian collision avoidance technology that is designed to predict collisions in certain circumstances and help avoid them. PCS uses millimeter wave radar and stereo cameras mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect and react to the departure lane, pedestrians and other vehicles. In addition, the system emits near-infrared beams to enhance the recognition PCS at night. Driver assistance features help to avoid collisions with other vehicles, road-side barrier, and pedestrians by applying the brakes and steering manipulate.
PCS generations now, available in certain Lexus and Toyota vehicles, designed to identify a specific object directly in front of the street. If PCS determines that a collision is imminent, brake assist system is placed in standby mode, a warning is displayed and the buzzer sounded. If PCS determines that a collision is unavoidable, the system still will alert the driver via warning lights, warning display and buzzer, and apply the brakes automatically retract the seat belt driver and front passenger.
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) lights help prevent vision-damaging glare to approaching drivers and pedestrians. Using a camera mounted behind the front grille and a partial shield inside the lamp, this feature allows the driver to maintain close high-beam lighting to improve nighttime visibility.
Hood structure of pop-ups automatically raise the rear hood to increase the space underneath, helping to reduce pedestrian head injuries caused by collision with the front of the vehicle, within a certain speed range. This innovation is the result of testing and verification using both conventional crash-test dummies and Model of the Human Toyota for Safety (THUMS) virtual models.
Using sub-millimeter wave radar, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) is designed to detect vehicles in adjacent lane and visually alerts the driver using a visual indicator is placed on the dashboard above.
Four new glass technologies are integrated into the windshield and the front triangle, doors, and rear window to improve visibility of the driver, mileage and efficiency of electric mode driving mileage:
- Hydrophobic layer â € "Fluorine coated glass causing rain to form a semispherical shape to increase visibility and removal of rain drop (also used in solar roof panels)
- Anti-fog Film â € "high-performance resin with anti-fogging characteristics and improved durability
- High ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inner-layer â € "Removing 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB
- Anti-film solar radio wave transparency â € "Reducing internal vehicle temperature and increase the functionality of electronic devices
Inside and outside rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras that provide the driver with a panoramic view to the rear. Image displayed on the dashboard behind special screens mounted above the navigation screen and gives a broader view than conventional rear view mirrors. Panoramic rear camera system works in combination with Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) enhance driving visibility.
"The continued success of conventional hybrid vehicles we have laid a solid foundation for market acceptance of advanced technologies of the future," said Lentz. "NS4 demonstrate Toyota's commitment to improve safety, efficiency, and convenience of mobility of the future for people everywhere."
Interior Design
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.