Toyota Alphard

Another hybrid electric MPV thing from Toyota

By PH Staff / Thursday, 31 July 2003 / Loading comments

Toyota is pushing ahead with hybrid technology and has just launched its sixth hybrid vehicle in Japan (we lied about the cup holders).

The Alphard Hybrid is a full-size MPV that uses the Toyota Hybrid System-CVT (THS-C). This comprises a 2.4-litre petrol engine and front and rear electric motors with a Super CVT continuously variable transmission, E-Four electric four-wheel drive system and other electric things.

The E-Four system controls a rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels and controls the distribution of electric power to all four wheels. The brakes are also electrically controlled and help collect kinetic energy to convert into electric power.

The E-Four system is also supremely fuel-efficient... bla bla... economy ... standards... cup holders ... bla bla ... air conditioning... aerodynamics ... new car smell... . Consumption is further aided by the car’s aerodynamic design, reduced operating resistance in each element of the powertrain and passengers inflated with helium.

The system uses a hybrid battery with an output greater than any other yet produced and offers excellent energy management. The Alphard Hybrid can generate up to 1,500 watts and is equipped with standard 100-volt AC power outlets, allowing a wide range of household or business appliances to be used, such as hairdryers and microwave ovens and train sets. The battery is located beneath the front seats, so does not compromise the vehicle’s luggage capacity at the rear but does mean that there's nowhere to bung your crisp packets.

The Alphard Hybrid is also weighed down with other stuff including a Blind Corner Monitor, which detects vehicles or pedestrians approaching from left or right, a Back Guide Monitor with a rear-facing camera to aid reversing manoeuvres, radar-based intelligent cruise control and a lane monitoring system which measures the lateral distance between the vehicle and the margins of motorway lanes and sounds a warning if the car’s course begins to drift out of the middle lane.

It's got lots of other stuff too.