Toyota Launches Completely Redesigned Estima Hybrid

[MelissaB]

June 12, 2006

Toyota Launches Completely Redesigned Estima Hybrid

Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today the nationwide sales launch in Japan of the completely redesigned Estima Hybrid minivan through "Toyota" ("Osaka Toyopet" in the Osaka area) and "Toyota Corolla" dealers.

The Estima Hybrid was initially launched in 2001 as the world's first hybrid minivan, demonstrating new potential for hybrid vehicles. It achieved revolutionary fuel efficiency and clean exhaust emissions, and—through the world's first use of the E-Four (electric four-wheel-drive) system on a mass-production vehicle and an ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake) system—it provided exceptional maneuvering stability.


Estima Hybrid G (seven-seat vehicle, with options)

The new Estima Hybrid features the THS II*1, optimized for use on a minivan. The THS II was designed to achieve even better environmental and driving performance based on the concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive, which seeks to realize high fuel efficiency, low emissions, outstanding driving performance and quiet operation. As a result, the new Estima Hybrid boasts one of the world's highest fuel efficiency performances in its class*2, which is on par with a compact vehicle*3, and clean exhaust emissions. Furthermore, its dynamic performance surpasses that of other vehicles in its class, with high responsiveness characteristic of a hybrid vehicle, smooth, powerful acceleration and extremely quiet operation.


More: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/06/0612_2.html

Check these seats out and other pictures, too.



Link: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t117846.html

More photos: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2658285

[LeftyMom]

1. Why oh why don't they sell them here yet?

I want one.

[MelissaB]

2. Me, too.

I'm loving my Prius, but I want this to be my next car. The Prius is supposed to be hubby's, but he just couldn't take it away from me because I'm having so much fun. I've never had so much fun driving in my life. :)

[Vexatious Ape]

3. What's your average

mpg????? I'm getting between 47 and 51 mpg's with my Prius.

[MikeDuffy]

5. Got 40 mpg yesterday on a trip w/ my '68 beetle

that I bought 18 years ago for $950. Still, I plan to rebuild engine from 1600cc to 1300cc, so should then be able to get somewhat better mpg. And I'm sure I could still do better by paying more attention to tire pressure, timing, carburetor, etc etc. Car has no anti-pollution system, however, which I regret. I strongly suspect many cars could be altered relatively cheaply to boost mpg, but reliable info (even on internet) is hard to come by. Most info about beetles, for example, is concerning how to boost HP and rather little on how to improve mpg.

[Vodid]

7. VW beetle mileage

MikeDuffy...I cannot send private messages (not enough posts) which is probably how this should be sent, but I am very curious about what you've done to improve the mileage of your VW. Are there websites you can recommend? What did you do on your car? I'd love to correspond directly with you.

[don954]

10. My TDI 2006 bug gets 42mpg with my driving.

last year for the model, they have some issues with new regulations. I have one and my sister has one, we spend 1/3rd the amount on fuel we used to.

[MelissaB]

12. First tank 52, second 51, third 50.

Short trips and kill my mpg. Well, they don't really kill it. 50 is still darn good. :)

[histohoney]

6. Me, too

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[madrchsod]

4. very nice for those who can afford them

that is the problem, it will take years for these types of vehicles to make a dent in the energy problem.

[lindisfarne]

8. In the meantime, people can buy a Toyota Corolla. Great gas mileage

and much cheaper.

[MelissaB]

13. I paid about $21,000 for my Prius and it's larger than the Corolla.

I needed something larger for my family and wanted the technology. I'm happy. :) The van would take a lot of saving for the $$, but we really do need one. I inherited my mother's Expedition (actually paid my stepfather for it) and it gets 12-14 mpg. :( That's a lot of gas...

[lindisfarne]

9. Anyone find the mileage anywhere? Is it 45 mpg? (check my math)

If that's correct, I'm impressed.

Found the following: 20km/l. 1 liter = 3.78 gallons; 1 km = .6 miles
So that's 20 km/l * 3.78 l/gal = 75.6 km/gallon
75.6 km/gal * .6 mi/km = 45.36 miles/gal

With the aim of reducing CO2 emissions, the new Estima Hybrid boasts a fuel efficiency of 20.0km/l (in the 10-15 test cycle outlined by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport—MLIT), equivalent to that of a compact-class vehicle. In addition, fuel efficiency is more than 20% greater than the level called for by the Japanese 2010 standards*, and both NOx (nitrogen oxides) and NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons) have been cut, achieving emissions levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry’s Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles. These achievements mean the vehicle qualifies for incentives under the Japanese government’s Green Taxation System. CO2 emissions under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle are just 116g/km (as measured by MLIT).

[skids]

11. That's about what I got, too.

Not bad for a minivan.