Toyota will introduce a new high performance hybrid powertrain next year to be made available as an option on a number of its models.
Johan van Zyl, president and CEO of Toyota Europe said that it is the company’s ambition to offer two hybrid powertrains so customers will have the option of more power and increased driving dynamics. He added that further details will be announced early next year.
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Speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show he said: “It is now 20 years since Toyota started the electric revolution with the Prius. Hybrid technology was our vision for the 21st century and we have been proved right. The technology is now a priority for many other car companies.”
The C-HR Hy-Power design study was shown in Frankfurt. A team at Toyota’s European design studio in the South of France have created a new interpretation of the C-HR crossover to explore the possibility of a higher-powered hybrid model joining the range.
The carmaker now sells 16 different hybrid models in Europe with mated with seven powertrains and these now account for 40% of European sales.
Overall sales in the region, van Zyl said, are running 11% ahead of 2016 and he is confident of hitting a 1 million sales target by the end of this year.
Despite its burgeoning hybrid technology, Toyota also unveiled the latest version of its “king of off-roaders” the Land Cruiser. It remains the only vehicle in its class with body-on-frame architecture and comes with upgraded interior and a new torsion locking differential for improved handling.
Van Zyl said the Land Cruiser will sell in around most of Europe with a 2.8-litre diesel although Russia and some other markets around the world will get 2.7-litre and 4.0-litre petrol engines.
Toyota at IAA:
- Toyota C-HR Hy-Power concept; previews possible high performance hybrid model
- Toyota Land Cruiser/Prado facelift: it’s called ‘new’ but it’s another update for the body-on-frame SUV which Hino has been building at its Hamura plant since August 2009
