Hydrogen-powered and airplane-style accommodations.
Japanese automotive behemoth Toyota is aiming to threaten the limousine establishment, with an innovative space-maximising concept that’s bound for the Tokyo motor show. Dubbed the ‘Fine-Comfort Ride,’ this concept utilises a hydrogen powertrain to offer excellent usability and unrivalled comfort, as you’d expect from high-end luxury transport.
Relative to the default full-size luxury limousine, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Toyota Fine-Comfort Ride measures in at a full 40cm shorter, though it sits on a wheelbase that’s some 30cm longer than the German. The wheels are pushed all the way off to the corners and as a result, there’s a cavernous interior waiting to be enjoyed. Sliding rear doors makes access to the four rear seats easy (two captain’s chairs and a third-row bench seat), while rolling refinement is taken care of with a unique underside cover that dampens road and tyre noise.
The hydrogen-powered luxury barge claims to be able to run for some 1,000km before requiring a refill, though outright range might not be the focus of this car. A quick peek inside will reveal seats that are fully-adjustable to posture (and even allowing for a flat-bed reclined position), various digital displays, and projected screens all over the place. The seats themselves can be moved around as needed, to promote passenger interaction or to allow for a little pocket of personal space.
Whether this will be the limousine of the future remains to be seen, though we think it’d be interesting to see this concept duke it out with a hydrogen Lexus when that comes about. Ultimately though, you have to admit: This van, as luxurious as it might be, doesn’t quite have the elegance of a saloon though does it?
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