‘Gen Y-ers’ are generally regarded as the first all-Digital/iPod/iPad/Social Media types and Toyota says its Detroit-debuting NS4 ‘Advanced Plug-in Hybrid Concept’ is their car.
“In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity. NS4 demonstrates Toyota’s take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society,” explained Toyota North America chief Jim Lentz.
Overlooking for one second automotive company research and development efforts in areas like safety and fuel-efficiency, in terms of their place in the communication hub ‘pecking order’, vehicles are the third-fastest growing technological device behind smartphones and tablets. No wonder Toyota has formed alliances with companies such as Microsoft, Intel and Salesforce.
Toyota NS4 also advances regular vehicle technology with a plug-in hybrid system with smaller-sized, lighter weight components, shorter charge time, longer range, livelier acceleration and reduced charging time.
Toyota NS4 also highlights improved everyday practicality can go hand-in-hand with style. On the one hand you have the aerodynamically smart front and rear ends, raked windscreen, swooping roofline and on the other it’s a hatchback and the side doors and electronically-operated swan-wing designs for efficient accessibility.
Even the glass is a smart design – absorbing UV and UVB rays and including both anti-fog and rain-resistant ‘hydrophobic’ coatings (the latter [prevents drops from forming for improved visibility).
Inside the Toyota NS4 runs a multi-touch screen layout to control just about everything in the car. And the system includes a large degree of intuitiveness – learning driver preferences and anticipating a response.
