Toyota showcases its hybrid future – again – at next month’s Geneva Motor Show with the first production form appearance of the Yaris Hybrid and the world premiere of the FT-Bh concept.
Although ruled-out for Australia – Toyota’s hybrid stream here is the Prius – the Yaris hybrid is slated for European market launch in June. Running the well-known Hybrid Synergy Drive system, Toyota says the Yaris hybrid will be Europe’s first full hybrid compact car and will pave the way for many new customers to consider the Toyota nameplate.
Going one step further is the Toyota FT-Bh concept car which makes its world debut in Geneva. Currently materials and production processes for hybrid vehicles are complex and complex means extra cost.
Toyota says the FT-Bh concept, a full hybrid city car concept, is significant because its creation specifically avoids expensive materials and manufacturing complexity.
Other manufacturers will be keen on a close-up inspection of the Toyota FT-Bh.
Also showcased by Toyota in Geneva will be Tokyo Motor Show debutants NS4 plug-in hybrid and FCV-R hydrogen fuel-cell sedan plus the Fun-Vii – renamed the ‘diji’.
