Toyota FT-Bh light weight aerodynamic hybrid

[NeilBlanchard]

Toyota is showing a new FT-Bh concept car at Geneva -- under 1,800 pounds, Cd of 0.235, and 112MPG all sound great!

Minimalist Toyota FT-Bh Concept boasts 112 miles per gallon

Save the disconnected front fenders and the fanciful interior (though I hope they keep the thin seats!), it looks to be pretty darn good!






Here's the very iffy front end:



A Cd of 0.235, and weight at about 1,800 pounds, 2 cylinder 1L long stroke Atkinson cycle engine, claimed 112MPG, side view video mirrors, thin seats -- it all sounds pretty sweet.

[jamesqf]

I rather like the front end. Of course the question is whether the wheel vents confer real aerodynamic benefits. Now if only they could get rid of the idea that it has to have four doors (and four seats), and recline the seating a bit for comfort...

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I know what those red wavy squiggles do, I used them to break up sound nodes before on my hovercraft (back in 2008).

Hovercraft - Experimental Skirt Project - Page 2 - Boat Design Forums



I think in this application they are attempting to stagger the release of air from the body to deter or delay vortex formation.

Regarding the front end, several Pike's Peak winners/runners have been using similar tools for years and netting good results.

[samwichse]

Finally, a real Insight I successor!

[NeilBlanchard]

Right, the wavy edge is not unlike whale fluke or an owl's wing -- these have been shown to make wind turbine blades and fan blades quieter, too.

I hope that Toyota sells a plugin version and maybe even a serial hybrid; though obviously they have a lot invested in their multi-mode hybrid system.

[Frank Lee]

Kinda looks like something that butcher Bangle at BMW would come up with.

If it works I could get used to it though.

[Rokeby]

I see more than a little Mercedes box fish in the design:


Fish-inspired Mercedes bionic car

[Daox]

Yeah, thats what I thought of too when I first saw it.

[Rokeby]

While the FT-Bh may look a little weird – we're reminded of how odd
the Prius looked before we'd gotten used to the shape – this may well
be what the next generation of hybrids will look like. While Toyota has
thrown out some branding buzzwords to describe the FT-Bh's "Ecomotion"
theme (or is that "Under Priority" design language? or "Keen Look"
styling?) the bottom line is that it's all about aerodynamics. This is why
the FT-Bh uses cameras rather than side-view mirrors and doesn't have
door handles. It's also why the front end has those "air curtain" intakes
and there's an underfloor spoiler in the rear.
Minimalist Toyota FT-Bh Concept boasts 112 miles per gallon

Although it is not so readily apparent, I can also see some resemblance
in the front end treatment to the third iteration of the VW X1L, ~235 MPG,
set for limited production in 2013:



I suppose that' could be called "design convergence" as opposed to
"copy cat."

The XL1 uses plug-in diesel hybrid powertrain, with a 2-cylinder TDI
motor with 48-hp, mated to a 27-hp electric motor and using a 7-speed
dual clutch gearbox. Volkswagen says that due to the plug-in hybrid
setup, the power contained in the lithium-ion battery pack can propel
the car 35 km (roughly 22 miles) emissions free.
Volkwswagen XL1 Concept Headed for Limited Production in 2013

Full description: Volkswagen XL1 Test Drive - Popular Mechanics

As to the nose treatment appearing on Pikes Peak Hill Climb cars,
well I don't know. A quick Googleing suggests that where the class
rules permit, generating serious down force is most important:

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's an article with a little more info:

Toyota To Sell FT-Bh Hybrid Subcompact, At 60 MPG-Plus, After 2015