Toyota's Fine-T Fuel Cell Hybrid Concept: Coming to NYC
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA 
on 04. 7.06
Toyota will bring their Fine-T fuel cell hybrid concept to the New York Auto Show next week. Originally unveiled in Japan as the Fine-X, it's powered by a new downsized, high-performance Toyota fuel-cell stack, and the hybrid components are mounted beneath the vehicle floor, making for more cabin space and a low center of gravity. As with the Fine-X, Toyota used plant-based, carbon-neutral materials for a range of interior elements, like door trim, suede-like ceiling material, seat nets and floor mats. Deriving "plastic" and other materials by processing polylactic acid (PLA) from sugar cane, Kenaf and other plant fiber is an idea that Toyota has been after for awhile, though this concept has some pretty interesting innovations: four-wheel large-angle steering system and independent four-wheel drive incorporating in-wheel motors for ease in parallel parking is just one of them. To see the rest, check out the New York Auto Show, April 14th through April 23. ::New York Auto Show via ::Green Car Congress
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From this angle, it looks like the product of a Merc A-Class shagging a Mini.
I would point out that in-wheel motors have more advantage than just easier parking. It may actually make the car more efficient. If you plant a motor in each wheel, you get the benefit of 4wd without a network of drive axles adding mass and friction which significantly reduces the amount of power that actually reaches the wheels. That also means you don't need a single motor that has to move the car itself, each motor only needs to produce a portion of the power needed, and if one motor fails the car can still run.
From this angle, it looks like the product of a Merc A-Class shagging a Mini.
I would point out that in-wheel motors have more advantage than just easier parking. It may actually make the car more efficient. If you plant a motor in each wheel, you get the benefit of 4wd without a network of drive axles adding mass and friction which significantly reduces the amount of power that actually reaches the wheels. That also means you don't need a single motor that has to move the car itself, each motor only needs to produce a portion of the power needed, and if one motor fails the car can still run.
Also,
In-wheel motors will be subject to shock from the road as they aren't suspended and having this extra mass on the wheel will result in poor-handling which could even be unsafe.
Although, Toyota seems to know what their doing.
I think it looks kind of like the Toyota Ractis...
Grant, you're right - more weight in the wheel could be a problem, but a small motor and a modern disc brake system could easily have a combined weight similar to a drum brake assembly, and those are not considered unsafe.
Modern electric motors only have one moving part, are very robust, and would be less likely to suffer from shock than the disc brake assemblies on your current car.
Keep in mind, that since you've removed all the mass, weight and friction of an axle/transmission system, you would need far less power to get equivalent performance to a conventional drivetrain. Thus, you won't need motors that weigh as much as an alternator.
FYI:
they're = they + are
their = multiple people owning something
The shock the motor absorbs is partly a function of the mass of the vehicle its holding up. An AWD electric will weigh significantly less. Also, using fluid filled bearings will take the shock and redistribute it as hydraulic pressure. This is the principle that keeps connecting rods from destroying crankshafts on every power stroke in an ICE.
The scale of the rendering's off. Its as if they designed it to be something the size of a smart for four yet its scaled to be a minivan.
Either way though no hybrid technology no matter how innovative or how technologically advanced it is will make a significant break into the market unless one of two things happens. Either A) there's legislation that makes it a must or B) they start making "green cars" that act like the cars that are raping our environment currently. What I mean by that is, people hate change and they're not smart, so if you say to the average person you could either buy a peppy little honda civic for 20k and be set for at least 10 years with a car we know is going to last that long and be fun to drive OR you could spend 30k and buy a civic hybrid which we really don't know how long its going to last and it handles like a brick towing a parachute...they're probably going to choose the non-hybrid.
I wish I could buy one now!
If I could have bought or leased an EV-1 I would have. If I could talk Toyota into letting me be an alpha or beta tester I would jump at the chance. (Are you reading this Toyota?) I Commute less than 25 miles each direction via the Freeway system here in L.A. so a Highway speed battery electric or better yet an F/C vehicle like this would be PERFECT for me.
Very innovative, and practical at the same time. Japanese Cargo Liners automakers are starting to lead innovation now, not just imitate it.I love it. I wish we were getting this instead of the oh so boring Fit as Hondas hatch back offering.
Stylish, economical, sporty, practical. Perfect car for me.