At the heart of our strategy is Hybrid Synergy Drive, a full hybrid technology that we have been developing for many years. <br /><br /> Toyota’s full hybrid drive train first appeared in 1997 with the debut of the Toyota Prius... 13 years later and this system now powers over 2.3 million vehicles world-wide. <br /><br /> The word hybrid simply means a combination of two or more things; in the case of a Toyota this means two sources of power. An electric motor and a combustion engine.
To help understand how it works take a look at a tandem bicycle. <br /><br /> A tandem is also a hybrid vehicle because it has two power sources... a person at the front and a person at the back. On a tandem you have choices; the cyclist at the back can pedal alone, the cyclist at the front can pedal alone..... or they can both pedal together. Whatever the combination, the chain and gears make sure that the available power is always provided or available to drive to the wheel. <br /><br /> The same is true with Hybrid Synergy Drive. Toyota engineers realised that while electric motors could power a car at lower speeds, a petrol engine was better at higher speeds... it seemed logical that by combining the two they could achieve remarkable efficiencies.
In electric mode, powered by the electric motor alone, the car can be driven up to 2 Km at a maximum speed of 50 Km/h providing a near silent and a pollution-free drive. <br /><br /> At higher speeds the petrol engine takes over but when maximum acceleration is required then, just like the tandem where both cyclists pedal together, power from the petrol engine and electric motor combine providing instant power. <br /><br /> Two further driver selected configurations, ECO mode and Power mode give the driver further choice either to reduce emissions and enhance fuel efficiency or to access an even more responsive drive.
The flexibility of Hybrid Synergy Drive also allows Toyota to continue investigating a broad range of advanced energy sources and different types of eco-cars engineered to fit your personal driving needs.In pursuing our goal of zero emissions, we're developing the FT-EV II, an electric vehicle for urban use and short commute. <br /><br /> Plug-In hybrid vehicles will go on sale in two years time. Capable of being recharged from a standard electrical socket this vehicle will have an extended range in the silent, emission free Electric Vehicle mode.
The benefits of Hybrid Synergy Drive are clear, low CO2 emissions and outstanding fuel economy can be combined with seamless acceleration and outstanding reliability while in electric mode the full hybrid system enables silent, emission free driving.
<a href="/cars/coming_soon/auris_hsd/index.aspx">En savoir plus sur l'Auris</a>
<a href="/cars/new_cars/prius/index.aspx">En savoir plus sur la Prius</a>
Découvrez la Nouvelle Auris hybride en avant première
Nouvelle Prius. Préparez-vous à changer.
FCHV-adv. La nouvelle génération d'hybride à pile à combustible
Concept FT-EV II (Future Toyota Electric Vehicles II)