Toyota to unveil its all-electric concept, not exactly forthcoming with details

Among the small clutch of green autos on view at the Detroit auto show early next year, Toyota will be debuting an as-yet-unnamed all electric car concept. This is meant to demonstrate the company's commitment to electric, a move which only makes sense, seeing as the whole "peak oil" thing is pretty much destined to make the gas guzzler obsolete. Still, the car arrives without much fanfare or details -- all we really know is that it's all electric and that it's smaller than a Prius. This comes after the Japanese automaker's push into electric fuel cell development and their stated intention to have an EV on the market alongside the next gen Prius hybrid in 2010. Of course, we all thought we'd have flying cars by 2010, but the industry's inability to produce a robust all-electric motor has certainly put the kibosh on that once great dream.

Update: When we initially posted this item, we ran it with a pic of Toyota's iQ (a perfectly reasonable move in lieu of the fact that Toyota has yet to release a picture of the car). After Engadget Spanish turned us on to a more suitable image, we moved the iQ car after the break.

[Via Wired]

[Ro @ Dec 24th 2008 9:37AM]

looks like a scion

[Peter @ Dec 24th 2008 10:05AM]

The photo above is actually the toyota Eyego. It would make a great addition to the scion line... better than the stupid haiko or whatever the hell that was toyota/scion previewed as a concept.

[Only a Passerby @ Dec 24th 2008 10:00AM]

The car in the picture is not really a prototype, it's simply toyota's smart fortwo knock-off, iq, which just entered production.

[matt @ Dec 24th 2008 3:58PM]

The aygo is a different thing, it's the same as the peugeot 107 and the citroen c1. Nice little cars, although I imagine that the iq slots in just above them as a slightly premium version.

[Flaystus @ Dec 24th 2008 9:37AM]

Looks like my Yaris if it went on a diet.

[kjb434 @ Dec 24th 2008 9:39AM]

Just give me a real petrol car!

[phanbouy fan fan @ Dec 24th 2008 11:50AM]

yeah those are so hard to find, ZOMG!

tool

[max_lux @ Dec 24th 2008 10:04AM]

It looks like it would almost fit in the trunk of my '76 Lincoln.

[gonintendo @ Dec 24th 2008 11:10AM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MS9fk1u6kA

[gonintendo @ Dec 24th 2008 11:10AM]

sorry wrong one,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQA9HdmKeoo&feature=related

[ObsoletePower @ Dec 24th 2008 9:48AM]

That's just butt ugly, what a piece of shit....For all you losers that bought a Toyota Yaris or a Nissan Versa this should be the icing on the cake for you!

[Flaystus @ Dec 24th 2008 9:53AM]

Loser? I love my Yaris. Its small whips through traffic and gets great gas mileage.

Now if I hadn't gotten a stick shift... I'd hate it.

[ObsoletePower @ Dec 24th 2008 10:03AM]

Yes except it has no style, no luxury and it looks like a miniature clown car! Inside it's got cheap plastics and a lousy audio console. A Yaris on the highway is almost as dangerous as a cyclist on the highway. It's not a safe car, not by any means. If an SUV hits you, you'll be lucky if they can get you out of it in one piece and even then you'd be transported straight to the morgue.

[Flaystus @ Dec 24th 2008 10:20AM]

I like the looks of my car, its ride is just fine. The audio is fine after I was done with a few tweaks and a new head unit.

Its also been in a wreck and everyone came out just fine.

[frensj @ Jan 7th 2009 2:27AM]

I'm sorry but have you ever driven a real car before the Yaris? I normally drive a volvo c30 and when it had to go in for maintenance (20k km) I drove the Yaris of my grandfather for one day and I have never felt unsafer in a car. Not to speak of the handling or gearbox or interior... really my least favorit car ever.

[jnikiel @ Dec 24th 2008 9:48AM]

Looks like they forgot to shoot the actual model, not the model that they used in the front end crash test to prove the crumple zone.

[Blacksheep @ Dec 24th 2008 10:10AM]

The car pictured is a Toyota IQ, the smallest 4 seater in the world when it starts to be sold in early '09

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Toyota-iQ-10-2009-CAR-review/

[PEX @ Dec 24th 2008 11:19AM]

I think its time I either bought a hybrid, or an full electric - but I am not paying the Tesla money. I would love it, and of course, would save tons on gas despite the lowering of gas prices. But I think its time the word embraced being figered in the ass by oil, and stepped out of the SHADOWS OF THE PLASTIC GLOVE THAT INFILTRATES OUR ANAL WALLETS!!!

Halp.

[Sublimewulf @ Dec 24th 2008 10:42AM]

This is Toyota's response to the Smart car. Personally, I like the smart car exterior design better, but the interior of the IQ Kicks Ass. it is Overall "Smarter"

Smart interior

IQ interior http://www.thegreenmotorist.com/wp-content/gallery/toyota-iq/toyota_iq_interior.jpg

Smart Interior http://www.smartenthusiast.com/gallery/files/1/0702_z2008_smart_fortwointerior.jpg

[Jamie @ Dec 24th 2008 10:52AM]

I wish they would start making these vehicles a little taller. I hate having to sit so f'ing low to the ground. Partly the reason I drive my wife's Equinox over my Neon every chance I get.

[car @ Dec 24th 2008 11:02AM]

looks like a scion and smart car had sex

[Blackronin357 @ Dec 26th 2008 1:25AM]

Seriously, they need to stop making these smedium twittle cars and go for the mid size and full sedan market! Or make affordable exotic cars that would be official! I hate these mini size cars. I understand why they do it to save space in their space limited envioronment, but over here I need 4 full seats and a nice trunk w/ a damn good design!

[wud_e @ Dec 24th 2008 11:59AM]

Why can't the Prius look this cool? Theeeeeeeenks!

[John H. @ Dec 24th 2008 12:16PM]

they need to make a zelda game built solely around your avatar

[wud_e @ Dec 24th 2008 2:34PM]

I'm for that!! Come on Capcom and Nintendo!! Let us have a Viewtiful Link game!! :)

[Jay C. @ Dec 24th 2008 2:42PM]

I'm sorry wud_e but this doesn't look cool at all...I would much rather go for a Prius than this junk. Unfortunately the Prius is ridiculously priced (about $10,000 over what it is worth) and just because it is a hybrid vehicle. Think about if some pickup truck rear-ends you in the Prius. All the batteries have nowhere to go because they aren't collapsible so they can only go forward ultimately killing the passengers and possibly the driver. This concept electric would be even worse....No thank you!

[matt @ Dec 24th 2008 3:56PM]

The prius looks ugly, the only reason people buy them is to look like they are saving the planet.

[Mr. Pips @ Dec 24th 2008 12:37PM]

What's the towing capacity of this thing?

[Johan S @ Dec 24th 2008 12:54PM]

It would be a major engineering achievement if they can pull this off, it's not easy to make a car that's smaller than a Prius.

[matt @ Dec 24th 2008 3:54PM]

The prius is actually quite big, I suppose it fits between the golf/focus and the larger saloons passsat/vectra.

[J @ Dec 24th 2008 1:03PM]

Come on ... watch Who Killed the Electric Car, then start talking about 'robust all-electric motors'.

[Temple @ Dec 24th 2008 1:05PM]

Its called the Toyota iQ. It just went on sale in Europe and Japan (and is expected to be launched in the US in the future), its gets 59mpg (imperial gallons), but its not the electric car that is expected to come out, but it may use its platform.

http://gas2.org/2008/10/13/59-mpg-toyota-iq-on-sale-in-europe-us-plans-unclear/

[Mark @ Dec 24th 2008 1:42PM]

yawn....concept...yawn..

wake me up when these go on sale..

[SHSPVR @ Dec 24th 2008 2:27PM]

Big Deal there debuting another all electric car concept let look at real problem with them

All Vehicles
One of the biggest problem unless the cost come way down the avg joe can't buy new vehicle they pettey much have by stuff that well over 10/20 years old.

Electric Vehicles
1: Battery range dosen't go very far so there for you can forget about any vacation trips.
2: Major downsides to all electric vehicles is when you strat seeing a reduced acceleration even knowing the battery is fully charge which usely mean you need start replace all of those batteries when they're worn out which by the way is very experience after the warranty run out.
3: When battery short out or start over heating they can become highly explosive so in real world there are most hazardous things people can get.

Hybrid Vehicles
1: When battery short out or start over heating they can become highly explosive so in real world there are most hazardous things people can get.
2: Poor mileage.
3: Repair Bill will be very experience after the warranty run out and there resale value as use will be worth less.

Other Alternative Fuels option

Propane & Natural Gas Vehicles
1: They can are highly explosive
2: Driving range dosen't go very far so there for you can forget about most long vacation trips.

Diesel
1: In very cold temperatures they can be hard to impossible to start.

Biodiesel
There are two major downsides to running diesel vehicle on vegetable oil, though.
1: In very cold temperatures, a vehicle that runs on vegetable oil can be hard or impossible to start.
2: You'll need to modify your vehicle with a second, conventional diesel fuel tank and a fuel switch, so you can start your can with good, old-fashioned diesel fuel.

[matt @ Dec 24th 2008 3:51PM]

Diesel, Impossible to start in the winter? Pull the other one.

[matt @ Dec 24th 2008 3:52PM]

Also, which oil company do you work for?

[BigD145 @ Dec 24th 2008 3:53PM]

All cars have batteries of one sort or another. Do they explode all the time? No.

[SHSPVR @ Dec 24th 2008 6:08PM]

matt yes they can be next to Impossible to start if Glow Plug go bad or Glow Plug Control Circuit or water get in the Tank and Fuel filter just name few things.
I do not work for any oil company.
I like all of us to get alway from dependence of oil sooner or later we run some day but I perf it be in a safe way and not cost so much that avg joe can't join in and not every one make a goss $50,000 a year you hour wage would be $26 per hour

BigD145 yes that ture but there same key diff in Gas Car battery vs Electric Car battery, Cars 12v with avg 550amps with are lead-acid base vs Lithium Ion/Polymer Battery, Nickel Metal Hydride which use in Electric Vehicles and there usely 36/48v "golf cart" can go to up 375v like what in the Tesla Roadster and maybe even high volts then that and have much higher amp output

[macserv @ Dec 24th 2008 7:36PM]

Not every all-electric vehicle requires a massive battery array. Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles are definitely all-electric, but they need a battery no bigger than your average internal combustion car. The fuel cell powerplant generates all the electricity needed by the powertrain, and other systems, on the fly.

[SHSPVR @ Dec 24th 2008 10:37PM]

macserv as for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car I like that idea of that which is very cool technology but real world we need to keep rigth on dreaming as it must likey going cost $100,000+ if it was out rigth now at best guest that petty much cut out 80% to 90% of those customers from buy it as month paymet going be a round $1400 a month and that 72 month at 0% financing and oh I just hate to see what the insurance is going cost on top this I'm sure this going be very very expensive, which be ecologically friendly, but that dosen't count a Repair Bill being that this very high tech car.
And it should noted that Hydrogen is stored in 10,000 psi high pressure tanks which can be very hazardous thing.
I want see crash test
Some day you should check out MythBusters on something they try by take high-pressure air tank and knocked off valve of a tank at 2500 psi and belive me it scary stuff I personlly scean this happing in welding class in high school.

[Dave's Not_Here @ Dec 29th 2008 11:51AM]

WTF? Are we just beginning to learn English? Your discussion of the issues surrounding various new technologies in the automotive industry has all of the earmarks of a pseudo-expert; with enough multi-syllable words to be nearly believable.

Your view of the world is that most hybrid or non-petrol based transportation is very dangerous to people - akin to a rolling bomb - is laughable. Yes, batteries can explode - and yes, sometimes pressurized gas bottles explode - but not so often or with results of injury or loss of life that would prohibit their use.

A few words of advice. Learn english - find out what an article is, and use it. Use a spell checker - consider using a grammar checker. These things alone will increase you're readability and stature among bloggers and commenters. Use punctuation! "I want see crash test" is not a proper sentence.

Get some facts and study what they mean - that way - people like me won't be poking you in the eye over the stupid mistakes you make in your postings.

Good luck! Wish you can have be Happy New Year in 2009....


Oh yeah - that's a joke - Wishing you a Happy New Year in 2009...

[frensj @ Jan 7th 2009 2:28AM]

Ok what's your problem... for all we know he could be living in the middle of the rainforest? Then I think his english is pretty good, at least it is understandable. (btw: do not make, at least not those very common, spelling errors when you are yelling at someone for doing so...) He is trying, we get his point, so what are you flaming about. He IS learning English, you know that the best way to learn a language is by using it?

Further on, I live in Belgium and my diesel just starts like it should, last night -11° C and the night before -13° C, with during the day -6° C so I do not think this (still) is a diesel problem, at least not for 95 or more % of the world population. Offcourse I am not so sure about that for 20 year old diesels.

[Johan S @ Dec 24th 2008 3:35PM]

I don't think the iPhone could fit inside that car.

[BigD145 @ Dec 24th 2008 3:52PM]

Damn it Toyota, release your info under Creative Commons.

[M @ Dec 24th 2008 3:56PM]

"...but the industry's inability to produce a robust all-electric motor..."

You're kidding, right?

It's true that there is a significant technical problem with electric cars right now, but it's not the motor.

[LarryLarryLarry @ Dec 25th 2008 5:42AM]

There are a lot of Gadgeteers who have little or no idea what they are recycling. This is an example.

[FILA @ Dec 24th 2008 4:20PM]

and for all you guys saying it looks like a scion, yea i agree but all fo you had to know scion is toyota right? there the same thing,

[sherry @ Dec 24th 2008 4:33PM]

We have to look at "the big picture." Our days of tunnel vision need to cease. Our nation better wake up and smell the coffee. With all our bail outs along with the 168 billion economic stimulus package, that btw did nothing for our economy it is hard to understand why our government can't see the need to bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil. The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. Meanwhile, while we are busy doing the Happy Dance around the lower prices at the pumps, OPEC is planning to cut production to drive prices back up to between 75-100. per barrel. Why don't we invest in America's Energy Independence. It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive. The electricity used to charge the car could conceivably be generated by solar or wind.If all gasoline cars, trucks, and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drivetrains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.
Why not invest some of these millions in getting some of these projects set up? Create clean cheap energy, badly needed new green collar jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. What more of a win-win situation could there be? Now there is talk of another stimulus pkg. Don't get me wrong, if you hand me a check I will take it. I am broke from this past year myself. I just think we are going about this all wrong. I just read a fascinating book by Jeff Wilson called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. We need to look at the "big picture" This book Is the big picture. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
Wilson also has a fascinating article on the Better Place Web Page called How Much Electricity Does It Take To Replace Gasoline. You can read it @ http://planet.betterplace.com/profiles/blogs/how-much-electricity-does-it

[Nathan @ Dec 25th 2008 3:37AM]

why do all of your comments regard someting to do with the iPhone?

We get it you have an iPhone and you like it now shut up. seriously.

What is i were to go around and comment on how things compare to my Shadow? I dont because no one caes.

Oh my god!

[Nicko717 @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:59PM]

This isnt new technology for Toyota, they current run of Lexus LS460h's have an EV mode, allowing the thing to go to 25 mph without the engine running. it even parks itself without gas.