Toyota Racing has completed a remarkable debut season with a victory from pole in the Six Hours of Shanghai. The winning margin of almost a minute highlighted the impressive speed of the Toyota TS030 Hybrid and its innovative Toyota Hybrid System. It was the third victory this year for the #7 TS030 Hybrid from just six races in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The hybrid system, using unique super-capacitor energy storage technology, also propelled the hybrid race car to three pole positions and four fastest laps during the season. Maximum points from the weekend elevated Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre to third place in the drivers’ world championship, despite contesting only six of the eight rounds. The Toyota hybrid stamped its grip on the race from the outset with Lapierre pulling away from his Audi rivals at the rate of one second per lap. After a double stint, he handed over a half-minute lead to Wurz who kept up the relentless speed. The strategy of fitting new tyres at each pit stop helped maximise the TS030 Hybrid’s pace and enabled the team to seize control of the race by the half-distance mark. Both drivers completed further double stints each, with Wurz crossing the line to take victory and secure a winning climax to Toyota Racing’s first season of competition. “It was a good race for us and a 100 per cent perfect race weekend,” said Wurz. “That was the absolute maximum and it was good enough to win. Maybe it looked easy on TV but Nicolas and I gave it everything. These races are never simple but we were very determined to win this race for Toyota and give everyone extra motivation over the winter.” The final margin was 58.57 seconds and follows victories earlier this month at Fuji Speedway in Japan and in September in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The win in China marks the first time a Toyota team has recorded consecutive victories in an FIA World Championship event since 1994, when it competed in the World Rally Championship.

The Jazz is an adaptable small car and is a well liked car on Australian roads. Now, the Jazz is available with Honda’s unique Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology. As the world of hybrid technology is growing in many manufactures, Honda is not being left behind as the Jazz Hybrid was introduced to Australia late last week at the Australian International Motor Show. Honda say they are committed to leaving the blue skies for the children and thus the reason for developing better hybrid technology.  Retaining the popular Jazz nameplate’s Magic Seats and excellent versatility, Honda has integrated the IMA battery pack and power control unit in the area under the boot floor, allowing the Magic Seats to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions (Utility Mode is different). The dashboard integrates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise the driver on how their driving style is impacting on their fuel economy. The Eco Assist function aides drivers in getting the maximum economy from their car in everyday situations and gives users real-time feedback on how their use of the brakes and throttle affects their fuel bills and environmental impact. The Jazz Hybrid has a 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine with the IMA system. At 72kW at 5800rpm and 167Nm between 1000 – 1700rpm the Jazz is no slouch. The power is put to the ground via the continuously variable transmission (CVT). When in the Jazz, there are six airbags that surround the occupants. Also fitted with vehicle stability assist (VSA) and ABS there are plenty of feature to keep safe when on the road. The indicative Manufacturer’s List Price for the all-new Jazz Hybrid is mid $20,000. It will be on sale in Australia in early 2013.

As manufactures gear up for the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney later this month, Honda is getting the all-new CR-V and Jazz Hybrid ready for their first Australian public outing. For the first time in Australia, the CR-V will be offered in two and four-wheel drive. The two drivetrains will be available in two variants for the two-wheel drive and the four-wheel drive is available in three variants. Originally launched at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda CR-V was one of the first of the modern generation of ‘soft roaders’. It became a benchmark for this fast growing segment with its practical size and excellent utility. Honda Australia’s Director and General Manager Sales and Marketing, Mr. Stephen Collins said Honda’s stand at this year’s AIMS will definitely surprise and delight. “We are really looking forward to the CR-V’s Australian debut. The fourth-generation CR-V has been a great success so far around the world and we know Australians will embrace the upgrades to its styling, features and handling Honda’s engineers have made.” “The CR-V has been one of Honda Australia’s most successful models. The segment has been rapidly expanding since the introduction of the CR-V back in 1997 and it has performed very well for us in that time,” Mr. Collins said. Over five and a half million CR-Vs have been sold across the world since its introduction, with over 133,000 in Australia alone. The highly anticipated fourth-generation CR-V will be on sale mid-November. Also making its Australian debut at AIMS is the all-new Jazz Hybrid. Due to hit our shores in early 2013, the Jazz Hybrid will join Honda’s growing hybrid offering; Civic Hybrid, Insight and the CR-Z. Honda introduced hybrid motoring in Australia with the first-generation Insight back in 2001. This car paved the way for Honda’s modern hybrids, demonstrating the benefits of petrol-electric technology as well as proving the reliability of this previously unseen system from Honda. The Jazz Hybrid uses Honda’s unique Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which couples a conventional petrol engine with an electric motor for more power when needed. The Jazz Hybrid – as with all Honda hybrids – does not need an external power source to be recharged. The battery that powers the electric motor recharges automatically by capturing the energy from braking. The Jazz Hybrid has fantastic fuel consumption, using just 4.5 l/100kms (combined urban/extra urban) with 107g/km of CO2. This means the Jazz Hybrid can travel around 850 kilometres on one tank of fuel. In the 10 years since the Insight was launched, the world has changed a great deal and more environmentally sensitive technologies have become mainstream. Honda’s first foray into the hybrid market started a petrol electric revolution. The entire Honda range will also be on show at the Honda stand at AIMS 2012.

• The CR-Z;
• The Civic range: sedan, hatch and hybrid
• The Odyssey
• The twin Accords: Accord and Accord Euro
• The versatile Jazz and the new-look City
• The recently upgraded Insight

Hybrids are changing the way of the automotive industry and Kia is stepping up into this market with the new Optima Hybrid. This new hybrid is a fast acceleration performance sedan with low fuel consumption and emissions and at a price Kia believe is competitive. The only unfortunately part is this model is not coming to Australia. The new 2.0-litre Optima Hybrid is manufactured in Korea exclusively for the European market (left-hand drive only) and pioneers new technologies which are destined to appear in other Kia production models in Europe and around the world as the decade unfolds.  The 2.0-litre model has been developed from the 2.4-litre Optima Hybrid originally created primarily with the US market in mind. Taking Kia further forwards into its ‘EcoDynamics’ era, the new 4.85-metre long Optima Hybrid is the first gasoline hybrid on sale in the European D-segment.   “The new Optima Hybrid combines the best of both worlds – performance and fuel economy.  It’s the fastest accelerating automatic transmission Optima and also has the lowest emissions,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe.  “By adding a hybrid model to our Optima line-up in Europe, we are providing customers with a fascinating powertrain choice.  Our first hybrid production model in Europe showcases ingenious engineering and advanced technologies that will have a unique appeal, attracting new customers to the Kia brand,” adds Mr Oeyen. The Optima Hybrid 2.0-litre employs a truly innovative Kia-developed ‘parallel hybrid system’ that delivers a unique blend of performance with maximum power of 140 kW. The Optima can accelerate to 100kph in 9.4 seconds and has a top speed of 192kph. The new hybrid offers class-leading fuel economy of 5.4 l/100 km, plus a low CO₂ emission of 125 g/km. The petrol engine is paired with a small electric motor and drives the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission – without the traditional torque converter.  A special clutch is fitted between the petrol engine and the electric motor, enabling the petrol engine to be de-coupled from the powertrain so the sleek sedan can operate in zero-emissions, full-electric drive mode.  Furthermore, the system’s configuration does not require a high-capacity electric motor and generator, saving both weight and cost. Every Optima Hybrid comes with Kia’s HSG stop/start system (equivalent to the company’s ISG stop/start system for its conventional internal combustion engine-powered vehicles), which minimises idle fuel consumption and reduces emissions. When setting off, the car drives in Electric Mode at speeds up to 100kph.  As vehicle speed increases, the Hybrid Starter motor/Generator (HSG) starts the petrol engine and the clutch is closed, allowing the engine to take over the task of powering the car. The electric motor switches into hybrid operation and serves as either a secondary engine (during full acceleration and hill-climbing) or a generator (during cruising and deceleration) to recharge the battery pack as necessary.  Whenever the car comes to a stop for more than a few seconds, the petrol engine automatically shuts off to conserve fuel and minimise emissions.  When braking, the electric motor converts kinetic energy into electricity for storage in the battery pack. The HSG also functions as a generator to recharge the battery pack if the state of charge is low when the car is stationary.  A responsive and rewarding drive is guaranteed by the Optima Hybrid’s 30 kW Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) synchronous electric motor, which produces 29 kW and 205 Nm of torque in electric mode, and by the combined (electric motor plus petrol engine) hybrid powertrain power output of 140 kW. With the Optima Hybrid, Kia is the first manufacturer (together with Hyundai) to employ a lithium polymer battery pack in a production car. Developed in partnership with LG Chem., lithium polymer battery technology is 20 per cent lighter and 40 per cent more compact than a traditional nickel metal hydride battery.  The new batteries for Optima Hybrid hold a charge for up to 25 per cent longer and provide an optimum balance between power delivery, energy density and thermal stability.  Reliability is so good that the Optima’s battery pack is covered by a 7-Year, 150-000-kilometre warranty. Taking advantage of the additional, instant and continuously available torque from the electric motor, the Optima Hybrid uses 10 per cent less fuel on the combined cycle, 28 per cent less on the urban cycle and produces 21 per cent less CO₂ – than the 1.7-litre diesel Optima automatic model. Kia has modified its popular six-speed automatic transmission to suit the hybrid application.  The traditional torque converter is replaced with the electric motor and a high-efficiency oil pump. This allows EV mode operation, maximises regeneration of kinetic energy during braking and also provides a more responsive drive than competitors’ CVT systems. Depending on individual markets, Optima Hybrid will be available with up to three different equipment levels.  The ‘Base’ model is generously specified with 16-inch alloy wheels, solar glass, dual zone air-conditioning, cruise control, eight-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, Bluetooth hands free and smart-key entry with engine start/stop button. The ‘Mid’ model adds 17-inch alloy wheels, part-leather seat trim, heated front seats, ventilated driver’s seat, 7-inch touch-screen sat-nav, rear-view safety camera and an Infinity premium audio system developed by Harman. The flagship in the Optima Hybrid line-up, the ‘Top’ model, gains Xenon headlamps, full leather seat trim, four-way powered front passenger seat, heated rear seats and a tyre pressure monitoring system.  Mid and Top models will be available with an optional panoramic glass sunroof. 

Toyota Racing’s TS030 Hybrid led from start to finish for the team’s first victory in just its third race with a dominant performance in the Six Hours of Sao Paulo at Interlagos, the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Drivers Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre started from pole position as the #7 Toyota car maintained its record of having led every race in which it has competed. The result marks Toyota’s first victory in an FIA world championship race since the 1999 Rally of China. It is 20 years since victory for the TS010 at Monza in 1992, Toyota’s last success in international endurance racing. The victory completes a remarkable journey for the THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System – Racing). The project to develop a hybrid system for motorsport began in 2006 under Hisatake Murata, now Hybrid Project Leader at Toyota Racing. The project created history in July 2007 when a Toyota Supra became the first-ever hybrid winner, in the Tokachi 24 Hours. That pioneering super capacitor technology has been extensively developed, reducing weight and increasing power, leading to the unique powertrain in the TS030 Hybrid. At Interlagos, Lapierre took the rolling start in bright sunshine and held the lead into the first corner. He set the pace at the front as he skilfully fought through the traffic before handing over to Alex with just over 90 minutes gone. Soon after Alex made a fuel stop, an incident down the field caused a short safety car period, helping the #7 extend its lead to over 40 seconds. At the restart, Wurz maintained the blistering pace to stretch his advantage to over a minute before handing back to Lapierre with two-and-a-half hours to go. He extended the lead to a complete lap as the final quarter of the race began. The TS030 Hybrid was clearly the fastest car and, as the race entered its final hour, Lapierre handed over to Wurz. A very short fuel stop with just a few minutes to go allowed him to take a well-deserved victory by over a minute. Toyota Racing’s next action comes at the Bahrain International Circuit for the Six Hours of Bahrain on 29 September when Wurz and Lapierre will again be driving the #7 TS030. “I am proud to be a Toyota driver,” said Alex Wurz. “Toyota has developed this incredible hybrid technology and I think we have shown it. Our Toyota Hybrid System – Racing has been simply outstanding. I like Interlagos, a circuit that is really special for me, so it is a great feeling to win here with Toyota Racing in only our third race. “Thank you to all the team and Nico for their great job. It was not easy and we pushed like crazy. The key was certainly the tyre management and we were able to make the difference in the second stint thanks to our Michelin tyres. Kinoshita san said at Le Mans “you watch, we push”. We will continue in this way during the following races.”