The interests of today’s younger generations are very different from
those of older people. For example, sports, fashion and mobile phones are
some of the themes that appeal to European teenagers. In addition, this is
a generation that has grown up with IT such as video games, computers and
the internet and sees all these tools as an integral part of life.
Toyota MTRC
Concept -
Click image for larger view
The Motor Triathlon Race Car is Toyota’s response to these changing
demands, and it’s a clear indication that the company is now targeting not
only the customers of today, but is also seeking to extend its brand
message to future generations of car buyers.
Toyota MTRC
Concept
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Click image for larger view
This two-seater is first and foremost a futuristic race car concept,
conceived to showcase to demonstrate Toyota’s three main strengths:
Extensive motor sports involvement: Formula 1, CART, IRL, WRC, Le
Mans, JGTC and others
Heritage and experience in the development of four-wheel drive
vehicles
Leadership in eco-friendly and information technologies
The Toyota Motor Thriatlon Race Car was developed to compete in three
different racing environments: a smooth and high-grip racetrack, a narrow
city street circuit and an off-road course. This radical fuel cell
performance car was designed and built at Toyota’s European design studio
ED2 and has now its world première at Geneva Motor Show.
A virtual driving experience in Gran Turismo 4
The vehicle’s true potential is demonstrated in the Sony Playstation
game, Gran Turismo 4, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment and
Polyphony Digital, in which the Motor Triathlon Race Car will feature.
Through this, Toyota expects to further reinforce its dynamic image,
not just with today’s customers, but also within the younger generations.
Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo, talks about the Motor
Thriatlon Race Car: “We have taken the opportunity of extracting the
technology from a futuristic car, and reproducing it in a virtual world.”
Taking the CS'S concept one stage further
The Motor Triathlon Race Car takes as its starting point many of the
same influences evident in the CS'S concept that was revealed at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003.
So the new concept receives an innovative four-wheel drive
transmission, in which each wheel is fitted with an individual electric
motor powered by hydrogen fuel cells to ensure zero emissions – only water
comes from the exhaust system.
It also incorporates an electronically-controlled suspension system
which constantly monitors the road conditions, raises the ride height and
adjusts the settings according to the conditions. In addition, intelligent
tyres also adapt to the road conditions through built-in sensors, ensuring
the maximum grip whatever the surface.
As for the exterior styling, this demonstrates one of ED2’s visions for
the future. It’s a two-seater concept, reminiscent of Toyota’s experience
in open-wheeled cars (F1, CART, IRL, F3 and Formula Toyota), in which the
whole body contributes to the control of airflows, ensuring maximum
stability and aerodynamic efficiency.
Advanced Information Technology (IT)
One of the key elements of the Motor Triathlon Race Car concept is the
adoption of the innovative new ‘Mixed Reality’ technology that has been
developed by Denso and Canon.
. Driver and passenger wear a special helmet which allows them to
visualise information, rather like a Head Up Display (HUD) system. The
difference is that while a HUD system simply conveys factual information,
such as speed or temperature, Mixed Reality actually helps the driver to
foresee upcoming road conditions. .
In this way it acts like a virtual co-pilot or navigator, providing a
constant flow of information – such as road temperature, tyre status, the
presence of snow or ice – and at the same time interacting with the car’s
own systems to adapt its basic characteristics to optimise performance,
whatever the external conditions. This technology represents an important
step in active safety by helping the driver to navigate and to control the
car more safely and accurately. .
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