Toyota Develops New Hybrid System; High-voltage Control Architecture Increases Efficiency, Driving Pleasure

Tokyo, Japan, Apr. 17, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
announced today it has completed a next-generation hybrid system that
radically enhances the synergy between electric motor and internal
combustion engine by employing a high-voltage power-control system for
greater motor output. THS II—developed under Toyota's "Hybrid Synergy
Drive" concept—boasts improved environmental performance and drastically
raises the "fun to drive" quotient for hybrid vehicles.

The new system represents the latest evolutionary stage in Toyota hybrid
technologies, starting with those constituting the Toyota Hybrid System
(THS) that powered the Toyota Prius into history books in 1997 as the
world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. Like THS, THS II
places greater emphasis on the role of the motor than do systems that
use a low-output motor to temporarily supplement a primary-drive-force
engine.

As the world's leading manufacturer of hybrid vehicles, Toyota has aimed
to revolutionize the automobile for the 21st century. Following the
Prius, it introduced the THS-C-driven Estima Hybrid featuring a
continuously variable transmission and the THS-M-propelled mild hybrid
Crown, both in 2001. The technologies used in THS and its derivatives
made possible the commercial launch of the TOYOTA FCHV fuel cell hybrid
vehicle in 2002. Toyota has now sold more than 130,000 hybrid vehicles
worldwide.

THS II highlights 
Allows complete electric-motor-only operation when engine efficiency
would be low 
Meets the strictest emission regulations already in effect, or scheduled
to go into effect, in various countries. 
Introduces several efficiency-enhancing advances, including: 
- the use of a high-voltage power circuit to boost hybrid system voltage
to 500V for higher motor and generator efficiency and substantial
reductions in loss during energy transmission 
- the optimized placement of the motor rotor's permanent magnet 
- a higher-performance hybrid battery 
- improvements to the engine 

Uses the synergy created by pairing a 1.5-times greater-output motor and
a 1.5-liter high-efficiency gasoline engine to achieve acceleration
equal to or greater than that of a conventional vehicle powered by a
2-liter gasoline engine.

Plans include efforts to heighten THS II’s performance for application
in heavy vehicles that require larger engines. The next-generation
Prius, which features the new system, is currently on display at the
ongoing New York International Automobile Show. 



About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation was established in 1937
and is one of the world's biggest automakers operating worldwide.
The company operates a joint venture with General Motors in California.
Toyota enjoys a strong 40%-plus domestic market share (excluding
minicars). Boasts highly efficient production thru lean production
system.For further information, please visit the Toyota Motor
Corporation home page at: www.global.toyota.com/index.html
<http://www.global.toyota.com/index.html>