A concept vehicle for the future resembling a huge smartphone has been unveiled by Toyota to showcase the car giants desire to lead in technology.
Akio Toyoda, president, focused on the Fun Vii. He called the experimental vehicle “a smartphone on 4 wheels” during its preview at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Dealers and others can be connected to the driver with just a tap on the touch-panel door which means the vehicle operates like a personal computer.
Also due to be revealed at the motor show are Toyota’s new electric vehicle, plus a mini version of the hit petrol-electric hybrid Prius.
Toyotas’ booth is expected to be a major attraction at the auto industry’s biannual exhibition, held in Tokyo, where the Fun Vii will be featured as an example of what the future could hold, although possible production dates remain unspecified.
Recent years have seen a move towards China for European and US companies as they search for areas with greater growth potential, with Ford neglecting to take part, causing the Tokyo event to be scaled back.
The FT-EV III, an electric concept/test model from Toyota, is designed for short journeys such as work commutes or grocery shopping and can run for 65 miles on a full charge, although this does not currently have a price. The new hybrid is due to be sold as an Aqua in Japan, when it is available for sale next month, but will be called a Prius outside Japan with dates as yet undecided for overseas distribution.
The motor show will also see the FCV-R premiered, Toyotas fuel cell concept vehicle. Hydrogen run fuel cell vehicles which have zero emissions, have been labeled impractical due to costs but Toyota are billing their FCV-R , planned for 2015, as a practical fuel cell, without revealing any prices.