Wild concepts outline Toyota’s bold vision
i-Road looks like a cross between car, motorcycle
2015 Toyota Prius V
The 2015 Prius V adds bold styling to its winning combination of interior roominess, versatility and fuel efficiency.
Outside, a new body design features a redesigned front fascia, flowing side profile and new LED tail lights. Inside, the new instrument panel and centre console designs place switches and controls close to hand, while new soft-touch materials give the Prius V an upscale feel.
What hasn’t changed is the Prius V’s remarkable spaciousness. With 971 litres of cargo capacity, the Prius V matches most small SUVs in terms of luggage space.
The Prius V’s hybrid system achieves a remarkable fuel efficiency of just 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres (city/highway combined) and minimal emissions.
The 2015 Prius V starts at $27,990 MSRP.
2015 Toyota Prius C
The agile and versatile Prius C features new styling inside and out, plus an impressive list of standard features. Powered by Toyota’s renowned Hybrid Synergy Drive, the Prius C is as fuel-efficient as it is fun to drive — and the only hybrid vehicle in the subcompact segment.
For 2015, Toyota redesigned the Prius C with a sporty, more assertive front end, including a new bumper and grille design with LED headlamps as standard. New tail-lights highlight a restyled rear, while a shark-fin antenna completes the Prius C’s smooth look.
Inside, the Prius C now features a unique piano black instrument panel — all part of a spacious interior.
A 4.8-metre turning radius and low centre of gravity make the Prius C ideal for urban adventures, while its hybrid system delivers remarkable fuel efficiency of just 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (city/highway combined).
The Prius C is packed with an impressive array of comfort and convenience features — including a 6.1-inch display audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio and HVAC controls, automatic climate control, and power adjustable heated mirrors — all standard.
The 2015 Prius C starts at $20,955 MSRP.
Toyota i-Road
The Toyota i-Road on display at the 2015 Canadian International Auto Show is a fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive small urban vehicle, it’s a unique three-wheeler that combines motorcycle-like styling and manoeuvrability with car-like protection and comfort.
The i-Road, which has seating for two in tandem, offers a novel riding experience through a responsive “active-lean” system. This innovation ensures a stable ride and pro- vides an unprecedented feeling of oneness with the vehicle that is very different from driving a car or motorcycle.
With a closed cabin, passengers can proceed to their destination helmet-free and shielded from the weather outside, while listening to music.
Because it has a length of only 850 millimetres, the ultra-compact i-Road overcomes traditional urban obstacles. It can be driven smoothly along roadsides, leaving lanes open for other traffic. And it only takes up three-quarters to one-half of a conventional parking space.
The i-Road is powered by electricity, features a quiet ride, produces zero emissions during operation, and has a driving range of about 50 km on a single charge. It has already been tested on public roads in Toyota City in Japan, where it has been integrated with Toyota’s sophisticated urban traffic system technology that links vehicles to road infrastructure.
Toyota FT-1
A creation two years in the making by Toyota’s Calty Design Research team, the Toyota FT-1 concept car represents the ultimate expression of a Toyota coupe design.
With FT standing for “Future Toyota,” this concept is Toyota’s aggressive, track-focused sports car successor to the Supra. The FT-1’s frontengine rear-wheel-drive configuration helps create classic sports car proportions.
Building on Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage, the FT1 has a “function-sculpted” design language that yields curved, muscular, expressive body forms. The entire vehicle looks stunningly shaped by the wind.
Visit Toyota’s booth at the Canadian International Auto Show to experience the innovative design of the FT-1.
Lexus RC F GT3
The Lexus RC F GT3 concept race car — which is making its Canadian debut at the Canadian International Auto Show — signals Lexus’s intent to enter the 2015 GT3 race circuit.
Developed and built in Japan over three years, the GT3 is a concept race car based on the new RC F coupe, the most powerful V8 performance car Lexus has ever developed. With a modified version of the RC F’s 5.0-litre V8 engine, the GT3 delivers output exceeding 540 horsepower.
The GT3 has a length of 4,705 mm, width of 2,000 mm, height of 1,270 mm and wheelbase of 2,730 mm — making it lower than the standard the RC F. However, with the interior stripped to racing specification, it weighs just 1,250 kg.
The GT3 features wider wheels and tires over the RC F coupe, an active rear wing, air scoops, cooling ducts and carbon fibre components. As the latest Lexus vehicle to join the brand’s high-performance “F” line, it is the largest vehicle ever offered with an “F” badge.
The 2015 Lexus RC 350
The Lexus RC 350 is a brandnew model for 2015 — a beautiful luxury coupe with assertive exterior styling, a sporty interior, and spirited performance.
The RC 350 features aggressive body styling with deep contours and striking contrasts. The interior is equally dramatic, with a Lexus-first lighting package that glows from the floor up, and molded sport seats that hug the driver and passengers.
The RC 350 is available in six configurations with a choice of two high-performance drivetrains. Four configurations are built around a six-speed automatic AWD, while two feature an eightspeed automatic RWD. All draw upon an aggressive 3.5L, 307 horsepower V6 for power. A specially designed chassis, wide stance, 19-inch wheels, a carefully tuned suspension and other handling systems work together to ensure a world-class driving experience.
Both RWD models are fitted with F SPORT performance and style packages, delivering track-inspired handling, coupled with aggressive, sporty styling.
The 2015 RC 350 starts at $54,000 MSRP.
Scion iM
Exemplifying how Scion is “powering passion” among the young at heart in Canada, the Scion iM concept on display at the Toronto International Auto Show is a sleek, fun and versatile five-door hatchback that is all about spontaneity.
This newest Scion will have a production version in dealerships later this year. That vehicle will carry forward the essentials of the iM concept car. The iM is inspired by racing with its wide stance and low ride height. Yet it’s designed for urban driving, boasting excellent fuel efficiency, sporty handling, easy parking and cargo room.
The car incorporates geometric grille inserts, deep air intakes and fog lights. In addition, large 19-inch forged alloy wheels sit flush with the body while vented rotors with 4-piston calipers work with an adjustableheight racing suspension.