Toyota at Geneva

By Sam Hardy

15th February 2010

There's a host of new models on Toyota's stand at the Geneva Motor Show – and the line-up will be headed by a facelifted RAV4.

Getting a fresh face with an updated grille, it also boasts a more upmarket cabin and thanks to Toyota Optimal Drive engines, should be one of the most economical and cleanest SUVs in its class.

Also on the stand will be the FT-86 concept car, which makes its European debut and previews a replacement for the Celica. A joint development with Subaru, it has a rear-wheel drive chassis with a 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder engine. Sales should start here in 2011.

A hybrid version of the Auris will make its world debut in Geneva, which uses a development of the 1.8-litre petrol-electric powerplant from the Prius. Toyota says the model marks a major milestone in its programme to introduce full hybrid powertrains across its entire model range by the early 2020s. The Auris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) will be built in Britain at Toyota’s Burnaston factory. Sales start here in the summer.

Also on display will be a production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the all-electric FT-EV II concept. Toyota’s next-generation fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the FCHV-adv, will also be on display, demonstrating one of the many potential future applications of Hybrid Synergy Drive.

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