TOYOTA TO DEVELOP LUXURY ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Toyota City―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION today announced that it will develop a new electric vehicle based on its domestic luxury car, the Crown Majesta. This electric vehicle will incorporate such comfortable features as the Crown Majesta's roomy interior and ample trunk space. Toyota aims to complete the vehicle by March 1993.

One of the main problems in electric vehicle development is providing sufficient space for the large number of batteries. The rear-motor rear-drive layout of the electric Crown Majesta solves this problem by allowing most of the batteries to be loaded in the front. The power train will combine the DC brushless motor (with a rare-earth magnet), reduction gear, and differential, for efficient utilization of space.

The car will also have the following features: a newly developed hermetically sealed lead battery, which will hold electrolytes in granular silica (silicon dioxide), eliminating the need for checking water levels and battery maintenance; a heat-pump air conditioner with inverter; a power steering system with electric/hydraulic pump; and four-wheel ABS.

Other features include newly developed low-rolling resistance tires, which will further add to the vehicle's maximum range. Altogether, the four-passenger electric Crown Majesta should be able to travel 140km at a constant speed of 40km/h on a single charge and attain speeds of up to 110km/h.

Toyota has already started collaborative development of the power train with Aisin AW Co., Ltd. and on the battery with Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.