Toyota Set to Launch 10 New Hybrid Models by 2010

Toyota, not to be outdone by Honda unveiled the third-generation Prius and Lexus' first dedicated hybrid the HS 250h at the Detroit Auto Show this week.

During the unveiling of the 2010 Prius, Toyota provided more details about its current hybrid plans. Toyota plans on selling 1 million hybrids per year sometime in 2010. In order to reach its lofty goal, Toyota is planning on introducing 10 new hybrid models by 2010. Two of them are the new Prius and HS 250h.

In addition to launching 10 new hybrids, Toyota also announced the introduction of 500 Prius plug-in hybrids that will be globally leased later this year. The plan was originally planned for 2010. Out of the 500 lithium-ion powered plug-ins 150 are destined for the U.S.

The 500 plug-in Prius will be used for market and engineering analysis.

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Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

With supercar good-looks, the V10 LF-A has methodically marched from concept, to prototype, to imminate-super-secret production model, to endangered species list.  The main hurdle seems to be the $225,000 cost which Toyota views as prohibitively expensive and unprofitable.  Which is a cop-out of course.  Regardless of the economy, there seems to always be an inexhaustable flow of wealthy buyers IF you have something worthy of their attention.  The real question is whether Lexus is ready to produce a supercar.

Though Toyota maintains that the LF-A will remain only a development platform they are certainly parading it around like the next big thing, including a sighting by myself at the U.S. Open a couple of weeks ago. The “F” logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle’s status as a part of the “F” special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process.

Compared to the coupe concept that was introduced last year, the LF-A Roadster features a number of design differences including reshaped headlights, a new front fascia, modified side skirts and air intakes, and a somewhat reshaped trunk.  The LF-A Roadster is still based on the same lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which maintains strength and rigidity even in topless form.  Like its coupe sibling, the LF-A Roadster is also powered by a high-revving 5 liter V10 engine capable of more than 500 horsepower and speeds greater than 200 mph.  It is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what engineers refer to as a front-mid configuration controlled by paddle shifters.  The LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing.  The rear is also marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car’s two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster’s aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells. 

Lexus Concept Interior

While there’s still no definitive sign of a production version of a Lexus LF-A supercar, admirers can only hope that Lexus sees the need to having a high performance, limited production supercar in the company stable.

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