Toyota Motor Co. has launched their new hatchback, the Aqua, a model that is also known as Prius C on most foreign markets. The car is powered by a 1.5-litre Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) engine, producing a combined motor and engine output of 100 hp. The petrol engine apparatus also features a cooled Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, which improves its overall fuel efficiency that also benefits from a battery-powered water pump. In fact, unlike conventional belt-driven waterpumps, this beltless design reduces frictions and allows precise control of coolant flow. The unit boasts an average fuel consumption of 2.8 l/100km (83.3 mpg). In Japan the Aqua is priced at 1.69 million yen (roughly 16,600 € /21,700 $), with Toyota planning to sell 12,000 units per month in Japan only.

The Japanese carmaker has also announced two aftermarket packages for the Prius C/Aqua hybrid called ‘TRD’ (which is the name of Toyota’s official in-house tuner) and ‘Modellista’. The former includes a new front bumper with integrated LED day-lights, side skirts and rear bumper with integrated diffuser. Also available as extras are a new set of wheels, firmer shock absorbers and springs and a stainless cat-back exhaust system with dual tips. The Modellista package it’s much of the same as the TRD package but their are two versions, each one of which with 5-piece body kits inclusive of front and rear aprons, side skirts and roof spoiler. Uprated suspension, wheels and exhaust muffler are also available. Check out the official Press Release after the jump to find out more.

View the full Toyota Prius C (Aqua) photo gallery

TMC LAUNCHES AQUA IN JAPAN

Compact Hybrid Combines Driving Enjoyment with World-Leading Fuel Efficiency

Toyota City, Japan, December 26, 2011—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the “Aqua”*1 gasoline-electric compact hybrid. The Aqua combines a comfortable and roomy interior with a stylish body, and displays exciting acceleration and agility.

The Aqua incorporates 17 years of Toyota expertise and technology in the development of mass-produced hybrid vehicles, and boasts a small, light and efficient hybrid system that achieves a world-leading*2 fuel efficiency of 35.4 km/L under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s (MLIT’s) JC08 test cycle and 40.0 km/L*3 under the MLIT 10-15 test cycle.

With a starting price of 1.69 million yen, the Aqua offers the pleasure of hybrid vehicles to an even broader range of consumers in Japan.
Monthly sales target for Japan: 12,000 units
Assembly Plant: Iwate Plant, Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.

VEHICLE OUTLINE

Exceptional Fuel Efficiency

The Aqua features a state-of-the-art, small, light and efficient 1.5-liter Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) with reduction gear, which achieves a fuel efficiency of 35.4 km/L in the JC08 test cycle and 40.0 km/L in the MLIT 10-15 test cycle.

A cooled Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR) system improves efficiency in the high-expansion-ratio Atkinson cycle engine. Also contributing to increased engine efficiency is a battery-powered water pump, a friction-reducing beltless design and precise coolant-water-flow volume control. The hybrid transaxle, which includes the power control unit, the power-generation motor and drive motor, has also been designed to be small and light. A selectable electric-vehicle mode (EV Mode) enables driving with only the electric motor.

Key Hybrid System Specifications:

ENGINE
Model: 1NZ-FXE
Displacement: 1,496 cc
Maximum output: 54 kW (74 PS)/4,800 rpm
Maximum torque: 111 N-m (11.3 kgf-m)/3,600—4,400 rpm
MOTOR
Maximum output: 45 kW (61 PS)
Maximum torque: 169 N-m (17.2 kgf-m)
ENGINE & MOTOR:
Combined maximum output*: 73 kW (100 PS)
Battery: Nickel-metal hydride
*Based on TMC calculations

Design Combines Elements of Fun and Sophistication

The Aqua’s active and fun styling provides outstanding aerodynamic performance with a comfortable interior in a compact body.

EXTERIOR
The exterior offers a bold and modern design with a powerful and refined front mask and a rear silhouette that evokes imagery of brisk yet stable driving performance. The vehicle comes in ten vibrant and stylish body colors, including new Citrus Orange Mica Metallic and Lime White Pearl Crystal Shine.

INTERIOR
The instrument panel structure evokes a great sense of space, while the modern and geometric layout with color-coded, switch-operated areas reflect the pursuit of enjoyment and user-friendliness. Distinctive and effective accent color placement contributes to a brighter interior and is available in four patterns: Earth Brown, Fresh Green, Cool Blue, and Natural Gray. Front and rear seats with ample head clearance and legroom provide excellent comfort.

The hybrid battery has been sized for placement under the rear seat, resulting in a spacious cargo area of 305 liters*4.

Exhilarating Performance for Enhanced Driving Pleasure

In addition to a long 2,550 mm wheelbase, the hybrid unit and engine are positioned to create a low center of gravity for superior maneuvering performance. Engine and motor power combine to provide smooth acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and also at mid-range speeds, such as from 40 km/h to 70 km/h in 3.6 seconds (all measurements according to TMC). With a minimum turning radius of 4.8 meters, the Aqua also boasts excellent maneuverability.

Fun and Easy-to-use Hybrid

The instrument panel sports a myriad of functions that support environment-conscious and enjoyable driving. The Hybrid System Indicator offers easy-to-understand information concerning eco-driving, such as effective accelerator use. In addition to the standard display, an optional high-resolution thin-film-transistor liquid crystal multi-information display provides a variety of eco-driving information. Eco Judge ranks eco-driving on a 100-point scale, and Eco Wallet shows money saved as compared with other levels of fuel efficiency.

High-level Safety and Comfort-Enhancing Features

ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) maximizes braking performance, with the EBD appropriately distributing braking force between the front and rear wheels according to driving conditions. Also, a brake assist function generates extra braking force to assist the driver in emergency braking situations.

Vehicle Stability Control controls brake and engine output to maintain vehicle stability if skidding occurs. Traction Control controls wheel spin to simplify acceleration operation. Hill-start Assist Control reduces anxiety about the vehicle rolling backwards when starting on a steep incline.

Automatic air conditioning comes standard on all models and is equipped with an electric inverter compressor run by the electric motor, enabling a comfortably air-conditioned interior even when the engine is off. In addition to seat heaters, the exhaust heat recirculation system draws heat from the engine directly into the cooling water, enhancing heating performance and fuel efficiency in the winter.

Diverse Range of Packages Meet a Range of Needs

The Aqua is available in seven different packages.

Smart entry package

• Smart entry and start system for driver, passenger, and rear doors (with answer-back function)
• Antitheft system (engine and motor immobilizer)
• Light controls (auto on/off lights and auto shutoff headlights)

LED headlight package

• LED headlights (with auto leveling function, headlight cleaner, black extension ornamentation, and auto shutoff system)
• Front fog lights

Touring package

• 195/50R16 tires and 16×6J aluminum wheels (with center ornamentation)
• Large rear roof spoiler
• Smoked headlamp trim
• Dedicated suspension

Beauty package

• nanoe*
• Super UV-cut Glass (front doors)
• Seat heaters (driver and passenger seats)
• Passenger seat sun visor with vanity mirror

Advanced display package

• TFT multi-information display
• Touch Tracer Display
• Steering-wheel-mounted switches (audio system operation, Trip and Display buttons, and air conditioning switches; with touch tracer function)

Navigation system ready package

• Backup camera
• Six speakers
• Steering-wheel-mounted switches (audio system operation, Trip and Display buttons, and air conditioning switches)

Audio system package

• CD + AM/FM & AUX terminals
• Steering-wheel-mounted switches (audio system operation, Trip and Display buttons, and air conditioning switches)
• Six speakers

*nanoe and the nanoe logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation

Welcabs: Vehicles with Factory-installed Features for The Disabled

The Rotating Passenger Seat model features a passenger seat that rotates to facilitate smooth ingress and egress. The Type B model features an electric loading/unloading mechanism for manual wheelchairs.

Welcab Friendmatic Seat models allow for the installation of devices such as a specialized driver’s seat, to help people without use of their legs drive with only their hands (scheduled for release in March 2012). Special-purpose power steering that reduces the force necessary to turn the steering wheel comes standard, helping to ease steering during initial acceleration and low-speed driving.

The Friendmatic-exclusive remote-controlled power driver’s seat available on Types II and IV, aids movement to and from a wheelchair. Types III and IV include the Welcarry device, which automatically stows a wheelchair on the vehicle’s roof.