[volkman10]

Toyota unveils the world's first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II ‘Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle’.

[volkman10]

Toyota Hycross - Flex fuel

[ashis89]

Is this a new variant of the Hycross? What levels of Ethanol can it run on? Toyota had confirmed earlier that their cars are not E20 compliant.

[volkman10]

Prototype of World’s 1st BS-6 Stage-II, Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle.

This prototype can run on over 20 percent ethanol blend fuel and 60 percent of the total output is taken care of EV power by the hybrid system in certain test conditions

This prototype gets the 186PS, 2-litre strong hybrid petrol engine.

A 20 percent ethanol blend can reduce PM2.5 emissions by 14 percent compared to petrol.

Ethanol is more affordable than petrol as it is majorly made from sugarcane.

More tests need to be conducted on this prototype to make it ready for Indian roads.

Here, the strong hybrid system is capable of generating 40 percent of the distance in EV mode and 60 percent of the output in EV mode under certain test conditions, therefore making it more efficient and eco-friendly.

- Toyota Innova Hycross that runs on 100% ethanol

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Is this a new variant of the Hycross? What levels of Ethanol can it run on? Toyota had confirmed earlier that their cars are not E20 compliant.

Flexfuel means it can run on E85, aka up to 83% ethanol. It's a prototype and I don't think it might be released soon since we are still in the early stages of E20 rollout.

E85 has been present in other countries for decades so it's not a new technology. I'm guessing this is more a demonstration of capabilities.

[Venkatesh]

This Toyota Innova Hycross can run on 85% ethanol blending. The fuel tank material has changed on this one and Ethanol sensors have been installed.









The forthcoming stages for this prototype encompass meticulous refinement, homologation, and certification processes.

Link

[ferrarirules]

Good to see that Toyota is doing some India specific research and investment. The govt is big on blending ethanol in petrol so as to reduce "oil imports".

Now is this the right strategy there is another thread running on how green or environment friendly is ethanol production?

Link to the thread (Is Ethanol really a green fuel?)

[nicodash]

Good demonstration of technology, but they are over-marketing it a bit. BS-6 Phase 2 is an Indian standard. Saying that this car is the world's first BS-6 Phase 2 electrified flex fuel car is like saying that an Indian franchise has become the first in the world to win an edition of the IPL.

[anandbangalore]

Could someone dumb this down for some of the others? After googling it, I can't quite place where this is heading.

Does it mean 'move to petrol, junk diesel, and your fuel is cheaper and made-in-India?'

And where does the EV debate stand next to Fueled cars?

[BoneCollector]

All this move is of no help till the time government reduces cost of E20 blend petrol. If ethanol is cheaper, then a blended fuel should also be cheaper than the normal one. But as of today, the cost of E20 blend petrol is same as the normal one available. Basically, we are guinea pigs for an experiment wherein we are paying to potentially damage our cars.

[fhdowntheline]

I think all this flux of technologies will create a lot of confusion about exactly where is the car market heading. Too much of government intervention in my view. Ideally they should set the CAFE norms and let the car companies do the rest. But everyone wants a piece of the limelight unfortunately. Meanwhile, the Samrudhi highway is still not fully equipped with necessary amenities and the NDA Chowk ( nee Chandni Chowk) interchange in Pune, while newly inaugurated, continues to undergo minor rebuild/ repairs every other day.

[Shreyans_Jain]

My take from this is that government policy needs a change to reduce or at least not increase the area under sugarcane cultivation. This water hungry crop causes massive ecological damage, especially in the water scarce states of UP and Maharashtra where it is primarily grown. Ethanol blending to reduce carbon emissions or to make a green fuel is an absolute bogey, and only furthers the interests of the sugar lobby.

[audioholic]

Initially when the reveal was announced, I thought Toyota will introduce a flex fuel version of the non Hybrid Hycross in order to push sales advertising the lower running costs of using >E20 fuel. However now I realise introducing the flex fuel hybrid made more sense because whatever engine power is lost while using this fuel, it wont change the driving characteristics of the hybrid and it will further lower the running cost of the flex fuel hybrid Hycross That sounds like an insane value proposition for fleet operators who have already warmed up to the Hycross inspite of its higher cost compared to the Crysta.

[Comrade]

I will believe it when I can purchase it. For all we know this could be just a quick sticker job on a regular E-10 production car with absolutely no changes underneath! Smells like another gimmick from those in power to showcase India is becoming lesser-dependent on imports! Make in India, India-shining etc etc.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I will believe it when I can purchase it. For all we know this could be just a quick sticker job on a regular E-10 production car with absolutely no changes underneath! Smells like another gimmick from those in power to showcase India is becoming lesser-dependent on imports! Make in India, India-shining etc etc.

This 'Electrified Flex-Fuel' is an ongoing project in Brazil and it looks so the flex-fuel Strong Hybrid HYcross is being developed there too and is work in progress as of now.

Extracts from Reuters:

- Toyota to invest $338 mln in Brazil to manufacture a new hybrid, flex-fuel compact car, which will run on both gasoline and ethanol in addition to its electric engine.

- The Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that engines for the new compact car, whose name was not revealed, will be built at Toyota's Porto Feliz plant, a move expected to create 700 jobs.

- The Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that engines for the new compact car, whose name was not revealed, will be built at Toyota's Porto Feliz plant, a move expected to create 700 jobs.

- The car ( HYcross?) is set to be launched in Brazil in 2024 and sold in 22 Latin American countries.

Link

In yesterday's unveil there were dignitaries from the diplomatic corps, including Brazil.