As the debate continues over which alternative fuel technology is the most effective, Toyota is hard at work on combining two of the frontrunners. “Informed sources” told Japan’s Kyodo News this week that the automaker will deliver a diesel hybrid compact car as early as 2010. The car will be built in cooperation with Isuzu.
Earlier this month, we reported Toyota’s acquisition of a $375 million stake in Isuzu gave it access to a wealth of diesel technology and over 800 diesel engineers. At the time, Toyota’s Katsuaki Watanabe implied the company would offer diesels as an alternative to hybrids. But the Kyodo report suggests the automaker will also offer a diesel-electric hybrid.
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11/21, 10:30 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
In other words … “Hoaw can Toyota make the Prius stink more?”
11/21, 10:40 AM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac…
Funny to see GM’s old ally fall into the hands of Toyota… A diesel hybrid is gonna really shakeup the N.A. market. Good if you are a Toyota fan.
11/21, 10:44 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
I’m still not convinced about Hybrids. They’re just a stop-gap solution before the Hydrogen switch, it’s inevitable. In the meantime I believe efforts are better directed towards making current Diesel engines more efficient (like what Honda is doing, no urea injection etc.) instead of making the engine even more complex than it already is.
11/21, 10:55 AM
posted by:
moogleii
“The Hydrogen switch.” It may be a stop-gap solution, but I think that gap’s going to be there for a while until they resolve all the engineering hurdles. Getting a hydrogen powerplant working is one thing, getting the supporting technology is another (storage, reliability, production). If every car out there today were powered by hydrogen, and they each leaked a small percentage of hydrogen, you’d be looking at a damaged ozone layer relatively soon.
11/21, 12:44 PM
posted by:
rey323
Toyota certainly isn’t resting on their laurels. Combining diesel’s inherent efficiency with all that Toyota has learned about hybrid systems, we should see a new Prius that should easily top 100MPG. Whether hybrids are really a stop-gap technology or not, Toyota is making tons of cash and earning a reputation as a “green” automaker. And that public perception is worth a great deal…
11/21, 1:21 PM
posted by:
Stuart
2010 is gonna be too late. By then All Mercedes and BMW car will have hybrids along with diesels. You can also involve GM into the equation.
11/21, 1:34 PM
posted by:
Bush
Stuart, its vertually 2007. No way in hell is the all the infastructure going to be place for hydrogen in 3 years.
11/21, 2:10 PM
posted by:
A4
ugh they finally pick up diesels yet they still make them into fruity hybrids
11/21, 2:57 PM
posted by:
Renton
Diesel is a better match for hybrid power.
That said, I don’t like hybrids. Too heavy, too complex.
11/21, 3:12 PM
posted by:
hanno
I still don’t understand why it is taking so long for modern diesels to become mainstream over here. The modern diesel has already been proven, and the benefits of being able produce your own fuel and not be as dependent on import goes a long way to justifying the switch. I think the one thing we have to agree on is that all of the new technologies are going to be more complex than the traditional gas engine, you don’t generally get something for nothing. That said, if Gale Banks can get 700+ HP and 1300 ft lbs out of a current generation Duramax 6600, I can only hope for a decent Isuzu diesel in a Toyota to wake up the market!
11/21, 3:29 PM
posted by:
Brendino
If this is true, it’s one more reason for Ford to build the Reflex.
11/21, 3:29 PM
posted by:
Stuart
Bush I meant a diesel/hybrid as Mercedes and BMW makes some of the best diesels in the world. They are in the final phases of development for the hybrids and have produced a Hybrid diesel for development on the new S-class. My guess is it must be coming out in the next couple of years a year or two before toyota who don’t have any diesel let alone the ****ty isuzu ones.
11/21, 3:51 PM
posted by:
A4
Stuart, if Isuzu can do one thing right, its diesels, its a shame they dont put them in their OWN cars to revive their terrible offerings. A rebadged colorado with a diesel might actually sell. Diesels are one of the only things keeping Isuzu alive, believe it or not.
11/21, 3:54 PM
posted by:
A4
hanno, its also taken so long thanks to the government and their outrageous diesel regulations put upon cars and light trucks. Heavier trucks are excluded from such regulations, which is why their engines are all so awesome at this point, thanks to the years of development allowed.
11/21, 6:32 PM
posted by:
mertzen
combined with plugin tech this can go to 100mpg. But the looks need the change too. It just looks too dull.
11/21, 7:17 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Comment by Stuart, posted on November21 at 1:21 pm: 2010 is gonna be too late. By then All Mercedes and BMW car will have hybrids along with diesels. You can also involve GM into the equation.
Comment by Bush, posted on November21 at 1:34 pm:
Stuart, its vertually 2007. No way in hell is the all the infastructure going to be place for hydrogen in 3 years.
Evidence that Bush is indeed George W! Despite Stuart being grossly misinformed in believing Mercedes/BMW/GM will have even ONE diesel/hybrid by 2010, he never said ANYTHING about hydrogen, Bush!
11/21, 7:18 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Toyota once again beats everyone to the punch with a Diesel/Electric hybrid.. I had hopes VW would have done this first, considering their Diesel expertise.
11/21, 8:45 PM
posted by:
A4
hahaha autonutt, you also forgot to mention that he cant spell – just like bush
11/22, 8:10 PM
posted by:
GarbageMotorsCo
Toyota is on a roll. Go Yota GO!
02/04, 12:30 PM
posted by:
GripperDon
Diesl fuel is over priced way over priced. Bio Diesel MUST come in for Diesel to make sense here in the USA.
Diesel HyBrid will not help IF the Diesel fuel remains so expensive.
IN the city with lots of regen the hybrid works well but on a lot of highway driving a stright Diesel is the better configuration.
The diesel clatter will be even more objectionable in the poorly insulated cars. Attention to the diesel injection system and insulation is a must.
I owned a number of Diesels and believe me you gotta love em to live with them. Gripper