Designed for future generations

The interests of today’s younger generations are very different from those of older people. For example, sports, fashion, video games, mobile phones and internet are some of the themes that appeal to European teenagers. In addition, this is a generation that has grown up with IT such as mobile phones, video games, computers and the internet and sees all these tools as an integral part of life.

The Motor Triathlon Race Car is Toyota’s response to these changing demands, and it’s a clear indication that the company is now targeting not only the customers of today, but is also seeking to extend its brand message to future generations of car buyers.

This two-seater is first and foremost a futuristic race car concept, conceived to showcase to demonstrate Toyota’s three main strengths:

• Extensive motor sports involvement: Formula 1, CART, IRL, WRC, Le Mans, JGTC and others
• Heritage and experience in the development of four-wheel drive vehicles
• Leadership in eco-friendly and information technologies

The Toyota Motor Thriatlon Race Car was developed to compete in three different racing environments: a smooth and high-grip racetrack, a narrow city street circuit and an off-road course. This radical fuel cell performance car was designed and built at Toyota’s European design studio ED² and has now its world première at Geneva Motor Show.

A virtual driving experience in Gran Turismo 4

The vehicle’s true potential will be demonstrated in the Sony Playstation game Gran Turismo 4,
developed by Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital, when the game comes out later this year. Until now, in Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, the vehicle makes special appearances.

Through this, Toyota expects to further reinforce its dynamic image, not just with today’s customers, but also within the younger generations.

Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo, talks about the Motor Thriatlon Race Car: "We have taken the opportunity of extracting the technology from a futuristic car, and reproducing it in a virtual world. This has been a very exciting experience for our team, who are always curious toward new technology.”

Taking the CS&S concept one stage further

The Motor Triathlon Race Car takes as its starting point many of the same influences evident in the CS&S concept that was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003.

So the new concept receives an innovative four-wheel drive transmission, in which each wheel is fitted with an individual electric motor powered by hydrogen fuel cells to ensure zero emissions – only water comes from the exhaust system.

It also incorporates an electronically-controlled suspension system which constantly monitors the road conditions, raises the ride height and adjusts the settings according to the conditions. In addition, intelligent tyres also adapt to the road conditions through built-in sensors, ensuring the maximum grip whatever the surface.

As for the exterior styling, this demonstrates one of ED²’s visions for the future. It’s a two-seater concept, reminiscent of Toyota’s experience in open-wheeled cars (F1, CART, IRL, F3 and Formula Toyota), in which the whole body contributes to the control of airflows, ensuring maximum stability and aerodynamic efficiency.

Advanced Information Technology (IT)

One of the key elements of the Motor Triathlon Race Car concept is the adoption of the innovative new ‘Mixed Reality’ technology that has been developed by Denso and Canon.

Driver and passenger wear a special helmet which allows them to visualise information, rather like a Head Up Display (HUD) system. The difference is that while a HUD system simply conveys factual information, such as speed or temperature, Mixed Reality actually helps the driver to foresee upcoming road conditions.

In this way it acts like a virtual co-pilot or navigator, providing a constant flow of information – such as road temperature, tyre status, the presence of snow or ice – and at the same time interacting with the car’s own systems to adapt its basic characteristics to optimise performance, whatever the external conditions. This technology represents an important step in active safety by helping the driver to navigate and to control the car more safely and accurately.