Where is Toyota's ES3 100mpg (Eco Spirit Cubic)?

In 2002 Toyota came out with a prototype e-car that surpassed 100 mpg, in tests, and was advertized on Toyotas web site. There was an artical in The London Times on this car, and there were people trying to buy one, but no one could find anything out from Toyota. So there are a few of them around, that have been road tested, with excellent reports on performance and milage, but it is the Prius,which came on the market in 1997 that is on the market. It is a shame that yet another efficient car has dissappeared from the market at a time when we should be doing everything possible to reduce co2, and conserve energy. This is another example of what Al Gore is saying in his latest movie..."An Inconvenient Truth".

While the media has focussed its attention on hybrid technology, led by the Toyota Prius, auto engineers have been competing to develop so-called "3-liter cars." This appellation refers to a vehicle that consumes no more than three liters of fuel per 100 kilometers.

Toyota's ES3 (Eco Spirit cubic) ups the ante by reaching the 100km goal on less than 2.7 liters of diesel fuel (EC mode, measured by Toyota). That's well over 100 miles per gallon.

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UPDATE: Aug 25, 2008 The above link is no longer there,so here is a link to Honest John who has done a revue on this car and affirms that it does indeed get over 100 mpg.

Honest John says

Good: Four-seater with the ability to do more than 100mpg and emit just 71g/km of CO2.

Bad: It's a concept car and this level of fuel-efficiency hasn't yet made it through to a production Toyota.

What's Good
Toyota's ES3 (Eco Spirit Cubic) prototype is probably the most efficient, environmentally friendly four-seater car yet built. With its aluminium and resin body the car weighs just 700kg and has a Cd value of 0.23. The engine is a turbocharged 1.4-litre direct-injection diesel engine combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The exhaust system includes a Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System and emissions conform to Euro IV for petrol engines. An idling stop mode automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, and regenerative braking technology is included to achieve higher efficiency. While the use of improved Toyota Super Olefin Polymer and biodegradable plastic greatly improve recyclability. The key to the ES3's outstanding fuel economy of 104.6mpg (2.7 litres/100km) and CO2 emissions of 71g/km is a highly efficient powertrain, combined with a light and aerodynamic body. The main powetrain is a 1.4-litre, direct-injection, common-rail diesel with variable geometry turbocharger and charge-air intercooler, mated to a continuously variable transmission. The common-rail direct injection system is electronically controlled to deliver reduced emissions and lower noise and vibration levels. A newly developed CVT, with a torque converter, contributes to ES3 fuel efficiency. It also helps keep emissions low and adds to the enjoyable driving performance. A braking energy regenerating system is used to convert vehicle deceleration energy to electric energy for storage in a capacitor. The stored electric energy is used for auxiliary electric loads and for restarting the engine. This allows for reduced engine workload in generating the required volume of electricity, thus, providing further reduction in fuel consumption. The ES3 is very aerodynamic with a target drag coefficient of Cd0.23, despite its length of only 3.52 metres. The front features an optimised cooling intake and a special bumper configuration that flows smoothly to the body side and bottom. The roofline flows gently downward to the rear, while the rear sides narrow, forming a sheer back. The floor height is raised to increase the amount of airflow under the car and the underfloor surfaces have been smoothed to increase airflow speed. An raised rear floor provides great improvement of airflow convergence at the rear end of body. In addition, an optimally shaped rear under spoiler, bracket type door mirrors, flat wheel covers and the shape of the rocker covers all contribute to outstanding aerodynamics and exceptional stability at high speeds. Dimensions are: length 3,520mm; width 1,630mm; height 1,460mm. In simplified form, may become the Peugeot/Toyota joint venture basic car
Toyota's Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System (DPNR) uses new catalyst technology to bring diesel emissions down to Euro Step IV standards for gasoline-powered vehicles.

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OK...Back to the past...G: ...zzzZZZ

Toyota took a multi-pronged approach to achieving efficiency.

Over 100 miles per gallon
First, the ES3 trims curb weight down to 700kg with its aluminum alloy frame, magnesium frame seats, lightweight polymers and other light-yet-strong materials.

Second it uses an aerodynamic form, measuring a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.23.

Third, its powertrain features Toyota's D-4D direct-injection common rail diesel engine with CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Ultra fuel efficient 1.4 liter D-4D direct injection-diesel common rail turbo engine with DPNR (Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System).

Adopting techniques from Toyota's hybrid success, the ES3 employs regenerative braking and "Stop & Go" power train management to turn the engine off when the vehicle is stationary.

As part of its total environmental effort, Toyota also carefully chooses materials that are recyclable and do not pose hazards. "Bio-plastic" interior furnishings are made of biodegradable plant materials, wire harnesses are PVC free, and many interior and exterior components such as the bumpers are made of TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer) which can be recycled to make new parts.

Toyota Displays ES3 at Motor Show in Frankfurt