AUTO MANIA
Toyota Prius

One of the vehicles being heralded as the way to go is the Toyota Prius. This is Toyota’s dual powered vehicle. It is a hybrid with both internal combustion and electric power. These were shown at the Bangkok International Motor Show in 2001, and our Down-under correspondent, John Weinthal has just spent some time with one. Here are the Words from Weinthal.

“This week we have tasted what could be the future of motoring. I approached Toyota’s minimum-emissions, maximum-economy, dual power-source Prius in a decidedly sceptical mood. My “Green” credentials are only marginally better than those of the Environment Ministers, Lord Mayors and others who cruise our streets in their V8 limos, while spouting on about the end of the world if the rest of us don’t mend our ways.

Toyota Prius

“In reality, the Prius matched just about all that Toyota claims for it - and they make some impressive claims, believe me. This is - let’s be diplomatic here - a distinctively styled conventional four-door, five-seater sedan. In fact few cars have attracted more ‘love it/hate it’ comments on their looks. But the buyer will decide what he thinks before purchase.

“Toyota’s asserts that its alternative energy vehicles must drive like normal cars - or better. Prius comes mighty close to that.

“Toyota makes impressive claims about big reductions in all major noxious exhaust emissions. We don’t have the scientific equipment to check that out, but others do, so it is certain they would not exaggerate on that score.

“Toyota says Prius should use up to 50 percent less petrol than a similar-sized car like their own Corolla. Presto; the test car averaged over no-tricks, normal everyday city and highway cruising just 5.1 litres of petrol per 100km. That’s around 60mpg in the old money.

“Prius has two power sources. There’s a conventional but advanced 53 kW, twin cam 1.5 litre, four cylinder which does most of the work in moving this 1250kg sedan. The really clever bit is the electric motor which imperceptibly takes over when power demand is lower. When using the air-con, as we did over most of our week and 550 km, the car runs on petrol. However, when braking or coasting, the petrol engine recharges the electric motor’s 274 kW nickel metal hydrate battery by what is known as regenerative braking. The petrol engine automatically switches off when the car is stationary for more than a few seconds, restarting the moment you press the accelerator. That’s just one of the initially eerie but ultimately appealing features of the car.

“There is no conventional transmission, hence no engine braking. An artificial, apparent engine braking can be introduced by moving the driving wand. We used this occasionally when approaching a roundabout for instance.

“Prius can be extremely quiet, especially on start-up and reversing which is always performed using the electric motor. At one stage on a freeway run we noted that the digital speedo was pointing some way above the limit. I didn’t expect a speeding ticket in Prius, but it would not be impossible. Around town the car stays with and ahead of the general melee and often I forgot that I was driving something ‘different’.

“The ride can be a fraction harsh on bad surfaces at low speeds thanks to the low profile, low rolling resistance tyres and handling has a distinct touch of understeer. Neither is a big issue at any time.

“Standard equipment includes two air bags, climate control air conditioning, ABS anti-lock brakes, power windows and mirrors, a quartet of cup holders, electric power steering and a six-stack in-dash CD player. The test car had an optional combination touch-screen audio and satellite navigation centre similar to Lexus we have driven recently.

“So, Prius proved to be a more than satisfactory everyday car. At AUD 40,000, initial buyers will be mainly government and others who wish to flag their Green credentials, and private buyers who like to be first with the latest. Neither is likely to be disappointed.

“Prius carries a normal three year/100,00km warranty plus six years for the no-maintenance battery which Toyota says should last the lifetime of the car. That’s a good thing as a replacement would currently cost around $6000!

“The only major warning is not to run out of petrol then try getting home under electric power. You won’t, and you will destroy your six grand battery.

“On some levels Prius offers genuinely appealing advantages in everyday use, quite apart from its economy and any feel-good factor you may garner from believing you are helping keep our planet spinning.

“Toyota themselves declare that this is the new beginning. It’s a more than satisfactory start, believe me. We will see - and buy - many more hybrids of this ilk within a decade.”

Times are truly tough

Auto News reports weekly on the overall motoring scene in America, and the news is not good news, let me tell you. During 2001 investment bankers, business consultants and others say they have seen a record number of failures.

Liquidations, an asset auction for creditors of a no-longer-viable company, follow national bankruptcy rates, they say. Bankruptcy filings are expected to set a record in 2002, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute. A corporate bankruptcy is expensive, so smaller companies often choose out-of-court reorganizations or liquidations.

It is not small, poorly managed outfits that are going to the wall either. The large bearing company Federal-Mogul has been chatting with its bankruptcy lawyers. In addition to Federal-Mogul, U.S. Bankruptcy Court became the refuge this year for five other large suppliers: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc., Hayes Lemmerz International Inc., Talon Automotive Group Inc. and Mexican Industries in Michigan. Toronto supplier A.G. Simpson Automotive Inc. filed for Canadian court protection from creditors. A failed reorganization can then lead to liquidation.

The enormity of the problem does not seem to be quite understood by many outside of the auto industry. Take for example H.R. Krueger Inc. which closed its doors after 65 years of building massive automated machine tools. Companies the size of Krueger, which has annual sales of $25 million, have limited access to capital during tough times. Yes, you think you’ve had it tough, but here is a company with 25 mill in sales and can’t get more credit! Krueger CEO Scott Moore said he posted a loss in 2000 but expected a turnaround in 2001. Then two customers postponed delivery of two multimillion-dollar tools until next 2002. Back-to-back annual losses put him out of compliance with loan covenants. The banks just shut the shutters!

The Mannesmann VDO name will disappear early this year. The merger with electrical and electronics supplier Siemens Automotive Corp. is nearly complete. The new company will be known as Siemens VDO Automotive. The merger, however, did not happen because everything in the garden was coming up rosy!

With the big name auto manufacturers slowing production, the parts suppliers are in even more bother. When the giants, such as GM and Ford slow production, the flow-on effect produces ripples at the top and veritable tidal waves by the time it gets through to the second tier and minor suppliers. Do not expect to see great strides in 2002 seems to be the call.

Copen Sesame!

Fancy one of these little babies? Built by Daihatsu, the name “Copen” is reputedly a combination of “Compact-open” with an aluminium roof that folds up a la Mercedes and disappears into the boot automatically.

The “Compact-open” - Copen

With looks somewhat reminiscent of the Audi TT roadster, the little Daihatsu uses a turbocharged 660cc engine up front to keep it within Japan’s cheap registration classes. Apparently, for Japan it is also speed limited to 140 kph, but if the governor is removed, Daihatsu say it will do over 160 kph. These micro-cars could just be the answer to Thailand’s traffic jams too.
Autotrivia Quiz

Last week I showed you a Porsche Boxster, and asked where did the name “Boxster” come from? Very easy, it was from the combination of “boxer” engine and “speedster” styling.

Juan Manuel Fangio

So to this week. This one is very easy. Ayrton Senna is often touted as the greatest GP driver of all time; however, Senna did not think this, bestowing the title on Juan Manuel Fangio In one GP Fangio broke the lap record by six seconds. You read correctly - six seconds! Which Grand Prix and which year, and why was it so significant for Fangio?

For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first correct answer to fax 427 596 or email [email protected] Good luck!

Cash for scrap

In an attempt to bolster the flagging fortunes of the auto industry, the American government is seriously considering financial incentives to get motorists to scrap their old cars and get new, more fuel efficient ones. The stand is being done on the back of the save the planet’s resources movement, but it is a furphy really. You can get rid of your old fuel inefficient economy car that could return 30 miles per gallon and get a new, fuel efficient pick-up that gets 25 miles per gallon! Undoubtedly the big manufacturers would be in favour as a way to get rid of some of their stockpiled models, but whether the US Senate will come clean is another matter.

Singapore did this some years back (and might even still do this) where you had to trade in one car for scrap to buy a new one. I remember being told by the new car showrooms that it was OK if I didn’t have a car to scrap - they would provide one for me!