Toyota FCV Concept – production fuel cell car in 2015

Toyota-FCV_Concept_03

The world’s largest carmaker will show off this Toyota FCV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. FCV stands for Fuel Cell Vehicle, and this concept previews an actual hydrogen-powered car Toyota plans to launch in 2015.

Toyota says that its progressive refinement of hydrogen fuel cell tech has given the car a range of at least 500 km on a full tank of the gas, and refuelling time will take around three minutes, roughly the same as for a petrol/diesel vehicle.

The powertrain features Toyota’s proprietary compact and lightweight fuel cell stack and a pair of high-pressure (70mPa) hydrogen tanks, located beneath the specially designed body. This compact packaging means the FCV can carry up to four occupants.

The Toyota FC stack has a 3 kW/l power output density, which is more than twice that of the system previously used in the FCHV-adv concept, and a maximum power output of at least 100 kW. It is also equipped with a high-efficiency boost converter.

Toyota-FCV_Concept_04

By increasing the voltage, Toyota has been able to make the motor smaller and reduce the number of fuel cells, leading to a system that is more compact overall, yet delivers better performance at reduced cost.

Driving aside, a fully fuelled vehicle can provide enough electricity – 10kW/h – to power an average Japanese family home for a week.

The FCV Concept is a big car. At 4,870 mm long, it’s 45 mm longer than the Toyota Camry, and its 2,780 mm wheelbase is longer than the D-segment sedan’s too. The exterior design carries the theme of transformation of air into water, which is exactly what happens when the fuel cell system generates electricity for the motor.

The front end features pronounced air intakes, while an air-to-water theme is captured in the flowing liquid profile of the doors, a wave motif on the filler cap and a rear-end treatment inspired by the stern of a catamaran.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Sam Loo on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Toyota – proven by its reliability and high RV. It will wipe out Rotten cabbages anytime, anywhere.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 21
    • ShameLoo on Nov 07, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      RV topic again?
      Your life is boring!!!!!!!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
    • dino years on Nov 07, 2013 at 4:18 pm

      Does it come with 2 airbags, cloth seats, and 4 speed auto? And a lack of VSC?

      Please note the sarcasm before you make any stupid replies, thanks.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
    • PassingBy on Nov 07, 2013 at 8:22 pm

      i seriously wonder u buy car to sell or to use.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • “a pair of high-pressure (70mPa) hydrogen tanks”

    I guess you meant MPa (Mega Pascal)? 70mPa (Milli Pascal) wouldn’t be high pressure at all. The barometric air pressure in KL is currently 100900000 mPa or 0.1009 MPa… ;)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • motorhead on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    Fuel cell.. But what the big intake for?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • QChan on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    How much does the hydrogen fuel cost now and how low can it conceivably go down to? Anyone?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • carlies on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    Cool! Think whatever possible to reduce the usage of fuel.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • nzain on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    lorrrr…its sedan..i thought hatchback…rear lamp doesnt match with that rear end..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Jimmy on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    Ugly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
  • showmetheranger on Nov 07, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    As good idea as it is, just merely a show off.
    T is still selling 20 years old technology here in bolehland with lowest spec possible.
    But still people worship the substandard products.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • err..uglyy…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
  • toyoda on Nov 07, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    oil & gas companies will be worried if this go for production. Then again, hydrogen is a dangerous fluid, wonder how safe the car is when involve in an accident.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Why do most electric cars have to look so ugly?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • samlook on Nov 07, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    wah..hilux face!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • protroll on Nov 07, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    DUGONG IS BACK! RUNNNNNNNNNN

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
  • Painter on Nov 07, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    How much would a full tank refuel cost?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • roxas on Nov 07, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    lol…so slow, and wat kind of design is tis. Hyundai already selling is ix35(tucson) fuel cell car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • i like this design.. futuristic and evergreen like vios

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • SamShowedMeTheHilux on Nov 08, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Another viable option is a used K5. Since used car dealers now don’t accept trade in prices anymore (used to be RM45k for a 1 year old), you should get a great deal if you get directly from the sorhai owners themselves

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Someguyonthenet on Nov 08, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    History teaches us that the probability that the production and the concept will not be of the same look. Be prepare to be disappointed people.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Radzi on Nov 09, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    design inspired by elephant..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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