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Giugiaro designs Toyota's new high performance hybrid

Toyota Volta

Being a website on Italian cars we wouldn't normally be writing an article on a Toyota, but…. there is an Italian connection and that is that the hybrid concept shown off at the Geneva car show earlier this year is designed by Giugiaro/Italdesign.

The carbon fibre Volta seats three people abreast and features "drive-by-wire" controls, allowing you to position the steering wheel and pedals in front of any one of them. The power comes from Volta's 408bhp/304kW Hybrid Synergy Drive (a 3.3 litre V6 quad-cam VVT 24v) which not only delivers 38mpg (about the same as a Hyundai Excel) but a top speed of around 250 kmh and a 0-100 kmh of 4.03 seconds. Power from the petrol engine does not go directly to the wheels - instead it charges a 70kg battery pack which in turn powers the 4 electric motors (one for each wheel).

As you would expect - sat nav and a sound system come with the car but other features are kept to a minimum - the instruments are simple: just a speedometer and a fuel indicator.

There is a slight resemblance to the Gallardo - perhaps the next hybrid off the line will be from Lamborghini?

© italiancar.com.au 16/08/04

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