The FX-1 is a concept car by Toyota. It was first shown at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show and also shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1984. It was a showcase for new technologies in driver controls, engine, suspension, materials and aerodynamics.
Driver controls edit
Colour CRTs were used in the dash to display speed, rpm, fuel, temperature, etc.
Engine and driveline edit
It used an enhanced prototype form of the 1G-GEU engine called the LASREα-X, a 1,988 cc EFI twin cam 24-valve inline six engine equipped with dual turbo-chargers and intercooler, computer-controlled valve timing, variable displacement and induction.[1] At low speeds, the variable displacement system shut down half the engine to conserve fuel. The system never went into production[2][3] but a simplified version later appeared as the 1G-GTE, slightly modified for production and without the variable cam timing and variable displacement. In search of reducing maintenance, the FX-1's engine also featured computer-controlled distributorless ignition.[4]
Transmission was via a four-speed automatic ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) with overdrive.
Suspension edit
It used a pneumatic suspension combined with TEMS electronic damping control. The pneumatic suspension automatically raised and lowered the front and rear of the car separately for maximum stability. TEMS was also used on the Supra and the Soarer (2 stage) and on the highest spec Crown (3 stage).
Materials edit
Many exotic materials were used, including Fibre Reinforced Metal (body panels) and Shape Memory Effect Alloy (body panels) and Ceramics (brake rotors).
Aerodynamics edit
The body had a very low drag coefficient of Cd=0.25.
Stability could be increased via aerodynamics by individually lowering the front and rear suspension according to road speed. At high speed the front was lowered two steps and the rear was lowered one step.
References edit
- ^ All About the Toyota Twin Cam (2nd ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Toyota. November 1984. p. 18. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
- ^ Reingold, Edwin M.; Martin, Charles L. (1983-11-14). "Tokyo's Wonder Cars". TIME.COM. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Waddell, Richard; Bird, Jon (March 1985). "A short hop to put flashy concepts on the road - Tokyo Motor Show". Ward's Auto World. Archived from the original on 2004-12-08. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ All About the Toyota Twin Cam (2nd ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Toyota. November 1984. p. 19. Retrieved 2019-04-25.
Information copied from an English language brochure given out by Toyota at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show. A Japanese-language version of the same brochure was given out at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show.
External links edit
- W.Stephenson (2007-12-27). "Toyota concept cars, FX-1". Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- "TOYOTA FX-1" (in French). Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- "The 25th Tokyo Motor Show (1983 . 10/28 - 11/8)". Tokyo Motor Show website. 1983. Retrieved 2009-08-19.