| Make
|
Toyota |
| Model |
AXV-IV |
| Concept
year |
1991 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
800
cc two-cylinder |
The Toyota AXV-IV was a vehicle which showcased advanced
lightweight construction techniques and materials.
Thanks to extensive use of materials like aluminium, magnesium,
carbon fibre and plastic the total weight of the AXV-IV
was just 450 kgs (990 lbs). Even the suspension springs
went on a diet, and instead of conventional steel springs
the AXV-IV used fiberglass reinforced plastic springs.
Toyota introduced the AXV-IV at the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show,
and even though that is nearly two decades ago, it's remarkable
to see the styling similarities between the AXV-IV and
the Toyota FT-86 concept
which was revealed in 2009.
But even if the two cars share a few style lines and features
- especially around the B-pillars, shape of the windscreen
and side windows, and in the curving shut line of the
doors - one area that the two vehicles differ completely
is in the drivetrain. Powering the AXV-IV was an 804 cc
(0.8 litre), two-stroke, two-cylinder engine which produced
64 horsepower.
The AXV-IV is on permanent display at the Toyota Automobile
Museum in Nagakute-cho, Japan.
|
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