
Making its world debut at the Tokyo motor show on 20 November will be the latest version of Toyota's Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept - only this time it's more of a preview, since Toyota is planning to release the production version "around 2015" - which some industry insiders are translating to "as early as next year".
Toyota's ongoing development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology has given this version (yes, it's a runner) a range of at least 500km on a full tank and a refuelling time of about three minutes - roughly the same as for a petrol or diesel vehicle.
The difference being that you can drink what comes out of the FCV's tailpipe - it's pure water vapour.
FLOWING PROFILE
The concept, a little bigger than your average compact sedan, is 4870mm long on a 2780mm wheelbase, 1810mm wide and 1535mm high. Its styling represents how a fuel-cell car works, with bold air intakes emphasising the instant acceleration provided by its electric motor, while the transformation of air (hydrogen and oxygen) into pure water is expressed by the flowing profile of the doors, a wave motif on the filler cap and a rear treatment that Toyota would have us believe was inspired by the stern of a catamaran.