The opening of John's Cologne apartment was celebrated with an exclusive wine tasting with Toyota Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli. Trulli is not only one of the best and most experienced racers in the current field of starters, he distinguished himself as a great wine connoisseur. Photo: Toyota Germany

Cologne. "John's apartment," the space of experience to know the new Toyota iQ, its doors opened in Cologne and Berlin. The new ultra-compact city car from Toyota is parked free from fear of contact in the middle of John's apartment: Visitors can view the compact city car in this extraordinary environment live and make a personal impression of him, long before the iQ beginning in 2009 will come in Germany on the market. Special guest at the opening night in Cologne on 3 September was Toyota Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli and wine producer, who brought some of his fine wines for tasting and immediately took the iQ seat fitting. Then he drew comparisons to his "company car": "Small, lightweight and super-efficient - almost like a Formula 1" Behind the name "John's Apartment" lies a new, automotive unprecedented marketing campaign of Toyota Germany: In selected town centers are rented shops, individually and temporarily transformed into customized presentation rooms for the new Toyota iQ. The relaxed lounge atmosphere in "Johns apartment" in addition to high quality, comfortable furnishings and a free Internet access via Wi-Fi and a complimentary beverage service.

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Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS short) is to change the Formula 1 this year. Photos: Toyota

Cologne. "The hybrid technology is Toyota's core technology to minimize emissions and CO2 emissions and reduce fuel consumption," said Kazuhiko Miyadera, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Europe, responsible for research and development. With the Prius, Toyota has this year already exceeded the million mark. Since its launch in 2000 in Europe alone have decided more than 100,000 customers for these hybrid sedan. Toyota aims to achieve a clear objective world: "In 2010 we want to sell one million hybrid vehicles annually. Our efforts are that we want to introduce hybrid technology in all vehicles of our lineup, "announces Miyadera. Does that concern also for Formula 1? Under the new regulations of the FIA, the teams can start to season 2009, a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS short) use. The use of the modified drive concept for increasing the performance and efficiency is optional and not mandatory for all teams. "The potential of the hybrid system is immense, but the preferred solution is limited by the FIA ​​to get the energy from the rear wheels. The parameters should be greater, "says Luca Marmorini, the Toyota Formula 1 team, responsible for engine development. "The KERS development will deepen the understanding of hybrid systems, but we do not expect the current situation so that they deliver ground-breaking innovations in our road-vehicle development," explains Marmorini.

Timo Glock - Toyota F1

Background: Toyota has won the Supra HV-R in the past year, the 24-hour race at Tokachi Japan, where the hybrid sports car has 70 percent of the recalled energy during braking destroyed again. "This is even more advanced technology was used as it will be with KERS in Formula 1 is the case," says developer LM engines. The Toyota F1 team is working hard on the implementation of KERS. When first driving the Toyota Formula 1 racing car with the energy-recovery system on the track is available yet,. KERS is currently only developed in the works, "because about 95 percent of KERS development on the KERS simulation dynamometer can be done," explains Marmorini. The time for action on the track is clearly defined: KERS will come only after the vehicle is used when the system is the high demands of the company in terms of performance and safety.

Luca Marmorini (Toyota F1)

LM confirmed: "The rules in 2009 will mean that our new Formula 1 racing car TF109 significant changes compared to the TF108 will have and therefore it makes little sense KERS at an early stage on the race track to test." Today the experts know that cause the use of KERS in Formula 1 is not too much faster lap times will be. Background: Because the additional energy gained volume will be only 6.5 seconds per lap available. This represents a time saving of 0.1 to 0.3 seconds per lap - and here is the important factor in weight distribution is not taken into account. If KERS, the weight of the Formula 1 car by up to 35 kg increases, "then this means you would move a few extra ballast, which would in turn bring an influence on the performance with it, since the possibilities of shifting weight would be limited." For this reason LM sees an advantage over KERS for F1 cars without the new drive concept first used when overtaking, "with sufficient traction could possibly have a better chance to overtake." Source: Wolf-Henning Fanslau, Toyota

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