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Toyota is out to prove that the fuel cell vehicle isn't as dead as we thought. Despite the fact that a hydrogeninfrastructure is no closer to reality now than it was five years ago, the company unveiled its FCV-R Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Engineers snugged the fuel cell unit beneath the passenger cell to preserve passenger and cargo capacity. The FCV-R Concept boasts space for four and their gear, and Toyota claims that the vehicle has a range of around 435 miles. That works for us. Currently, the FCV-R is only a concept, though it's interesting to see Toyota playing with hydrogen fuel cell technology once again.

Will the tech eventually make its way to the road? Here's hoping. Toyota has already made it clear the automaker wants to see the Prius range become its best-selling nameplate in the near future, and a fuel-cell version could be part of those plans. Hit the jump for the full press release.


TMC to Unveil New Concept Cars at Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota City, Japan, November 15, 2011-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will feature several concept cars to highlight its Toyota-brand exhibit at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. The concepts aim to make fresh proposals concerning the dream and joy of motor vehicles under the concept "Fun to Drive, Again."*1. The show, under the theme "Mobility can change the world", will be held from November 30 through December 11*2 at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

The Toyota-brand display will include a concept car that heralds a future where people, cars, and society are linked, as well as a compact rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle that reaffirms the joy of driving and the pleasure of motor vehicle ownership. Also planned for display are a diverse selection of next-generation eco-cars including a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), which represents the technology TMC considers best suited for widespread use to effectively meet CO2 emissions restrictions and the diversification of energy.

FCV-R (Fuel Cell Vehicle - Reality & Revolution, world premiere)
A practical sedan-type next-generation fuel-cell concept vehicle fueled by hydrogen, a promising source of CO2 emission-free energy that can be produced from a variety of sources and can be easily stored and transported. This concept model is a highly practical fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) that is planned for launch in about 2015.

With the fuel-cell unit located beneath the specially designed body, the vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and boasts impressive luggage space. The fuel cell stack, consisting of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, has been improved to provide a cruising distance of approximately 700 km or more (under the JC08 test cycle; according to TMC).

*1Revival of Toyota-brand catchphrase "Fun to Drive", used in domestic Japanese advertisements from 1984 through 1987
*2Press days, November 30 - December 1; special guest day, December 2; public days, December 3-11