Apparently, the ‘4’ in Toyota’s NS4 concept doesn’t stand as an unsubtle reference to what the next (fourth) generation Prius might look like, but rather, according to the car’s project leader Tomohiko Shishido, merely denotes that the car has four doors. Further demystifying its acronym, Shishido-san says the car’s full name is ‘New Splendid 4-door’ which is, no question, a splendid name.
Its point is to show a lower, longer and wider future Toyota plug-in hybrid sedan available for purchase circa 2015/16. At 4650mm long it stretches out 190mm more than the current mk3 Prius, is 25mm wider (1770mm) and 100mm lower (1370mm). This creates a visually pleasing set proportions and ones that Toyota’s head of design Tokuo Fukuichi says will also improve aerodynamics and, alongside a 30mm lower centre of gravity, create a better handling car aimed at sportier performance. The hood’s wraparound front styling is quite promising as is the unusual rear end – with echoes of the 2011 Tokyo show FCV-R fuel cell concept – and what Fukuichi-san is calling ‘catamaran style’.
The interior was far from fantastic but was complete – unlike many 2012 Detroit concepts – and featured an interesting inner mesh design on the seating. Overall, even with, or perhaps because of, its lipstick pink metallic exterior, the NS4 remains pretty splendid and a hopeful sign of things to come from the Japanese giant.
by Guy Bird
