2004 Toyota MTRC Concept
A Virtual Reality Concept Car
When does the virtual world supplant reality? While computing technology is improving by the minute, recreating carbon life forms isnt likely to occur in our lifetimes, by may happen some time in the distant future.
What is taking place all around us day in and day out however, are virtual reality gamers, living, eating and breathing life on an alternative dimension. There they are heroes, villains and innocent victims, living out a fantasy life much more enticing than their own 9 to 5 existence.
Toyota, seeing an opportunity in the making, chose to bring virtual reality to life by producing a life size car from a game. The futuristic, high-tech MTRC concept, previously merely the figment of a Sony PS2 graphic artists imagination, was recently shown at the Geneva motor show.
The concept, that gets its name from the acronym for Motor Triathlon Race Car, is the product of Toyota and the creators of Sonys upcoming Gran Turismo 4 racing simulator. Its the sort of machine that goes well beyond the means of any normal road-going car, stretching the bounds of the automotive imagination by crossing "what if" dreams with more concrete ideas of what the future might be.
The two-seat, open-wheeled road racer was designed by Toyotas European ED2 design studio. In order to gain access to the cockpit, the entire front end swings up and out of the way, an unorthodox process but one that works nonetheless.
While Toyota has become famous for producing dramatic and futuristic concept cars, the MTRC continues to push the limits of styling and design beyond anything done before. From the outside, its little more than a rocket ship-like body and four wheels. The two seats are mounted in tandem (one after the other) to retain a narrow cockpit. Much like a Formula One car, this concept features a nose cone that juts out from the center forming two layers. The MTRCs tiny triangular headlamps are mounted within this pod. A thin, flush-mounted windscreen provides minimal coverage of the cockpit, which is completely open to the elements. Behind the cockpit is a massive central arch spoiler which aside from attracting attention, acts as an aerodynamic stability device. From the back, the central-mounted tail light has been formed in the shape of the Toyota logo.
From a technical standpoint, the MTRC is very advanced, even as a concept car. It features two power sources, electric as well as fuel cell. Each wheel is propelled by an individual electric motor, as well as being driven by a fuel-cell powered motor. Toyota states that this design is more flexible than a conventional internal combustion engine and drivetrain.
Part of the name, in specific Triathlon, comes from the cars multi-purpose nature. It has been designed to feel at home on the street, as well as on the race track, and as a bit of a surprise, mild off road conditions.
There arent even remote rumors, let alone idle chats about this concept become reality anytime soon. Rather, the MTRC is an exercise in creative engineering and design. It shows that Toyota isnt only about reliability and quality workmanship, but also about fun. Thats an important message for Toyota to get out.