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Yamaha EV and Hybrid Commuter Models for Display at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show

Sept. 28, 2005

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. will mount a booth under the theme of "The Art of Engineering" at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show (Organizer: Japan Automobile Manufactures Association / Venue: Makuhari Messe / Special Invitation Day: Oct. 21) to be held from Oct. 22 (Sat.) to Nov. 6 (Sun.) at which it will display 21 models including special exhibition models, planned production models and export spec models (with nine world premiere models, seven Japan premiere models and five others).
In the EV (electric vehicle) and hybrid commuter categories, Yamaha will display the following five models.



"HV-01"

"DEINONYCHUS"


"FC-me"

"Passol-L"


The Yamaha EV and Hybrid Commuter models
to be displayed at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show


•World Premiere Models
·HV-01 (Special exhibition model)
·DEINONYCHUS (Special exhibition model)
·FC-me (Special exhibition model)
·Passol-L (Planned production model)

•Production Model
·EC-02



World Premiere Models (3 special exhibition models, 1 planned production model)

•HV-01 (Special exhibition model: prototype)
This is a parallel hybrid scooter mounting an electric motor and gasoline engine. Despite the large body that gives a feeling of spacious comfort to the ride, this model has torque-y power development in the low rpm range that delivers the acceleration feeling of a bike one class above, as well as good fuel economy, environmental friendliness and performance that brings a real joy of riding. At the same time it has convenient functions that only hybrid bike offer, such as a "quiet mode" (running only on the electric motor) and a "push mode" that makes pushing the bike in places like parking lots (super low-power drive when off the bike)

•DEINONYCHUS (Special exhibition model: prototype)
Taking full advantage of the greater chassis design freedom afforded by an in-wheel motor, this is Yamaha's proposal of a completely new type of two-wheel-drive (2WD) EV (electric vehicle) with "Stretch & Shrink" functions in the vertical and horizontal directions that brings a very Yamaha joy of riding. In addition to the great drivability of the 2WD it is possible to adjust not only the riding position but also the silhouette of the chassis to fit the rider's body size, riding environment, road surface conditions and personal preference. This is Yamaha's proposal of a bike of the future that offers the kind of personal fit only possible with an electric vehicle.

•FC-me (Special exhibition model: prototype)
Fuel cell systems using hydrogen gas as their fuel are most common but it is difficult to make a compact system of this type. The "Yamaha Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) System" uses a liquid methanol-water solution as its fuel, which eliminates the need for a converter and a pressurized (fuel) tank and thus makes it possible to create a lightweight system for a small vehicle requiring power in the 1 kW or less range without compromising on power output characteristics.
Based on survey data gathered from licensed public-road use of our "FC06 PROTO," a prototype mounting the Yamaha DMFC system, the advanced fuel cell motorcycle model "FC-me" has now been created with improved performance in areas like reliability and running distance. By optimizing the control parameters for the fuel cell system, Yamaha's engineers have achieved an energy conversion rate for the FC-me that 1.5 times that of the FC06 PROTO, while re-evaluation of the body components has made possible a light machine weight of just 69 kg. A contract has been signed with Shizuoka Prefecture to put this model in practical use on a lease basis as of September 16 of this year.

•Passol-L (Special exhibition model: planned for production)
This is a second generation model inheriting the "Light, Smart, Clean and Silent" concept of the "Passol" (50cc class) released by Yamaha in November of 2002 (limited regional release, followed by nationwide release in May 2003) as the first EV (electric vehicle) running solely on electric power. Mounting a motor with the same performance as the EC-02 released in May of 2005 and battery with boosted energy concentration, this new model features improved start-up/mid-speed range and hill-climbing power and increased running distance per charge (about 25~30 km/55 kg rider in normal around-town riding).


Production model

•EC-02

As one aspect of Yamaha's corporate objective of "sustainable development," we are engaged in the development and market release of EVs (electric vehicles) that run solely on electricity as people-friendly vehicles with minimized environmental impact. The "EC-02" released in May of 2005 is Yamaha's second EV, following the Passol. This is a model developed to offer "design and performance that stimulates the spirit of fun in adults" while pursuing the qualities of gentleness, fun and ease of use that only an electric vehicle can provide.


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