Toyota has revealed the NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The NS4 exemplifies Toyota's vision for future mobility, with a focus on next generation connectivity and safety.

Jim Lentz, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Sales US (Inc.) said, "In this digital age, cars are becoming another spoke in the wheel of our electronic connectivity. NS4 demonstrates Toyota's take on the human connection to the car with technology that considers both emotional and rational relationships, person-to-car and car-to-society."

NS4's advanced power train targets a hybrid plug-in system featuring reductions in component size and weight with improved overall fuel economy, better acceleration and longer all-electric range, while maintaining a short charge time.

The NS4 concept signals a new styling direction for Toyota aimed at making an emotional connection with consumers. The distinctive trapezoid grille is accented by a floating lower spoiler and distinctive daytime running lights. Rear lamps wrap around the sides of the vehicle, and create the effect of a rear spoiler. The roof line profile, lift back design and powered swan-wing doors create greater accessibility and efficient functionality.

The NS4 features Toyota's latest safety system developments, including next generation pre-collision system (PCS), adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, and blind spot monitor (BSM). PCS features lane departure and pedestrian collision avoidance technologies designed to predict collisions under certain circumstances and help avoid them. The system uses millimeter-wave radar and stereo cameras mounted on the front of the vehicle to detect and react to lane departure, pedestrians, and other vehicles. In the event of a potential collision, the system seeks to avoid other vehicles, road-side obstructions, and pedestrians by applying the brakes andmanipulating steering.

Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights help to prevent vision-impairing glare to oncoming drivers and pedestrians. Using a camera mounted behind the front grille and partial shielding inside the headlights, this feature allows drivers to maintain near-high beam illumination to improve nighttime visibility.

Using sub-millimeter wave radar, the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane and visually alerts the driver using visual indicators placed in the upper dash.

The pop-up bonnet structure automatically raises the rear of the hood to increase the space underneath, helping to reduce pedestrian head injuries caused by a collision with the front of the vehicle. This innovation is the result of testing and verification using both conventional crash-test dummies and Toyota's Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) finite element model.

Jim Lentz concluded the unveiling of the NS4, saying, "The continued success of our conventional hybrid vehicles laid strong groundwork for market acceptance of future advanced technologies. NS4 demonstrates Toyota's ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and convenience of future mobility for people everywhere."