This Is What It Feels Like Driving A Toyota Veloz Hybrid The Most Expensive Variant That Saves Fuel And Is Getting More Sophisticated

New Toyota Veloz Hybrid Q HEV TSS Modellista driving test. (Photo: Indra/VOI)

PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) has again made a breakthrough in the era of environmentally friendly mobility by presenting the New Veloz Hybrid, the latest electrification model that targets the Indonesian family segment.

Priced from IDR 299 million by the end of this year, the model is said to be one of Toyota's backbones in maintaining its dominance in the national automotive market. Given this is the most affordable seven-passenger electrification vehicle in its class.

The VOI editorial team also had the opportunity to experience the performance of the New Veloz Hybrid through a limited testing session held in the Traffic Education Center (Pusdik Lalu) Polri, Serpong, South Tangerang, Wednesday, November 26.

It is not carried out on the highway, testing is centralized in closed tracks that have been specially prepared with a number of simulation zones. TAM presents various testing scenarios, ranging from acceleration, thinness maneuvers, to work simulations of active safety features.

The VOI team got a Q HEV TSS Modellista, or the highest type on the Veloz Hybrid, which costs around Rp360-390 million. In terms of appearance, the New Veloz Hybrid does not experience a significant change compared to the conventional version.

The most obvious difference can only be seen from the hybrid emblem attached to the back of the vehicle. Then in the Q Modellista TSS model the SUV feel is even more strengthened.

You can see from the use of black overfenders, sideskirts, black wheels, and the choice of dual tone color with black glass roofs and pillars. Entering the cabin, it is dominated by elegant black and 10-inch unit heads which are now the center of control of all entertainment features.

The main focus of testing this time is not on design, but on the acceleration, agility, and level of comfort offered by the hybrid model, both for drivers and passengers.

On the test track, Toyota prepared a combination of straight tracks and zigzag to test agility and performance. Once the gas pedal is stepped on slowly, the first surprise appears: the car moves quietly.

Electric motors take over at low speed, presenting a full-electrified car-style driving sensation; almost without vibration, almost noiseless. But that sensation changes when the gas pedal is pressed deeper.

The 1,500 cc gasoline engine coded 2NR-VEX immediately turned on, patterned smoothly with an electric motor. The transfer of power was barely felt, only the pull was suddenly more aggressive.

Overall the system, the car ejects 111 PS at 5,500 rpm and torques from 121 Nm and 141 Nm engines from the driving force. The tank capacity is 43 liters and the battery uses lithium-ion technology.

When passing the zigzag route, the suspension is still quite comfortable and doesn't feel very convex when driving. After passing through the route, followed by an Adaptive Cruise Control technology test.

This feature can monitor the presence of other vehicles in front and maintain a safe distance with them so that they are very effective when crudeing on toll roads. With the distance settings we can adjust, the car will go forward and brake itself without having to step on the pedal.

However, when we step on the pedal, the feature will automatically shut down. Indeed, the Q Modellista TSS variant is equipped with an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) feature package called Toyota Safety Sense aka TSS, and this is only in the highest variant.

Several other ADAS features, there are Pre-Collition Warning and Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Front Departure Alert. There are also new features such as wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, NFC top-up electronic money, to streaming capabilities.

Finally, this car is claimed to be 40 percent more efficient than gasoline Veloz. At the cheapest price of IDR 299 million, the Toyota Veloz Hybrid deserves to be turned into a family car, not only saving fuel but also upgrading from technology.