The new 3rd generation Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle – all you need to know!
Japanese based vehicle manufacture; Toyota took the opportunity and launched the latest generation Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle at the Detroit Motor Show. The Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle was first revealed to the world slightly more than a decade ago in 1997, taking the title as the world’s first production hybrid vehicle. Now in its third generation form, the new Prius is able to deliver 50 miles to the gallon using a combination of systems including Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive System.
Continue reading for the rest of the report and to view an image gallery.
Overall design wise, Toyota retained typical Prius’ design cues, however changes have been made on a few areas including the pillar position and roof profile to help give emphasize on the wedge shape of the new Prius as well as to enhance rear headroom clearance and improve aerodynamics.
This results to a 0.25 value of drag coefficient. The new version shares the same wheelbase as the second generation model, but with an increase of 0.6 inches in overall length.
Over on the inside of the Prius, the cargo area has been expanded a little, with 0.4 inches in length and 2.2 inches in width. Rear leg room is improved with the help of space saving contoured front seats. Toyota has also utilized carbon neutral plastic trims for the interior which emits less CO2 during the vehicle’s life span compared to conventional plastic solely made by petroleum.
There is also touch sensors on the steering wheel switches which are designed to reduce driver’s eye movement while driving. When the driver touches the switches on the steering wheel, a duplicate image is displayed in the instrument panel which is right in front of the driver.
The 5-seater, mid size vehicle has its front wheels powered by a 1.8 liter four cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with VVT-i which delivers combined horse power of 135HP with the hybrid system. Torque figures are rated at 142Nm of torque for the combustion engine and 208Nm of torque for the electric motor. Using a nicked metal hydride battery pack just like the Honda Insight Hybrid, the power system is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT.
The engine has a number of new features including; an electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The new engine also does not have belts under the hood to power other components unlike conventional engines. Improvements made on the Hybrid Synergy Driver system include; lighter trans-axle which reduce torque loss by 20%, a lighter and smaller new direct cooling system for the inverter (converts direct current to alternating current) and a newly developed electronically controlled regenerative braking system with control logic optimized which enhances regeneration.
The Toyota Prius operates in three modes; Eco mode to achieve best mileage, Power mode for slightly spirited driving and EV which uses the electric motor only which can last for 1.6 kilometers in terms of driving range. The hybrid vehicle which sprints to 100 km/h in about 9.8 seconds now features disc brakes on all four corners instead of disc/drum combination in the previous model, improved stabilizer layout, higher caster angle and re-tuned bushing characteristics to improve handling. The front features a strut layout while the back of the Prius features an intermediate beam design.
The use of aluminium in the hood, rear hatch, front suspension axle and brake calipers as well as high tensile steel in the rocker inner, center pillar and roof reinforcement has helped Toyota save valuable weight. The Prius also comes fitted with a sliding glass moon roof with solar panels located over the rear seating area which help power the air circulation fan for the air conditioning system. This allows the car’s interior temperature to be maintained cool even when the car is parked under the hot sun.
Safety features include front airbags, side curtain airbags, driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags and driver’s knee airbag, ABS, traction control, vehicle stability control, Intelligent Parking Assist and so on. Optional features include; a back up monitor and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system with Lane Keep Assist, just to name a few. The new Toyota Prius will hit the dealerships in the U.S in late spring. Pricing details will be announced shortly before it goes on sale.
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Comments
but somehow i prefer Prius..looks more futuristic n stylish..makes peopl know tat u’re driving something frm de ”future”..haha..Go Prius!
THIS THE CAR WHICH HAS BEEN IN MA IMAGINARY DREAMS. CON GRANT TOYOTA COMPANY. PRIUS IS MORE THAN CLASIC CAR AM JAZ IN LOVE WIT IT. ITS MY PRAYER I WILL OAWN IT ONE DAY
the honda insight looks better to me…which looks more like a normal car