The first-generation Prius was rated 41 USmpg (17.4 kms/litre) by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while its successor advanced the figure to 46 USmpg (20 kms/litre) in combined city/highway driving. Using a combination of technologies, fuel efficiency has now been improved to an estimated 50 USmpg (21.3 kms/litre) for the new Prius, a 22% improvement since the first generation.
The Toyota Prius used more powerful 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine as conventional wisdom, the engine actually helps improve highway mileage. By generating more torque, the engine can run at lower average rpm while cruising on the highway. When operating at lower rpm, the new engine also uses less fuel.
Use of an electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system also contribute to the engine’s efficiency. The 1.8-litre Prius engine is the first Toyota powerplant that requires no belts under the bonnet for better fuel economy and less potential maintenance.
The Hyrid Toyota prius run on petrol engine power alone, on just the battery power, or a combination of both. The system blends the best of parallel hybrid and series hybrid concepts to achieve the ability to operate on the electric mode alone, and to charge the batteries while the car is running.
The new Prius will offer three alternative driving modes.
a) EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about 1.5 kms,if conditions permit.
b) Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel
c) Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve the best mileage.
The designers preserved the dynamic triangle form of the second generation, providing visual continuity of the model line, but made alterations to the overall profile, pillar position and angle. The front pillar, extended forward, helps refine the performance-focusing, shaped form. Dimensionally, the new Prius has the same wheelbase as the current generation. Overall length is slightly increased by 14 mm in part by moving the front cowl forward.
The new Toyota Prius, aerodynamic performance was an important factor because less wind resistance means less engine power needed to overcome drag.
The car uses solar power for the ventilation system and has an electrically-powered air circulation fan that does not require engine power, addressing one of the issues of hybrid vehicles. The system prevents the interior air temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked, making the cool-down time shorter when the driver returns to the vehicle, thus reducing the use of air conditioning.
The car equipped with remote air-conditioning system which remotely operated, so the driver can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car.
In order to reduce the vehicle’s power consumption, LED lamps are used for low beams and also in the tail and stop lamps. Air conditioning, a major energy drain, has been re-engineered to increase efficiency and cool-down performance. In addition, an exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold startup, for improved performance.
The Prius is built on a new platform which is said to offer improved handling stability, quieter operation, and collision safety. The suspension consists of front struts and a rear intermediate beam design, as before, but handling stability is advanced by improving the stabilizer layout, higher caster angle and tuning the bushing characteristics. Disc brakes are now used on all four wheels.
Viewed from the cockpit, the centre cluster smoothly flows from the instrument panel to the console. Handy storage space has been added under the shift lever by taking advantage of the shift-by-wire system. Simple, fin-type air vents are consistent with the cabin’s efficient appearance. Judicious use of silver accents adds a finished, technical feel.
Touch sensors on the steering wheel switches are designed to reduce driver eye movement for better concentration on the road. When the driver touches the audio or info switch located on the steering wheel, a duplicate image is displayed on the instrument panel, directly in front of the driver. This system, called Touch Tracer, is the first system in the world to allow steering wheel controls to read out on the instrument panel.
Besides safety features such as airbags, ABS, VSC, etc, the new Prius installed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system using advanced millimeter wave radar. This system enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable. Next-generation Intelligent Parking Assist helps guide the car into parking spaces.
Safety Connect, Toyota’s first safety and security service, includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and an SOS call button. Safety Connect will be available only in certain countries where the service can be established.
In Japan, despite the soft economic conditions, it has become the top seller with more than 31,000 units sold and more than 180,000 units booked.
US market sold the car with selling price starting from 22k-25k USD dollars. But in Malaysia market, the Prius is priced at RM175, 000 inclusive of insurance for private registration.
USD 22k x 3.6 = RM 79.2k
It looks we are paying much a lot for the price. What to do? Malaysia is too protecting their own Proton Car market.
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