Toyota Prius

The third generation Toyota Prius is on sale with three trim levels (Eco, Advance and Executive). Over the previous generation is a completely new model, although the concept of the body has a very similar design. Moreover, the new Prius is more powerful, ecological area, equipped and safe.

New hybrid engine
The hybrid system (known commercially as "Hybrid Synergy Drive") incorporates a number of improvements over its predecessor. 90% of hybrid engine components have been redesigned to create a lighter and more compact system that seeks above all to develop more power, better performance at lower temperatures, lower actual fuel consumption and reduced emissions CO2.

The total power developed by the system has increased by 22%, from 110 to 136 hp. The engine of the new Toyota Prius Atkinson cycle remains gasoline. The Atkinson cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine. It was invented in 1882 by the British engineer James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to offer greater efficiency and lower fuel consumption than a Otto cycle engine.

The engine of the Toyota Prius 2009 Range has more displacement than its predecessor (1,798 cc to 1497 cc versus the previous model). The mechanics still has a block of 4 cylinders in line. The heat engine is more powerful (98 hp compared to 78 hp of the previous model). Therefore, the maximum values of engine power and torque has increased by about 30%.

Faster and more powerful
The benefits are also better than the previous model, the new Prius accelerates without jumps from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.4 seconds, which is an improvement of 0.5 seconds over the current model. The maximum speed is 180 km / h (the previous Prius had a top speed of 170 km / h).

At the same time, overall fuel consumption has improved by 14%. With 142 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, the new engine develops 32 Nm torque at lower revs higher, a decrease of 290 rpm, 2470 rpm to 2,180 rpm, 120 Km / h, and combines a quieter place with a 10% improved fuel economy on long trips.

When running in standard mode, the Toyota Prius has a value of only 3.9 l/100 km on the combined cycle type approval. Plus now the Prius offers greater autonomy (1,150 km), representing an increase of 150 km over the current model, despite having a deposit of the same capacity.

The new Prius meets future Euro 5 emissions standard, moreover, is the gasoline model that gets less CO2 emissions (89 g / km).

The Toyota Prius can select three different modes of driving:

- EV mode offers a quiet ride using only the electric motor, leading to zero fuel consumption and emissions
- ECO mode system maximizes the efficiency of hybrid and fuel savings
- POWER mode power system performance

As in the previous model, the dashboard is a screen that can display different information and graphics that inform the driver of performance and power consumption of the engine. All this information is useful to practice driving for a fuel efficient.

When the Prius works only with the electric motor (EV mode), can travel up to two miles at speeds of up to 45 km / h (this assumes that the Prius emits no CO2).

According to Toyota, the new Prius is a less noisy. It also has enhanced performance of active safety, passive and impacts with pedestrians and a stiffer body and impact absorption capacity, which incorporates a greater proportion of high-strength steel. The structure of the Prius is made of steel and aluminum.

The new Prius comes standard with seven airbags, active head restraints, regeneration system electronically controlled braking (ECB, Electronically Controlled Braking)-this system can harness all the energy lost in braking, Brake Assist (BA, Brake Assist ), Traction Control (TRC Traction Control) stability and control of second generation (VSC +, Vehicle Stability Control +). It is also optionally equipped with a sophisticated Pre-Crash Safety preventive, including adaptive cruise control.

New platform
The Toyota Prius is manufactured on a new platform (known internally as MC). The suspensions continue to have a very simple design (the front is McPherson strut and rear axle has an outline of torque).

The total length of the body of the Prius has increased by 15 mm, up to 4460 mm, while the width has increased by 20 mm to 1,745 mm. To maintain aerodynamic efficiency, have retained the overall height 1490 mm, but the highest point of the roof has been moved backwards, which can increase 15 mm on the top of the rear passengers. The coefficient of the body improves from 0.26 to 0.25. This improvement represents a 14% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Inside, the new dashboard design has 10 mm to the length of the cabin, while the reduction of 30 mm from the front seat structure has improved the rear space for the knees in 20 mm. The cargo space is 10 mm longer and up to 170 mm wider, so the storage capacity has increased 30 liters up to 445, with the rear seats in position, and a total of 1,120 liters with the seats folded .

The predominant feature of the new interior of the third generation Prius is a dashboard bizona designed to minimize the need for the driver's eyes move to consult the vehicle information and provide a highly ergonomic functionality of all controls and changing marches.

The upper zone of "visualization", focuses on the combination of the new Head Up Display (upper display that projects key information at the base of the windscreen) and a core group of indicators incorporated, which lie at a distance ideal for consulting information at a glance. The area in the center console controls, characterized by a distinctive asymmetrical structure of "bridge", is organized around the multiinformativa full color screen, which puts the driver's reach climate control, sound equipment and system satellite navigation.

A new top viewer (known commercially as Head Up Display) projects key data of the vehicle at the base of the windshield, including vehicle speed, the ECO Monitor support eco-driving and navigation information step by step, and the state of Pre-crash safety systems and optional Adaptive Cruise Control. There are other models like the Peugeot 5008 and Citroen C6, which also exhibit this solution

Power sunroof
Major developments include the Toyota Prius sunroof that equips a set of photovoltaic panels that supply through solar energy, a ventilation system that prevents the internal temperature rising too high when the Prius is parked, and a system remote control air conditioning that uses high-capacity hybrid battery to cool the interior until three minutes before entering the vehicle. The roof can be opened.

The new touch controls (known commercially as "Touch Tracer"), mounted on the steering wheel allow the driver to control the stereo, air conditioning and ECO Monitor, without looking down or taking your hands off the wheel and that automatically turns on a scheme of the control function in the dashboard.

The technology of light emitting diodes (LED) is used by Toyota for the first time in the low beam as well as the position lights and brake, which reduces the vehicle's electrical consumption by 30%. Finally, the Intelligent Parking System new generation of the Prius helps drivers to park in spaces in a row or battery.

Maintenance, fabrication and forecasts
The Prius hybrid system has been specifically designed to minimize maintenance and maximize durability.

The new Prius is manufactured at Toyota's Tsutsumi plant (Japan), which, thanks to the comprehensive environmental initiatives, has seen its total CO2 emissions reduced by 51% (and 65% per vehicle unit) from 1990 and 2006. Among the new initiatives included the use of renewable energy through the widespread installation of photovoltaic panels to generate 2,000 kW, which represents 50% of the electricity needs of the plant.

At the Tsutsumi plant, sending waste to landfill has been eliminated completely, and incinerated waste has been reduced by 82% between 1999 and 2006 from 5423 tons to 730 tons. Moreover, the installation of water recycling systems has resulted in a reduction of 50% of discharged water from the plant.

The first generation Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world. Released in Japan in 1997 and Europe in 2000. The Prius comes from the Latin name, "pioneer".

In late 2008, cumulative sales worldwide of the Toyota Prius topped 1.2 million units, while sales of the Prius in Europe reached almost 130,000 units. Despite increased competition, sales of the Prius have clearly accelerated in recent years, reaching over 41,000 units sold in 2008 only in Europe. The anticipated new model for 2009 is 60,000 units.