DETROIT, MI, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - Canadians have embraced the performance,
comfort, versatility, fuel-efficiency and environmental sensitivity of
Toyota's industry-leading fleet of next-generation, gasoline-electric vehicles
powered by the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive. Now, the vehicle that started the
sustainable transportation revolution - the Toyota Prius - has undergone a
transformation that sets the stage for the future of transportation. With the
2010 model year Prius - unveiled today at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, and slated for delivery to Toyota Dealers in Canada this
spring - the world's best-selling alternative to the conventionally-powered
automobile delivers more of what Canadians are looking for... and less of what
they're not:
More performance, thanks to a Hybrid Synergy Drive that is 90 per cent
newly-developed, with significant improvements over the system used in
previous Toyota hybrid models. The 2010 Prius improves power by 22% while
simultaneously improving fuel consumption by 7% compared to the current
generation.
Less money at the gas station, thanks to improved fuel consumption of an
estimated 3.8 L / 100 km combined - even better than the segment-leading
efficiency of the current generation Prius.
More innovation, in the form of more than 1,000 patents covering
everything from essential performance and safety systems to available comfort
and convenience features.
Less resistance, thanks to an aerodynamic body design that delivers the
world's best coefficient of drag (Cd), thereby improving fuel efficiency and
reducing road noise.
More versatility, thanks to the ample and flexible liftback design and
improvements to boost winter performance.
Less worry, from a decade's worth of experience in building and
maintaining top-quality hybrid vehicles.
More comfort, from additional rear-seat legroom to Toyota's first
solar-powered ventilation system that pre-cools the Prius cabin in summer.
Less footprint, thanks to the new Prius' ability to operate in
electric-only mode, improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and the use
of environmentally-responsible manufacturing methods and materials, such as
LED headlights and plant-derived, carbon neutral plastics.
More safety, with a full suite of vehicle control systems, active
headrests and eight airbags as standard equipment.
"For Toyota, designing the Prius has always represented an exploration of
the car of the future. And now, more than ever before, that future car is here
- not five years from now - but on its way to Toyota Canada Dealers and
Canadian driveways this spring," noted Stephen Beatty, Managing Director of
Toyota Canada Inc.
"Canadians understand that as a society, we need to redefine
transportation to make it more sustainable. That means we need to offer
solutions that are friendlier to drivers and passengers... friendlier to
pedestrians and other vehicles... and friendlier to our communities and the
planet," Mr. Beatty continued. "With the new Prius, we are pushing the
envelope of what's possible on four wheels, and offering Canadians a new way
to join the sustainable transportation revolution."
Pricing for the 2010 Toyota Prius will be announced shortly before it
goes on sale in late spring.
2010 Toyota Prius Detail
Celebrated as tomorrow's car for today, the Prius has delivered superior
fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than one million owners worldwide
for more than 10 years - including more than 14,000 owners in Canada. That
decade of proven success is testament to the reliable, durable performance of
this hybrid leader.
Going on sale in Canada this spring, Prius succeeds in delivering
innovative, future technology in a way that can be embraced by all drivers.
The midsize third-generation 2010 Prius will offer Canadians even better
fuel economy, enhanced performance, and innovative features. It is quieter,
roomier, and equipped with more advanced standard and available features than
the current Prius. These include:
The Toyota's first moon roof with solar panels that power a smart air
conditioning system;
A choice of four driving modes;
Toyota's first use of Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA);
Steering wheel touch controls that provide feedback via the instrument
panel display.
An Eco-Ambassador
The first-generation Prius entered the market in 1997 as the world's
first mass-produced hybrid. The name Prius, "to go before" in Latin, became
symbolic of a car that was launched even before environmental awareness had
become a mainstream social issue.
From the beginning, Toyota's full-hybrid system was developed in-house
and has become a driving force behind advanced vehicle technology. The
company's exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive System was introduced in 2004 on the
second-generation Prius. Since then, more than 14,000 have been sold in
Canada.
In designing the new, third-generation Prius, Toyota engineers combined a
careful refinement of existing systems with innovative new technology
necessary for the future of automobiles.
Fuel Economy and Environmental Performance
The new Prius will be built using processes that reduce pollution in
every stage of vehicle life, from production and driving, through to disposal.
The third-generation Prius extends the model's record of continuous
improvement in fuel economy:
The first-generation Prius was rated 4.6 L/100km combined fuel
consumption.
This improved in the second generation (current) Prius, which is rated at
4.1 L/100km, combined city/highway.
A combination of technologies and materials, coupled with new design and
engineering, have reduced fuel consumption in the 2010 Prius to an estimated
3.7L/100km in the city and 4.0L/100km highway, for a combined rating of just
3.8L/100km.
Hybrid Synergy Drive - planet's best hybrid system is 90% new for 2010
Unlike most other hybrid vehicles available, Prius has been a "full"
hybrid since introduction. This allows it to run on engine alone, battery
alone, or a combination of both. The system blends the best of parallel hybrid
and series hybrid designs 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 in addition to
the standard mode:
EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for
about a mile in certain conditions;
Power Mode increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel;
Eco Mode helps the driver achieve better fuel economy.
The patented Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the 2010 Prius is 90 per cent
newly-developed with significant improvements over previous models.
The transaxle is lighter in weight and reduces torque losses by as much
as 20 per cent compared to the previous model.
The inverter, which converts direct current to alternating current, has a
new direct cooling system to reduce size and weight.
Taken together, the inverter, motor and transaxle are smaller, and 20 per
cent lighter.
A newly developed electronically controlled regenerative braking system
has been adopted, with control logic optimized to enhance regeneration.
A larger and more powerful 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine
powers the new Prius. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the larger engine
actually helps improve highway mileage. By making more torque, the new engine
can run at lower average RPM on the highway. When operating at lower RPM, the
new engine uses less fuel. Mileage is especially improved in cold-start
conditions and at higher speeds.
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 power plant that requires no belts under the hood for
better fuel economy and less potential maintenance.
A multi-information display panel that monitors fuel and energy
consumption is standard. It provides feedback on the Prius' efficiency using
three different displays to help the driver acquire economical driving habits.
Cutting Edge Styling
In designing the new Prius, aerodynamic performance was an important
factor. The goal was to create a beautiful silhouette, while not compromising
function. Designers preserved the dynamic triangle form of the current
model--instantly recognizable as a Prius--but made alterations to the overall
profile, pillar position and angle. The front pillar, extended forward, helps
refine the performance-focusing, shaped form.
The overall height of the Prius is the same, but the roof profile is
altered by moving the top of the roof 99 mm (3.9 inches) to the rear. This
emphasizes the wedge shape, and also allows for enhanced rear headroom and
improved aerodynamics.
The design of the new Prius' front and rear corners are sharp, sporty and
aerodynamic. Strong side character lines, rising from front to rear, define
the glazed geometric shape. Viewed from the rear, wider rear treads provide a
solid, firmly rooted stance.
Dimensionally, the new Prius has the same wheelbase as the current
generation. Overall length is slightly increased by 15.2 mm (0.6 inches), in
part by moving the front cowl forward.
World's Lowest Cd
The new Prius received more wind tunnel hours of testing than any other
Toyota in history, resulting in the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any
mass-produced vehicle in the world. That means less drag for better fuel
efficiency and an even quieter ride.
By focusing on the shape of the body, underfloor, wheelhouse liner and
shape of the wheels, the designers of the new Prius were able to reduce the
coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25, compared to 0.26 for the previous
model. The airflow under the car was studied extensively. Engineers made
changes to the shape of the fender liner, front surface of the underfloor, and
added a fin at the rear floor cover to increase linear stability.
Advanced Equipment For a New Era
An available sliding glass moon roof is packaged with solar panels,
located over the rear seating area, that power a new ventilation system. This
solar ventilation system uses an electrically powered air circulation fan that
does not require engine assist. 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 remote air-conditioning system is the first system in the world to
function on battery-power alone and that can be remotely operated, so the
driver can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the
car.
Reducing the vehicle's power consumption, available LED (light emitting
diode) 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
start-up, for improved performance. It also heats up the passenger cabin more
efficiently.
Enhanced Vehicle Performance
The next-generation Prius is built on a new platform, which enables
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 corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the
current model.
Weight was saved through use of aluminum in the hood, rear hatch, front
suspension axle and brake caliper and super high-tensile steel in the rocker
inner, centre pillar, and roof reinforcement.
Better-performing sound insulation, working with improved vibration
damping, has been installed in various locations to reduce road noise.
Functional Interior Is Bigger on the Inside
Proving that small changes add up to big gains, the cargo area of the new
Prius was expanded by 10 mm (0.4 inches) in length and 56 mm (2.2 inches) in
width by using a new and an improved layout of the battery cooling unit.
Rear seat legroom is enhanced by a new space-saving contoured frontseat
design.
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.
The ECO indicator on the Multi-Informational Display (MID) provides
driver feedback for lower fuel consumption.
In pursuit of developing various advanced technologies aimed at realizing
sustainable mobility, Toyota will use plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics
in the 2010 Prius. The newly-developed plastics, known as "ecological
plastic," will be used in the seat cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and
outer scuff plates, and deck trim cover. Ecological plastic emits less CO2
during a product lifecycle (from manufacturing to disposal) than plastic made
solely from petroleum; it also helps reduce petroleum use.
Safety Enhancements
The new Prius was designed to comply with top collision safety
performance requirements in each global region of sale, and to accommodate
increasingly strict safety requirements in the future.
Standard safety features include eight airbags (driver and front
passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags, front and rear side
curtain airbags, driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags, and knee
airbags) to cocoon occupants in the event of an accident.
Toyota's Active Headrest System is used in both front seats to reduce the
possibility of whiplash in a collision. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS),
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), electronic traction
control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are all standard features
and perfect for confident handling in any climate.
An available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system uses advanced millimetre
wave radar, and feeds information to the available Pre-Collision System, which
retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when the
vehicle determines that a crash is unavoidable.
Next-generation Intelligent Parking Assist features simplified settings
to help guide the car into parking spaces.
A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is
engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.
The development of the Prius has required applications for over 1,000
patents filed across the world.
Pricing for the 2010 Prius will be announced shortly before it goes on
sale in late spring.
<<
2010 PRUIS PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with VVT-i
Engine horsepower: 98 hp @ 5,200 RPM
Engine torque: 105 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Electric motor power output: 80 hp/153 lb-ft torque
Hybrid system net horsepower: 134 hp
Emission rating: Tier 2 Bin 3
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
Drive System: Front-wheel-drive
Hybrid battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride
Estimated fuel economy(*): 3.7L/100km (city)
4.0L/100km (highway)
3.8L/100km (combined)
DIMENSIONS (millimetres / inches)
Overall Length: 4,460 / 175.6
Overall Width: 1,745 / 68.7
Overall Height: 1,480 / 58.7
Wheelbase: 2,700 / 106.3
Ground clearance: 140 / 5.5
Coefficient of Drag: 0.25
Wheels: 15-inch alloy wheels
17-inch alloy wheels (optional)
Tire Size: 15-inch: 195/65R15
17-inch: 215/45R17 (optional)
Seating Capacity: 5
EnerGuide class rating: Mid-size
(*) Preliminary figure based on Toyota's internal testing. Actual fuel
consumption may vary.