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Back to March 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 28-03-2012 at 08:00: Best-Selling Hybrid Now Even Better | |
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In addition to the upgrades and added features, Toyota has made Prius $1,000 more affordable at $33,990 – $6,000 below the price of the first-generation Prius when it was launched more than a decade ago. Even the high-grade Prius i-Tech maintains its $45,990 price with the addition of substantial extra specification. Prius now has a reversing camera on the entry-level car with the image viewed on a 6.1-inch EGA colour display. The new model also incorporates daytime running lamps, power retractable mirrors and the power-saving JBL GreenEdge sound system with eight speakers. Prius i-Tech gains 17-inch alloys as standard with solar moonroof, an eight-way power driver’s seat, seven-inch VGA colour screen, hard-disk drive satellite navigation, digital radio and new leather-accented interior trim. The revised front of Prius reflects Toyota’s new design approach, while the cabin has new front seats, new upholstery and new soft-touch surfaces that combine to give a higher-quality feel. Increased comfort and steering feel have been produced through a stiffer body and changes to the suspension and steering column. Prius sales globally have surpassed 2.5 million, including more than 17,000 in Australia. A more powerful version of the hybrid technology pioneered in Prius is fitted to the Camry Hybrid, which is built locally for the Australian market. Over the next few months Prius will grow in Australia with the introduction of the compact Prius c city car and Prius v, the world’s first seven-seat full hybrid car. Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said Toyota’s industry-leading hybrid technology was a vital part of the company’s DNA. “Toyota and Prius are the pioneers of hybrid technology, which will play an increasingly important role in reducing petrol usage and cutting carbon emissions,” Mr Callachor said. “Prius continues to embrace the spirit of innovation while reaffirming Toyota’s commitment to providing excellent environmental performance and fuel efficiency,” he said. “This ground-breaking technology is the future of cars and more hybrids are heading to Australia – both from Toyota and other manufacturers. “Prius has laid the groundwork for hybrid cars to be immersed into the mainstream and the latest improvements make it an even stronger proposition.” Prius has maximum power of 100kW from the hybrid system which combines a beltless and highly efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine, a 650-volt electric motor/generator and a 201.6-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. With a full hybrid powertrain, Prius continues to deliver the lowest CO2 emissions in its class at 89 grams/km*. It also delivers outstanding fuel efficiency at 3.9 litres/100km*. Every Prius retains technologies that improve safety by providing ‘at-a-glance’ information, reducing the need for driver eye movement to allow better concentration on the road. A head-up display provides speed and other information on the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight. When the driver touches the audio or information controls on the steering-wheel hub, Toyota’s world-first touch tracer system displays a duplicate read-out on the instrument panel. The multi-information display monitors fuel and energy consumption, providing feedback that helps the driver employ economical driving habits. Other standard safety features include seven airbags, stability and traction control, active front head restraints and anti-skid brakes. In addition to driving like a conventional car, the hybrid system in Prius offers three driver-controlled modes: EV (electric vehicle), ECO and Power. In EV, the vehicle stays in electric-only mode for longer at lower speeds. The vehicle can operate up to about 50km/h for approximately 1-2km, depending on the state of charge. In ECO, the throttle is managed for fuel economy and the air-conditioning is strictly controlled. Power mode provides maximum acceleration response. As with its predecessor, the new range is covered by Toyota Service Advantage with services capped at $130 for each of up to six standard services in the first three years or 60,000km. |
Toyota has refined the quality, performance and the owner appeal of the Prius and it now comes with higher equipment levels and improved ride quality and steering feel. The new Prius offers fresh styling and vehicle dynamics and all this at a lower price.
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