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Back to March 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 29-03-2012 at 08:00: Toyota’s New Prius c | |
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The new Prius c – compact and dynamic with a fun and youthful attitude, so they say, – brings hybrid technology to the market from $23,990, or $6,000 less than any other hybrid vehicle. Inheriting a family resemblance from Prius, the world’s premier eco brand, Prius c exhibits a unique personality designed to attract an entirely new audience of singles, couples and young families. Toyota now offers three hybrid cars in Australia, with Prius c joining the flagship Prius and the locally manufactured Camry Hybrid. The new car’s hybrid system, derived from Prius, delivers maximum output of 74kW from the combination of a highly efficient 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, an electric motor and an electronic automatic transmission with infinitely variable ratios. In city traffic, where Prius c is expected to spend most of its life, it is the new fuel-economy champion for vehicles that do not require a power socket for charging. The proven hybrid system returns just 3.7 litres/100km on the city cycle – even better than Prius – and 3.9 litres/100km on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 90 grams/km. Clever downsizing and packaging of major components has resulted in a car that is shorter, lower and narrower than Prius, yet still offers ample space for five adults and their luggage. Prius c is also up to 285kg lighter than Prius and – in a Toyota first – the hybrid battery and fuel tank are placed under the rear seat, providing optimum luggage space and allowing for a full-size spare wheel. Based on the Yaris platform, Prius c has a longer interior and more legroom and hiproom front and rear than Toyota’s popular compact car. Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said Prius c delivers a compelling value proposition. “Prius c combines a compact exterior, spacious interior, desirable features, engaging driving dynamics, advanced technology and five-door hatchback utility with aggressive pricing,” Mr Callachor said. “It is designed for people who want a dynamically styled, fun-to-drive city car and the undeniable ‘cool’ factor of driving a car with cutting-edge technology and fantastic fuel economy. “Prius c adopts the name of the world’s best known and best selling hybrid vehicle, Prius, to communicate it has the advanced features and excellent fuel efficiency unique to Toyota’s hybrid vehicles. “Prius c is further evidence of Toyota’s commitment to achieving greater market penetration for hybrids by making this core technology more attainable for a wider audience,” he said. Standard features include smart (keyless) entry and start, automatic air-conditioning, 6.1-inch touch-screen display audio, CD player, Bluetooth™ audio streaming and phone connectivity, USB port with iPod® connectivity, a 3.5-inch colour thin-film transistor multi-information display, 15-inch wheels with a full-size spare, cruise control, foglamps, power windows and mirrors, and 60/40 split-fold rear seat. Safety is also standard with seven airbags, reversing camera, vehicle stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, and hill-start assist control. Prius c is expected to be awarded a five-star safety rating. High-grade Prius c i-Tech is $26,990* – just $3,000 extra for upscale features including satellite navigation with live traffic updates#, alloy wheels, self-levelling LED headlamps with washers, power retractable exterior mirrors, a larger rear spoiler, premium seat coverings and interior trim. Engineers adapted Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology to the smaller Prius c platform by reducing the size and weight of major components, while also improving efficiency. Weight reductions include more than 40kg from the redesigned hybrid system, including more than 8kg each from the transaxle and the redesigned nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery. The air-conditioning unit is thinner, lighter and more efficient. Improved routing of the refrigerant contributes to power consumption savings at the compressor of 12 per cent. More than half the Prius c body shell is made from high-tensile steel, which cuts weight and contributes to fuel economy. The engine has no accessory belts and can be operated in Eco mode to reduce energy consumption by governing the throttle and electric air-conditioner. EV mode allows Prius c to be driven solely on electric power for short distances (1-2km) at low speed (under 40km/h) – providing quiet driving in suburban neighbourhoods. A quick-acting catalyst reduces warm-up time to help lower emissions while the battery has been redesigned for faster recharging in slow-moving traffic. Key drivetrain components are located within the chassis to help provide optimum interior space and handling as well as enhanced weight distribution. The Prius c centre of gravity is low, contributing to its flat ride and nimble handling, while its strong body creates a stable platform for the long-travel, all-coil suspension. The front suspension uses a MacPherson strut design and the rear rides on a tuned torsion beam. Coil-spring and shock-absorber characteristics have been tuned to enhance handling, flat turning and ride comfort. Exterior colours include two new vibrant mica metallic paints – Sunrise (orange) and Aqua – and a crystal pearl White Mist. The futuristic yet passenger-friendly interior uses black as the basic interior colour with contrasting lighter colours for the door trims, seat surfaces and the instrument panel. |
Toyota has combined dynamic styling with clever engineering to deliver Australia’s most affordable hybrid car and the best fuel economy in the city for any petrol or diesel car.^ Back to top ^
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