- Trish Whelan
Next generation Prius is previewed
27 June 2003: The next generation Toyota Prius has been previewed in Ireland, five years after its predecessor pioneering hybrid car was first launched.
Since its introduction, more than 130,000 units have been sold globally, making it the most successful hybrid vehicle on the planet. But Prius achieved more than just that: it got the world used to the idea of cars powered by a means other than purely petrol or diesel.
The new version has more size, passenger room, luggage space, technology, power, performance, dynamics, style. Compared with diesel competitors, the latest generation Prius boasts the acceleration of a D-segment car, combined with the cleanliness of a city car, without the inconvenience of particulate matter or high NOx emissions.
The car features Hybrid Synergy Drive, the new concept for all Toyota hybrid vehicles to come, with a more powerful electric power source and increased overall power
The concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive gives the electric motor a more important role when powering the vehicle both for fuel efficiency or peak performance, intensifying the synergy between electric and petrol power.
The electric motor will be much more powerful than before, which means the petrol engine will be less demanded. As the electric motor is much more efficient than the petrol unit, this will also be translated into better fuel economy, in spite of the improved performance.
The new system in the second-generation Prius delivers performance to compete with rival D-segment contenders thanks to more power and torque - the new electric motor delivers torque to compete with V6 diesel powerplants and 0-100 km/h acceleration breaks the 11-second barrier.
The system provides 1.5 times greater electric motor power (68hp/1,040-5,600rpm) and 8% more petrol power (78hp/5,000rpm)
As a result, the new generation Toyota Prius is almost 3 seconds faster in 0-100 km/h than the current generation car. This value is comparable with a conventional 2.0-litre engine.
During sudden acceleration, extra power is supplied from the battery while the engine adds drive to the high-output motor, providing good response and a smooth drive, as well as improved acceleration performance.
During deceleration, such as through braking, the high-output motor functions as a large capacity generator, controlling power distribution to the wheels. The system functions as an efficient regenerative braking system recovering the vehicle’s kinetic energy as electrical energy. The recovered energy is then stored in the high-performance battery.
The battery is controlled to maintain a certain level of charge. When the charge level becomes low the generator kicks in to recharge it.
When the vehicle is stopped, the engine automatically stops.
The Prius has a keyless entry system augmented by a push button smart start, which reduces the incidence of car theft. Other convenience features include, for instance a DVD full map navigation system.
The electronic throttle-by-wire also reduces the driver’s pedal effort by automatically detecting and correcting ascents and descents irrespective of the vehicle’s load and adjusting or retaining the correct acceleration irrespective of the vehicle’s load.
Despite of its increase in sise and the addition of many new technical features, the weight of the new Prius has barely increased compared with the current one’s, thanks to extensive use of aluminium for the bonnet and fifth door, front and rear bumper reinforcements, brakes and suspension components, plus a lightweight plastic fuel tank.
The Cd figure for aerodynamic performance of 0.26 is class-leading and comes partly because a special roof shape reduces frontal area and a flat underfloor improves stability
At 4445mm overall length it is 135mm longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended by 150mm over the old car to 2700mm thus maximising cabin space for the passengers. The new Prius is significantly larger than the outgoing model as well as other bigger-sized saloons of the same segment, with an extended couple distance of 950mm.
©2003 irishcar.com