World's best-selling Hybrid now even better
Mar 27, 2012 By Toyota Australia.
Toyota has refined the quality, performance, owner appeal and value of
Prius, the world's best-known and best-selling hybrid car.
The 2012 Prius comes with higher equipment levels and improved ride quality, steering feel and vehicle dynamics as well as fresh styling.
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.
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."
New styling
Prius embraces Toyota's new, more assertive design approach with a stronger focus on the lower part of the car's front end.
A new bumper and a larger, trapezoidal lower grille give the vehicle a low and wide look.
LED daytime running lights have been placed in the bumper beneath the turn indicators, while the fog lights were repositioned within the lower grille.
New power-folding heated door mirrors, new rear-combination lamps and newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels and covers are also part of the revised Prius.
The styling changes add an extra 20mm to the car's length, but the wheelbase and highly efficient aerodynamic performance (Cd 0.25) are unchanged.
New colours are dynamic blue and scarlet, for a total of eight.
Interior
Inside, the look and feel of the trim, surfaces and upholstery raise the perception of quality.
The front seats offer better support and provide a more comfortable ride, with eight-way power adjustment for the high-grade driver's seat.
Toyota's attention to detail can be seen in the redesign of the centre console, which now has a built-in cupholder that can be used without having to open the console lid.
The 12V power socket, USB port and AUX audio input terminal have been moved to the front of the console for easier access.
New, darker materials are used throughout with silver inserts on the centre console and air vents. The hybrid system start button is now blue.
The multi-information display has been revised with sharper image resolution, making the readouts easier to view.
New functions include a monthly fuel consumption record with a rolling archive of five months' data and an ECO savings calculator.
The calculator works by the driver inputting a target consumption figure and fuel price; the system records the driving time during which consumption is lower than the target and calculates a monthly saving compared with the expected fuel cost.
Body and suspension
The Prius body has been made stiffer by increasing the number of welding spots and reinforcements.
Increased rigidity allows for softer suspension tuning, which improves ride comfort without diminishing the car's dynamic abilities.
Redesign of the bracing has also made the steering column more rigid, which has the effect of giving the driver better steering feel.
Additional sound-proofing materials have improved noise and vibration levels in the cabin.
Fuel economy and emissions
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 CO[sub]2[/sub] emissions in its class at 89 grams/km*. It also delivers outstanding fuel efficiency at 3.9 litres/100km*.
Prius technologies
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[sup]#[/sup].
* Recommended retail prices exclude dealer delivery, government and statutory charges and optional extras.
** Fuel consumption and emissions data will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of fuel consumption data: ADR 81/02 combined cycle. 17-inch wheels: 4.0 litres/100km.
[sup]#[/sup]Maximum payable for standard scheduled servicing (normal operating conditions) until first of 3 years or 60,000kms (up to the first 6 services). Excludes Government and Rental vehicles. Contact your Toyota Dealer or go to toyota.com.au/advantage for other exclusions and eligibility.