Toyota says new Prius is powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive with big advantages over other hybrids
Jun 23, 2009 By Toyota Australia.
Toyota says new Prius is powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive with big advantages over other hybrids.
Unique to Toyota, Hybrid Synergy Drive is an uncompromised system that allows Prius to operate on petrol alone, electric power alone - or the most-efficient combination of both.
The system, which has been 90% newly developed for the third-generation Prius, can also charge the hybrid battery while the car is running.
The system recovers more energy to boost the hybrid battery level when you slow down or apply the brakes - and the petrol engine switches off when you stop to save fuel and cut emissions.
While none of the rival hybrid systems can do all of these things, Toyota's latest Hybrid Synergy Drive system now delivers even better performance and fuel economy while being smaller and lighter.
You can drive Prius on battery power alone from start-up and at low to mid-range speeds - and you can also push a button on the dash to select electric power for short distances.
How far you can go with zero tailpipe emissions depends on your driving style and the battery's state of charge, of course, as the petrol engine automatically kicks in when needed.
You get Hybrid Synergy Drive benefits even when you accelerate quickly because the battery supplies extra power to help the petrol engine.
Best of all, you don't need any special training to get all these benefits from Prius because it drives just like a normal car.
Find out more about Hybrid Synergy Drive