2010 Toyota Prius
By Ian Lynas, 13th June 2009
The Toyota Prius has been a resounding success for Toyota.
Sales have passed the 1.2 million mark and it has become the favoured form of transport for Hollywood stars. Now, the arrival of the third generation model Toyota is aiming for it to become a mainstream model.
Prices have been held to the same level as the outgoing model with many key improvements; including better performance, economy (70mpg plus) and even lower emission levels (89g/km), the Prius seems just right for the current economic climate we all find ourselves in.
The profile of the outgoing model is carried over, but clever styling touches provides a much stronger on road presence; this third generation model features a sweeping monobox profile and it draws very much on the styling cues of the ECO-ICON design concept.
With both 15 and 17 inch wheels available, they too like the slippery profile of the car itself have been designed to deliver maximum aerodynamic performance, with integrated wheelcaps and special low roll-resistance tyres.
Space-like, best describes the interior, with a new dual zone dashboard, this has been designed to minimise driver eye movement when viewing essential information and to provide ergonomically superb functionality of all controls and switchgear.
The display zone has a new head up display and a central meter cluster ideally positioned for quick viewing of vehicle status information.
The command zone has an asymmetric bridge construction that places the shift-by-wire transmission lever close to your hand and it also permits a generous lower storage compartment. The lower zone also includes the full colour info display, which means that the likes of air con and audio are within easy reach.
Interior space has been improved, including the luggage compartment thanks to a slight overall increase in length of the new vehicle.
Seating has been improved to provide more comfort and the new Prius is a very practical mode of transport with such features as a 60:40 split-folding rear seat.
More power (134bhp) courtesy of a new 1.8 litre VVT-I Atkinson cycle petrol engine and a new Hybrid Synergy Drive uses supplementary electric motor power to purely boost petrol engine performance under acceleration. This new full hybrid system is capable of operating in petrol and electric modes alone as well as in a combination of both. This gives the savings benefits of a series hybrid combined with the performance benefits of a parallel hybrid.
There are now three drive modes; you select on increase efficiency, performance and fuel economy. From start up and speeds up to 44mph, Prius operates in EV mode and the petrol engine is introduced under hard acceleration to boost system power. You can activate EV mode manually, this is unique to this car and you could drive in town with zero CO2 and NOx emissions at speeds up to 31mph and for just two kilometres.
The end result for the user is that the new Prius delivers a 24 per cent increase in power (now 134bhp) and a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy; possible to achieve just over 72mpg and a pleasing tax efficient CO2 figure of just 89g/km.
Low cost of ownership is one of the major attractions with the new Prius; the outgoing car had the lowest warranty claims of any Toyota and with good fuel figures and of course low emissions. Add lower servicing costs and outstanding component longevity, plus high residual values.
Added protection comes courtesy of a three year/60,000 mile warranty, extended to five years/60,000 miles for hybrid system components.
New Prius will no longer will it be likened to a niche car, as more and more governments levy taxes via emissions more and more people will turn to cars such as the Prius. Currently 14 countries across Europe now favour taxation systems based on emission figures, that number is bound to increase.
Yes the new Prius bubbles over with technology, five star safety and such features as the world‘s first solar powered ventilation system and remote air con systems; but above all it is enjoyable to drive and it is a very practical vehicle. Priced from £18,370-£21,210 and there are three trim levels T3, T4 & T Spirit.
My opportunity to sample the new Prius came in Sweden and in its capital Stockholm. Why Stockholm you might just ask? Next year this pretty city becomes Euro Green Capital and it has the highest concentration of Prius owners, one in 1,000 of the population. You might ventureto beg the question, what does Prius mean? To go before; seems a very relevant name.
