Toyota blitzed the Detroit show with its redesigned Prius, its first hybrid-only Lexus sedan and an electric vehicle concept based on the new iQ city car that has just gone on sale here in England.
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‘Leaked’ photos on the internet a few months ago revealed most details of the revamped Prius on sale in the US “in late spring”. Among other things, the ‘official’ debut revealed a new opening glass roof option with solar panels and a considerably revamped central information display panel that includes a ‘Welcome to Prius’ message on start-up and hybrid system information inside a diagram of the car.
Toyota said the redesigned third-generation Prius is more fuel efficient (the outgoing model has been criticised here in Europe for not achieving its ‘official’ fuel consumption figures in real-world driving), better performance, and new design features.
It will be quieter, roomier, and better equipped as standard – new features include that glass sunroof, four driving modes, intelligent parking assist (IPA) and steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel.
The first-generation Prius, on sale in Japan in 1997 and exported from 2000, was rated at 41 EPA combined mpg in the US and the second generation car was rated at 46. The third generation car is estimated to get 50 miles to a (smaller) US gallon.
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By GlobalDataEuropean specifications, fuel efficiency and the all-important CO2 emissions output will be announced at the Geneva motor show in March.
The latest Prius has a larger and more powerful 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder petrol engine – Toyota said the circa-300cc capacity boost actually helps improve highway fuel economy as, by developing more torque, the new engine can run at lower average rpm on the highway and use less fuel. Fuel economy is especially improved in cold-start conditions and at higher speeds, it claimed.
An electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system also improve efficiency. The new engine is the first from Toyota without accessory drive belts, also improving economy, and reducing maintenance.
The latest Hybrid Synergy Drive is 90% new and the transaxle is lighter and reduces torque losses by up tp 20% compared to the previous model. The DC-AC inverter has a new direct cooling system to reduce size and weight.
A new electronically controlled regenerative braking system is now used with control logic optimised to enhance regeneration.
The new Prius has three alternative driving modes. EV-Drive allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit. There is also a power mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel, and an ‘eco’ mode, which helps achieve the best possible fuel consumption.
The new Prius has the same wheelbase as the current generation. Overall length is increased 0.6 inches (15mm), in part by moving the front cowl forward.
Toyota said the new Prius spent more time in the wind tunnel than any previous model and claimed “the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any mass-produced vehicle in the world”. The drag (Cd) value is now 0.25 versus 0.26 for the previous model.
The optional sliding glass sunroof is combined with solar panels over the rear seat that power a new ventilation system that uses an electric air circulation fan that does not require engine assist. The system prevents the interior air temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked, reducing cool-down time when the driver returns to the vehicle, thus reducing the use of air conditioning.
Though new to the Prius, a similar system was used on the Mazda 929 in the early 1990s.
Toyota said its latest Prius air conditioner is the first to function on battery power alone and be remotely operated, so the driver can adjust the interior temperature before getting into the car.
The electric compressor system has been redesigned to increase efficiency and cool-down performance and a new exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold startup, for improved performance. It also heats up the passenger cabin more efficiently.
LED low beam headlamps will be optional in the US and the technology is also used for tail and brake lamps.
The car is built on a new platform with redesigned suspension and disc brakes are now used all round, replacing the disc/drum system in the current model.
Weight was reduced through use of aluminium in the bonnet (hood), rear tailgate (hatch), front axle and brake calliper and super high-tensile steel in the rocker inner, centre pillar, and roof reinforcement.
US cars can sprint from rest to 60mph (96km/h) in a claimed 9.8 seconds, over a second faster than the old model. New sound insulation and improved vibration damping reduces road noise, Toyota said.
The cargo area is 0.4 inches (10mm) longer and 2.2 inches (56mm) wider thanks to a redesigned battery cooling unit. Rear seat legroom is boosted by a new space-saving contoured front-seat design.
Touch sensors on the steering wheel switches are designed to reduce driver eye movement for better concentration on the road. When the driver touches the audio or info switch located on the steering wheel, a duplicate image is displayed on the instrument panel, directly in front of the driver. This system, called Touch Tracer, is a claimed industry first.
Driver, front passenger, front and rear side curtain, driver and passenger seat-mounted side and driver’s knee airbags are all now standard. Active headrests are used in both front seats to reduce the possibility of whiplash injuries. Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, electronic traction control and vehicle stability control are all available.
Radar cruise control, lane keep assist and a pre-collision system are also newly offered along with intelligent parking assist.
US models will also have Safety Connect, Toyota’s first safety and security service, which includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and an SOS call button.
Toyota has sold over 1m units worldwide since that original Prius was launched in 1997.
