Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius, The Best-Selling Gas-Electric Hybrid, Expands Its Options And Availability For 2008

October 1, 2007 – Torrance, CA - The Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid vehicle in the United States and the world, becomes an even better value for 2008 with additional option packages. Furthermore, Toyota has increased availability of Prius at a time when concern is increasing over high fuel prices.

Prius delivers exceptional fuel efficiency without compromising performance or comfort. Prius provides the best fuel efficiency ratings of any midsize car sold in America, with estimated EPA ratings of 48 mpg in city driving, 45 mpg on the highway and 46 mpg in combined driving (according to the revised EPA testing method). The seemingly "reversed" city/highway figures reflect the unique powertrain that is optimized for maximum efficiency in the kind of slow-and-go driving that urban commuters experience

"As gasoline prices continue to remain high, the buying public has accepted hybrid technology as the norm for future automobile power," said Jim Lentz, executive vice president Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "The ‘future" arrived at Toyota a decade ago with the original Prius, and today Toyota is the clear leader in hybrid vehicles."

Prius achieves its remarkable fuel efficiency while providing the level of performance expected from a conventional four-cylinder, automatic transmission midsize car, with zero-to-60 mph acceleration in about 10 seconds.

The Prius Touring Edition offers more spirited driving responses due to its European-tuned suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels. Externally, the Prius Touring Edition is distinguished by the alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps.

Unique Design, Midsize Roominess and Outstanding Utility
The Prius rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase that allows generous interior room and a smooth ride. The five-door liftback design not only looks like nothing else on the road, it is also one of the most aerodynamic production vehicles in America. Its super-low 0.26 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps to minimize interior noise and enhance fuel mileage.

With its "monoform" design, the Prius provides 96.2 cubic feet of passenger room, making it a midsize car. The rear seat in Prius offers a generous 38.6 inches of legroom. The liftback design, combined with the standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks, gives the Prius outstanding cargo capacity and flexibility. Rear cargo room measures 14.4 cubic feet.

Hybrid Synergy Drive

The current Prius was the first Toyota product to employ Hybrid Synergy Drive, the company"s third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology. Hybrid Synergy Drive is defined as a "full hybrid system," which means it is capable of operating in gas or electric modes, as well as a mode that combines the power of the gas engine and electric motor.

In the Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine and an electric drive motor. The gasoline engine produces 76 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque. As on all other Toyota passenger car engines, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) helps to optimize power delivery across the engine speed range.

The permanent-magnet electric drive motor produces its maximum power of 50 kW (67 horsepower) from 1,200-1,540 RPM, and peak torque of 295 lb.-ft. from 0-1,200 RPM. The Prius produces 110 combined horsepower with its gas engine and electric motor.

The electronically controlled planetary gear-type continuously variable transmission does not have fixed gear ratios, but rather provides infinitely variable ratios in response to driving conditions.

A regenerative braking system further boosts system efficiency: when the Prius is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motor functions as a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes and transforming it into useable electricity to recharge the batteries.

Driving Prius
In Prius, the computer-controlled powertrain seamlessly blends power from the gasoline engine, the electric drive motor and the generator. The driver typically does not feel the vehicle changing operational modes.

The Prius uses an electronically controlled "by-wire" throttle. A by-wire shift control replaces the traditional gearshift lever and allows tap-of-the-finger shifting using a small joystick mounted on the dash.

The Prius driver can monitor electric-gas power distribution through the Hybrid Synergy Drive system on the standard seven-inch touch-panel display monitor. This screen also displays navigation information on vehicles equipped with the optional navigation system.

The Most Stringent Emissions Certification
The Prius produces over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. The Prius has been certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in California and those states adopting California standards. In the rest of the country, Prius is certified as Tier 2, Bin 3.

In California and states adopting the California rules, Prius is certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). The AT-PZEV certification requires the SULEV exhaust standard linked with the ability to meet a zero-fuel-evaporative standard, a 150,000-mile durability demonstration, extended emissions system warranty, and technology deemed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to advance future fuel cell vehicles.

Advanced Safety
Prius is engineered to provide the level of safety that a family car buyer expects. Passive safety features include front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all rear seating positions, advanced dual front airbags, standard driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags.

The driver and passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags inflate according to collision severity. The front passenger seat sensor is equipped with an occupant classification system to verify the front passenger's weight category to determine whether the airbag should inflate.

An available rear back-up camera projects an image of what the lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the dash-mounted LCD display when the vehicle is in reverse gear.

Prius also features a high level of dynamic driving control. The standard anti-lock brake system (ABS) integrates Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Brake Assist (BA) can help apply maximum braking pressure during an emergency stop.

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is available as an option. VSC helps keep the vehicle going on its intended course by detecting front-wheel slide and rear-wheel slide during cornering and attempting to control either condition with torque intervention and/or by braking individual wheels. A standard tire pressure monitor system can detect a significant loss in pressure in one or more tires and alert the driver by a warning light.

Outstanding Toyota Value
The Prius offers excellent value for the midsize segment, regardless of powertrain type. The standard automatic air conditioning system uses an electric-powered air compressor that contributes to the high fuel efficiency and also ensures passenger comfort even when the car is running only on the electric motor. A rear window intermittent wiper, cabin air filtration, power windows and door locks and remote keyless entry are all standard on the Prius.

The steering wheel integrates fingertip controls for both the air conditioning and the six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Available convenience packages include cruise control, tonneau cover and heated side mirrors.

Options to Personalize Prius
Prius customers can order an audio system upgrade that features MP3 capability and a mini-jack port in the center console. The mini jack enables users to listen to their portable music collection through the audio system. Leather seating and a leather-wrapped steering wheel – in a choice of two colors – are available to enhance comfort.

Other available options include an auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink® ¬universal transceiver, anti-theft system, fog lights, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, voice-activated navigation system and a JBL Premium AM/FM six-disc in-dash CD changer audio system with satellite radio capability and nine speakers. The JBL audio system integrates Bluetooth® technology, which provides a hands-free communication system when using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled cellular phone.

The optional Smart Key allows the driver to unlock the doors simply by carrying the remote entry key fob and pulling the exterior door handle. Inside, the driver pushes a "power" button located on the dash, presses the brake pedal, taps the gear-selector and drives away.

Long Warranty Protection
Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against corrosion with no mileage limitation. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles

The all-new second-generation Toyota Prius electric-gas hybrid vehicle made its world premiere at a press conference today at the 2003 New York Auto Show.

"When the 2004 Prius arrives in dealerships this fall it will exceed all expectations, marking the arrival of hybrid technology into the mainstream consumer mindset," said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. "Furthermore, the debut of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system will represent a major breakthrough in global-friendly powertrain technology."

In 1997 the Toyota Prius was the world's first mass-produced electric-gas hybrid vehicle. Bigger and better in every metric of comparison, the all-new 2004 Prius will usher in a new era of electric-gas hybrid technology when it launches this fall. The new Prius will feature increased interior space, moving from a compact to the midsize class. Its new Hybrid Synergy Drive system will supply significantly more power and performance, best-in-class fuel economy, and best-in-market emissions performance.

The 2004 Prius will be the first Toyota equipped with the new high-voltage/high-power Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. Like the original Toyota Hybrid System (THS) on the current Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive is defined as a "full hybrid system." Unlike competitive systems currently on the market, the full hybrid system is capable of operating in either gas or electric modes, as well as a mode in which both the gas engine and electric motor are in operation.

The advantages of a full hybrid system are numerous. The most important, however, is that because the car can be run under certain conditions with electric power only, fuel consumption, and emissions, can be reduced significantly.

A major difference between the new Hybrid Synergy Drive concept, and how it is improved over the current THS system centers on the duration of electric-mode driving and the peak power delivered electrically. The Hybrid Synergy Drive has a 50 percent more powerful 50-kilowatt drive-motor operating at up to 500 volts. This increased voltage and power is enabled by a newly adopted high-voltage power converter. Additionally, the generator in the new Prius has a higher peak operating speed that increases electric-mode operation in city and freeway slow-and-go operation. With 50 percent more electric power available and improved low-end torque from the drive motor, a significant boost in acceleration performance is possible.

Hybrid Synergy Drive is expected to increase fuel efficiency in the new Prius by 15 percent with combined mpg rising from the high 40's to the mid-50's. This will enable Prius to have the best fuel efficiency rating of any midsize vehicle sold in America, delivering twice the combined mileage rating of its closest competitor. What's more, the midsize Prius will also boast a higher combined mileage rating than any compact sedan sold in America.

Hybrid Synergy Drive will significantly improve acceleration performance from the mid- 12-second range to the mid- 10-second range. This acceleration level is comparable to the Toyota Camry LE four-cylinder.

Finally, Hybrid Synergy Drive will enable Prius to be nearly 30 percent lower in emissions than the current ultra-clean Prius, producing nearly 90 percent fewer tailpipe pollutants than a conventional internal combustion engine. When it arrives this fall, Prius will be certified as a SULEV, or "Super-Ultra-Low-Emission-Vehicle" for tailpipe emissions in California and those states adopting California standards. In the rest of the country, Prius will be certified as Tier 2, Bin 3. In addition, in California and those states adopting the California rules, Prius will be certified as a PZEV category vehicle. PZEV, or "Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle" is a category composed of many elements. In addition to the SULEV exhaust standard, PZEV also requires meeting a zero fuel evaporative standard, a 150,000-mile durability demonstration and offering an extended emissions system warranty.

Prius will feature dramatic and distinctive aerodynamic styling. With its triangular mono-form shape, it is a dramatic visual departure from the original Prius, and contributes greatly to one of the most aerodynamic production vehicles on the planet. At an amazing 0.26, its coefficient of drag will be a major factor in the vehicle's interior noise isolation and will contribute to its significantly increased fuel efficiency.

The new bolder design is the wrapping for a much larger package that is full of surprises. The new Prius rides on an entirely new platform. Although its wheelbase is nearly six inches longer than the current Prius it retains a relatively short overall length, casting a shadow only slightly larger than the current model. What is not so obvious from the outside is its significantly larger midsize interior.

Designers were able to achieve this tour de force in packaging by configuring Prius as a four-door lift-back. Not only does this layout work well with the vehicle's slipstream styling, its rear lift-back and fold-down rear seat combine to offer a new level of cargo hauling flexibility.

The new Prius will be electronically controlled with by-wire throttle and shift control. The new by-wire shift control allows Prius to replace the traditional gearshift lever mounted on the floor or the steering column with tap-of-the-finger shifting of a small joystick mounted on the dash.

A Smart Entry and Smart Start option allows keyless entry and keyless startup. As the driver reaches for the door handle, an on-board sensor will recognize the signal from a key in his pocket and automatically unlock the doors. Since the driver has already been security-cleared to enter the vehicle, he can leave the fob in his pocket, push a start button located on the dash, and drive away.

Smart Entry and Start is one of only a handful of options offered in the new Prius. Offered in a single, well-equipped trim level, Prius standard equipment will include ABS brakes, power windows, door locks and mirrors, and a unique electric inverter air conditioning system. Instead of running off the fan belt, the new inverter air conditioner is fully electrically operated. Not only does this improve fuel efficiency, it ensures passenger comfort, even when the gasoline engine is off and the car is being propelled only by the electric motor.

"We've learned a lot about Prius since its launch in America two-and-a-half years ago, said Esmond. "With increased interior space, increased power and performance, best-in-class fuel economy, and best-in-market performance, we are more convinced than ever that the new Prius will continue to lead electric-gas hybrid technology into the mainstream market."