The third-generation Toyota Prius will finally hit the European stage next week in Geneva. Rated at 50 mpg in the U.S. (about 60 miles per Imperial gallons), the car should be quite a hit.
Do not let the "official" fuel economy figures fool you. Some publications have tested this car under real world scenarios, and gotten up to an astounding 65 mpg, or 78 mpg in the U.K. This car is not simply a revision of the second Prius. Over 90% of the car's parts are new, with improvements coming from a new engine, revised powertrain, and modifications to the car's shape. Rear passengers get more headroom from the peak of the car being pulled backwards. In the end, the car's drag coefficient was improved to .25 from .26.
On top of being more lightweight, it also gets more power. The new beltless 1.8-liter four cylinder gets 98 hp and 105 ft-lb of torque, a nice step up from the 70 hp and 82 ft-lb produced by the old 1.5-liter four cylinder engine. Despite the better power, the overhauled powertrain has helped to reduce CO2 emissions to 89 grams/kilometer. The driver will also enjoy a new heads-up display, solar-powered airco, and parking assist.
In the U.K., the new Toyota Prius will hit showrooms this July.
Toyota Prius Making its European Debut in Geneva
By Zack Newmark
February 27, 2009 5:36 AM
Filed Under: Geneva Motor Show, Hybrid, Japanese, Toyota
Press Release (Click to expand)
European Premiere of New Toyota Prius
The world's most advanced mainstream passenger car, Prius stands as a motor industry milestone in vehicle powertrain development. Successive generations of the model have showcased Toyota's commitment to environmentally conscientious forward-thinking and have led the company's advance towards the creation of the ultimate eco-car.
The new, third-generation Prius remains the undisputed reference point for mass-mobility hybrid technology, setting new standards in innovation, design and driving enjoyment. Ninety per cent of the components in the award-winning Hybrid Synergy Drive system have been redesigned, making it lighter and more compact, increasing power and reducing real-world fuel consumption. Operation in cold weather has also been improved.
Overall system power has been increased by 22 per cent, while fuel economy improved by 10 per cent and CO2 emissions reduced to just 89g/km.
Prius's striking new design is inspired by Toyota's ECO-ICON concept with an aerodynamically efficient exterior that has an exceptionally low drag coefficient, Cd 0.25. The interior has an innovative dual-dashboard design, housing a series of driver assistance features that are unique in Prius's class. These include a head-up display, a steering-wheel mounted Touch Tracer control to monitor and operate a range of equipment functions, a solar-powered ventilation system to keep the car cool when parked, and a new version of Toyota's Intelligent Parking System.
New Prius will go on sale in the UK in July 2009
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Comments
motorjedi
February 27, 2009 7:59 AM
alessandro
February 27, 2009 7:41 PM
stelvio
February 27, 2009 11:52 AM
sub39h
February 27, 2009 3:34 PM
bjoy
February 27, 2009 1:46 PM
sub39h
February 27, 2009 3:42 PM
and the damage that building the Prius does to the environment won't be alleviated by building the car in the USA. the process of making Li-ion batteries etc for the drivetrain is incredibly toxic to the environment no matter where you do it, and the materials have to be shipped all over the world to do it, which ofc generates CO2 in the first place
joelynn
February 28, 2009 1:42 AM
jonzofon
February 28, 2009 12:37 PM
9TNine
March 2, 2009 12:04 AM
But how did the current design get approved in the first place - it was so damn ugly
surdzosurdzo
March 8, 2009 3:04 AM
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if you want to save the planet, buy a frugal locally produced car. (And for all you Yanks out there, get over your hatred of diesel. A lot of the new diesel engines from European manufacturers are better than their petrol counterparts.)