HIGH-PERFORMANCE driving and refined environmental friendliness are the promises of Toyota as it announced the all-new Prius which will be available in showrooms in Japan starting November 15.
Developed under the “Hybrid Reborn” concept, the new Prius has evolved into an exhilarating package that adds a design inspiring love at first sight and captivating driving performance to its core strength as an environmentally friendly car. Prius HEV models were launched in January this year, and they are already enjoying a great reputation.
The new Prius PHEV, offered as the Z grade, has been reborn as a high-performance version equipped with the latest plug-in hybrid system, which combines a compact, high-capacity drive battery, high-output drive motor, and high-efficiency gasoline engine.
It offers the outstanding quietness and brisk motor-based driving performance of a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). On longer drives, such as going on a trip, the engine supplements battery power to serve as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that ensures the cruising range needed for traveling long distances with peace of mind. At the same time, the combination of motor and engine delivers the powerful yet comfortable driving performance unique to PHEV vehicles from the moment the gas pedal is pressed.
A unique PHEV external power supply system enables the car to supply power in a range of scenarios from daily living to emergency situations. This includes an external power supply mode that enables the car battery to provide power during outdoor, leisure, and other activities. There is also an external emergency power supply mode that provides a larger supply of power during blackouts, disasters, and other emergencies by using the engine to generate electricity.
The new Prius PHEV achieves a high level of dynamic performance with a maximum system output of 164 kW (223 PS) of power. This model also offers great fuel efficiency of 26.0 km/l with 19-inch tires and 30.1 km/L with 17-inch tires. BEV driving distance is 87 km with 19-inch tires and 105 km with 17-inch tires, with the 105 km representing an improvement of 75 percent compared to the previous model. As a result, the new Prius PHEV delivers both enjoyable driving and environmental performance in a car that many customers will continue to cherish as their car of choice for generations to come.
The Prius PHEV has an optional second-generation solar charging system that efficiently converts solar energy into electricity, providing enough power to drive up to 1,250 km per year in BEV mode.
With a highly efficient solar panel installed into the vehicle roof, the battery can be charged while the car is baking in the sun. It will even charge during power outages during disasters or other causes, as long as the sun is shining. Electric power generated from the solar panel supplies electricity for air conditioning and other functions as well. The system also supplies the auxiliary battery system when driving to reduce drive battery consumption.
The new Prius PHEV is equipped with Regeneration Boost, which is useful on mountain roads and in other situations that require regular switching between acceleration and braking. When set, this function provides stronger regenerative braking force than normal to deliver responsive driving performance while reducing the frequency of switching between the accelerator and brake pedals.
As a feature unique to PHEV models, the new Prius PHEV comes with both a BEV external power supply mode, which uses electricity stored in the battery to provide an external power supply for outdoor, leisure, and other activities, and an HEV external power supply mode, which can use the car as a power supply during blackouts, disasters, and other emergencies.
In this mode, electricity is supplied from the battery only until the remaining power falls to a set level, after which the engine starts to supply electricity. With a full battery charge and a full tank of gas, this system can provide enough electricity for about five days of use.
Plug-in hybrid systems are an important powertrain option providing an immediately accessible pathway toward carbon neutrality. Toyota is working on all-round development of electric vehicles, including PHEVs, and hydrogen engines to achieve carbon neutrality and provide a range of options to customers around the world.
It also comes with an external electric power supply attachment as standard so that an external power supply is possible with the door windows closed to prevent rain and insects from getting in the car when in use. It is also equipped with a vehicle power connector that can be plugged into the charging inlet of the vehicle for use as an external power socket providing 1,500 W (100 VAC).
