NEW CAR – As the latest Toyota Prius hybrid arrives in the UK, the new plug in hybrid version of Toyota’s perennial eco car breaks cover at the 2016 New York Motor Show.
Known as the Toyota Prius Prime in the US, it features different styling to the standard hybrid, more tech and a claimed economy figure of 202mpg. That would make it the most efficient plug in hybrid on sale when it arrives later this year.
It’s the second-generation of the plug-in hybrid Prius, and will sit alongside the regular hybrid model in the range. Using the same 1.8 litre petrol engine, the Plug in’s powertrain gains a larger 8.8kW h lithium ion battery pack and dual motor drive system.
The 202mpg official figure makes it, on paper at least, 108mpg more frugal than the regular Prius. Claimed CO2 emissions are 32g km, which is 38g km less than the standard version and a 7g km advantage over the VW Golf GTE.
Toyota claims that the Plug in can be driven at up to 84mph in pure electric mode, with an EV range of 30 miles twice that of the old Prius. Charging time is said to be around two hours and 20 minutes. No performance figures have been released, but class leading acceleration is promised.
New tech such as a battery powered heating system and gas injection air conditioning help the Prius to avoid using its petrol engine wherever possible, while the tweaked exterior means a low drag coefficient figure of 0.24Cd.
This is thanks to the body, which is 15mm wider and 20mm lower to the ground than the standard Prius, and features such as the new double bubble tailgate glass and an active grille shutter. Unique headlamps and a boomerang style LED rear lamp design help it to stand out, too.
We’ve yet to see images of the interior, but the larger batteries have meant a switch to a four seat layout, with the centre console running the full length of the cabin. There’s no word on official UK prices yet, although the previous model started from just over £28,000.
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