Despite the tough economic times, the Detroit Auto Show was the perfect opportunity for Toyota Corp. to unveil the third-generation Prius Hybrid, which everyone’s been talking about for some time now. Aside from the obvious design difference compared to the previous model, the new Prius comes with a few tricks of its own, essential this year especially, as the competition doesn’t sleep.
So what’s to know about the 2010 Prius, which is by the way scheduled to arrive in U.S. showrooms this spring? First of all, the Prius hybrid maintains the same technology as the first generation one, introduced 10 years ago, but a lot of elements had to change under the new economic and environmental circumstances.
What does a driver need these days in order to make it through the urban jungle while leaving as little harmful emissions as possible? Toyota tempted the Detroit audience with some very appealing numbers, and promises to stay environmentally and pocket-friendly: 50 miles per gallon rating, thanks to the improved fuel efficiency that the 2010 Prius offers.
What's great about the Prius is that is combines superior performance with a more powerful engine that also delivers improved efficiency. Not only is the Prius able to accelerate to 60 mph 1 second faster than the previous model, in just 9.8 seconds, but it also has the lowest drag coefficient in the world, making fuel efficient, but also capable of delivering great performance.
One of the much discussed elements in Prius were the solar panels, which according to Toyota, will play an essential role as part of the ventilation system of the car. Furthermore, the interior of the car was designed in such a way to increase passenger and luggage space.
Prius was first introduced in December 2007 in Japan, and by April 2008, the hybrid vehicle had already managed to pass the 1 million mark of units sold worldwide. In North America alone, Prius sold in over 591,000 units since it began selling in 2000. The car has now found owners in over 40 countries around the world. With limited availability, the Prius mid-size sedan sold 11,765 units in June 2008, according to a report.
According to the company’s last year estimations, its Prius hybrids have contributed to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 4.5 million tons in CO2 compared to non-hybrid gasoline-powered vehicle in the same class, with similar size and driving performance.
In 2003, Toyota introduced a second-generation Prius equipped with the Toyota hybrid System II and offering improved environmental performance and power. The hybrid is also one of the first cars to meet the Japanese fuel efficiency standards by 2015, under the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy.
The carmaker is optimistic about the 2010 Prius sales, hoping to reach 400,000 units worldwide by 2010. In the United States alone, Prius is expected to sell 180,000 units within its first year of availability. The only problem with that are the plans of other carmakers, namely Honda and Ford, who are also introducing their hybrid offerings this year.
