Toyota launches new plug-in Prius

“That’s the yearly running costs you’ll pay in New Zealand for the Prius Prime according to Energywise. It’s no wonder it was awarded the World Green Car in 2017.” The Prime’s enviable environmental credentials include an electric vehicle (EV) range of up to 63 kms, a weighted combined fuel consumption of just 1 litre per 100 kms and CO2 emissions of just 22 g/km. “The Prime won’t leave you on the side of the road without charge,” says Mr Lala. “It will automatically switch to our cutting edge hybrid technology and deliver just 1.0L/100kms of efficiency to get you there.” “Given the results, it’s no surprise we decided to call the new Prius, Prime, which means ‘the best’.” It also features a vehicle world-first with gas injection heat pump air conditioning. The heat pump can efficiently warm the interior using heat absorbed from the outside air. It also has two Toyota firsts, a battery warming system and a dual motor EV drive system. It is another step towards Toyota Motor Corporation’s world-wide goal of reducing its fleet CO2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2050 through the use of a variety of hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicle technology.

“The 2018 model is a huge leap forward in efficiency, driving performance, innovation and styling,” said Mr Lala.

At the heart of the Prime’s improved performance is a lithium-ion battery with double the capacity of the previous battery, at 8.8 kWh. The new battery can be charged in approximately four hours and thirty minutes with a standard household plug socket and a type 2 cable. The dual motor drive system has a highly compact one-way gear within the transaxle which allows the hybrid system generator to act as a second electric drive motor. This increases EV power for better acceleration and a higher top speed, while reducing engine start up frequency – when most fuel is used – while driving. The new Prime has a choice of NORMAL, ECO and POWER drive modes with four additional powertrain modes HV, EV, EV City and Battery Charge mode. EV City mode reduces maximum power output to maximise the electric vehicle driving range. Safety technology The Prime has pedestrian detection added to the Toyota Safety Sense package of electronic safety systems, which includes Pre Crash Safety system with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Alert with steering assist functions and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The new Prime also gains Adaptive High Beam system and Road Sign Assist; and also has a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating.