Editorial Commentary by Toyota USA

(September 09, 2014) — While Toyota is pleased to see other carmakers expanding the popularity of hybrid vehicles, it also likes to point out that it retains hybrid leadership worldwide, and the 2015 Prius exemplifies the reasons why.

As a celebration of its utter hybrid dominance, the Prius gets a Special Edition model for 2015. It’s available in two exclusive colors, Absolutely Red and Blizzard Pearl, accentuated by 17-inch wheels with a unique dark metal finish. In addition to all the standard equipment in the Prius Three trim level, the Special Edition features an interior trimmed with black SofTex seats and dark gray stitching, blue front footwell illumination, dark chrome door grips, and steering and shifter bezels. Side mirrors include turn signals.

Iconic design and high fuel economy fulfilling the promise of hybrids have helped make the Toyota Prius synonymous with gas/electric vehicles. What began as a single model more than 15 years ago is now a model line that also includes   the larger Prius v, the city-friendly Prius c and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

For 2015, Toyota also offers hybrid versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans and the Highlander SUV. (The Lexus luxury brand offers a further six hybrids, the most in the luxury category.) The Prius family alone accounts for over 40 percent of total hybrid vehicle sales volume in the U.S.
 
At 176.4 inches from bumper to bumper, the Prius can slip into “compact only” parking spaces, yet because of its interior roominess (93.7 cubic feet of passenger cabin and 21.6 cubic feet of trunk space), Prius is classified as a midsize car by the EPA. A 106.3-inch wheelbase helps to give the Prius a smooth ride.



Yet, the numbers that people usually associate with the Prius are even more impressive: the EPA estimate fuel economy ratings of 51 MPG city / 48 MPG highway / 50 MPG combined.
 
Prius owners like that the car stands apart from everything else on the road. The sleek, arc-shaped profile and sharp-edged details catch the eye, but not much of the wind. The car’s 0.25 coefficient of drag (Cd) is one of the lowest for any production car in the world, a contributing factor in the high fuel economy.

It’s not the only thing that’s low. Vehicle weight is kept low through use of aluminum for the hood, rear hatch, front stabilizer bar and brake calipers and by using super high-tensile strength steel in the inner rocker panel, center pillar and roof reinforcement. The 3,042-pound. curb weight is comparable to compact cars with less room, and it also helps make the Prius an agile machine.

The body offers more function in the lights. LEDs (light emitting diodes), optional in low beam headlamps and standard in DRLs and tail lamp clusters, help reduce the vehicle’s power consumption.

The sleek shape does not compromise interior comfort. Rear headroom, at 37.6 inches, is actually slightly more than in the Toyota Corolla. And rear seat legroom, at 36.0 inches, is on par with some midsize sedans.

The cockpit likewise has a futuristic look and feel, from the curvy dashboard to the centrally located digital instrument and information displays. With the standard Multi-information Display panel, you can monitor the vehicle’s fuel and battery energy, and also use a display that coaches economical driving habits.

In line with the future theme is the Touch Tracer Display. Touch sensors on the steering wheel switches are designed to reduce driver eye movement for better concentration on the road. When you touch the steering wheel controls, a duplicate image is displayed on the instrument panel, directly in line of sight. Yet, there’s nothing complicated about the controls, which are all easy to reach and use.
 
So, how do you get a 3,000-pound car that can accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in under 10 seconds to also have a 50-MPG combined fuel economy rating? It’s called Hybrid Synergy Drive, which combines the output of a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor.

The system’s combined 134 net system horsepower feels even stronger to the driver due to the unique way the system combines the torque of the gasoline engine and electric motor through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. A full hybrid, the Prius can run on the gasoline engine alone, battery alone, or a combination of both. The Prius feels responsive in all driving situations, and powertrain quietness is another benefit revered by loyal owners.

The magic isn’t all in the powertrain. The Prius employs a number of special features to squeeze maximum efficiency out of every gallon of regular-grade gas. The electric water pump and electric power steering use no accessory drive belts, potentially reducing maintenance costs.

Regenerative braking helps to recapture electrical energy under deceleration, sending it to the battery, which helps to reduce fuel consumption.

An exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold startup. That helps reduce emissions and has the added benefit of getting heat to the cabin more quickly.

And, there’s more. The Prius driver can take charge of the driving experience by selecting from among four driving modes, Normal, POWER, ECO and EV. Not surprisingly, they’re pretty much self-explanatory. POWER mode increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel; ECO mode helps drivers enhance fuel economy by adjusting throttle input and climate control. In EV mode, the Prius can drive on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile. That’s useful for navigating a large parking lot or garage, for example.

There’s an environmental benefit to driving a Prius besides the high fuel economy. The Prius is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in California and in states applying California emission standards.

The AT-PZEV certification requires the SULEV exhaust standard linked with the ability to meet a zero-fuel-evaporative standard, a 150,000-mile durability demonstration, extended emissions system warranty, and technology deemed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to advance future fuel cell vehicles. In the rest of the country, Prius is certified as Tier 2, Bin 3.

Even the way Toyota builds the Prius eases pressure on the environment.
Plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics are used in the seat cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and outer scuff plates and deck trim cover. Ecological plastic emits less CO2 during the production process than conventional plastic, and it also helps reduce petroleum use.