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All-new Toyota Prius makes its first appearance.
It’s hard not to mention the Toyota Prius when talking about vehicle electrification. We say so because it was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle when it launched in 1997.
Since then, Toyota has been showing commitment towards carbon neutrality. The hybrid technology initially pioneered by the Prius has since been adopted by recent hybridised models such as the RAV4, Corolla Cross and Corolla.
Since then, four generations of the Toyota Prius have been produced. The Japanese marque has now pulled the covers off its fifth-generation plug-in hybrid Prius, which boasts significant and notable advancements.
To begin with, the new Prius pairs a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine and a new transaxle front motor for a total power output of 164 kW. That’s a significant bump from the outgoing model’s 90 kW plug-in hybrid, thanks to a new 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that also ensures an enhanced range.
Solar cells on the roof can be optionally fitted for buyers who require maximum efficiency.
Aesthetically, the new Prius retains the legendary wedge shape plus its sleek silhouette. Compared to the outgoing model, the Prius’ overall height has been lowered by 50 mm, and the wheelbase has been stretched by 50 mm. The overall length, however, has been cut short by 46 mm. It can be had with larger diameter tyres that measure up to 19”.
Moving inside, the Prius gets a black-based interior divided into three zones per the brand’s ‘Island Architecture’ design, which includes Surroundings, a Driver Module and a Floating Instrument panel. The driver module is based on the 7” TFT LCD screen, while the instrument panel consists of a screen stacked on the dash.
In Europe, the new Toyota Prius is only available as a plug-in hybrid, and it remains to be seen if it’ll be offered in this configuration or as a hybrid guise with a self-charging powertrain.
The Prius made its recent world debut in Japan and at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will later make its premiere on December 5 in Europe.
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