Since Toyota launched Toyota Prius in 2003 (the debut of the 2nd generation of Prius), hybrid cars have risen from the ‘minority’ become 3rd best selling of Toyota model in the U.S. Hybrid car inspires its drivers a cult like devotion. Hybrid drivers rates of satisfaction is about 98 %, are unmatched.
The 3rd generation of 2010 Prius was officially launched in January 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show, start sale on public in April. The updated of Toyota Prius is more powerful and larger. Update Prius larger and more powerful. Machinery grew from 1.5L to 1.8L, giving a boost from 110hp to 134 hp, and thereby reduces the 0 to 60 time with a full second. Additionally, 2010 Toyota Prius’s body is about 4’ longer and an inch wider. Despite that (I mean the added of size and strength), 2010 Toyota Prius become one of the vehicle that available offer 50 mpg in city and highway driving combination.
Toyota Corp. reaches the fuel efficiency’s level by keeping the vehicle weight down, to reengineering the powertrain and maintains the best aerodynamics of each vehicle’s production in the world to extend the range of hybrid cars drivers. In the other side, rumors that the 2010 Toyota Prius does not offer a plug-in capability and will not switching to lithium ion batteries but will continue to use nickel metal hybride batteries.
The Exterior of 2010 Toyota Prius
Toyota adds sporty and feels somewhat more aggressive stance for 2010 Prius-possible to disarm the criticism that the 3rd generation of Toyota Prius seem like a repair tool on wheels. The logo shifted from the hood to the point of grating. Creases in the doors have shifted lower, but the angle is more obvious will be added on top of the door handle. The overall goal is to make this Prius hybrid stand taller – not as squat and round – as his counterparts.
The space-age forms that differ from the Prius is still unclear: a deliberate effort of 2010 Toyota Prius to maintain the Toyota Prius’s iconic appearance and its essential. Its large, with the snub nose front end and diamond cut headlamps, Prius get quasiflying saucer appearance in the starting point. The smoothly sloping bonnet flows into the windshield and roofline that flows into a low and sleek. Short rear overhang and sawed-off finish off a futuristic hybrid hatchback character.
Surely, its subjective to talk about ‘the beauty,’ so the 2010 Toyota Prius continues get award of this event. There are a lot of people who think that the 2010 Prius looks ugly and gimmicky. But almost of hybrid drivers, the Prius typically display to send the message, which states that we must take ‘real action’ to reduce our voracious thirst for gasoline oil-with all its negative consequences in terms of geo political and environmental. The 2010 Toyota Prius is like a middle finger on wheels aimed at Suburbans, Escalades, Hummers, and the like – for this camp.
In 2006, Hasbro, the game maker and toy added a game token in the form of the 2010 Prius to a version of “here and now” Monopoly. Or, in other perpective, 2010 Prius is the official icon of our times.
Japanese Business Daily – The Nikkei reported on Friday that Toyota Corp. will launch a PriusHybrid Minivan. Until now Toyota not confirm the story, we just waiting they launch the Prius Hybrid Minivan a.s.a.p. And now, 1st-in-hybrid.com just want to share some point from this exciting news:
1. Prius Minivan will become the First US Hybrid Minivan
As we know, nowadays American hybrid cars, if they want to buy super efficient hybrid with family oriented, they will purchase hybrid SUV such as Cadillac Escalade Hybrid or Toyota Highlander Hybrid. But when Prius Minivan comes, they have more option. Nikkei states that Prius Minivan will be more flexible and of course more affordable than hybrid SUVs.
2. Japan and Toyota will add more Hybrid Cars Aggressively
Japan and Toyota has seriously wanted to ‘conquer’ hybrid market in global hybrid minivan market. The Nikkei says that in 2011 Toyota Prius will launch Prius Minivan. Maybe they will product Prius hybrid minivan aggressively in Japan, after that in US or Europe.
3. Toyota Prius Sub-Brands is Definite
Although Toyota not officially confirming about Prius hybrid minivan plan, but rumors of an entire of this issue have been floating around for recent years. And I predict they will realize these rumors in 2011.
4. Lithium and Nickel will Co-exist at Toyota
Nikkei report that Prius Minivan will use lithium ion batteries – just indicated. And in 2015 they will offer the hybrid shoppers a choice between lithium ion batteries and nickel metal hybride. Interest, let us wait what will happened in the hybrid automotive technology especially in hybrid battery technology.
This week Toyota Company has announced that they will replace or reshape accelerator pedals on 3.8 million vehicles involved in the company’s largest recall ever. As the report from hybridcars.com, the announcement expands the scope and the expense of the recall, which was announced on September 29. Toyota Company will replace original equipment floor mats with redesigned mats – the aim of this step is to reduce the risk that the pedal may jammed in the floor mat.
The recall involves Priuses from 2004 to 2009 – and recent year model of the Avalon, Camry, Tundra, and Tacoma, as well as Lexus models IS 250, IS 350, and ES 350.
According the recall, Toyota Company will send first class letters to owners of the Toyota Camry, ES 350, and Avalon by the end of the year. For other models, the owners will be notified throughout 2010.
Toyota Company announced the recall in the late September, assume that many accidents happen because a loose floor mat could force down the accelerator. And this problem suspected of accident that killed 5 people. Moreover, according the report of ABC News, more than sixteen acceleration related deaths and more than two hundred accidents. Toyota Company explain it because they confidence that the problem is linked to floor mats and not a vehicle design flaw or problems related to braking, accelerator or fuel systems. The company must spend more than $5 billion to run this recall.
Dan Edmunds, the Edmunds.com analyst and former engineer said that the actions proposed by Toyota Company today are viable solutions to alleviate the problem.
Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid? Yes, the company is targeting release Toyota Prius plug-in versions in 2012.
Currently Toyota is starting to promote the company’s future eco friendly technologies. With a concept to paving the way for the next generation of eco friendly vehicles, Toyota Prius plug-in cars will ‘like cars charged at home’.
Those five words ‘like cars charged at home’ is a big signal that Toyota ASAP will moves forward with plans for Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. This plan has a great response from Toyota’s hybrid followers. They are cheering the company’s intention to plug-in hybrid. Toyota Prius plug-in will boost mileage on a Prius to the equivalent of 75 mpg or so – normally Prius’s mileage of 50 mpg.
Starting in January, the consumers from European, American, and Japanese will ‘test drive’ this plug-in hybrid cars. The company has put 150 of the test vehicles in the United State and placing 500 official plug-in priuses in Japanese, American, and European road. Toyota Prius plug-in will use lithium ion batteries in this plug-in hybrid.
The company need about three year (from 2009 to 2012) to get data on how Toyota Prius plug-in cars fare in the real word – how these cars charged, what sort of mileage they get, and how their batteries perform. After that the company will release this plug-in hybrid in 2012. Irv Miller, the vice president for Toyota Prius United State Sales, at a LA conference said that they are going to study the challenges of consumer demand.
Here some basic stats from the Prius Plug-in at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show:
The battery need about an hour and a half to full recharging from a 230-volt supply
Extended EV (electric) driving mode of up to 12.5 miles at speeds up to 62 mph
This plug-in hybrid will cut less than 60g/km CO2 emissions.
