Can Prius Handle Green Car Competition?
From Plug-ins to Hybrids to Plug-in Hybrids – there’s a lot more green car competition on the road than there was 10 years ago. Can Toyota’s Prius handle the heat?
Back in 1997, Toyota introduced the original Prius, which was the first mass-produced hybrid-electric vehicle. Its 10-year journey took it across the globe, making it one of the best made hybrid cars to date, having supremacy over other hybrid vehicles.
But it was easy when your competition came from one or two other Japanese car makers who couldn’t get the battery systems or vehicle design right at first. But as 2011 comes even closer, every Joe-blow company from Chevy to Honda, Ford and soon even Kia has its own line of hybrid variants. And with others selling their hybrids for thousands less, how can Toyota survive?
It’s a question of reputation, quality and loyalty. Those three items make this a recipe for success. Sure, Prius has come under fire in recent months of supposedly trying to kill one or two of its owners… but hey, maybe that one guy in California deserved to have his wits scared out of him.
Prius has the name – it is well known as the first and best hybrid out there. Toyota, even after all that braking issues stuff, remains a favorite of car buyers, and the sale figures show.
2011′s upcoming hybrid, along with a full electric plug-in version, have a number of fun additions. These include a moonroof with solar panels, four driving modes, Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA), and steering wheel touch controls.
The first-generation Prius was rated 41 EPA mpg, and the second-generation model pushed that figure to 46 mpg. The 2010 model marks another significant incremental improvement to 50 miles per gallon (combined city/highway). And a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine powers the car.
An electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation system also boost efficiency. Furthermore, the engine has no belts under the hood, resulting in better fuel economy and less potential maintenance. The new transaxle and inverter are both 20 percent lighter, reducing the car’s overall weight.
The new Prius offers three alternative driving modes. EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit. There is also a Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel, and an Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve the best possible mileage.
Other energy-saving features include available LED low beams and taillights, a more efficient air conditioning system, and a unique ventilation fan that promises to reduce the need for air conditioning in the first place.
The air circulator — which is powered by solar panels — prevents the interior air temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked. This, in turn, makes cool-down time shorter when the driver returns to the vehicle.
Toyota says it listened to customer feedback, and sharpened handling, reduced road noise, increased interior volume, and improved acceleration. The zero to 60 mph sprint takes 9.8 seconds now — an improvement of over one second. Disc brakes are now used on all four corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the current model.
However, around the bend comes Chevy’s Volt, Honda’s $18,500 Insight and Nissan’s Leaf EV. Toyota might have to step up its game even more, outside of moon-roofs and solar panels, to remain in the hybrid game.
Specs: LeftLaneNews
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