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Toyota Prius Hybrid

A Brief History of the Toyota Prius

Toyota in 1994 went with the task to find a vehicle that was economical and environmentally friendly, what was developed was the Prius NHW10 In 1997 it was released into the Japanese market first sales where slow and only 240 sold in the first year.

Petrol :             1.5 L DOHC I4
                          13.5:1 compression
                           43 kW (58 hp) @ 4000 rpm
                          102 N·m (75 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm

Electric:            288 V motor
                          30 kW (40 hp) @ 940 rpm
                          305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm
                          Wheelbase 2550 mm (100.4 in)
                          Length 4275 mm (168.3 in)
                          Width 1694 mm (66.7 in)
                          Height 1491 mm

2001 Prius NHW11, the battery had been improved as had the power, and export to the USA and other countries including Australia was on the mind of Toyota. The variable transmission and Air-cond was now standard. The launch into Australia was at the Sydney Motor Show of 2001

Petrol             1.5 L DOHC I4 VVT-i
                      13.0:1 compression
                       52 kW (70 hp) @ 4500 rpm
                      110 N·m (82 ft·lbf) @ 4200 rpm

Electric            273.6 V motor
                        33 kW (44 hp) @ 1040 rpm
                        350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm

Transmission1-speed planetary gear
                        Wheelbase 2550 mm (100.4 in)
                        Length 4308 mm (169.6 in)
                       Width 1694 mm (66.7 in)
                       Height 1463 mm (57.6 in)
                       Curb weight 1254.2 kg (2765 lb)

Prius 1997-2000

Prius 2000-2004

Prius 2004-2008

2004 Toyota NHW20, redesigned now with a hatch and a size increase to fit nicely into the medium size range. A new system was now being used called Hybrid synergy drive HSD. Battery life and reliability is now vastly improved. China in 2005 begins manufacture also of the Hybrid and sales top 1 Million.

Toyota Hybrid System II
Petrol                 1.5 L DOHC I4 VVT-i
                             57 kW (76 hp) @ 5000 rpm
                            115 N·m (85 ft·lbf) @ 4200 rpm

Electric:            500 V
                          50 kW (67 hp) @ 1200 rpm
                         400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm
                         AT-PZEV
                         Net power: 110 hp (82 kW)

Transmission   1-speed planetary gear
                             Wheelbase 2700 mm (106.3 in)
                              Length 4450 mm (175.33 in)
                              Width 1725 mm (67.97 in)
                              Height 1490 mm (58.71 in)
                              Curb weight 1325 kg (2921 lb)

Interesting points about the Prius

In the USA some reports claim that the quietness is a hazard to pedestrians.

The GPS nav sytem in the Prius can not be entered whilst the car is moving

In 2008 a USA Consumer warning was given that the traction control system may not work correctly in snowy conditions. In a similar report by Consumer affairs in the USA claimed that some components of the Prius were not aging well

In august 2007 Auto Express magazine independently rated fuel efficiency of many European available hatchs. Prius in this test rated only tenth.

2009 and beyond

With the development and reducing costs of batteries the Lithium -ion battery will be the main feature of improvement for the Prius . The Plug in model will hit the ground running well in front of other mass manufactured vehicles. However pricing will still be the issue until full mass production of batteries begin. This is still some years a way and the race currently is being led by Nissan with the help of NEC for about 2011-2012.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 2009

Honda Civic Hybrid 2008