VIDEO: Demonstration of how the third-gen Toyota Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive system works

If you’re both a tech geek and a motorhead like I am, you’ll definitely appreciate this video, made by the Transmission Lab of Weber State University’s Automotive Technology Department.

It’s a pretty long clip that takes us through the Toyota Prius Hybrid’s eCVT transaxle and how exactly the combination of the internal combustion engine, Motor Generator 1, Motor Generator 2 and Power Split Device – which are all collectively called Hybrid Synergy Drive – move the car. There’s no actual CVT transmission in this car – gear ratios are emulated by MG1, MG2 and the PSD.

If you don’t have half-an-hour, you can skip to the 17 minute mark and watch the remainder of the video, as that’s where MG1 and MG2 are assembled together and the video shows how they interact with each other. The internal combustion engine is represented by a flywheel.

If you want to know more technical details about the third-generation Toyota Prius, read our previous story: third-generation Toyota Prius: first impressions.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • toyolta on Aug 02, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    I’m shocked to know noone is posting here. Where are toyoda fans? But no wonder because they just know every toyoda is like car from sky, even if it has no airbags in 2013, lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 27
    • Katak on Aug 03, 2013 at 12:45 am

      Despite the overprice, Toyota still make very good engine.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 3
    • then please use ur intelligence and explain to us , technically how bad is is technology from toyota? u can compare to other type of transmission u like…please, we r a bunch of no brainers ,unlike u.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
      • toyolta on Aug 03, 2013 at 7:05 pm

        My point is, where are toyota fan who keep bashing other cars? I thought they are interested in technical thingy like this. And no, I don’t say anything bad about the tech, just hoping it’s not overpriced as it’s now.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 16
        • it seems that in ur comment, u r also cluess or know little about in car tech, and always like to comment about “fussy” things, just like the “toyota fans ” who only know everything falls from sky.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Jimmy on Aug 02, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    Show you some ‘fancy’ things that you won’t know much, so that I can sell silver at platinum price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 16
    • Please don’t assume that everyone else is as limited in their knowledge as you. Some of us might get some insight from this video.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • 30min video to introduce/promote this engine?
    Aint nobody got time for dat

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • Back seat Driver on Aug 03, 2013 at 8:07 am

    This is better than all those CVT, DSG, 9-speed transmissioni out there. With just one ICE, and 2 electric motors, Toyota manages to make do with just ONE fixed ratio. Such an elegance design.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
  • Jimmy on Aug 03, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    In order to criticise 9-speed transmission, one must be able to afford 5 luxurious vehicles at any one time to quality him- or herself. Respect the 9-speed from luxurious marque, ye.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 17
  • steve on Aug 05, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    The stupid and greedy UMW toyota is still selling 1st gen toyota prius when the 2nd gen prius has been out for more than 1year. So is toyota wish.
    Welcome to Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 10
    • it’s easy to comment everything without doing any homework.

      First generation (XW10; 1997–2003)

      Second generation (XW20; 2003–2009)

      Third generation (XW30; 2009–present)

      the one we hv in malaysia now is the xw30, the 4th generation is still under testing, though will b launched in near future…

      so, is umw toyota stupid, or someone else? :)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
 

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