The all-new 2016 Toyota Prius has officially gone on sale in its home market in Japan, nary three months after it was unveiled to the world in Las Vegas. The world’s largest carmaker expects to sell 12,000 units of the fourth generation of the iconic hybrid a month in the Land of the Rising Sun.
First things first, the most important statistic on an eco-minded car like this – fuel economy. Toyota has confirmed that the Prius has surpassed the target fuel consumption figure of 40 km per litre, with a final combined figure of 40.8 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle. That’s up from the 32.6 km per litre achieved by its predecessor.
That’s with the base-spec two-wheel drive E; other 2WD models get slightly less at 37.2 km per litre, while those equipped with the E-Four all-wheel drive system return 34.2 km per litre. Regardless, all exceed Japan’s 2020 fuel economy standards by at least 20%, and are eligible for local subsidies and tax incentives for eco-friendly vehicles.
Powering the new Prius is a reengineered 97 hp/142 Nm 1.8 litre Atkinson-cycle VVT-i petrol four-pot – now the most efficient internal combustion engine in the world, with maximum thermal efficiency figure of 40% – mated to a pair of 71 hp/163 Nm electric motors that are now smaller and lighter than before.
The optional E-Four system utilises a high-output rear motor to provide all-wheel drive as needed, such as in slippery conditions. The compact, lightweight system is fitted at the rear of the car underneath the boot floor, without compromising luggage space.
First to ride on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), the new Prius has a lower centre of gravity than before, and torsional rigidity is up to 60% stiffer. There’s also a new double wishbone rear suspension that replaces the old torsion beam setup for improved ride and handling, as well as a new active hydraulic booster for regenerative braking to improve brake feel.
The outlandish love-it-or-hate-it styling hides a car that’s now longer, wider and lower than before. Despite the lower roofline and rear deck, Toyota claims both improved headroom and luggage space (the latter to a sizeable 506 litres), as well as better visibility. Comfort is improved through new, more supportive seats, along with lower NVH thanks to a stiffer bodyshell as well as reduced distance between welded joints.
The interior gets a a wraparound dashboard design that extends into the door cards, as well as a more upright centre console now finished in gloss black. Also added is a wider instrument cluster with two 4.2 inch full-colour TFT LCD displays, a new full-colour head-up display as well as an S-flow air-con system that focuses airflow only at where the occupants are seated, to maximise comfort and fuel economy.
As standard, the base 2,429,018 yen (RM84,500) E is rather basic, coming with 15-inch alloy wheels with aero covers, black fabric four-way manually-adjustable seats, a basic console box with twin cupholders and a urethane steering wheel.
Stepping up to the 2,479,091 yen (RM86,300) S gains an option of a cool grey interior scheme with turquoise stitching, synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel, a six-way manually-adjustable driver’s seat, a front console tray and a centre armrest.
For 2,777,563 yen (RM96,700), the A variant throws in front fog lights, gloss white trim pieces, soft-touch upper door pads and the Toyota Safety Sense P suite with Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam and Radar Cruise Control, an Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) that prevents collisions resulting from pedal misapplication, Simple Intelligent Parking Assist and a Blind Spot Monitor.
At the top of the range sits the 3,107,455 yen (RM108,100) A Premium, adding genuine leather upholstery and steering wheel wrap, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a synthetic leather centre armrest. All bar the E model get the option of E-Four, as well as the Touring Selection package that includes 17-inch wheels, a sportier rear apron insert and synthetic leather upholstery on the S and A variants.
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This is the car of the decade. No other makes will have anything this technologically advanced within the next 4 years
Omg the milage is unbeatable for current market… seem only dreaming on owning a hybrid expect you’re damn rich !!! BN and Naji…s thanks for the 100% taxes on Hybrid with 75 % excise duty, import tax, gst and AP system…. Reach here 250% expensive of original price !!!
Hybrid is yesterdays tech. P1 is smart to focus on EV.
No thanks to “fugly” element
Ya…. when they can’t even build d core of it
Prefer more on the civic tourer 1.6Dtec
35.46km/l , 120hp 300Nm
sadly, Honda’s Diesel engine not coming into malaysia.
P1 focus is price increase.
This car come here, sure RM250,000. No hope to CKD here at all because flip flop Government.
Car companies don’t trust Malaysia. See that clown Madani. He promised all the car companies that Malaysian Government was moving towards EEV and Hybrid.
Honda and Toyota invested billions to set up CKD plants for their jazz, Civic and Prius. The public also went all out to buy Hybrid cars.
Then suddenly the Government said no more incentive. Podah. Honda and Toyota lost billions.
Hybrid buyers also lost so much. Parts went up to skyrocket prices. Car RV also went down so much cause everybody scared to touch Hybrids now.
I hope MAI and the Joker Madani can be serious in life. It is only then, we Malaysians will start trusting the Government and in return, foreigners also will start again to trust Malaysia
why not instead of complaining here and there in all your comments, just leave to japane and you can enjoy the cheap price of this car
which planet u coming from?
Bolehland 2016 Prius will most likely be imported from Thailand.
As such, with AFTA, this gem will most likely be priced around RM150k, RM10k higher than tax break on hybrids were enjoyed. Primarily due to the poor Ringgit
I will change my son Saga to this high tech car. I hope my 90% 9 years loan approve.
I don’t mind about the car’s rear end. But that catfish-looking front end is extremely pathetic.
worst design car of the century
Comes to Ah Pek Stupid Proton land becomes starting RM260K All thanks to the Ah Pek M and his stupid Proton. Najib please close down Proton and reduce car prices and we’ll definitely vote for you for every election!!
Najib dun gip a F about P1. He wants to liberalise the markets but slowly, not sudden shock.
Only if Malaysia is giving back the CBU tax free incentive, this car will sell like hot cakes here.
As if. The Insight was outselling Prius 2:1
you mean the car that had to stop production??
Yup. But its more cuz the model was phased out. Replaced by Jazz Hybrid CKD which still out sells Prius by big margin. So either way Honda wins
insight sales were so weak – Honda Japan decided to sop production and never made replacement.
thats a shame isnt it?
prius is the world’s best selling hybrid car. period.
why a prius has to be so fugly.
i doubt the design is from kindergarden kid, well done !!!
the fc is on par with my 0.11L bike. how good is this!
Design a bit letdown, but overall very nice improvement and high tech car. Once u drive hybrid, you dont worry so much about fuel as hybrid use half fuel than ordinary car.
Shame high spec just only RM108k but come to Malaysia become 145K even tax free.
the 1.8 atkinson cycle engine should develop at least 130hp instead of a miserable 97hp.
at 97hp it is only slightly more than a 1.3 campro.
the electric motor will provide the extra boost of torque – similar to a 2.5 engine in the camry (upon request, not peak torque)
wow they mange to make it uglier! shakes head*
Byd Qin already 50 km per liter .. Toyota so late .. Pick up is 5.9 Sec for 100km/ hr
Mb are you crazy. Kilometer per liter Fuel efficiency not Speed.