When the 2016 Toyota Prius was unveiled last month, we saw in full the bold, avant-garde styling, but little in the way of actual specifications regarding the revamped powertrain. That time has come, with Japan’s largest carmaker posting more details about what moves the fourth generation of its iconic hybrid.
Firstly, there’s the internal combustion engine (ICE) – the current 2ZR-FXE 1.8 litre Atkinson-cycle VVT-i petrol four-pot has been retained, but is now completely reengineered. Power and torque remain near-identical – the former is actually a horsepower down, so the figures stand at 97 hp and 142 Nm. However, peak torque is now made 400 rpm lower in the rev range, at 3,600 rpm.
But the main improvements come in terms of thermal efficiency. As previously reported, the engine is now the world’s most efficient mass-produced ICE – with a maximum figure of 40% – thanks to a large-volume exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, a redesigned air intake port that improve combustion chamber airflow, revised coolant passages to optimise internal engine temperature and improvements in combustion efficiency. Internal friction has also been reduced, thanks to, among others, the use of low-viscosity oil.
The two all-new electric motors are, strangely enough, also less powerful than the ones that came before. Power is now at 53 kW (71 hp) instead of 60 kW (80 hp) previously, while torque has decreased from 207 Nm to 163 Nm. It’s no wonder that Toyota has yet to release the total system power output figure, as it’s bound to be lower than the current 134 hp.
Despite the reduced output, both motors actually boast higher output densities, being smaller and lighter than before and incorporating a rolling-coil structure. The size and weight of other key components, such as the transaxle, power control unit and batteries, have also been reduced – improving fuel and space efficiency.
The power control unit, in particular, has been upgraded – including the use of low-loss components – to deliver 20% lower electrical losses, with a more compact design enabling it to sit directly above the transaxle. Speaking of which, the latter also possesses 20% fewer losses thanks to the motors’ multi-shaft positioning, as well as the relocation of the final drive reduction gear onto the same axis as the drive motor.
Depending on where you live, the Prius will be offered with either nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries, both positioned under the rear seats. The relocation of the auxiliary battery to the engine bay from the boot floor increases cargo space by 52 litres to 502 litres, despite the rear deck now 55 mm lower than before. For the first time, the Prius will also be offered in E-Four guise, with a high-output rear electric motor providing four-wheel drive – without compromising boot capacity.
Fuel efficiency is improved further through the use of an automatic grille shutter (drag coefficient now down to 0.24 Cd), an improved and more compact exhaust heat recirculation system, an engine coolant selector valve and a new system that accelerates engine heating. Altogether, the Prius is targeted to achieve a fuel consumption figure of 40 km per litre on the JC08 cycle, up from 32.6 km per litre of its predecessor.
Under the skin, the Prius is the first car to ride on the modular Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), designed to lower the centre of gravity. Torsional rigidity is up 60% due to the use of laser screw welding, structural body adhesives and ring-shaped frame structures. High-tensile-strength steel content, utilising hot-stamped materials, has also been increased from 3% on the previous model to 19%
In conjunction with the new double wishbone rear suspension (which replaces the previous torsion beam setup), the increased rigidity not only improves handling, but is also claimed to deliver a firm, stable ride, as well as lower NVH – this can be felt, Toyota says, from the windows and doors down to less obvious areas such as the floor and ceiling.
Elsewhere, there are revisions to the hybrid system software to improve acceleration feel, an adaptive system in Power mode that engages a sportier acceleration and deceleration setting during enthusiastic driving, as well as a new active hydraulic booster for regenerative braking to improve brake feel and reduce noise.
Other measures to improve comfort include lighter and more space-efficient front seats with upgraded frames and cushioning to provide a snug fit and chiropractic control, repositioned back springs for improved posture as well as a 59 mm lower hip point that provide a more natural and comfortable seating position. At the back, there’s improved cushioning and a wider seating area, and while the roofline is lower than before, Toyota claims headroom has actually increased over the old car.
More improvements abound inside – the digital instrument cluster has been redesigned with two 4.2 inch full-colour TFT LCD screens – multi-info display on the left, basic vehicle data on the right. There’s also a Toyota-first full-colour head-up display (HUD) projected directly to the windscreen, a temperature-regulating synthetic leather steering wheel, as well as an S-flow air-conditioning system that focuses airflow only at where the occupants are seated, to maximise comfort and fuel economy.
Active safety features include 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 low-speed pedal misapplication, Simple Intelligent Parking Assist, a Blind Spot Monitor as well as the new Japan-only ITS Connect vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication service, first fitted to the facelifted Crown range.
Oh, and remember the lurid green heat-reflective paint we reported a few weeks ago? Toyota has finally revealed what it is – a Thermo-Tec Lime Green paint option exclusive for the Japanese market, that helps “mitigate increases in exterior surface temperature.”
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$200k? Thanks but no thanks
At rm 200 K,there are plenty of choices….get the current 2.5hybrid Camry(175K with discounts b4 dec 31,2015) or add extra 2 year instalment to get Mercedes or BMW.
Or get a base Honda accord 2.0,plus a Myvi as third/fourth car.
Plenty of other combinations.
Sorry Toyota. Can’t be buying something that makes me puke everytime I look at it.
Get the car, get the girl.
Why so expensive here? Thanks to your beloved Proton.
Proton better start selling condom, coz PROTECTION DA BEST!
Obviously you are not rich enough, you need to work harder, hopefully one day you can afford Lexus like me.
In overseas, Toyota is highly respected. But in Malaysia, Toyota now has become a laughing stock. If you buy one, people secretly laugh at you thinking you are the dumbest person in town cause the Toyota is heavily stripped of its safety features. Now somemore, Picanto, comes with 6 airbags and can be safer than a Camry!
Malaysians already now know how Toyota has been cheating people. Until today, even RM150k Camry got no VSC and only 2 airbags. Paultan already wrote long article how vital VSC is 3 years ago and yet UMW don’t care a damn for our lives.
Global price of Camry with 10 airbags and VSC is US$22,000. Besides VSC and 10 airbags, the global Camry has about 20 other safety features that is NOT in our Camry. These features are standard and free on the global Camry.
UMW don’t care about your life. you die or vegetable, they don’t care, janji untung lebih. they take out safety features to save cost. Yet, they charge us 3x the global price of US$22k. We buy for RM180k a heavily stripped down car. Same with Altis. Same with Vios.
Worse still, it is CKD and Made in Malaysia. The price is even cheaper. If US Toyota is sold at US22k and still make a profit, you can bet that UMW will get this car at country distributor price of US15k. CKD it, it will be US$12k (about RM40k). But they sell to Malaysians for RM180k.
Camry Hybrid even better. US$26k. Come to Malaysia no tax. But sold for RM175k
i will take 10 years to appreciate the design..
I will appreciate this design for 10years.
go back to the future..
i like to enjoy the technology but why it has to be so fugly? to rationale limited supply?
it’s very beautiful.
We can get hot white chicks like the Ads.
Toyota Prius:
1. Best Thermal Efficiency Internal Combustion Engine: 40%.
2. Best HEV Car FC: 40km/L
3. Best Handling Hybrid car: with Double Wishbone Suspension and much lower center of gravity.
4. Best Reliability
5. Quietness beyond luxury car, it’s EV car quiteness.
It’s Toyota, designed to challenge status quo.
6. Worst looking hybrid car
Pretty or not, it is subjective personal preference. Just like you may think Rosmah is the hottest lady in world, but others may not think so.
Pls share what pretty car you are driving
Hideous
who cares about the specs when the car looks so horrible? I rather prefer a bicycle than this piece of shiat
who the f.. buy this for fuel consumption if its cost 200k.. hybrid did not have future in this country.
The Japanese aren’t like the western where they give too much crap about design.. It’s about being at the top of its class and picking up groceries. But the Msian pricing system is a joke as always. Time for a change ppl.
Toyota does it again……for coming up with the most ugly hybrid car in the world!
Well done!
Impressive advertisement, isn’t it?
Now let us look at Suprima S TV ads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg71_Uq0j68
Enjoy the contrast.
It depends on the budget. You wanna know a better add? See if prius can do this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIfv5ai664s
Even better with this:
Good driving skill + good reliable car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_Kbj_7VWw
ini dugong jenis apa pulak
Dugong spesis Sam Loo
The way they have improved is tremendous… Especially with the NVH(noise,vibration,harshness), from my pov is very tedious research being done. Also with many first time applied tech, Toyota is really stepping up its game. This is just my opinions btw feel free to comment.
Technically impressive car, but ugly styling. Not for me.
This car is probably the most advance Toyota car every built. You could say it is the iPhone of Toyota.
Not sure if the design is all that attractive though.