The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid has been updated and now comes with seating for five passengers, up from the previous four-seater layout. Additional updates include the new metallic black paint, optional 17-inch dual-tone twin five-spoke wheels, and new upholstery colour schemes and materials for the cabin.
Other than that, the Prius PHEV is unchanged. At the heart of the vehicle is the regular Prius’ 1.8 litre Atkinson-cycle VVT-i engine, delivering 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. Two electric motors aid propulsion – one produces 72 PS and 163 Nm and the other churns out 31 PS and 40 Nm.
Together with the petrol engine and an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, they result in a total system output of 122 PS, a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 162 km/h. It boasts an all-electric driving range of 68.2 km, and even with the battery depleted the car can still achieve a fuel economy figure of 37.2 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle, up from 31.6 km per litre on the outgoing model.
Charging the battery takes around 2 hours 20 minutes using a 200 V outlet and 14 hours through a 100 V socket. There’s also a solar panel on the roof that can increase the electric-only range by as much as 6.1 km when parked under the sun the whole day, or around 2.9 km per day on average. The panel also recharges the auxiliary battery when the car is being driven, reducing fuel consumption.
An external electrical power supply has been added to provide household electricity in emergency situations such as natural disasters. In EV mode, the Prius PHEV can provide power without the engine switched on; in hybrid mode, the car can supply up to two days worth of electricity at a maximum output of 1,500 W with the engine started and the fuel tank full.
Front angled shot makes it look like GM6 City merged with dugong Vios front. Took the worst traits of both design and mashed it together. That is becoming a Toyota bugbear their design is getting weirder.
Well, considering just how weird the pre facelift is, even the bastardised city and dugong mug is an improvement.
This still can’t beat the latest ikan keli Vios and Yaris in terms of ugliness.
Since Perodua showed the Kenari Hybrid to the world in 2003, Malaysians have been waiting patiently for the first Malaysian hybrid car. Now, in 2019, after 16 years still no sign of anything hybrid from Perodua.
With Toyota as the leading carmaker in hybrid techs, it should be natural that the techs trickle down to its majority-owned subsidiary right? Unless, Toyota just treating Perodua as a dumping ground for old models and techs…
No rear picture means it is very very ugly!
Can you please advice me, if I can convert my hybrid Prius 1.8l into a plug in EV. ? If so, can it be done in Malaysia?