2013 Toyota Prius+
2013 Toyota Prius+. Though still compactly sized to optimise its aerodynamic performance,
the Prius+ provides, as its name suggests, a significant increase in
space and passenger accommodation. It is 135 mm longer than a standard
Prius, 30 mm wider, and 85 mm higher, with a wheelbase extended by 80
mm, making it possible to accommodate 7 people in three rows.
Instantly recognisable as the latest member of the Prius family through
its characteristic, triangle silhouette, the new Prius+ combines
Toyota’s Under Priority frontal design language with painstaking airflow
management to give the new 7-seat full hybrid uniquely clean, advanced
and cutting-edge styling.
The front of the new Prius+ features the latest representation of
Toyota’s trapezoidal, Under Priority design. Featuring chrome-plated
horizontal trim, the upper grille opening has been kept as small as
possible to maintain a smooth airflow over the upper body. In contrast,
the lower grille has been enlarged to increase engine cooling
efficiency.
The presence of Hybrid Synergy Drive® is denoted by hybrid blue lamp
ornamentation and Toyota badging, and the front wing ‘Hybrid’ badge. The
new Prius+ is available in a range of seven exterior colours, including
Toyota’s unique White Pearl finish.
The 16″ alloy wheels with aerodynamic wheel caps and the 17″
aluminium alloys both feature tyres with a 5% lower rolling-resistance
than those fitted to the standard Prius.
The lightweight, highly compact, 4-cylinder 1,798 cc Atkinson cycle
petrol engine develops 98 DIN hp/73 kW at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm of torque
at 4,000 rpm. Combined with a cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system,
the adoption of the Atkinson cycle offers significant gains in fuel
efficiency and the reduction of emissions.
Because the intake valves close late in an Atkinson Cycle engine,
compression is delayed. This creates a high expansion ratio for less
compression, reducing intake and exhaust energy losses and converting
combustion energy to engine power more effectively. As a result, the
exhaust temperature is lower than that of conventional engines. Cooled
Exhaust Gas Recirculation reintroduces cooled exhaust gas into the
intake system, further reducing engine operating temperatures.
The Prius+’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® powertrain combines the 99 DIN
hp/73 kW output of the 1.8 litre petrol engine with the 60 kW output of
the electric motor for a maximum system power output of 136 DIN hp. The
Prius+ will accelerate seamlessly from 0-100 km/h in 11.3 seconds and
has a top speed of 165 km/h.
Its environmental performance enhanced by the Toyota Prius+’s
class-leading aerodynamic performance and low weight, the full hybrid
drive system returns both class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions
of 4.1 l/100 km and 96 g/km respectively.
News/Images Source: Toyota