Thursday January 15, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option

greencarcongress.com -> pressroom.toyota.com :

Toyota unveiled the third-generation 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid car at the 2009 North American International Auto show. The 2010 Toyota Prius offers better mileage ratings and enhanced performance, as well as new design features. Using a combination of technologies, fuel efficiency was increased to an estimated 50 mpg US combined for the new Prius, with further reductions in CO2 emissions.

The [Ni-MH] battery module carries over from the tried-and-true technology from the current Prius. With a larger 1.8L engine and a net horsepower of 134hp, internal tests show that the 2010 Toyota Prius 0-60 mph (~0-100 km/h) timing has dropped to 9.8 seconds, comparable to a mid-size sedan with a 2.4-liter engine. The new Prius will offer three driving modes. EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit. There is also a Power Mode and an Eco Mode.

The coefficient of drag (Cd) value is reduced to 0.25, compared to 0.26 for the previous model. Disc brakes are now used on all four corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the current model. Toyota will use plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics in the 2010 Prius. The new Prius also features a "Solar Moonroof". A small solar panel array powers a ventilation system, cooling down the cabin so that the air conditioning doesn't have to work as hard, thereby conserving power.

- The specifications for the 2010 Toyota Prius are as follows :

Engine : 1.8L I-4 with VVT-i
Engine power [hp (kW)] : 98 (73)
Torque [lb-ft (Nm)] : 105 (142)
Motor power [hp (kW)] : 80 (60)
Motor torque [lb-ft (Nm)] : 153 (207)
Net power [hp (kW)] : 134 (100)
Emission rating : SULEV (w/ AT-PZEV)
Battery pack : NiMH
Est. combined fuel economy : 50 mpg US

With a combined horsepower rating of 134hp, we certainly haven't seen this level of power since the one-off Toyota Sport Prius GT prototype that they engineered a few years back. And even with a bigger 1.8L engine and electric motor, and a much improved 0-60 mph timing of 9.8 seconds, the fuel consumption of 50 mpg is certainly attention-grabbing as well. The other attention-grabber has got to be the solar roof option, though instead of charging the batteries or directly powering the air-conditioning system as some have earlier thought, it is now announced instead that it is just helping to power fans and ventilation instead.

The decision to stick with tried-and-tested Ni-MH batteries instead of the more powerful but as-yet unproven lithium-ion batteries is a disappointment however, dashing the hopes of those in the community who have been waiting for a true mass-production lithium-ion hybrid. We have received ample warning though, so this isn't that much of a surprise. Perhaps the Li-Ion technology isn't quite ready yet, despite all the commitments to build lithium-ion battery factories and such. Despite this, the 2010 Toyota Prius should still continue to do relatively well, with its closest rivals being the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid and the 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid.

See also :

1. Toyota to go all-hybrid by 2020
2. Toyota, Matsushita to build Ni-MH and lithium-ion battery plants for hybrid-electric cars
3. Solar Prius : Toyota to add solar panels to some 2009 Prius hybrid models - innovation or gimmick?
4. Toyota plans electric car and 2010 Toyota Prius plugin hybrid with lithium-ion

(2009-01-15 17:57:20 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

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