The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid car since 1997. Twenty-five years later, the hybrid that changed the way people drive and produce low-emission, fuel-efficient cars is back with a fifth generation which, scheduled for spring 2023, promises to be even more efficient, technological and powerful.
The new Toyota Prius will be available in Europe only as a plug-in hybrid, powered by the 223 hp electrified 2.0 petrol engine and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery that promises to increase electric range by 50% compared to the current model. This means that the 50 km of the current Prius will be increased to 75 km in all-electric on the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid.
The style of the new Toyota Prius is characterized by an evolution of the historical lines of the wedge-shaped and particularly aerodynamic car. Even without the official Cd figure, the new Prius’ shapes are even more streamlined than the outgoing model, which has a Cd of 0.24.
An uninterrupted line connects the front bonnet, windshield and roof and ends in the truncated rear, as the best canons of aerodynamics teach us, and even the rear door handle is integrated into the pillar so not to disturb the air flow around the car.
The result is a five-door car that, compared to the fourth-generation Prius, has a 5cm lower roof with the top of the roof moved back and a width increased by 2.5cm. The wheelbase is also 5cm longer, while the overall length of the new Prius is reduced by 4.6cm. The wheels have a maximum diameter of 19 inches.
The front end is completely new for a production Toyota, with a ‘hammer head’ design and integrated lights inspired by bZ electric concepts , as is the rear which features a three-dimensional LED light strip highlighting the logo. Prius.
Latest generation interior
The interior of the new Prius brings many innovations such as the large 12.3-inch central infotainment screen with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system which includes Over-the-Air online updates.
Added to this is the “driver’s module”, a 7-inch TFT LCD instrument panel placed high up, directly in the driver’s field of vision, and capable of sending alerts with changes in lighting and colors related to Toyota Safety Sense notifications.
The shape of the multifunction steering wheel, instrument cluster and gear lever is also new, as are the dashboard, climate controls and center console with a storage compartment between the seats and cup holders in front the gear lever.
Among the options is the roof with solar panels which allows electricity to be generated for free and from a renewable source par excellence such as the sun.
Advanced, sportier hybrid platform
The two new Toyota Prius, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid, are based on the second generation TNGA-C platform, which offers an even lower center of gravity and driving position, reduced weight, improved driving dynamics and optimized battery positioning that increases trunk capacity.
The fifth-generation hybrid system consists of a 148hp 2.0l TNGA engine mated to a new 160hp electric motor, bringing total system output to 223hp, significantly more than the 122hp of the Prius Plug-in. in current Hybrid. This results in faster acceleration times, as evidenced by the 6 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h.
For the first time, the new Prius is equipped with a lithium-ion battery housed under the rear seat, replacing the previous nickel-metal-hydride battery.
