New 2023 Toyota Prius Strong-hybrid And PHEV Unveiled

2023 Toyota Prius

The first serial hybrid turned a quarter of a century this year! Since 1997, Toyota Prius has sold 5.05 million copies worldwide. The company calculates that the fleet has reduced CO 2 emissions by more than 82 million tons over time compared to comparable gasoline vehicles. A few years ago, Toyota actively took up the development of electric vehicles, but they are still expensive and not suitable for everyone, so work with hybrids, which have already proven their worth, continues. And today the fifth generation 2023 Toyota Prius is presented.

Spectacular car! This is exactly the reaction that the developers wanted: as planned, the new Prius should attract buyers not only with low fuel consumption, but also with design. The form factor of the five-door liftback that the Prius had in its second generation has been retained. However, the wedge-shaped silhouette with clean lines and large wheels (up to 19 inches) is completely redrawn.

The wheelbase has been stretched by 50 mm (up to 2750 mm) compared to the previous model. The new liftback is 25mm longer (4600mm) and 20mm wider (1780mm) than its predecessor, but 40mm lower (1430mm) than its predecessor. The rear overhang has become shorter by 50 mm, but the front overhang has grown by 25 mm. The base hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) now look the same, except for the wheels.

Seven years ago, the previous Prius became the first model built using the TNGA modular architecture (GA-C platform). And now the new hybrid is the first to try on an improved version of TNGA. The architecture is the same: McPherson struts in front, an independent two-lever rear, a traction battery under the rear sofa. But the center of gravity has been lowered and body rigidity has been increased to give the Prius a more driver-like character.

The branded hybrid transmission with an electromechanical variator, which combines the thrust of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, remained in service. And the company still calls the Prius the most efficient hybrid in the class. The base version will retain the 1.8 petrol engine, but the system’s peak power has been increased from 122 to 140 hp. For the first time, she will be accompanied by a hybrid with a two-liter aspirated engine: its power reaches 193 hp. Acceleration time to 100 km / h – 9.3 s and 7.5 s, respectively. For a surcharge, an all-wheel drive E-Four with a separate electric motor on the rear axle is offered.

At the top of the range, as before, is the Prius PHEV plug-in hybrid, but its positioning has been rethought. Now it’s not just a “Prius with a plug”, but a real “hot” top version. Under the hood is a two-liter aspirated Dynamic Force series with a capacity of 148 hp. The traction electric motor for the first time in the history of the model surpasses the internal combustion engine in terms of output: now 160 hp. And the total power is 223 horsepower instead of 122 for the previous model. To “hundreds” of such a Prius can accelerate in 6.7 seconds. The developers claim that fuel consumption has remained the same. The capacity of the lithium-ion traction battery has been increased from 8.8 to 16.3 kWh, so the range in electric mode has increased by one and a half times.

The interior has been completely redone and is now more traditional. The instrument cluster (it is drawn on a seven-inch screen) is no longer in the center of the front panel, but in front of the driver, although it is located above the steering wheel rim. And the transmission control joystick moved from the console to the central tunnel. The dual-zone climate control has a push-button control with a separate display. The developers call this design with three work areas Island Architecture.

The Prius is equipped with two household sockets that allow you to connect electrical appliances with a power of up to 1500 watts: one is located in the passenger compartment, the second is in the trunk. For the rechargeable version, you can order a solar panel: it is built into the panoramic roof and, under ideal conditions, can provide a charge for a run of 1250 “free” kilometers per year. Also, such a Prius has a function of pre-cooling the interior while the car is at the outlet – so as not to waste battery power on the air conditioner. The equipment includes a set of electronic assistants Toyota Safety Sense with a front camera and an automatic parking system with remote control (from the remote control).

Tomorrow, the new Prius will be shown live at the Los Angeles Auto Show, although the debut has now taken place in Japan. Plug-in hybrids will hit the market this winter, with a plug-in version arriving in spring 2023. Moreover, in Europe and in some other markets, Toyota will now sell only a powerful rechargeable version.