Toyota revealed the all-new Toyota Prius at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show. In its fourth generation, the Toyota Prius is all set to wow the Middle East with its ground-breaking environmental performance, a bold new design and a fun-to-drive spirit.
Toyota has rebuilt the Prius from the ground up, broadening the car’s appeal by overhauling its design, improving performance, and adding personal touches both inside and out, under the developmental concept of “a beautiful car for a beautiful Earth.”
Featuring a petrol engine and an electric motor, the Prius combines the benefits of both, and can be powered by the engine, the electric motor or a combination of both, automatically choosing the most efficient mode for the best mileage and lowest emissions.
According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “The Prius embodies Toyota’s innovative approach to next-generation, environmentally-friendly vehicle technology with features that have revolutionized the global automotive industry. The all-new Prius represents the most advanced expression yet of Toyota’s commitment to making more environmentally friendly vehicles while increasing the attractiveness of hybrids as desirable cars that are fun to drive. In other words, the all-new Prius has everything it needs to remain a segment leader and a pioneer, offering improved environmental performance in a more compelling, comfortable, responsive and engaging package than ever before. We also appreciate the unwavering support for the Prius from our customer base which today stands at over 3.5 million customers all across the globe.”
Based on Toyota’s Iconic Human-tech design philosophy of fusing emotional and rational factors, the exterior of the all-new Prius hints at the car’s advanced functions while also expressing its fun-to-drive spirit, creating an instant and lasting impression. The result is a distinctive outline that instils the next-generation halo eco-car with a unique presence while also being functional in ensuring ample head clearance for occupants.
Staying true to the core concepts of the Prius, Toyota has produced an occupant-friendly interior that focuses on ease of use, with a design that aims to evoke the car’s advanced capabilities while remaining warm and welcoming. The instrument panel, with its thin, horizontal design and smooth surfaces, consolidates operational areas near the driver and places information areas further away. In order to minimize discomfort during long drives, Toyota has totally redesigned the Prius’ seats. In the front seats, improvements to frames and cushion bolstering have enhanced comfort while saving weight and space. The cushioning in the rear seats has also been optimized, with the seating area widened to mirror the improved comfort of the front seats.
The Prius retains its 1.8 Litre VVT-i equipped Atkinson cycle petrol engine (2ZR-FXE), which is perfect for highway driving needs. However, the engine has been completely re-engineered, with remarkable results in terms of performance, fuel economy, and reductions to size and weight. The new engine achieves a maximum thermal efficiency of 40% ―the world’s highest level in a mass-produced gasoline engine (as of October 2015, according to in-house research). Key components of the hybrid system―including the motors, transaxle, power control unit and hybrid batteries―are now smaller and lighter, improving fuel efficiency and making excellent use of space.
The new Prius’ centre of gravity is lower than the current model, resulting in exceptional stability and minimal sway during driving. Body torsional rigidity has been improved by more than 60% when compared with previous models, due to the use of Laser Screw Welding. Toyota has also developed an all-new double wishbone rear suspension for the Prius to provide new levels of handling stability and ride comfort, including a significant improvement in wheel-wheel impact shock damping. The rigidity of the body suppresses vibration and noise, while Laser Screw Welding allows for further noise elimination throughout the vehicle by decreasing the distance between welded joints.
