Toyota revolutionizes the Prius, this is how it has changed over the years
Change, evolve so as not to lose leadership. Toyota must have thought of this when it designed the new Prius, the hybrid par excellence, presented in preview at the Los Angeles Motor Show. There are many changes compared to the past , both technical and aesthetic. The first element to change is the power of the hybrid engine, which, compared to the past, will only be plug-in hybrid (with external rechargeable battery). The powertrain combines a 148 HP 2-litre four-cylinder engine with a 160 HP electric engine powered by a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery (electric mileage increases by 50%).
The overall power of the system is 223 horsepower, useful for pushing the car from 0 to 100 in 6.7 seconds. The bodywork has a much more dynamic and western style, characterized by a fluid line, practically like a coupé. 449 cm long (9 cm less than the previous generation), 178.2 cm wide (2.2 cm less), 142 cm high (5 cm less), with a wheelbase of 275 cm (5 cm more), the new Prius conveys the sensation of being glued to the asphalt. Its arrival on the market is expected in the spring of 2023. But how has the Toyota Prius changed over time? Below is the gallery showing the evolution of the species .
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THE FIRST SERIES OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS (1997) – VIA WIKIPEDIA MYTHO88 – OWN WORK01Toyota Prius, the first series (1997)
Aesthetically, the first series of the Prius, released in Japan in 1997, presented itself as a rather anonymous sedan. But in fact it can be considered the first true global hybrid . The car related to the original project was powered by a 1.5 D-4 direct injection diesel engine associated with an automatic gearbox and an electric motor. It was capable of traveling up to 30 km on a liter of diesel. Before the start of mass production of the Prius project, two years pass, during which various modifications are made. First of all we switch from diesel to petrol and then the line becomes more aerodynamic. Under the bonnet we find a 43 kW 1.5 petrol engine associated with a 30 kW electric motor, for a total power of 58 kW.
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THE SECOND GENERATION PRIUS – VIA WIKIPEDIA – KOWLOONESE02The Second Series (2003)
In 2003 the second series arrives, which offers a great aesthetic novelty; we went from the three volume bodywork typical of a sedan to a two volume hackback type . The hybrid system is evolving, and features smaller and lighter nickel-metal hydride batteries and two more powerful engines: the 1.5 petrol unit has 57 kW and the electric unit has 50, for a total of 82 kW. In electric it was able to travel up to 2 km.
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THE THIRD GENERATION TOYOTA PRIUS -VIA WIKIPEDIA M 9303The Third Series (2009)
The style remains similar to the previous one, even if it is more dynamic and sharp. The biggest novelty is the new 4-cylinder petrol engine, which grows and reaches 1.8 liters, and is equipped with the Atkinson cycle, with a power of 73 kW. The maximum power combined with the electric motor reaches 100 kW. It also debuted solar panels on the roof and was voted car of the year in Japan in 2009 .
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THE FOURTH GENERATION OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS – VIA WIKIPEDIA – M 9304The Fourth Series (2016)
Before the arrival of the fourth series, in 2011 the Prius range was enriched by the Prius+ variants, a seven-seater version, and Plug-in (with externally rechargeable 4.4 kWh battery). In 2016 the fourth generation made its debut, which stands out for its highly sought-after style. The biggest novelty, in addition to the line, concerns the new plug-in hybrid version, which thanks to a larger battery reaches up to 50 km in electric mode.
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THE FIFTH AND LATEST GENERATION OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS – TOYOTA05Last series (the fifth)
In 2023 it will therefore be the turn of the fifth series which will be plug-in hybrid only . Aesthetically more refined than the previous ones, Toyota has put the 25 years of the Prius to good use by proposing a car that should guarantee record-breaking efficiency, also thanks to highly sought-after aerodynamics.
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THE INTERIOR OF THE NEW TOYOTA PRIUS – TOYOTA06The interior of the new Toyota Prius
Compared to the past , everything has changed, even inside . The interiors are in fact very minimal and characterized by the presence of a screen positioned slightly above the steering wheel and which performs the function of instrumentation. The other touch panel of the multimedia system is located in the center of the dashboard.
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