TOYOTA PRIUS
Natural Winner
Since there are no rivals for the Prius hybrid in Thailand, it is the outright leader in its class
Hollywood has a knack for portraying its "concern" for the environment with lead characters driving HVs (hybrid vehicles) such as the Toyota Prius. But seriously, you should see talk show host Jay Leno's personal car collection _ most of them gas-guzzlers.
Around 1997, the year of the Asian financial meltdown, it was the first generation Prius. Today, it has morphed into the third generation model and Thailand will be the second market after Japan to produce the latest Prius hybrid.
I remember John Travolta driving the second gen Prius _ launched in 2003 _ in the Get Shorty comedy and a handful of other Hollywood flicks performing a major PR blitzkrieg for the Prius, for a hefty fee of course.
This time, the silver screen took a step back to Nagoya, home base of Toyota Motor Corporation, where the new Prius (with its hybrid corporate message in the guise of a blue-ish Toyota logo) waited at the SPA Nishimura Motor Park which is a public race track.
My first impression of the handful of 2010 Priuses parked on the race track was that it wasn't an all-new car. Cosmetic changes might be too harsh a description, but it appeared almost identical to its predecessor.
First, the changes on paper. The Prius now has a new 1.8-litre petrol engine replacing the 1.5-litre unit. Peak horsepower increases by 22hp to 98hp. Factor in the electric motor, there's a total of 134hp.
The new 2ZR-FXE engine is a belt-less engine, so there's no friction from auxiliary drive belts. And the Atkinson cycle and cool EGR system optimises thermal efficiency for less intake resistance.
A briefing from chief engineer Akihiko Otsuka revealed that the A-pillars were moved forward by 25mm and the highest point in its curved roof was moved back by 100mm to create better airflow and a "sharper"visual effect, which translates into more rear room and comfort.
The front headlight design is sharper with its "crab claw" design which gives it more presence. The lenses over at the LED tail-lights are white, though I thought red would have sufficed.
The Prius is more attractive and stylish (though Toyota likes the word sharper) than its predecessor. The exterior design is based on the so-called Air Management Concept which gives it sharper edges on all corners of the vehicle.
Actually while watching the Prius being put through its paces, I mumbled to a colleague that it has the visual flavour of the Honda Insight, also a five-seater with hybrid power.
Surprisingly, the new Prius is 45kg heavier than its predecessor which, according to Otsuka, was due to the stringent emission standards placed upon by the North American market, California especially.
The new car is 15mm longer and 20mm wider than before, but the best part is the 20mm increase in rear leg space (690mm) achieved by literally "thinning" the front seats.
Interior places priority on ease of use. Rear can take three persons in comfort.
You can put three (not two like in the previous model) golf bags in the boot because the battery cooling system is now located elsewhere to give it 446 litres of space, an increase of 31 litres.
The new Prius has disc brakes on all four wheels (the old one has rear drums), which enhances the car's ability to capture energy lost when it slows, then turning it into electricity stored back into the battery pack.
Sitting in the new Prius, I see three performance modes to the left of the gear knob in the centre console. EV-Drive mode uses only battery power for low speeds not exceeding 60kph, Eco optimises fuel economy and Power delivers the best acceleration and the most immediate response when the driver steps on the gas.
Inside, the new Prius looks futuristic. Otsuka said he based the interior on "Human Technology Concept" design, which in layman's terms is to place priority on ease of use and visibility. A large, centrally-mounted LED screen displays virtually all information, including feedback on powertrain efficiency to help the driver maximise fuel economy.
Driving styles can be adjusted by the driver. Power of petrol unit rises by 22hp to 98hp.
Toyota has made a good attempt to give the interior a "soft" look and feel. Although the seating position is low, as in a conventional saloon, there is space for five.
I liked the Touch Tracer steering wheel, where instead of taking your eyes off the road to look at the conventional multi-function steering wheel for audio controls and displays, you just feel your way through the controls and the central display will show what you are doing. You don't lose eye contact with the road ahead of you.
I was told that the Prius is smoother and quieter, thanks to better sound insulation and vibration dampening. Toyota claims improvements by about 7-8dB at 50kph and 2-3dB at 100kph.
The Prius is easy to drive, though all the gadgetry and instrument panel made it look complicated at first. The steering, with electric power assistance, is light and the car, which sets off running on just electricity, starts and stops the petrol engine almost imperceptibly.
After a few taps on the desired dashboard screen display, we get to see where and to what the power is flowing _ engine and or electric motor to the front wheels, or from engine or the wheels (when slowing down or braking) via the generator to charge the batteries.
One downside is when I stressed the batteries, full acceleration was not available because the hybrid system had to keep the batteries charged. While on Power mode, the acceleration is more responsive than when it is on Eco.
Yet, the Prius is sufficiently quick, handles great and the ride is soft to the point of being comfy. Toyota's intention is that its new-generation hybrid should give the performance of a Camry with pure 2.4-litre petrol power.
The new Prius retails at B1.249m and B1.319m depending on spec when it goes on sale in Thailand later this month. If only we'd get serious tax/cash incentives for buying the Prius like the rest of the world _ which we don't yet get in this country _ that would be the icing on the cake.
Until I get to drive the Prius's only competition _ the Insight _ my vote goes to Toyota as the outright leader in this segment.
Credit: Bangkok Post
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