toyota prius

Still people talking toyota prius

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:10:00 +0000

The Toyota Prius once again leads the fuel economy race with the government having released its ratings. The top dog in the race was the Toyota Prius with an EPA rating of 48 miles per gallon in the city and 51 on the highway. The Lexus HS250, also a product of Toyota, was in the top ten as well with a rating of 41 MPG city and 36 highway.

Rounding out the top 10 for Toyota was the Camry Hybrid posting 33/34 miles per gallon in the city/highway respectively and the Lexus RX450h at 32/28.

Ford was the only domestic nameplate with vehilces in the top 10 with their Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan hybrid twins scoring 41/36 to put that vehicle in second place, a good showing for a mid-size sedan and ahead of the Camry and Honda Civic.

As would be expected, the diminutive Smart ForTwo was in the top 10 but was beaten by much larger vehicles with more luxury and significantly better safety ratings. The Smart ForTwo scored 33/41.

On the opposite end of the scale imports made a strong showing as well with the Lamborghini Murcielago burning up the bottom of the ratings, returning a rating of eight miles per gallon city, 13 highway followed by the Bugatti Veyron with a rating of 8/14.

The ratings are produced by the government’s Environmental Protection Agency and are the mileage numbers posted on all new passenger vehicle’s Monroney price sticker.

Toyota Prius research

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:12:00 +0000

10 Years of Toyota Hybrid Cars and Toyota Hybrid SUV Reviews and Research

The trendiest vehicles on the road today are hybrids, cars and trucks powered by drive trains that use both internal combustion engines and electric motors for propulsion. The two current strategies are "full hybrids", which can operate under internal combustion power only, electric power only, or a combination of the two, and "light hybrids", which use an electric motor to aid the internal combustion engine when necessary.

Not only are Toyota Hybrid Cars and Toyota Hybrid Trucks more economical than similar vehicles with standard gas burning engines,but they are more fun to drive. Quiet and stealthy but with enough power to do their job, the Hybrid makes driving fun again.

Toyota Hybrid Car and Hybrid SUV Reviews

Toyota Prius Hybrids - 10 Model Years - Reviews, Specs and Comparisons

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review by Katrina Ramser, HEELS ON WHEELS Review The Toyota Prius Hybrid has now reached iconic status since the first model entered the American market almost ten years ago, representing a positive change for the way people think about transportation. There are currently 700,000 vehicles on US soil and 1.2 million worldwide. Recently, Toyota launched a Certified Used Hybrid Program (TCUV) to further support the technology and brand. By 2020, Toyota will have a hybrid model for every single vehicle they manufacture : Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review.

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review by Rex Roy - VIDEO ENHANCED
In the U.S. alone, Toyota has sold more than 670,000 Prius hybrid models. The car has become an icon of the environmental movement. We've just driven the all-new, third-generation 2010 Toyota Prius, and we believe that it will continue to be popular with the eco-conscious. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By John Heilig
The new Prius is bigger than its predecessor, but not by much. It is more economical though, even with a bigger engine. You have to look hard to notice the subtle changes in styling, but they are there. The new model overcomes some of the deficiencies of the older one, which is one of the reasons for a redesign. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review by Katrina Ramser HEELS ON WHEELS Review
The Toyota Prius has the distinction of being the first mass-produced 5 passenger hybrid vehicle – and looking a bit like an insect. Say what you want, the vehicle gets an average of 46-mpg according to revised EPA testing. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2005 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By Marc Rauch
There was a time when I hated driving in heavy traffic, such as the years I spent commuting from Queens to Manhattan. The 13-mile trip from Flushing to W.48th Street, by way of the BQE and Midtown Tunnel, would take between one-and-a-half to two-hours, each way. This meant that my average speed was 6.5 to 9 miles-per-hour, slower than you'd drive through a parking lot. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By Autoline Detroit
The Toyota Prius has the title for both cleanest mass production car and the highest sales numbers of any hybrid vehicle. But since its debut in 1997 in Japan and not until 2000 in the U.S. the Prius has only sold 120,000 units worldwide. With the all-new 2004 Prius Toyota plans to sell 36,000 for the first full year in the U.S. alone. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By Mark Fulmer
I emerged from my home contemplating a grocery list. The car sensors detected when I walked up and unlocked itself. Pushing the POWER button , the car silently started. A touch of throttle and the 6 block trip beg an. 15 minutes later I was back home. I had not used a drop of gasoline - and each time I coasted or used the brakes, I was refueling. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2003 Toyota Prius Hybrid By Andrew Frankl
It may sound a bit bitchy but none of my colleagues have taken the trouble to spend a week behind the wheel of this fascinating hybrid. Maybe they thought they would be laughed at by the neighbors used to fancy automobiles turning up in their drives. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By Mark Fulmer, Audio Review
Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Audio Review

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review by Brendan Hagin and Mikele Schappell-Hagin
Hybrid cars are definitely a hot item, with more and more manufacturers producing their own versions of the modern gas-saver. Taking a design cue from its old sub-compact Tercel, Toyota has really hit the jackpot with the 2001 Prius. This high-mileage vehicle is a money-saving commuter as well as a practical road trip traveler. Utilizing a gas-and-electric drivetrain, the Prius can take a 30-something workaholic to and from the daily grind with reliability and speed, or transport the family to dinner and a movie, as long as the kids are small and relatively lightweight. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review by John Heilig
Any vehicle with EPA estimated mileage ratings of 52 city and 45 highway has to attract your attention. And when you realize that the city rating is higher than the highway rating, you know something is going on.
This week's tester indeed has those ratings. It's the Toyota Prius, a hybrid gas/electric sedan that seats four and will do anything any other small sedan can do. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2001 Toyota Prius Hybrid by Carey Russ
Welcome to the 21st Century. Ever-higher fuel costs and increasing demands for cleaner air are expected to change the cars we drive. One of the first steps will be hybrid drivetrains, power systems that combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor for increased fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions. Actually, hybrid cars are here now. Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

2000 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review By Larry Weitzman
Electric cars do not appear to be a viable alternative for the family sedan. Battery technology is limited by energy density, with gasoline have a 10 to 1 edge in energy density over batteries. Pure battery powered electric cars will always be limited in range to well under 100 miles and will take hours to be refueled, i.e., resupplied with electrons. But Toyota has a better idea. What if we combine the best of battery technology and with an extremely clean running conventional gasoline engine? The answer is a very high tech, high mileage four door sedan Toyota named the Prius with reasonably good performance. . Complete Toyota Prius Hybrid Review

Toyota Camry Hybrid – Reviews, Specs and Comparisons

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY Hybrid Review by Katrina Ramser, HEELS ON WHEELS Review
There are very few "sure things" to count on in life and the Toyota Camry is one of them. Although the mid-size sedan has built an incredible reputation, the design team hit a major homerun with last year's sleek remodel. The 2009 model is a fancy yet affordable car for anyone with high standards, from teachers to executives. . Complete Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review- By Carey Russ
At this point in time, gasoline-electric vehicles have gone from early-adopter to mainstream technology. And what could underline that more than a hybrid version of that most popular of mid-size cars, the Toyota Camry? The Hybrid has been in the Camry lineup since model year 2007. It's one of the three top-level models in that line, along with the luxury-oriented XLE and sporty SE. Base Camry and mid-level LE grades fill out the lineup, with the base, no-name Camry a new addition this year, replacing the previous Complete Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review by John Heilig
Since the Toyota Camry is the best-selling mid-size sedan in the United States, and has sold more than 10 million worldwide, great interest was naturally piqued when Toyota announced there would be a hybrid version of the car. That car, or at least a prototype version of the Camry Hybrid, became available recently for an extended test. Complete Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

Toyota Highlander Hybrid – Reviews, Specs and Comparisons

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review By Mark Fulmer
In this video episode of ROAD TRIP Mark Fulmer rides with Mark Ulbrich, Road Team Spokesman, and gets the inside scoop on the new 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and hears the reasons for the tour and what Toyota hopes that they and the participants will learn from the events . Complete Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review by Rex Roy
Mark my words; you’re only seeing the tip of the hybrid iceberg. These days there are only a handful hybrids from a few manufacturers. More and better units are coming. To the trend-seeking reader, hybrids are “in”. After putting 2300 miles on one over the course of 10 days, we can tell you why you’d want to own one. And why not.? Complete Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4x2 Review by Carey Russ
While the usefulness of an SUV may be hard to question, the fuel consumption of most such vehicles is very questionable, especially in light of current fuel costs. So what could be more appropriate than a usefully-sized hybrid SUV? Complete Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review by John Heilig
Over the course of the past few months I've had the opportunity to put a lot of miles in all variations of the Toyota Highlander family. These are, of course, the conventional Highlander with a 230 hp V6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission, and the Hybrid, with this engine in combination with a 123 kw electric motor to produce a total of 268 hp. The Hybrid had a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . Complete Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Green car 2010

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Green Car Journal has named the the finalists for its 2010 Green Car of the Year award, and it’s a sweet list that includes two diesels and three hybrids. Some of the cars are obvious, but one or two might surprise you.

Green Car Journal focuses on the intersection of automobiles, energy and the environment, and it has been covering the green car and alt-fuel movement almost from the beginning. Only those cars you can actually buy here in America are considered for the award. What’s more, the judges include environmentalists to ensure the cars are eco-friendly and certified gearheads to ensure they’re rides you’d actually want to buy. The panel that named the Volkswagen Jetta TDI as last year’s winner (that’s it being revealed in the pic) included Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, and car fanatics Jay Leno and Carroll Shelby.

This year’s finalists, in alphabetical order, are…

Audi A3 TDI
Honda Insight
Mercury Milan Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf TDI

“We’re seeing the trend for ‘green’ cars emerging at all levels, from entry-level cars to luxury models, and even performance cars and SUVs/crossovers,” said Ron Cogan, editor of Green Car Journal. “Plus, an array of technologies and fuels as well as strategies like lightweighting and reducing rolling resistance are being applied to the challenge. Greater choice provides buyers a personal stake in lessening environmental impact, and that’s important.”

The five finalists are a varied group. This is the first time Audi has made it in with its sporty and clean diesel A3 TDI, a car too long kept from America’s shores. Defending champ Volkswagen is back its new Golf TDI. Honda’s new hybrid, the Insight, goes toe-to-toe with its arch-rival, the Toyota Prius. The sole representative of American manufacturers is the Milan Hybrid, an upscale mid-size sedan.

Take a gander at the finalists and use the poll below to place your vote. You vote won’t count in the Green Car Journal tally, but it’ll be cool to see how your vote stacks up against the judges.

2010 Audi A3 TDI.
Photo: Audi

2010 Honda Insight. Check out our review of the Insight.
Photo: Honda

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. Check out our review of its sister, the Fusion Hybrid.
Photo: Ford

2010 Toyota Prius. Check out our review of the Prius.
Photo: Toyota

Volkswagen Golf TDI. This is actually the European-spec Golf BlueMotion diesel, but VW’s press site didn’t have any pics of the 2010 Golf TDI. But you get the idea.

Dream car - Toyota Prius

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:31:00 +0000

Tommi Kaira Makes Toyota Prius More Aggressive?! On The Outside

Making a Prius aggressive is a dead project even before the idea stage. But it seems Tommi Kaira tried to prove us wrong (now look at the tuned Prius). They didn’t. They thought that adding a new front lip spoiler, air intakes and some vertical front lights should do it. Wrong again.

Not one, not two, but four useless exhaust tips

It’s nothing that you can do about a Prius. Maybe if you would change something at the powertrain (which, by the way, they didn’t). But just maybe. We also have a new rear bumper and a quad-pipe exhaust system. What for? Am I deaf or what? Because I never ever heard something going on when a Prius passed by me, of course, I was on foot, because it’s no other way a Prius can pass you by.

Lol, carbon fibre

The guys from Tommi Kaira, that in other situations did great things with a cars, lowered the ride hight and put some bigger wheels on the poor Prius and it looks ridiculous. Their bad. They could’ve choose a real car.

The Toyota Prius is not the kind of car you would want to buy, with or without the Tommi Keira bodywork. I see no reason why owing one, not to say more (Leonardo DiCaprio has three, maybe because the trunk is as big as a wallet).

Tags: 2010 prius, 2010Prius, Eco, hybrid tuning, kaira, prius, tommi kaira, tommi kaira toyota prius, tommi kaira tuned prius, TommiKaira, TommiKairaToyotaPrius, TommiKairaTunedPrius, toyota prius, ToyotaPrius, tuned prius, TunedPrius, Tuning

Fantastic about toyota

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:35:00 +0000

2009 Toyota Venza

2010 Toyota Land Cruiser

2009 Toyota Tacoma

Third-gen Toyota Prius test drive

With the unveiling of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner still fresh in our minds, Toyota today released pricing for the revised SUV, starting from $27,500 for the four-cylinder SR5 4x2, a drop of $1,140 from the 2009 model's base price. Also revealed today are the prices for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser, Venza and price adjustments to the 2010 Prius and Tacoma.

The 4Runner's many available trim and drivetrain options make for a wide-ranging price, with the 4x4, V-6-powered Limited grade SUV going for $39,800, fully 44% above the four-pot SR5 4x2's price. The trim Toyota expects to prove most popular, the SR5 4x4 V-6, will remain exactly the same as the previous model's price at $30,915 despite an upgrade in equipment Toyota values at $1,700.

Read up on the unveiling for more details on the available trim grades, options and features of the new 2010 Toyota 4Runner.

Pricing for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser rises 1.9% to $65,970, reflecting an upgrade to the standard available features including USB iPod connectivity and Bluetooth wireless. Toyota's Safety Connect telematics system is also available for the first time on the 2010 Land Cruiser as an optional upgrade.

The 2010 Toyota Venza, in addition to sitting at the heart of a form factor no one can understand, starts from $26,275 this year, up about 1%, or $300 over last year's model. For the extra dosh you'll get the same USB iPod port and Bluetooth audio streaming upgrade found in the Land Cruiser. The 2010 Venza arrives at dealers in November.

Finally, the 2010 Prius and Tacoma get minor mid-year price adjustments, with the Prius range rising $400 for the Prius II, II IV and V models, pushing the entry price to $22,400. The stripped-down Prius I remains priced at $21,000 and does away with cruise control, Touch Tracer display, smark key, EV mode, and a number of other comfort and convenience features found on the Prius II including satellite radio capability, center rear armrest with cupholders and a rear heater duct.

The 2010 Tacoma rises just $175 to a $15,345 base price and up to $27,250 for the Double Cab long bed 4x4 V-6 with five-speed automatic. The new prices for the Prius kick in on October 18, while the Tacoma's price hikes don't start until November 2.

2010 Toyota 4RunnerEnlarge Photo 2009 Toyota VenzaEnlarge Photo 2010 Toyota Land CruiserEnlarge Photo 2009 Toyota Tacoma Enlarge Photo Third-gen Toyota Prius test driveEnlarge Photo With the unveiling of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner still fresh in our minds, Toyota today released pricing for the revised SUV, starting from $27,500 for the four-cylinder SR5 4x2, a drop of $1,140 from the 2009 model's base price. Also revealed today are the prices for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser, Venza and price adjustments to the 2010 Prius and Tacoma. The 4Runner's many available trim and drivetrain options make for a wide-ranging price, with the 4x4, V-6-powered Limited grade SUV going for $39,800, fully 44% above the four-pot SR5 4x2's price. The trim Toyota expects to prove most popular, the SR5 4x4 V-6, will remain exactly the same as the previous model's price at $30,915 despite an upgrade in equipment Toyota values at $1,700. Read up on the unveiling for more details on the available trim grades, options and features of the new 2010 Toyota 4Runner. Pricing for the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser rises 1.9% to $65,970, reflecting an upgrade to the standard available features including USB iPod connectivity and Bluetooth wireless. Toyota's Safety Connect telematics system is also available for the first time on the 2010 Land Cruiser as an optional upgrade. The 2010 Toyota Venza, in addition to sitting at the heart of a form factor no one can understand, starts from $26,275 this year, up about 1%, or $300 over last year's model. For the extra dosh you'll get the same USB iPod port and Bluetooth audio streaming upgrade found in the Land Cruiser. The 2010 Venza arrives at dealers in November. Finally, the 2010 Prius and Tacoma get minor mid-year price adjustments, with the Prius range rising $400 for the Prius II, II IV and V models, pushing the entry price to $22,400. The stripped-down Prius I remains priced at $21,000 and does away with cruise control, Touch Tracer display, smark key, EV mode, and a number of other comfort and convenience features found on the Prius II including satellite radio capability, center rear armrest with cupholders and a rear heater duct. The 2010 Tacoma rises just $175 to a $15,345 base price and up to $27,250 for the Double Cab long bed 4x4 V-6 with five-speed automatic. The new prices for the Prius kick in on October 18, while the Tacoma's price hikes don't start until November 2.

Prius - more power and efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:37:00 +0000

The first two generations of Toyota’s groundbreaking Prius put hybrid vehicles on the map, establishing hybrids as mainstream choices.

Now Toyota’s ready with an all-new, third-generation Prius for 2010. It improves on almost all of the current Prius shortcomings, delivers even better fuel economy and, when it hits showrooms in late May, likely will be priced little more than the current Prius.

The 2010 Prius is so superior to the car it replaces that it almost achieves what should be a primary engineering goal for all hybrids: making you forget you’re driving a hybrid.

Hybrids typically are a little whiny and wheezy, particularly if you’re merging into fast-moving traffic in which you’d like something resembling acceleration.

That shortcoming is addressed by the 2010 Prius’ new 1.8-liter four-cylinder that is a solid 22 horses stronger than the outgoing Prius 1.5-liter. The new engine, now all-aluminum, makes a serious difference in all driving situations and is a major factor in eradicating the light-on-power feeling that is a hallmark of hybrid driving dynamics.

Toyota engineers say the larger engine raises the 2010 Prius’ efficiency to 50 mpg city/49 mpg highway, compared with 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway for the current Prius.

“Hybrid synergy drive” — the electric stuff that combines with the gasoline engine to drive the car and recover energy when the Prius decelerates — provides some of the special entertaining and techie features of the 2010 Prius. On the center console just forward of the gear-selection lever are three buttons labeled “EV,” “ECO mode” and “Power mode.”

Punch the EV setting and you run purely on electric power up to 25 mph and as far as 1 mile (a longer distance would deplete the Prius’ nickel-metal hydride batteries too much). The ECO mode massages the inputs from the throttle and puts the air-conditioning into an energy-conserving setting, maximizing your fuel-economy potential.

Some of the new toys available for the 2010 Prius include a solar panel incorporated into the optional sunroof that runs a fan that helps cool a parked Prius while you’re away, as well as light-emitting diode headlights, which currently are offered almost exclusively for big-money luxury-sport cars.

Latest news from Frankfurt

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:11:00 +0000

Toyota is unveiling its new Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Auris HSD Hybrid concepts at the Frankfurt Motor Show tomorrow.

The Prius, which emits just 60/km of C02, will be leased 500 customers for trials next year with 150 coming to Europe.

article continues below

Toyota Auris HSD

It uses lithium-ion batteries to power an electric motor and there's also a petrol engine to increase the car's overall range. In electric mode the Prius can travel up to 12.5 miles at 62mph after an hour and a half recharge. After the electric charge has run out the car is powered by the petrol engine.

The Prius Plug-in can be recharged from a conventional household electricity point or a public charging post and its powertrain is similar in format to the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the new Prius, but with the nickel-metal hydride battery pack replaced by a new, high-output lithium-ion battery - a first for a Toyota hybrid vehicle.

The Auris concept also Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive and as a result it can to deliver sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

It also features solar powered ventilation, with solar panels covering the entire roof. Similar technology is used inside the cabin, with solar panels on top of the dashboard that generate sufficient energy to recharge mobile phones or portable music players mounted in purpose-designed charging trays.

In the future, Toyota says it aims to advance this technology so solar powered energy can be used to recharge the hybrid battery.

Prius picture

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:50:00 +0000

2010 Toyota Prius debuted at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, and the sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. His new body is more aerodynamic design with low friction coefficient of 0.25 Cd A bottom rear fin helps stabilize the vehicle at higher speeds.

The estimated fuel-efficiency combined-cycle index that is used by the EPA: 50 mpg U.S. (4.7 l/100 km and 60 mpg-imp). This figure is higher than the 1st generation Honda Insight automatic EPA estimated fuel economy of the new Prius making the most efficient automatic mass-produced gasoline vehicles sold in the United States.

Toyota Prius 2010

Toyota Prius 2010

Toyota Prius 2010

The official UK data on the energy, the Prius T3: Urban 72.4 mpg-imp (3.90 l/100 km 60.3 mpg-US), Extra urban 76.4 mpg-imp (3, 70 l/100 km 63.6 mpg-US), combined 72.4 mpg-imp (3.90 l/100 km 60.3 mpg-US) .
Toyota Prius 2010

Toyota Prius 2010

Prius new concept

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Toyota Prius reveal one-off green limo

Toyota's new concept -The Prius Limo

The Toyota Prius is the original hybrid car introduced by the Japanese car manufacturer. It claims to incorporate some of the world’s most advanced technology in its full hybrid efficient car. Now Toyota is going one step further by introducing the first eco-friendly limo under the Prius banner.

This isn’t the first brainwave the Toyota bosses have had. The Prius 6 door limo follows the last innovation which was the Prius hearse. Although the limo will not be for sale initially, the Japanese car manufacturer is hoping to test the water by offering the concept up for debate. They have also developed a prototype so car enthusiasts, and potential customers, can see exactly what they are proposing.

An environmentally friendly limo could well prove a hit with the celebrities. As one of the most frequent users of limos, many are keen to project an image of being eco-conscious, and the Prius limo will certainly tick that box; it mightn’t be long before we spot the Prius limo rolling up to the red carpet.

In these cash-strapped times the Prius limousine will offer a cost-efficient form of limo transport. It is estimated the 8 seater limo will be offer excellent fuel efficiently with the ability to do 50 mpg. It will also feature many of the facilities within the original Prius including solar panelled ventilation and a beltless engine.

Check out the revolutionary limo and let your voice be heard! Whether people are prepared to give up their luxury gas-guzzling party buses in return for an environmentally friendly hybrid limo remains to be seen.

Prius - Fun and Practical

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Photo credit: Handout Photo | The Prius is among the hybrid vehicles that will pay for themselves in five years, according to Intellichoice.com, an auto information company.

The third generation of the nation's best-selling hybrid, the Toyota Prius, has lost its frumpiness, is slightly more aerodynamic, has 24 more horsepower thanks to a larger engine, has better brakes and is a little more fuel efficient (but still not as much as the EPA says). The driver now has more control over the powertrain so that one of the most practical cars on the road can be fun to drive as well.

But Toyota managed to reduce rear-seat legroom by 2.6 inches even as it made the car half an inch longer. There's still more legroom than in the Honda Insight hybrid, though, and only a little less than what's in the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion hybrids.

An old problem remains: impaired rear visibility thanks to the horizontal bar that divides the tailgate window.

As before, the downsides to driving the Prius are few: the slight shudder as one steps on the accelerator and the gasoline engine starts; a continuously variable or stepless automatic transmission that tends to accentuate engine noise; and an electric steering system that, like many of this type, feels numb. Toyota says zero-to-60 miles per hour takes 9.8 seconds, but the Prius feels quicker than that.

On sale since June, the new Prius starts at $22,750. As before, it is roomy enough to qualify as midsize. A Prius feature most competitors lack - and was much appreciated during the recent heat wave - is an air-conditioning compressor that's electric, not engine-belt-driven, so it keeps making cool air even when the car is stopped.

Three new buttons on the dash allow Prius drivers to choose an "EV" setting that keeps the car on the electric motor for about a mile and up to 25 mph; a normal "ECO" setting that engages the gasoline engine normally; and a fun "Power" setting that makes the throttle more sensitive. The suspension delivers a ride that's comfortable but not too soft.

The 15-inch wheels look ridiculously small for the car by today's aesthetic standards; 17s are available.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Prius gets 51 miles per gallon in local driving and 48 mpg on the highway, but I averaged only 46.7 in a mix over seven days.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls the Prius a "top safety pick." Toyota cars are consistent, above-average performers in owner surveys conducted by Consumer Reports and the market research company J.D. Power and Associates, but Toyota dealers don't do as well in Power surveys.

Toyota warranties the Prius' nickel-metal-hydride batteries for 10 years or 150,000 miles in states like New York that adhere to California clean-air rules - eight years or 100,000 miles elsewhere. Replacements, whose prices recently were reduced, cost $2,299 for 2000-2003 models and $2,588 for 2004-2008 second-generation cars.

2010 Toyota Prius II

Engine and motor: 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 60 Kw DC, combined 134 hp.

Fuel: regular gasoline

Transmission: continuously variable automatic

Safety: seven air bags, including driver knee; four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, stability control and brake assist; tire pressure monitoring

Place of assembly: Toyota City and Aichi, Japan

Cargo room: 21.6 cubic feet, rear seat back up; 39.6, rear seat back down

EPA fuel economy estimates: 51 mpg, city; 48, highway

Price as driven: $23,001, including freight

Bottom line: It's even easier being green.

Interesting about Toyota Prius

noreply@blogger.com (zamrijut) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:14:00 +0000

The Toyota Prius (pronounced /ˈpriːəs/) is a full hybrid electric mid-size car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It first went on sale in Japan in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2001. The Prius is sold in more than 40 countries and regions, with its largest markets being those of Japan and North America.^[1] As a top seller in the US market, the U.S. Toyota Prius made up more than half of the 1.2 million Prius sold worldwide by early 2009.^[2]^[3]

The Prius is the most fuel efficient gas car sold in the U.S. according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.^[4] The EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) also rate the Prius as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States based on non-CO₂ toxic emissions.^[5] The UK Department for Transport reported the latest Prius is the second least CO₂-emitting vehicle on sale in the UK with 89 g/km.^[6]