The Toyota Prius (XW30) is a mid-size a hatchback that has been produced by Toyota. Toyota debuted the third generation Prius (2010 US model year) at the North American January 2009 International Auto Show, and sales began in Japan May 18, 2009. Instead of a series of Toyota Prius (XW20), the Toyota Prius (XW30) represents the third generation of the Toyota Prius. Its new body design is aerodynamic more, with a drag coefficient of Cd = 0.25. An underbody rear fin helps stabilize the vehicle speed higher. Since its launch in 2009, a third-generation model has sold about 1,688,000 units worldwide.

Toyota Prius Development

Toyota says that filed 1000 patents during the development XW30 Prius. The concept of the powertrain is proved from the last XW20 model, although the displacement of the engine was increased to 1.8 liters, among other changes. Disc brakes replaced the rear drum brakes the model’s North American. For the Toyota Prius, Toyota used a new range of plant-derived ecological bioplastics made from the cellulose in wood or grass instead of petroleum. Two main crops kenaf (a member of the hibiscus family and related to cotton and okra) and Laramie, commonly known as China grass is one of the strongest natural fibers, such as flax absorbency and people. Toyota says this is a timely development especially plant-based eco-plastics for the 2009 United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres, including kenaf and Laramie. Motoring many reviewers praised the generation of 3 for its handling improved in the corners and more supple ride over the previous generation.

In August 2010, Toyota began sales of an device onboard is designed to emit automatically sound preparation of an electric motor when the Prius is operating as the electric car speed to about 25 miles an hour (16 mph) per. The device will be available in Japan retrofitting on the third-generation Prius at a price of ¥ 12,600 (~ US $ 150) including consumption tax. The alert rises and falls in pitch according to vehicle speed, and help to indicate the proximity of the vehicle and move to walking nearby. The device meets the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued in January 2010 hybrid and other near-silent vehicles.

Toyota Prius Powertrain

Toyota Prius ZVW30: The 1.8-liter cylinder gasoline engine (previously 1.5 liters) generates 73 kW; 99 PS (98 hp), and added power of the electric motor, horsepower 100 kW (134 hp) (previously 110 hp). The larger engine displacement allows for increased torque, reduce the engine speed (RPM), which increases fuel economy at highway speeds. With an electric water pump, the engine of the Prius the first production engine that requires no accessory belts, and further improves fuel economy. The electric motors and other parts of the hybrid powertrain and smaller and more efficient. Toyota estimates the new inverter, motor and transaxle simple by 20 percent. It has a 1.4 kWh nickel hydride metal (NiMH) battery.

Toyota Prius ZVW35: plug-in version: The Prius Plug-In Concept shown at the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the 2009 LA Auto Show. Toyota produced a limited number of Prius Plug-in Genres for global demonstration program. The demonstration version of the plug-in is based on the third generation Toyota Prius to 5.2 kWh lithium-ion, and the list of all-electric of 21 km (13 mi). Global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars began in late 2009 and took place in Japan, Europe, Canada, China, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. To reset the car to improve the performance of the demonstration to allow plug-in production to access a list of all the electricity of 23 km (14.3 mi) with a small 4.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. The Prius PHV was released in Japan in January 2012, deliveries in the United States began in late February 2012, and European markets June 2012.

Toyota Prius 2011 Facelift

In 2011 (for the 2012 model year), the third-generation Prius Liftback receives modest style and equipment changes. Exterior changes include new headlamps, revised tail lamps, plus a unique front fascia bumper. The Prius can be equipped with an infotainment system updated with the optional Toyota Antun suite of connectivity features. Other updates include a 6.1 inch touch screen-, AM / FM CD player unit, USB port for iPod connectivity, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio.

For the US market only Prius Two, Three, Four Five will be offered. The Prius Two gains new 15-inch wheel-and covers standard LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The Three Prius adds standard three-door Smart Key entry system, and Prius Four features standard auto on / off headlamps. The Prius Four and provides improved comfort with new seats SofTex-trimmed seat and an eight way power adjustable driver. The premium Prius Five model Advanced Technology Package includes the Premium HDD Navigation System, plus Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System and Lane Keep Assist. The Pre-Collision System is yielding the front seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain circumstances if it determines that the crash in the field. Lane Keep Assist can help keep the driver inside lane.

The US 2012 model year includes Toyota Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPN), which is designed to alert pedestrians, the blind, and some of the vehicle because of the significant noise reduction standard hybrid vehicle traveling at low speeds all-electric mode. This type of warning device approved by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The sound generated by the speakers without warning mounted and only at speeds below about 24 km / h (15 mph) activates automatically.

Toyota Prius Market and Production

The Toyota Prius XW30 built at Tsutsumi, Japan plant, and Chachoengsao, Thailand plant. At the launch of the XW30, Toyota said its goal of selling about 400,000 Prius units annually worldwide, and 180,000 units in the US by 2010. As a result, in May 2009 the production was increased to 50,000 units per month or 600,000 units for the year to help meet higher than they wanted.

In early 2010, Toyota considered adding a monthly production 6,000 Motomachi factory, central Japan, a plant that built the first Prius generation in 1997. However, as customers’ waiting time in eight months in Japan shortened at the launch of three months, and sales in the United States decreased by 40 percent in February 2010 from October 2009 amid concern about Toyota cars, Toyota had to reduce monthly production of 10 to units 45,000 the month of March 2010.

In China, Toyota planned to start producing the third generation Prius in 2010 (through its venture with FAW-Toyota). However, because of the lack of government incentives and worries about losing tech secrets, the program was abandoned. In Japan, it is reported that Toyota cut prices Prius from ¥ 2,331,000 to ¥ 2,050,000 to compete with Honda Insight.

The Toyota Prius XW30 was awarded the 2009 Japan Car of the Year. The official UK data petrol, provided by the Department of Transport, rates the Prius as: 72.4 mpg imp (3.90 L / 100 km; 60.3 mpg US) combined. Nineteen other types of vehicles to match or exceed that figure as of February 2011. According to the UK Department for Transport in February 2011, the third-generation Prius launched in the UK in August 2009 emits 89 g / km CO2, the same as the Skoda Fabia (Hatch and Estate), the Volkswagen Polo and Hybrid Toyota Lauris, and less than all the other cars Smart fortwo which emits 86 g / km.

In the US the Prius out with 15-inch alloy wheels, Vehicle Stability Control and empower communities including cruise control, 6-speaker audio, Toyota keyless entry / ignition Smart Key System and unique Touch Tracer Display designed to assist the driver in the way when using weather The steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

Toyota Prius Safety

The IHS of the 2010 Toyota Prius as Good without side-impact “cage structure / safety”, which was rated Acceptable. In EuroNCAP tests, the Toyota Prius was given an overall rating of five stars five.