Toyota Prius v
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Prius v, also named Prius α in Japan, and Prius + in Europe, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric
compact MPV
/station wagon
produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
introduced in Japan in May 2011 and in the U.S. in October 2011. It is scheduled to be released in the European market by mid 2012. The Prius v was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show
alongside the Prius c Concept, and it is the first Prius variant to be spun off from the Prius platform
. According to Toyota the "v" stands for "versatility." The Prius α is offered in the Japanese market with a nickel-metal hydride battery at a price of , and the lithium-ion battery version is expected to sell for . The Prius v base price in the U.S. starts at and is offered only with a nickel-metal hydride battery.
with a shape that evolved from the Prius. The exterior styling is rounded with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. Other differences are the trapezoidal-shaped front with sharp-edged headlamps and wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics, as well as an enlarged under grille. The rear styling has a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.
The interior cargo space is more than 50% larger than the 2010 Toyota Prius
, 5 inches (12.7 cm) longer and 1 inches (2.5 cm) wider, providing 34.3 cubic feet (971.3 l) of cargo space behind the rear seats; it also offers 38 inches (96.5 cm) of rear leg room, and more head height.
The Toyota Prius v includes many of the same standard features of the 2010 Prius, with four driving modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV; smart key with push button start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera. Available options include energy-efficient LED
headlamps, dynamic radar cruise control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and advanced parking guidance system. The Prius v has several technical advancements including Toyota's new Toyota Entune
Multimedia System and a panoramic sunroof made of lightweight-resin, 40% lighter than a glass roof of the same size. Entune will premiere on the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
uses the same 1.8 liter Atkinson cycle
gasoline inline-four engine used in the conventional Prius, a 60KWh traction motor, and shares the Prius’s Hybrid Synergy Drive
system and the same 201Vnickel-metal hydride battery pack.
Toyota introduced some refinements unique to the Prius v powertrain
. These refinements include a new "Pitch and Bounce" motor control that the Prius v automatically employs on undulating roads and the refined control was designed to improve ride comfort and control. Because the Prius v is a larger vehicle with greater load capacity, suspension components were redesigned to improve handling and ride quality. "Pitch and Bounce" control works with the vehicle’s suspension to cancel longitudinal oscillation when the Prius v is driven over uneven surfaces.
The Prius v also includes a redesigned engine coolant heating structure surrounding the vehicle’s catalytic converter
and the exhaust heat recirculation system has been refined to reduce engine warm-up time and improve occupant heater response time in cold weather. A switch valve electronically controls coolant recirculation through the exhaust heat recirculation system.
Prius v includes Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), which is designed to alert pedestrians, the blind, and others of the vehicle's presence due to significant noise reduction typical of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speeds in EV mode. This type of warning device is mandated in the United States by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The warning sound is generated by externally mounted speakers and it activates automatically only at speeds below about 15 mph (6.7 m/s). The pitch varies with the vehicle's speed to give pedestrians a sense of whether the approaching Prius is accelerating or decelerating.
is 44 miles per US gallon (18.7 km/L) in the city and 40 miles per US gallon (17 km/L) in highway, and 42 miles per US gallon (17.9 km/L) combined. According to Toyota, the Prius vwill produce 66 percent fewer smog-forming emissions
than the average new vehicle.
on production. Toyota announced it had received 25,000 orders for the Prius Alpha hybrid wagon and minivan models in Japan before the start of sales. The five-seater version starts at , and the seven-seater starts at .
Prius, and with two rows of seats to accommodate five passengers. The European and Japanese versions are offered with a lithium-ion battery, with three rows of seats with accommodations for seven passengers. Toyota's sales target is about 15 to 20% of conventional Prius sales in the United States, which represents around 30,000 units a year. With the Prius v Toyota is expecting to expand its customer base to include young families with children looking for a hybrid more spacious than the Prius.
Sales price in the U.S. starts at plus a delivery fee. The Prius v is offered in three configurations: the base Prius v Two, the mid-range Prius v Three , and the premium-level Prius v Five . The Prius v Three adds standard display audio with navigation and the Toyota Entune
multimedia system. In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door smart key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED
headlamps, and fog lamps. All trims come with a Bluetooth
wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls and a USB port that allows playing of music and video from portable audio devices, and includes full iPod
integration.
to be awarded by the Green Car Journal
in November 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Prius Alpha was also shortlisted for 2012 Car of The Year Japan.
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
compact MPV
Compact MPV
A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...
/station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
, , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...
introduced in Japan in May 2011 and in the U.S. in October 2011. It is scheduled to be released in the European market by mid 2012. The Prius v was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
alongside the Prius c Concept, and it is the first Prius variant to be spun off from the Prius platform
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
. According to Toyota the "v" stands for "versatility." The Prius α is offered in the Japanese market with a nickel-metal hydride battery at a price of , and the lithium-ion battery version is expected to sell for . The Prius v base price in the U.S. starts at and is offered only with a nickel-metal hydride battery.
Specifications
The Prius v styling looks like a European-style small minivan and has a 0.29 drag coefficientDrag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
with a shape that evolved from the Prius. The exterior styling is rounded with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. Other differences are the trapezoidal-shaped front with sharp-edged headlamps and wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics, as well as an enlarged under grille. The rear styling has a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.
The interior cargo space is more than 50% larger than the 2010 Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius (XW30)
The Toyota Prius is a mid-size hatchback that has been produced by Toyota. Toyota debuted the third generation Prius at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show, and sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. Replacing the XW20 series, the XW30 represents the third generation of the...
, 5 inches (12.7 cm) longer and 1 inches (2.5 cm) wider, providing 34.3 cubic feet (971.3 l) of cargo space behind the rear seats; it also offers 38 inches (96.5 cm) of rear leg room, and more head height.
The Toyota Prius v includes many of the same standard features of the 2010 Prius, with four driving modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV; smart key with push button start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera. Available options include energy-efficient LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
headlamps, dynamic radar cruise control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and advanced parking guidance system. The Prius v has several technical advancements including Toyota's new Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune is a fully integrated multimedia navigation system using a connected mobile phone to gather information such as traffic updates and information updates. The system utilises mobile apps to provide the driver with information from Bing , OpenTable and movietickets.com, along with...
Multimedia System and a panoramic sunroof made of lightweight-resin, 40% lighter than a glass roof of the same size. Entune will premiere on the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
Powertrain
The Prius v powertrainPowertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
uses the same 1.8 liter Atkinson cycle
Atkinson cycle
The Atkinson cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density, and is used in some modern hybrid electric applications.-Design:...
gasoline inline-four engine used in the conventional Prius, a 60KWh traction motor, and shares the Prius’s Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive is a set of hybrid car technologies developed by Toyota and used in the company's Auris, Prius, Highlander Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Estima, Alphard, Lexus CT, Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h/LS 600hL, and Lexus HS 250h automobiles. Toyota also licenses its HSD...
system and the same 201Vnickel-metal hydride battery pack.
Toyota introduced some refinements unique to the Prius v powertrain
Powertrain
In a motor vehicle, the term powertrain or powerplant refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive...
. These refinements include a new "Pitch and Bounce" motor control that the Prius v automatically employs on undulating roads and the refined control was designed to improve ride comfort and control. Because the Prius v is a larger vehicle with greater load capacity, suspension components were redesigned to improve handling and ride quality. "Pitch and Bounce" control works with the vehicle’s suspension to cancel longitudinal oscillation when the Prius v is driven over uneven surfaces.
The Prius v also includes a redesigned engine coolant heating structure surrounding the vehicle’s catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
and the exhaust heat recirculation system has been refined to reduce engine warm-up time and improve occupant heater response time in cold weather. A switch valve electronically controls coolant recirculation through the exhaust heat recirculation system.
Safety
In the United States the 2012 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
Prius v includes Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), which is designed to alert pedestrians, the blind, and others of the vehicle's presence due to significant noise reduction typical of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speeds in EV mode. This type of warning device is mandated in the United States by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The warning sound is generated by externally mounted speakers and it activates automatically only at speeds below about 15 mph (6.7 m/s). The pitch varies with the vehicle's speed to give pedestrians a sense of whether the approaching Prius is accelerating or decelerating.
Fuel economy and emissions
The Prius v estimated fuel economyFuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
is 44 miles per US gallon (18.7 km/L) in the city and 40 miles per US gallon (17 km/L) in highway, and 42 miles per US gallon (17.9 km/L) combined. According to Toyota, the Prius vwill produce 66 percent fewer smog-forming emissions
Motor vehicle emissions
Motor vehicle emissions are composed of the by-products that comes out of the exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation...
than the average new vehicle.
Markets and price
Toyota launched the second member of the Prius family with three regional versions of the vehicle: the Prius v in the North American market, the Prius α in Japan, and the Prius + in Europe. The Alpha is the basis for the five-seat launched in North America, and the seven-seat planned for launch in Europe.Japan
On May 13, 2011, Toyota introduced the Prius α in Japan with a sales target of 3,000 units per month. The Prius Alpha is available in a five-seat, two-row model and a seven-seat, three-row model, the latter’s third row enabled by a space-saving lithium-ion drive battery in the center console. The five-seat model uses a NiMH battery pack. Deliveries of the Alpha will be delayed due to the effects of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
on production. Toyota announced it had received 25,000 orders for the Prius Alpha hybrid wagon and minivan models in Japan before the start of sales. The five-seater version starts at , and the seven-seater starts at .
Europe
The European version is named Prius + and will be launched by mid 2012. The European version will be offered with a lithium-ion battery, with three rows of seats with accommodations for seven passengers.North America
Toyota began sales of the Prius v in the U.S. in October 2011 with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack similar to the 2010 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
Prius, and with two rows of seats to accommodate five passengers. The European and Japanese versions are offered with a lithium-ion battery, with three rows of seats with accommodations for seven passengers. Toyota's sales target is about 15 to 20% of conventional Prius sales in the United States, which represents around 30,000 units a year. With the Prius v Toyota is expecting to expand its customer base to include young families with children looking for a hybrid more spacious than the Prius.
Sales price in the U.S. starts at plus a delivery fee. The Prius v is offered in three configurations: the base Prius v Two, the mid-range Prius v Three , and the premium-level Prius v Five . The Prius v Three adds standard display audio with navigation and the Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune is a fully integrated multimedia navigation system using a connected mobile phone to gather information such as traffic updates and information updates. The system utilises mobile apps to provide the driver with information from Bing , OpenTable and movietickets.com, along with...
multimedia system. In addition to standard features on the Prius v Two and Three, the Prius v Five adds standard SofTex-trimmed seats, heated front seats, three-door smart key, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
headlamps, and fog lamps. All trims come with a Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls and a USB port that allows playing of music and video from portable audio devices, and includes full iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
integration.
Recognition
The 2012 Prius v was selected among the five finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the YearGreen Car of the Year
The Green Car of the Year is an award from the Green Car Journal.The winner is selected by an 11-member panel comprising automotive and environmental experts...
to be awarded by the Green Car Journal
Green Car Journal
Green Car Journal is a quarterly publication created in 1992 that focuses on green vehicles and environmentally friendly energy and technologies...
in November 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Prius Alpha was also shortlisted for 2012 Car of The Year Japan.
Gallery
See also
- Toyota PriusToyota PriusThe Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
- Toyota Prius cToyota Prius cThe Toyota Prius c, named Prius Aqua in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact hatchback to be produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. The Prius Aqua will be launched in Japan in December 2011, and is scheduled to be released as the Prius c in Australia during the first quarter of 2012,...
- Toyota Prius Plug-in HybridToyota Prius Plug-in HybridThe Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a mid-size plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to be produced by Toyota Motor Corporation and scheduled to be released to the market beginning in January 2012...