BETTER PARTSDouble electric range
Cologne, New York, 24 March 2016
The second generation of the Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid boasts with a twice as high electric range. She has world premiere at the New York International Auto Show (25 March to 3 April 2016). The rechargeable on the socket variant of the Prius recently launched new global based architecture (TNGA) like this on the new Toyota. The design differs significantly from the normal Prius: the sharply cut headlamp and the expressively designed front apron make dynamic model.
Place two standard consumption
Like its predecessor, the new plug-in version has lithium-ion batteries, no nickel-metal-hydride batteries, such as the regular Prius. The battery capacity was increased to 8.8 kWh. So increasing the range from 25 to 50 km a smooth doubling. Charging to the 230-volt outlet takes 2.3 hours. Because the calculation of standard plug in vehicles is the electric range, also the NEDC consumption drops. But other improvements ensure that he reduced from 2.6 to about 1.4 litres per 100 kilometres. With 32 grams of CO2 per kilometre, fits the new sockets Toyota ranked second behind the BMW i3 with range extender (13 grams) and pushes Golf GTE and Audi is ahead of the two identical models VW A3 e-tron (both 35 grams).
Improved gasoline
At the popular 1.8 liter gasoline engine, the efficiency was increased. The four-cylinder Atkinson cycle-powered has a thermal efficiency of 40 percent according to Toyota record for a mass-produced petrol engine. Thanks to this is among others the large-volume EGR, improved combustion efficiency, an innovative heat management, and reduced friction. Also the good aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.24 and reduced vehicle weight is partly responsible for the low fuel consumption. The bonnet in aluminium, the tailgate made of carbon, as well as the use of high-strength steel help.
Now both electric motors for the drive
The overall performance of the hybrid system makes Toyota no details so far it was 136 HP. The first Toyota model the new plug-in hybrid has a "dual motor-generator system": so far the roles as drive motor and generator were firmly assigned to the two electric engines. Both machines can provide, however, the new system drive. Like the standard Prius, also the Prius Plug-in hybrid each alone by the electric or gasoline engine or a combination of both engines can be powered. In electric mode, the car creates up to 135 km/h so far was only the tempo of 100 possible.
Less curves rolling
The new TNGA platform ensures a lower centre of gravity and therefore less body movements. Also increases the comfort that the torsion bar was replaced by a double wishbone rear suspension. Otherwise Toyota offers just about everything in his technology flagship, what is on the shelf: LED spotlights with speed-dependent control of luminaires widths and high-beam Assistant on a new solar roof loading system up to a climate control with Sitzbelegungs detection. The air conditioning works works with a heat pump and a gas injection even when gas switched off. A head-up display, a wireless cell phone charging station, an Abstandstempomat, a collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection, a lane keeping and a dead angle Wizard, a low help (rear cross traffic alert) as well as a new parking Assistant (S-IPA, simple intelligent parking assist) are on board.
Launch towards the end of the year
Mark has launch the new Prius Plug-in hybrid end of 2016 or 2017 at the beginning. Still, the price was not communicated. The expiring model 36,600 euros. (sl)