Car Reviews > Toyota > Prius Plug-in > Toyota Prius Plug-in Car Review
Prices: £26,000 (including £5000 grant)
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol plus 650v electric motor
Gearbox: Front-wheel drive, CVT
Power/torque: 134 bhp/ 249 Nm 0-60 mph: 13.7 seconds
Top Speed: 112 miles per hour Claimed
Economy: 108.6 miles per gallon
Emissions: 59g per kilometre
Equipment: Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, alloy wheels, climate control, and cruise control
On Sale: January 2012
Next year the hybrid favourite gets a plug-in version that professes a fuel economy rating of no less than 135 miles per gallon
The Toyota Prius was the vehicle that first brought hybrid technology real mainstream attention, and now the firm is aiming to increase its appeal still further by releasing a plug-in version.
The new vehicle is not due until next year but Toyota has been preparing a fleet of 20 prototypes, one of which is the subject of this review. The new car claims to have a fuel economy rating of 108.6 miles per gallon with CO2 emissions of as little as 59g per kilometre, though Toyota says they are aiming for a fuel economy figure of 134.5 miles per gallon and 49g per kilometre in CO2 emissions for the actual production model.
Unlike the ordinary Prius, which is capable of functioning on electric power alone for just less than two miles and only at speeds underneath 30 miles per hour, the plug-in will have a much more user friendly EV range of almost 15 miles and will be functional at speeds of up to 53 miles per hour. It will also take just 90 minutes to be recharged from the mains.
The production car will be identifiable as a plug-in via the presence of a few visual clues, including a new front bumper and grille, as well as Plug-in Hybrid badging and clear rear lights. When moving, the new vehicle certainly feels like an electric car, with almost 80 per cent of the pedal travel of the accelerator even available prior to the engine actually kicking in. The 15-mile range is definitely achievable and could even be possible to improve upon if our drive is any basis.
When the charge actually runs out, the Plug-in then starts to behave more like a normal Prius, with the electric motor then able to seamlessly assist the 1.8-litre petrol engine to be able to add another range of almost 600 miles. However, there is a greater tendency for the engine to cut out and let the electric motor take charge.
In the prototype, there was no button that would allow the vehicle to run in hybrid mode and thus preserve the electric only range, though Toyota says this will be available on the actual production model, which is good news indeed. This will enable drivers to use the EV mode in a city, for example.
Those who already own the ordinary Prius will still feel perfectly at home with the Plug-in. While the brand new lithium-ion battery pack does turn out to be as much as 38 kilograms heavier than the old nickel metal hydride arrangement, neither the handling nor the ride itself have suffered in any way as a result.
The vehicle proves to be comfortable enough on the great majority of surfaces, although potholes and speed bumps do have the rather unfortunate tendency to send thuds straight into the cabin. The same drawbacks are still here as with the standard Prius too.
Hard acceleration while using the petrol engine results the engine giving off a wailing note when the wheels get their power from the CVT box. It can also feel rather sluggish.
Still, this is the best version of the Prius so far.
by Autoweb
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