2010

PriusRaises More than Its Roof By Grace Lauron In addition to a newly shaped roof designed to provide more headroom for backseat passengers, the 2010 model also boasts a higher combined fuel economy of 50 miles per gallon.

aunched this spring, Motor iness back in the Prius” — particularly in of the new, third-generation 2010-MY Sales’ third-generation 2010-MY conditions such as driving on mountain Prius took four and a half years, LPrius raises everything but its fuel roads and freeway acceleration. Otsuka said. consumption. Achieving a combined A full hybrid system, the vehicle can The shape of the new model has EPA-estimated 50 mpg rating, the com- run on gasoline or electric power, or a been updated, with the peak of the roof pany estimates 180,000 units of the new combination of both, said Bob Carter, moved back to allow more headroom model will be sold for the full 2009 year. group vice president and general man- for backseat passengers. An available With EPA-estimated 50 mpg city and ager of the Toyota Division. solar panel roof helps provide added 49 mpg highway ratings while driving Chief Engineer Akihiko Otsuka man- ventilation. in standard mode, the vehicle’s fuel ef- aged to achieve 62.9 miles per gallon Inside, the vehicle also offers more ficiency can be pushed to even greater — with minimal effort on his part, he rear seat room, with rear seat knee limits when driving in Eco Mode, one of revealed to automotive journalists at the space increased by 0.79 inches for bet- three additional modes available, which press preview of the new Prius. Otsuka ter seating space. The vehicle is a half- also include EV and Power Modes. attributed the fuel economy increase to inch longer overall, said Risdon. In Eco Mode helps “take the lead foot out the new beltless 1.8L terms of cargo capacity, storage space of the lead-foot driver,” while the quiet- gas , electric water pump and ex- is confined to the rear of the vehicle. ness enabled by EV Mode works well haust gas recirculation system, and the Other new features include Lane Keep for neighborhood driving,” said Chris entire vehicle design. Assist safety technology and Intelligent Risdon, senior product education and de- Parking Assist, which uses sensors on velopment administrator, University of Topping it Off the front and bumper sides to automati- Toyota. The Power Mode “puts the sport- From start to finish, the development cally park the vehicle. A multi-information display panel tracks data to help drivers maximize ❱❱❱❱❱❱❱❱❱ fuel economy, such as energy use, fuel Looking Back consumption, past fuel consumption, and trip information. 1st Generation: Launched in Japan in 1997, but didn’t debut in the U.S. until July 2000. Only As of April 2009, more than 707,000 12,000 units were produced annually. Prius units have been sold in the U.S. since the original first-generation mod- ▼

▼ el debuted in 2000. In addition to the 2nd Generation: Launched in fall 2003 as a new Prius, the Toyota division 2004-model year. Larger dimensions, all-new styling, expected to launch in summer 2009 its and Toyota’s new technology made fourth hybrid, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h it an instant hit. By 2005, Toyota was producing more — the world’s first dedicated luxury than 100,000 vehicles annually for the U.S. market. .

GREEN FLEET / Fall 2009 5