The 2017 Toyota Prius hybrid has increased power, acceleration, and range in addition to its gas-electric powertrain. More aesthetically pleasing, it does away with the boxy angles of the original design in favor of a more streamlined, contemporary silhouette.
Unveiling the vehicle on Wednesday in Tokyo, Simon Humphries, senior general manager of Global Toyota design, emphasized that the firm was still defying the critics who keep wondering how long the Japanese manufacturer would continue with hybrids in a quickly electrified sector.
“For the simple reason that the Prius is an affordable eco-friendly automobile. Getting to carbon neutrality will need the efforts of everyone on Earth. Ecological solutions that are affordable for most people are needed. And it must begin now, not tomorrow “he said to the press
The fifth-generation Prius hybrid will debut in Japan this winter, followed by an American release next year. Toyota Motor Corporation has said that a plug-in hybrid model would be available in 2019. No prices were disclosed at this time.
The manufacturer replaced the heavier nickel-metal-hydride battery with a more compact and lighter lithium-ion battery. The end effect will be almost twice as much power, as well as faster acceleration and a 50 percent increase in range.
The Prius, on sale since 1997, is distinguished from conventional combustion engine vehicles by its ability to seamlessly convert between gasoline and electric power.
The only downside to driving an electric automobile is that they need to be recharged. The fear of a dead battery while driving is real for some people. The hybrid’s gas-powered generator is there just in case.
More than 20. three million hybrid automobiles, including Prius models, have been sold by Toyota to date. Prius, whose name comes from the Latin word for “pioneer” or “first,” has done as much for Toyota’s reputation as its Lexus luxury vehicles have.
Still, Toyota has been attacked by environmentalists on occasion for being slow to electrify, although some experts have argued that this is a little harsh considering that many other manufacturers also offer few electric vehicles and have created a wide range of hybrid models.
Greenpeace East Asia representative Daniel Read of Tokyo remarked, “The selling of additional hybrid automobiles, especially the Prius, leads us farther into the climate disaster.”
Read argued that electric and fuel-cell cars were superior to hybrids in the fight against global warming.
Humphries said the new Prius is steadier because of its lower center of gravity, larger tires, curvy body lines, and posh interior.
He said it was more of a token of affection than a commercial item. He also said that Toyota might have helped spread the technology by making hybrid taxis or by making the technology available to other automakers.
Humphries, in front of a screen that said “We choose to love,” explained that the company had decided that the best way to broaden Prius’ appeal was for it to become a “vehicle without compromises.”
Stephanie Brinley, the chief automotive analyst for S&P Global Mobility, stated that Prius’s updated aesthetic and efficiency will help it compete with not just other hybrid models, but also the current crop of completely electric cars.
Brinley thinks the new Prius holds its own against hybrids and plug-ins from Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and Jeep, and that the Prius models have always operated as a type of bridge to a day when there are more charging points for EVs.
With a range increase of 50%, or around 38 miles (61 kilometers), it is feasible for ordinary American motorists to use it for their daily commute and errands. According to Brinley, the hybrid powertrain makes road trips possible even without a fully developed charging infrastructure.
