2010 Prius unveiled: Cd 0.25, 50 mpg EPA combined, EV mode

[MetroMPG]

You read it here first:

Toyota's claiming a 0.25 coefficient of drag for the new Prius, making it the most slippery production car available, equal to the now out of production 1st gen Honda Insight (although CdA is obviously higher). Underbody panels were specifically mentioned as an area of improvement.



Its overall shape hasn't changed significantly, however the "peak height" of the roofline arch has been moved aft 4 inches. This gives more rear seat headroom, but probably makes rear taper a little more challenging.

The car has a larger engine: 0-60 mph acceleration has dropped from the mid 10 second range to 9.8.

But its external dimensions are only slightly more than the previous model: less than an inch wider & longer. Height & wheelbase are unchanged.

An "exhaust heat recovery system" was mentioned, but with no details.

The car will also come standard with an "EV mode" switch, a first for North America. (Its purpose is to let you drive the car short distances and override the software which would normally start the gas engine - whether you need it or not - to warm up the exhaust catalyst.) Prius owners here have been retrofitting their vehicles with this feature, which was available in other markets.

Toyota is estimating an EPA rating of 50 mpg combined.

The new car has 1000 patent applications associated with it, and at its release the fact that its design architecture is "plug-in" capable was touted.

Competition is fun, no?

The text of the car's introduction is here: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/t...al-speech.aspx

[Daox]

I'm giddy. That is awesome.

[NeilBlanchard]

Yes, this is excellent news! I want mine with steel wheels, so I can put on some smooth wheel covers...

[MetroMPG]

An interesting tidbit, there are no accessory belts on the car's engine.

Water pump is now electric, as is A/C, and there's no traditional alternator to spin.

[MetroMPG]

Haha. The car now has an optional, external-opening sliding sunroof.

I'm guessing the Cd of 0.25 doesn't apply when this puppy is deployed!

[MazdaMatt]

So much for the Volt... Bye Bye, GM.

I want to know the plug-in EV range

[Daox]

Lemme fix your wording...

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Haha. The car now has an optional, external-opening sliding air brake.

I'm guessing the Cd of 0.25 doesn't apply when this puppy is deployed!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by MazdaMatt

I want to know the plug-in EV range

Clarification: the 2010 Prius does not come with a plug. It's only "cabable" of being converted to plug-in, with additional battery capacity and some hardware changes.

Toyota hasn't commited to PHEV production. PHEV "Test vehicles" will be made available later this year to fleet customers. Their electric only range will probably be less than the Volt's 40 miles; prototypes Toyota showed to the press had a 7 mile electric only range: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid - Review of Next Generation Prius - Popular Mechanics

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

Lemme fix your wording...

Ha!

Not as good as the hillbilly active aerodynamics though. Hmm - how would a Prius look with a dynamic ironing board stuck on the back...

[Daox]

Here is a side profile of the Prius III vs Prius II. You can definitely see the angle from hood to front windshield has been decreased. They also eliminated the step in the front bumper. And, is it me or does the front wheel's rear fender well appear to be slightly tucked in like the 1st gen Insight, or is it just the light? Other than that I see a shark fin antenna instead of a stubby one. Alas, still no wheel skirts.

If someone could overlay them over each other that would be great. I don't have the software to do it atm.

Prius III



Prius II