Right Lane Cruiser
08-15-2009, 12:56 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Japanese_Flag_30x22.jpg Prius not just a gas pincher anymore (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/15/beyond-hybrid-hype/?features&zIndex=149769)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius-III_in_PA_with_headwind.jpgMark Maynard - SIGNONSANDIEGO (http://www3.signonsandiego.com) - August 15, 2009
Hybrids have to move beyond just a niche market to really make a difference -- this is a good thing. --Ed.
The new Prius has matured from green car poster child to a nicely refined, midsize hatchback that happens to be a gasoline-electric hybrid that is EPA-rated for 51 mpg around town.
Most people know this pop-culture icon as a hybrid and a Toyota, but the redesigned 2010 model may be less of a rebel.
For those who haven't been inundated with Prius trivia, it is a full hybrid with a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. It can be driven on battery power alone, gasoline engine alone or a blend of both.
The new model comes in five trim levels, with pricing that starts at $21,750. The top-line Prius V test car starts at $28,020 and was $33,079 as tested.
The entry-level model has not been released and likely will remain a basic car to do battle with the new Honda Insight, which has a starting price of $20,510.
The new Prius is just slightly larger than the 2009 model but in useful dimensions: it's a half-inch longer, three-quarters of an inch wider but not taller. The size increase added 110 pounds, which was overcome with a larger gasoline engine, more powerful electric motor generator and more energy from the same number of batteries: 168 1.2-volt cells.
With all those additions, fuel economy was improved. City mileage went from 48 mpg to 51, still using 87 octane. Highway mileage went from 45 to 48. (Using more battery power in town supposedly gives the higher fuel economy, but many owners report they still get higher mileage on the highway.)
Toyota also made it easier to make more of an environmental impact. There are four distinct driving modes, selected by a button on the center console:
The standard setting gives decent performance for everyday needs.
Power mode puts a jolt in acceleration response.
ECO electronically blunts sharp acceleration when the driver cannot control his or her right foot. The mode seems maddeningly sluggish, but it... http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/15/beyond-hybrid-hype/?features&zIndex=149769
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius-III_in_PA_with_headwind.jpgMark Maynard - SIGNONSANDIEGO (http://www3.signonsandiego.com) - August 15, 2009
Hybrids have to move beyond just a niche market to really make a difference -- this is a good thing. --Ed.
The new Prius has matured from green car poster child to a nicely refined, midsize hatchback that happens to be a gasoline-electric hybrid that is EPA-rated for 51 mpg around town.
Most people know this pop-culture icon as a hybrid and a Toyota, but the redesigned 2010 model may be less of a rebel.
For those who haven't been inundated with Prius trivia, it is a full hybrid with a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. It can be driven on battery power alone, gasoline engine alone or a blend of both.
The new model comes in five trim levels, with pricing that starts at $21,750. The top-line Prius V test car starts at $28,020 and was $33,079 as tested.
The entry-level model has not been released and likely will remain a basic car to do battle with the new Honda Insight, which has a starting price of $20,510.
The new Prius is just slightly larger than the 2009 model but in useful dimensions: it's a half-inch longer, three-quarters of an inch wider but not taller. The size increase added 110 pounds, which was overcome with a larger gasoline engine, more powerful electric motor generator and more energy from the same number of batteries: 168 1.2-volt cells.
With all those additions, fuel economy was improved. City mileage went from 48 mpg to 51, still using 87 octane. Highway mileage went from 45 to 48. (Using more battery power in town supposedly gives the higher fuel economy, but many owners report they still get higher mileage on the highway.)
Toyota also made it easier to make more of an environmental impact. There are four distinct driving modes, selected by a button on the center console:
The standard setting gives decent performance for everyday needs.
Power mode puts a jolt in acceleration response.
ECO electronically blunts sharp acceleration when the driver cannot control his or her right foot. The mode seems maddeningly sluggish, but it... http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/15/beyond-hybrid-hype/?features&zIndex=149769