#NYIAS #PriusPrime Fueled by both gasoline and now electricity from the plug, the most efficient car in the world receives another way to “Go Forward”. Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG – Mar. 23, 2016 The Exterior, Interior and deep dive into the Infotainment. Toyota reveals their 2017 Prius Prime PHEV-22 – 22-miles all electric range (AER) and speeds up to 84 mph on the pack plus a 120 MPGe equivalent EPA combined rating. Pricing scheduled to be released closer to its availability this fall. The one company known for its Prius Hybrid, now in its fourth generation, just minutes ago revealed the all-new second generation PHEV called Prime. The 120 MPGe is 26 percent higher than the current Prius PHEV-11s 95 MPGe rating. Just like the current all-new 4th gen, the Prime rides on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) and double wishbone rear suspension as the all-new Prius does. Meaning it rides and handles far better than any previous Prius while offering improve crash protection. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Design 2017 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV-22 Following the all-new Prius, a few minor exterior changes make the Prime trim distinct from the standard. Quad LED front lamps and a full length run of the LED rear taillamps from the lower bumper fascia, up and across the entire rear split window spoiler. That spoiler incorporates a full width aero glass panel. The partial carbon fiber based rear hatch not only lightens the car, it lightens the force needed to open and close. Cloth seating is standard with SoftTex available. The softly padded leather like feeling SoftTex in the seats, door inserts, and wheel is worth it. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Drivetrain Toyota stated the Prius Prime has a total range an excess of 600 miles from a full charge plus the range offered from its 11.3 gallon tank. Meaning a possible combined EPA rating of at least 51 mpgUS, slightly lower than the 52 mpgUS combined rating of the Two, Three and Four Prius (non ECO trims). While everything under the hood appears the same as the current gen 4 Prius from which it is based, it is not an exact match in its entirety. The 40+ percent thermodynamic efficient atkinsoinized 1.8L I4 mated to a dual Motor/Generator though two gear sets on separate shafts is still there. The new Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system operates even at the engine’s maximum output vs everyone else that allows EGR bypass and higher emissions at WOT. The difference as Toyota stated is that MG1 can now provide torque to the wheels improving acceleration vs. just MG2 in the Prius from every generation we know about currently. Level1 120V charging is expected to charge the 8.8 kWh pack in 5.5 hours and 2.75 hours on a 240V Level2 system. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Safety On the safety front, front, side, side curtains; a driver knee airbag, and a front passenger seat cushion airbag are all standard. Like the 2016 Prius, the 2017 Prius Prime can be equipped with Safety Sense P with the P standing for Pre-Collison system with pedestrian detection. The bundled suite also includes Auto Braking, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, full speed – top sped to 0 mph - dynamic radar CC and auto high beams (AHB). Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) is also available. Under certain conditions, Toyota Safety Sense P can detect obstacles and automatically apply braking if necessary to help avoid collisions. The system employs new millimeter-wave radar and a monocular camera sensor to detect pedestrians, vehicles, and lane markers in the surrounding area. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Convenience Features Like the high end 2016 Prius, the 2017 Prius Prime can be equipped with Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA) that uses ultrasonic wave sensors to offer automatic steering into parallel parking spaces, or reversing into perpendicular spaces. The system also offers automatic steering to exit a parallel space. An additional function of the sonar-based Park Assist system, the Toyota-first Intelligent Clearance Sonar provides visible and audible warnings if the driver gets too close to obstacles on the vehicle’s sides. An indicator on the Multi-information Display shows the obstacle’s location, and a warning is issued only when the system judges that there is a possibility of contact with the obstacle. 2017 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV-22 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Infotainment The 2016 Prius Prime features the same dual 4.2-inch full-color TFT (Thin Film Transistor) multi-information displays as the std. Prius displays with the ability to change information displayed using steering wheel controls. Something entirely new however is the top of the line Entune system is shown on a central 11.6 inch HD display audio screen with standard Navigation. Moving the bar further, an available Entune Premium JBL Audio system with Integrated Navigation and App Suite featuring 10 JBL GreenEdge energy saving speakers. A Qi-compatible wireless charging system. Is also available. An optional full color “Heads Up Display” or “HUD” can be added just like the all-new Prius. With the PHEV comes remote controls. As in setting up charging times, locating chargers, track and come your ECO score online and control the climate system from an all-new smartphone app. The all-new second gen Prius PHEV-22 will be available this fall. I will provide more pics as the day continues.
I want to drive this car. This size battery pack mated with hybrid ice is the perfect combo for most city drivers. On my Cmax Energi with a 7 kW pack, I have 4,000 ice miles and 21,000 EV miles.
It looks like it will be a "high" end car. I hope the price is not too "high" end. If the price is right, I think I have found my next car.
Wayne, thanks for the thorough write up. Very compelling. (Contingent only on price.) Count me as happy they are making it available nationwide.
There's a web page up... I don't know how long it's been up but I received an email that linked to it. http://www.toyota.com/upcoming-vehicles/prius-prime/
BillLin, in checking out the link, on price alone I'd spring for the Camry Hybrid over the Prius. Yes you'll eat a few mpg's but you get a lot more car for the same money. Who does the pricing at Toyota?
The Camry hybrid is a different class of vehicle than the Prius IMO (the Camry is a couple grand more and gets a few less MPG than the Prius) I like the aggressive look of the new Prius (& PIP)
Per the Toyota site: "Prius Prime will be available at participating Toyota dealers in all 50 states in late 2016."
I didn't realize there was pricing. I think I would always have a hard time justifying the cost differential of the plug-ins over the hybrids, but for me, it is a lot more than the fuel savings or the carbon offset if you have a cleaner electricity source. I like the extra flexibility the plug-in gives you. It is interesting that Toyota chose to make the new plug-in so different from the rest of the Prius line. The most surprising part for me was the almost 12" console display. Borrowing a page from the Tesla book, no doubt. I also love the quad LED lights. I do like the Camry. My sister has a very new Camry hybrid leased for her by her employer and I got a chance to ride in it. I still prefer the Gen3 Prius hatch for my own use. The cargo space difference over the Camry or any other sedan is hard to give up. Even the tiny CUVs' cargo carrying ability seem small in comparison. Regular-sized CUVs may suffice for me but the MPG hit would hurt. cheers, Bill
#PriusPrime Hi All: Here is the intro from the floor of the 2016 NYIAS earlier today. The Prius Prime PHEV-22 and only the Prius Prime PHEV-22 intro in all its glory. Wayne
Hi All: I had the opportunity to sit down and have a short talk with Group VP and GM of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Bill Fay. The discussion includes a bit of his history with Toyota, the 2016 Prius, 2017 Prius Prime and how the company plans to "Move Forward" with their latest hyper efficient offering featuring the advanced infotainment and safety technology ever placed in a Toyota to date. Enjoy. Wayne
Agreed. I can't seriously consider a sedan now that I've lived with a hatch. It's just so compromised, and I see very little benefit to make up for it. I had my hatch full to the roof yesterday with feed sacks and hay (wrapped in a tarp). Couldn't even see out the back. No sedan can do that, especially today's swoopy ones with tiny trunk openings.
I read that they decided to make the Prime a 4-seater, like the Volt. Was that for battery packaging reasons?
Good catch! Doesn't matter to me, but good to know. The back seats look more comfy than a regular seat for 2.5 people. I wonder if they are front-to-back adjustable?
I want to like this car , and I'm sure it's performance is awesome , but for my specific commute 22 miles won't help as much as I'd want it to. For many others , this might be the perfect car.
22 miles is much better than 6 - but not enough. Eliminating the 5th seat is bizarre. They should have done what the e-Golf has: a two piece fold down unit, that lets you choose between the 5th seat, or cup holders, or a padded arm rest - or a pass through that lets you carry long items.
