TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID 2012

Toyota has officially announced the debut of Prius Plug-in Hybrid to Frankfurt Motor Show. This is the standard version of the prototype already presented by month and subject to several tests, ready to respond to competition in the hybrid. PHEV technology is the new flagship of the Japanese house, and proposes new lithium ion battery that allows an average consumption of just 2.2 l/100 km, with emissions of just 49 g / km. Aesthetically, the car does not undergo any change from the current model, with the exception of a cover specific to the external power supply.

The Prius Plug-in can travel in all-electric mode for much longer than in the past (the official figure is not yet available) and can recharge the battery via an electrical outlet: on this subject, are still lacking information on when and how charge available, which will be unveiled on the occasion of the German saloon. For reference, the concept of the Prius plug-in in his time claimed a mileage of about 20 km in zero emission mode.

Toyota Prius 1 2011, specifications, features and prices in the US

Car Review | Toyota Prius 1 2011, specifications, features and prices in the US | The Toyota Prius is a gas-electric hybrid and the third generation Prius made its debut in 2010 with a more powerful engine and better fuel economy. Prius was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid when it went on sale in Japan in 1997. Since then, the Prius became the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S. and the world. The Toyota Prius entered the U.S. market in 2000, and the second generation Prius was launched in 2004 in the fall of 2003 that the first product to use third-generation gas-electric hybrid, Toyota Synergy Drive hybrid powertrain technology.

Price, specifications and features of Prius 1 2011 in the US:

Pricing	Prius 1
Retail	$21,650
Invoice	$20,567
DestChg	$760
Engines & Power	Prius 1
Standard Engine	1.8L I4
Horsepower	134 @ 5200 RPM
Torque (lb-ft)	105 @ 4000 RPM
Transmissions	Prius 1
Continuously Variable Transmis	Std
Fuel Economy	Prius 1
City (mpg)	51
Highway (mpg)	48
Comfort & Convenience	Prius 1
Sunroof	N/A
Air Conditioning	Std
Power Windows	Std
Power Door Locks	N/A
Leather Seats	N/A
Power Seats	N/A
Max. Seating	5
Number of Doors	4
Entertainment	Prius 1
Cassette Player	N/A
CD Player	Std
Nav. System	N/A
Safety	Prius 1
Airbags	Driver Passenger Side
ABS Brakes	Std
Traction Control	Std
Stability Control	Std
Final Assembly	Prius 1
Location	Japan

The third generation Toyota Prius looks much like its iconic predecessor but slightly wider and comes with a larger 1.8-liter engine. Highway fuel economy has improved slightly, but city mileage has fallen a bit. It can propel itself solely on electric power at low speeds. The new Prius feels more substantial and boasts several improvements. Side curtain air bags and ESC are standard. - CAR REVIEW

Toyota Prius 1 2011, specifications, features and prices in the US

Union of Concerned Scientists Releases 2011 Hybrid Scorecard: Prius = Good, Touareg Hybrid = Bad

The Union of Concerned Scientist, a non-profit science advocacy group in the U.S., has released its second annual Hybrid Scorecard. The organisation criticised hybrid car manufacturers for not delivering on the technology’s promise, for placing performance above fuel efficiency and environmental benefit and burdening hybrids with features that put them out of the price range of average Americans.
A total of 34 hybrid vehicles from the 2011 to 2012 model year were tested for their fuel efficiency, environmental impact, value-for-money and their so-called “forced-feature premium”. The latter is features that don’t improve fuel efficiency but probably make the cars more appealing to money-conscious consumers.

Toyota Prius: 1 Million Sales in the United States

The lofty sales of Toyota Prius, a hybrid revolution model in the United States have helped propel the Japanese juggernaut car manufacturer, to No. 1 in the world. This week, Toyota Prius reached another milestone: 1 million sales in the United States.

Toyota Prius launched 11 years ago and has since annually claimed the title of best-selling hybrid in the world. Toyota has sold more than 2 million copies of it globally, pushing the brand’s total hybrid sales to 3 million.

The company claims that more than 97 percent of Prius cars are still on the road.

“Toyota Prius paved the way for hybrids and while it is still the hybrid leader in sales and fuel economy,” Toyota vice president Bob Carter said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Toyota announced ambitious plans at the Detroit auto show to expand the Prius line. Toyota Prius v, which is larger than the current car, joins in the fall, and in 2012, Toyota Prius c compact and Toyota Prius plug-in will be added.

Toyota Prius has become a staple of Hollywood stars and mainstream Americans, as motorists have transitioned to more fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative powertrains.

Toyota Prius was by far the best-selling hybrid in the United States last year, recording sales of 140,928. That’s more than any other single carmaker and well head of the next top sellers, the Honda Insight (20,962) and the Ford Fusion (20,816) hybrids.

Toyota Prius has also helped Toyota weather dramatic shifts in fuel prices. A gallon of unleaded cost $3.71 as of Wednesday morning, up sharply from $2.83 a year ago, AAA reports, and crude oil topped $108 a barrel.

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Toyota will Launch 10 Hybrid Car Models

Toyota plans to launch ten new hybrid models globally until 2015, according to business plan released by this Japanese automotive manufacturer.

According to the New York Times, if Toyota's previous statements regarding the development of hybrid cars is still valid, six of the 10 hybrid models will enter the market in 2012.

"Not all hybrids will be sold in the United States," wrote New York Times.

The public has already known about the hybrid Lexus 200h CT and Toyota Prius V released in 2011 that is more roomy.

The new Prius for Europe and Japan market has been introduced at the Geneva Motor Show 2011. The new version is similar to Prius V but the it is capable of accommodating seven passengers and put lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel metal hydride batteries. Toyota likely will give a separate name for the model.

Toyota Prius is more compact, like the concept of Prius C, is possibly included in this group. Prius' plug-ins " which have traveled 13 miles , will be launched to the market in early 2012.

Toyota also said that they would continue the project for pure electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell.

Toyota has showed their RAV4 electric version, which was developed with Tesla Motors, at LA Auto Show in November.

Based on their business plan, Toyota also will improve fuel economy of gasoline vehicles. Also mentioned in the plan is the continued effort to position Lexus as a global luxury brand.

They plan to have a hybrid variant of their fastest vehicles in the early of 2020.