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We’ve imagined the 2010 Toyota Prius with cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries and plug-in capability, and now the real thing is here at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. And although the production version of the 2010 Toyota Prius isn’t radically different from the second-generation Prius, it should bring some significant upgrades when it goes on sale in late spring 2009.
The most obvious of these is the adoption of a larger-displacement, 1.8-liter inline-4 engine with variable valve timing (intake valves only). Running on the Atkinson cycle, the engine makes 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 105 pound-feet of torque — a big increase from the 76 hp and 82 lb-ft supplied by the second-generation car’s 1.5-liter engine. The 1.8-liter uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation to enhance fuel economy (reintroducing cooled gas back into the intake manifold reduces pumping losses), and an electrically driven water pump eliminates the need for a power-robbing serpentine belt.
Toyota says total system power for the 2010 Toyota Prius is 134 hp, meaning that an additional 36 hp is coming from the car’s nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The 2009 Prius had a battery pack rated for 28 hp.
The front transaxle that houses the car’s electric motors and planetary continuously variable transmission is lighter this year, and Toyota says this reduces torque losses by up to 20 percent. An improved cooling system for the inverter allowed Toyota’s engineers to make it smaller and lighter, too.
The upshot of all this is that the 2010 Toyota Prius will now hit 60 mph in 9.8 seconds, according to Toyota. That’s a half-second quicker than the 2009 Prius and a full second quicker than the 2009 Honda Insight. The third-generation Prius is also more fuel-efficient, as Toyota predicts a 50-mpg combined EPA rating, versus the 2009 model’s 46-mpg combined rating. By comparison, the 2009 Insight has a 41-mpg combined rating. Power, Eco and EV driving modes will let 2010 Prius owners prioritize getting to work on time or saving the planet by driving 5 mph under the speed limit.
Just as significant to us is the all-new chassis underneath the 2010 Toyota Prius. The wheelbase isn’t any longer, but we suspect the track is a bit wider, given that the hybrid is 0.8 inch wider across the shoulders. Toyota says its engineers added caster and revised the front antiroll bar and bushings to improve straight-line stability — never a strong point for the second-gen car.
Fifteen-inch wheels remains standard, but the tires are wider — P195/65R15 instead of P185/65R15. Optional 17-inch wheels and P215/45R17 tires are likely an appearance upgrade rather than a dynamic one. Braking should be improved with either tire package, as every 2010 Toyota Prius gets four-wheel disc brakes. There’s also a new regenerative braking system, which provides even more regeneration than before, says Toyota.
Toyota has not disclosed curb weight, but the company notes that aluminum is used for the hood, rear hatch, front suspension arms and brake calipers, while the rocker panels, center pillar and roof reinforcement are made of high-tensile steel. Those measures should help keep weight in check, but bear in mind that there’s also more sound insulation to reduce road noise.
There’s a bit more space in the cabin of the 2010 Toyota Prius, which is 0.6 inch longer than its predecessor. A slimmer front-seat design provides more rear legroom, though Toyota has not disclosed how much. Also, a revised battery pack layout has resulted in a cargo area that’s 2.2 inches wider and 0.4 inch longer.
As expected, the 2010 Toyota Prius is available with all sorts of technological gadgets that your typical systems analyst won’t be able to resist. For starters, there’s the Touch Tracer system, which uses touch sensors on the steering wheel controls to bring up corresponding images on the instrument panel and ultimately minimize the amount of time you spend looking away from the road.
Toyota is also promising a simplified version of the self-parking system already seen in the Lexus LS 460 and on European- and Japanese-spec versions of the second-generation Prius.
There’s also an optional moonroof with solar panels that power a separate ventilation system. The all-electric system maintains a steady cabin temperature while your Prius is parked in the sun to minimize the use of air-conditioning when you return to the car.
Other new options include a radar-based dynamic cruise control system with an integrated lane departure warning system, the Pre-Collision system from the Lexus line, and Safety Connect, the new Toyota equivalent of OnStar. Dual knee airbags for front-seat passengers are new to the standard equipment list for 2010.
Duration : 0:1:52
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting that …
Interesting that they went with more gas engine capacity. The benefits (and improvements) are clear enough though.
I’ll be interested to see pure battery powered cars really taking hold in the market. Power and efficiency with that technology are going through the roof!
They get better gas …
They get better gas mileage from a larger engine because the new engine has more torque, so it has to work less to move the car.
Well if youre stuck …
Well if youre stuck sitting around watching YouTube videos anyway you might as well be making some money investing properly.. try the newsletter at authoropen . com
the back is the …
the back is the only thing i dont like.
its possible today …
its possible today with todays technology to run a car on water, ive seen it. people are just ignorant and cant see the truth
yeah, that’s sound …
yeah, that’s sound great. But what happens when there are water shortages? We drink water, bathe in it and water our lawns with it plus animals live in it or eat the animals that live off of it: it will just be another green picket line about that too. I’m thinking solar power is the only thing that will make you guys happy.
I can’t wait until …
I can’t wait until that day. Water, solar, electric, sugarcane, etc. That’s the way of the future pal.
NO single car that …
NO single car that runs on gas will stay, every car i nthe future will run on water! (HONDA already created such a family car)
WATER I’M TELLING YA!
omg! lolol … you …
omg! lolol … you SUCK!! SO !!! BAADD!! Let me guess.. you’re 16 and your daddy bought you a fast car because you kept crying ?
such a car.. …
such a car.. 1.8l engine pff. My 638 horse 6.2L V8 Supercharged corvette will rape that queer-o car. If it doesn’t have speed or power. How can you drive it.
The first two …
The first two PRIUS’s were not that competitive as DIESEL cars could do around the same.
But this is on another LEVEL.
It is the cleanest car in the world, and it is one of the most fuel efficient (for its size it is the most fuel efficient).
thats not the point …
thats not the point of a hybrid…..its not to create as much amissions and use less gas. while your at the stoplight in you diesel car wasting all that gas the hybrids are runing on electric only….
with diesel you can …
with diesel you can get 70MPG at most! which is worth it for the extra price you pay for the car and gas
as opposed to 0-60! …
as opposed to 0-60! Better for the environment lol
This prius changes
This prius changes
the Volt which …
the Volt which doesnt exist is the one way overpriced double that of the Prius
see Toyota could have made the car go electric for 40miles by adding a $15,000 battery but they opted to make the car affordable instead
so whos smart toyota or General Morons
exterior looks …
exterior looks better but still way over priced…if u buy one now ull be dissappoint with the one they come out next year…i would wait a little longer for more hybrid options
if anyone can …
if anyone can answer my question that’d be sweet. how can they have a bigger engine and get better gas mileage?
your totally right. …
your totally right…not to mention OUR economy could be making money if gas and energy was produced here in the U.S…….which is something we need right now.
i love it….now we …
i love it….now we have car manufacturers competing to make a car with more MPG’s – or better yet, that don’t use any gas at all.
if you drive less …
if you drive less than 40 miles a day, i figure the chevy volt is a good deal. but i drive way more than that, thats why i have the prius and i get like 55mpg on average.
I love the exterior …
I love the exterior on the 2010 Prius, but the interior, in my opinion, is better in the 2009.
And the new features on the 2010 makes me sad that I just bought a 2009.
1. copy and paste
…
1. copy and paste
2. send this to? 2 other videos.
3. hold your breath for 10 seconds
4. press refresh twice
3. LOOK AT YOUR BACKGROUND IT WILL BE FREAKY
good video with …
good video with lots of info.
PRIUS IS AWESOME SO …
PRIUS IS AWESOME SO IS INSIGHT chevy not so much
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