Toyota continues to invest in advanced hybrid technology. The company introduced its all-new fourth generation Prius at the New York International Auto Show on March 23.
“We gave it a striking new exterior design, impressive driving dynamics, and of course … we couldn’t call it a Prius if we didn’t give it the world’s most thermally efficient engine,” said Bill Fay, Group Vice President and General Manager of Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, USA at the show at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center.
With the Prius Prime’s plug-in electric version, drivers can go 22 miles on battery power alone, about double the previous plug-in model. The car can drive up to 84 miles per hour in electric vehicle mode.
“With the Prius Prime’s 22 miles of electric range, over 50 percent of Americans could get to work and back home, without using a drop of gas. And for those drivers that can charge at work … that number jumps to almost 80 percent,” said Fay.
By optimizing the size of the 8.8 kilowatt-hour lithium battery, the Prius Prime achieves critical weight savings. One can charge the battery faster simply by plugging it into a standard household outlet.
On the inside, Toyota engineers maximized the space of the mid-size car, with fold-down seats, ample cargo room, and comfortable seating for four adults.
Another feature is the Prime’s available 11.6-inch HD touch screen that displays all important information in one place. This screen features intuitive finger controls with the ability to swipe similar to phone screens.
Prius Prime will be available in all 50 states when it launches in fall this year.
Toyota also introduced the updated version of its popular Highlander mid-size SUV and the new Toyota 86 sports car at the Auto Show.
