HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (May 23, 2011) - The newest entrant in a growing Prius family of hybrid vehicles, the Prius v
delivers an unparalleled blend of versatility and fuel efficiency in a
comfortable, mid-size package. A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with
excellent cargo space and Prius' heritage of environmental
performance
and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius
v will go on sale in Fall 2011.
ts ago, the Prius v
follows family tradition with new technologies and equipment advances
that continues to raise the bar on the cutting edge automotive science.
Big Enough For Families and Cargo
The Prius v emphasizes overall proportion with spaciousness and
flexibility for active families. Comfortable interior space and good
visibility have been assisted by a high seating position, ample head
room, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing
generous rear legroom. A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3
cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most
spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market.
Comfortable seating for five is specifically designed for young
families. Sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress
and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater
comfort. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four
different seat
arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and
luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely
long cargo.
The driver is kept informed via a center-mounted instrument
panel, a visually succinct, space-efficient design that is also
exceptionally user-friendly. As with other Prius models, the driving
controls including Push Button Start, parking switch, drive-by-wire
shift toggle, and driving mode buttons are immediately at hand. Each of
these driving control features are distinguished by silver
trim. Instrument-panel controls, including a single dial automatic
climate control, provide an advanced look and user-friendly command.
The center console is accessible from both the driver side
and rear seats. The console is big enough to hold 23 CD cases, yet low
enough so that lines of sight and conversation between passengers can be
relaxed and natural. The console design helps make the cabin a
human-friendly space, and a low-fatigue environment for long rides.
A wide variety of engineered storage spaces are located throughout
the cabin. These include dual glove boxes, a center console utility
tray and five cup holders in large and medium sizes. Bottle holders are
built into the front and rear door pockets, while most models will
feature an overhead storage space suitable for sunglasses. In addition
to the larger main luggage compartment, there are storage units built
into the sides and under the cargo platform for storing equipment such
as car wash items or gloves. Even a special space for umbrellas is
located under the second row of seats.
Rear seats fold, slide and recline to configure for any mix
of passengers and cargo, and operation switches are located
conveniently close to the occupants. New for Toyota, an available seat
material called SofTex is designed for easy cleaning, resisting spills
and wear in a family vehicle that could see heavy use on a daily
basis. Soft to the touch, SofTex's attributes as compared to leather and
other traditional leatherette-type materials include a weight reduction
of 50 percent, a manufacturing process with approximately 99 percent
fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than conventional synthetic
leather, and it's water and stain resistant. It also does not include
any animal-based material.
Advanced Connectivity
Seamlessly integrated into the Prius v are
state-of-the-art electronics and enhanced connectivity features. A
Bluetooth wireless connection for compatible hands-free phone calls is
standard, now improved by an automatic phone book transfer function.
Also standard is a USB port that allows playing of music and video from
portable audio devices, using the vehicle sound system and in-dash
display screen, including full iPod integration.
The standard audio system has a 6.1-inch screen and six speakers. The
screen also displays the energy monitor and fuel consumption data, and
functions as the monitor for the integrated back-up camera and the
Display Audio System. The screen also offers a new value-driven
navigation system and serves as a portal for Entune. An available HD
Radio system enables CD sound quality from digital FM broadcasts, and
has features that maximize analog and AM broadcast sound quality. The
system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase and
SiriusXM Satellite Radio?.
The top-of-the-line audio is equipped with a new seven-inch
Premium HDD Navigation system with Entune and JBL. This system offers a
new split-screen feature that allows for simultaneously displaying
navigation and audio information and full iPod video integration.
The premium system adds a new JBL GreenEdge? audio system that
combines an eight-channel amplifier and door-mounted "acoustic lens"
speakers, to provide a high-quality sound. The GreenEdge amplifier
achieves a 66-percent reduction in overall mass and a 50-percent
enhancement in sound efficiency. The GreenEdge speakers produce a higher
output of sound with the same power or less consumption of conventional
models.
Entune Multimedia System
Prius v will be one of the first Toyotas to offer the
Entune? multimedia system. For the first time ever in a Toyota
automobile, this innovative new system leverages the mobile smartphone
to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access
to navigation, entertainment and information services.
Toyota Entune debuts the first-ever support for engaging mobile apps,
such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing
useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel
information (location and price), stocks, and sports. Toyota Entune
brings the largest selection of music options available to a vehicle,
including iheartradio's 750+ stations, and Pandora's personalized music
service.
The audio systems combined with Entune feature a best-in-class, advanced
conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay
focused on the road by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of
voice commands. The system will also allow for audio read-back and
replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by
pre-set "Quick Reply Messages" such as: "I'm driving and will reply
later."
Sleek, Aerodynamic and Efficient
With a balance between outstanding spaciousness, refined style, and smooth aerodynamics, Prius v
has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which does not inhibit the
vehicle's convenient packaging. It is a new vehicle designed from the
ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an
elongated version.
Keeping air resistance low is the familiar triangular Prius
silhouette, adapted to a larger size. A flush surface from the front of
the vehicle through the front pillar works with side "aerocorners" for
exceptionally clean airflow. The smooth front sheetmetal blends into a
carefully designed roof and cabin, leading to an optimized cabin-end
shape that acts to converge side and roof airflow. Wheels and wheel
caps are designed with aerodynamic effects in mind. These measures and
others also have the beneficial effect of suppressing wind noise.
Enhancing the clean, low wind-resistance design are materials that keep the Prius v relatively
light and easy to move. The door panels are foam-injected with
polypropylene and the deck board with light-weight urethane to produce a
weight savings of approximately 20 percent. Significant weight
reduction is also achieved through the use of high-tensile grades of
steel throughout the body along with aluminum in key body panels and
systems.
High-strength steel sheets and bars used throughout the body to ensure a light, yet highly rigid platform structure.
Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View
Moonroof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open
atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as
compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and excellent
heat insulation performance. This improved thermal resistance means the
engine needs to run less to preserve comfortable ambient temperatures,
which in turn enhances fuel efficiency. The moonroof has an electrically
operated shade system with a jam protection function.
Available LED headlamps work to improve visibility while reducing
current draw. They use projector lenses to offer long-range visibility
and are designed to be virtually maintenance free for the expected life
of the vehicle.
Prius v features a climate control system with enhanced cooling
capability to cope with a larger cabin. The system uses an electric
compressor, so the air conditioning can run without depending on the
engine, and improved component design for better maximum-demand cooling
performance.
Proven Hybrid Synergy Drive System Now More Versatile
The Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the Prius v is
essentially the same as the current third-generation Prius. The system
uses two high-output motors, one 60kw (80 hp) unit that mainly works to
power the compact, lightweight transaxle and another smaller motor that
mainly works as the electric power source. Maximum motor drive voltage
is 650 volts DC. The proven and practical nickel-metal hydride battery
pack is the same as on the third-generation Prius liftback, but with a
cooling duct located under the rear seat.
As with current-generation Prius cars, Hybrid Synergy Drive is a
series-parallel hybrid system that can provide power either from the
engine alone, or the motor alone, or any mix of both. A hybrid control
computer manages the system so that optimum power is delivered according
to driver demand. It uses a start/stop system and regenerative braking
to conserve fuel and recharge the battery upon deceleration.
Hybrid Synergy Drive is built around a specially adapted,
efficient 98-horsepower1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that runs on the
Atkinson cycle and contributes to a total system horsepower of 134. Key
components include an electric water pump that requires no belts, and an
exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system that helps warm the engine
quickly, reducing fuel consumption when the engine is cold. Compact and
light weight, the engine produces minimal noise and
vibration. Sophisticated valve control, injector design, and other
technologies reduce emissions to allow the Prius v to qualify for SULEV and Tier2 Bin3 emissions standards.
Four Driving Modes
In addition to the standard driving mode, Prius v drive
system also includes an Eco driving mode, an EV driving mode, and a
Power mode. In Power mode, enhanced mid-range response enables easier
coping with slopes and mountainous terrain. In EV mode, the Prius v
can run on battery power alone for short distances and lower speeds, up
to about a mile. In Eco driving mode, the engine management system
prioritizes fuel economy, managing throttle response and limiting power
consumption from the air conditioning.
Pitch and Bounce Control; Better Ride, Better Handling
A new feature, Pitch and Bounce Control, works with
suspension enhancements to improve ride comfort and control. Because the
Prius v is a larger vehicle more likely to carry loads and
passengers, front and rear suspension components have been redesigned to
improve handling and ride quality. Front coil-over spring and damper
capacities have been significantly increased and a new upper support has
been designed. The steering gear has been attached to the front
suspension member, and the stabilizer bar repositioned for more
responsive steering feel and enhanced ride comfort.
In the rear, a torsion-beam suspension design has been
fitted with appropriately tuned springs and dampers. The new
rear-suspension system is designed to help ensure stability and ride
comfort, and it has a lower mounting point to improve luggage space.
Pitch and Bounce Control uses the torque of the hybrid motor to
enhance ride comfort and control. The system, working with wheel-speed
sensors and in tune with the suspension, helps suppress bounce and toss
motions to improve comfort for occupants. Because it helps control the
balance and posture of the vehicle as a whole, it also functions to
improve handling response.
Standard wheels are 16 inches in diameter, with 17-inch wheels available as an option.
Cutting Edge Safety and Security
A variety of available and standard features maintain the
Prius tradition of premium-level equipment packaging. Not least among
them is a broad suite of advanced features, both active and passive,
that are designed to help maximize occupant safety.
The all-new Prius v platform is designed with a
force-absorbing body structure. Increased use of high-strength steel,
notably in the front frame members, is a key part of providing a strong
body structure without increasing weight. Helping to protect the cabin
from side and rear intrusions are similarly engineered reinforcements
using high tensile steels, all designed to disperse energy strategically
throughout the vehicle to help protect passengers.
Like all Toyota models, the Prius v will feature Toyota's Star
Safety System? standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),
Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic
Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the
standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.
An electronic tire pressure monitoring system is standard
equipment, and there are seven airbags strategically located about the
cabin, including a knee airbag for the driver. New driver and
front-passenger seat design helps lessen the possibility of whiplash
injury during certain types of collisions while minimizing weight. A
new Vehicle Proximity Notification System helps alert pedestrians and
cyclists of an oncoming vehicle under certain conditions by emitting a
small warning sound.
An available Pre-Collision System (PCS) retracts seatbelts and
applies the brakes in certain conditions when a frontal crash is
unavoidable. It is paired with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
Another available safety system, Safety Connect, can access a call
center with a live operator who can dispatch police and emergency
vehicles. The system combines automatic collision notification and a
stolen vehicle locator feature, which can track the location of the
stolen vehicle via GPS and help guide police to recover it.
Peace of Mind Warranty Protection
Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to
all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional
60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against
corrosion with no mileage limitation. The hybrid-related components,
including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module
and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.
The Prius v will also come standard with Toyota
Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance
and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles,
whichever comes first.
