Toyota Prius gets added Tech, Safety & Functionality
There are few vehicles that need less of an introduction than the icon Toyota Prius. As it enters its 4th-generation, it continues to serve as Toyota’s Hybrid icon, pioneer, and overall legend. Like all legends, some improvements need to be made and the Prius will be them.
Under the hood, Toyota’s proven 1.8-litre Hybrid powertrain will continue. It combines an electric motor with Toyota’s 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle 2ZR-FXE engine produces an impressive 90 kW of power. So far, the Prius has been classified as a Full Hybrid (FHEV) and uses a self-charging powertrain to provide electric energy. While braking, regenerative energy is caught and stored in the battery. This allows the Prius to operate solely on either a petrol engine, electric motor, or a combination of both. As standard, the Prius will come standard with an integrated CVT transmission.
Inside, the cabin will come fitted with a touchscreen infotainment system that now offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a higher-resolution display. Other functions such as USB, Aux, and Bluetooth functionality will remain. Toyota Connect will come standard on the Prius, offering in-car Wi-Fi connectivity with a complimentary 15Gb of data and a telematics interface with the MyToyota app.
In terms of specs, the latest Prius will benefit from features such as Heads-Up Display (HUD), Reverse Camera, high-definition Multi-Information Display, seat heaters with electric lumbar support, wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, and rain-sensing wipers, to name a few. The exterior has benefited from some subtle changes too such as auto-retractable exterior mirrors that are now joined by LED head-, fog- and DRL-lamps. Most of the eight colour choices have remained the same besides the Pearl White which has now been replaced with a new Platinum White Pearl. Inside, passengers will be greeted with a fine and luxurious black leather interior too.
As far as safety goes, the Prius has gotten some notable upgrades as the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) has been adopted on it. This offers an array of safety aids such as Pre-Crash System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) plus Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Trace Assist (LTA). Other standard safety features include ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist.
Pricing
Toyota Prius 1.8 R566 400
The Toyota Prius will come with a 6 Services/90 000km service plan, with service interval at 12 Months/15 000km and 3 Years/100 000km warranty as well as a hybrid battery warranty of 8 Years/195 000km.
