Toyota Ups the Ante on Hybrid Cars with New Prius & Prius C
20 February 2012 – UMW Toyota launched two models with three variants of the Prius Hybrid car today – this offering covers two 1.8 litre model based on an improved version of the current 3rd Generation Prius, and a third, slightly smaller, 1.5 litre hybrid based on the Yaris platform.
Now customers can choose to go either for the smaller, and lighter Prius C, which is very attractively priced to go into direct competition with the Honda Insight, or the 1.8 litre Prius, which comes with two trim levels. The Prius C is priced at RM97, 000, (On-the-road with insurance, Pen Malaysia), which pits it against the 1.3 litre Honda Insight hybrid.
The 1.8 litre Prius looks much the same as the outgoing Prius we see on the road, but now there is a luxury version that retails at RM145, 500 versus the base model price of RM139, 900. These prices are possible due to the Malaysian government’s decision to extend the zero import duty for hybrid vehicles. We certainly look forward to more great moves like this, as the motoring community will benefit in terms of getting more affordable cars while helping to keep the environment cleaner.
The Prius (1.8 litre model) comes with a re-designed front bumper that gives it a more ‘intense’ look, definitely an improvement over its predecessor, a light sensor for the twin projector headlamps(luxury model only)( standard model comes with halogen lights, and no light sensor), LED clearance lamps, and headlamp washers. There is a new design for the interior with a kind of ‘floating’ centre dash panel, and an optional reverse camera if you go for the optional JBL audio system. Leather seats are also available for the Luxury variant, but both carry leather-wrapped steering wheels, which feature telescopic and height adjustments. Wing mirrors are heated to keep them from frosting up.
Both the Prius 1.8 models come with LED tail and stop lamps, front fog lamps and daytime running lights. A rain sensor for the front wipers is also standard equipment. The Prius also comes with a smart entry and a heads-up display, and cruise control. As with the previous model, there are four driving modes, Normal, Power, Eco and EV – in EV mode, you can drive totally under stored electrical power (until the battery runs low, or you exceed 40 kph.)
Active safety features include VSC (Vehicle Stability control) and Traction Control (TC), and the ABS system comes with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and Brake Assist (BA). A reverse sensor is included. In terms of passive safety, there are seven airbags, made up of dual front bags, front side airbags, curtain bags, and driver’s knee airbag. For families with children, there is an ISOFIX mount at the rear.
The star of the launch today is really the Prius C, which is a hatchback, and thus is 485mm shorter than the Prius, and is 50mm (about 2 inches) narrower. It is a smaller car, but it will still seat 5 persons without too much of a problem. What it has going for it is a smaller, 1.5 litre engine that is mated to basically the same hybrid system as the larger and heavier Prius. The 1.5 litre engine produces 73 PS and 111 Nm of torque. When combined with the electric motor, power is boosted by 61 PS, and additional torque of 169Nm, giving the 1.5 litre engine the characteristics of a 2.0 litre engine (if there is enough power in the battery). Kerb weight is 1140 kg.
I am told the Prius C is equipped with an electrical compressor for the air conditioner system, which means the air-conditioner remains operational when you are stopped at a traffic light with your engine on auto-stop.
The Prius C also comes packed with safety features – Like the Prius, it comes with VSC and traction control, EBD, BA, and the same seven air-bag system. ISOFIX for the rear seat is also available. Basically, the Prius C is just a smaller version of the Prius, with a smaller capacity engine, and all the salient features of the Toyota hybrid systems.
Overall, the new Toyota Prius remains the good buy it has always been, and worldwide sales of more than three million units more than proves its popularity. The Prius C obviously is Toyota’s answer to the Honda Insight. With the Insight and Prius C price so close to each other, it will be a question of customer loyalty, and more so, availability of stocks that is going to decide who will be the winner in the race for more sales.
