Posted on February 26, 2012, Sunday
Toyota Motor Corporation has been a mainstream automotive forerunner in addressing global environmen?tal issues with designs incorpo?rating energy saving technology such as reduced emissions, low drag coefficients and integrated electric motors.
The Japanese marquee?s Prius is at the forefront of this move?ment as its namesake (Latin for ?to go before?) heralds the new wave in ?green? automobile design, having been introduced in its native country in 1997, long before this concept became a mainstream social issue.
Currently in its third genera?tion, the mid-size hybrid electric hatchback vehicle boasts an impressive fuel efficiency of 38 kilometres per litre while emitting 89 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
The test drive model had a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol combustion engine and a 60 kilo?watt electric motor powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery with a total of 168 cells.
Alongside a continuously vari?able transmission (CVT), linking all these components was a comprehensive powertrain integration system known as Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The vehicle looked quite aerodynamic and futuristic as I approached it, and for good reasons: the low drag coefficient of 0.25 was an integral part of the fuel efficient design and this was the wave of the future. Box car makers, take note.
The Prius looked deceptively modest in size at first glance but upon stepping into it (keyless entry via an intelligent key), I could not help but smile at its spacious interior. This was go?ing to be a comfortable drive.
The interior was eye-pleasing as well with high grade fabric seats, leather bound steering wheel, multi-function LCD dis?play and asymmetrical centre console giving it a comfortably organic feel.
The centre console featured a CD/radio system powered by eight speakers, matching climate control system and a curiously modest shifter with minimal travel but clear markings of its directions and functions.
The control buttons on the steering wheel were ergonomi?cally situated to facilitate intuitive manipulation sound system volume, station tunings, hands-free phone via Bluetooth, temperature control and the all-important toggle button for various display parameters.
The boot space, at 445 litres, gave ample room for storage; extra room which was facilitated by collapsing the rear seats, ef?fectively doubling the volume.
Upon pushing the start but?ton, I could not even tell that the powerhouse was alive as it was almost dead silent in the cabin. Stepping out to touch the bonnet, I was astounded by the nearly unperceivable vibrations of the vehicle.
Moving along, the vehicle seemed to glide on air as I drove down the city roads. The CVT performed smoothly as I did not feel any gear changes, if there were any.
The multi-function display illustrated the various param?eters that were in play as I selected the various modes of operation: power, eco, EV and normal where the previous three mode buttons disabled.
In EV mode, the Prius was powered solely by the electric motor, making it an electric ve?hicle; of course, this mode was limited by speed and distance travelled.
In eco mode, the car became more energy efficient with fuel savings and a slight dip in per?formance. In contrast, the power mode gave impressive perform?ance as the car accelerated with ease and efficiency.
In terms of overall powertrain integration, the combustion engine and the electric motor worked seamlessly to pump sufficient power and torque to the vehicle.
While the acceleration was not immediately punchy, the car performed as a green automobile could. After all, expecting loads of sports car performance would defeat the purpose of choosing an energy saving machine.
In terms of safety measures, the seven SRS bags along with the active seat headrests and high integrity cabin were well implemented to create a high level of protection to the oc?cupants.
Overall, I felt that the Prius was a step up from the previous generation of hybrid vehicles and rival contemporaries in the local market. The concept of the green car was definitely advancing, perhaps into its adolescence as new technologies were developed.
The march towards an en?vironmentally friendly auto?motive world is definitely in motion and the Prius reflects a milestone achievement in this movement.
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Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/02/26/toyota-prius-hybrid-technology-grows-up/
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