Model Update

Battling it out with the likes of the Honda Insight and Ford Fiesta Econetic, the new generation Toyota Prius has come out with barrels blazing. Of course, this is a hybrid machine, and all the latest technology for the optimum blend of battery and petrol power have made Toyota’s Prius very economical to run (under 4 litres/100 km).

You’ll note that the styling has a little more flair – which is a good thing because the outgoing model wasn’t anything to write home about. And Honda’s Insight looks nice on the road, too.
From the front bumper to the rear spoiler, every ridge and corner of the Prius optimises airflow all around the car. The car is designed to slip through the air to save on the amount of fuel used and emissions put out. With a drag coefficient of only 0.25, the Prius simply slips effortlessly through the air.

For all its high technology the Prius is a roomy and well equipped car. With things like LED headlamps, 15 or 17-inch alloys, a smart entry and start function, radar cruise control, a pre-collision safety system, Park Assist, seven SRS airbags, VSC and TRC all being standard features. And, of course, there is all the usual mod-cons like air-conditioning, electric windows, a nice stereo and big storage compartments. All of this is why you’ll find the latest Toyota Prius entertaining to drive and friendly on the environment.

A hybrid car is a petrol car that has an electric motor to power the vehicle at low speeds, or when idling. This technology has been used to help reduce all those nasty fumes and emissions that make riding a bike behind a petrol or diesel powered engine hell! The most famous hybrid car in the world today is, of course, the Toyota Prius.

Toyota has worked hard to improve the plain look of earlier Toyota Prius models and the current model is, indeed, very pleasing on the eye. The arched roof line complements the low slung bonnet line, and the headlight design is eye-catching. The conservative looking exterior is elegant and smooth. The Toyota Prius designers step away from the show-off, look-at-me-I-go-faster-than-you mentality that is attached to some sports and performance cars. The modern design boasts a very low co-efficient, meaning that the car is superbly aerodynamic. There is one thing that you will not be able to deny; the Prius is a car that treats the environment with respect.

When one understands that the leading purpose of the Toyota Prius is to be frugal and environmentally friendly, it is easy to forgive the car manufacturers for its modest performance statistics. Still, the car can spin through to a top speed of over 170 km/h. The 0-100 km/h time of 10.9 seconds is very good really, particularly when you consider that the maximum power available (which would be running on petrol only at this point) is a mild 57 kW. Its maximum torque is 115 Nm. If you’re interested in doing loads of commuting around town, or cruising and sightseeing on the open road, the Toyota Prius is most certainly the number one contender for the job. The Toyota Prius is a superbly economical car, and the 1.5 litre engine is capable of averaging 65.7 miles to the gallon – very thrifty indeed! And this is what the Toyota Prius is all about – low cost A to B travel.

On the road the Prius is unflustered and well balanced. The brakes perform very well, and are capable of reigning the car in from high speeds with ease.

Sitting inside the Toyota Prius, which seats 5, you are kept comfortable and safe. All seats have headrests that are adjustable. All three rear seats in the Toyota Prius have three-pointer seatbelts, and an Isofix child seat attachment has been provided. There are child-proof locks on the rear doors too. The seatbelts provided in the Toyota Prius come with pre-tensioners and force limiters, and a warning light shines if the seatbelt isn’t being used. Other safety features of the Toyota Prius include front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger. The Prius is also equipped with front and rear curtain airbags, an energy absorbing retracting steering column and a head impact protection structure. The car comes with an engine immobiliser, a remote control alarm and a “keys left in ignition” warning function – in case you’re absent minded. The keyless entry is another safety/security feature likely to make the Toyota Prius a small, yet very accomplished and practical family car.

Look beyond the high levels of safety found in the Prius, and you will discover that the car has handy 60/40 rear folding seats and a reasonable sized boot which is illuminated, comes with luggage load hooks, is fully trimmed, and comes with a tonneau cover and underfloor storage. The cabin in the Toyota Prius also has ample storage space for all those books, maps, drinks, toys and pens that families always seem to cart around with them. Four cup holders have been provided, plus a bottle holder in the front door storage bins. The Toyota Prius even provides a special place for the driver to store his/her sunglasses. The radio/cassette/CD player with 9 speakers will also help to keep fractious passengers entertained and calm during long drives.

Practical, economical, safe and eco-friendly. The Toyota Prius will make the conscientious lady or gentleman a very satisfied owner.

Current model series include:

• Toyota Prius 1.5
• Toyota Prius I-Tech 1.5

For any more information on the Toyota Prius, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Toyota dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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