Toyota Prius (XW50)

The fourth-generation Toyota Prius was first shown during September 2015 in Las Vegas,[4] and was released for retail customers in Japan on December 9, 2015. The launch in North American market occurred in January 2016, and February in Europe. Toyota expected to sell 12,000 fourth generation Prius cars a month in Japan, and to reach annual sales between 300,000 and 350,000 units.

2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid (Singapore; pre-facelift)
Interior
2018 Toyota Prius (facelift, Taiwan)
2019 Toyota Prius (facelift, United States)
For a complete overview of all Prius models, see Toyota Prius.

Toyota Prius (XW50)
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
ProductionDecember 2015 – present
Model years2016–present
AssemblyJapan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant)
DesignerShunsaku Kodama (2012)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact car (C)
Body style5-door liftback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (e-Four)[2]
PlatformTNGA: GA-C[3]
RelatedToyota Mirai
Toyota Corolla (E210)
Powertrain
Engine1.8 L 2ZR-FXE I4 (gasoline hybrid)
TransmissioneCVT
Hybrid drivetrainPower-split Hybrid
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,570 mm (180.0 in)
Width1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Curb weight3,010–3,080 lb (1,365–1,397 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorToyota Prius (XW30)

In August 2013, Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso, who was chief engineer for the Prius line, announced some of the improvements and key features of the next generation Prius.[5][6] The next Prius is the first vehicle to use the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) modular platform, which provides a lower center of gravity and increased structural rigidity. These features, along with other improvements allow for gains in ride-and-handling, agility and aerodynamics. The improved aerodynamics contribute to an all-new exterior design, which includes a roomier interior. Ogiso also explained that the next-generation Prius plug-in hybrid, the Prius Prime, was developed in parallel with the standard Prius model.[7][8]

The fourth generation Prius is 2.4 in (6.1 cm) longer, 0.6 in (1.5 cm) wider and 0.8 in (2.0 cm) lower; at the rear a double wishbone independent suspension replaces its predecessors' torsion beam. The front uses standard LED headlamps. Toyota has claimed that it has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.24, better than the 0.25 claimed for the third-generation model, and the same as the American Tesla Model S.[9] A tow hitch option is available in the UK for up to 725 kg (1,600 lb).[10]

In 2020, for the 2021 model year, Toyota USA released the 2020 Edition Prius. Based on the XLE model, differences where mostly black wheels, badges and trim and carpets with a "Prius 2020 Edition" insert.[11][12]

Powertrain

The fourth-generation Prius was designed to deliver significantly improved fuel economy in a more compact package that is lighter in weight and lower in cost. These objectives were achieved through the development of a new generation of powertrains with significant advances in battery, electric motor and gasoline engine technologies. It features improved batteries with higher energy density; smaller electric motors, with higher power density than the previous Prius motors; and the gasoline engine features a maximum thermal efficiency greater than 40% (that of the third-generation Prius is 38.5%). The Prius fuel economy has improved on average by about 10% each generation, and Toyota has set the challenge to continue to improve at this rate.[7][8]

Under the Japanese JC08 cycle test, Toyota expects the fourth generation Prius to achieve a fuel economy rating of 40.8 km/l (115 mpg‑imp; 96 mpg‑US). The 2016 model year Prius has an official EPA fuel economy rating of 54 mpg‑US (4.4 L/100 km; 65 mpg‑imp) for city, 50 mpg‑US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg‑imp) for highway, and 52 mpg‑US (4.5 L/100 km; 62 mpg‑imp) for combined driving. The new Eco version available in mid-grade level two trim, which features lithium-ion batteries, has an official EPA rating of 58 mpg‑US (4.1 L/100 km; 70 mpg‑imp) city, 53 mpg‑US (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp) highway, and 56 mpg‑US (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg‑imp) combined.[13] This improved efficiency is largely due to the reduced weight of the Eco, which has a lighter battery, does not carry a spare tire, and lacks some features such as rear-window wiper and trunk-lid lining.[14]

The 2016 Prius Eco with a combined city/highway fuel economy of 56 mpg‑US (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg‑imp), passed the 2000 first generation Honda Insight 53 mpg‑US (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp) as the most fuel efficient car available in the US without plug-in capability. However the Honda Insight still achieves a highway rating of 61 mpg‑US (3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg‑imp), which is higher than the Prius highway rating of 53 mpg‑US (4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp).[13] As of March 2016, only three plug-in hybrid models available in the market have a higher combined fuel economy than the Prius Eco in terms of their combined EV mode/hybrid fuel economy, the BMW i3 REx (88 MPG-e), the Chevrolet Volt (77 MPG-e), and first generation Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (56 MPG-e).[15]

In late November 2018, for the 2019 model year, the U.S. market Prius lineup introduced an all-wheel drive model featuring Toyota's E-Four system. This has been available for the Japanese market Prius since 2015 and the hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Lexus NX.[16] Also, the Prius received a facelift with redesigned headlights and taillights, which was released in Japan on December 17, 2018.[17]

References
  1. Cobb, Jeff. "2016 Prius Designer Owes Inspiration to Lady Gaga". Hybridcars.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. Golson, Daniel. "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive".
  3. Dowling, Neil (8 March 2016). "Driven: Reset for Toyota's Prius hybrid king". GoAuto. Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  4. "Beyond Possible: The Sky's the Limit for the All-New 2016 Prius at Las Vegas World Premiere Event" (Press release). US: Toyota. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  5. Muller, Joann (29 August 2013). "Toyota Unveils Plans For 15 New Or Improved Hybrids (It Already Has 23)". Forbes. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  6. Trudell, Craig; Ohnsman, Alan (28 August 2013). "Toyota Refines Battery Chemistry to Boost Next Prius Efficiency". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  7. Rechtin, Mark (28 August 2013). "Next Prius will cost less, get better fuel economy, Toyota engineer says". Automotive News. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  8. "Toyota broadly outlines next-generation Prius; developing wireless inductive charging for the plug-in model; bullish on hydrogen". US: Green Car Congress. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  9. Greimel, Hans (13 October 2015). "Toyota, aiming for new showcase, packs Prius with tech". Automotive News. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  10. Joseph, Noah (2 May 2016). "2016 Toyota Prius can tow a 1,600-pound trailer, for some reason". Autoblog. US. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  11. Bruce, Chris (11 May 2020). "2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition Celebrates 20 Years Of Hybrid Motoring". Motor1. US. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  12. "The Car That Changed an Industry: Toyota Marks 20th Anniversary of Prius With Special Anniversary Edition" (Press release). US: Toyota. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  13. "Compare Side-by-Side - 2015 Toyota Prius, 2016 Toyota Prius and 2016 Toyota Prius Eco". US: US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  14. Shenhar, Gabe (18 November 2015). "Behind the Wheel of the More-Efficient 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  15. "Fueleconomy.gov Top Ten - Top Fuel Sippers (EPA Ratings, All Years)". US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016. Click on the link "Top Fuel Sippers (EPA Ratings, All Years)" Excludes all-electric vehicles.
  16. Golson, Daniel (8 November 2018). "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive". Car and Driver. US. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  17. "2019 Toyota Prius gets a facelift and all-wheel drive". 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
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