The new version of the world’s best-selling hybrid, the Prius, has just been unveiled. The fourth-generation Prius will be displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.
The Prius has achieved admirable success worldwide thanks to its eco-friendly capabilities and the brand hopes to further capitalise on this success with its fourth run of the model. While it remains a mid-sized hatchback, the new version draws a lot of design inspiration from the hydrogen fuel-cell powered Mirai revealed by Toyota last year. The angles are sharp and the head- and taillamps are bold and aggressive.
The new model is based on Toyota’s modular platform, called New Global Architecture. The result of this has apparently provided the Prius with a sportier feel thanks to its lower centre of gravity and double-wishbone suspension. The new Prius is also lower, longer and wider than its predecessor. With these visual and structural changes, Toyota says the new Prius will retain an enjoyable driving experience.
Inside, the vehicle’s new-age layout remains, but with more finesse thanks to its gloss finish dashboard and a more digital infotainment system and climate controls as seen in the Toyota Auris. The seats are now more contoured to aid comfort, while the digital cluster that provides the driver with useful eco-driving information and statistics is placed at the center of the dash to retain a futuristic element.
The main aim of the Prius is to be as fuel-efficient as possible, and to achieve this the new generation has been made lighter and more aerodynamic. While the battery system has been given more density, the components that make up the hybrid system are lighter. Toyota appears to be very proud of the fact that the height of the badge on the front bumper is almost exactly the same as that of the 86 and claims this to be “a remarkable achievement in height and mass reduction”.
Lastly, the new Prius will feature safety innovations such as pre-collision detection, lane assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.
Toyota plans to release the new Prius early next year.
