Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid can't get any greener
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept -- Click above for high-res image gallery
One day children, will be taken to a Museum of Momentous Moments, and there among artist's impressions of the missing link and the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs will be an example of the first Toyota Prius. The placard next to it will declare that it is the car that turned green... green.
The standard bearer for all that makes Mother Nature smile has gone to the next level, adding a plug-in version to its bag of sticks and twigs. It isn't here yet, but whenever it does arrive, the Prius-with-an-outlet will also be the first Toyota with a high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes on a 230-volt circuit. It'll also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity alone. And then it will do your laundry and teach your children how to be quiet on airplanes. Or something like that. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump and check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Toyota Plug-In Prius
PRESS RELEASE
Clean urban mobility
Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Reinforcing the company's environmental leadership in addressing the needs of tomorrow's customers today, Toyota is leading the drive towards sustainable mobility through the goal of the ultimate Eco Car.
In recognition of the importance of energy diversification, the latest development in Toyota's plug-in vehicle programme, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, represents a significant expansion of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system's capabilities and introduces a further development in environmentally-friendly mobility.
New Prius
The New Prius is the world's most advanced expression of mass mobility. A full hybrid, it delivers the best environmental performance of any mass-produced vehicle technology available today.
With performance and dynamic abilities comparable with any mid-sized competitor, the Prius delivers CO2 and NOx emission levels below far smaller cars, while its running costs are expected to be the lowest within the mid-sized segment.
Today, however, the Prius is no longer seen as a niche model to be evaluated only against specialised criteria. By significantly increasing its fundamental appeal, the new Prius offers the three key customer benefits of driving pleasure; space, style and technology; and low cost of ownership. It combines all the space and practicality expected of a high quality family car with numerous, entirely intuitive, technological innovations new to the mid-sized segment.
In 2007 and 2008, the Prius was ranked highest in JD Power's German and UK customer satisfaction surveys, and has topped the rankings in France for the last three years. It has also recently been awarded a maximum 5-star rating in the new, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test assessment.
In August 2009, Prius was ranked the most environmentally-friendly car, for the fourth time since 2004, by the German association for sustainable mobility, Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD).
Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Product concept and role
70 % of Europeans are expected to live in urban areas by 2015. And recent Toyota studies in urban commuting patterns in France and the UK reveal that over 80 % of car journeys are less than 25 km in length. In France, 55 % of journeys are less than 10 km, whilst in the UK that figure rises to approximately 80 %. In this context, the potential of electricity for providing short- to mid-term sustainable mobility is assured.
Although the environmental merits of electric cars as urban commuters is well proven, the further development of such vehicles is currently handicapped by the weight, size and cost of the large capacity batteries required to offer even barely satisfactory range, and the lack of an adequate recharging infrastructure.
In launching the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, Toyota has addressed both of these issues. It has determined that, in light of current battery development progress, plug-in hybrid architecture is the most feasible technological solution for the electrification of powertrains.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle overcomes the issue of limited cruising range. Once the vehicle exceeds the driving range in EV mode, it automatically operates as a traditional full hybrid.
A derivative of the new Prius, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept builds on the core technology of Hybrid Synergy Drive® to address the specific needs of urban-based customers. It is a full hybrid vehicle in which both the electric motor and petrol engine can drive the wheels. A fully electric EV mode is employed for shorter ranges, while the hybrid powertrain's petrol engine provides the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept with true long range capability.
Offering a significant expansion of the hybrid drive system's electric drive mode capabilities, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept avoids the traditional, limited range and challenging packaging issues of today's electric vehicles. Moreover, it can be quickly recharged from a conventional household electricity outlet or a public charging post.
In early 2010, over 500 units equipped with lithium-ion batteries, will participate in a limited lease programme worldwide. More than 150 units will be deployed to Europe alone. Before these vehicles can become a commercial reality, Toyota must evaluate each of these technology enhancements in a real-world environment. Through this programme, we aim to evaluate the market's response and understand which product characteristics are appealing and why.
Performance
Similar in format to the new Prius' Hybrid Synergy Drive® system, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept's powertrain replaces the nickel-metal hydride battery pack with a newly developed, high-output, lithium-ion battery.
Lithium-ion batteries are used for the first time in a Toyota hybrid vehicle because they have different characteristics to their nickel-metal hydride counterparts. They are also more compact, having superior volumetric energy density, meaning vehicle weight and packaging need not be adversely affected.
Moreover, and most important to retaining the intrinsic convenience of the vehicle, lithium-ion batteries may be recharged far more quickly that nickel-metal hydride alternatives. The battery pack of a Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept can be fully recharged in one and a half hours (at 230V).
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept's lithium-ion battery pack ensures strong, seamless acceleration and a maximum speed of 100 km/h when driven in EV mode. With a fully charged battery, it can travel approximately 20 km in EV mode – an increase of 10 km compared to its nickel metal hydride predecessor.
For longer distances, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept operates in the manner of a normal full hybrid.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid generates CO2 emissions below 60 g/km and, like other full hybrid models, realises a significant reduction in PM and NOx.
The reduction of CO2 emissions is a key benefit of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, due to its expanded EV range. Even greater CO2 reductions are possible if the electricity is generated from renewable sources, such as windmills and solar panels. Simply put: the lower the percentage of energy derived from fossil fuels, the better the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept's well-to-wheel CO2 performance.
Convenience
The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept shares all the comfort, convenience and practicality of the latest generation Prius.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept's air conditioning may be activated remotely, when the vehicle is plugged in. Through heating or cooling, the Remote Climate Control System brings the cabin to the required temperature before occupancy.
An exclusive Hybrid System Indicator has also been incorporated to help drivers maximise the benefits of driving in EV mode. The EV driving range based on remaining battery charge has been incorporated within the battery indicator, and an engine starting point display has been added to emphasise the increase in EV driving range.
A display that specifically highlights the Plug-in Hybrid's contribution to CO2 emission reductions is also available on the Electro Multi-Vision screen. It features a computer graphic image of a single tree gradually transforming into an entire forest during the battery charging process.
A significant development in environmentally-friendly mobility, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept offers commuters and city dwellers all the benefits of an electric vehicle with none of the handicaps. Its enhanced Hybrid Synergy Drive® system combines an expanded, zero CO2 emission EV driving mode range with a true long range capability, and can be fully recharged from standard outlets in one and a half hours.
Specifications
Engine
Displacement (cm3) 1798
Max. output (kW(hp)/rpm) 73 (98) / 5200
Max. torque (Nm/rpm) 142 / 4000
Motor
Motor type Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Max. output (hp/kW) 80 / 60
Max. torque (Nm) 207
HV battery
Battery type Lithium-ion
EV cruising range (km) 20*
Recharging time (min) 100V 180*
200V 100*
Exhaust emissions
CO2 (g/km) below 60*
Exterior dimensions
Overall length (mm) 4460
Overall width (mm) 1745
Overall height (mm) 1490
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
monica 10:00AM (9/21/2009)
I'm worried for the volt and leaf. I'll choose this one among the 3.
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Jon 10:10AM (9/21/2009)
Me too. With the right price it'll sell like hotcakes, despite having an inferior range to the Volt. I'm hoping that lots of people will buy this car and increase demand for public charging outlets.
Nick From Montreal 10:12AM (9/21/2009)
I know what you mean. The Prius kind of looks better than the LEAF or the Volt.... However, no plug, no sale. So, I'd get a LEAF and pimp it like crazy to hide the original design.
Jon 10:23AM (9/21/2009)
But it does have a plug... that's what the article is about.
Nick From Montreal 10:40AM (9/21/2009)
I meant: no pure EV, no sale. This 20km EV mode bellow highway speed is a joke. Tuners have don better with a software upgrade.
Actually might be a great new business: turn fugly pure EVs into beautiful cars...
monica 10:10AM (9/21/2009)
I'm worried for the volt and leaf. I'll choose this one among the 3.
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gorr 10:45AM (9/21/2009)
It's not a bad car if you can drive electric only at normal speed and the total range is not affected. If i had this car, i will have a windmill to charge it instead of the standard coal electricity or natural gas electricity of nuclear electricity.
Anyway, im more interrested in a old clunker of 1000$ + a new compressed hydrogen tank of 700$ + some fitting and gazeous injectors of 300$, that way even less pollution.
I think that a green car should offer more h.p, without fuel cost. This prius from toyota is costly 30 000$ +, and still need fuel cost like wall socket electricity and gasoline. It's really a small offer , selled at high price. Few h.p, low speed, small range, 100 years old ice technology, stupid and tasteless form, constrained cabin and driving position, etc.
It's a very costly solution to move forward on the road with minimum pollution for a short while, 20 miles. Toyota can do better. All actual prius sale will postpone the real green car, because they will say that this is a green car and try not to offer the real green car to keep this limp and el-cheapo over-priced brown-black car on the market. Just postpone any car expenditure toward all car makers, till they offer for sale a real green car.
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Alan 2:22PM (9/21/2009)
As much as I hate to say it, this might have to do for me. If it's significantly cheaper than the Volt, Leaf or iMiev. If I can persuade work to get a charging station installed I'd still be able to commute all electric. Please Nissan, just sell the Leaf at a huge loss for a few years ;-)
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augustus 11:29AM (9/21/2009)
What is the pure EV acceleration? 15-20s to 62mph?
The battery capacity isn't that good but the price will probably not be that much more than the current Prius (compared to the battery cost in a Leaf).
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Mrfrancophile 12:18PM (9/21/2009)
I'm sorry - 20km just doesn't cut it for the US. Most of our metropolitan areas are just too large for that range to be adequate to avoid regularly firing up the gas engine and burning dinosaurs. Say or think what you will about GM, but their research is more on the money - 40-50 miles all-electric is what most Americans need for daily use. Those of us living in dense metro areas like New York are better off avoiding owning a car altogether for getting around the city. Those living elsewhere - be it Boston, Dallas, LA, Seattle or San Francisco live in an extended metro area that often involves longer commutes or, for those taking care of the kiddies, longer trips to schools, shopping centers, etc.
The plug-in Prius may find love elsewhere, but I think they'll find that longer range PHEVs and BEVs will find greater acceptance and market love.
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skierpage 5:05PM (9/21/2009)
@Mrfrancophile,
You state an absolute and then immediately contradict yourself by saying "Most". So 20km all-electric will work great for some drivers; choice is good.
"In 2007 and 2008, the Prius was ranked highest in JD Power's German and UK customer satisfaction surveys, and has topped the rankings in France for the last three years." Much like the USA. The current Prius is a ridiculously accomplished appliancemobile.
fnc 1:49PM (9/21/2009)
Interesting development given how often and how vocally Toyota has stated how unfit lithium ion batteries are for cars. My guess is that they're trying to make the Prius into an ER-EV while they play the waiting game with suitably priced/capacity batteries. As prices fall, they'd surely upgrade the pack to give a more usable range.
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Nozferat 2:45PM (9/21/2009)
Toyota should bring the Auris and make it a plug in too...
There's no reason hybrids need to look ugly.
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Ernie 4:14PM (9/21/2009)
Heh. The Prius is ugly? Compared to what, a Civic, the top-selling car in America? It seems that most people don't really want a work of art in their driveway.
Also, here's a hint: if you want better gas mileage, you *must* make the car more aerodynamic. With the right shape, you can get 150 MPG without a hybrid drivetrain. That "right shape" is basically the Aptera, but without the side mirrors. So if you think that car looks ugly, then it's time to give up on your high-mileage dreams until the cost of huge, high capacity batteries comes down to about 1/4 of what it is now, or fuel cells come down to 1/25th their current cost.
Until that time, shut up. No amount of magic pixie dust will fix the fact that aerodynamics is the single biggest drain on the kinetic energy of an object moving through air.
skierpage 4:24PM (9/21/2009)
The Auris has worse coefficient of drag and is wider and taller than the Prius despite having less interior room, so it's likely the Auris HSD will achieve worse economy and emissions than the Prius with the same powertrain. There's a reason the Prius has its shape, though some details like 2010's ugly slashed headlamps could be better.
The Auris has the shorter hatchback shape popular in Europe, it would be nice if it came to the USA.
Nozferat 4:44PM (9/21/2009)
I didn't say the Prius is ugly...but it's not a good looking car either. Compared to something like the Auris or other nice compacts, it's pretty ugly.
What I am saying is there is no reason a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle needs to look utilitarian and dulled down. It can still look sporty and chic even if it doesn't do 0-60 in 4 seconds....that can be reserved for people with deep rooted issues who need ego boosts.
Nozferat 4:47PM (9/21/2009)
I also understand the reason for the Prius shape...I'm not a dumb petrol head like some others on these threads. But I'll gladly lose a couple of MPG to get a nice looking vehicle instead.
It would be great if cars like the Fit, C3 Citroen, Clio, etc were hybrids and still had sport's level packaging. Nothing wrong with that. Even when fully loaded, they'll still completely obliterate overweight crap like SUVs and stupidly overpowered sedans like the Taurus, etc....
tinman 3:17PM (9/21/2009)
"It has determined that, in light of current battery development progress, plug-in hybrid architecture is the most feasible technological solution for the electrification of powertrains."
Bet you never thought you'd hear Toyota saying that.
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Serge 6:09PM (9/21/2009)
Gotta love these corporate PR people.
Ralph 12:25AM (9/22/2009)
Its a good start, but as mentioned here I also believe that Toyota is just waiting for battery costs to come down and efficiency to go up. I fully expect to see a Prius that will do 40 miles and be able to run at legal freeway speeds and beyond on electric power alone around the time that the Volt comes out.
As much as I like the serial hybrid concept, I think that Toyota will try and sink the more expensive Volt as soon as it gets out of the starting gate.
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