A Peek at the 2010 Toyota Prius

There have been a lot of exciting electric & hybrid vehicles unveiled over the past couple years, but perhaps none have been as anticipated as the ‘Generation III’ 2010 Prius hybrid – simply because it’s attainable for so many people. The ‘Generation II’ model, as the 2004-2009 Prius is called, has been one of the most popular clean & green cars and the Gen III promises to improve upon its predecessor’s design.

Toyota has given us a peek at the 2010 Prius, which offers an EPA-rated combined cycle fuel economy of 50mpg. From Green Car Congress:

This is about a 10% improvement in EPA-rated combined cycle fuel economy over the older generation. Of that 10% improvement, about 6% can be attributed to the new hybrid system (including the larger combustion engine) and about 4% to efficiency improvements in other aspects of the vehicle, such as better aerodynamics, said Chief Engineer Akihiko Otsuka.

The newest version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive as applied in the 2010 Prius is more than 90% newly developed, and has produced more patents than previous Prius generations combined. Maximum system output, including the engine, is controlled to about 100 kW (134 hp).

Nominal pack voltage of the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery remains at 201.6 VDC. The more compact battery pack and system main relay assembly were repositioned, resulting in increased cargo volume and cabin comfort. Cooling air velocity and volume have been increased for increased cooling efficiency, resulting in overall improved battery efficiency and fuel economy. The pack is warranted for 10 years/150,000 miles.

At end of life, every part of the battery is recycled or processed for disposal at a dedicated facility in Japan.

More details about the engine, transaxle, inverter, fuel tank, driving modes and options packages are available at Green Car Congress.

Smug levels are going to go through the roof all over the country, not just in San Francisco, when this car is released. It’ll undoubtedly outsell the Gen II model since, as Toyota’s U.S. VP Bob Carter says, current Prius owners are eager to buy additional Priuses and it’s going to appeal to a big percentage of the public as well.

Link [Green Car Congress]

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