There's a lot more green car competition on the road for Toyota than there was 10 years ago. Can Prius handle the competition?
As 2011 approaches, almost every car company has its own line of hybrid variants. And with others selling their hybrids for thousands less, will Toyota survive?
Prius has the name and reputation - it is well known as the first and best hybrid out there. The sales figures show, Toyota, even after that braking issue in the press, remains a favorite of car buyers.
2011's upcoming hybrid, along with a full electric plug-in version, have a number of great additions. These include a moon roof with solar panels, four driving modes, Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA), and steering wheel touch controls.
The first-generation Prius was rated 41 EPA mpg, and the second-generation model raised that figure to 46 mpg. The 2010 model marks another significant incremental improvement to 50 miles per gallon (combined city/highway). And a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine powers the car.
An electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation system also help boost efficiency. Also, the engine has no belts under the hood, resulting in better fuel economy and less potential maintenance. The air circulator, which is powered by solar panels, prevents the interior air temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked.
The 0 to 60 mph test takes 9.8 seconds now, an improvement of over one second. Disc brakes are now used on all four wheels, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the current model.
Around the corner comes those "more affordable" hybrid cars from other auto makers. Toyota might have to step up its game even more, outside of moon-roofs and solar panels, to remain in the hybrid game.
Test drive the incoming new Prius cars today at R & H Toyota - 9801 Reisterstown Road - Owings Mills, MD 21117.
source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-prius.html
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