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VISIT THE BRAND NEW
PRIUS 2004 WEBSITE
2004
Prius
West Coast Press Unveiling
2004
Prius
East Coast Press Unveiling
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Starting at just
$20,510*, the all-new 2004 Prius is now available at your local Toyota
dealer.
Try before you buy
More than just a quick trip around the block, this is your chance to be
among the first to spend some quality time with the all-new Prius. Call
a
Toyota
Rent a Car
(TRAC) participating dealer to rent a Prius and drive it at your
leisure.
Prius praise
Offering the highest EPA-estimated fuel economy of any mid-size car (60
mpg city/51 mpg highway**), and a wealth of performance features,
interior amenities and cargo space, Prius has captured the praise of
industry experts. See for yourself.
"Toyota's
new Prius is a techno-wonder of efficiency . . ."
--AutoWeek
Online
".
. . you don't have to be a greenie or a techno-geek to appreciate the
virtues of the 2004 Prius."
--The
Detroit News
"Exotic
inside and out."
--TheCarConnection.com
04/16/2003 New York, NY
The all-new second-generation Toyota Prius electric-gas hybrid
vehicle made its world premiere at a press conference today at the 2003
New York Auto Show.
"When the 2004 Prius arrives in dealerships this fall it will
exceed all expectations, marking the arrival of hybrid technology into
the mainstream consumer mindset," said Don Esmond, senior vice
president and general manager, Toyota Division. "Furthermore, the
debut of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system will represent a major
breakthrough in global-friendly powertrain technology."
In 1997 the Toyota Prius was the world's first mass-produced
electric-gas hybrid vehicle. Bigger and better in every metric of
comparison, the all-new 2004 Prius will usher in a new era of
electric-gas hybrid technology when it launches this fall. The new Prius
will feature increased interior space, moving from a compact to the
midsize class. Its new Hybrid Synergy Drive system will supply
significantly more power and performance, best-in-class fuel economy,
and best-in-market emissions performance.
The 2004 Prius will be the first Toyota equipped with the new
high-voltage/high-power Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. Like the
original Toyota Hybrid System (THS) on the current Prius, Hybrid Synergy
Drive is defined as a "full hybrid system." Unlike competitive
systems currently on the market, the full hybrid system is capable of
operating in either gas or electric modes, as well as a mode in which
both the gas engine and electric motor are in operation.
The advantages of a full hybrid system are numerous. The most important,
however, is that because the car can be run under certain conditions
with electric power only, fuel consumption, and emissions, can be
reduced significantly.
A major difference between the new Hybrid Synergy Drive concept, and
how it is improved over the current THS system centers on the duration
of electric-mode driving and the peak power delivered electrically. The
Hybrid Synergy Drive has a 50 percent more powerful 50-kilowatt
drive-motor operating at up to 500 volts. This increased voltage and
power is enabled by a newly adopted high-voltage power converter.
Additionally, the generator in the new Prius has a higher peak operating
speed that increases electric-mode operation in city and freeway
slow-and-go operation. With 50 percent more electric power available and
improved low-end torque from the drive motor, a significant boost in
acceleration performance is possible.
Hybrid Synergy Drive is expected to increase fuel efficiency in the
new Prius by 15 percent with combined mpg rising from the high 40's to
the mid-50's. This will enable Prius to have the best fuel efficiency
rating of any midsize vehicle sold in America, delivering twice the
combined mileage rating of its closest competitor. What's more, the
midsize Prius will also boast a higher combined mileage rating than any
compact sedan sold in America.
Hybrid Synergy Drive will significantly improve acceleration
performance from the mid- 12-second range to the mid- 10-second range.
This acceleration level is comparable to the Toyota Camry LE
four-cylinder.
Finally, Hybrid Synergy Drive will enable Prius to be nearly 30
percent lower in emissions than the current ultra-clean Prius, producing
nearly 90 percent fewer tailpipe pollutants than a conventional internal
combustion engine. When it arrives this fall, Prius will be certified as
a SULEV, or "Super-Ultra-Low-Emission-Vehicle" for tailpipe
emissions in California and those states adopting California standards.
In the rest of the country, Prius will be certified as Tier 2, Bin 3. In
addition, in California and those states adopting the California rules,
Prius will be certified as a PZEV category vehicle. PZEV, or
"Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle" is a category composed of
many elements. In addition to the SULEV exhaust standard, PZEV also
requires meeting a zero fuel evaporative standard, a 150,000-mile
durability demonstration and offering an extended emissions system
warranty.
Prius will feature dramatic and distinctive aerodynamic styling. With
its triangular mono-form shape, it is a dramatic visual departure from
the original Prius, and contributes greatly to one of the most
aerodynamic production vehicles on the planet. At an amazing 0.26, its
coefficient of drag will be a major factor in the vehicle's interior
noise isolation and will contribute to its significantly increased fuel
efficiency.
The new bolder design is the wrapping for a much larger package that
is full of surprises. The new Prius rides on an entirely new platform.
Although its wheelbase is nearly six inches longer than the current
Prius it retains a relatively short overall length, casting a shadow
only slightly larger than the current model. What is not so obvious from
the outside is its significantly larger midsize interior.
Designers were able to achieve this tour de force in packaging by
configuring Prius as a four-door lift-back. Not only does this layout
work well with the vehicle's slipstream styling, its rear lift-back and
fold-down rear seat combine to offer a new level of cargo hauling
flexibility.
The new Prius will be electronically controlled with by-wire throttle
and shift control. The new by-wire shift control allows Prius to replace
the traditional gearshift lever mounted on the floor or the steering
column with tap-of-the-finger shifting of a small joystick mounted on
the dash.
A Smart Entry and Smart Start option allows keyless entry and keyless
startup. As the driver reaches for the door handle, an on-board sensor
will recognize the signal from a key in his pocket and automatically
unlock the doors. Since the driver has already been security-cleared to
enter the vehicle, he can leave the fob in his pocket, push a start
button located on the dash, and drive away.
Smart Entry and Start is one of only a handful of options offered in
the new Prius. Offered in a single, well-equipped trim level, Prius
standard equipment will include ABS brakes, power windows, door locks
and mirrors, and a unique electric inverter air conditioning system.
Instead of running off the fan belt, the new inverter air conditioner is
fully electrically operated. Not only does this improve fuel efficiency,
it ensures passenger comfort, even when the gasoline engine is off and
the car is being propelled only by the electric motor.
"We've learned a lot about Prius since its launch in America
two-and-a-half years ago, said Esmond. "With increased interior
space, increased power and performance, best-in-class fuel economy, and
best-in-market performance, we are more convinced than ever that the new
Prius will continue to lead electric-gas hybrid technology into the
mainstream market." |
