Geneva 2011: Toyota Previews Three-Row Prius+ For European Market

At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota has unveiled a new member of the Prius family of hybrids to be sold in Europe. The Toyota Prius+ is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle, and is Toyota’s first non-plug-in hybrid to use lithium-ion batteries.

With its extended roofline (complete with panoramic sunroof), the big sister to the popular Prius hatchback features a second row with three independent folding seats, as well as a third row, with two 50/50 split-folding seats. According to Toyota’s press release, the Prius+ offers the best fuel economy of any seven-passenger vehicle. It is due to go on sale in the European market in the first half of next year, with no word yet as to plans for North America.

Although not a plug-in, the Prius+ borrows the space-saving lithium-ion battery from the Prius Plug-In, also set to go on sale in 2012. Like the standard Prius, the Prius+ has three different drive modes available on demand. EV mode allows the vehicle to operate for short distances under electric power alone. Eco mode manages power flow from the battery and gasoline engine for maximum fuel economy. Power mode allows the driver to get the highest performance available from the vehicle.

Scroll down for more details in the press release from Toyota.


Europe’s first seven-seat full hybrid revealed at Geneva motor show

KEY POINTS

    * Geneva debut for new Prius+ full hybrid MPV
    * Lowest fuel consumption and emissions of any seven-seat vehicle on the market
    * Designed from the ground-up, while retaining key Prius family styling cues
    * First non-plug-in Toyota hybrid to use lithium-ion battery pack
    * Due for European market launch in first half of 2012
    * Positive initial response from Prius Plug-in lease demonstration programme

The new Prius+ makes its debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show, representing further expansion of Toyota’s Prius family. It is the first full hybrid model in Europe to offer seven seats, combining family friendly versatility with strong environmental performance and advanced technology.

As its name suggests, Prius+ provides a significant increase in space and passenger accommodation compared to its sister hatchback model. There are three independent, split-folding second row seats and a 50:50 split-folding third row. In spite of the increase in size, it retains the fundamental performance benefits associated with Prius, including the lowest fuel consumption of any seven-seater on the market.

Set to go on sale during the first half of 2012, Prius+ is a new vehicle, designed from the ground up. Its exterior represents an evolution of the established Prius design, rather than simply being an elongated version of the standard model.

The look of the new car is characterised by its extended roofline with an integrated panoramic (fixed) sunroof. It retains the Prius triangular silhouette and achieves a Cd 0.29 drag coefficient. The trapezoidal front end incorporates sharp-edged headlamps, flat, vertical ‘aero’ corners that reduce air turbulence, and an enlarged lower grille to improve aerodynamics and engine cooling.

The rear of the car features a top-hinged tailgate, intricate lamp clusters and a roof spoiler that further manages smooth airflow.

Prius+ is equipped with the latest generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive and is the first Toyota non-plug-in hybrid to use a lithium-ion battery pack. The compact dimensions of this battery – first introduced in Prius Plug-in – allow it to be contained entirely beneath the second row seats, which means passenger and loadspace and the vehicle’s interior flexibility are unaffected.

As in the standard Prius, Prius+ features three ‘on-demand’ drive modes so that capabilities of the hybrid powertrain can be fully exploited. EV mode allows the car to be driven on electric motor power alone, resulting in zero fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions; ECO mode maximises hybrid system efficiency and fuel economy, while POWER mode sharpens response and boosts performance.

Toyota Prius Plug-in
Toyota also aims to bring Prius Plug-in to the global market in the second half of 2012 and in preparation for this around 600 vehicles are currently taking part in demonstration lease programmes worldwide, including 20 in London. These projects are designed to assess every aspect of real-world use and verify the car’s overall environmental and technological performance before going on sales

Initial feedback from European lease project customers is very encouraging. Most of those surveyed have reported that the car exceeds their expectations, in many cases by a significant degree. Two thirds have expressed themselves fully satisfied with the car’s EV driving range, which in real-world testing has exceeded nine miles.

ENDS