Toyota this past week revealed more details of its new 2012 Prius V hybrid wagon - and reaffirmed plans to begin selling the car in the United States this fall, even though it has been delayed in Japan and other markets because of the March earthquake and tsunami.
The first new model in a planned expansion of the brand to create a family of vehicles bearing the Prius name, the V essentially is a crossover version of the midsize hatchback that arrived for 2010 as the third generation of Toyota's groundbreaking gasoline-electric gas saver.
Toyota says the Prius V is designed for "young, active families," giving them a roomier, more versatile alternative to the smaller hatchback. In fact, the "V" stands for "versatility," the automaker says.
It has the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system as the standard Prius, but not quite the same fuel economy - 44 mpg city/40 highway (42 average) versus 51/48 (50 average) for the 2011 Prius. Essentially, the extra bulk is responsible for the lower mileage ratings.
"The Prius V brings leading-edge hybrid technology to customers who need more room and provides more cargo space than 80 percent of all small SUVs," Toyota Division Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter said.
"And because it's a Prius, it produces 66 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle and will have the best mileage ratings of any SUV, crossover or wagon sold in America," he said.
Toyota already has a larger hybrid crossover, the midsize Highlander, which can be configured for up to seven passengers. The five-passenger Prius V will compete in the compact crossover class, where the only hybrid models offered now are the Ford Escape and its clone, the Mazda Tribute.
Behind the rear seat, the Prius V has 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and that can be expanded substantially by folding the rear seatback. Even the front seatback can be leaned forward to accommodate longer items, such as snow skis.
Under the hood is the same 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, 98-horsepower Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine used in the 2011 Prius. There also are two high-output electric motors - including an 80-horsepower unit that helps drive the car and a separate, smaller one that starts the engine and also serves as a generator to recharge the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.
With the gasoline engine and larger motor working together, the Prius V has a total of 134 horsepower (not all of the engine and motor horsepower is available at the same time).
As with the current Prius, the V model will be able to run on either the engine or the electric motor alone, or a mix of the two. A computer controller manages the drive system, and it uses both automatic engine start/stop and regenerative braking to conserve fuel. Regenerative braking converts the car's rolling inertia into electric power to recharge the battery when the vehicle is decelerating.
There are four driving modes - standard, Eco, EV and Power. In the EV mode, the V can go up to a mile on battery power alone, at speeds up to about 25 mph. This is good for stop-and-go, low-speed driving in downtown city traffic.
When in the Power mode, the V uses more gasoline, but can more easily handle hills and can make faster starts. In the Eco mode, fuel economy is maximized, allowing the car's onboard computer to take care of "hypermiling" chores automatically (as long as the driver lets it). This mode also limits air-conditioner output so it might not be the best choice on the hottest Texas summer days.
The Prius V has a compact exterior, but there is 50 percent more cargo space than in the hatchback. Its EPA classification is "midsize station wagon." The overall look is quite similar to that of the current Prius, but the rear end is squared off like a wagon or SUV.
There is a rear roof spoiler designed to improve airflow, thus reducing drag and helping to save fuel. The car has a 0.29 coefficient of drag, which is on par with many sports cars.
All passengers will have higher seating positions than in the Prius hatchback, making the cabin more like that of an SUV. There are bucket seats in front and a three-person bench in the rear.
For even more utility, the rear seat slides back and forth, and the back reclines up to 45 degrees. The seatback has a 60/40 split so it can be folded down in sections.
Among options will be a plastic panoramic moon roof over the front and rear seats, with power retractable sunshades. The plastic makes it 40 percent lighter than a comparably sized glass moon roof, Toyota says.
Standard features include electric air conditioning, keyless push-button start, back-up camera, parking switch, electronic shift lever and power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote.
There will be a long list of high-tech options, including LED headlights, radar cruise control and the advanced parking-guidance system that can parallel park the car on its own.
Among safety features will be front seat-mounted side air bags, roof-mounted side-curtain bags for both rows, four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact beams and leg-absorption pads.
Also included is a new front-seat design to help reduce whiplash injuries; electronic stability control, with traction control; and Toyota's new Smart Stop brake-override system (it automatically cuts power to the wheels when the brake is applied, virtually eliminating the threat of a runaway vehicle).
There are several storage areas throughout the interior, including dual glove boxes, a center console with a utility tray and five cup holders. There are bottle holders in the front and rear door pockets, and Toyota says most versions will have an overhead storage bin, suitable for sunglasses or other small items.
Storage bins also are built into the sides of the cargo area and under the cargo floor. There is even a "special space for umbrellas" under the second row of seats, the automaker says.
Available will be a new upholstery material called SofTex, which is designed to resist stains and spills and to take the kind of heavy wear that family vehicles often encounter, Toyota says. This new plastic material weighs half as much as leather or traditional plastic upholstery and is easier to clean.
State-of-the-art electronics and connectivity will be available, including a Bluetooth wireless phone hookup and a USB port for iPods/iPhones or other music devices. The standard audio system will have six speakers and a 6.1-inch color LCD screen, which also will serve as the display for the car's energy monitor and back-up camera.
Optional will be a premium JBL audio system with a hard-drive navigation system. It features Toyota's Entune multimedia system, which includes mobile apps for Web searches, travel services and live weather and traffic information.
No prices have been announced yet, but expect the Prius V to start in the range of $25,000 to $27,000. The 2011 Prius hatchback models range from $21,650 to $28,320 (plus $760 freight and options).
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