Toyota Prius 2006 test drive - 2008 hatchback

Review of the Toyota Prius hybrid car

Design features
City Okadzaki:
Toyota is now producing a considerable number of hybrid machines included in various model range: Toyota Harrier, Toyota Alphard, Lexus GS450H, export Toyota Camry, etc. However, in terms of design, most of them, against the background of their relatives with internal combustion engines, do not stand out anything special. The exception is perhaps only one car - Toyota Prius. It was here that the appearance was developed in unity with the solution of technical problems. Therefore, it is safe to say that the design of Toyota Prius is a hybrid design in its, so to speak, pure form. In fact, the body was required for him to have the best aerodynamics. And so it happened what happened. This form can be conditionally determined as a futuristic, that is, having in the future every reason to become predominant. So, I dare to say that the Prius car externally is, in fact, a symbol of a real hybrid, as it is understood in Toyota.
 
It should be noted that during the partial modernization of the model range, Prius was recognized as appropriate for the Hybrid emblem to be located above each of the side lanterns of the repeaters. Previously, it was available only on the outer side of the back wall of the body, but it was decided to make it more noticeable. Agree, such an identification sign is of applied value for those hybrid machines that have doubles with purely gasoline thrust. For example, there is nothing special if the Hybrid emblem carries on its body a Toyota Harrier or Lexus GS450H car. But why such a decoration on the body of the Prius car, when everyone knows that, figuratively speaking, we say Prius, we mean Hybrid? I cannot regard this differently, except for the desire to emphasize the special status of design for Prius machines. In other words, the appearance is a symbol of the Toyota brand hybrid.
Above, I called the appearance of the car, as it were, who came from the future. In contrast to this, the interior decoration should be recognized as a typical for our time. Moreover, if you look at the details framing the liquid crystalline monitor, then the design solution of this node may seem yesterday. As if he had made a jump into the past. In fairness, it is worth noting that in a new -sample in the front panel is finished and the handles of armrests are fitting with it on the inside of the front doors, changes occurred: instead of hard plastic, soft panels with a fabric coating appeared. This, without a doubt, increased the qualitative perception of the machine. However, given the advanced nature of the car itself, this changed type of finish does not remove the problem as a whole. It seems to me that it should be borne in mind that the car of Prius is still a car of the future, therefore, the interior of the salon should, in my opinion, become more, so to speak Prius-shaped.
Yumi Kawabata:
Everyone knows that recently many of the stars of Hollywood, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks and others, have acquired Toyota Prius cars. They did it solely because this car is a hybrid. Moreover, a hybrid, immediately striking. Given the fact that the stars are constantly under the vigilant attention of the public, it can be assumed that with this gesture they tried to demonstrate that the concern for the ecology became part of their life position. And it is to this that they call everyone else.
It was already known for a long time that among the thoughtful Americans, the understanding was growing that the problems of ecology are little discussed, they must be solved. Therefore, it is quite natural that part of the Hollywood stars moved to environmentally less dangerous Prius machines, especially since from the very moment of its appearance it began to be sold in the North America market. At the same time, we should not forget that the first machine with a mixed traction that appeared on the American market was the Honda Insight car. It also was distinguished by a peculiar shape of the body and in its futuristic design was not inferior to the Toyota Prius model. But the stars chose Prius, and you know why? Because he has a rear seat in his cabin, without which a star car is impossible! After all, you remember how Oscar drove up to the Kodak DiCaprio theater to the award ceremony. He instructed to drive a driver a driver, and he stepped on the red carpet of honored guests from the rear seat.
Useful volume and practicality
City Okadzaki:
In order to maximize the fuel consumption, the body had to make such a form so that it experienced as low air resistance as possible. At the same time, it was necessary to make sure that the appearance of the car was original and fresh. That is why they decided that the roof line closer to the back of the car would go down sharply. And this means that it was necessary to some extent to sacrifice the convenience of passengers. More precisely, I had to reduce the useful volume of the upper rear of the cabin. If a passenger is in the back seat, whose height does not exceed 170 cm, then there should be no problems. But if the passenger’s growth is greater, then his head is in the immediate vicinity of the ceiling. By the way, during the low modernization it was decided to make the rear seat not so chubby. Due to this, it was possible to increase the distance between the upper edge of the seat and the ceiling by 2 cm. This, of course, gave a positive effect, but it became not so convenient to sit in the back seat. Now, experts are faced with the task of how, without increasing the size of the seat, to return to him the previous comfort.
This is all the more relevant, given that the backs of the seats are still too tough. And now the shortening of the seats themselves has also added to this. In fact, it is generally accepted that the rear seats in the salon of the sedan should be as comfortable as possible so that they can not only sit in them, but conveniently located. But in the Prius salon, this can hardly be achieved in full. But since this is a hybrid car, it means that something needs to be sacrificed. And yet, despite the fact that the battery is located right behind the rear seat, the designers managed to arrange everything in such a way that the back of the seat began to deviate forward. From a practical point of view, this is a rather valuable innovation.
Yumi Kawabata:
It’s good that someone guessed to equip the dashboard with a special monitor that allows you to monitor the operation of the power unit! No matter how much they explain to you about the benefits and convenience of a mixed type of traction, it is still better to see once than seven times hear. So the person is arranged that he needs to see everything with his own eyes. And how gloriously it turns out: you are sitting at the wheel and suddenly, - yeah, the internal combustion engine stopped, or now, the recharge of batteries began, well, etc. And you feel that you are going, and nature almost does not suffer! And the heart is filled with something like pride! Psychology is still a great thing! Thanks to her, you will begin to choose the most economical driving mode, which will also be the most gentle in terms of ecology. By the way, in order to make sure that such a monitor was effective, I was not too lazy and made two trips uphill on the Hacoca highway. The first time I walked, following the mode of operation of the engine along the monitor, and without paying attention to it the second time. So, the result is this: when moving along the monitor, the car burned fuel 10 percent less.
 
The hybrid car carries some components that are not in the usual gasoline car. This is, first of all, an electric motor, then, a large capacity battery and a power unit control unit. How does this equipment affect the practicality of the machine? Here, for example, the pride of Toyota engineers, the THS-II mixed traction system (Toyota Hybrid System II). It provides for the so -called regenerative brake, which allows not only to slow down, but also in the process of such braking, it is actively replenished with electricity reserves. And all would be nothing, but because of the heavy and bulky battery, the back of the rear trunk was partially donated. But still, in comparison with the previous model, the Toyota Prius car has acquired a more spacious interior, the luggage compartment has also become larger. So in practical terms, everything is not at all bad. In the cabin, 4 people are quite free, and you can also take 2 bags with accessories for playing golf. Not everyone on the bag, but still something.
Technical features
City Okadzaki:
Remember, when I got behind the wheel of the Toyota Prius of the second generation, two things especially attracted my attention. Firstly, it is sharply increased compared to the previous model of traction. But what is especially surprising is what is required for the car negligible a small amount of fuel. And the second point, the suspension began to work so hard that, again, it could not be compared with what was in the previous version of the car. And if the first circumstance could only be welcomed, then with the second, it seems to me, it was impossible to reconcile. I put an especially low assessment to the car from the Touring Selection series, which was completed (and is still equipped) with 16-inch wheels. Then I even suggested that the level of comfort of this sedan, figuratively speaking, did not go to any gate.
But, I believe, the authors of the project and without me were concerned about the metamorphosis that happened to the machine. And in the course of a small modernization, which fell in November last year, everything was miraculously fixed. In addition to this, the noise of the engine was significantly reduced, after which the car became an extremely quiet and rather comfortable vehicle. An additional sound insulation was installed, the steering mechanism began to be attached more rigidly, plus the strength of the body itself increased to this. As a result, the behavior of the car was so transformed that these changes could well be pulled not on a small, but to full modernization. Here, for example, the electric power amplifier, which before that worked somewhat sluggish, is not recognized by the touch now. And the reaction of the car to the commands taken from the steering wheel has become much more verified. Before the car went to small modernization, discussing the level of comfort when managing in which case I recommended choosing a standard package of a car with 15-inch tires, but now, if you buy Prius, then by such indicators as the level of comfort, steering wheel accuracy and visual perception of the spaciousness of the passenger compartment, I would prefer the modification of the Touring Selection to 16-inch wheels. This is the best thing that is now in the Toyota Prius model range.
Yumi Kawabata:
No matter what they say there, and the main trump card of the Prius car is without a doubt the ultra -low need for fuel, only one liter for every 35.5 km of run (2.82l / 100km). As for the traction characteristics, it was clear in the first generation from the very beginning that this would not work mildly. Now the current model has become much more harsh, and the most remarkable is that at the same time it continues to be a champion in economy. It seems extremely interesting that the improvement of the hybrid traction system, as such, went mainly not due to purely car technologies, but through the active attracting achievements of Japanese electronics. Well, for example, in a complex control scheme of a mixed traction system, a solution has found their application, previously used only in the control units of ordinary elevators. And the electric motor installed on the machine is controlled according to the scheme used in air conditioning systems. The list of such borrowings can be continued enough for a long time.
But the technique does not stand still. And so, in the fall of last year, the Prius car is sent to partial modernization. As a result of the work, it became even less noisy, and the design of the body acquired additional rigidity. Sitting a new type of car, I was so amazed at the change that happened to it that I even thought: how the hybrid system is still progressing!. Already now it acts so easily, and so smoothly accelerates the car that it can satisfy the most serious driver. But besides the system itself, see what general changes were made. Firstly, the front glass has now received another layer that serves for sound insulation. Agree, this is a big step forward in terms of ensuring maximum comfort, and secondly - the front wall from the side of the motor compartment is covered with soundproofing material. True, these innovations have slightly increased the total weight of the car (by 2 kg). But what an effect! Indeed, in terms of improving the hybrid system, Toyota seems to be not going to skimp on new products and refinements, otherwise it would not be Toyota!

Characteristics A/M Toyota Prius G Touring Selection:
Length (mm) 4445
Width (mm) 1725
Height (mm) 1490
Wheel base (mm) 2700
Weight (kg) 1300
Front drive
Interior combustion engine 1.5 liter, 4-cylinder dohc
Transmission CVT
Working volume of cylinders (cubic cub) 1496
Maximum power (l / s / О / min) 77 /5100
Elektromotor (power / moment) 68 hp / 40.8 kg/ m
Fuel consumption in mixed mode (l / 100km) 3.34 (3.03 / 2.82)
Price thousand yen 3 255 (~ 29.750 $)
Number of seats in the cabin 5

Source: CarView.co.jp