Toyota Prius test drive since 2009 hatchback
Toyota Prius. UFO
Toyota Prius. Price: from 1 103,000 rubles. On sale: since 2009 According to Toyota, the Motor Corporation, the hybrid cars produced at its enterprises since 1997 have led to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, considered one of the causes of global warming in Japan and approximately 15 million tons around the world
Test pilot
Oleg Kalaushin, 41 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 22 years, personal car - Renault Logan
Global warming this summer was also remembered in Russia. However, the contribution of our compatriots to the fight against this universal evil so far, alas, is small. And how to deal with him if there are so many temptations around! What, tell me, Toyota Prius can be discussed if you can take Avensis, Camry or updated Rav4 for the same money, and even in the top configuration! So they stand forward (this is how it translates from Latin Prius) in the farthest corners of dealerships. Interest in them is minimal.
In appearance, the third generation Prius is better than the previous two. He has fashionable LED headlights and lanterns, other, more aggressive forms of bumper, and in some angles you can even look at him without fear of losing a sense of beautiful, but the whole catch in aerodynamics. It is with this shape of the body that the Aerodynamic resistance coefficient in Prius is 0.25, which is today the best result among serial cars. And it was this form that tied the hands of the designers.
But what a flight of imagination inside! When you get into the salon of this car, you experience an incomparable feeling. The last time my eyes lit up in the same way, when three years ago I first saw a living iPhone. In my hand lay something ... something that only aliens could drop. Now I am sitting in where it apparently fell out of. Complete extravagance of technology. Starting with environmentally friendly plastic and ending with an abundance of monitors on which the numbers replace the diagrams. Diagrams can be changed to an animated picture,
explanatory principle of the hybrid installation. And some information, like the speed or indicators of the navigation system, is completely projected to the windshield.
But what on the spot killed in me a man with an engineering education and turned into a ten -year -old kid was an active system of assistance in parking. I used to see how these electronic assistants work, who not only help to find a place, but also dashingly twisted the steering wheel, filling the car in reverse on her place. However, Toyota went on. You can park the car in almost any place that falls into the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear view camera. One condition: automation should do this in one technique. And then the work of technology. We find a suitable crack, pull it there with the help of the corresponding active arrows, a rectangle symbolizing the projection of the car, and that’s all. You can fold your hands on your chest. Then your business is only the gas pedal and the brake pedal. As soon as the car rises in place, a pleasant female voice informs: the help in parking is over. You can get fun with this system all day. Fascinatingly... It is no less exciting to look at how a car route, the engine of which is 1.8 liters, spends a hundred track at a speed of 70 km/h only 3 liters of gasoline. It is clear that the reason for this is a hybrid installation and a motor operating in the Atkinson cycle. Unlike the usual ICE, which works in the OTTO cycle, this engine is more economical and environmentally friendly, but not without flaws: it is weak at the time at low speeds. But here the electric motor just comes to the rescue, and in general it turns out very much even nothing faintly. That's just noisy. And if you move only on the electric trim, then slowly, but silent. So silently that since this year, Toyota decided to equip all her models on the noise generators in order to attract the attention of pedestrians. Maybe soon and Prius will acquire such a generator.
Battery
According to official figures, the Toyota Prius of the third generation has a battery, developed according to the proven and well-established NIMH technologies. Nevertheless, you should not think that the battery has not changed at all. The new energy source turned out to be quite compact and gives out a capacity of 27 kW, which is today the best indicator among cars of this class. In order to improve regeneration, a cooling system is built into the battery. The latter, in turn, endows the battery with amazing endurance. Toyota claims that replacement of the battery will not be needed throughout the entire service life. Nevertheless, the warranty period of the battery by car is five years.
Driving The car is able to demonstrate good dynamics. Decently controlled, but the suspension is suitable only for driving on good roads.
Salon
Spacious, comfortable, well thought out. We especially note a sufficient space for the rear passengers and a rather roomy trunk.
Comfort
One could evaluate this indicator with the highest score, but noise insulation is not so good.
Security
Maximum.
Price
Abroad corresponds to the price of direct competitors.
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Very good fuel economy, serious equipment in terms of safety. Spacious salon. A roomy trunk.
- Design for an amateur. Insufficient sound insulation
Specifications
Mark and model - Toyota Prius 1.8
Dimensions - 4460x1745x1500 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1798 cm3, 99/5200 hp/min -1
Transmission - variator
Dynamics - max 180 km/h; 10.4 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - there are no direct competitors in our market.
Our opinion
Undoubtedly, Toyota Prius deserves attention, but a fairly high price has turned this high -tech vehicle into a high -tech toy, not many can pay for the possession of which. Especially when you consider that for half the amount you can take a regular car.
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
A source: Magazine 5 wheel [November 2010]
