Say adieu to the Prius as a stand-alone vehicle name. Beginning with the 2012 model year is the car that has become a synonym for hybrid in the American lexicon, a new name,
the Toyota Prius Liftback.
Why is that? Since the Prius sub-brand grows. The larger Prius v is already on sale, and joining the Prius family in 2012, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the Prius c compact car.
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
Exterior
When it arrives to dealers in January, the Prius Liftback will have more than just a new name. Toyota upgrade its hybrid star a mild exterior, redesigned 15-inch tires, further improvements and a small bump in pricing. Two, Three, Four and Five - and seven configurations, the Model 2012 will continue with four trim levels. The Prius Liftback A trim is only for fleets.
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
Front is a revised front bumper with an enlarged lower grille The 2012 Liftback a more energetic, almost muscular face. The bumper also includes daytime running lights (DRL) LED and a glance reveals new clear-lens headlamps with a revised LED lamp assembly. On the back of slightly redesigned rear lights are LED lights.
These minor external changes do not alter the significant space-age shape of the Prius;. Making a conscious effort by Toyota to the Prius, "to preserve important and iconic look of his large, diamond-cut headlamps and snub nose are front-end of the starting point for the Prius "quasi-flying saucer appearance. The angled hood seamlessly to a flowing roofline, in the windshield, it is smooth and low. Short overhangs and a chopped rear end of the hybrid hatchback futuristic character.
Of course, beauty is subjective, so the Prius continues to get mixed reviews about their appearance. There are many, the Prius looks gimmicky, if not ugly think. But for many hybrid owners, the distinctive look of the Prius sends a message that we must take steps to reduce our insatiable thirst for oil explains - with all its negative consequences for the environment and geopolitics. For this camp, the Prius like a middle finger-on-wheels Suburbans, Expeditions and the like is available.
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
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| The Toyota New Car 2012 |
Interior
Prius' cabin design is as futuristic as its exterior design and hits all the marks for comfort space and quality materials. The success of
the Toyota Prius is its ability to combine great fuel efficiency and utter practicality.
Five adults can easily be left with a generous 21.4 cubic feet of cargo space than in the rear. The 60/40 split rear seat can be folded flat, creating a surprisingly large cargo space for groceries, strollers, large boxes, gardening supplies or what have you - all at the same time. The tailgate opening is large, but the load floor itself is quite high, lifting heavy objects on board is not as convenient as it could be.
Short and tall drivers should be. Equally comfortable behind the wheel The rear seat is spacious and has a little more leg room than the Civic Hybrid - and found a lot more head, leg and shoulder room than the Honda Insight. The Honda hybrids are cheaper by a few thousand dollars.
Bells and Whistles
When introduced in 2010, this third generation Prius had loads of gizmos - including Touch Tracer Display, high-tech energy monitor and a moon roof with solar powered ventilation and remote air conditioning. For 2012,
Toyota throws even more technology in the Liftback.
It begins with the optional Head-Up Display (HUD), a feature long with General Motors Corvette and Pontiac brands formerly connected. The device projects information such as speed, hybrid efficiency and navigation data on the windshield just below the driver's line of sight. Controls allow adjustments for brightness and position of the projected HUD image. HUD technology is displayed as a big step towards reducing driver distraction by looking at increasingly complex console and touted the increase of automotive safety.
Toyota answer to Ford SYNC system - 2012 Liftback Buyers can also optional Entune infotainment system will be addressed. Connect a smartphone via Bluetooth or a USB cable and Entune features are then operated using the vehicle's controls or by voice recognition for some services. Mobile apps for Entune includes Bing, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable and Pandora. Entune data services are fuel prices, sports scores, stocks, traffic and weather information.
Other high-tech goodies include an optional radar system using advanced millimeter waves that help the driver to stay safely within the lane, "Lane Assist Hold" allows, during the "Pre-Collision System" drive belts and brakes in certain conditions when A crash is inevitable. Intelligent parking offers settings to help the Prius into parking spaces. A backup monitor, which provides a view of the rear obstacles when reverse gear is engaged, with a voice-activated optional navigation system.
Under The Hood
The Toyota 2012 Prius Liftback powertrain and mechanical properties remain unchanged. Prius uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which can be around-town driving speeds on electric power. Sensors to decide when dealing gasoline engine power or a combination of gas and electric power: the goal is to efficiently balance fuel economy and acceleration.
The gas engine is a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine with 98 hp at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system generates a combined 134 net horsepower. Prius uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which works like an automatic transmission but employs infinite ratios rather than preset gearing.
The hybrid system uses the engine and regenerative braking, the nickel-metal hydride battery recharge, there is no plug-in capability. Has enough power to the batteries, the stop-start system further save fuel by automatically shutting off the engine and restart it while the car is stopped.
TheToyota Prius Liftback is the only vehicle on the market at 50 miles per gallon in combined city / highway, a distinction is to give it to offer in a few months. Toyota has said that the compact Prius c is the Liftback exceed the fuel economy, although it has not provided specific figures are available.
On The Road
The Prius Liftback is not the fastest, quickest, best handling or quietest car you can buy. But if fuel economy and general well-being at the top of the list, the Prius is hard to beat.
Handling balance is top-heavy, and the electric power steering has a numb, detached feeling. Both are obstacles competent cornering, even straight seems to be endangered by the steering of the artificial atmosphere. Enthusiast-oriented drivers will be their noses at these characteristics, but as Urban Commuter family car, it provides an acceptable drive. On the plus side, the engine start-stop unobtrusive and the entire ride quality is good.
For more precise handling and sportsmanship, offers
Toyota dealer-installed PLUS Performance accessory package. TRD (Toyota Racing Development) developed package starts with a seven-piece aerodynamic ground effects kit that delivers an aggressive stance and lower profile. The custom body kit is designed and aerodynamically designed to reduce drag coefficient of the vehicle, while maintaining fuel efficiency.
Seventeen-inch forged wheels alloy wheels reduce unsprung weight. The wheels are fitted with low profile 215/45R17 tires and have a custom offset, which increases track width yet maintains the car low rolling resistance. Toyota says that the track tuned lowering springs lower the vehicle 1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches rear improve the steering response and improved cornering ability. A tuned rear stabilizer bar reduces body lean for flatter cornering.
If you are looking for a smooth ride, might disappoint the Prius Liftback. Noise intrusion is created by the 15-inch low-rolling resistant tires palpable. This is not a problem isolated to the Prius. Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid, a high noise level caused by low-rolling resistant tires.
Some Prius drivers complain that the hatchback design limits the visibility through the rear window. They refer to this drawback as the "Prius blind spot." Hatchback visibility makes some people crazy and is a non-issue for others. Take a test drive to see what you think.
Modest price increases
For 2012,
Toyota came to the Prius Liftback, the retail price of an average of 3.2 percent. The least expensive Prius Two has increased to a base price of $ 24,000, a $ 480th It includes keyless entry, cruise control, a new 6.1-inch touchscreen multi-information display and Touch Tracer controls. Three of the Prius, the most popular model 2011 starts at $ 25,565 to $ 1,045. It adds the Entune audio system, navigation, rear camera display, and Smart Key.
Four of the Prius with leather upholstery, heated front seats and auto-dimming mirrors adds JBL GreenEdge speakers and an eight-channel JBL amplifier. The recommended price of $ 28,235 is to raise a $ 915th The most expensive Prius Five, the light emitting diode (LED) headlamps, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels are starting at $ 29,805 - up to $ 1,015. Additional options for most trim levels include navigation and an advanced technology package.
The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, calls the Prius on refinement, and after a few reviewers, offers a better driving experience. It is more expensive at $ 28,700, but is a medium car with lots of interior space.
Honda Insight Hybrid is priced much less than the Prius: $ 18,350 fully loaded for $ 23,540. While it is a noticeably better handling car is, it is small and does not have the fuel economy of the Prius.
Then there's the
all-new 2012 Camry Hybrid. Yes, at $ 25,900 to $ 27,400 it costs more, and it has a lower fuel economy rating but believe it or not, it is fun to drive, is spacious and offers some of the high-tech features found on the Prius.
What none of these competitors, however, the middle-finger-on-wheels image.
Small Hatchback one that has the smallest dimension of class. There is confidence in Toyota, keeping 1NZ-FE engine wear, which is believed to provide reliable performance for the Yaris TRD, is once again providing evidence that the products are reliable aftermarketnya racing world.
