Showcase: Toyota Prius-V For Versatility

So what happens when you take the Toyota Prius, the most popular, efficient, and innovative hybrid on the market, and evolve it into something completely new?

Meet the Prius-V, the newly revealed addition to the now growing Toyota Prius Family. With 50% more cargo room and a newly designed attitude, the Prius-V is an entirely new vehicle, bred from the Third Generation Prius, and it marks the start of a new era. No longer will the modern family have to invest in a fuel-hungry gas guzzler. With the extra cargo and seating available in this upgraded Prius, families can sit comfortably and know that their vehicle will help the environment.

With the new addition of the Prius-V comes an upgraded interior, but houses the same Prius Synergy Drive and Toyota Parts that the current models have. Because the engineers at Toyota Motors Corp. worked tirelessly to ensure the same proportions as the 3rd Generation Prius, but increase the capacity, the Prius-V boasts an estimated 40 mpg. The “V” has received a redesigned aerodynamic exterior to reduce the drag coefficient to approx. .29.

According to the news release, “Comfortable interior space and good visibility has been assisted by a high seating position, ample headroom, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing generous rear legroom.  A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market and better than some compact SUVs.”

Another first in the Toyota family is the addition of a Panoramic roof display: put in place to provide an unprecedented view from the comfort of your eco-friendly vehicle.

2012 PRIUS v PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Powertrain
1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i
Engine horsepower:
98 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Engine torque:
105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Electric motor:
Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Electric motor power output:
80 hp/153 lb-ft torque
Hybrid system net horsepower:
134 hp
Emission rating:
SULEV/Tier 2 Bin 3
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
Drive System:
Front-wheel-drive
Hybrid battery pack:
Nickel-metal hydride
Estimated fuel economy:
42 mpg city/38 mpg hwy/ 40 mpg comb.

 

Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length:
181.7
Overall Width:
69.9
Overall Height:
62.0
Wheelbase:
109.4
Ground clearance:
5.7
Coefficient of Drag:
0.29
Wheels:
16-inch alloy wheels
17-inch alloy wheels (optional)
Tire Size:
16-inch:  205/60R16
17-inch:  215/50R17 (optional)
Seating Capacity:
5
EPA class rating:
Midsize Station Wagon