Toyota Prius

Toyota plug-in Prius

2011-05-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Prius, once the pioneer hybrid model in the marketplace, is now facing some serious competition from vehicles such as the plug-in Chevrolet Volt/Opel Ampera and the all-electric Nissan Leaf.

The next Prius which will launch in 2012 will feature high performance lithium-ion batteries that will allow it to travel more than 60 km per liter of gas (1.6 liters/100 km or 141 mpg-US), instead of the current model with its nickel-metal hydride battery which travels 38km per liter (2.6 liters/100 km or 89 mpg-US).

Toyota also wants to expand its hybrid and electric car sales overall with the introduction of the plug-in Prius. Cumulative sales of the Prius since its introduction in 1997 have totaled 2 million units. Toyota now sells about 700,000 hybrid vehicles a year (including other models and those sold under the Lexus brand) but wants to increase that number to 1 million by 2015.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

2011-05-02T01:21:00.003-07:00

Toyota Prius combines the engine power and electric motor, present in the inception point of hybrid ..

Toyota Prius Reviews

2011-05-02T01:21:00.002-07:00

Toyota Prius Pictures: Photo gallery with pictures of the new 2011 Prius car

3rd Generation Toyota Prius

2011-05-02T01:21:00.001-07:00

The best-selling car in Japan is about to change as government subsidies on hybrid cars has lead to a drop off in sales of the Toyota Prius.

The 3rd Generation Toyota Prius Hybrid models

2011-05-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

The Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf are enjoying lots of free publicity right now

. Each of their unique approaches to cleaner mobility

Toyota Avalon

2011-03-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

Serene, luxurious, but not flashy. It succeeded so well in capturing that market that Buick is re-launching itself as an American performance brand. Toyota Avalon scared them well enough away. Before considering an Avalon, ask, do I enjoy turning corners vigorously? If yes, walk over to the Buick dealer and invest in a LaCrosse. The long and short is that it’ll be more rewarding to drive. If comfort trumps all, keep reading.
A JAPANESE SEDAN FOR THOSE WHO THINK BIGGER IS BETTER

Toyota Avalon The Avalon hasn’t changed its course much in its three generations. It's still mechanically based on a stretched Camry platform, with adequate power and loads of space. The current version, which had some minor updates in 2010, continues with that formula.

At nearly 200-inches long and 73-inches wide, the Avalon provides a big body to stuff people and cargo into, although at 14.4 cu. ft. the trunk isn’t as big as you might expect. Toyota Avalon Should you need space for longer items, however, the 60/40 split-folding rear seat accommodates those needs.

Those dimensions also allow for a large, roomy cabin with stretch-out room for five. The gauges are well organized and clear, and the Avalon has one of Toyota’s more well-laid-out dashboards.

Toyota Prius V gets lithium battery

2011-03-12T04:52:00.001-08:00

When the 2012 Toyota Prius V goes on sale this April in Japan, customers will have an option not available to American buyers of the hybrid wagon. To wit, a family-friendlier version with 3rd row seating. The packaging feat is possible thanks to the smaller space needed for the lithium-based battery found in the Japanese upgrade. The same 7-seater configuration will also be made available to Europeans next year and was just revealed in Geneva under the Prius+ moniker.

There is, of course, a price to pay for the improvement and in this case that amount is 650,000 yen ($7,897.98 at today's exchange rates). If you happen to be in Japan and don't wish to shell out three million yen ($36,590) for your Prius maximus or need the extra seating, a cheaper version with the Toyota hybrid's traditional nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery chemistry will be offered for just 2.35 million yen ($28,660). This will also be the variant available in the U.S. this summer.

Toyota Prius 2012

2011-03-12T04:51:00.002-08:00

The 2012 Toyota Prius is the best hybrid for you if you want to drive America’s highest-mileage car — and don’t want to worry about range or recharging.

The 2012 Toyota Prius will essentially be a carryover of the 2011 Toyota Prius. Colors and perhaps trim details are the only likely changes to a design that was all-new for model-year 2010.

The 2012 Prius will again rate more than 50 mpg in the city and some 48 mpg on the highway. It’ll go on sale about the same time the first mass-produced pure-electric and plug-in hybrids are hitting the road. But unlike them, the 2012 Prius won’t depend on external sources of electricity to deliver optimal performance or travel more than 100 miles.

Should you wait for the 2012 Toyota Prius or buy a 2011 Toyota Prius? Buy a 2011 Prius. The 2012 Prius isn’t going to be more fuel efficient or have better performance than the 2011, but it probably will cost more to purchase – especially if gas prices are painfully high when it comes out.

Toyota Prius Buying Advice Hybrid

2011-03-12T04:51:00.001-08:00

Toyota has begun its limited feedback-harvesting lease program for the plug-in version of the Prius hybrid. We drove a representative prototype at Toyota's proving grounds in Japan. Some 150 will hit U.S. roads from this month, prior to it going on general sale in 2011 -- around the same time, of course, as the Chevy Volt.

One of the fascinating things about the eco-car revolution now upon us is the differences between competing technologies. So Toyota's conception of a plug-in gas car is a rather different proposition to GM's.

Toyota's is basically a Prius, but with a higher-capacity battery than the normal hybrid. You plug it in to an electrical outlet and, fully charged, it will go in electric mode for about 12 miles of gentle urban running. After that it switches back to the usual Prius hybrid powertrain where a blend of electric and gas power drives the wheels. The Volt, on the other hand, uses only its electric motor to drive the wheels, while the gas engine only supplies electricity to the motor after the battery is depleted.

Toyota Prius PHEV First Drive and Review

2011-03-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

The hybrid's future has arrived, except it's frozen stuck in one of New England's more extreme winters.I don't mean literally stuck, like when our 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in trapped itself in an inch of snow. Rather, the cold weather served a back-to-earth reminder that gas-electric hybrids — and their brainy powertrain computers — simply have to keep the engine running.

The Prius Plug-in is one of three new "Prii" (Toyota's taking votes for an official plural) set to go on sale late this year and early next. The average Prius can't go more than a half-mile on electric power, but our decaled prototype claims a 13-mile battery range and fuel economy of nearly 100 mpg on short trips. Except it's January, and those numbers aren't going to happen.

Hybrid drivers living here should expect their stupendous mileage numbers to drop to more average levels in winter, since the coolant and catalytic converter have to be kept warm to maximize performance and minimize emissions. Low temperatures, inclines, and speeds over 60 mph all work against the Prius Plug-in. The Chevrolet Volt also forces its engine to run in cold weather, even with the batteries fully charged.

Toyota Prius Plug-in: A modest route to the electric

2011-03-12T04:49:00.001-08:00

The 2012 Toyota Prius is the best hybrid for you if you want to get 50 mpg and don’t want to think about range or recharging -- and perhaps 70 mpg if you do.

The 2012 Toyota Prius will likely add a plug-in hybrid model, expanding its line to cover two of today’s top three alternative-fuel technologies. The plug-in Prius is due during calendar 2012, likely as an addition to the regular 2012 Prius lineup. Basically, it’ll have the ability to travel approximately 13 miles on electric power alone, versus much briefer durations and distances for the regular Prius. Both will continue to combine a gas engine with an electric motor wrapped in a highly aerodynamic five-passenger, four-door hatchback body. The plug-in Prius will join the 2011 Chevrolet Volt as the first mass-market gas-electric cars that tap the power grid for part of their energy, while the 2011 Nissan Leaf blazes a trail for the modern full-electric car.

Should you wait for the 2012 Toyota Prius or buy a 2011 Toyota Prius? Buy a 2011 Prius if you fancy the world’s most successful “conventional” hybrid. Wait for the 2012 Prius if you’ve an appetite for the latest gas-electric tech done the Toyota way.

Toyota Prius Review and Prices

2011-03-12T04:48:00.001-08:00

Back in the waning years of the previous millennium, the Toyota Prius was born, becoming the first Toyota hybrid. Since then, of course, many other Toyota and Lexus hybrids have hit the roads, as have many from nearly every other automaker. But it’s the Prius—thanks to distinct (if unsexy) styling and industry-leading fuel economy—that remains the unofficial greenmobile for Toyota and the world.

Naturally, then, the Prius is set to become the first Toyota to make the next big leap in fuel efficiency for 2012 by going plug-in with the new Prius PHV, or “plug-in hybrid vehicle.” And since 2012 is a long way off—in our impatient minds, at least—we jumped at the chance to drive one of the 150 powder-blue preproduction Prius PHVs bound for the U.S. in 2010. All are part of Toyota’s Prius PHV pilot program that places these vehicles with various utilities and government agencies to gather data on vehicle performance.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - First Drive Review

2011-03-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

Toyota showed off an expanded Prius lineup on Monday at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, revealing a larger-body-style Prius and a Prius concept. With the additional models, Prius now morphs into a "sub-brand," along the lines of Toyota's Scion youth brand.

The five-passenger 2012 Prius V offers 50 percent more cargo space than a conventional Prius and will go on sale in late summer, said Toyota. Pricing was not announced.

The Toyota Prius C concept previews a "value-oriented" hybrid bound for U.S. showrooms in 2012, said the Japanese automaker. Pricing was not announced.

The Prius V is said to stand for "versatility." Toyota said it shares the current-generation Prius' platform and Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. It is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The hybrid system's net horsepower is pegged at 134, said Toyota — identical to that in the conventional Prius. The Prius V will deliver an estimated 42 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.

Smart/Nissan collaboration sketch

2010-10-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

Smart has announced that it, the purveyor of pint-sized conveyances, has partnered up with Nissan to build a new vehicle slated to go on sale here in the States. Details are remarkably scarce at the moment, but Smart has been kind enough to roll out a couple of sketches to give us an idea of what's coming down the pike. From the press release, we're told that the new creation will be a five-door, B-segment competitor powered by a gasoline engine, and that it will go on sale late 2011.

Given the short lead time, we're that the car will likely be based on the Nissan Micra, especially since Nissan's current B-segment car, the Versa, is one of the largest offerings in that class. The sketches don't exactly reveal too much, other than the fact that the vehicle will retain the Smart penchant for unique design.
As of right now, the two companies have merely signed a Memorandum of Understanding. That means that the final decision still has to go through numerous approvals before getting the go ahead. Still, it's good to see Smart making moves to get out of the rut the company has been in for the past year or so. Hit the jump to read the official press release.

Replacement Front Front Pipe

2010-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

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Mercedes-Benz CLS shows off even more skin

2010-06-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

Up until last week, Mercedes-Benz had been doing a rather admirable job keeping the 2011 CLS under wraps. But as we saw last Friday, that got blown out of the water as the forthcoming four-door was caught posing for the camera as part of what appeared to be a photo shoot. All that was missing was a nice clean shot from the front.

Problem solved. This morning, a lone image has appeared that shows off the shapely new 2011 CLS' SLS-inspired fascia with LED lighting, dramatically sloping roofline and its newly contoured bodysides. As we saw last week, a bit of comparison work proves that the production car will share the vast majority of its sheetmetal with the CLS Shooting Break (yes, we know... it should be Brake, but we didn't name it) concept that M-B introduced just a few months back.

In fact, the car in the spy shot looks so much like the conceptual CLS hatch that we had to open the two in their own windows the double check what we were looking at. See for yourself. In any case, we're mostly digging this new fastback sedan shape and relishing the idea of a 5.5-liter turbocharged and direct injected AMG-fettled V8 engine underhood.

Ferrari Signed on for Transformers 3, Could Porsche be Far Behind?

2010-03-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

Signed for Transformers 3 Ferrari, Porsche Kon away?

Michael will be released Blow It All Up 'Bay has to say the word out there: Italy Ferrari 458 which will be (and the Autobots) in the third Transformers movie, 1 July 2011th Bay from the announcement while attending a fund-raising Ferrari, where the red-blood Italian brand is to build the money into a hospital in Haiti.

Its website says that John Malkovich In The Line Of Fire () and Frances McDormand (Fargo will be) here) with Ken Jeong (Señor Chang community.

Bay said: "We shot in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Florida, Texas, Africa, Russia and China." Get your spy-shot ready, folks.

I think the Ferrari was formerly Chase (a Testa Rossa) and Braver (previously F40). If not, ultimately, a poor, confused version of a different kind I grew up with, as ex-Porsche 935-Jazz, a Thugged-out Pontiac Solstice (see nobody else at his death in the first of a suspect?).

If you have ideas about who else might Ferrari 458 - or should - be, let your ideas in comments below.

The Mulsanne Story - Episode 2 - The Art of Colour

2010-03-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

BOTANY, AUSTRALIA – March 9, 2010: Insight into the 86-hour process used to create the ‘unlimited palate’ available for Bentley’s new flagship

Exacting standards of craftsmanship and technology are employed by Bentley’s body assembly team to create the new Mulsanne’s distinctive, hand-crafted ‘hewn form solid’ appearance. But this is just a precursor to the painstaking attention to detail afforded to Bentley’s new 4-door flagship in the paint facility at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England.

The new Mulsanne will be offered in no fewer than 115 ‘standard colours’ and that is just the start of the story – because, like every grand Bentley – the only real limit on the colour of the car is the customer’s imagination.

Once the bare metal, pre-production Mulsanne bodyshell arrives at the paint shop via the automated overhead gantry, it passes through a series of full-immersion tanks, designed first to de-grease, then in turn to clean, condition, rinse, phosphate and passivate the steel and aluminium structure.

At each tank the shell is immersed before being tipped fore and aft to ensure that every single crevice is reached. Once drained, the bodyshell is lowered into an electro-coating tank, where power is increased to 320 volts, attracting particles-in-solution to deposit on the charged, metal bodywork to form, in conjunction with the phosphate, a hard protective shell of corrosion-proof zinc primer.

From this point, the judgement and skill of Bentley’s craftsmen come to the fore. A two-coat primer is applied by hand, ready for colour-of-choice to be applied. Each primed body is minutely inspected, sanded – or flatted – using a combination of hand and power tools. Only when the primer coat is flawless will the colour basecoat be applied, again by hand, to achieve the optimum finish. Clear lacquer coats are then applied robotically followed by final polishing for a perfectionist finish and detailed inspection in the specialist bays created for the Mulsanne.

But if the lacquer can be applied by robotics, why not the colour? Dave Walton of the Mulsanne bespoke paint shop explains:

“Different colours have markedly different characteristics and your perception of a colour’s shade changes according to how deep the coat is. Then there’s the fact that no two expert sprayers would apply that colour basecoat in exactly the same way. You learn to trust each craftsman’s eyes and skills, not just the process.

It takes many months of in-depth training for a quality control inspector to learn how to identify defects that an owner might never notice, yet each one will be rectified, even if this means sending it around the entire process again. We always operate way above customer expectations of quality,”

With the introduction of new satin paint finishes and two-tone colour schemes to Bentley’s extensive portfolio, Walton says the skills of the team are always evolving. Satin in particular can’t be locally reworked and polished, so even the most miniscule imperfection means the entire panel is refinished.

However, Bentley’s craftsmen are eagerly awaiting the moment the Mulsanne goes into full production according to Walton:

“We’ve been asked to match a paint finish to a cherished nail polish, a 50-year old classic Bentley and on one occasion a shade of turquoise on a food mixer for our Arnage, Brooklands and Azure customers. But even with over a hundred ‘standard colours’ to choose from we’re still looking forward to that first commission to create a bespoke colour from scratch and execute it perfectly.”

The B7 goes on sale this spring in both standard and long wheelbase formats

2010-01-11T00:51:00.000-08:00

2011 Alpina B7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has stated several times that it has no plans to do an official M version of the current F01 7 Series, but that doesn't mean it won't offer a hotter version of its flagship sedan courtesy of Alpina.

At next month's Chicago Auto Show, BMW will be reviving the Alpina B7, and while the sweet 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 remains under the hood, the dial has been turned up from the stock 400 horsepower to a full 500 hp, along with 516 pound-feet of twist. That should be enough to catapult the big sedan to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

By itself, big power is useless unless spend all your time at the drag strip and the 7 Series is capable of so much more. Handling has long been a BMW hallmark and the 21-inch, 20-spoke Alpina wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 rubber should provide plenty of grip for directional changes and positive and negative acceleration. A deeper front air dam and a rear decklid spoiler help keep the car glued to the pavement at autobahn level velocities, while inside the B7 coddles its occupants in upgraded leather and wood trim.

The B7 goes on sale this spring in both standard and long wheelbase formats, although pricing has yet to be announced. Make the jump for all the details.

2011 Alpina B7

automotive unfortunates have cars that won't pass without much expensive work

2010-01-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

Emissions tests are often part of the registration renewal ritual for many car owners. Some appreciate being able to breathe deeply, others see it as a de facto tax, while still another group of automotive unfortunates have cars that won't pass without much expensive work. Whether for purely financial reasons, or a chafing anti-authoritarianism, some drivers elect to circumvent the system.

Federal indictments have been handed down to 10 Nevada emissions testers for falsifying emissions tests. The ten testers allegedly accepted cash stipends for "clean scanning" a car. Normally during a Nevada emissions test, vehicles are plugged in via their OBD-II port and the Vehicle Identification Number is entered into a computer. The computer then scans the car's on-board system and passes or fails the automobile. "Clean scanning" is a deception whereby a different vehicle, one that will pass, is connected to the computer, and the VIN of a failing car is entered. More than 1,000 vehicles are believed to have been falsely passed this way by the indicted.

Fooling around with the federal Environmental Protection Agency has these 10 individuals facing up to two years of incarceration and maximum fines of $250,000 per person. Is it mere coincidence that this high-stakes game of palm greasing happened in Vegas?

Available on the optional navigation radio for 2011 A4, A5, and Q5 models

2010-01-11T00:04:00.000-08:00

Audi has announced that HD Radio Technology will be standard on its 2011 model year A6, A8 and Q7 vehicles.The 2011 Audi A4, A5 and Q5 models, sold at lower price points, will also offer the technology, but with the optional navigation radio.

"We are dedicated to providing our customers with the best entertainment options to enhance their Audi driving experience," said Filip Brabec, General Manager, Product Planning at Audi of America. "These upcoming 2011 models will be fully equipped with the best in digital broadcast engineering, making it a clear choice to offer HD Radio Technology to our customers."

Compared to static-laden traditional AM/FM radio, HD Radio offers CD-quality sound on FM channels, and FM-stereo quality sound on AM channels. According to iBiquity Digital Corporation, the company holding the trademark for HD Radio, there are more than 2,000 HD Radio stations and more than 1,100 HD2/HD3 channels (FM multicast) currently on the air. As of today, HD radio is available to 85 percent of Americans. It's interesting to note that when HD Radio debuted, "HD" was the abbreviation for "Hybrid Digital," but that was later dropped. Today, "HD" is simply part of the brand name - contrary to popular belief, it doesn't stand for "high-definition." Audi's press release is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

PRESS RELEASE

Audi Standardizes HD Radio™ Technology in Three Models
HD Radio Technology will be standard on 2011 A6, A8 and Q7 models
Available on the optional navigation radio for 2011 A4, A5, and Q5 models
All cars will be available at U.S. Audi dealers by Fall 2010
HERNDON, Va., Jan 7, 2010 - Delivering the latest in digitally enhanced audio, extra programming and advanced data services, Audi of America today announced that it will offer HD Radio Technology as a standard feature on some of its 2011 models, including the A6, A8 and Q7. HD Radio Technology will also be available via the optional navigation radio in the 2011 A4, A5 and Q5 models. All models will be available at U.S. Audi dealerships by Fall 2010.

"We are dedicated to providing our customers with the best entertainment options to enhance their Audi driving experience," said Filip Brabec, General Manager, Product Planning at Audi of America. "These upcoming 2011 models will be fully equipped with the best in digital broadcast engineering, making it a clear choice to offer HD Radio Technology to our customers."

"As a leader in engineering, Audi provides its drivers with high-quality innovation that truly defines the luxury markets, and they continue to raise the bar with the inclusion of HD Radio Technology," said Jeff Jury, Chief Operating Officer of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting. "We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Audi and enabling their enthusiasts to enjoy the extra programming, crystal-clear sound, and advanced data services to enhance the driving experience."

HD Radio Technology is available to 85 percent of Americans with more than 2,000 HD Radio stations on the air, and 1,100+ new HD2/HD3 Channels (FM multicast). The digital platform offers fresh, creative programming on HD2/HD3 Channels, with CD-quality sound on FM and FM-stereo quality sound on AM.

More information on HD Radio broadcast stations currently on air nationwide can be found at http://www.hdradio.com.

Filed under: Technology, Audi

Tags: Audi, Audi HD Radio, Audi HD2, Audi HD3, AudiHd2, AudiHd3, AudiHdRadio, Free HD Radio, FreeHdRadio, HD Radio, HD Radio A4, HD Radio A5, HD Radio A6, HD Radio A8, HD Radio Q5, HD Radio Q7, HdRadio, HdRadioA4, HdRadioA5, HdRadioA6, HdRadioA8, HdRadioQ5, HdRadioQ7, iBiquity, No charge HD Radio, NoChargeHdRadio

neon-dragging customized type that we typically see around the Consumer Electronics Show

2010-01-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Kia's UVO system hands-on – Click above to watch video after the jump

Tucked in between Google's hot new smartphone and a variety of other computer peripheral equipment at this year's CES show is a crossover. Not the jacked-up, tricked-out, neon-dragging customized type that we typically see around the Consumer Electronics Show, but a bone-stock, 2011 Kia Sorento. Well, stock except for one option: UVO.

We recently got a chance to try out the newly-announced system in the plastic, and while impressive in its own right, just hours after sitting down with Ford to check out the latest Sync and MyFord Touch, it's somewhat less than stunning. But, ignoring that for now, Kia's offering looks good and still ahead of the rest of the curve. It's functionally comparable to early Sync, enabling easy access to media on 1GB of internal storage, on a USB-connected drive or even on a CD. You can rip from CD straight to internal memory or to a thumb drive, an interesting feature we're not sure is particularly useful. The touchscreen display is a nice improvement over Ford's two-line Sync readout, but remember that if you get this system, you'll have to opt out of in-dash GPS. Good thing you splurged and got that Droid, right? Check out some screens in the gallery below, and there's a quick video demo after the break.

Kia and Microsoft's UVO

What Racing Dynamics is going to do is quite amazing

2010-01-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

Racing Dynamics is one of the coolest BMW tuners, not only because of their huge obsession with horsepower, but also because of the amazing bodykits which are like their signature. They are currently working on some packages for the all-new BMW 5-series, and based on the emerged details, they are good! as always.

What Racing Dynamics is going to do is quite amazing! They are going to release a powerful version of the 550i so you don’t have to wait for the actual M5 to arrive. The 407hp turbocharged V8 of the 550i will undergo a surgery to give 620 hp! That’s more than the 2011 M5, for sure! Other modifications to this car include a new rear-locking differential, sport suspension and high performance braking system.

They also have a package for the 535i six-cylinder model in which the power is upped from the standard 306hp to 410hp. This car too will get new exhausts, suspension and brakes and will be a serous performer. It’s all very good, but we can’t wait to see what they have in mind for the body! We just hope that the 5er get RD’s superb front bumper!

2010 Kia Borrego, model's future uncertain

2010-01-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

2009 Kia Borrego – Click above for high-res image gallery

There really isn't anything wrong with the Kia Borrego. When compared directly to its intended competition, the big, boxy, body-on-frame SUV is both attractive and fully class competitive, as we learned the first time we got any significant time in its driver seat. That said, there's no doubt that the Borrego's model launch was an object lesson in horrible timing.

The Borrego was Introduced in late 2008 as a 2009 model, right when the financial meltdown was starting to make some waves and the previous summer's record-high fuel prices were still emblazoned in our collective memory banks. This being the case, it's no surprise to learn from The Car Connection that Kia moved fewer than half (at 9,510 through November) of its hoped-for Borrego sales in 2009.

That said, we still didn't expect the Korean automaker to drop the Borrego entirely for the 2010 model year, which is exactly what's being reported by the boys over at The Car Connection. Apparently, no decision has yet been made as to whether the Borrego will make a return appearance after 2010 or if the square-jawed SUV will be a one-and-done proposition.

Either way, for the keen bargain hunter, there's a boatload of cash on the hood of the 2009 model year. Kia is presently offering $3,000 in cash back on all trim levels, plus the availability of numerous other incentives. The rundown: $1,500 for trading in a competitor's vehicle (everything from the Buick Enclave to the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited qualifies); $1,500 for owner loyalty, $400 for recent college grads, $500 for military service, and $300 for Great Dane rescue shelter workers. We made that last one up.

Kia Borrego First Drive

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne presents 5-year business plan

2009-11-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

Chrysler LLC has concluded its 7-hour-long marathon presentation of the business plan (read our Live Blog of the event here) that will see it through the next five years, and what we're left with is a little confusing. It's almost as if the automaker's new executives, amidst apologizing for the company's past and promising to do better in the future, were hoping we'd all fall asleep or get lost in the details. Well, we didn't fall asleep or get lost, and below you'll find a breakdown of what we learned while spending the day hip deep in Chrysler's future product. You can also check out the slides from Chrysler's presentation relating to product in the gallery below.

Models On Their Way Out

Jeep Patriot (end of 2012)
Jeep Compass (end of 2012)
Jeep Commander (end of 2010, may continue being sold internationally)
Chrysler PT Cruiser (end of 2010)
Dodge Dakota (mid 2011)
Dodge Caliber (mid 2012)
Dodge Viper (mid 2011, may return in 2012)

New Models That Are Coming

Jeep compact SUV (2013, supplied by Fiat, may be Panda)
Jeep small CUV (2013, supplied by Fiat, replaces Patriot and Compass)
Jeep Liberty (2013, replaced by Fiat product but retains name)
Chrysler small car (2013, supplied by Fiat)
Chrysler compact sedan (2012, supplied by Fiat, replaces PT Cruiser)
Chrysler Sebring (2013, replaced by Fiat product but retains name)
Chrysler midsize CUV (2013, supplied by Fiat)
Ram midsize unibody pickup (under consideration for 2011)
Ram large and small commercial van (2012, supplied by Fiat)
Dodge small car (2013, supplied by Fiat)
Dodge compact sedan (2012, supplied by Fiat)
Dodge Avenger (major update 2010, replaced by Fiat product 2013)
Dodge full-size CUV (2010)
Fiat 500 (late 2010, convertible 2011, Abarth 2012)

Models Staying, Receiving Attention

Jeep Wrangler Diesel (2010/2011, not confirmed for U.S. market... yet)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (all-new 2010)
Chrysler 300C (all-new 2010)
Chrysler Town & Country (major update 2010, next-gen 2014)
Ram 1500/2500/3500 (major update 2012)
Dodge Journey (major update 2010)
Dodge Nitro (major update 2011 under consideration)
Dodge Challenger (refresh 2011)
Dodge Charger (all-new 2010)
Dodge Grand Caravan (major update 2010, next-gen 2014)

UPDATE: You can dive whole hog into the plan yourself at Chrysler's website.

The most notable feature is the "Duo-Path" induction system

2009-11-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

SMS Superparts - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With SMS Supercars recently launching the 570 Challenger and with a Mustang and Camaro, it was inevitable it would soon offer many of the parts individually. On the first day of SEMA Steve Saleen and his new company announced Superparts, the aftermarket sales and distribution arm of SMS Supercars. Many of the parts on the 570 Challenger are now available individually, including the SMS 296 supercharger, aerodynamic parts, and suspension, wheel and tire packages.

Also making its debut at the show is the new SMS 296 supercharger for the 2005-2010 Ford Mustang. The system uses many of the same core components from the Challenger kit, but has a few new features specific for the 4.6-liter V8. The most notable feature is the "Duo-Path" induction system that splits the incoming air starting at the throttle body, going around the supercharger housing to the back of the engine where it enters the rear intake of the compressor. Expected power will be in the 475-650 range depending on the package.

Read more on the SMS Superparts announcement after the jump, or opt for the visuals with the '90s-style 2010 Mustang and a 570X Challenger painted in Sour Grape Green in the high-res gallery below.

2009-11-06T16:43:00.000-08:00

Honda FF engine demonstrator - click above for high-res image

For 2010, Formula F is getting some fresh blood. The Sports Car Club of America's board of directors has given the thumbs up to Honda's proposal for a new engine in the class. Next year, competitors will be able to swap out their ancient Ford Kent engines for a new 1.5-liter four based on the Fit.

Honda Performance Development created the engine so that it was specifically able to bolt up to many contemporary Formula Ford chassis designs with minimal modification, all while providing comparable performance. The air restrictor and ECU calibrations can be adjusted by HPD to ensure performance parity with the series' existing engines.

The engine's electronically fuel injected engine promises significantly reduced service requirements compared to the Kent, along with better efficiency. The engines will be supplied complete with intake, exhaust and conversion kits. The kit for the Swift DB-1 including the engine and all necessary parts runs $11,750 with deliveries starting February.

Honda Fit FF engine

Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4

2009-11-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

It's Day 4 of our SEMA Sweeps! After giving away three of five limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, we're ready to give away our fourth. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so here's how you can win today.

We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win.

Today we're asking whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or new PSP Go. Your answer won't have any effect on your chances of winning since the sweepstakes winner is drawn at random, so pick your favorite portable Sony system, leave a comment and keep your fingers crossed!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:

Leave a comment in this post telling us whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or PSP Go.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 3:00PM EST on Friday, November 6
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
For a list of complete rules, click here

GM officially sells Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhong 2009

2009-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

General Motors has reached an agreement to offload Hummer onto China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery, with Tengzhong taking an 80 percent stake and a private investor consuming the rest.

Details on the deal (available in the press release after the jump) include Hummer contacting vehicle manufacturing from GM, with the General's Shrevport and Mishawaka plants continuing to produce vehicles through June of 2011, with a possible extension until 2012. A recent report says the sale will net GM around $150 million, although the transaction still has to be approved by both U.S. and Chinese regulatory agencies, which could come later this year or in early 2010.

Tengzhong, which only produces commercial trucks and industrial equipment, has never entered into consumer vehicles before, but according to Yang Yi, chief executive officer of Tengzhong. "We are excited about some of the initiatives already underway at HUMMER that we believe our investment will be able to accelerate, particularly related to the creation of the next generation of more fuel-efficient vehicles to meet not only future regulations but also customer expectations."

This IS The New Toyota Prius 2010

2009-07-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: We sat down with Toyota PR this morning, showed them the pictures and they've confirmed that yes, this is the new 2010 Toyota Prius set to be revealed officially at the Detroit Auto Show in January. And yeah, that's all they're willing to tell us at this time.
Someone over at PriusChat dropped images of what appears to be the next generation Prius or at least a really fantastic photochop of what the new Prius mule looks like. Toyota has no comment on the image according to PriusChat, which is something that we're going to have to weigh. What do you all think? Is this the next generation 2010 Prius that we've all been waiting to see after seeing the really underwhelming teasers of the new Prius?

Do You Feel Green Punk? Well, Do Ya?

[Source: PriusChat]

2010 Toyota Prius

2009-06-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Prius IV shown

MSRP: $22,000 - $27,270
Invoice: $20,900 - $25,384

The 2010 Prius is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Prius II to the... read more Prius V.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 1.8-liter, I4, 98-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 51-mpg in the city and 48-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Prius is redesigned for 2010.

Toyota Prius a miser with new moves

2009-06-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

When car buyers think of hybrids, the name that most often springs to mind is the Toyota Prius since it was the first really practical hybrid to come to market and has sold more than any other examples. Yes, of course, the original Honda Insight beat the Prius to market in the U.S. by about six months, but the tiny two-seater sold in equally tiny numbers and had limited appeal beyond hard core hyper milers.

In the coming weeks, Toyota dealers will start getting their first allotments of the all-new third-generation Prius, and while we got to spend a few hours with one on the west coast in March, we just spent a whole week with the new version of this iconic Toyota. While the efficiency of the Prius has never been in dispute, like many other cars from Brand T, its appeal as a driver's car has been, to say the least, limited. For its generation three model, Toyota has not given up on minimizing fuel consumption, but it has sought to make the Prius a bit more appealing on other levels. Read on to find out if the company has succeeded.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Photos copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Many of the most avid fans of the Prius have been people who view cars as nothing more than a means of conveying occupants to a destination with the least amount of fuss. Minimal fuss often means minimal involvement, as well. That typically means finding the most direct route with the fewest number of directional changes. For those operators (we hesitate to call anyone who prefers to remain uninvolved in the process a driver), the first two generations of the Prius were utterly up to the task.

However, there is a fringe group of us who actually prefer roads with some twists and turns and enjoy the challenge of carrying momentum through corners without scrubbing off speed. Doing that effectively is aided by a car that transmits information about cornering forces back through the steering wheel and doesn't feel like it will scrape its door handles at moderate speeds. This is where the previous Prius was severely lacking, falling far short of other thrifty vehicles like Honda's new Insight and VW's Jetta TDI.

Somehow, Toyota has managed to muster its prodigious resources over the last several years to create a new model to address both of these extremist camps. Under the hood, the Prius now includes the latest iteration of Hybrid Synergy Drive, which operates more efficiently than ever. The basic architecture has not changed and includes an electronically variable transmission that acts as the power split device and a pair of electric motor/generators to provide drive torque and kinetic energy recovery.

The internal combustion engine remains a four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle to optimize its thermodynamic efficiency. However, the displacement has grown from the previous 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters, which has dual benefits. When the driver actually needs extra power in order to merge onto a freeway or complete a passing maneuver, the propulsive force is now readily available. The extra displacement means that it's available without unduly straining the engine so the impact on fuel consumption is actually reduced.

Inside, the new floating center console features a trio of buttons to help manage the powertrain behavior, one of which was previously available only in overseas markets. For the first time, U.S. Prius buyers now have an EV button available that sometimes allows the driver to force the car into electric drive mode. Since the Prius is designed as a parallel hybrid, the electric drive portion of the vehicle has limited capabilities (although far more than most current hybrids) to drive the vehicle. Therefore, the EV mode only allows the Prius to troll around silently at speeds below 25 mph. Of course, you can get kicked out of EV mode if the battery level is too low or the accelerator is applied with too much verve. With sufficient energy in the battery and an extremely light right foot, we were regularly able to go over a mile without the engine firing up.

To the right of the EV button is the ECO button. Like the similarly labeled switch in the new Insight, this one moderates the driver's commands before sending them to the various powertrain elements. The ECO mode essentially applies a slow filter to everything, smoothing responses to avoid the sort of sudden transient reactions that cause increased fuel consumption. During our time with the Prius, even these slower reactions proved to be sufficient for almost all day-to-day driving needs. For those times when you need just a bit more get up and go such as merging onto a crowded freeway, to the right of the ECO switch sits the Power button.

This one does the opposite of the ECO switch and speeds up throttle responses. While the 134 horsepower of the new Prius certainly doesn't give it the feel of a sports car, the 24 hp boost over the previous model means that it also never really feels inadequate. The biggest dynamic complaint about the old Prius, however, was the suspension and steering. Our own limited exposure with the prior model demonstrated excessive body lean and steering more in keeping with a video game that uses a non-force feedback steering wheel. The steering in the new model no longer feels so over-boosted and has at least a semblance of feedback about the cornering forces at work. It's not great but it no longer qualifies as scary, so that's a good thing.

As for the suspension, it actually has some roll control now, and the whole car feels tighter than ever. In fact, if anything, it might be a bit too tight in terms of damping. Small road inputs (on the rare occasion that you can find such a thing in Michigan) are transmitted a bit too directly to the driver's back side. While the ride and handling balance is certainly more geared to enthusiasts than before, it could still use a bit of tweaking. The Prius still understeers at the limit like most mainstream front-wheel-drive cars, but it never feels out of control.

The interior of the Prius now has a much more modern appearance than before with the high center console sweeping down from the dash between the front seats. The shift lever has the same basic functionality as before: a pull to the left and down engaging drive and left/up bringing on reverse. The shape of the console means all the controls fall readily to hand. Like the previous generation, Toyota has opted to use some unusual textures on the plastics to replace the usual faux leather graining. Since the simulated leather is typically exaggerated anyway and really doesn't fool anyone, that's a good thing in our books.

Much of the center console has a finish that looks something like brushed metal and is actually rather attractive. The leather seats in our level IV trim model have perforations in a sine wave pattern rather than the usual grid that gives it a bit more visual interest. The front seats themselves were reasonably comfortable during our driving time and never exhibited any unusual pressure points. The rear seat was also adequate for two passengers with plenty of leg room and improved head room thanks to the re-profiled roof-line. Behind the seats, the Prius has an ample 21 cubic feet of space available to carry all your stuff.

The Prius, of course, is all about fuel economy, and the new model has received some big numbers from the EPA. With ratings of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined, one would expect it to be thrifty in the real world... and it is. During our week, the Prius returned a healthy 47 mpg with a driving style that was modest but could not be described as hyper-miling. It took comparatively little effort to get some very impressive numbers.

While a Prius can be purchased for as little as $21,000 for a stripped down model, our test example came to $30,150 including the leather interior, navigation system and solar roof panel. This pricing strategy will appeal to an even wider range of buyers than before, and the lower base price should attract a few cross shoppers from the less expensive though less frugal Honda Insight.

The new Prius is no longer just an appliance for commuting. It's almost fun to drive. Toyota just needs to apply some more of its Kaizen philosophy of continual improvement to the ride and handling and we can call it good.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius Hybrid Will Get 50 MPG

2009-06-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Photo: Michael Graham Richard. Click to see 2010 Toyota Prius Slideshow.

2010 Toyota^ Prius Hybrid: Hello World
After some not too suspenseful waiting, here it is. The official debut of the 3rd generation Toyota Prius hybrid! You can see tons of pictures by going to our 2010 Prius Slideshow (click here or image above), and you can find out all about the new features and technical specs below.

Read on for more!

Photo: Michael Graham Richard. Click to see 2010 Toyota Prius Slideshow.

2010 New Prius Specifications
First, MPG. After all, that's the first thing that people ask about when it comes to the Prius. Here the news are good, though not fantastic. The 2nd generations Prius (released in 2004) got a combined 46 MPG using the new EPA standardized tests. The 3rd generation Prius will get 50 MPG despite having a larger and more powerful engine.

Photo: Michael Graham Richard. Click to see 2010 Toyota Prius Slideshow.

The 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder (76 HP) is replaced by a 1.8-liter Atkinson 4-cylinder that produces 98 HP (for a total of 134 HP with the electric motor, compared to a total of 110 HP for the previous generation Prius). One of the benefits of the bigger engine is that it keeps a lower RPM on the highway, improving fuel economy there, a relative weakness of most hybrids.

Transmission is still a CVT.

Extensive wind-tunnel tests helped Toyota bring the coefficient of drag (how slippery the car is in the air) down, from 0.26 to 0.25. This will help fuel economy, especially on the highway.

It's kind of funny how, from certain angles, the new Honda Insight hybrid looks more like a Prius, and the new Prius looks more like a Honda Civic Hybrid. Talk about cross-breeding.

Photo: Michael Graham Richard. Click to see 2010 Toyota Prius Slideshow.

Making the Prius Sportier?
Toyota writes: "Internal tests show that Prius’ zero-to-sixty acceleration time has dropped from the previous generation’s mid 10-second range to 9.8 seconds, making it comparable to that of an average mid-size sedan with a 2.4-liter engine."

There is also a "power" driving mode that can be activated at the press of a button. This "increases sensitivity to throttle input," making the car more responsive.

But if what you're after is not speed but MPG, there's also an "ECO" mode to help you increase fuel efficiency (this is kind of the opposite of the "power" mode; making cruise control less aggressively try to keep speed, making throttle response smoother, etc).

And finally in North-America, the Prius will come with an "EV-Drive" mode to allow you to stay in all-electric mode at low speeds for up to a mile.

Toyota Prius New York

2009-06-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Toyota Prius to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the 2008 Toyota Prius to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

- Fuel economy

- Roomy cabin

- Hatchback utility

Dislikes

- Digital gauges

- Price premium

- Steering feel

- Midgrade interior materials

The 2008 Toyota Prius is the most successful hybrid vehicle to date. It's become popular largely based on its great fuel economy of up to 48 mpg, its five-passenger capability, and of course, the stunning rise in gas prices in the last five years.

The 2008 Toyota Prius looks like an anonymous hatchback on the outside. Inside, the layout of the dash indicates this is no ordinary vehicle. The dash behind the steering wheel is empty; the speedo and other gauges are relegated to strip at the top of the dash, while a large centered information display reads out fuel economy and climate-control settings, as well as controlling the radio. (It also houses the available navigation system).

Push the Start button--there's no ignition slot--and shift the stubby electronic lever into drive, and you're off. The front-drive Prius gets its juice from a gas-electric powertrain that can operate in pure electric mode at low speeds and while the vehicle is idling. The gas engine is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder that can run on regular unleaded; the batteries lie under the cargo floor and recharges via the engine and by power otherwise lost during braking. The continuously variable automatic transmission keeps the Prius humming in its ideal operating range and helps it achieve 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway.

Performance isn't the Prius's main concern, but city power is plenty strong, and on the highway, the 2008 Toyota Prius can pass with a safe measure of speed. Steering feel is artificial, the brakes are only average, and the ride can get bumpy and noisy, since the tires are skinny, and there's not as much sound deadening as in a more luxurious car.

The 2008 Toyota Prius is an almost mid-size vehicle that offers exceptional roominess compared with other cars in its class. The 2008 Toyota Prius has good room for four adults and a useful hatchback for cargo. Seating is comfortable, but the seats themselves and much of the interior are finished in lightweight, inexpensive plastics.

Front, side, and curtain airbags are now standard on the 2008 Toyota Prius, and crash-test scores of mostly four stars are pretty good. The Prius also earns "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Toyota Prius isn't that entertaining a car to drive, but it delivers exceptional fuel economy and a roomy interior.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Toyota Prius, also consider:

Honda Civic Hybrid

Volkswagen Jetta diesel

Reason why

The high-mileage fuel economy derby has one big name--the Toyota Prius--and a couple of interesting competitors. The Honda Civic Hybrid approaches the Prius's fuel economy numbers, but has a little less interior room. The Volkswagen Jetta gets a new clean-diesel option later this year, and it could have fuel economy of up to 50 mpg or more on the highway--along with a much richer interior and a more conventional sedan shape.

Buying Tip:

With gas prices at record highs, sales of the 2008 Toyota Prius are brisk. Toyota has offered some small incentives in the past year, but paying sticker or more is going to be the rule as fuel prices stay high. The Prius has extremely high resale value; you'll pay more at the dealer, but if you ever decide to resell, the Prius should fetch a good price.

2009 Meet Brian Deese, the 31-year-old in charge of breaking up GM

2009-06-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise. The surprising part about Brian Deese's story is that he's been instrumental in shaping the Obama administration's moves to save General Motors, and this is his first official tour of duty in Washington. What qualifies a guy who hasn't even finished his Yale Law degree to steer President's automotive task force around? From what's been said about Mr. Deese, his quick ability to boil down the often competing economic and political aspects of any given issue.

Deese piped up in favor of Fiat's rescue of Chrysler, pointing out with a memo that a fire sale of the ailing automaker would send unforseen ripples out into the economy as a whole. Speaking out in such an influential manner is definitely unusual considering Deese doesn't appear to be an auto enthusiast or business propeller-head with his nose buried in studies and reports about the car industry. A childhood spent in the Boston suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts under the parentage of a college professor an an engineer, Deese did his undergraduate time at Middlebury College in Vermont before heading to Washington to work for Nancy Birdsall on international aid. A turn with former Clinton policy wonk Gene Sperling before the move to Yale, Hillary Clinton's bid for nomination brought Deese back to DC. With friends in Washington, Deese found himself hooked into the Obama team, and from there he's been running busily around our nation's capital.

If General Motors can successfully navigate Chapter 11, we'll all get to see just how well Brian Deese has done digesting the thorny chestnut that is saving our domestic auto industry.

Sport:Life First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius

2009-05-07T01:47:00.002-07:00

In the foothills of Tucson’s Mount Lemmon, Toyota’s public relations staff delivered Utterli tragic news: a driving impression embargo would preclude live video microblogging coverage of the 2010 Prius. Crushed, I resolved to hike the mountain in the Prius anyway. Now that the embargo has passed, here are a few excerpts from my notes.

The Prius’s silhouette may be contentious, but two points can’t be argued: the aerodynamic shape serves its purpose well, and anything is a welcome alternative to typical Toyota anonymity. Unfortunately, that blandness has crept into the Prius’s front fascia. Toyota’s corporate slit-and-nub grille has been grafted onto the Prius, which offers little differentiation from the Corolla or Yaris from head-on angles.

Toyota pushed the roofline peak aft to increase headroom for backseat passengers. The new roofline’s funky bump gracefully cascades into a refined kammback. Standard energy-efficient LED taillamps integrate nicely with the functional rear spoiler in a handsome evolution of the Prius’s rear quarter.

Interior volume has increased, and is now within eight cubic feet of both the Camry and Fusion Hybrid. The Prius’s lack of ecologically-conscious upholstery and use of traditional petroleum-based seating foam may turn off some greenies, and the mostly staid interior design leaves only one thing to talk about: the Touch Tracer-actuated Multi-Information Display. Touch Tracer is Toyota’s name for touch-sensitive steering wheel controls replicated on the dashboard’s top tier. The redundancy is intended to keep drivers’ eyes on the road while scrolling through trip information screens. Like all Toyota and Lexus hybrids, the fancy dash lacks a tachometer. The monotone green display must be a tribute to Tron — the antiseptic graphs can’t compare to the Fusion’s focus on design. Judge for yourself:

Unfortunately, Toyota’s corporate navitainment head unit is nestled into the Prius’s dash. Drivers must choose between having radio presets at hand, displaying song and artist information, or displaying the navigation map. The world’s best systems share screen real estate — this interface is so poorly executed that the volume bar is not even skinned.

What makes the Prius livable are its on-road dynamics — and we’re not yet talking about fuel economy. To my shock and surprise, the pre-production Prius I drove was outfitted with an electronic power steering system with genuine weight. Every snaking segment leading to the summit of Mount Lemmon revealed an incredible truth: the Prius does not suffer from vapid wheel feel. Not once during the admittedly gradual 8000-foot climb did the Prius’s battery assist run out of grunt. The third-generation nickel-metal hydride system obviously works hard to recapture every possible electron during regenerative braking and coasting — and the proof is in the MPG.

Federal estimates say the Prius can travel 50 miles per gallon in mixed driving. As always, your mileage will vary. Dan Bryant’s sure did. The president of the Houston Hybrids and Hypermilers’ Club achieved 90.6 miles per gallon in the new Prius — one full mile per gallon more than the previous-generation car. To read his impressions, check out the EcoLLC.com blog.

During the pre-drive press briefing, Prius marketing director Doug Coleman said that the new Prius faces two major adversaries: the global economic downturn, and the aggressively priced Honda Insight. Coleman’s almost militant frankness could very well suggest a brewing price war. Any battle for hybrid supremacy will benefit green-minded buyers — and a truly affordable Prius could sway Camry buyers away from the beige and bland once and for all.

Here’s hoping.

[View with PicLens]

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Toyota Prius arrives in Detroit [Live photos added]

2009-05-07T01:47:00.001-07:00

It’s the car that started it all. Back in 1997, Toyota introduced the original Prius, which was the first ever mass-produced hybrid-electric vehicle. The car’s name is a Latin word means “to go before” — in this case denoting a car that was the first in what the forward thinkers at Toyota thought would eventually become the norm. Twelve years later, Toyota is rolling out its third-generation Prius, redesigned for the 2010 model year.

For the most part, Toyota is still building upon the basic Prius concept. The car still has a quirky hatchback design, it’s still powered by relatively basic nickel-metal hydride batteries, and performance numbers will likely discourage enthusiasts.

But there are a number of solid improvements and clever new features that will serve to bolster the car’s following and potentially lure new customers. These include a moonroof with solar panels, four driving modes, Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA), and steering wheel touch controls. A multi-information display panel that monitors fuel and energy consumption is also standard.

The first-generation Prius was rated 41 EPA mpg, and the second-generation model pushed that figure to 46 mpg. The 2010 model marks another significant incremental improvement to 50 miles per gallon (combined city/highway).

A larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine powers the car. Contrary to what one might think, the larger engine actually helps improve highway mileage. By making more torque, the new engine can run at lower average rpm on the highway.

An electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation system also boost efficiency. Furthermore, the engine has no belts under the hood, resulting in better fuel economy and less potential maintenance. The new transaxle and inverter are both 20 percent lighter, reducing the car’s overall weight.

Weight was also saved through use of aluminum in the hood, rear hatch, front suspension axle, and brake calipers. Lighter steel is used in the rocker inner, center pillar, and roof reinforcement.

The new Prius will offer three alternative driving modes. EV-Drive Mode allows driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions permit. There is also a Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle input for a sportier feel, and an Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve the best possible mileage.

Other energy-saving features include available LED low beams and taillights, a more efficient air conditioning system, and a unique ventilation fan that promises to reduce the need for air conditioning in the first place.

The air circulator — which is powered by solar panels — prevents the interior air temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked. This, in turn, makes cool-down time shorter when the driver returns to the vehicle.

The air-conditioning system is also capable of running with the engine off, so the driver can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car — an industry first.

Toyota says it listened to customer feedback, and sharpened handling, reduced road noise, increased interior volume, and improved acceleration. The zero to 60 mph sprint takes 9.8 seconds now — an improvement of over one second. Disc brakes are now used on all four corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the current model.

Interior space has increased considerably, both by making the car larger and making the cabin design more efficient. The car is 0.4 inches longer and 2.2 inches wider. The battery cooling unit also takes up less space, providing more room for passengers. Rear legroom is further improved thanks to thinner front seats.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system is now an available option. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable.

The next-generation Intelligent Parking Assist features simplified settings to help guide the car into parking spaces. A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system. Safety Connect, Toyota’s first safety and security service, will be available a few months after launch.

News Toyota Prius a Real, Live Car

2009-05-07T01:46:00.001-07:00

Well, is my face red.

I like to pooh-pooh political correctness, and things apparently designed to appeal to the liberal mindset. Hence my built-in aversion to hybrid cars, which at first bloom seemed to be a case of pandering to the enviro-whacko fringe.

After all, Honda’s first hybrid, the Insight, was indeed a technological marvel, but so utterly impractical as anything other than a commuter vehicle — not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with that. The Insight sipped gas, but with only two seats and limited storage space — and anemic power — it wasn’t really a vehicle you could take into the mountain passes and expect pulling power. I know this because that’s exactly where I took it.

Look, I have nothing against hybrids as such especially as a techno guy. But hybrids seemed to up the gas mileage ante at the expense of the "fun to drive" I love so much, and at a price that means you’ll probably never recover the extra outlay unless gas prices approach the price of premium bottled water.

Then along comes the second generation Toyota Prius for review and I’m all set to dust off my political correctness jokes to pepper my column on the hybrid.

But then, this fantastic car blew me away on its own terms! Again, my face is red - or is it green?

Toyota, according to its website, says the Prius is "everything an Intermediate Sedan can and should be: powerful, responsive, accommodating, exceptionally fuel efficient and extraordinarily clean burning." And as it turns out, they’re right.

I should have known. Since I drove that first Insight, Honda’s Civic hybrid came along and it was a really nice ride that I could easily envision as a daily driver. Then Honda introduced a hybrid Accord that’s supposedly quicker than the gas-only version, while Lexus has begun marketing a beautiful and powerful hybrid version of its RX 330 SUV — and the second generation Toyota Prius has garnered all sorts of awards.

Something funny must be afoot. Hybrids have evolved into nice, practical vehicles, if pricey.

The Prius is a smooth, bubble-shaped beastie, looking kind of like how the Pontiac Aztek could have if it were smaller and had its sharp edges filed clean to make it graceful instead of angular. It slips through the air almost silently; in fact, the car’s entire operation is so silent it’s difficult to tell when the gas engine is running and when it isn’t.

The heart of the Prius’ drive technology is Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which blends the gasoline engine with electric motor to deliver better power and fuel efficiency than you’d get if the car only used the gas parts. Toyota says it’s a "full" hybrid on the road, meaning that it operates in electric-mode only, gas-mode only or a continuously variable combination of the two. This, of course, is how it should be.

The gas engine is a 1.5 litre, 16 valve, dual overhead cam, variable valve-equipped 4 cylinder model that Toyota claims gives the power and performance of a mid-sized sedan. I don’t know about that: the gas engine is rated at 76 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 82 lb.ft of torque @ 4200 rpm, which isn't a lot - but that's before you add the electric stuff.

The engine also helps qualify the Prius as a Super Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV).

The permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is rated at 67 horsepower @ 1200 - 1540 rpm and 295 lb.ft of torque from 0 - 1200 rpm.

Get a load of that torque figure!

The hybrid system is run by a Power Control Unit that integrates both gas and electric power sources. Toyota claims the result is a 0-60 time of just 10.1 seconds — hardly sports car territory, but Toyota claims it’s comparable to the 0-60 time of its 160 horsepower, 4 cylinder Camry. I drove the 4 cylinder Solara — a Camry derivative — right after the Prius (though I didn't actually time either), and I’d have to agree that the claim sounds reasonable.

As with other hybrids, braking or coasting turns the resulting energy thus created (and usually wasted) into electricity that’s captured and used to recharge the battery. It’s an elegant system that works well.

Toyota claims the Prius will get 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres gas mileage in the city and 4.2 on the highway. I never approached those figures (there’s a readout on the dash that gives a running tally of your mileage), though for most of my week with the Prius I wasn’t trying to optimize my mileage — I wanted to see what the car could do besides sip petrol, so I drove it like I drive every car to see what it was made of.

And you know, this is a very nice car to drive! Sure, it’s no sports car when it comes to acceleration, but it’s surprisingly spry and, while it doesn’t really handle like a sports car either, it gave me a surprisingly satisfying driving experience. On my favourite loop into the Rocky Mountains and back, which includes plenty of long straight freeway stretches as well as lots of hills and twisty bits, it performed just fine.

I was blown away. Even on the return trip on the freeway, where I stuck it in cruise control at about 115 km/h, it held the speed beautifully up and down the foothills — and still got me an average of 4.9 litres/100 km, which for my driving style was outstanding. My mileage while driving the Prius as if it were a Champ car was still about 5.6 l/100 km, which is even more impressive as far as I'm concerned.

As with an increasing number of cars these days, Prius gets rid of the traditional mechanical "gas pedal mechanism", instead using an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" system. Here, instead of a press of the accelerator automatically opening the throttle, your foot pressure on the accelerator sends an electronic message that you want some get up and go to an on-board computer. It works fine.

One thing you’ll notice right away when you get into the Prius is its gear selector. The Prius uses a continuously variable transmission, which doesn’t have conventional gears. The "gear" selector in this case is a little joystick-like device that defaults to a central position regardless of what "gear" you’re in. All you do is move the selector to your choice ("D" for Drive, "B" for engine braking — which is good for controlling your speed down hills — "R" for reverse and "N" for neutral) and then drive.

A CVT takes some getting used to, not so much in actually using it but because it seems weird to be driving a car that never shifts. This was my second experience with a CVT and I really like the way they balance performance with convenience. They seem to perform like a manual, but function like an automatic. The ones I’ve tried don’t give you the "pretend manual" feature of many conventional automatic transmissions, but that didn’t bother me as much as I thought it might.

The front engine/front wheel drive Prius features independent front suspension with MacPherson gas struts while the bum is slung by torsion beams; there are also stabilizer bars front and rear. Prius also gets Advanced Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and power-assisted ventilated disc brakes up front, with ABS and electronic brake force distribution. Steering is variable power assist rack and pinion.

Inside is a surprisingly roomy and comfortable cabin, with cavernous room for the people in the rear. From the driver’s perspective there isn’t a lot to complain about, either. Instrumentation, while digital, is clean and clear. The instrument panel is set below the leading edge of the windshield; I first thought that it was a really dumb idea to mount it so far away from the driver, but after driving the car for only a couple of minutes I realized it’s really a stroke of genius having the display set where you barely have to take your eyes from the road to read it.

In the middle of the dashboard you get the typical LCD screen that displays far too much information, including one of those damn lawyer screens that are becoming the bane of the car industry. The instrumentation/screen and the features in my test unit were quite high end, reminding me not a little of the setup in the Lexus GS 300 AWD I drove a while back.

Even the in-dash 6 disc CD changer audio system is very good, though unlike the Lexus it won’t take DVD-Audio or dts discs. Like just about everything else about the Prius, however, the quality of the audio is much better than I expected.

But of course it isn’t perfect. The "info" button on the steering wheel seems to operate different functions than the one on the LCD panel and some of the other stuff controlled via the screen aren’t particularly ergonomic. And the "smart" keyless entry that lets you keep the fob in your pocket (the car starts via a push button on the dash) wasn’t any smarter than the Lexus one I tried — which means both of them are "intellectually challenged" compared with the system in the Infiniti M35x. To be fair, however, the Toyota system worked better for me than the Acura RL’s.

The greenhouse is excellent, except that the driver’s side "A" pillar gets in the way of the view sometimes. But overall there’s plenty of glass and blind spots are at a minimum.

There are plenty of storage spaces, too, including an interesting double glove compartment, and the car’s configured as a hatchback that features fold down rear seats, so there’s plenty of room for hauling stuff as well.

Safety features are what you’d expect from a modern car, including dual stage front airbags with optional front head and curtain side airbags with front seat side mounted airbags. All five passengers get 3-Point seatbelts while the driver and front passenger seatbelts also feature a pre-tensioner which takes up any slack at the moment of impact. A force limiter reduces the belts’ tension to decrease pressure on the passenger’s torso.

There’s more, of course, including automatic HVAC, but you get the idea. The Prius is for real.

It’s not cheap, though. The base model, which is still pretty nicely loaded, starts at $30,530 Cdn/$20,975 US. My handsome, fully loaded "Seaside Pearl-coloured" tester tipped the cash register at about $37,945 Cdn/$26,629 US.

Okay. I’m convinced. The Prius is a very nice car on its own, regardless of whether you want to save gas (or the environment) or not. But if you’re thinking of jumping into the hybrid market remember: you pay a premium over their gas powered brethren, so much so that you may never see any cost savings during your time with the car.

But hybrids are very green, and they are very nice.

Toyota Prius puts up BIG numbers

2009-05-07T01:45:00.000-07:00

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

When you sit in the 2010 Toyota Prius, you notice all those little things that provide the "Prius experience" – the shift lever, information screen, center-mounted instrument panel – are all present, but they're slightly different and noticeably improved. The time it takes to adapt to the revised interior is emblematic of the new Prius experience. It's the same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it gets better mileage, looks sharper and is packing more technological whiz-bangery than any vehicle this simple to drive has the right to.

We recently tested the 2010 Prius at its North American launch through the vineyard-covered fields and hills surrounding Napa, California. Through it all, the hybrid, officially rated at 50 mpg, performed well and delivered better-than-expected fuel economy. In fact, when we pushed the car's eco prowess by using the EV mode as much as possible and employing a few other tricks, we blew that EPA estimate out of the water by almost 15 mpg. And we weren't alone.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive

The Prius' chief engineer, Akihiko Otsuka, drove a 33-mile route in and around Napa and averaged 62.9 mpg. During the drive week, he levied a Beat-The-Chief challenge to anyone who wanted to take him on. AutoblogGreen was able to get the in-dash display to read in the mid- to low-70s for most of the route, but the last ten miles on a busy 55-mph road dropped that to 64.5 mpg. Not bad, but only good for a standing near the absolute bottom of the rankings among other journalists. Overall, the best score was 94.6 mpg, although that involved some less-than-real-world driving behaviors and conditions. The best "honest" score was 75.3 mpg. In all, about half of the journalists were able to get over 70 mpg, while the rest, save two, were able to get more than 66 mpg.

Increased fuel economy is one of many ways the 2010 Prius has evolved, but the driving experience is similar to the last generation. Despite a slightly longer wheelbase, wider track and new low-rolling resistance tires, you don't notice any serious changes from the driver's seat. The front MacPherson struts and improved body rigidity keep the ride smooth around town and on the highway. Overall, it's the same commuter-friendly conveyance you'd expect and, thankfully, rearward visibility is vastly improved over the outgoing model.

However, one small change we did notice was the absence of that infernal beeping when the car is shifted into Reverse that plagued the outgoing model. After asking Otsuka about the change, we were told that the pre-production models we were testing had the feature removed, but when the production model goes on sale, the beep will return. The good news? Otsuka said dealers can turn off the sound at the customer's request.

Speaking of current Prius owners, the automaker is convinced they'll trade up. In fact, Toyota's Bob Carter said the company expects 20-25 percent of third-generation Prius sales will be repeat buyers. So where will the other 75-80 percent come from? It's clear there's a hybrid sales fight brewing between Toyota and Honda, and Toyota needs to convince buyers that paying a few thousand dollars more for the Prius over the new Honda Insight is worth it.

The Insight, which starts at $20,470, is smaller and has fewer features than the Prius, but it's obviously a direct competitor. Based purely on aerodynamics, the Prius beats the Insight (0.25 versus 0.28 Cd). Honda was understandably proud of its "world-leading coefficient" number when the Insight was announced earlier this year, but Toyota has clearly bested its Japanese rival in this department. Does it matter? The Insight is a fun drive that won't attack your wallet at the pump or its point of purchase, while the Prius gets better mileage, is larger and comes with a cache of green cred that would fill the Grand Canyon.

Throw in the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, which is even larger and starts at $27,270, and 2009 is shaping up to be a good year for potential hybrid owners. With plug-in vehicles supposedly coming in 2010 (and pure electric vehicles not long after) and the poor economy, all bets are off on which hybrid will come out on top. Still, Toyota polled current Prius owners and 90% said their next car will be a Prius. The automaker wanted to offer these repeat buyers some upgraded technology, so it has included two new features on the 2010 Prius: Lane Keep Assist and Intelligent Parking Assist.

Lane Keep Assist (LKA) is triggered by pressing a steering wheel-mounted button that turns on the Lane Departure Warning system. The system looks for yellow and white lines on the pavement and lets the driver know if he or she starts to leave the lane. Lane Keep Assist is used in conjunction with the Prius' Dynamic Cruise Control, but it won't drive for you. The system knows if you let go of the wheel and using a turn signal will disengage LKA entirely.

Another fancy feature is Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA), which makes quick work of parallel parking. When pulling up to an available parking spot, you push a button above the driver's right knee to activate a sensor that can see where parked cars are sitting. When the system finishes its calculations, the rear-view camera turns on and displays a grid that estimates the intended parking position. If the grid is correct, the driver presses "OK" and then the system takes over. From this point, all the driver does is control the speed of the car using the brake pedal. If the driver takes his or her foot off of the brake pedal, IPA will shut down when it reaches its speed threshold. As smart as the new Prius is, however, it's not smart enough to know if a person suddenly appears in the designated parking spot. We were able to test IPA, and it works as advertised. Both LKA and IPA are available as part of the 2010 Prius' Advanced Technology Package (pricing TBD).

	2010 Toyota Prius	2009 Toyota Prius
Length	175.6 inches	175 inches
Width	68.7 inches	67.9 inches
Height	58.7 inches	58.7 inches
Wheelbase	106.3 inches	106.3 inches
Gas Engine	1.8L Atkinson 4cyl	1.5L Atkinson 4cyl
Horsepower Torque	98 @ 5,200 rpm 105 @ 4,000 rpm	76 horsepower 82 lb-ft of torque
Elec. Motor Power	80 horsepower 153 lb-ft of torque	67 horsepower 295 lb-ft of torque
Hybrid Net HP	134	110
EPA Fuel Economy	49 city/50 highway	48 city/45 highway

Gallery: Side by Side: 2010 and 2009 Toyota Prius

All new Prius owners will enjoy three new driving modes -- eco, power and EV -- along with a fourth when the other modes are off (you can read an in-depth description of each mode here). While Toyota cites an official EV mode (electric-only) top speed of 25 mph, we discovered that it's easy to get the gas engine, which now checks i at a larger 1.8 liters producing 94 hp, to kick in at a much lower speed if the battery has three or fewer bars. This information is available in the new multi-information display instead of the touch-screen on the current model. Volume and climate controls are redundant with a nifty new feature on the steering wheel called the Touch Tracer Display.

We noticed when cruising in EV mode, with plenty of juice in the battery, that when you go over 25 mph the EV mode does not re-engage when the car dips below the magic mark again. Otsuka didn't have an answer for why they designed the system like this, but it seems like Toyota intends EV mode to be used sparingly, likely to preserve the battery pack's longevity. Turn EV mode on when you're leaving your driveway and, when it clicks off, focus on Eco mode if you're into saving fuel. During the Beat-The-Chief drive, we engaged the EV button every chance we had, and while 65 mpg isn't bad, it does require constant attention to maintain.

In the end, Toyota knows most people drive a Prius because it makes saving fuel super simple. With the outgoing model, owners put up with abysmal rearward visibility because they got 45 mpg. They put up with the reverse beeping and the spaceship look because they can drive by gas stations without stopping more often. Now, with 50 mpg – or better – new Prius owners have even more reasons to quietly deal with any negatives the new car might have to offer. We have to wait until Toyota announces pricing to determine just how good a deal it is, but for the myriad of fuel-conscious consumers, the 2010 Prius could be their best option available.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive

Tag

Toyota Prius

2009-03-23T22:18:00.001-07:00