Fri 10 Jun 2011
As part of last year’s Toyota Design Internship, industrial designer Eric Leong produced this interesting take on the third-generation Toyota Prius for the year 2015.
By acknowledging that wind resistance is one of the key factors in improving vehicle economy, Leong’s Prius III hybrid is extremely slippery. Described by the designer as moving, “through [the wind], not into it”, this design study channels air over its surface through a series of vanes.
Thu 9 Jun 2011
The newest entrant in a growing Prius family of hybrid vehicles, the Prius v delivers an unparalleled blend of versatility and fuel efficiency in a comfortable, mid-size package. A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius v will go on sale in Fall 2011.
Sat 14 May 2011
False alarm, Prius fans. According to Toyota, the Prius V MPV is on track to hit the market as scheduled. Reports recently began circulating indicating that the Japanese automaker was delaying the vehicle’s launch due to the lingering impact of this year’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters. Word was that a battery shortfall was causing the hold-up, though the manufacturer has now confirmed that the large hybrid will debut this fall as originally scheduled.
Tue 10 May 2011
The next Prius which will launch in 2012 will feature high performance lithium-ion batteries
Toyota is upping the ante on its famed Prius hybrid and will be making the model a plug-in vehicle as standard by 2014.
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.
Tue 15 Feb 2011
Based on the current iQ, the EV prototype represents “Toyota’s long-term vision for short-range, sustainable mobility.” The EV prototype uses an all-electric drivetrain based on Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, fitting perfectly with the iQ’s city-friendly nature.
Toyota developed a new lithium-ion battery pack for the iQ EV, with the unit fitting completely beneath the vehicle’s floor. The design allows for maximum interior volume while returning 65 miles per charge.