Toyota enginereleased a prototype on Nov. 16, a C-Class hybrid-only model, the 5th generation”Prius‘. For the hybrid powertrain, which is attracting attention, it was revealed that for the first time since the first generation model appeared in 1997, two engines of 1.8 liter and 2 liter displacement will be prepared and there will be three types of maximum combined power.
◆ Highest specification PHEV, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 6 seconds
Among the series, the highest combined power rating is the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) model which is mated to a single 2.0-litre engine, with a maximum power output of 164 kW (223 hp). Sure, the Prius is the strongest in history. The nominal acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h is 6.7 seconds, but since the electric vehicle has an output of 164 kW, it should be possible to achieve that time on the road as well.
A PHEV with a large amount of batteries can draw a lot of power from the battery, so it has a power advantage over a regular hybrid vehicle (HEV). Even with the fourth generation Prius, there were quite a few engineers on the development team who wanted to make it a high output spec because it was a PHEV, but the idea was that a plug-in hybrid car shouldn’t lose to a regular one. Hybrid car in terms of hybrid fuel efficiency: It was deeply rooted in the upper echelons and never materialized. The “RAV4” SUV is the first PHEV to outperform a regular HEV, and the Prius is the second to follow.
◆ 1.8HEV for fuel-conscious users
There are two non-plug-in hybrids, a 1.8-litre engine version and a 2-litre engine version. The 1.8-litre version is likely a fourth-generation refinement that will appeal to traditionally fuel-efficient users. The 2-litre version has a maximum output of 144kW (Toyota also writes 193bhp, but that could be a miscalculation of 196bhp), which is a further increase in power over the 132kW of the current overseas version of the 2.0 Corolla Hybrid. This 2-litre version is also expected to accelerate from 0-100km/h in under 8 seconds.
