autoevolution
 

2016 Toyota Prius Finally Gets Full Tech Details Ahead of Sales Start Early Next Year

The 2016 Toyota Prius lets go of the safe card the previous generation played and goes back to a more radical design. But we already knew that. What we didn't know so far was more info on the powertrain and the onboard tech.
2016 Toyota Prius 21 photos
Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius2016 Toyota Prius
Toyota finally took off the veil and spilled the beans on what will make the fourth iteration of the world's most famous hybrid car tick. And, unsurprisingly, it's a 1.8-liter VVT-i engine in cahoots with an electric motor.

Yes, but Toyota says they have achieved a maximum thermal efficiency of 40 percent due to a complete re-engineering of the naturally aspirated gasoline engine. The power plant receives a redesigned air intake port that improves airflow inside the combustion chamber, improved EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), all leading to better combustion efficiency. Low friction materials and low viscosity engine oil also add up to lower the fuel consumption.

The electric motor has also been made more compact, with a 20 percent reduction in mechanical losses. And since the electric motor needs some juice, let's talk about the controversial battery pack of the new Prius.

The car will come as standard with a new nickel-metal hydride hybrid (NI-MH) battery with a higher density, which means the same amount of power can be stored in a smaller package. Optionally, a more modern lithium-ion (Li-Ion) solution is offered, but that will cost extra. As a general idea, NI-MH batteries have a lower energy density than Li-Ion, take longer to recharge and usually have a lower life expectancy than their more expensive counterpart. Toyota hasn't yet divulged the pricing difference between the two battery options for the 2016 Prius, or their availability.

The 2016 Toyota Prius will be built on the new TNGA modular platform and promises greater torsional rigidity and thus, improved handling. From our experience, the Prius' main problem regarding driving dynamics is (and apparently always will be) its CVT. That will take any idea of sportiness you might get out of your system.

Still, the car does have more dynamic dimensions, with a lowered overall height, lower center of gravity and yet better interior room.

Speaking of the inside, the 2016 Toyota Prius gets an improved instrument panel with dual multi-information 4.2-inch color displays. This is doubled by a color head-up display that relays information directly on the lower part of the windscreen, for optimal driver visibility.

As you would expect, the new Prius also comes with a hefty dose of safety features, but they're always pretty much the same so we're not going to bore you with those. There are more entitled organizations to test their safety ratings, so we'll just wait for those.

Still, if you'd like to know more about Toyota's new hybrid, feel free to browse the press release below.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
press release
About the author: Vlad Mitrache
Vlad Mitrache profile photo

"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories