Toyota Prius +

Toyota
Toyota Prius + (since 2011)
Prius +
Production period:	since 2011
Class :	Van
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto hybrid : 1.8 liters (73 kW) + electric motor : 60 kW
Length:	4610-4645 mm
Width:	1775 mm
Height:	1600 mm
Wheelbase :	2780 mm
Empty weight :	1495-1645 kg

Rear view

Daihatsu Mebius

The Toyota Prius + is a hybrid-powered passenger car from the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota . The van version of the Prius III was presented in 2011 at the Detroit Motor Show in the USA and established its own Prius model range.

In the late summer of 2011, Toyota introduced it to the market, in the USA under the name "Prius V" in Europe as "Prius +" on June 16, 2012. In Japan, the vehicle is also sold as the Daihatsu Mebius .

In summer 2020 Toyota took the Prius + off the market in Germany without replacement. It is still available in other markets in Europe.

Naming

The "V" in the American name of the Toyota Prius does not stand for "Van", but for "Versatility", ie for "Versatility". Toyota wants to point to the spaciousness and flexibility of the new Prius model.

Design and interior

Outwardly, the Prius + is similar to its slightly smaller parallel model, but it has been expanded to van size and now offers 7 seats. The roofline, which is offset upwards at the rear, and the hatchback result in a 50 percent larger load space of up to 700 liters compared to the Prius III. It can be accessed via the large tailgate. The rear seats and the front passenger seat back can be folded down for larger transport tasks.

The accumulator battery is housed in the center console between the front seats instead of under the trunk floor, in favor of a large and variable luggage compartment.

The headlights are available with light-emitting diode technology on request . The taillights are elaborately designed. The air flow at the rear is directed by a spoiler on the roof. The aerodynamically favorable shape of the Prius + has a drag coefficient (c _w ) of 0.29. The peculiarities also include a panoramic roof made of plastic , which can be darkened with electrically operated sun visors.

technology

Although the vehicle has been completely redesigned, it has some similarities with the Prius III not only externally, but also technically: The Prius + also has the Hybrid Synergy Drive , a combination of a gasoline engine with 73 kW (99 PS) and an electric motor with 60 kW (82 PS). The system output is specified as 100 kW (136 PS). A nickel-metal hydride battery is used to store electricity . The Prius + is said to have an average consumption of 5.8 l / 100 km. Equipment belonging to the series, such as the Hill Start Assist (HAC) or the reversing camera, was carried over from the predecessor, along with other technical innovations.

In Europe, the Prius + is available with a lithium-ion battery instead of the NiMH battery previously used exclusively in the Hybrid Synergy Drive. The drive has also been further developed in other points: The efficiency of the heat exchanger, with which the exhaust gas heat can be used to heat the catalytic converter and the cooling water, has been improved; in addition, the heat exchanger is now electronically controlled. Another control circuit has been developed under the name “pitch & bounce control”, which prevents the body from rocking on bad roads due to drive power acting in the opposite direction.

The standard consumption in urban areas = 3.8 l, outside urban areas = 4.2 l, the total standard consumption is 4.1 l.

Technical specifications

Parameters	1.8 VVT-i
Construction period	since 06/2012
Engine characteristics
Engine type	R4 petrol engine + electric motor
Displacement	1798 cc
Max. power	73 kW (99 PS) at 5200 rpm
Max. Power electric motor	60 kW (82 PS)
Overall system performance	100 kW (136 hp)
Max. Torque	142 Nm at 4000-4400
Max. Torque electric motor	207 Nm
Total torque system	k. A.
Power transmission
Drive, as standard	Front wheel drive
Gearbox, as standard	continuously variable automatic transmission
Readings
Top speed	165 km / h
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h	11.3 s
Fuel consumption over 100 km (combined)	4.1 l super
CO 2 emissions (combined)	96 g / km
Emission standard according to EU classification	5 euro

Worldwide popularity with taxi companies

Prius + (V) as a taxi in New York City

The Prius + has been used by numerous taxi companies for many years and has proven to be robust and durable. Taxi companies appreciate the Prius + for its economical consumption in the city. Taxi of the Year is a taxi comparison test that is regularly organized by taxi heute, the independent magazine for the taxi and rental car industry and the Munich-based HUSS-VERLAG. In the SUV / Van category, the Prius + was named “Taxi of the Year 2017” as the most economical taxi model. This was justified with the combination of low consumption, even in city traffic, low maintenance costs, high reliability and good comfort. Over two days, 40 taxi operators determined the best vehicles from among 21 current taxi models from twelve brands in extensive driving and function tests in and around Fulda. The Prius + was one of the winners of the taxi competition in previous years.

In March 2020, taxi companies in Germany secured 2,300 units of the popular seven-seater Prius + for production until 2021. Many taxi drivers find alternatives such as the RAV4 Hybrid SUV too expensive, but criticize the uncomfortable entry of the new Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid at the back.

Registration numbers

Since the start of sales up to and including December 2018, a total of 8,487 Toyota Prius + have been newly registered in Germany. In 2019 there were 1,382 units. That is the highest sales in a year, although the vehicle was already in its eighth year of sales.

Source: Federal Motor Transport Authority

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b} Green Car congress: Toyota previews Prius V
2. ↑ ^{a b c} Toyota.de: The Toyota Prius becomes a model family ( Memento of the original from May 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The  archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , January 10, 2011
3. ↑ Information on the Toyota Prius
4. ↑ Stefan Leichsenring: Toyota has discontinued the Prius: an obituary for the hybrid model. In: de.motor1.com. August 4, 2020, accessed August 4, 2020 . 
5. ↑ ^{a b} Prius offspring , January 12, 2011
6. ↑ toyota.at: Compare technical data
7. ↑ Andreas Donath: Toyota Prius is no longer sold in Germany. In: https: //www.golem.d . August 7, 2020, accessed August 8, 2020 . 
8. ↑ Ajaz Shah: The Toyota Prius disappears from the German market. In: https://energyload.eu/ . August 7, 2020, accessed August 8, 2020 . 
9. ↑ Taxi of the year 2019. In: https: //www.taxi-heute.d . May 25, 2020, accessed August 8, 2020 . 
10. ↑ Gregor Soller: Toyota Prius + is again taxi of the year. In: https://vision-mobility.de/ . May 24, 2017, accessed August 8, 2020 . 
11. ↑ Dietmar Fund: Toyota has secured 2,300 Prius + taxis. In: https://www.taxi-heute.de/ . March 7, 2020, accessed August 8, 2020 . 

Web links

Commons : Toyota Prius +  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Official website