Toyota was the first company to offer the world PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) technology. With the launch of the second generation Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, it is taking a further step towards its goal of reducing whole fleet CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050 through the use of HV (Hybrid Vehicle) PHV, EV (Electric Vehicle) and FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) technologies.
A powerful response to customer feedback on the first generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota’s new PHV is not only a significant evolution of the latest generation Prius, but also a truly unique vehicle in its own right.
It features numerous sophisticated technological breakthroughs, including two Toyota firsts -a Battery Warming System and a Dual Motor EV drive system, and two world firsts -an EV range-extending solar roof and gas injection heat pump air-conditioning.
With an EV range more than doubled to over 50 km and maximum EV speed increased from 85 to 135 km/h, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid represents a huge leap forwards in efficiency, driving performance, innovation and styling, whilst remaining true to Toyota’s goal of creating the ultimate eco car.
STATE-OF-THE-ART PHV TECHNOLOGY, DOUBLE THE EV DRIVING RANGE
At the heart of the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the latest generation of Toyota’s advanced PHV technology. It offers customers two cars in one; an even more sophisticated full hybrid powertrain and a real, all-electric EV driving experience with double the range of the previous generation model.
The significant increase in EV driving range from 25 km to over 50 km is based on technological improvements in three key areas: optimum battery development, maximising EV driving performance and making the overall vehicle package much more efficient.
Optimum battery development
Located under the rear load space, a large capacity lithium-ion battery is fundamental to the new Toyota PHV’s more than doubled EV range of over 50 km. The battery capacity has equally doubled from 4.4 to 8.8 kWh. Yet, the battery volume has only increased by 66% -from 87 to 145 litres, and, at 120 kg, it is only 50% heavier than its predecessor.
Dual Motor Drive System
EV power has also been increased by some 83% thanks to the development of Toyota’s first hybrid powertrain to feature a Dual Motor Drive System. A new, highly-compact one-way gear within the transaxle allows the hybrid system generator to act as a second electric motor. This boosts EV driving power for better acceleration, an even more engaging performance and a maximum EV driving speed of 135 km/h, whilst greatly reducing engine start up frequency.
Faster Battery Charging
Its maximum charging power increased from 2 to 3.3 kW, the battery itself can be fully charged up to 65% more quickly; in only 2 hours using the Type II Mode III Mennekes connector, and 3 hours and 10 minutes using a standard household plug socket.
The charging process is now programmable weekly on a day-by-day basis, and includes the facility to simultaneously charge and pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin.
ENHANCED EV DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The full hybrid drive system’s new transaxle is combined with a new, highly efficient PCU system control unit to give the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid extraordinary overall operating efficiency.
With a total power output of 90 kW, the new PHV’s full hybrid powertrain combines improved EV and HV driving performance to accelerate the Prius Plug-in Hybrid from 0-100 km/h in 11.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 162 km/h. Conversely, it achieves average fuel consumption of only 1.0 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 22 g/km.
Choice of 3 Driving Modes and 4 Powertrain Modes
A choice of four, switchable powertrain modes is available to control how the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s seamless, E-CVT electric continuously variable transmission delivers power when driving: HV Mode, EV Mode, EV City and a new Battery Charge Mode.
HV Mode efficiently combines the power delivery of the engine and electric motors, allowing the Prius-Plug-in Hybrid to operate as a full hybrid. And -activated by pressing and holding the HV/EV Mode switch- the new Battery Charge Mode uses the engine to generate electricity to charge the battery while driving in HV Mode.
EV Mode primarily uses electric power from the HV battery to drive the vehicle, only starting the engine when the throttle is wide open or at high vehicle speeds. It incorporates a switchable EV City Mode, which reduces maximum power output and only starts the engine when the throttle kick-down is engaged, allowing the new Toyota PHV to run on electric power alone for as long as possible.
Available whilst the new Toyota PHV is operating in any of the three powertrain modes, three ‘on-demand’ Drive Modes -NORMAL, POWER and ECO- may be also selected to further increase driving efficiency, performance and fuel economy.
These drive modes also incorporate comprehensive Eco driving support for those who wish to adopt more environmentally-friendly driving techniques.
From start-up and at lower speeds, the NORMAL drive mode selected, the new PHV automatically operates in EV mode, driving under electric motor power alone to give instant power and an extraordinarily smooth, quite ride with minimal NVH. Thereafter, the full hybrid drive system automatically combines the power of the engine and electric motor, or engages each individually, depending on driving conditions.
The POWER mode modifies the response of the Prius-Plug-in Hybrid to throttle inputs, boosting power to improve acceleration and enhance driving pleasure. The POWER mode provides a higher throttle response to accelerator pedal input.
Once in POWER mode, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid also benefits from the automatic activation of a new DMD (Driver’s Mind D Logic) drive assist system to provide a more responsive driving experience.
Using a Driver’s Monitoring Index (DMI) system, which continuously monitors the vehicle’s G-forces to understand driver behaviour and habits, DMD responds to the driver’s desire for more sporty performance, adjusting engine braking performance and throttle response accordingly.
In ECO mode, throttle response to aggressive accelerator pedal inputs is reduced and air-conditioning control optimized for improved fuel economy. Depending on driving conditions, the ECO mode can help drivers achieve a reduction in fuel consumption.
Toyota was the first company to offer the world PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle) technology. With the launch of the second generation Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, it is taking a further step towards its goal of reducing whole fleet CO2 emissions by 90% by 2050 through the use of HV (Hybrid Vehicle) PHV, EV (Electric Vehicle) and FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) technologies.
A powerful response to customer feedback on the first generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota's new PHV is not only a significant evolution of the latest generation Prius, but also a truly unique vehicle in its own right. It features numerous sophisticated technological breakthroughs, including two Toyota firsts -a Battery Warming System and a Dual Motor EV drive system, and two world firsts -an EV range-extending solar roof and gas injection heat pump air-conditioning. With an EV range more than doubled to over 50 km and maximum EV speed increased from 85 to 135 km/h, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid represents a huge leap forwards in efficiency, driving performance, innovation and styling, whilst remaining true to Toyota's goal of creating the ultimate eco car.
STATE-OF-THE-ART PHV TECHNOLOGY, DOUBLE THE EV DRIVING RANGE At the heart of the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the latest generation of Toyota's advanced PHV technology. It offers customers two cars in one; an even more sophisticated full hybrid powertrain and a real, all-electric EV driving experience with double the range of the previous generation model.
The significant increase in EV driving range from 25 km to over 50 km is based on technological improvements in three key areas: optimum battery development, maximising EV driving performance and making the overall vehicle package much more efficient.
Optimum battery development Located under the rear load space, a large capacity lithium-ion battery is fundamental to the new Toyota PHV's more than doubled EV range of over 50 km. The battery capacity has equally doubled from 4.4 to 8.8 kWh. Yet, the battery volume has only increased by 66% -from 87 to 145 litres, and, at 120 kg, it is only 50% heavier than its predecessor.
Dual Motor Drive System EV power has also been increased by some 83% thanks to the development of Toyota's first hybrid powertrain to feature a Dual Motor Drive System. A new, highly-compact one-way gear within the transaxle allows the hybrid system generator to act as a second electric motor. This boosts EV driving power for better acceleration, an even more engaging performance and a maximum EV driving speed of 135 km/h, whilst greatly reducing engine start up frequency.
Faster Battery Charging Its maximum charging power increased from 2 to 3.3 kW, the battery itself can be fully charged up to 65% more quickly; in only 2 hours using the Type II Mode III Mennekes connector, and 3 hours and 10 minutes using a standard household plug socket. The charging process is now programmable weekly on a day-by-day basis, and includes the facility to simultaneously charge and pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin.
ENHANCED EV DRIVING EXPERIENCE The full hybrid drive system's new transaxle is combined with a new, highly efficient PCU system control unit to give the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid extraordinary overall operating efficiency. With a total power output of 90 kW, the new PHV's full hybrid powertrain combines improved EV and HV driving performance to accelerate the Prius Plug-in Hybrid from 0-100 km/h in 11.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 162 km/h. Conversely, it achieves average fuel consumption of only 1.0 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 22 g/km.
Choice of 3 Driving Modes and 4 Powertrain Modes A choice of four, switchable powertrain modes is available to control how the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid's seamless, E-CVT electric continuously variable transmission delivers power when driving: HV Mode, EV Mode, EV City and a new Battery Charge Mode.
HV Mode efficiently combines the power delivery of the engine and electric motors, allowing the Prius-Plug-in Hybrid to operate as a full hybrid. And -activated by pressing and holding the HV/EV Mode switch- the new Battery Charge Mode uses the engine to generate electricity to charge the battery while driving in HV Mode.
EV Mode primarily uses electric power from the HV battery to drive the vehicle, only starting the engine when the throttle is wide open or at high vehicle speeds. It incorporates a switchable EV City Mode, which reduces maximum power output and only starts the engine when the throttle kick-down is engaged, allowing the new Toyota PHV to run on electric power alone for as long as possible.
Available whilst the new Toyota PHV is operating in any of the three powertrain modes, three 'on-demand' Drive Modes -NORMAL, POWER and ECO- may be also selected to further increase driving efficiency, performance and fuel economy.
These drive modes also incorporate comprehensive Eco driving support for those who wish to adopt more environmentally-friendly driving techniques. From start-up and at lower speeds, the NORMAL drive mode selected, the new PHV automatically operates in EV mode, driving under electric motor power alone to give instant power and an extraordinarily smooth, quite ride with minimal NVH. Thereafter, the full hybrid drive system automatically combines the power of the engine and electric motor, or engages each individually, depending on driving conditions. The POWER mode modifies the response of the Prius-Plug-in Hybrid to throttle inputs, boosting power to improve acceleration and enhance driving pleasure. The POWER mode provides a higher throttle response to accelerator pedal input.
Once in POWER mode, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid also benefits from the automatic activation of a new DMD (Driver's Mind D Logic) drive assist system to provide a more responsive driving experience. Using a Driver's Monitoring Index (DMI) system, which continuously monitors the vehicle's G-forces to understand driver behaviour and habits, DMD responds to the driver's desire for more sporty performance, adjusting engine braking performance and throttle response accordingly. In ECO mode, throttle response to aggressive accelerator pedal inputs is reduced and air-conditioning control optimized for improved fuel economy. Depending on driving conditions, the ECO mode can help drivers achieve a reduction in fuel consumption.
