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Toyota’s New Prius Sporty Specification Unveiled for the First Time in the World – Original Styling Receives Many Reactions! Some say it is the “”coolest looking eco-car ever!

What is the new Prius, the pursuit of functional beauty that can be driven at will?
　The new Toyota Prius will have its world premiere on November 16, 2022.
　
　On the same day, images of a car equipped with GR parts were also released, but what kind of feedback will we see?

This looks fast… Look at the design of the new “”Prius Sporty version””!

New Prius equipped with GR parts in pursuit of functional beauty that can be driven at will

　The new Prius, now in its fifth generation, has been developed as a model with “”a design that makes you fall in love at first sight”” and “”a driving experience that makes you fall in love with it”” with the desire that “”it will be loved for a long time because it is an eco-car within everyone’s reach.

　The new Prius features U-shaped, advanced headlights, a wider and lower stance than its predecessor, and a body shape that is simple, sharp, and luxurious.
　
　In addition, the second-generation TNGA platform (GA-C) has achieved an even lower center of gravity and has evolved into stylish and sporty proportions with large-diameter 19-inch wheels.

　To coincide with the announcement of the new Prius, the official website of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is showing the design of a car equipped with GR parts in advance.

　Currently (November 25, 2022), two images of the new Prius with GR parts specification are available on TDR’s official website.

　The site describes the GR parts for the new Prius as “”the pursuit of functional beauty that can be controlled at will”” and also explains that the “”styling pursues a direct steering feel that can be controlled at the driver’s will for both city driving and winding roads.

　The exterior, as described, is fitted with a front spoiler with a strong presence on the lower front section. In addition, side visors appear to have been added to the left and right sides.

　On social networking sites, many people are looking forward to the release of the car, posting comments such as “”GR parts, really cool”” and “”the coolest looking eco-car””.

　Some users are even saying, “”If I buy a Prius, I want to make it with GR parts.

New Toyota “Prius” already 2 years waiting! Is the production volume actually low? We asked dealers in each area.

New “Prius” Already 2 Years Waiting!
　Toyota has announced the world premiere of the new “Prius” on November 16, 2022.
　
　Dealers have already been inundated with inquiries, but what is the current situation at dealerships in terms of quotes, advance reservations, and delivery dates?

“No center meter!”The drastically changed interior of the new “Prius” in 39 images.

Toyota’s new “Prius PHEV” (5th generation)

　Under the concept of “Hybrid Reborn,”the new Prius has evolved for the first time in seven years into an emotional model with a design that makes you fall in love at first sight and a driving experience that makes you fall in love with it.

　The new Hybrid Reborn features a lower center of gravity than the previous model, large 19-inch tires, and a sporty interior with a black base and red interior coloring in some areas.

　In addition, the new Prius is packed with the latest technology, including a new-generation hybrid system and the latest Toyota Safety Sense preventive safety features as standard equipment.

　As of now, Toyota has announced that the new Prius will go on sale this winter, with the PHEV to follow in the spring of 2023, and no official information has been released regarding specific pricing, official sales start date, or delivery date.

　On the other hand, since November 16, when the new Prius was unveiled for the first time in the world, dealers have already been inundated with inquiries, and it can be said that many users “”can’t wait.

　So, what is the current status of each dealership? (All as of December 2, 2022)

　A staff member at a dealership in Tokyo had the following to say.

We are not yet able to receive quotations, but are accepting pre-orders.

　We are told it will be around late December before we can get a quote.

　We have received a great number of inquiries about the new Prius, including customers who want to switch to the new model.

　However, as for the delivery date, we are told that it will take nearly a year, and if orders are placed after the new year, it will take nearly two years, so we are unable to give a definite delivery date.”

　A staff member at a dealership in Aichi Prefecture also stated, “Estimates are expected around the end of December.

I think we can make an estimate as early as the end of December.

　While we receive many inquiries from customers about catalogs and quotations, we do not make reservations in advance and have yet to receive any information from them.

　At present, it seems that no quotes can be obtained because no information on pricing or other details has been sent to the dealers. However, some stores are making advance reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

The number of shops is limited.

　In addition, a staff member at a dealer in Kyoto Prefecture said, “”Our store does not receive information such as your address and name.

At our store, we accept advance reservations in the form of asking for your name and address, and signing the contract as soon as the price is known.

　However, even if you make a reservation, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to get on the car immediately.

　According to what we have heard, the production volume itself is small, and the manufacturer allocates a fixed number of units to each dealership, so we may only be able to accept reservations for a few units at a time at each store.

　Users have already voiced their opinions about the new Prius reservations.

I made a reservation! On the other hand, some users have given up due to the long delivery time, such as “I told the dealer, but I couldn’t get a quote and they said delivery would be next fall..”, “I gave up when I heard delivery would be after April 2024”, “I heard there was already a two-year wait for the new Prius pre-order”, and so on. Some users have given up due to the long delivery time.

　In addition to the still continuing new Corona virus, the shortage of semiconductors is already resulting in significantly longer delivery times for cars, so it seems that it is a good idea for those who are thinking about purchasing the new Prius to move quickly.

A super car depending on the angle you look at it! The cool and evolved new Toyota Prius, the car you want?

The new Prius just got a whole lot cooler!
　Toyota has unveiled the new Prius for the first time in the world on November 16, 2022.

　The new Prius, now in its fifth generation, has evolved into a sleek silhouette that resembles a sports coupe. Inheriting the mono-form silhouette, the new Prius will be revamped with a wide and low stance and large-diameter (19-inch) tires to create a stylish design that will resonate with the senses.

Finally, the center meter has been abolished! The sporty new Prius is just too cool!

The new Toyota Prius, redesigned to look like a sports car.

　In addition to the existing 1.8-liter hybrid, a 2-liter hybrid powertrain is available. In addition, Toyota’s first 2-liter plug-in hybrid is also available, with a maximum system output of 164 kW (223 hp) and powerful dynamic performance, boasting specifications that rival sports cars.

　We conducted a survey on the new Prius to find out what SNS users thought of the new Prius.

What do you think of the design of the new Prius? 41.8% of respondents answered “”Very good,”” 34.5% answered “”Fairly good,”” 10.9% answered “”Not so good,”” and 12.7% answered “”Not good at all,”” indicating that two-thirds of the respondents had a favorable impression.

　Respondents who felt it was good seemed to appreciate the sporty and advanced design, with comments such as “”looks like a sports car or coupe,”” “”honestly cool,”” “”more future-oriented design,”” and “”a design that can compete overseas.

　Some respondents compared it to the new Crown Crossover, which has undergone a full model change and become a coupe SUV, saying that “”the design is more complete and better than the new Crown”” and “”it is a child of the Crown Crossover””.

　Others said, “”It has become a Prius I would like to buy,”” and “”It has supercar-like elements that I prefer from certain angles.

　On the other hand, others commented, “”It looks cool, but the large width and low height give the impression that it is no longer a car for daily use,”” and “”It looks very sporty with a massive feel, but I don’t like the tail design.

　The body size of the new Prius is 4600 mm (overall length) x 1780 mm (overall width) x 1430 mm (overall height). The overall length and width are 25 mm and 20 mm longer, respectively, than the previous model, while the height is 40 mm lower. It adopts a low and wide style.

　Although the lower overall height has resulted in a slightly lower interior height, the hip point has been lowered to create a less oppressive interior.

　In addition, the rear design features a large “”PRIUS”” logo under the thin, horizontal taillights. The rear view, which emphasizes the Prius identity, may be said to be a design for different tastes.

When asked, “”What do you expect from the new Prius?”” (multiple answers), the most common answer was “”1.8-liter/2-liter hybrid and 2-liter PHEV”” (43.6%), followed by “”Stylish exterior design”” (38.2%), “”Interior design that combines driving excitement and high quality”” (35.6%), and “”Latest advanced safety and driving support system”” (35.6%). the latest advanced safety and driving support systems”” (30.8%).

　The interior of the new Prius features a cockpit that allows drivers to concentrate on driving, as the “”center meter”” used in past models has been eliminated, the meter has been moved to the front of the driver’s seat, and the small stick-shaped shift lever has been changed to a shape used in many recent Toyota vehicles.

　The Prius is driven by drivers of all ages, so a driver’s seat with a universal design, rather than an eccentric one, may be what is required.

“25 years have passed since the debut of the “”Zani-Shift””! Tracing the History of the “”Shift Lever”” Evolved by Successive Models of the Eco-Car “”Prius

The “”Prius Shift,”” synonymous with electric shifting, has also had a history of change
It will soon be 25 years since the debut of the first-generation Prius, the pioneer of mass-produced hybrid cars, in December 1997. On November 16, 2022, Toyota fully remodeled the Prius for the first time in approximately seven years.
　
　In the history of the Prius, which spans five generations, we will trace the history of the Prius, with a focus on its particularly distinctive “”shift lever.

“”Prius Shift”” was different in the past! See 72 photos of successive generations of the Prius.

The Electro Shiftmatic, a joystick-like electronically controlled shift that is often referred to as the “”Prius Shift”” .

　In December 1997, the first-generation Prius debuted as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car with the catchphrase, “”Just in time for the 21st century.

　The Toyota Hybrid System (THS), a series-parallel hybrid system combining a 1.5-liter engine, electric motor, and nickel-metal hydride battery, achieved a catalog fuel economy of 28 km/L (10-15 mode fuel economy), approximately twice that of a gasoline vehicle in the same class at the time. The THS hybrid system achieved fuel economy of 28 km/L (10-15 mode fuel economy), approximately twice that of a gasoline vehicle in the same class at the time, and became a major topic of conversation around the world.

　The first-generation Prius 4-door sedan body was compact, measuring 4275 mm (overall length) x 1695 mm (overall width), but the height was increased to 1490 mm (overall height) and the front and rear sections of the body were shortened to ensure a wide interior space.

　Like the exterior, the interior layout was designed with the next generation in mind.

　Digital meters and a 5.8-inch display were placed in the center of the instrument panel. The shift lever is a unique column-shift type that extends from the top of the instrument panel.

　In addition, the center console has been eliminated and the parking brake has been changed to a foot-operated type to provide more leg room and facilitate a walk-through (side walk-through) from the left and right front seats.

　The side walk-through function is common in minivans and minicars, but its adoption in a compact sedan was rare at the time.

　The second-generation Prius followed in September 2003. The body style was changed to a 5-door hatchback that combined aerodynamic characteristics with interior space to improve fuel economy.

　Since then, this silhouette has been inherited by successive generations of models up to the current model as a symbol of “”Prius-ness.

　The body size was increased to 4445 mm (overall length) x 1725 mm (overall width) x 1490 mm (overall height). The hybrid system has also been renewed and evolved into THS II.

　The THS II system combined low fuel consumption and emissions with powerful driving performance, achieving the world’s best fuel economy at the time, 35.5 km/L (10-15 mode fuel economy).

　The interior is as advanced as the exterior. The center meter is positioned farther away for better visibility, while the controls are laid out in a way that makes them easy to use at hand.

　This cockpit concept of “”display at a distance and operation at hand”” is one of the characteristics of the Prius that has been carried over to later models.

　As part of this concept, the “”Electro-Shiftmatic,”” a joystick-like electronically controlled gearshift, was adopted.

　Because it switches electrically, the shift lever is operated lightly using only the fingertips, and as an unprecedented and innovative shift lever, it symbolizes the advanced nature of the Prius.

　The compact Electroshiftmatic on the instrument panel was carried over to the 3rd and 4th generation Prius, and was later referred to as the “”Prius Shift.

The Electro-Shiftmatic was later also used in the 3rd and 4th generation Prius.

　The fifth-generation new Prius, which was unveiled in November, has a low, sporty form, which is a major change.

　The instrument panel of the new model adopts the “”Island Architecture”” concept.

　This is based on the concept of clearly separating (zoning) the background and functions (island) visually by concentrating panels and other functional controls on an island-shaped surface.

　The floating instrument panel, which appears to float above the island, and the “”surround tabs”” that continuously surround the instrument panel from the door panels, are composed of a low, recessed floating instrument panel that reduces the sense of oppression from the low front window and low vehicle height.

　The shift lever has been moved to the orthodox center console, in part because of the low, reclined seat position.

　The shift lever and other controls are now located in a more natural and convenient position for the driver to reach, based on the island architecture concept described above.

　The new Prius also uses an electric gearshift that is light and easy to operate, but the length of the shift lever has been extended to a more conventional shape, so it does not look as “”futuristic”” as in the past.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)”

“Low, wide and “”emo”” new “”Prius””! But isn’t it “”narrow””? Let’s take a ride and find out!

Bold “”wide and low”” form! What happened to the interior?
　On November 16, 2022, Toyota fully remodeled the Prius hybrid car for the first time in about seven years.
　
　The bold “”wide and low”” form that has accelerated the emotional appeal of the car has been the talk of the town, but will it have any effect on the interior space?

It looks cool, but what about the “”interior””? View 46 photos of the new Prius

Surprised”” at the sloping angle of the front window! The new Toyota “”Prius”” (5th generation), transformed into a low, wide, sporty form

　The new fifth-generation Prius is based on the concept of “”Hybrid Reborn”” and is said to have been reborn as a Prius for a new era, adding the values of “”eye-catching design”” and “”captivating driving”” while maintaining its high environmental performance.

　The exterior design inherits the futuristic mono-form silhouette that is typical of the Prius, with simple details, but with a stylish emphasis on intonation. The sloping angle of the front window is also reminiscent of a sports car.

　Compared to the previous Prius, the overall height has been reduced by 40mm, while the overall length and width have been increased by 25mm and 20mm, respectively, and the tires have been enlarged in diameter, resulting in a “”wide and low”” emotional and bold form with even more power.

　At the same time, the front and rear occupant seating positions (hip points) have been lowered to accommodate the five-passenger packaging.

　The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) has been extended by 50 mm to ensure more interior space.

　An editorial staff member (approximately 170 cm in height) who sat in the front and rear seats of the new Prius at the press release site confirmed the new Prius’ interior space, saying, “”The front seats are much smaller than the previous generation.

The front seats feel much lower than the previous generation, and I was surprised at the seating position where you sit with your legs stretched out as if you were lying down, as well as the sloping front window.

　Compared to the previous generation Prius, the center console has a higher presence and there is less headroom, so I felt like I was sitting in the cockpit of a sports car, without exaggeration.

　On the other hand, how was the rear seat?

I usually drive SUVs and minivans (which have a high seating position), so for a moment I was puzzled by the rather low seat height, but when I sat down, it felt surprisingly wider than it looks from the outside.

　In particular, the legroom is ample, and once in the car, it seems comfortable.

　In this way, the new Prius seems to maintain sufficient interior practicality beyond its sporty appearance.

* * * *

　As of the end of November 2022, detailed specifications of the new Prius have not been announced, but the vehicle on display at the press conference included a twin glass sunroof.

　The new Prius is characterized by its enveloping interior space, and in combination with a glass sunroof, it will reduce the sense of claustrophobia and provide a moderate sense of freedom from overhead.

　It may be worth considering the installation of a glass sunroof at the time of purchase.”