Toyota Prius

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.”

“World premiere of the new Toyota “”Prius”” with flashy illumination! The custom specs equipped with intense LEDs are so cool!

Large LED Illumination gives it a strong presence!
　On November 16, 2022, Toyota unveiled the world premiere of the new Prius, scheduled to go on sale this winter. In conjunction with this, Toyota Customizing & Development released a teaser site for Modellista brand aero parts for the new Prius on the same day.

Fresh illumination is also adopted! World premiere of the new Prius custom specifications! View in pictures.

New “”Prius”” equipped with aero parts by Modellista

　The new Prius, now in its 5th generation, inherits the iconic “”monoform silhouette”” and achieves sporty proportions by lowering the center of gravity even further. The new Prius has a simple, yet intricate body shape.

　To complement the emotional design of the new Prius, Modellista has created two series of aero parts, “”NEO ADVANCE STYLE”” and “”ELEGANT ICE STYLE””.

　The NEO ADVANCE STYLE features large LED illumination in the front section and a three-dimensional blackout to express a dynamic presence.

　On the other hand, the ELEGANT ICE STYLE features chrome decorations that wrap around the vehicle, creating a custom look that emphasizes high quality.

　More details on Modellista brand aero parts for the new Prius are expected to be revealed in the future.”

“World premiere of the new Toyota Prius! What has evolved in the “”sporty”” 5th generation?

It’s finally here! New “”Prius”” to go on sale this winter
　On November 16, 2022, Toyota unveiled the world premiere of the new “”Prius,”” its fifth generation model.

It’s finally here! A Closer Look at Toyota’s New “”Prius”” in 46 Images

The world premiere of the new Toyota Prius

　The Prius was launched in 1997 with the catchphrase “”Just in time for the 21st century. the Prius was born in 1997 as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car.

　The second generation model was the first to adopt the “”monoform silhouette”” that has come to define the Prius, and it achieved even better fuel economy with its advanced series-parallel hybrid system (THS II). The third-generation Prius has not only improved fuel economy, but also enhanced driving performance.

　The current 4th generation Prius is the first to adopt the TNGA platform, which has further improved environmental performance and evolved driving performance.

The cumulative global sales volume of the successive generations of the Prius series to date has reached approximately 5.05 million units, and as of March 2022, the amount of CO2 emissions reduced will be equivalent to more than 82 million tons.

　In 2022, 25 years after its birth, the new Prius, the fifth generation of the series, was finally unveiled.

　Toyota says that the new Prius was developed with the aim of creating a car that combines its strengths of high environmental performance 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 exterior inherits the iconic “”monoform silhouette”” of the Prius, but has evolved to more stylish proportions with a lower center of gravity based on the second-generation TNGA platform and large 19-inch tires.

The simple yet intricate body shape expresses “”emotions that resonate with the senses”” and “”universal beauty”” to be loved for a long time.

　The front design, based on the hammerhead motif, combines functionality and design at a high level, while the rear design, with its thin, single-character rear combination lamps, further enhances the Prius’ advanced features.

　Body dimensions are 4600 mm (+25 mm) in length, 1780 mm (+20 mm) in width, and 1430 mm (-40 mm) in height, with a wheelbase of 2750 mm (+50 mm) [figures in parentheses compare to the previous generation].

　A total of eight body colors will be available, including two newly developed solid color-based colors, “”Ash”” and “”Mustard,”” which give a sporty impression.

　The interior, based on the “”Island Architecture”” concept, provides both a spacious and comfortable cockpit feel that allows the driver to concentrate on driving. The interior space is designed for intuitive operation and enjoyable driving.

　The interior color is based on black, with coordinated decorations for the instrument panel and seat stitching. The interior color is based on black, and the instrument panel and seat stitching are coordinated to achieve both a sporty and new sense of quality.

　The instrument panel is equipped with Toyota’s first “”illumination notification system”” that alerts the driver with a flashing illumination when an object is detected, before an alarm sounds. In addition to decorating the interior as an ambient light, the design incorporates a new feature that works in conjunction with Toyota Safety Sense.

　In addition, an accessory power outlet (100 VAC, 1500 W) is installed at two locations: at the rear end of the center console and in the luggage compartment. The driver can select either “”EV power supply mode,”” in which power is supplied by the battery alone without starting the engine, or “”HV power supply mode,”” in which power is generated by the engine when the battery level is low. An external power supply attachment is provided as standard equipment to prevent the intrusion of insects and other contaminants into the interior during power supply and rainwater in the event of rain, enabling external power supply with the door glass closed.
World premiere of the new Toyota Prius! What has evolved in the “”sporty”” 5th generation?

Three types of powertrains
　Three types of powertrains are available: 1.8-liter engine or 2.0-liter engine + hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and 2.0-liter engine + plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Toyota’s new Prius (2.0-liter PHEV prototype)

　The HEV model, which combines a 1.8-liter engine or 2.0-liter engine and a hybrid system, uses the latest system. While achieving fuel economy equivalent to the conventional model, the HEV delivers heart-pounding acceleration and a responsive driving experience that responds exactly as the driver wants it to.

The maximum system output of the 2.0-liter HEV model is 193 hp, 1.6 times that of the previous model, ensuring dynamic performance befitting the sporty reborn Prius.

　In addition, the latest E-Four (4WD) is available. The adoption of a high-output motor and other measures have further improved hill climbing performance on low-mileage roads, including snow-covered roads, as well as stability when turning.

　The PHEV model with 2.0-liter engine + plug-in hybrid system is the first Toyota model to adopt a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid system that delivers significantly better acceleration performance and quieter operation than the previous model.

　The combination of the highly efficient Dynamic Force engine and the high-output lithium-ion battery for drive achieves a maximum system output of 223 PS horsepower and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.7 seconds.

　EV driving range is improved by more than 50% compared to the conventional model. The battery performance has been improved so that the car can cover most of its daily needs with EV driving alone. In addition, when the power switch is turned on during charging, a “”mileage mode”” is set to enable use of the air conditioner and audio system using power from an external power source, making the cabin as comfortable as if it were another room in the car.

　In addition, the battery pack, which was previously located in the luggage section, is now mounted under the rear seat, resulting in a lower center of gravity and increased luggage space. The new Prius combines sporty driving with improved convenience.

　For the platform, a second-generation TNGA platform has been developed and adopted with improvements to realize the emotional design and driving performance of the new Prius, resulting in a lower center of gravity and larger-diameter tires.

　In addition, the body has been reinforced in various parts for greater rigidity and quieter operation. The improved suspension (front: MacPherson strut type/rear: double wishbone type) provides a sturdier vehicle in a straight line and more responsive and easier line tracing in corners in response to the driver’s intention. Combined with the latest powertrain, the vehicle offers captivating athletic performance.

　The latest Toyota Safety Sense preventive safety package, which adds advanced functions and enhanced features to the advanced safety and driving support system, is standard equipment. The Advanced Park (with remote function) advanced driving support system is also available. In addition, a dedicated smartphone application can be used from outside the car to park and exit the car remotely.

* * * * * * * *

　The new Prius will also feature a “”panoramic moonroof”” that extends the opening width to the limit and brings a sense of openness to the interior. The PHEV is also available with a second-generation “”solar charging system”” that converts sunlight into electricity more efficiently and can generate the equivalent of approximately 1,250 km of driving range in one year.

　In addition, an on-board drive recorder is available, utilizing the monocular camera of the Toyota Safety Sense system for the front and the rear camera of the electronic inner mirror for the rear. In addition to the clean look and feel of the cameras and wiring, the data is stored in the ECU, avoiding problems such as data corruption that can easily occur with SD cards, and securely storing important captured data.

　The new Prius model is scheduled to be launched globally in the future, starting with Japan and gradually expanding to North America and Europe. The HEV and PHEV models are scheduled to go on sale this winter and spring of 2023, respectively.

The price of the new Prius has not been announced at this time.

In Japan, the new Prius will also be handled by the car subscription service “”KINTO,”” but details of the specific plan will be announced this winter.
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