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“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)”