Toyota Prius: The hybrid future is here now

The first commercially available hybrid car in the world produced by the automobile giant Toyota is finally here. In the midst of an uncertain future for the automobile industry, Toyota is highly pioneer the shift to a more sustainable fuel from the engine of the Toyota Prius.

Officially introduced in Western and Japanese markets in 1997, the hybrid system is only available in showrooms in the Philippines this year.

Powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), celebrated worldwide as a breakthrough in automotive technology, the Prius is capable of operating on both a gasoline engine and electric motor controlled by an intelligent management system of energy.

The Prius is the most fuel efficient, commercially available in cars today, with an amazing 38-km per liter consumption and still able to provide a power similar to a large engine 2.4 liter.

But the real pride of Toyota with the Prius is that its environmentally friendly technology is so flexible and it offers significantly lower emissions carbon footprint while providing the same level of a gas engine.

The Prius, unlike any regular gasoline powered car can start with the electric motor, thereby reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions during acceleration. As it reaches its cruising speed, you can choose to use the gas engine or electric keep the engine running until the need to recharge the batteries. Another interesting feature of the Prius technology is its regenerative braking, which allows the Prius recharges itself by recovering energy otherwise wasted braking and turning them into electricity.

Power Mode is for those who want a sporty feel to their car with a choice of gas or electricity. EV Drive mode uses only electrical energy and gives an impression one of the future of personal transportation.

The vehicle aerodynamic performance is one of the best in the world with a coefficient of drag of just 0.25. Each corner of the Prius has been taken into account to achieve superiority in the functions and design. The pillars have been moved forward by 25 mm and placed at an angle oblique to refine the lines and reduce drag, while the roof edge was moved to create a spacious rear. The platform enables optimized to achieve good steering, superior line driving and cruising stability at high speed.

The design of the cockpit is divided into two zones, in addition to the form and function. Command of the area to optimize the position of the vehicle control for easy operation and viewing area is designed for high visibility driving information.

To demonstrate its ecological character, the seat cushion of the driver, friction plates and other interior components are made of green plastic. The large scoreboard reflects a similar trend to leaf veins, to strengthen the feeling that environment.

The Prius receives the first Tracer Touch Display, which allows the driver to view the back and forth across the screen as the steering wheel audio, air conditioning and the display switches are depressed.

On the other hand, the Heads-Up Display (HUD), provides security and comfort through the use of hybrid indicators reflecting on the windshield glass in front of the driver's line of sight, this which results in a minimum of eye movement and more concentration on the road. The visibility is also provided with the HUD on the size and brightness adjustment switches.

For security reasons, there is the control of vehicle stability (VSC), seven of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and an active head airbags for driver and front passenger.

Toyota is proud of himself with the third generation Prius, with this technology, now widely being researched by other automobile manufacturers in the world, the future and design of the hybrid car, a true future.