2017 Toyota Prius Plug-in Prime Review
Intro
The current Prius hybrid will be replaced by the 2017 Toyota Prius plug-in. The upcoming Prius is called “Prime” and according to the manufacturer it is the best-equipped Prius in the model’s history. It has a sleek design, and features a whole array of impressive specs. Let’s see if the 2017 Prius ‘Prime’ has what it takes to stand out from the rest of the hybrid plug-ins available.
Exterior
The exterior of the 2017 Toyota Prius focuses on the principles of minimum air resistance. Compared to the previous models, the current one is 2.4 inches longer and 0.6 inch wider. The fascia has been given deeper creases. The blacked-out center section is bracketed by thin LED-headlamp enclosures. The spoiler has an integrated wraparound LED taillamp design. The hood is made of aluminum, and the liftgate is carbon-fiber to decrease overall weight. In order to improve the center of gravity, the front of the car is lower compared to the back of the vehicle. Lastly, the battery is now located under the backseats.
Interior
The center of the dashboard has an 11.6 inches long so called “infotainment” touchscreen display. Additionally, a dual 4.2 inch color TFT multi-information display is located above the infotainment touchscreen. The cabin is wider than the previous model. This allows for more comfort in the spacing between the driver and front passenger seats. The back seats are also quite spacious. The wider cabin provides more cargo space. The interior also has leatherette upholstery by SofTex, an Entune sound system, HD Radio, and dual-zone climate control.
Features
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime uses the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. This technology combines a gasoline engine and electric motor. The capacity of the battery is much more higher than previous models. A Toyota Safety Sense P suite is also highly featured addition. It includes lane-keeping, dynamic cruise control, automatic high-beams, pre-collision detection, and pedestrian recognition. Looking good!
Specifics / Performance |
|
| BASE PRICE | $24,000 (est.) |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | FWD |
| ENGINE | 1.8 L gasoline 4-Cylinder Port-Injected Inline-4 Atkinson Cycle |
| BATTERY | 8.8 kWh Lithium-Ion Battery |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | 35 km (22 mi) |
| TOP SPEED | 84 mph (est.) |
| TRANSMISSION | 1-Speed Planetary Gear |
| RANGE | 970 km (600 mi) |
| HYBRID DRIVETRAIN | Power-Split Hybrid (Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive) |
| ON SALE IN U.S. | Late 2016 (est.) |
(Source: Autoblog)
