Friday, February 19, 2016
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Visit the Prius gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca
Nothing obvious about the all-new Toyota Prius The Toyota Safety Sense system will be available on It would be no more than an unimagabout gas prices fuelling hybrid sales.” inative statement of the obvious to At the risk of incurring the wrath of the all but the base model: Pre-collision system, lane describe the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius, Toyota marketing department (not that departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic as a gas/electric hybrid powered car. it would bother me), that’s going to be radar cruise control. A technology package will add Obvious perhaps because since its a tough sell. The 2016 edition achieves blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, launch back in 1997 its nameplate has still more fuel economy gains and that full-colour heads up display, an intelligent parking only ever been offered with a hybrid will continue as a purchase persuader. and warning system with 12 sonar sensors posipower unit. Clever marketing ensured And the price is right, an equal driver tioned around the vehicle. This will give the driver Prius became synonymous with green of sales in my opinion: three trims the opportunity to park – parallel or perpendicular No surprise driving and the badge showed all that starting at $25,995, which is $300 less – without laying a hand on the steering wheel. That’s owners were environmentally conthan the outgoing that the fourthwhat an additional $590 gets you scious. Since then, Toyota has sold more along with heated front seats. generation model is third gen model. than 3.5-million Prius models largely on Opening the doors GAS GAS Even the most loaded editions a hybrid but placing reveals some things the strength of that green cred. barely pass $33,000. No surprise that the fourth-generation the emphasis on don’t change. As Promise I’ll get behind that wheel model is a hybrid but placing the emis the norm, the soon. The new Prius uses a revised that fact is totally phasis on that fact is totally inadequate instrument panel is in the centre, version of Toyota’s 1.8-litre-Atkinson cycle engine. and undersells its other attributes. The inadequate and which always takes me a few drives The official fuel economy numbers are not out yet Japanese giant has not abandoned the undersells its other to get used to. What is different is the but internal testing revealed a fuel efficiency of trumpeting of the car’s green nature arrangement of the info screens, all the attributes. 4.5L/100KM (city/highway combined). The launch but it’s much more low key in its new stuff you need to pilot safely features drive in Vancouver suggested the 4.5 number is far marketing campaign. Instead, Toyota is Keith Morgan on a pair of side-by-side LED screens, from being a dream. trying to persuade potential buyers that which essentially form a single display, Okay, we’re off. Normal and Power driving modes this new version is ready to compete in the mainand that sits neatly above a larger infotainment suggest this actually might be a fun drive. Normal stream against conventional gas-powered sedans screen separated by the heating vents. errs on the side of economy-optimized performance. based on price, performance, technology, safety and, The base console is an uninspiring black plastic but Power packs some fun into the Prius, without serious yes, looks! it’s replaced by an off-white colour on the other compromising fuel economy. Let’s get the latter point out of the way, right away. It trims. That might take a time to grow on me. The car is a gem in the city as you would expect and has never been a looker but with its new sleek, lower The enlarged platform, smaller batteries and reconspirited on the highway, especially when the Power stance it is as close to sporty as you are likely to get figuration of where they sit, behind and under the mode is selected. To be fair, I didn’t feel the need to in a Prius. It appears to these eyes that red livery rear seat translates into much more cabin room and explore my inner Boy Racer too many times. gives it a sharpest appearance but blue looks good a more comfy rear seat ride. (Incidentally, the base Looking forward to spending a week in the car when too. Less enthused about paler renderings. model keeps the nickel-metal-hydride units, whereas I can truly put it to the test in real world conditions. Toyota Canada vice-president Stephen Beatty says the top trim with a technology package used the the brand wants to “break the cycle of psychology lithium-ion battery.) keith.morgan@drivewaybc.ca
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Driveway Editor Keith Morgan will entertain and inform at this weekend’s Early Bird RV Show, at Tradex, in Abbotsford. The veteran auto writer will make a multi-media presentation twice on Saturday called “RVing for Novices” during which he will share tips and jokes about his recent six-day, 1,200-kilometre road trip through B.C. Showgoers will see all the latest equipment and get the opportunity to win a Wildwood X-Lite travel trailer valued at $20,995. For show info: www.rvshowsbc.com
Safety Tip: If winter doesn’t typically mean snow or ice where you live, other conditions like darker morning and afternoon commutes and heavy rain can make driving this time of year challenging. Drive safely this winter—slow down and increase your following distance. 7418702
3174 King George Blv. South Surrey 1-877-837-8674 peacearchtoyota.com
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