THOUGH

BY JEFFREY GIBBS

The ffth-generation Toyota Prius, which made its debut in the United States and Japan, is unlikely to make a return to Australian showrooms.

Despite its new body, adoption of Toyota’s fagship model technology and a range of more powerful and effcient hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, low sales numbers from previous years are disinclined to make a return feasible.

Approximately 35,000 of the 300,000 hybrid cars sold in Australia were Prius models, with their peak occurring in 2008. Nonetheless, in 2021, the number dropped to less than 100.

The 1.8-litre Prius, with its new 103kW hybrid power option, has the potential to match the 2023 Corolla Hybrid it shares its drivetrain with, in addition to a 2.0-litre hybrid system to provide a more powerful 144kW. Both of these options come with the potential for front or all-wheel drive depending on the market. Toyota has not provided any fuel economy fgures yet, though Toyota Global Design Boss Simon Humphreys has informed viewers of the car’s livestream that it will be the most effcient model in its class. For the frst time, the 2.0-litre Prius plug-in hybrid offers increased power with a combined output of 164kW.

Its 13.6kWh battery pack has been relocated to the rear seats, thereby lowering the centre of gravity and allowing for more boot space. With its 0-100km/h acceleration time estimated to be around 6.7 seconds, this wide and 1420mm tall Prius rides on a 2750mm wheelbase, making this one 50mm shorter, model will be one of the quickest and most powerful production Prius models ever built. Based off the current model’s architecture, the 4524mm long, 1782mm

The car that was the forerunner of today’s petrol-electric hybrid technology is back in a whole new form; featuring a revamped exterior, upgraded technology, and increased power. Unfortunately, these updates won’t be available in Australia.

22mm wider, 50mm lower and 50mm longer between the wheels than the outgoing car. With its sleeker fve-door hatchback, LED headlights, full-width LED tail-light bar, and alloy wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, elements of Toyota’s BZ electric-car range are integrated into the design. Inside, there is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as the fagship model, as well as a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver.

Interior features include cloth or synthetic leather trim depending on the model, dual-zone climate control, heated seating, ventilated seats, an ambient lighting system integrated into the dashboard, USB-C ports, an electric parking brake, solar panels on the roof of the plug-in model and a panoramic sunroof.

Safety features for the Prius from Toyota’s Advanced Safety System consist of autonomous emergency braking, lanekeep assistance, adaptive cruise control and blindspot monitoring with rear cross-traffc alert. Additional features include automatic parking and a digital rear-view mirror, with some models having power sockets inside to allow external electric devices to be charged from the car battery. The 2023 Toyota Prius is due in Japanese showrooms before the end of this year in hybrid form, with the plug-in hybrid due mid next year. Toyota Australia, however, has no plans to introduce the new Prius to the market, with other vehicles such as the Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, C-HR and Corolla Cross now substantially increasing the hybrid offering.