B6 • InMotion
Friday, October 28, 2011 - VICTORIA
Prius v Continued from Pg. B5
panel sits mid-ship in the dash with a 6.1-inch display screen below that is replaced by a seveninch monitor in the Touring and Technology edition. The seats in the Prius v are cloth-covered in the base model, but a new synthetic leather called SoftTex is used in upscale trim levels. SoftTex weighs 50 per cent less than traditional leathers and adding to the green theme, its generation produces 99-per-centfewer volatile organic compounds. The car itself emits 66-per-centfewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle and it qualifies for a Tier 2 Bin 3
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emissions rating. At the heart of the Prius v is the Hybrid Synergy Drive, built around a 1.8litre Atkinson Cycle fourcylinder engine combined with a 60 kW high-torque electric motor and a 27 kW battery. It is all controlled by a sophisticated power management system that produces 134 total horsepower and results in a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 4.6L/100 km combined. My driving partner and I managed 5.7 and 5.4L/100 km in our two combined city/highway driving routes in and around Quebec City. The system uses an electronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) that routes power to the front wheels. You can
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choose from four drive mode selections: normal, EV, ECO and Power. Even with the Power mode selected, this is a sluggish car that definitely favours fuel economy over performance. Of course, most customers get into the Prius because of its green technology, and performance for them will not be an issue. But be aware that when you push the v hard, as we did on several uphill sections, the engine noise is pronounced, in part because of the CVT transmission that causes the engine to rev very high. We found that EV (electric only) mode works up to about 40 km/h and then the gasoline engine kicks in. This produces a nice quiet ride in slow city driving. ECO mode adjusts air conditioning settings and throttle for the best fuel economy, but dials down the performance. In most cases, the normal mode seemed to be the best compromise.
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BODY STYLE: Five-door midsize crossover.. DRIVE METHOD: Front engine, front-wheel drive. ENGINE: 1.8-litre four-cylinder gasoline, with a 60 kW electric motor (134 total hp, torque n/a) and an electric CVT transmission. FUEL ECONOMY: 4.3L/100 km (65.7 mpg) city, 4.8L/100 km (58.9 mpg) highway. CARGO CAPACITY: 3.6-litre, 2,812 kg
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While the hybrid system is similar to the one on the Liftback, there have been some tweaks. One is a new exhaust heat recovery system that sends cold coolant after start-up down to the hotter exhaust piping to warm up the coolant faster so that the hybrid system can shut off its gas engine more quickly and realize fuel savings. Another new twist is a Pitch and Bounce Control System that helps reduce pitching motion in the cabin on rough roads or because of acceleration or deceleration. Here, the wheel-speed sensors sense the road input and adjust the electric motor’s torque output to reduce pitching motion. In all, it is meant to flatten the overall ride and increases handling performance. I’m not sure I felt the system in use, but I can say the Prius v exhibited a reasonably soft, compliant ride. The Prius v doesn’t get the short shrift when it comes to safety either. Standard fare
includes a full suite of safety features like stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force district and brake assist plus seven airbags. Competition for the Prius v comes from cars like the Mazda5, Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagon TDI, and crossovers like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. Ranging from $27,200 to $36,875, the Prius v is pricier than most competitors, but Toyota should have no trouble selling the 4,000 units it plans to bring into Canada. The versatility, fuel economy and hybrid technology make this a vehicle appealing to buyers wanting to show off their ‘green’ bent. The current generation Prius Liftback is often a second car, but the Prius v offers roominess and flexibility to make it an everyday vehicle for modern families. The Prius V will be on sale by the end of October.
Toyota Prius v 2012 at a glance
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$
A look at the instrument panel readout on the Prius v. The interior is much improved in the Prius v compared with earlier generations of the original Prius. More soft-touch material has been added along with a number of convenience features.
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(6,200 lb); 5.7-litre, 3,266 kg (7,200 lb).
Cargo and passenger space is much improved in the Prius v.
PRICES: $27,200 to $36,875. WEBSITE: www.toyota.ca
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