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NEWS
Next-gen Toyota Prius delayed
New architecture and hybrid system issues defer production of fourth-generation PriusAutomotive News Europe is reporting that Toyota has postponed production of its fourth-generation Prius by up to six months.
The successor to the current XW30-series (ZVW30R locally), which has been on sale since 2010, was originally slated to begin production in mid-2015. But owing to issues with the new vehicle's architecture and next-generation hybrid system, 'Job One' could now be pushed back to as late as December 2015 – and then it will not be a final production car, but a "confirmation" prototype. If normal practices are followed this will precede the final production version by about 12 months – indicating a formal launch in the second half of 2016 looks most likely.
Officially Toyota is yet to comment on the delay, but it is understood that the commonalisation of Toyota's New Global Architecture with the Prius – which like other modular chassis arrangements aims to increase the number of parts shared among other vehicles in the range – is one sticking point in the schedule.
The modular framework must also serve to underpin future versions of the Prius, Prius C and Prius V – and possibly even a Prius SUV – including plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell hybrid versions, expected to begin production from October 2016.
The other impasse is said to come from Toyota's new hybrid system. Toyota has previously said the revised Hybrid Synergy Drive technology will be lighter, smaller, more efficient, and cheaper to build, and is targeting a 10 per cent improvement on the fuel economy figure of the current model. That should take the new Prius' combined cycle figure to somewhere in the vicinity of 3.5L/100km.
The majority of improvements in efficiency are expected to come from a new silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor developed in partnership with the Denso Corporation. The SiC is said to reduce the electrical energy loss associated with semiconductors within the Power Control Unit as it switches on and off. PCUs account for around one-quarter of the electric power loss in hybrids, of which it is estimated 20 per cent is wasted by conventional semiconductors.
Automotive News Europe also reports that the new petrol engine for the Prius will boast higher thermal efficiency than the current powerplant, which is quoted at 38.5 per cent efficiency. This is expected to rise above 40 per cent with the new car.
The current third-generation Toyota Prius has been on sale locally since 2009. The core model has sold just over 5000 examples in that time (excluding Prius C and Prius V variants), but this year so far, sales have slowed to slightly more than 200 units (as at the end of May 2014). Global Prius sales in the last few years have annually exceeded one million, making it the top-selling hybrid.
Automotive News says a plug-in version of the new Prius is expected to start production in October 2016.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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