Toyota Prius v scheduled for local launch in May
Seven-seat hybrid will be Toyota's first with compact lithium-ion battery pack to reach AustraliaToyota's first lithium-on battery hybrid will reach local showrooms in May, the company confirmed in a press release today.
The Prius v is more than just an elongated Prius, Toyota claims. And certainly the battery pack in the people mover is a clue to that. The lithium-ion pack sits under the centre console between the driver and front passenger, freeing up considerable room between boot and rear seat, where the nickel-metal hydride battery pack resides in the five-seat Prius. According to the company, the lithium-ion battery is smaller and lighter than the NiMH battery, with similar storage capacity.
As for the rest of the new model, Toyota says it shares no external panels with the five-seater and the Prius v is 135mm longer, 30mm wider and 100mm higher than the five-seat hatch. To ease access to the third-row seat the vehicle's wheelbase is also 80mm longer. Mechanically the Prius v owes more to the hatch, being powered as it is by the 73kW 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder and a 60kW electric motor. In combination the two units produce peak power of 100kW.
"The Prius v is all about versatility - it is larger and roomier to meet the needs of growing families while retaining the Prius DNA of environmental performance and fuel economy," said Toyota Australia's executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor, as quoted in the press release.
"Due to the placement of the lithium-ion battery pack between the front seats, there is minimal compromise to the MPV-style seven-seat passenger accommodation or the load space. Families will have the flexibility of using all seven seats or folding down the third-row seats to convert the car into a five-seater with extra luggage space. Customers can also fold down the second-row seats to accommodate more cargo than many SUVs and wagons on the market today."
The Prius v is part of an expanding 'Prius'-branded hybrid model range for Toyota, with a Prius c also joining the line-up, but slotted in a position below the current five-seat hatch.
Vehicle in white is Prius + concept shown at 2011 Frankfurt motor show
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