Toyota took the wraps off the 2017 Prius Prime plug-in hybrid at the 2016 New York auto show, and it will be the most advanced Prius yet once it goes on sale in all 50 states in fall 2016. Underpinned by the same TNGA platform as the standard Prius hybrid and the C-HR small crossover, the Prius Prime will be the range-topping variant of the fourth-generation Prius. Compared to the outgoing Prius PHEV, the Prius Prime is 2.4 inches longer, 0.6 inch wider, and an inch lower, giving it more cargo room and a lower stance.
Like the standard Prius Hybrid, the Prius Prime features the extensive use of high-strength steel in its construction to keep the body lightweight and strong. Aluminum and carbon fiber also helped keep the car’s weight in check. The hood, for example, is made of aluminum, and the rear hatch is built out of carbon fiber. As a result, the Prius Prime is expected to have one of the lowest drag coefficients among sedans. To help it cheat the wind even better, the Prius Prime also comes with automatic grille shutters for better aerodynamics when the radiator doesn’t need cooling.
Delivering exceptional fuel economy remains the Prius Prime’s primary mission, and with the same revised hybrid powertrain as the standard car, it promises to have excellent EV range and the ability to travel 600 miles before needing to refuel. Under the hood is the same Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain in the Prius hybrid, which combines a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle I-4 with an impressive thermal efficiency of 40 percent and an electric motor backed by a lithium-ion battery. The four-cylinder engine features many efficiency-enhancing technologies, such as an exhaust gas recirculation system with a smaller water pump and an exhaust heat recirculation system to speed up engine warm-up.
One of the main differences of the Prius Prime’s powertrain versus the standard Prius Hybrid’s is that it’s the first Toyota to use a dual-mode generator drive system, allowing it use the electric motor and the generator to improve acceleration. Regenerative braking comes standard and allows the car to recharge the battery upon deceleration and braking for improved fuel economy.
The Prius Prime’s electric motor is backed by a larger 8.8-kW-hr lithium-ion battery, allowing it to travel up to an estimated 22 miles in EV mode and maintain speeds of up to 84 mph. Outside of EV mode, the Prius Prime will automatically rely on the electric propulsion in situations where it’s superior, such as city driving and short trips. In Hybrid mode, the Prius Prime can use the gas engine or electric motor alone or a combination of both for optimum efficiency. Using a standard household outlet, the Prius Prime’s battery can be charged to full in 5.5 hours; a 240-volt charger cuts that time in half.
Inside, the Prius Prime comes generously equipped with many standard features, including heated front seats, 60/40 split-folding rear seat backs, Qi wireless charging, and two reconfigurable 4.2-inch TFT displays. The car also comes standard with an automatic climate control system that focuses airflow to areas where passengers are seated. Toyota’s latest Entune infotainment system is also standard on the Prius Prime and now comes with an 11.6-inch screen and exclusive apps to help you manage charging schedules and status, locate charging stations, compare your eco driving score with others on social media, and control your car’s climate system from your smartphone. A 10-speaker JBL GreenEdge audio system is available as part of a package that includes navigation, and the Entune App suite allows you to access Slacker Radio, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Destination Search, movietickets.com, Yelp, and Facebook Places. You’ll also be able to keep track of real-time traffic, sports, fuel prices, and stocks via the Entune App suite.
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime will offer Toyota Safety Sense P, a suite of active safety features that includes the Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane departure warning with steering assist, adaptive cruise control with full stop function, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, a head-up display, and Toyota’s Intelligent Parking Assist are all available as optional extras.
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